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Former AL Senator Jeff Sessions Resigns as Attorney General
The day after the 2018 midterms, Jeff Sessions has resigned as attorney general. In a letter to President Trump, Sessions told the president that he is stepping down “at your request.”
Republicans Maintain Firm Control After Alabama Midterms
Republicans left no doubt about their dominance of Alabama politics Tuesday. Republican incumbent Governor Kay Ivey turned back a challenge from Democrat Walt Maddox. The Republicans kept all statewide offices and won all contested congressional races in Alabama.
Alabama GOP Still Dominant Despite Challenges from Democrats
Democrats hoped to make inroads in Republican-dominated Alabama during Tuesday's midterm election. They were riding high after electing Doug Jones to the Senate in a special election in December. That enthusiasm did not translate into victory as Republicans maintained all statewide offices and all contested congressional seats.
Alabama’s Sole Congressional Democrat Sees Opportunity in House Victory
Of all the congressional candidates in Alabama Tuesday, only one was guaranteed to win. Democratic Representative Terri Sewell faced no opposition as she reclaimed the seventh district seat. But for the first time in her congressional career, Democrats hold the majority in the House of Representatives. Rep. Sewell says Democrats will be able work with Republicans on Capitol Hill.
Birmingham Council Members Push Back Against Road in Watershed That Protects Drinking Water
The Birmingham City Council appears set to oppose construction of the controversial Cahaba Beach road and bridge project across the Little Cahaba River.
Woodfin Calls for Civility at City Hall; Councilor’s Criticism Continues
Mayor Randall Woodfin called for greater civility between his office and Birmingham City Council on Tuesday, following weeks of escalating tension. The tension culminated with Woodfin and most of his staff being absent from council’s Oct. 30 meeting.
Parker Defeats Vance: Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Wrap-Up
Justice Tom Parker is Alabama's new Supreme Court Chief Justice after defeating Jefferson County Judge Bob Vance.
Jeffco Voters Elect County’s First African-American Sheriff and District Attorney
Mark Pettway upsets longtime Sheriff Mike Hale and Danny Carr wins Jefferson County District Attorney.
Ivey Wins: Alabama Gubernatorial Race Wrap-Up
Incumbent Kay Ivey takes the official title as first republican female governor of Alabama after winning Wednesday's midterm elections.
Alabama Key Results
Follow Alabama's 2018 Midterm Election results.
Flyer Aimed at African-American Voters Depicts Trump With Klan Marchers
A campaign mail piece sent primarily to African-American voters features photos of President Donald Trump alongside members of the Ku Klux Klan — and it’s not the first time that the groups listed as the flyer’s sponsors have used the tactic.
Polls Open Under Gray Skies
Voters began going to the polls across the state at 7 a.m., many of them braving threats of rain but not the severe weather that had been predicted.
Severe Weather Update: Polling Places Remain Open Despite School Delays
Some Alabama schools will delay or close school ahead of predicted severe weather beginning Monday night and lasting into early Tuesday morning.
Sample Ballots: Review and Print Your Ballot Before You Go to the Polls
Are you headed to the polls Tuesday? Check out a blank sample ballot for elections in Shelby and Jefferson Counties.
Maddox Defines Himself as Voice of Progress as Election Day Nears
At the end of what many have deemed a Sisyphean campaign, Walt Maddox is making a final appeal to voters. His argument? Think of the future.
Kay Ivey’s Campaign for Governor out of Public Spotlight, in Friendly Terrain
Seen incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey on the campaign trail lately? If you have, you’re one of a small group of Alabamians.
Jeffco Voters to Decide on Homewood’s Ability to Increase Property Taxes
Homewood doesn't want the state legislature to "micro-manage" its property tax rate. Instead, it wants local control. So a referendum on tomorrow's ballot in Jefferson County will let voters decide whether Homewood can hold a vote to increase property taxes to help fund schools. No such vote is planned at this time.
2018 General Election Voter Guide: Alabama Voters Face Nov. 6 Election with Few Statewide Races Predicted as Close
Alabama Democrats are hoping to put at least a small dent in Republicans’ stronghold on all three branches of state government in the Nov 6 general election.
Local Party Leaders Hope the Midterms Turn Counties Purple
Shelby County is red, Jefferson County is blue. But party leaders hope to nudge the political landscape toward a shade of purple, especially in the local races.
Some Alabama Voters Anxious Ahead of the Midterms
Groups such as the NAACP and the ACLU have closely monitored voting access. But voter roll purges and dozens of closed polling places in recent years have many Alabama voters worried ahead of Tuesday's midterms. They fear they'll encounter problems at the polls.
State Elections Chief Faces Criticism Over Partisanship
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has gotten into some intense partisan Twitter battles recently. Merrill is a Republican and he is running for re-election this Tuesday. Partisanship is to be expected among political candidates. But is it a problem when you are also the state’s top elections official?
Composer Martin Kennedy Debuts Original Work: ‘Forest Dark and Stars Above’
Every year, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra features an up-and-coming composer. This season, it’s Alabama native Martin Kennedy. Thursday night, the orchestra gives the world premiere of Kennedy's Forest Dark and Stars Above. Kennedy spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall about his approach to composing. Their conversation began with Kennedy describing the piece and features some of Kennedy’s other music.
Ivey Won’t Debate Maddox. Do Voters Care?
Political debates can be fiery and emotional. They can reveal a lot about a candidate, including how he or she acts under pressure. And they've become an issue in the Alabama governor’s race.
Why Many Alabamians Won’t Vote in the Midterms
Alabamians go the polls Tuesday to vote in midterm elections, but if history is a predictor, most eligible voters will likely sit this election out. Six out of 10 Alabama voters didn’t vote in 2014 when it was time to elect a governor, state lawmakers and other key leaders.
‘Better, Brighter, More Dynamic:’ With Numbers Showing Him Behind Incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey, Walt Maddox Reaches out to Young Voters
Walt Maddox kicked off the final week of his campaign for Alabama governor Monday night with a visit to Auburn University, where he spoke with students about issues pertaining to the state’s college-aged demographic.
Facebook, Twitter, Other Social Media Play Roles in Elections. But Handshakes Remain a Factor Too
Recently, Alabama’s Republican secretary of state, John Merrill, got into a Twitter spat with Mallory Hagan, a Democrat running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, over whether Merrill is suppressing the vote in the state. To have candidates for political office, one of them an incumbent office holder, debate such a contentious issue on Twitter demonstrates how much social media has become a part of the conversations surrounding elections, including the upcoming midterms.
UAB Medical Center West to Remain Near Bessemer
Officials in west Jefferson County at a press conference Monday welcomed UAB Medical Center West’s decision to build a new facility there. Prior to that announcement, UAB also considered moving the facility to Hoover.
Who Has Final Say Over Jefferson County Money Matters?
Jefferson County commissioners and Jefferson County Tax Collector J.T. Smallwood have different ideas of who must OK contracts set up by Smallwood. Commissioner David Carrington said Thursday any contract involving Jefferson County government income and expenses must be approved by the commission. Smallwood, an elected official, said he doesn’t work for the commission.
Firehouse Ministries Loses City Money in Racially Charged Dispute
Tensions continued through the week between a Birmingham City Council member and Mayor Randall Woodfin over the council’s Tuesday decision not to contribute $1 million over five years to the Firehouse Ministries Homeless Shelter.
Ten Commandments and Abortion Amendments Could Spur Legal Challenges
Two statewide amendments on the November ballot have already generated debate among legal scholars. One involves the public display of the Ten Commandments. That's the same issue that led to the removal of former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore from the bench in 2003. The other amendment deals with abortion. Approval of these measures could potentially set the stage for future legal challenges.
University of Alabama Receives $1.8 Million to Study Mussel Biodiversity
A research team led by the University of Alabama has received $1.8 million to study biodiversity of freshwater mussels. The National Science Foundation announced the award Thursday. Carla Atkinson, an assistant biology professor at the University of Alabama and one of the principal investigators on the study, says Alabama has an abundant variety of mussels. […]
Birmingham Author’s Book Hits the Big Screen
A new thriller opens in theaters today. It’s about an American submarine captain on the hunt for a U.S. submarine in distress. The film “Hunter Killer” features some big names including Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman. It was adapted from a novel co-written by Birmingham author Don Keith.
