Kyle Whitmire
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kyle Whitmire: What JeffCo Sewer Rate Hike Really Means
The County Commission wants to raise sewer rates even more than originally planned to help Jefferson County exit bankruptcy. Some argue this is what’s needed to help Jefferson County while others say it unfairly places a burden on the county's people. Kyle Whitmire takes a closer look at what the hike in rates really means.
Kyle Whitmire: The Real Powers of an Elected Local Official
Local elections are taking place next month. Candidates are getting their platforms ready and thinking about what they want to accomplish while in office. But before they start making promises to voters, they may want to take a closer look at what power they actually have when elected. Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and The Birmingham News says, local officials are often surprised by what they can and cannot do once they get into office.
Kyle Whitmire: A Closer Look at Board of Education Meetings
Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and The Birmingham News attended this week's Board of Education meeting. Tensions at the meeting were high between state intervention team officials and elected board members. Kyle explains why the state intervention team is there in the first place as well as what needs to be accomplished before it can leave.
Kyle Whitmire: Tension grows in City Council
Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and The Birmingham News takes a look at the growing tensions in Birmingham's City Council, the surprising announcement of Edward Maddox's run for City Council, and thoughts on Jefferson County's bankruptcy exit plan.
Kyle Whitmire: Reactions to this week’s Supreme Court rulings
In a 5 to 4 vote the US Supreme Court struck down section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Some see the ruling as a setback for voting rights others say it's progress for southern states. The Supreme Court also ruled the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and The Birmingham News weighs in on what these rulings mean for Alabama.
Kyle Whitmire: What makes a failing school?
This week 78 schools were listed as failing in Alabama. Birmingham had the most schools listed than any other place in the state. We talk with Kyle Whitmire, political reporter with AL.com and The Birmingham News on what this means for Birmingham schools.
Kyle Whitmire: Privacy Perceptions and Pondering Good News
Privacy concerns are news with the NSA and PRISM stories, Alabama makes news with roadblocks to gain samples from drivers. And good news about Birmingham? We talk with Kyle Whitmire, political reporter with AL.com and The Birmingham News.
Kyle Whitmire: JeffCo Commissioners Deny Deal
A proposal to increase by more than $43,000 the office budget for Commissioner George Bowman has some county commissioners concerned. That proposal comes two weeks after Bowman provided a tie breaking vote for Carol Sue Nelson, the new county attorney. We talk politics with Kyle Whitmire, political reporter with AL.com and The Birmingham News.
Kyle Whitmire: No Traction for Jefferson County Bills
The Alabama legislative session that wrapped up Monday saw heated debate on issues such as education and guns. But something we didn't hear much about this year is Jefferson County. The last few sessions Jefferson County issues made waves in the legislature. But this year most local bills quietly died. We talk a look with AL.com and The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Kyle Whitmire: Delay for Alabama Accountability Act?
Gov. Robert Bentley wants a two-year delay before implementing the Alabama Accountability Act, and the Alabama Democratic Party is broke. We talk politics with Kyle Whitmire, political reporter with AL.com and The Birmingham News.
Kyle Whitmire: How was the Collapsed Airport Display Designed?
There remain many questions about what caused a flight information display at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to tip over earlier this spring, killing a 10-year-old boy. But we are getting a clearer picture of the design of the display. Also, Bessemer police shut down a popular blues juke joint. We talk about it with AL.com and The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Kyle Whitmire: Jefferson County Top Attorney Job Reopens
Jefferson County has put the "Help Wanted" sign up again for the top legal job in the county. The Water Works Board is wrestling with the future. We talk about those topics and more with The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Kyle Whitmire: Still no answers from Birmingham’s Airport
It's been almost two weeks since a flight information display at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport tipped over killing a 10-year-old boy and injuring his mother and two of his brothers. There's still key information about the incident which hasn't been released. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire explains what we know and what we don't know.
Kyle Whitmire: Questions for Birmingham’s Airport
There are many questions for airport officials, contractors and city officials following the death of a 10-year-old boy at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. A flight information display weighing at least 300 pounds fell over Friday, killing the boy and injuring his mother and two of his brothers. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire talks about why the display wasn't inspected and who is to blame.
Kyle Whitmire: Railroad Park Shooting
For those living in urban areas, it's sometimes possible to become callous or indifferent to the steady drip of crime. While murders in Birmingham are low by historic standards, a shooting this past Sunday in Railroad Park left a 15-year-old boy dead. That's bringing new attention to the issue. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire talk about the community response.
Kyle Whitmire: Fight Continues over School Bill
Alabama Republicans, Democrats and the education community are still in an uproar over the Alabama Accountability Act, almost two weeks after it was rushed through the state legislature. The bill would offer tax credits to parents for transferring their kids from a failing school to a non-failing public or private school. But now there are questions about differing versions of the bill. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire has details.
Kyle Whitmire: Controversial School Bill Blocked…For Now
A Montgomery judge is extending a temporary restraining order blocking Alabama's governor from signing a controversial school bill into law. But Republican leaders vow to appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court. We hear about the political fallout from The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Kyle Whitmire: Tough Questions for the Voting Rights Act
Conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court asked tough questions Wednesday about the need for portions of the Voting Rights Act. The court is hearing a challenge to the law filed by Shelby County, Alabama. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire talks about the case.
