Series
Bell Calls Birmingham’s Revitalizing Neighborhoods the Next Challenge
Birmingham Mayor William Bell has been a Xerox marketer and a probation officer, but since 1979, he’s been somewhere in local government. Voters will decide Tuesday during municipal elections whether he'll continue to serve in his position. After almost eight years as mayor, Bell tells WBHM’s Sherrel Stewart he wants to do it again.
Republicans Prepare for Battle in Senate Runoff
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses this week's U.S Senate primary and next week's municipal election in Birmingham.
New Soccer Team Adds to Birmingham’s Story of Revival
A new professional soccer team in Birmingham could mean an added asset for downtown.
2017 Birmingham Mayoral Debate
WBHM and the Birmingham Business Journal partnered to present the 2017 Birmingham Mayoral Debate. We hear from the top three candidates in Birmingham's race for mayor as determined by public polling: incumbent Mayor William Bell, and challengers Chris Woods, and Randall Woodfin.
Outgoing State Ethics Commissioner Takes Aim at Fellow Commissioners
An outgoing member of the Alabama Ethics Commission says the panel has been lax in upholding rules to keep state government in line.
Birmingham Council District 5: A Tale Of Two Cities
Seven people are vying for the District 5 seat on the Birmingham City Council in the August 22 elections. That’s the area representing most of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods from Crestwood to Smithfield. Managing this district won’t be easy. Some parts stand out as hip places to be in Birmingham, while others languish in extreme poverty and blight.
What Birmingham Businesses Want From City Leaders
Birmingham business leaders weigh in on what they expect from city leadership. Birmingham's municipal elections will be August 22.
Philemon Hill: Birmingham Needs Economic Development and Strong Schools
Philemon Hill is a sports marketer. He’s promoted sporting events from baseball to golf around the Southeast. But he’s also become a fixture at Birmingham City Council and School Board meetings. Now, he’d like to make the leap from gadfly to mayor.
Bell, Woods, and Woodfin Top Poll and Fundraising in Birmingham Mayor’s Race
A WBRC Fox 6 News poll in the Birmingham mayor’s race shows incumbent William Bell, building contractor Chris Woods and Birmingham school board member Randall Woodfin leading the race as the Aug. 22 election approaches. Those same three candidates are leading in fundraising, according to a WBHM analysis.
Birmingham’s Regions Harbert Plaza Now Minus Regions
A New York firm will try to fill a big chuck of space in downtown Birmingham's Regions Harbert Plaza once Regions leaves the office tower.
From Poverty to Potholes, Frank Matthews Wants to Fix the City
Frank Matthews has been a preacher, a media consultant and co-director of the Mayor's Office of Citizens' Assistance. Now, the he wants to become mayor of Birmingham .
Arc Stories: July 2017 Edition
Four stories, each recorded at different Arc Stories events throughout Birmingham. What oneman discovers about his wife when she has to endure a major medical procedure; a young woman who […]
Trump’s Attacks on Sessions Become Part of U.S. Senate Primary
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the Republican side of the special primary election for U.S. Senate.
Fernandez Sims Says Birmingham Needs A Servant Leader
Brother Fernandez Sims is a Birmingham minister. From his time in the pulpit and counseling people in the community, he says he sees the needs of Birmingham residents. He says he wants to be mayor to address those some of those needs.
Crowded Field of Eight Battle For District 2 Council Seat
There’s only one seat for the Birmingham City Council in District 2, and eight people want it – including the incumbent. The district, which includes the east Birmingham communities of East Lake, Roebuck Springs, Liberty Highlands, Crestwood South, Huffman and several others, has attracted a combination of young professionals and community leaders.
Crime, Education, Jobs Among Top Issues For Birmingham Voters
Many of those running for office in Birmingham, whether for mayor or city council or school board, have their own ideas on how to improve life in the city. But ask some of the city’s 212,000 residents what keeps them up at night, and you’ll hear the same concerns come up over and over again: jobs, education, and crime.
Corruption Probe Moves Beyond Indicted Former State Lawmaker
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses what could be next now that indicted former state lawmaker Oliver Robinson is cooperating with prosecutors in a bribery scandal.
Professional Soccer League Eyeing Birmingham
A professional soccer league is eyeing Birmingham for expansion.
Birmingham Weekly Newspaper Halts Publishing
Weld general manager, Heather Milam Nikolich, tells WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli the move is temporary.
Revisiting Birmingham’s Bid to Host the Democratic National Convention
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains why he believes the City of Birmingham's bid to host the Democratic National Convention in 2016 wasn't really about landing the convention.
Randall Woodfin Wants to Revitalize Birmingham Communities
Birmingham lawyer Randall Woodfin grew up in different parts of Birmingham. The 36-year-old is now running for mayor. He says he’s connected to communities from North Birmingham to Southtown. And if elected, he says he would revitalize those neighborhoods outside of downtown.
Industry Report says Birmingham Needs More Apartments
An industry report says Birmingham will need more apartment construction to meet demand through 2030.
Birmingham Races Draw Crowds; A Dozen Candidates in Mayor’s Race
No one gets a free pass into office this year in Birmingham. The 19 races on the ballot for the upcoming City Elections are all contested. The largest number of candidates want the job as mayor.
Tuscaloosa Law Enforcement and University of Alabama Accused of Mishandling Alleged Rape
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the case of Megan Rondini. The former University of Alabama student was allegedly raped and later committed suicide after the family says the university and law enforcement botched her case.
Chris Woods Makes Second Run For Mayor of Birmingham
He is a child of the civil rights movement and came of age as his father and uncle battled racial injustice. But Woods, now running to unseat Birmingham Mayor William Bell, has had different struggles that have shaped his own vision for the city. Woods sat down with our Sherrel Wheeler Stewart.
Larry Contri, Former Interim School Superintendent, Vies for a Board Seat
The veteran Birmingham educator, who was interim school superintendent but passed over for the permanent job, is running for a seat on the Birmingham Board of Education. Contri qualified Friday to run in District 3. Mary Drennen Boehm, the former executive director of A+ College Ready Alabama, has also qualified for that race.
Birmingham Election Qualifying Ends This Week — Who’s In?
The list of candidates so far includes several incumbents and other familiar names. Qualifying ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 7.
New Report: Lack of Regional Cooperation Hinders Birmingham’s Growth
Birmingham Business Journal's Ty West talks about one of the biggest factors hindering Birmingham's growth, a lack of regional cooperation.
Arc Stories: June 2017 Edition
Four stories where plans put into motion take some rather unexpected turns. One young woman’s attempt to have a little fun at some protester’s expense; a boy who is taken […]
Birmingham Officials Spend Hundreds of Thousands on Travel Annually
A review by the weekly newspaper Weld finds one Birmingham City Council member was responsible for nearly half of the council's entire travel budget last fiscal year.
Is Robinson Indictment the Beginning of “Alabama’s Watergate?”
Alabama is currently waiting to see what happens next in the situation involving former state Rep. Oliver Robinson. He pleaded guilty last week to federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion and wire fraud. AL.com's John Archibald thinks there may be more indictments to come.
Focus on Birmingham Mayor’s Race as Election Revs Up
Between the mayor’s race, city council and school board – 19 seats in all are up for grabs in the Birmingham City Elections set for August 22.
