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Giving Juries The Last Word On The Death Sentence
In Alabama, nearly 1 in 5 people on death row were sentenced to death through judicial override, according to the Equal Justice Initiative. Judicial override allows judges to impose the death penalty after a jury returns a life verdict, and Alabama is the last state to allow it. Critics have called override unreliable and arbitrary. Now there's a bipartisan effort in the legislature that could abolish the procedure.
Winning For Wenonah High Basketball Coach Means Triumph On and Off the Court
The Lady Dragons of Birmingham’s Wenonah High School are chasing a fourth girls’ state basketball championship today the at the BJCC. But while these players are looking to triumph with the full court press and clutch shots, their longtime coach, Emanuel “Tubb” Bell is fighting a different battle. Bell has stage 4 lung cancer, but you wouldn’t […]
Steve Beshear Delivers the Democratic Response to President Trump’s Address
Former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear will deliver the Democratic Response to President Trump’s address. Beshear was chosen by Democratic Party leaders for his record, expanding affordable health care. NPR will have a transcript of Beshear’s remarks and journalists across the NPR newsroom will also be annotating his remarks. Loading…
President Trump Addresses Joint Session of Congress, Annotated
President Trump will address a joint session of Congress for the first time on Tuesday evening at the Capitol, around 8 p.m., Central time. House Speaker Paul Ryan, following tradition, invited the president to make the speech to lay out his agenda in the early days of his new administration.
Talladega College President Addressing Republican Leaders At HBCU Meeting
Hawkins has returned to D.C. this week to talk about improving funding for black colleges, an issue he discussed following his January trip.
One African-American’s Mission to Preserve His Family’s Rural History
Albert “Peter” Datcher Jr. has been tracing his family history -- from slavery to farming -- in a small, rural, predominately white town in Shelby County, Alabama for the past 15 years. He wants to be sure people recognize African-American contributions to the region.
Life After Hate: Leaving the White Supremacist Movement
Angela King was a neo-Nazi in her home state of Florida for eight years. After the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, King started to question how far she was willing to go for her white supremacist beliefs. She tried to leave the group, but failed.
Al Sharpton Challenges Adults To Support Wenonah Students
“You are not responsible for how you was born or who your parents were,” he said, “but you are responsible for what you do with the rest of your life," Rev. Al Sharpton.
Congressman Gary Palmer Holds Town Hall Despite Recent Protests
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer fielded questions from constituents at a town hall in Hoover Saturday. Palmer’s visit follows a slew of contentious public meetings involving members of Congress and their constituents. Residents flooded the entrance to Hoover City Hall waiting to meet with Palmer. Some members of Congress are refusing to hold town halls after […]
Changes To How Banks Pay Taxes In Alabama
Birmingham Business Journal reporter Michael Seale discusses two bills in the Alabama legislature that would change how banks pay state taxes.
Alabama Senate Votes to End Judicial Override
Alabama is the only state left allowing judicial override. That’s where elected judges can overrule a jury verdict of life to impose a death sentence. But that might come to an end. This week, the Alabama Senate passed a bill that would prohibit the practice. WBHM’s Gigi Douban talked with Don Dailey of Alabama Public […]
Birmingham Immigrant Communities on Edge Following Crackdown
Raids in search of undocumented immigrants have yet to take place in Alabama, but many immigrant communities in the state fear it’s only a matter of time.
Arc Stories: February 2017 Edition
Stories about growing up during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham. A young black boy who lives in the basement of a wealthy white family’s home and then becomes a key player during the civil rights movement; a young woman who was arrested by Bull Conner, then driven in his car to be dropped off […]
Alabama, the Second Amendment and Reason
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses how Alabama political culture treats guns which he says is not reasonable.
Living History: A Freedom Rider Shares His Story
The “Freedom Riders” were civil rights activists, black and white, who challenged segregation by riding buses across the South. In 1961 near Anniston, a mob slashed one of those buses’ tires, set it on fire, and beat some of the passengers. Freedom Rider Hank Thomas was one of them.
Morale Improved at Tutwiler After Reforms
Following an investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice that found inmates at Tutwiler were victims of rampant sexual assault and physical abuse. The DOJ investigation also found the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) failed to hold staff accountable. ADOC was forced to overhaul operations and change administration at Tutwiler. Part of the reforms involved hiring staff, like Williams to ensure these changes are being made.
Alabama Industry Hopes For Looser Environmental Rules Under Trump
Birmingham Business Journal reporter Michael Seale discusses what Alabama industries anticipate if President Donald Trump rolls back federal environmental rules.
The Green Book and the Black-Jewish Relationship During Segregation
The Green Book has been described as the Bible for black travelers in the mid-20th century. It featured black-friendly businesses like motels and restaurants where travelers could rest on long road trips. The book’s publisher actually took the idea from a similar book used by Jews.
Week Two of the Legislature: Impeachment Proceedings Gain Momentum, Civics Test Requirement
In its second week of the session, the Alabama Legislature began laying the groundwork for a vote on an impeachment resolution against Gov. Robert Bentley. This after lawmakers put concerns on hold at the behest of former Attorney General Luther Strange, who indicated his office was looking into possible wrongdoing by Bentley. Now legislators are […]
Trump’s Thursday Press Conference, Annotated
President Trump began his press conference Thursday afternoon naming his new nominee for labor secretary, R. Alexander Acosta, a law school dean and former US Attorney. He made an extended opening statement in defense of his administration, trumpeting accomplishments, and then moved on to a range of topics, from the resignation of Michael Flynn as […]
Lawsuits Abound at Birmingham City Hall
A proverbial cat was let out of a proverbial bag at this week’s Birmingham City Council meeting.
New Alabama Attorney General Brings Renewed Attention to Bentley Investigation
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses Alabama's new attorney general and renewed efforts to investigate Governor Robert Bentley.
Transcript and Analysis: Trump and Netanyahu Hold Joint Press Conference
President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. The two held a joint press conference amid differing messages emanating from the Trump administration about its stance on the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. NPR journalists with expertise in politics, national security, and the Middle East have provided […]
How the Transgender Bathroom Bill Could Affect Business
One item soon to make its way through the Alabama Legislature is the bathroom bill. It’s officially known as the Alabama Privacy Act, and it’s believed to target transgender people. Sen. Phil Williams pre-filed the bill, which requires that an attendant be stationed inside mixed-gender bathrooms. On this week’s Magic City Marketplace, Ty West, editor of […]
Pro-Life, Higher Ed Bills Gain Traction Days Into The Legislative Session
Funding cuts for public colleges and universities that don’t follow federal and state immigration law, and an amendment declaring Alabama a pro-life state were among the issues quickly making their way through the Alabama legislature this week. It mirrors a trend we’re seeing in other states where Republican lawmakers are acting quickly to approve legislation that […]
NPR’s Joe Palca Takes On Jargon And The Politics Of Science
NPR’s nationally known science correspondent Joe Palca is in Birmingham helping UAB celebrate the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. He stopped by WBHM, where sometimes-science-reporter and full-time-geek Dan Carsen jumped at the chance for an interview. They cover research bias, education, and science illiteracy, but Joe starts by explaining why he does what he does.
Rise in Anti-Minority Violence Appears Tied to Current Political Climate
There’s been a dramatic rise in hate-related crimes and anti-minority violence in the last year. The Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham was evacuated on Jan. 9 following a bomb threat. That incident turned out to be one of dozens of bomb threats at Jewish community centers around the country that day. Groups that track […]
Complaints Around The Birmingham Water Works Board Intensify
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses anger at the Birmingham Water Works Board after billing issues left some customers with unusually high bills. Others were told their service would be cut.
She Brought Water to the Freedom Riders: “I Couldn’t Let It Pass”
There’s a new national monument to the “Freedom Riders, the civil rights activists – black and white – who challenged segregation by riding buses across the South. In 1961, a mob set one of those buses on fire and beat some of the riders. But there’s a lesser-known wrinkle to the story: a little white girl, whose family feared the Ku Klux Klan, brought water to the injured passengers.
Birmingham’s New Downtown Publix Attracts Residents Beyond the City Center
Publix opens its long-awaited downtown Birmingham store. It's a retailer that could have an impact beyond the city center.
As $800 Million Prison Plan Returns This Session, Some Lawmakers Are Skeptical
Governor Robert Bentley is pushing an $800 million dollar prison overhaul for a second time. Lawmakers are expected to debate the bill in the legislative session that starts Tuesday.
Business Leaders Optimistic Lawmakers Will Reauthorize Historic Tax Credit
Birmingham Business Journal managing editor Stephanie Rebman discusses Alabama's lapsed historic tax credit and a new economic development plan for the state.
