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Private Probation Company Leaves Alabama
Courtroom and legal-themed shows proliferate in entertainment media, but the real nuts and bolts of the legal process don’t often attract attention. That’s not the case for a private probation company which drew outrage around Alabama for the escalating fees it charged people with minor offenses such as traffic violations. That company, Judicial Correction Services, has announced it is leaving the state and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald is among those who is cheering.
Why I Support WBHM and the SED: Paul Blutter
Paul Blutter is a civic-minded businessman and father of two who appreciates stories from the Southern Education Desk at WBHM. He’s originally from New York and now lives in Homewood. “We love living here,” says Blutter. “It’s a great place to raise kids. And I think as parents, we all have to make important decisions […]
The Best Story for YOU from WBHM!
WBHM goes beyond the flash to the substance of a story. Support WBHM with a pledge. Call now to give at (800) 444-9246 or go to WBHM.org. Pledge Now
Why I Support WBHM: Reed Lochamy
Reed Lochamy is what you might call a renaissance man. He’s an English teacher at Hoover High School, host of the weekly show “Oh Brother Radio” on Birmingham Mountain Radio, and a regular commentator for SEC Network. He’s also a huge fan of public radio and WBHM. “I touch base with WBHM in the mornings […]
License Offices to Reopen 1 Day Per Month in November
Alabama will reopen rural driver's license offices at least one day per month beginning Nov. 1. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier gave the timeframe for the reopening announced by the governor.
Hillary Clinton Voices Criticism of Drivers License Office Closures During Alabama Visit
Secretary of State and Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigned in Hoover on Saturday. The Alabama Democratic Conference gathered at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel, where Clinton was the guest speaker. Clinton’s comments on racial justice drew plenty of support from those in attendance.
Why I Support WBHM and the SED: Linda Stephan
Linda Stephan is a local artist and art historian who values reporting from the Southern Education Desk at WBHM. She’s lived in the Birmingham area most of her life and has taught at several area universities. “I’m very, very interested in education and learning,” says Stephan. “That’s why I’m so supportive of the Southern Education […]
Reopening VictoryLand
Alabama casino developer Milton McGregor won a legal victory earlier this month which appears to put to rest a five-year court battle over his Macon County casino VictoryLand. A judge said the state had no grounds to seize thousands of electronic bingo machines from VictoryLand. So McGregor is working to reopen the facility. We talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Why I Support WBHM: Teri Lavette
Teri Lavette is an attorney, mother of two boys and a dollar-a-day sustaining member of WBHM. And she’s a loyal and consistent WBHM supporter. Lavette and her family have been members of WBHM since 1987. Lavette says she supports WBHM because it’s a constant source of entertainment and education in her life. “I listen on the […]
FBI Closes Investigation into 1964 Ala. police Shooting
The FBI has closed its investigation into a fatal police shooting that happened 50 years ago in west Alabama. A Justice Department letter to the family of Frank Andrews says the government won't file any charges in his slaying by a Choctaw County sheriff's deputy in the town of Lisman on Nov. 28, 1964.
Why I Support WBHM: David Resuehr
“Hands down it is the most interesting radio station that I know,” says David Resuehr, a scientist and WBHM member. He says he can’t start his day without WBHM and NPR. “I walk into the kitchen, pour a cup of coffee and turn on the radio,” he says. Resuehr listens to WBHM on the way to work, […]
Why I Support WBHM: Dan Fulton
Dan Fulton is a retired teacher who loves to listen to stories from the Southern Education Desk at WBHM. “It’s very informative and provides me with so much information that I find very valuable,” said Fulton. Fulton has reasons for listening to the radio beyond any specific story. “I have been on chemo for several […]
Get the story YOU deserve with WBHM!
WBHM is there for you with the news that matters. Will you be there for WBHM? Give at (800)444-9246 or wbhm.org. Pledge Now
Why I Support WBHM: Michael Harrington
Michael Harrington’s winning design is featured on the newest edition of WBHM’s pint glass for the Fall 2015 fund drive. For a contribution of just $7.50/month or a one time contribution of $90.00, this pint glass is a wonderful reminder of your support of public radio for Birmingham and North Central Alabama, Here’s two […]
Transparency in Question when Elected Leaders use Private Email
Used to be if you wanted something done, you’d write your congressman or congresswoman. But nowadays written communication is more often done through email. A notable number of state politicians in Alabama don’t use their official state email address instead opting for a Gmail or even AOL account. That’s a problem say government transparency advocates. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Should Larry Langford Go Free?
The former Birmingham Mayor remains in jail serving a 15 year sentence. And Governor Bentley proposes a possible solution to reopen 31 rural driver’s license offices.Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com, he talks with WBHM’s Michael Krall.
Lawsuit Filed to Stop Downtown I-20/59 Bridge Replacement Project
A group including residents, activists and elected leaders has filed a federal lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Transportation seeking to stop a downtown Birmingham project. ALDOT began work this fall on a plan to replace and expand the elevated potions of Interstate 20/59 in the city center. But the organization Move 20/59, which is behind the lawsuit, contends the environmental impact study conducted for the project violates federal law.
Anthony Barnes, Former Birmingham Water Works Chairman, Dies
Anthony Barnes, former chairman of the Birmingham Water Works Board and long-time Birmingham businessman died Tuesday. He was 65.
Changing Gears with the Launch of Bikeshare in Birmingham
Kiosks have been popping up in parking spots around Birmingham. These 40 stations will hold 400 bikes. They're part of Zyp BikeShare, which starts tomorrow. Cycling has devotees in the Magic City, but plenty still see it as a risky way to travel. Cycling enthusiasts hope more bikes on the road will change attitudes.
A Different Kind of Medical Drama: Local Doctors Give Voice to Bizarre New “ICD-10” Diagnosis Codes
Have you been struck by a duck? Maybe hurt in a spaceship accident? If so, the new medical coding system that went live across the nation this month has a code that applies to you. The tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases, or “ICD 10,” includes almost seventy thousand codes — roughly five […]
Alabama’s Film Tax Credits Face Some Skepticism and Critique
Most states offer tax incentives meant to attract film production-create jobs and stimulate the economy. As budgets tighten, some are scaling back or eliminating them. But even after recent heated budget battles, cash-strapped Alabama is keeping those tax credits, prompting some to question their effect on the fiscal bottom line.
Alabama Launchpad
Let’s say you have a great business idea. That’s a good start but it takes funding to get the idea off the ground. One of the ways Alabama entrepreneurs have been receiving funding for their ventures is the Alabama Launchpad competition. We talk about it in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Many Alabama Legislators Use Private Email, Limiting Public Access
The controversy continues over Hillary Clinton’s use of personal emails during her tenure as secretary of state, and it’s raising broader questions about how public officials should communicate electronically. In one survey, 33 percent of government workers said they use personal email for government business at least sometimes. The issue? Private emails are nearly impossible for the public to access. If you thought AOL and Hotmail were dead, just scroll down the list of Alabama lawmakers and check out their contact info. State senators and Representatives also list plenty of Gmail, Yahoo and emails tied to their personal websites. In Alabama, more than half the state’s House members and almost a third of senators use an email other than the state-issued .gov email address.
A Trip To The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention
Limestone County, Alabama has a long and storied old time fiddling tradition. This past weekend, about 15,000 fiddlers and old time music fans gathered for the 49th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens. RV’s from around the country loaded with fiddles, guitars, and banjos filled the campus of Athens State University. The convention and competition bring together musicians of all ages.
Justice Department Called on to Investigate Alabama Voter ID Issue
Voting rights activists are protesting what they say is voter suppression in Alabama. The state suddenly closed 31 part-time driver’s license offices last week due to budget cuts. That leaves many rural residents without a place to obtain new driver’s licenses. Those licenses that double as IDs for voting.
Birmingham Woman Shares Her Story From Struggle To Success With National Leaders
“Everything has changed for the better for us. I’m excited because there is still more to come. We can only go up from here.” Monique Jones
State’s Response to Rural Driver’s License Office Closures not Enough for the Black Belt
Calls are growing for the Justice Department to investigate how the closure of 31 rural driver’s license offices may affect voting. The state closed those offices last week due to budget cuts. The problem, say civil rights advocates, is residents must have a photo ID to vote. The most common ID is a driver’s license and Alabama now has 31 fewer places to get a new drivers license. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says state officials are taking steps to address the situation, but it’s not enough for the Black Belt. That's an area of the state that’s poor, largely African American and disproportionately hit by the closures.
Getting a Driver’s License in Alabama’s Black Belt is Difficult
The closure of 31 driver’s license office leaves 28 counties in Alabama without a place you can get a driver’s license. The closings, all in mostly poor rural counties, many of them with majority African-American populations has some saying the state is making it more difficult for black Alabamians to vote. Kyle Whitmire is he state […]
Trinity Medical Center Moving and Taking on a New Name
This weekend Trinity Medical Center will become Grandview Medical Center as it moves from Birmingham’s east side to the busy Highway 280 corridor. It’s a move that’s been more than 10 years in the making and one that developers expect to bear fruit beyond just a new hospital. We talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Weekend Edition Sunday
Weekend Edition Sunday (Sunday from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.) with host Ayesha Rascoe combines the news with colorful arts and human-interest features, appealing to the curious and eclectic. The show features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. And the highlight for many listeners is the puzzle segment with Puzzlemaster Will Shortz, […]
With Heart and Voice
With Heart and Voice (Sunday from 6 a.m. – 7 a.m.) presents sacred music that spans the full range of Western classical music, from the Gothic period through the 21st century, with occasional surprises from the non-western tradition. The program, hosted by Peter DuBois, celebrates the seasons of the liturgical year and focuses on the […]
This American Life
There’s a theme to each episode of This American Life (Sunday from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.) and a variety of stories on that theme. Mostly the show is journalism, but an entertaining kind of journalism that’s built around plot. In other words, stories! Our favorite sorts of stories have compelling people at the center of […]
