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Tornado Slams Small Alabama Town
The National Weather Service estimates about 58 tornados hit the South last night, and more severe weather is on the way. Up to 18 of the tornados were in Central Alabama, where they damaged buildings and knocked down trees and power lines. A tornado with wind speeds of up to 100 miles per hour hit Kimberly, a town of less than 3,000 people. Two of its most important buildings were damaged -- one almost completely obliterated. WBHM's Dan Carsen went there to assess the damage and hear about how residents were coping. Carsen took pictures and speaks with WBHM News Director Rachel Osier Lindley.
Severe Storms Move Into Alabama
The National Weather Service in Birmingham says waves of severe storms are expected across north and central Alabama through Wednesday. Strong winds and tornados are on the minds of many in the south; this past weekend marked the three-year anniversary of the 2011 tornados that ripped through Alabama. The entire state is under a flash flood watch with as much as 5 inches of rain in the forecast. Schools releasing students early include Birmingham City Schools, Jefferson County Schools, Hoover City Schools and Shelby County Schools.
WBHM Receives Eight Regional Murrow Awards
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM/WSGN 91.5 has won eight 2014 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). The awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world. WBHM received more regional Murrow Awards than any other station in the large market radio category.
A Look Inside the Thomas Jefferson Hotel With An Urban Explorer
Some of downtown Birmingham's iconic vacant buildings are about to see new life as retail and residential space. This summer, construction begins on a $59 million dollar renovation of the Pizitz building. Developers are also planning to revamp the Thomas Jefferson Hotel on Second Ave. North. It's no small undertaking. The 19-story building has been abandoned for three decades. What's it like inside an old luxury hotel that's been empty for over 30 years? WBHM freelancer Ashley Cleek takes a glimpse inside.
Finding Fashion in the Magic City
When you think about the world's most notable fashion hubs, places like New York, London, or Milan might come to mind - but probably not Birmingham, Alabama. But there are actually a fair amount of fashion forward thinking people right here in the Magic City, and their philosophy towards clothes goes beyond outward appearances. Our guest blogger Javacia Harris Bowser explores this in her monthly post for WBHM.
Interview: Reporter Brian Lawson Discusses Inmate Healthcare
For the next several months, WBHM joins AL.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting as part of the Alabama Media Group's Investigative Journalism Lab. We're taking a closer look at Alabama's prison problems. Earlier this year, a Department of Justice report detailed cases of rape and sexual abuse at the Julia Tutwiler prison in Wetumpka. As part of their continued investigation of Alabama prisons, the Department of Justice is seeing if inmate medical care and mental health care are constitutionally adequate. AL.com reporter Brian Lawson has been looking into inmate health care, and he's heard some troubling stories for former inmates and their families. WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley sat down with Lawson to find out more.
John Archibald: Some Numerical Perspective on the Northern Beltine
State and Birmingham leaders broke ground this week on the first portion of the Northern Beltline. That's the planned 52-mile highway which would arc across the northern half of the metro area, a counterpart to Interstate 459 to the south. The road is expected to take several decades to build and it comes with a $5.5 billion price tag. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald believes the price tag needs to be put in a little perspective.
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama’s 6th Congressional District Primary
Seven candidates are in the running to become the Republican nominee to represent Alabama's 6th Congressional District in Washington, D.C. following the retirement of Representative Spencer Bachus. The June 3 primary is seven weeks away. We discuss the candidates and more with Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News.
UAB’s Florence Nightingale Letters
As UAB nursing students take finals this week, they'll be drawing on what they've learned about the human body in class and in clinics. But students also have had a special way to connect with the history of the field. The school holds 50 letters written by the woman credited with founding modern nursing -- Florence Nightingale. WBHM intern Russ Timothy reports.
Interview: Birmingham Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson
This Saturday, the Birmingham Barons kick off a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies. The 2013 Southern League Champions are already off to a strong start for their second season at Regions Field. More than 35,000 fans attended the Barons season-opening homestand earlier this month. For more on what to expect this baseball season, WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley caught up with Birmingham Barons general manager Jonathan Nelson. This is Nelson's 21st season working in professional baseball, and his 10th season as the Barons general manager. In this conversation, Nelson talks about the pressures of following the 2012-2013 season, the impact of the new Regions Field downtown and his favorite Barons mascot.
Longtime Secretary of the Alabama Senate Dies
Former longtime secretary of the Alabama state Senate, McDowell Lee, has died at the age of 89. His daughter says Lee died Thursday afternoon after a brief illness at his home in Auburn. In 2008, WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Lee about his position and the change he had seen through five decades in the legislature.
John Archibald: A Lackluster Primary
Election season is gearing up as candidates campaign for the primaries on June 3rd. There are races for governor and congress. But it's perhaps understandable if this year's races don't generate as much excitement as in the past. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald picks out a few key races.
INTERVIEW: Arnold Shober On The Importance Of School Board Leadership
Across the country, school boards have been losing power to state and federal authorities, and some experts see local boards as increasingly ineffective. But last month, an education policy think tank released a national report on the influence of school board leadership. According to the Fordham Institute, local boards really do impact student achievement. Given recent events in Birmingham City Schools and other area systems, WBHM's education reporter Dan Carsen caught up with co-author Arnold Shober, who says the overall vision of a school board is key, as is the way members are elected.
John Archibald: Why Bills Don’t Pass in Alabama
If there's anyone who can breath a sigh of relief coming out of the recent Alabama legislative session, it's the Birmingham Water Works Board. Officials there were not happy with a proposed bill that would change the make up of the board and bring new restrictions. That bill died. But the board also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for lobbyists to try and defeat it. We hear about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Birmingham Barons: National Anthem Tryouts
It's opening day at Regions Field for the Southern League Champion Birmingham Barons. Players and baseball fans have been anxiously awaiting the first pitch. But another group of Barons fans have been looking forward to the season for slightly different reasons.
Kyle Whitmire: 2014 Session Review
The 2014 session has come to a close. For an election year, there was plenty of action and drama at the statehouse. We take a look back at the highs and lows as well as the possibility of a special session with Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News.
Don Dailey: 2014 Legislative Session Review
The 2014 Alabama legislative session is in the books. Lawmakers wrapped up the session Thursday evening but there's a looming question about one key piece of legislation -- the education budget. We review the final days of the session with Don Dailey.
John Archibald: A Legislative Plea Deal
Thursday is the last day of the Alabama legislative session. It's a busy time in Montgomery, but if one thing can cut through all that activity, it's a sudden resignation and a plea deal. Montgomery Republican Representative Greg Wren resigned unexpectedly Tuesday and within hours the state attorney general's office announced a plea deal with Wren over an ethics charge. Many people believe there are similar announcements to come. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Folk Singer Willie Watson Brings Classic Folk and Blues to Birmingham
Guitar, banjo and harmonica player Willie Watson was a founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show, a popular Nashville-based Americana band. He left in 2011, after almost fifteen years performing with the band. Since then, Watson has been exploring his love of old folk music. His first solo album, "Folk Singer, Vol. 1" comes out next month. Watson plays Wednesday, April 2, at The Bottletree Cafe.
Going Natural: It’s Not Just a Hairstyle, It’s a Lifestyle
It was the summer of 2002, and I was probably on hour three of the tedious process of attempting to straighten my hair with all the heat my scalp could stand. This, of course, was in addition to the chemical hair relaxer occasionally applied to my tresses. While I wrestled with my hair, my roommate turned to me and said, "Maybe your hair doesn't want to be straight. Why don't you just wear it curly?"
Birmingham Native Callie Courter’s New Album ‘Love is for the Brave’
Callie Courter can't remember when she wasn't writing poetry and singing around the house. The Birmingham native started writing song lyrics while majoring in music at UAB. As a graduation present, her dad financed the production of her first album, called 'Love Is For The Brave.' She now lives in Nashville, where she's chasing her dreams of being a professional musician. Courter sat down with Les Lovoy to tell WBHM about the new album, her first experience in the studio, and her songwriting process.
John Archibald: More City Travel Paid for by the Taxpayer
It's spring break for many people this week and that's time when folks often travel. On the travel itinerary for some Birmingham city officials this spring is the annual Neighborhoods USA conference. The trip is attracting attention once again because of the price tag, which is ultimately covered by taxpayers. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
WBHM Spring 2014 Membership Campaign to feature collaboration with local artist, guests
WBHM's Spring 2014 Membership Campaign will begin Wednesday, April 2. An exciting highlight will be the work of Alabama artist Charles Buchanan. In collaboration with WBHM's Junior Advisors, Buchanan has created a custom and public radio-inspired design for the station, depicting the interconnectedness of the public radio community with Birmingham, and the City with the world.
WBHM’s Spring 2014 Membership Campaign to Feature Collaboration with Local Artist
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM/WSGN 91.5 FM's Spring 2014 Membership Campaign will begin Wednesday, April 2, and feature a collaboration with local artist Charles Buchanan. In response to outreach from WBHM's Junior Advisors, Buchanan has created a custom and public radio-inspired design for the station with the theme "Around Your Block; Around the World" depicting the interconnectedness of the public radio community with Birmingham, and the City with the world. The art will be featured on a glass given as a thank-you gift from the station for contributions of $90 or more.
Interview: Reporter Kelsey Stein on Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women
For the next several months, WBHM joins al.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting as part of the Alabama Media Group's Investigative Journalism Lab. We're taking a closer look at Alabama's prison problems. As part of this project, al.com reporter Kelsey Stein has interviewed many former inmates of the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. The prison gained national attention earlier this year after a Department of Justice report detailed cases of rape and sexual abuse at the prison.
Kyle Whitmire: The Bottom Line With Common Core
This week former Alabama Governor Bob Riley publicly announced his support for Common Core standards. We take a look at his opinions and thoughts with Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News.
What’s Your Experience with Alabama’s Prison System?
WBHM, Alabama Media Group and the Center for Investigative Reporting are collaborating on a closer examination of the state's prison problems and who is being held accountable. We want to hear your experiences with the prison system.
Student Group Helps Alabama Residents Sign Up for Health Insurance
The deadline to sign up for healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act is March 31. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, many of Alabama's uninsured still don't understand how the new healthcare law works. But a group of Alabama college students are trying to change that. For WBHM, Greg Bass takes a closer look at Bama Covered, an organization that's getting Alabama residents signed up for health insurance.
Interview: Michael Saag, M.D., Discusses His New Book
UAB researcher and physician Dr. Michael Saag is know around the world as an AIDS expert. He started working with AIDS in the early eighties, a time when the disease was masked in uncertainty. Since then, he's made AIDS research and improving patient treatment his life's work. This month, Dr. Saag published his memoir "Positive: One Doctor's Personal Encounters with Death, Life and the U.S. Healthcare System." Dr. Saag spoke with WBHM's News Director Rachel Osier Lindley about the book, what it's like to lose a patient and his deep concerns about the U.S. healthcare system.
Sustainability: Birmingham Mayor William Bell
In recent years, there's been a renewed focus in Birmingham on sustainable development. Last month, Mayor William Bell met with local community and environmental groups for a sustainability roundtable discussion. There, he announced he's reviving the Birmingham Sustainability Commission. As part of our series on sustainability, WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley sat down with Mayor Bell. They discuss the city's ongoing plans for becoming more sustainable and what's next for the Birmingham Sustainability Commission.
Sustainability: Creating Art Through Recycled Glass
Recycling glass in Birmingham can be tricky. It can't be put on the curbside like most recyclables. One of residents' few options is to take it to a downtown recycling center where two 30-yard containers wait to be filled with the unwanted material. The glass that's dropped off doesn't stay in Birmingham for long. It's shipped to Tennessee and Georgia to make fiberglass, bottles, and cement. But two Birmingham artists are trying to reuse the glass and keep it in the state.
John Archibald: A Culture of Fear at Tutwiler
State officials are working to turn around conditions at Alabama's Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women after accusations of rape and sexual abuse detailed in a Justice Department report. The prisons commissioner has a 58-point checklist outlining progress. But that tool bumps up against a deep seeded culture of fear at the prison. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
