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Birmingham’s Forgotten Innovation District
Drive along First Avenue North, just on the other side of the railroad tracks from Regions Field downtown, and you might notice Innovation Depot. This is a business incubator that’s done a lot in recent years to spur entrepreneurship in Birmingham. But it’s actually part of a larger innovation district. Most people haven't heard of Birmingham's innovation district, but some city boosters say it is finally ready to take off. We talk about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Birmingham Residents Rally to Show Support for Syrian Refugees
A about four dozen people gathered Saturday morning in Birmingham's Railroad Park downtown to take a picture showing that some Alabamians would like to accept Syrian refugees.
JefCo to Receive Federal Grant to Improve Prosecution of Sexual Assault
Jefferson County will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women to improve how the justice system handles sexual assault cases, announced today U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, Jefferson County District Attorney Brandon Falls, Sheriff Mike Hale and Crisis Center Executive Director Meg McGlamery. The county is one of just seven […]
Former Bibb County Deputy Sheriff Convicted of Sexual Exploitation
A former Bibb County deputy sheriff has been convicted on six criminal charges stemming from allegations that he sexually exploited women he encountered during traffic stops. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced the conviction of Ervin Heard today Heard, 44, of Centreville, was found guilty on December 17, 2015, of charges of custodial sexual misconduct, […]
Success More Than Jokes For Birmingham’s Roy Wood Jr. On Daily Show
For me, I think I have been very, very lucky to have a career up until this point where pretty much everything I have done, prepared me for what I am doing today on The Daily Show – from the acting, to the stand ups, even the prank phone calls. Roy Wood Jr.
Museum Exhibit Tells Spiritual Story of African Slaves in Haiti
A new exhibit opening at the Birmingham Museum of Art shows the marriage of African spirituality and Western traditions. The exhibit is called Haitian Flags and consists of ceremonial tapestries used by people of the Vodou faith. Vodou is still practiced on Haiti today. WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli spoke to curator Emily Hanna at the museum to learn more.
Birmingham’s Violence Reduction Initiative
Homicides are up in Birmingham for 2015, ending a three-year decline. The reasons for the increase aren’t clear. Some point to a rise in violent crime more generally in cities across the country. Others say Birmingham’s homicide rate had dropped so low it had nowhere to go but up. In any case, city leaders are trying to respond. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager spoke with Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, about that response.
Fallout from Tuesday’s Fight at City Hall far from Over
Birmingham City Councilman Marcus Lundy no longer faces arrest following a physical altercation with Mayor William Bell during Tuesday's city council meeting. The Mayor's Office said in a statement Wednesday night Bell is withdrawing his complaint for the good of the city. Lundy's attorney says the councilman regrets the negative impact the incident had on the city. But that doesn't mean Tuesday's fight can simply be forgotten. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his reaction.
Bell Withdraws Complaint Against Lundy
Birmingham Mayor William Bell has withdrawn his complaint against City Councilman Marcus Lundy after a fight at city hall left both men hospitalized with minor injuries. In a statement Wednesday evening Bell says he is withdrawing his complaint against the councilman for "the good of the city." A warrant had been issued for Lundy’s arrest on an assault charge.
Fight at City Hall Not Craziest Thing to Happen in Alabama
A fight broke out at Birmingham City Hall between the mayor and a council member, Alabama is now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation for closure of driver license offices and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) prepares for active shooter scenarios. The latest conversation with Kyle Whitmire, political columnist for The Birmingham […]
Warrant Issued for Arrest of Birmingham City Councilman
Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Birmingham City Councilman Marcus Lundy following an altercation between Lundy and Birmingham Mayor William Bell during Tuesday's council meeting. A police report says Lundy attacked Bell as the two talked behind closed doors.
Birmingham Mayor, Councilman Involved in Altercation
Details are still coming in, but Birmingham Mayor William Bell and City Councilman Marcus Lundy reportedly had a physical confrontation in a back room during the council's meeting this morning. Both men received medical treatment.
Birmingham-Southern Professor Michael Flowers Named 2015 Professor of the Year
For more than three decades, Michael Flowers has been teaching acting at Birmingham-Southern College. Flowers was recently named 2015 Alabama Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation.
Lawsuit says Blue Cross to Blame for Closure of Mental Healthcare Provider
When Alabama Psychiatric Services closed in February, it sent shockwaves through the state’s mental health community. The company provided mental healthcare to about 28,000 people in locations throughout Alabama and employed more than 250 medical professionals. APS blamed the sudden closure on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, but a lawsuit filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court in May, and amended last month, offers more details on the specific allegations.
Where Birmingham’s Business Community Sends its Campaign Cash
Alabama has seen at least seven presidential candidates make stops in the state. Much of the credit for raising Alabama’s profile on the campaign trail is given to the fact the state banned together with other southern states to hold their primaries on March 1st. It's been dubbed the SEC primary. While candidates are seeing votes, they’re also seeking donors. That’s where we start in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Water Works Ends Longtime Ties With Lawyers Waldrep, Stewart and Kendrick
The Birmingham Water Works Board cut ties today with its longtime lawyers Waldrep, Stewart and Kendrick. The board’s vote ends a lucrative relationship valued at more than $ 1 million a year and had lasted almost three decades. The contract ends on Jan. 11, says Mac Underwood, General Manager for the utility. Charlie Waldrep, a […]
Support For Trump in Alabama Still High Despite Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
From a pig’s head left outside a Philadelphia mosque this week to mounting threats in other parts of the US, the backlash against Muslims has intensified. In Alabama, the Ku Klux Klan is reportedly distributing fliers urging recruits to “fight the spread of Islam in our country.” This, along with Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s heated rhetoric, has many of the state’s Muslims on edge.
Birmingham Sees Highest Homicide Rate Since 2008
Birmingham is approaching its ninetieth homicide for 2015, making this the city's deadliest year since 2008.
Muslim Organization Calls on Public Leaders to Condemn Anti-Islamic Sentiment
The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling on public officials to condemn growing anti-Islamic sentiment, specifically a flier they say has been distributed in northern Alabama. CAIR says the recruitment flier from the Ku Klux Klan has been distributed in Cullman and Decatur and urges people help the group "fight the spread of Islam" in the United States.
JeffCo Residents Left Paying Bill on Billion Dollar Utility Scandal
Another Alabama lawmaker uses social media as a political podium, this time encouraging his followers to buy more guns, a settlement regarding a major banking institution may have a lasting and negative impact on Jefferson County residents and is Kyle Whitmire the Archie Bunker of the new millennium? The answer in this week’s conversation with […]
Plaintiff in Landmark Civil Rights Montgomery Bus Case Shares Her Story
Most people know the story of Rosa Parks' resounding 'no' when she was asked to give up her seat on a Montgomery city bus. Sixty years ago this month, Parks's refusal prompted the Montgomery Bus boycott. But before her actions made history, there were other women and men were arrested for protesting segregation on public transportation.
The Debate Around Guns Has to Change
San Bernardino, California, is the latest place to experience a tragic mass shooting and joins a list that includes Charleston, South Carolina, Sandy Hook, Aurora, Colorado, and may other places. After such incidents, the issue of gun violence inevitably follows, but the discussion seems stagnant with the various voices involved arguing their positions with little change. One of the most powerful voices is the National Rifle Association and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says "to hell with the NRA." He shares his thoughts and explains why the process around Birmingham's approval of Uber and other ride-hailing companies was flawed.
Protesters Show Solidarity for Hunger-Striking Etowah County Detainees
Protesters in Birmingham today clanged forks and spoons against empty plates and marched in a show of solidarity for the 40 detainees currently on a hunger strike at a U.S. Immigration and Customs detention center in Etowah County.
U.S. Department of Transportation Investigating Rural Driver’s License Offices
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it’s investigating the closure or reduction in services at part-time driver’s license offices in Alabama for civil rights violations.
City Council Makes Way for Ride-hailing Companies in Birmingham
The Birmingham City Council voted today on revisions to the city’s transportation code which would allow ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in the city. The council voted 7 to 1 in favor of the changes. Councilwoman Valerie Abbott voted against them. Councilwoman Kim Rafferty abstained.
Birmingham LGBTQ Community Leader Honored by White House
Steven Romeo is founder of the Change Project here in Birmingham. It highlights the lives of LGBTQ people in Alabama and other areas of the South. Recently, Romeo received the White House “Champions of Change” recognition, given to just a handful of LGBT community leaders in the U.S. He stopped by to talk to WBHM […]
Teaching Tough Topics: NPT Reports
What should school children be taught about Islam, the Confederacy and other topics that are sensitive to some in our society? NPT Reports looks at how curriculum standards are set in Tennessee and why state officials are implementing new procedures to address public concerns as part of the Southern Education Desk's series, "Teaching Tough Topics."
What Expanded Gambling Could Mean for Alabama
State lawmakers took three legislative sessions to craft a bare-bones budget this year. Next year’s budget picture isn’t any rosier so calls are increasing for Alabama to expand gambling or start a lottery. Such a move would certainly mean revenue for the state, but just as with a roll of the dice, there’s risk. We start with that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
UAB Student, Iraq Vet Hopes to Help Feed Black Belt with Aquaponics
Ramon Jeter was raised by a single mother on the west side of Birmingham. Right out of Ramsay High School he joined the Navy. He eventually served as a field medic in Iraq. Now the married new father is studying public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and he’s been accepted to Clinton […]
Teaching Tough Topics: Teaching Beyond The Test
Civil Rights, Voter ID laws, Felon Rights. These topics aren’t foreign for teachers and students in Southern classrooms. But what happens when pressure to teach to the test prevents challenging conversations?
More than a Quarter of Alabama’s Children Live in Poverty, Report Finds
A new study shows that more than 26% of Alabama’s children are living at or below the poverty level. The 2015 Kids Count Data Book released this week by VOICES for Alabama’s Children provides a snapshot of well-being across several indicators including education, health and safety. “Well I think any time you’re talking about the […]
Transit Authority Board Under Fire for Meeting
When former Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority executive director Ann August left her post in October, transit board members said they held an emergency meeting to accept her resignation. Transit advocates say she was clearly fired. That distinction could mean the difference between a legal move by the board and something illegal. The Jefferson County District Attorney's office appears to be investigating. We hear about it from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald and also hear about the Birmingham City Council, which canceled a meeting for lack of a quorum.
