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Democratic State Supreme Court Chief Justice Candidate Bob Vance
Alabama isn’t much of a factor in the presidential election, but the race for state Supreme Court Chief Justice is shaping up to be an intriguing contest. For Democrats, Jefferson County circuit court judge Bob Vance is a late addition to the race. He spoke to WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Amendment Four: Does It Do More Than Remove Racist Language?
When you go to the polls next week you'll have 11 statewide amendments to vote on. A lot of them may seem confusing, but one should be a no brainer. It would remove racist language from the state constitution. But critics say it's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Cooper Green and UAB Reach Agreement on Inpatient Care
UAB Health Systems has agreed to help Cooper Green Mercy Hospital now that the county-owned facility is ending inpatient care. Jefferson County manager Tony Petelos announced at a press conference Thursday the county came to an agreement with UAB. That hospital will expand to take patients who need inpatient care.
Effort to Save Girl Scout Camp now a Legal Fight
The fight over the future of several Girl Scout camps around Alabama is entering the legal arena. WBHM has learned a former Girl Scout council president has filed a pre-suit discovery petition against the Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama. The move comes in response to the Girl Scouts’ announcement this summer that it plans to sell four of six camps, including the 87-year-old Camp Coleman near Trussville.
Rev. Al Sharpton Coming to Birmingham
The Rev. Al Sharpton will be in Birmingham Friday to attend a forum and rally against the downsizing of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. But will Sharpton's appearance pressure Jefferson County Commissioners into changing their minds? John Archibald and Tanya Ott discuss that, plus a city councilwoman's criticism of a lesbian photo exhibit, the resignation of the school board president, and demands by the county attorney for a pay raise.
Alabama’s Only High-School Freethinkers’ Club
A recent national poll shows a vast increase in the number of non-religious Americans. Roughly a fifth are now atheist, agnostic, or 'nothing in particular.' But polls also show non-believers are the least-trusted group in the country. So the trend is a prescription for some tension, tension that sometimes plays out in the nation's schools. Our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has more on one example -- the story behind Alabama's only high-school 'freethinkers' club.
Patient Satisfaction at Birmingham Hospitals
The controversy over the closure of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital's in-patient services has focused a lot of attention on the finances of the hospital. But medical outcomes and patient satisfaction have received relatively little attention. How do patients score Cooper Green, UAB Hospital and St. Vincent's? Click the link above for the answer.
After Home Brewing Seizure, Confusion and Unease
Making your own beer in Alabama has always been an uneasy hobby. That’s because Alabama is one of only two states where it’s illegal to home brew. But a recent enforcement action by the state Alcohol Beverage Control Board is drawing attention to the apparent inconsistent application of the law.
College Debt in Alabama
A new study shows that 54% of Alabama's college graduating class of 2011 finished with debt and the average amount was more than $25,000. This is below the national average ($26,600), but still a concern for students and parents.
Birmingham Hospitals Receive Products from Compounding Pharmacy
Health officials have released the names of 44 health care facilities in Alabama that received products from New England Compounding Center that have not been connected to a meningitis outbreak.
Maddox Arrested, Resigns
Birmingham School Board president Edward Maddox has been arrested on charges of ethics violations. He is resigning, and scheduled to appear in a court hearing today. Read more here.
Bentley Reveals Retirement Incentive Plan Details
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley plans to ask legislators to pass a bill offering eligible state employees an incentive if they voluntarily retire. He says the program would save taxpayers up to $26 million a year.
NY Times Profiles Morning Edition
The New York Times has a behind the scene look at public radio's premiere program and the most-listened-to news program on the radio.
Controversial Student Training Includes Taking On Gunmen
Jonesboro, Columbine, Virginia Tech. Those names and others have become tragic shorthand for school shootings. Today, when there’s a threat, the typical lockdown plan that most schools follow is sound the alarm, call police, lock doors, and stay put. But a growing number of schools are adopting controversial training that includes how to fight back against a gunman. WBHM's Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has the story.
Democratic Donkey Gone From AL Ballot
A mistake results in the traditional donkey logo signifying the Democratic ticket not appearing on Alabama's ballots in the November election. Party officials worry it could hurt the party's vote.
Alabama Got Injectable Products, But None Contaminated
Alabama health officials say 10 health care facilities in Alabama received sterile injectable products from a pharmacy involved in a fungal meningitis outbreak nationwide. The Department of Public Health says there is no evidence the products sent to Alabama were contaminated.
Lee County’s Nowlin To Lead Jeffco Schools
The superintendent for Lee County, Stephen Nowlin, has been named to serve as the new superintendent in Jefferson County. The school board voted 4-1 on Thursday for Nowlin to replace retiring Superintendent Phil Hammonds.
First Black Member of U.S. Federal Reserve Dies
“If, as Booker T. Washington asserted, a man should be judged by the obstacles he had to overcome in life, then Dr. Andrew F. Brimmer was indeed a giant and his lifetime accomplishments should continue to be an inspiration to future generations.”
State Board Rejects Rule to Close Neuter Clinics
A state board has rejected a proposed rule that would have closed the doors of low-cost spay and neuter animal clinics across Alabama.
Senators Rally Behind Spay Neuter Clinics
Five Alabama state senators are trying to keep the state's low-cost spay and neuter clinics open. A rule proposed by the State Board of Veterinary Examiners would essentially put them out of business.
Carsen and Ott Talk All Things Alabama Education
The School Superintendents of Alabama is set to announce today the Superintendent of the Year, and embattled Birmingham schools chief Craig Witherspoon is among the nine people up for the honor. Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen tells Tanya Ott about that and a grade-changing scandal in Montgomery.
Rev. Al Sharpton To Protest Cooper Green Closure
The Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to appear at a rally protesting the closure of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital's inpatient care unit. Critics say poor patients will be denied treatment at other local hospitals.
UAB to Open New Med School Branch
UAB officials say a new medical school branch in Montgomery will help address a looming shortage of primary care physicians in Alabama. It's estimated the country will need 45,000 more primary care physicians and 46,000 more surgeons and specialists by 2020 to meet the needs of an aging population.
Gov. Bentley Says He’ll Intervene in Cooper Green If Asked
Gov. Bentley says he believes the hospital should keep its in-patient services open, but cut payroll costs. He says he'll intervene in the debate if both sides ask for his help.
John Archibald on Changes at Birmingham News
The Birmingham News shifted to three day a week print editions this week and public reaction has been mixed, though largely negative, on social media sites. John Archibald discusses what the change means for news reporters and consumers and addresses other thorny issues like the status of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
Rep. John Rogers Questions County’s Management of Cooper Green Money
Rep. John Rogers says the county co-mingled Cooper Green Hospital funds with county money and has no idea how much the hospital actually costs. Still, he says new numbers show the hospital is "in the black."
U.S. Senator Blasts BP for Cleanup
A U.S. Senator blasts BP's cleanup efforts along the Gulf Coast while a judge dismisses one lawsuit against the oil company. In other news, embattled Birmingham schools superintendent Craig Witherspoon gets kudos from his peers.
Bentley says No to Affordable Care Act
Governor Robert Bentley said Monday he won't implement part of the federal Affordable Health Care Act in Alabama. Bentley's aides announced he has sent a letter to the Obama administration saying he's an opponent of the act.
David Carrington Fields Your Questions
WBHM is "The station where you can listen... and be heard". Well, we put that in action and let you ask questions of Jefferson County Commission president David Carrington.
Found Sound: Boyd Hayes
Public radio listeners are accustomed to hearing people share their very personal stories (think Story Corps). Today, WBHM's Will Dahlberg shares the story of his adoptive father's quest to hear his own father's voice for the first time.
Carrington Responds to Charges of Racism
Jefferson County Commission President David Carrington tells WBHM's Tanya Ott he's moving forward with plans to downsize Cooper Green Mercy Hospital despite protests.
Jefferson County Passes Balanced Budget with Cuts to Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
Jefferson County has passed a $160M balanced budget, but not without questions concerning Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
