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Four Spirits Statue, Memorial to 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing Victims, Unveiled
City and civil rights leaders unveiled the “Four Spirits” statue in Kelly Ingram Park Saturday memorializing the victims of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, one day before the 50th anniversary of that tragedy. Other than a plaque on the side of the church, it's the first permanent memorial to the victims.
A Sunday School Lesson From the 16th Street Baptist Church
Verses from a Sunday School lesson taught the day of the bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church will once again be shared with the church's youth this Sunday. WBHM's Sarah Delia visited the church to hear how those Bible verses resonate 50 years later.
The Story Behind Newsweek’s 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing Cover
Among many haunting images from the aftermath of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham is a Newsweek magazine cover from 1963. It shows Maxine McNair, whose daughter Denise died in the blast, grieving with her sister. That photograph came about in an unexpected way. Birmingham resident Reggie Holder tells how he stumbled across the story.
Grooming The Next Cyber-Warriors
Eric Snowden. NSA code-cracking. Chinese government hackers. It’s hard to avoid cybersecurity issues in the news. And many experts think the United States is simply not up to the threats. That’s mainly because there aren't enough good guys with the skills to do battle in this expanding arena. But there’s a unique partnership in an Alabama school district that’s working to change the scenario. WBHM’s Southern Education desk reporter Dan Carsen has more, with previously unpublished photos.
John Archibald: How far has Birmingham come?
Birmingham is in the midst of what's been dubbed "Empowerment Week," a series of panels, concerts and commemorations leading up to Sunday, the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. The blast killed four girls and severely injured a fifth. On this anniversary AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald is considering how far Birmingham has come since the civil rights era.
Kyle Whitmire: Remembering Demetrius Newton
Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News offers insights on the legacy of the late veteran legislator Demertrius Newton. He also discusses the impact of Empowerment week on the city of Birmingham.
Veterinarian Glut
In case you missed this recent national story: Lots of young people who love animals want to be veterinarians, but vet school is demanding and expensive. And the work is less “cute and cuddly” than many realize. Even so, there are more vets than there’s work for them to do. WBHM’s Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen starts this story from an Auburn University “vet camp” that may be part of the solution. *With previously unpublished photos. WARNING: Some viewers may find some of the photos disturbing.
Black Women Don’t Exercise
Have you heard the stereotype that black women don't exercise? African-American women are at an increased risk of obesity and more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than white women. While WBHM Race and Diversity Blogger Javacia Harris Bowser is big on fitness, she's also making sure her mother doesn't become a statistic.
John Archibald: Chris McNair Released from Prison
As Birmingham prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, one unexpected observer of the commemoration is Chris McNair. His daughter was one of the four girls killed in the bombing. It's expected though because until last week McNair was in federal prison serving a sentence for corruption. AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald talks about McNair's release under a new Justice Department policy.
Kyle Whitmire: JeffCo’s Receiver Updates
Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News gives us a quick update on the receiver appointment for Jefferson County. He also has the details on where Alabama falls in the list of most corrupt states in America.
Residents Upset by Plan for I-20/59 Redesign through Downtown Birmingham
Every day, about 160,000 drivers make their way along Interstate 20/59 through downtown Birmingham. It’s one of the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in the state, but it’s also accident prone and crumbling from age. The Alabama Department of Transportation is developing a plan to repair and expand the highway. But as WBHM intern Hollie Parrish reports, that plan has drawn a critical response from some residents.
Saying Goodbye To Marty’s
Regulars at Marty’s in Birmingham’s Southside neighborhood will have to find a new bar to call home after August 31st. The institution is calling it quits after two decades of drinks, music, and the passing of the bar’s owner, Marty Eagle, earlier this year. Marty’s was a second home for many but also a home for jazz in Birmingham. WBHM’s Sarah Delia stopped by during the bar’s final week as staff, musicians and regulars say goodbye.
Rivers: A Debut Novel
Eight years ago today Hurricane Katrina roared out of the Gulf of Mexico leaving more than 18-hundred people dead with an estimated 125 billion dollars in damage. Now imagine a series of storms of that intensity parked over the Gulf all the time and you have the setting for a first novel by a young Mississippi author.WBHM’s Greg Bass spoke with Michael Farras Smith about his debut novel Rivers
John Archibald: What the Birmingham Election Results Mean
Birmingham voters had their say this week as they went to the polls to select a mayor, city council and school board members. Many incumbents returned to office, with the exception of the Birmingham Board of Education, which will see a wave of new blood. We take a look at the post-election political scene with Al.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald.
Birmingham 2013 City Election Results
Birmingham Mayor William Bell easily won another term in office, while new faces are headed to the city council and board of education. We have unofficial results from Tuesday's election.
Kyle Whitmire: Post Election Analysis
Citizens of Birmingham headed to the polls this week. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News offers his thoughts and analysis on the results.
A Turnaround at Birmingham-Southern College
Classes start at Birmingham-Southern College Wednesday and for students returning to the school there’s a very different atmosphere than just a few years ago. In 2010, the college faced a financial crisis, leading to deep budget cuts and layoffs. But now the campus is on the rebound. As WBHM intern Pooja Gajare reports much of the credit is being given to the school’s president.
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM Hires News Director
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM has hired Rachel Osier Lindley as its news director. Lindley will oversee the activities of the WBHM news team while giving voice to the North Central Alabama community the station serves. She will work extensively with on-air and online content, local, regional, and national content partners, and evolving technology.
Eric Essix Evolution
Alabama native Eric Essix has released his 20th record. "evolution" is a musical excursion from the times of Birmingham in 1963 to the progress of the city and its people, today.
Kyle Whitmire: JeffCo to Hire a Receiver
This week U.S. District Court Judge Lynwood Smith said the county needs to appoint a receiver. The receiver will select, hire, promote, demote, discipline, or fire Jefferson County employees. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News explains what the appointment of the receiver means for JeffCo residents and those employed by the county.
What do Birmingham Voters Want?
Birmingham voters go to the polls next Tuesday to pick a mayor, city council and school board members. The election comes at a time when the city is garnering positive headlines for a new downtown baseball stadium and entertainment district. But Birmingham’s schools also face the threat of losing accreditation due to a dysfunctional board. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager went to a recent candidates forum to hear what issues voters say are most important to them.
UAB Cancer Center Opens Renovated Facility
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Comprehensive Cancer Center will open the renovated Lurleen B. Wallace Tumor Institute this Friday. The expanded facility features increased lab space, offices designed to promote collaboration and a cyclotron.
What does Trinity’s move mean for Birmingham’s Eastside?
Construction crews will soon be scurrying about Trinity Medical Center’s new building on Highway 280, preparing for the hospital to move to that location in 2016. Work on the new hospital, recently named Grandview Medical Center, comes after a four-year legal battle. While Trinity officials say the move is long-overdue, some residents of the eastside Birmingham neighborhood the hospital is vacating worry what the change means for their community.
John Archibald: Discontent within the Birmingham Water Works
The split between management and workers can be a source of tension in many workplaces. But for employees of the Birmingham Water Works they seem to be particularly unhappy. AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald talks about a "no confidence" letter from employees, a sign criticism of the water works' leadership isn't just coming from the outside.
Kyle Whitmire: UPS Plane Crash
Kyle Whitmire joins us to discuss developments from Wednesday morning's plane crash. The UPS cargo plane crashed on the outskirts of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. The pilot and co-pilot were pronounced dead at the scene and the cause of the incident remains unknown.
Hoover Cuts Buses, Ignites Controversy
Hoover’s school board recently voted to end its bus service, effective a year from now. District leaders say they have to cut costs as enrollments rise and revenues fall. But as WBHM’s Dan Carsen points out in a recent national report, many in the hilly, sprawling Birmingham suburb don’t believe that’s the whole story. Click above for more.
Hoover Stakeholders React To School Bus Cut
Hoover school leaders recently made their case for last month's controversial decision to end the system's regular-ed busing program, effective next August. In light of the outcry, the school board set up a public forum, held Thursday night at Spain Park High School, where system leaders explained school finances and heard stakeholders' numerous concerns. WBHM has archived the entire meeting as a matter of public record and broken out 10 key exchanges for listeners. Click above to listen.
Kyle Whitmire: Who Is Looking Out For JeffCo Ratepayers?
This week Jefferson County successfully defended its bankruptcy plan from four objectors in federal court. Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Bennett said the objectors did not have standing to object to the county's plan because they were not creditors. Kyle Whitmire explains what this week's hearing means for ratepayers in Jefferson County.
Kyle Whitmire: Who Is Looking Out For JeffCo Ratepayers?
This week Jefferson County successfully defended its bankruptcy plan from four objectors in federal court. Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Bennett said the objectors did not have standing to object to the county's plan because they were not creditors. Kyle Whitmire explains what this week's hearing means for ratepayers in Jefferson County.
Former Director and Daughter Charged in Theft from Poverty Agency
The U.S. Attorney's Office has charged the former executive director of the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity and her daughter in connection with the theft of close to $500,000 from the non-profit organization.
John Archibald: Has Being Neighborly Become a Business?
The Birmingham Water Works board objects to Jefferson County’s plan to exit bankruptcy. Also, has being neighborly become a business? And the Birmingham City council fights over just what to name a proposed baseball museum. We talk about all this with Birmingham News columnist John Archibald…
Kyle Whitmire: How to Define a Reasonable Sewer Rate
At the core of Jefferson County's sewer problems is a question of fairness: Are Jefferson County sewer rates reasonable? What defines reasonable? And if they’re not, how do we change the sewer rates? Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and The Birmingham News says there's still work to be done when it comes to creating reasonable sewer rates in Jefferson County.
