Series
Birmingham Council Approves $90 Million For Stadium, BJCC Expansion
The City of Birmingham will contribute $90 million over the next 30 years toward a new downtown and an expansion of the BJCC. The council voted 6 to 3 on Monday for the plan following a four-hour and at times contentious debate.
WBHM Politics: Guns, Schools and Safety
The issue of guns and schools has been in the news the past month after a gunman walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people. In Birmingham these issues became very real when a student was shot and killed at Huffman High School earlier this month. We explore the topic through a series of conversations.
Cocktails, Costumes, and a James Beard Nomination
The Atomic Lounge serves up costumes and cocktails. The new Birmingham bar is a semifinalist for a James Beard Award.
Legislative Wrap-Up: State Ethics Law Revisions and the Ten Commandments
The Alabama legislature considers tightening up the state ethics law and a bill that would allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public buildings, including schools. The bill's sponsor says it can deter a school shooter from carrying out an attack.
WBHM Politics: When Retailers Close, Taxes Go Too
When a big-box store closes in a smaller community, that drop in tax revenue can be a big hit to the town. That's a situation Fairfield and Irondale are working through.
Back to Basics with One of Birmingham’s Oldest Food Trucks
The number of food trucks in Birmingham has exploded over the last couple of years. But the Travis Chicago Style no-frills white truck with a red stripe gets high marks from Birmingham residents, particularly African Americans who grew up seeing his truck.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Marijuana Penalties, Religious Daycares, and Execution Methods
Alabama lawmakers debated a controversial measure this week that would ease the penalties for marijuana possession. And for prison inmates on death row, they debated an alternative execution method with nitrogen gas.
Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Arm Teachers
This school shooting in Parkland, Florida this week that left 17 people dead took center stage for Alabama lawmakers. On Thursday, Republican state Representative Will Ainsworth announced plans to introduce legislation that would allow teachers to carry firearms during school hours. The law would require training.
Birmingham’s Noodle Mania
There's been a recent surge in new Birmingham restaurants serving up gourmet noodle bowls like Japanese ramen and Vietnamese pho.
WBHM Politics: Women Running for Office
The ballot for state elections this fall is shaping up after Friday’s deadline for candidates to qualify. There are a notable number of women running for office this year. Alabama’s governor and chief justice are both women and they're are running to keep their jobs. The #MeToo movement appears to have encouraged some women to jump into the fray as well.
Appeals Court Says Gardendale Can’t Separate From County School System
A federal appeals court says Gardendale can't separate from the Jefferson County School System, but that may not be the final word. Gardendale officials say they will appeal a Tuesday ruling by the 11th Circuit Court that overturned a district court’s approval of its separation from the Jefferson County School System.
Alabama Education Department Issues School Report Cards
The Alabama Department of Education on Thursday will release school system report cards, issuing letter grades assessing school performance, including test results, graduation rates and attendance.
WBHM Politics: Working in Alabama’s Prisons
As policy makers debate how to address the numerous issues facing Alabama's prison system, the experiences of the men and women who work at prisons can sometimes be hidden.
Why Metro Birmingham Homicides Are Up
Metro Birmingham had a streak last fall – eight killings in six days. The rash of homicides stretched from Hueytown to Homewood to Tarrant. The area’s murder rate rose in 2017 for the third consecutive year. Government and law enforcement officials in Birmingham and Jefferson County say there are challenges to what some have dubbed a crisis.
WBHM Politics: A Downtown Birmingham Stadium
The Jefferson County Commission has approved setting aside money toward a downtown stadium in Birmingham. That's given new momentum for a project that's been talked about for decades.
WBHM Politics: 2018 Legislative Session Preview
A preview of the 2018 regular legislative session in Alabama.
WBHM Politics: A Look Back at 2017
Alabama politics was on overload this year with a new governor, new senator and new mayor for Birmingham.
Tips for Cutting Calories During the Holidays
The latest installment of WBHM's food series "Sound Bites" explores healthier holiday options to help cut calories.
Kids, Dogs and the Culture of Breweries
For WBHM’s food series, “Sound Bites” we look at why breweries have become such popular places for families to spend quality time.
WBHM Politics: The U.S. Senate Election
In the latest edition of WBHM Politics we discuss the U.S. Senate race in Alabama pitting Republican Roy Moore against Democrat Doug Jones.
Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper Steps Down
After weeks of speculation, Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper is stepping down. Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office released a statement from the chief today confirming that Roper did not reapply for his position in the new mayor’s administration.
Birmingham’s Millennial Mayor Moves to a Different Beat
One week from today, Randall Woodfin takes office as Birmingham’s 30th mayor. His rise to the big office on third floor of City Hall is a move Woodfin has calculated for years, even though he’s just 36.
WBHM Politics: Family, the Holidays and Politics
Take a few family members, mix in some strong political opinions and plop them into a holiday gathering. It’s a perfect recipe for clashes, fraught emotions and maybe some mashed potatoes thrown against the wall. And that’s the feast we’re serving up on this edition of WBHM Politics.
How to Solve Birmingham’s Food Service Worker Shortage
There are too many restaurants in Birmingham and not enough people to staff them.
“It a dirty job….but so rewarding”
Becca Guthrie of Pelham on rescuing birds
“I want to help them deal with things in life they normally couldn’t do”….
Professional boxer and trainer Martin Juarez of Birmingham
“It’s an addition, not only to the church, but to the entire community”
Director of Church Outreach Reggie Holder of Birmingham
WBHM Politics: Regional Cooperation
Regional cooperation around Birmingham is something that gets talked about but never seems to go much beyond that. A study released this summer is trying to give new life to the issue. In this episode of WBHM Politics we’ll hear about the study and examine the status of regional cooperation around Birmingham
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.
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.
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.
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.
