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U.S. Senate Race has Alabama Democrats Hoping for a Turnaround
Republicans have steadily eaten away at Democrats’ historic dominance of Alabama politics over the last generation and now hold firm control of all three branches of government. But there’s excitement among Alabama Democrats about the upcoming Senate and gubernatorial elections. Is this a turning point?
Woodfin Shocked the Old Guard. Now What?
In about three weeks, Randall Woodfin takes office as Birmingham’s next mayor. Woodfin worked for years as an attorney at City Hall. During his year-long campaign for mayor, Woodfin shined a light on the city’s problems and sold most Birmingham voters on his ability to fix them. Recently he spoke with WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart about what’s next and how he won.
Concussion Expert on Youth Sports: “Time to Make Some Decisions”
Brain injury specialist Dr. Elizabeth Sandel has been studying that organ and bad things that happen to it for more than three decades. With football season in full swing, and the recent publication of a study linking adolescent concussions with multiple sclerosis, we wanted to check in with an expert.
WBHM Politics: Crackdown on Airbnb
Cities, including some in Alabama, are putting restrictions on short-term rental sites such as Airbnb. And they're taking many different approaches.
Gay Men Blood Donors Not as Risky as Once Thought, Researchers Say
For decades, many gay men have been prohibited from donating blood. They were considered high-risk during the AIDS epidemic back in the 1980s. As of two years ago, they can donate if they’ve abstained from sex for a year, but some researchers say that’s unrealistic and unnecessary.
New Birmingham Council Pledges To Work Together
Birmingham has a new city council – six returning members and three new ones. They took office this morning, pledging to do things differently --– mainly working with the new mayor and working together.
New Documentary Highlights Lesbian Struggle for Equality in Alabama
The film follows three lesbian couples, a group that directors say has historically been invisible in Alabama.
As Flu Season Begins, Shots Boost Health and Bottom Lines
It’s the start of flu season, which for many people means a date with a needle. If you’ve been to a drug store lately, you may have noticed some strong encouragement to get the shot. So why the big push? Is it just about health?
The Accidental LGBT Activist: Jim Obergefell Speaks to Students at UAB
Jim Obergefel was at the center of the U.S. Supreme Court case legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. He spoke at the University of Alabama at Birmingham last night about what’s he’s been doing since that landmark day in 2015.
A Rash of Political Sign Thefts in Homewood
Supporters of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones in Homewood have taken to social media to complain about a wave of campaign signs stolen from their yards around the city.
Voters Hope Woodfin Fulfills Promises For Better Birmingham
Randall Woodfin takes over as mayor of Birmingham on Nov. 28. He overwhelmingly beat incumbent Mayor William Bell in this month’s runoff. On the campaign trail, the 36-year-old Woodfin promised a better Birmingham. Now residents say they expect him to deliver on those promises.
Birmingham Doesn’t Need a Headquarters to Take a Bite Out of Amazon
Birmingham is among dozens of cities fighting for Amazon's second headquarters. But another type of Amazon facility is more likely for the Magic City.
Roy Moore’s Foundation Guaranteed Him a $180,000 Salary
The Washington Post on Wednesday published a report revealing that Moore had arranged to receive a salary of $180,000 a year for part-time work at this charity. The report goes on to say Moore collected more than $1 million from 2007 to 2012 -- well beyond what the group disclosed in federal tax filings.
California Dreamin’ With a Heart of Dixie: Writer Charlie Wyatt
The Birmingham native has lived in San Diego, California, since the 1960s, but his soul stayed in the South. Wyatt began writing short stories a few years ago, releasing a little bit of that Southern soul in the process.
Mayor-elect Randall Woodfin Announces Transition Leaders, Inauguration Date
Birmingham Mayor-elect Randall Woodfin began his transition into office today with a press conference at Vulcan, echoing some of the same themes from his campaign.
Birmingham Mayor, Council To Start Terms On Different Dates
Birmingham’s mayor and council were elected at the same time, but they will not take office the same day because of state law.
As Nate Weakens, Expect Heavy Rain and Wind
Nate has quickly weakened to a tropical depression. The Birmingham metro area can expect torrential rains and strong winds to continue moving in Sunday. Wind advisories are in effect for all of Central Alabama through 10 pm Sunday.
‘Hurricane Nate is an Alabama storm.’ State Braces for Impact
Hurricane Nate could bring sustained winds up to 100 mph and gusts up to 115 mph when it makes landfall along the Gulf Coast Saturday night. Because of those high winds, the storm's impact on Alabama is expected to be dramatically greater than Irma.
WBHM Politics: A New Mayor for Birmingham
WBHM reporter Sherrel Wheeler Stewart and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discuss the results of Tuesday's election that make Randall Woodfin Birmingham's next mayor.
Musical Healing: ASO’s Izcaray Begins Second Season
A new season of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra kicks off this weekend. The symphony’s music director Carlos Izcaray dealt with quite a bit of personal adversity last season. But he says he was fortunate to have been able to keep working throughout the ordeal. Friday and Saturday’s Masterworks concert includes works by Haydn and Beethoven. We begin […]
A Generational Change as Woodfin Wins Birmingham Mayoral Race
City attorney Randall Woodfin is set to become Birmingham's next mayor after defeating incumbent Mayor William Bell in a municipal runoff election Tuesday.
Woodfin Wins. Birmingham Voters Deny Bell Another Term
Birmingham voters on Tuesday elected Randall Woodfin the city’s new mayor. Woodfin took 59 percent of the vote to incumbent Mayor William Bell’s 41 percent, according to unofficial results. The two candidates took different approaches as they vied for the mayor’s seat in the weeks after the August municipal election. That race resulted in a runoff. Bell […]
Biden: “It Gives You Reason to Believe a Little Again”
A Democrat hasn’t won major statewide office in Alabama for decades, but polls show former federal prosecutor Doug Jones within striking distance of Republican Roy Moore in a special U.S. Senate election set for December 12. Jones had high-profile support at a rally at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham on Tuesday, including former Vice President Joe Biden.
Birmingham Voters Fill Seats for Mayor, City Council, School Board Today
Birmingham voters will elect a mayor, city council and school board members in a municipal runoff today. Mayor William Bell faces a challenge from city attorney Randall Woodfin for the mayor’s seat. Three Birmingham City Council seats are up for grabs in districts 2, 5, and 9. And five Birmingham Board of Education slots will be […]
In Tuesday’s Mayoral Runoff, Bell Touts Experience, Woodfin Pushes Change
There’s a runoff election in Birmingham Tuesday. A few school board seats and city council places are on the line. And there’s the big race for mayor – a runoff between incumbent William Bell and Randall Woodfin, an assistant city attorney.
Tripling Trials? UAB Cancer Center Head Pushes Big Goals
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is trying keep the disease from touching so many lives. It recently recruited oncology leader Dr. Michael Birrer to run the center. He tells WBHM’s Dan Carsen that when he was in training, top medical students did not go into oncology because cancer patients had few options, but things have changed.
Birmingham Attorneys and Coal Company Executive Indicted in Bribery Scheme
Federal prosecutors have indicted two attorneys with a prominent Birmingham law firm and a coal company executive for their alleged involvement in a bribery scheme related to efforts to clean up pollution around north Birmingham.
Where Trump and Roy Moore Intersect (Hint: It isn’t Religion)
What do President Donald Trump and Roy Moore have in common? The president isn't particularly religious. But Moore, whose evangelical Christian base carried him to victory Tuesday in the Republican primary for US Senate, might not need a Bible-toting president to win votes in the December general election.
WBHM Politics: Gentrification
In this episode of WBHM Politics, we hear about the rising discussion of gentrification around Birmingham.
Graham Boettcher’s Mission: Breaking Down the Ivory Tower
Graham Boettcher came to Birmingham just over a decade ago and says he's seen vast changes in the city's art scene and culture.
Moore’s Win Wasn’t About Trump
Political consultant David Mowery offers analysis of Tuesday's Republican runoff for U.S. Senate which put Roy Moore on top over Luther Strange.
Moore Defeats Strange in GOP Senate Runoff
In a blow to the Republican Washington establishment, Alabama voters on Tuesday handed a victory to controversial former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in the race to fill the Senate seat once held by Jeff Sessions. Washington super PACS affiliated with GOP Senate leadership poured millions into appointed Senator Luther Strange’s campaign in Alabama’s special primary […]
