Sections
John Archibald: Fighting for Fighting’s Sake
After a two year legal battle, the fight over Alabama's toughest-in-the-nation illegal immigration law appears to be at an end. Tuesday, the state and a coalition of civil rights groups challenging the law announced a settlement. Alabama agrees to not enforce parts of the law, many of which had already been temporarily blocked by federal courts. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says this kind of fight seems to be part of Alabama's DNA.
Alabama Immigration Law Settlement
Civil and immigration rights groups in Alabama are cheering after the state agreed Tuesday to settle three lawsuits challenging HB 56, the state's controversial illegal immigration law. The move caps two years of legal battles and comes after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Alabama's appeal to restore parts of the law.
Carsen On Capitol Journal
Our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen recently appeared as a guest journalist on Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal," a highly regarded program analyzing the week's significant stories. Dan, host Don Daily, and frequent WBHM commentator John Archibald discuss HeadStart, troubling economic trends in American public education, the controversy at Alabama State University, and more.
Meet Danail Rachev: ASO Guest Conductor
Since the 2011-2012 season the Alabama Symphony Orchestra has been led by esteemed guest conductors from all over the world. One of these conductors could eventually become the new Music Director and Principal Conductor of the orchestra. This weekend Danail Rachev continues that trend and pays a return visit to Birmingham.
Kyle Whitmire: JeffCo Commission Meeting
On Thursday the Jefferson County Commission will be holding a meeting regarding the major sewer creditor groups and the county's bankruptcy exit plans. Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss the possibilities of that meeting.
INTERVIEW: Terrorism Expert Randall Law
Birmingham– Recently our education reporter needed a terrorism expert for a story about a new type of bomb-sniffing dogs being developed at Auburn University, so he sat down with Birmingham-Southern College’s Randall Law, an author and a terrorism historian. Their rolling conversation covered profiling, politics, the psychology of terror and more. It was so interesting we thought […]
John Archibald: New Leadership on the Birmingham City Council
Birmingham seated its new city council this week, as expected. But what caught many by surprise is who will lead the board. Maxine Parker is the new council president, a dark horse candidate for the position. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his perspective on the new council. He also says Birmingham could learn from the game of basketball.
Auburn Developing New “VaporWake” Bomb Dogs
Three years ago, after spending almost nineteen billion dollars on hi-tech research, the Pentagon found the best bomb-detection devices in existence are actually dogs' noses. And researchers at Auburn University are trying to make them even better. They've developed a new type of bomb-sniffing K-9 called a "VaporWake" dog. WBHM's Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has more on this new tool in the anti-terrorism arsenal.
Jefferson County’s New Public Defenders Office
It use to be if you're accused of a crime in Jefferson County, Alabama, and are too poor to afford a lawyer, the court would appoint a private attorney to represent you. Starting Monday that changes. Jefferson County now has a single, dedicated public defenders office to handle such cases. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church — The Case for Justice
The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church occurred on Sept. 15, 1963, but it took decades to put the perpetrators on trial. Why did it take so long? Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church -- The Case for Justice, a special documentary produced by Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, offers some answers.
John Archibald: What Alabama Power Spends to Influence
Large utility companies often spend millions to lobby and influence public opinion. Alabama Power is no different. But the amount of money Alabama Power spends puts the company far above its peers. We hear details from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Kyle Whitmire: Audit Reveals Violations at Alabama State University
Birmingham orthopedic surgeon and former Alabama State University trustee Lawrence Lemak reportedly violated the university's conflict of interest policy. A forensic audit released by Governor Bentley’s office says Lemak’s businesses or entities that employed his family members benefited from contracts with the school. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News has the details.
“Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church — The Case for Justice” Airs Oct. 17, 2 p.m.
The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church occurred on Sept. 15, 1963, but it took decades to put the perpetrators on trial. Why did it take so long? "Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church -- The Case for Justice," a special documentary produced by Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, will offer some answers when it airs Thursday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. on 90.3 FM and online at wbhm.org.
John Archibald: Take a Hike, Joe Reed
Democrats are something of an endangered species in Alabama. There are no Democrats left in statewide elected office. Republicans hold solid majorities in the state legislature. A part of the reason for that political downward spiral is Alabama Democratic Conference President Joe Reed. That’s according to Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
WBHM Rides with You: WBHM’s Fall 2013 Membership Campaign
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM/WSGN 91.5 FM's Fall 2013 Membership Campaign will begin Wednesday, October 9, and feature a collaboration with local artist Veronique Vanblaere, along with notable business and civic leaders as guest hosts.
Birmingham 2013 City Runoff Election Results
Birmingham City Council member Kim Rafferty won a narrow victory to hold onto her seat in Tuesday's runoff election. Voters also picked winners in other city council and school board races. We have unofficial results from Tuesday's runoff. election.
Kyle Whitmire: Bankruptcy Exit Plan
Kyle Whitmire with the Birmingham News and Al.com gives a detailed update on Jefferson County's bankruptcy exit plan.
John Archibald: Government Reboot and Mellencamp’s Advice for Alabama
The federal government shutdown is now in its third day with little sign of a breakthrough between Democrats and Republicans in Washington. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says we don't need a government shutdown. We need a government reboot. He also talks about what Alabama could learn from rocker John Mellencamp.
Kyle Whitmire: Birmingham’s New Budget
This week city officials finally approved a 2014 budget for Birmingham. Plus, Republican Representative Spencer Bachus announced he will not be seeking another term in Congress. Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss this week’s news in Alabama politics.
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM Will Begin Airing Radiolab Oct. 5
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM will add the Peabody award-winning program to its regular weekend schedule beginning Saturday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m.
Money Tight, Scientists Turn To Crowdfunding
In the past decade, it's gotten much harder for scientists to get the federal grants that fund most American research. This year's sequester has made it even more difficult, and the government shutdown is likely to slow things down even further. So scientists are looking for new ways to pay for their work, including "crowdfunding." But going online and asking the public for money has real drawbacks. Even so, as WBHM's Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen tells us, some think it could "open up" science in a good way.
Congressman Bachus won’t run for Re-election
Political leaders from Birmingham to Capitol Hill are reacting to news today that long-time Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus will not run for re-election. The Republican has represented Alabama's sixth congressional district since 1993. While the announcement caught many by surprise, some see it as a part of a shifting political landscape in Alabama.
John Archibald: Grades for UA and Lessons from a Madame
The controversy involving race and sororities at the University of Alabama is subsiding. The student newspaper there detailed allegations earlier this month that sorority members were prevented from voting on accepting potential recruits because they were black. Since the dust up at least 11 black women have been granted bids. Al.com and Birmingham News Columnist John Archibald grades the parties involved. He also talks about what Hoover could learn from a famous Birmingham madame.
Kyle Whitmire: November Bankruptcy Court Hearing
A six-page letter from a California firm announcing a November bankruptcy court hearing has been mailed out to JeffCo sewer ratepayers. The letter has caused some concern and confusion. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to explain.
Commentary: Courage in Unlikely Places
With the new school year in full swing, students and families are back into their routines. But for some, accessing educational opportunities is anything but routine. Commentator Larry Lee tells the story of one mother and the effort she’s making to ensure her children make it in school.
State Schools Chief Of Staff On Decrease In Per-Pupil Spending
Since before the recession, the number of dollars Alabama spends per student has dropped more than it has in any other state. Percentage-wise, Alabama's decrease was second only to Oklahoma's. That’s all according to a recent report from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. WBHM’s Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen caught up with Alabama schools Chief of Staff Craig Pouncey to find out why, and what it all means.
INTERVIEW: Tanner Colby, Some of My Best Friends are Black
As Barack Obama campaigned his way to the presidency, self-described lily-white writer Tanner Colby began pondering exactly why he and so many other white people basically had no black friends. The reasons are complex, ranging from school policy to real estate practices to media image-making to church politics, but the former Vestavia Hills resident dives right in from the springboard of his own life, recognizing his ignorance the whole way. The result: 'Some of My Best Friends are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America.' Our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen caught up with Colby soon after the author appeared on MSNBC to discuss America's persistent racial separation.
John Archibald: Race and Greek Life at the University of Alabama
Students, faculty and administrators at the University of Alabama are trying to figure out what's next after a march Wednesday calling for an end to racial discrimination in campus Greek organizations. The march comes after the student newspaper published a story detailing allegations of racial bias in sorority recruitment. But the bias seems to be coming from alumna not currents students. We talk about the unfolding controversy with AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald.
Yotam Haber: A More Convenient Season
A work of new music by composer Yotam Haber will have its world premiere Saturday night at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. Featuring the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, “A More Convenient Season” was written specifically for and about Birmingham’s Civil Rights struggle. WBHM’s Michael Krall spoke with Haber about the piece….
WBHM Looks Back On 1963
Throughout the past year WBHM has marked the key moments from the civil rights movement and explored the legacy of events of 1963. Today we take a look back on some of those stories and voices.
Kyle Whitmire: JeffCo’s 2014 Budget
On Tuesday Jefferson County commissioners approved a budget that's more than $463 million. The budget includes more money to buy county equipment, a cost of living raise for county workers, and additional funds to reopen the JeffCo jail in Bessemer. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to explain the specifics of JeffCo's budget.
The Mystery of Addie Mae Collins’ Remains
While Birmingham marked the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing this weekend, a mystery lingers about one the victims. Three of the four girls killed in the bombing were buried in Greenwood Cemetery near the Birmingham airport. There’s a gravestone for Addie Mae Collins, but her remains are not actually there. One woman is trying to figure out where they are.
