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Commentary: Why We Still Need Black History Month
Ahmad Ward is Head of Education and Exhibitions at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Working with BCRI's educational outreach, he regularly meets young people who don't have basic knowledge of Black history. In this commentary, he discusses the origin of Black History Month and why it's still necessary.
Robert Schindler: Bringing Delacroix To Birmingham
The Birmingham Museum of Art has hired a new curator for European Art, Robert Schindler. As he settles into his new role, his first task is to curate a collection of work by the French Romantic artist, Eugene Delacroix. WBHM's Sarah Delia took a sneak peek behind the exhibition "Delacroix and the Matter of Finish."
INTERVIEW: Controversial Comedian Bill Maher
For his decades-long career, comedian and commentator Bill Maher has skewered cherished customs and beliefs. Whether on his HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher," in his film "Religulous," or doing stand-up, he doesn't shy away from controversy. Politics, drugs, faith -- nothing is sacred. He'll be performing in Birmingham this Sunday, but WBHM's Dan Carsen caught up with him first. It's a serious conversation, but it starts out on a light note and ranges far and wide from there.
Political Ties to Potential Real Estate Deal Goes Deeper
Local government watchers are casting a critical eye on a proposed agreement which would have the City of Birmingham renting space in a former Social Security building for almost $140 million for 30 years. It's attracting attention because the developer gave tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to city council members as they consider this deal. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discovered this story goes beyond just a potential building rental.
Kyle Whitmire: Bresette Family Lawsuit Update
Monumental Contracting, one of several contractors involved with a flight information display board that collapsed on 10 year old Luke Bresette at the Birmingham airport last year, has been cleared of responsibility. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us for an update.
John Archibald: Campaign Cash and a Rental Deal
There's a potential rental deal attracting attention around Birmingham. The city council is considering renting space in a former social security building. While the move is questionable, the situation involves a shower of campaign cash as well. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains.
Vivian Fung: Harp Concerto World Premiere with ASO
Composer Vivian Fung is in town rehearsing her Harp Concerto with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The world premier is Thursday night at the Alys Stephens Center. Fung spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall.
John Archibald: The View from Wilcox County
There are portions of Birmingham with significant poverty. But that pales in comparison with what some residents of Wilcox County experience -- arguably the poorest place in Alabama. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald traveled there recently and shares his thoughts.
Ryan Kattner: On Oni Pond
The leader of the experimental indie group, Ryan Kattner, speaks to WBHM's Sarah Delia about the group's latest album On Oni Pond. Kattner also reveals insights to his creative process and his constant source of inspiration: heartbreak.
Kyle Whitmire: The Revolving Door Ban
Kyle Whitmire from Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss the details of Alabama's revolving door ban. It prohibits legislators from lobbyists for two years after they leave office.
Javacia Harris Bowser: 365 Days of Fitness
Our guest blogger, Javacia Harris Bowser, speaks to WBHM's Sarah Delia about her fitness goal for 2014.
Musician Preforms Online Concerts for Birmingham Students Stuck Overnight at School
There were many ways Alabamians banded together to help each other during this week's surprise winter storm. A doctor walked six miles to the hospital to perform surgery. A Facebook page linked trapped motorists with good Samaritans to provide aid. Even a musician in Tennessee found a way to help. Roger Day heard about the thousands of children stuck at schools. So he treated them to impromptu online concerts. He tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley how the concerts came together.
Law Enforcement Cautions Drivers Recovering Abandoned Cars
Many roadways around Birmingham are flowing with traffic now that temperatures have risen above freezing which is melting much of the snow left by Tuesday's storm. The warmer weather means drivers who had to abandon their vehicles in the chaos are now retrieving them. But law enforcement officials are still warning motorist to be careful.
Strong is the New Skinny
I have declared on my blog, on my social media networks, and to all my close family members and friends that I am going to exercise every day in 2014. Yes, I plan to work out 365 consecutive days.
Slow Progress In Road Clearing
ALDOT is working to clear vehicles from roadways once the thaw begins, today.
Coping with the Snow
Roads across the Birmingham area remain slick a day after snow blanketed a wide swath of Alabama. At least five people have died in weather related accidents. Some parents are still trying to get to children sheltering in schools. With many cities and businesses essentially shut down, WBHM's Andrew Yeager has a look at what people are doing to cope in one eastside Birmingham neighborhood.
Neko Case: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight
Singer song writer Neko Case opens up about her struggles with depression and the role it played in her latest album.
John Archibald: What do you think of Obamacare?
Opinion on the Affordable Care Act nowadays seems to be pretty split and there's no gray for some. Obamacare is the best thing to happen or it'll destroy the country. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald has been listening to what people think about the law and shares what he heard.
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama’s Open Meetings Act
Governor Robert Bentley has introduced a bill that would make serial meetings among public officials illegal. Bentley also wants to close other various loopholes in Alabama's Open Meetings Act. These changes would not only impact Alabama lawmakers at the statehouse but also Jefferson County Commissioners. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us.
John Archibald: Who is Anthony Barnes?
Anthony Barnes has quite a task. He has to convince lawmakers in Montgomery the Birmingham Water Works Board is the best thing since sliced bread. The Birmingham City Council has hired Barnes as a lobbyist to help fight a proposed bill that would change representation on the board and bring other new restrictions. The move though leaves Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald sighing.
Kyle Whitmire: What Was Missing From The SOTS?
On Tuesday night, Governor Robert Bentley used his State of the State address to talk about jobs, Medicaid, and raises for state employees. But there were several issues the Governor didn't mention at all. Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News discusses what was left out of the address.
Helena Could Be A Model Test Case For Citywide Wi-Fi
In Helena, Alabama, a private company thinks its up to the task of providing Helena's 17,000 residents with citywide Wi-Fi, all while competing with much larger internet service providers. Les Lovoy reports on how it's hoping Helena will be a successful test case for citywide Wi-Fi.
Shaheed and DJ Supreme
Rapper Shaheed and his producer DJ Supreme have been a mainstay of the Birmingham hip-hop scene for more than 10 years. But they aren't your typical southern hip-hop artists. As Muslims and fans of traditional rap, the duo aims to create socially conscious music with old school beats. Their latest release is called "Knowledge, Rhythm, and Understanding" and they perform Saturday at the Bottletree Cafe.
INTERVIEW: Alabama Teacher Of The Year Alison Grizzle
Alison Grizzle isn't your typical teacher, or even your typical Alabama Teacher of the Year. The Birmingham City Schools math instructor is known for being very outspoken, even on third-rail issues like the Common Core and standardized testing. We thought we'd share her thoughts on those issues and more as students and staff return to school routines. WBHM's Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen recently caught up with Grizzle at an education conference where she was giving talks. But it turns out this award-winning teacher almost didn't become a teacher at all...
John Archibald: Battle over the Birmingham Water Works Board
The next session of the Alabama legislature gets underway on Tuesday and one thing lawmakers have their eyes set on is the Birmingham Water Works Board. Two Birmingham area legislators plan to introduce a bill that would expand representation on the board and put in place new restrictions. While this has been a simmering conflict, A-L (dot) com columnist John Archibald says the situation highlights hypocrisy on the part of the Birmingham City Council
Kyle Whitmire: Jefferson County Spending
Jefferson County spent millions of dollars in legal costs during Chapter 9 bankruptcy including more than $300,000 in fees for public relations. Some commissioners said they didn't learn about the spending until this week. Plus, the future of Birmingham based law firm Haskell, Slaughter & Young remains uncertain. Kyle Whitmire from AL.com and the Birmingham News discusses these issues and more.
A Closer Look at Alabama’s New Diploma
In 2013, State Superintendent Tommy Bice introduced several new programs to Alabama's schools as part of his 2020 Plan. One important part of the plan is the new Alabama High School diploma, which will impact this year's freshmen class. While some school officials are excited about the new diploma, others have concerns.
Kyle Whitmire: Jefferson County New Year’s Resolutions
If Jefferson County officials were to sit down and write three new year's resolutions,what would they be? Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us as we look at the county's future in 2014.
Birmingham Schools: Takeover To Today, Part 3
The Alabama State Department of Education's intervention team has left Birmingham City Schools. ALSDE staff are approving local board agendas and monitoring finances from Montgomery. A year and a half after the state first took the reins, the local board is quietly going about its business. As 2014 approaches, there's a new optimism from the Superintendent's office down to the trenches. But is it realistic? In this third and final installment, WBHM's Dan Carsen reports on the reality on the ground, and on where informed stakeholders think it's all headed.
John Archibald: A Look Back At 2013
There was no shortage of news in Birmingham and Jefferson County in 2013. We take a look back at some of this year's notable stories with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Birmingham Schools: Takeover To Today, Part 2
In any big institution, good things are usually happening even when problems get the attention. This week WBHM is airing a three-part "status update" on Birmingham City Schools, from the state takeover to today. Yesterday, Part One explored some reasons why the state intervened and the district could lose accreditation. Today in Part Two, our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen talks with teachers, parents, and students to get a different view -- a view from the ground level.
Kyle Whitmire: The Truth Behind Alabama’s Unemployment Numbers
In 2010, Alabama's unemployment rate was around 10 percent. Governor Robert Bently campaigned on the promise to reduce unemployment numbers, and to not draw a paycheck until he did. Today, unemployment is down to 6.5 percent in Alabama. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss Alabama unemployment and job growth.
