Series
Little Publicized Law Disqualifies more than 100 Candidates
Voters in a number of Alabama cities went to the polls Tuesday for municipal runoff elections. As residents looked at their ballots this cycle, there were fewer names than might have been there otherwise thanks to a new law. In fact, it disqualified at least 118 candidates statewide. Particularly noteworthy is what happened in the Jefferson County town of Adamsville. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about that and reacts to the suspension of Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore on ethics charges.
Live Fact-Check: The 2016 Vice Presidential Debate
Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence square off in the vice-presidential debate Tuesday night. NPR's politics team, with help from reporters and editors who cover national security, immigration, business, foreign policy and more, is live annotating the debate. Portions of the debate with added analysis are highlighted, followed by context and fact check from NPR reporters and editors.
Downtown Birmingham’s Middle Income Housing Gap
Birmingham’s downtown has seen many new apartment projects go up with more on the way. Developers have been pretty clear they’re after the high-end apartment market. But not everyone who wants to live in the city center can afford those high rents. It’s creating something of a housing gap and we talk about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Arc Stories: September 2016 Edition
Three stories where our storytellers find themselves in situations completely over their heads. A woman has the opportunity to fulfill a dream she’s been pursuing most of her life; one […]
Urban Dwellers Making a Push to Save Disappearing Honeybee
A quote about the honeybee made famous by an anonymous thinker states, “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of […]
Awaiting a Ruling in the Roy Moore Case
All eyes are on the Alabama Court of the Judiciary awaiting a decision regarding Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. Moore went to trial Wednesday on judicial ethics charges. At issue is a January order from Moore in which he tells probate judges Alabama's same-sex marriage ban is still in effect. That's despite a U.S Supreme Court ruling last year clearing the way for gay marriage nationwide. Moore could be removed from office for the second time in 13 years over the case. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald watched the proceedings and offers his perspective.
Lakeshore/UAB Partnership Spurs Disability Health Research
The 2016 Paralympics took place earlier this month. When that competition happens, the Birmingham-based Lakeshore Foundation often gets some attention. Lakeshore is a training center for Paralympic athletes. But it is also driving research around physical disabilities and technology. We hear about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
A Look at the Struggling Neighborhoods of Birmingham’s West Side
Communities like Ensley, West End and Fairfield were commercial hubs during the industrial heyday of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Grand Jury Could Cut Through the Smoke
The political climate in Birmingham is taking on a new flavor after last week's news the state attorney general's office is opening an investigation in Birmingham. There's not much known about it other than a special grand jury will convene October 17th and it's looking into the Birmingham Water Works Board. This is the same unit that took down former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard. We talk about the development with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Picture Not Quite as Rosy for Law School Grads
Law school graduates seem to be in an enviable position. They're on the way to a solid job with good pay and a prestigious career. That rosy picture though has tarnished somewhat. We hear about it in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
From CIA to United Way: Weld for B’ham on Diverse Agencies
This week, CIA Director John Brennan met with Birmingham City School students as part of a self-described crusade to make the agency more diverse. That’s one story in the latest Weld For Birmingham. Editor Nick Patterson joins us most Thursdays to discuss Weld's top stories. He tells WBHM’s Dan Carsen about Brennan's visit, and about Weld’s cover story on the United Way and area nonprofit groups.
Where Clinton and Trump Stand on Business Issues
We’re less than 60 days from the presidential election. It’s been a roller coaster of a campaign already between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. But there are issues […]
Special Session Ends with No Lottery and 2-year Fix for Medicaid
Alabama lawmakers are home again after wrapping up a special session on Wednesday. It’s a special session that began with Governor Robert Bentley wanting legislators to set up a lottery with the proceeds benefiting Medicaid and other general fund agencies. It ended with two lottery proposals dead and lawmakers using money from the BP oil spill settlement to fill financial gaps. To help us review the special session is Don Dailey. He’s host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Weld for B’ham on Living Beyond the Headlines, West of I-65
When you hear “Ensley,” or “Brighton,” or “West End,” what comes to mind? Many people who work, live, and raise families on the west side of Birmingham want you to know there’s more to life there than the crime and other problems that fill so many news reports.
A New Building for Cooper Green Could be on the Way
Jefferson County's indigent healthcare system, Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, could be on its way to a new facility. Cooper Green transitioned from being a hospital to an outpatient clinic in 2013, but county officials say the former hospital building is expensive to keep up and they'd be better off with a new building. On Wednesday, the county commission voted in support of that idea. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the significance of the move and about a Birmingham Water Works Board contract that's drawing scrutiny.
What Birmingham’s Music Festivals Could Mean for Business
As Labor Day unofficially marks the end of summer, this week's Magic City Marketplace looks at why Birmingham's music festivals hold relevance for the business community.
The Junction: Oasis Gardens Ensley
In an alley in downtown Ensley, Hank Layman is transforming a parking lot into something that’s been missing from the community for years: a garden.
Living in Birmingham and Liking it — 30 Years On
UAB students started classes this week. But for students stepping onto campus 30 years ago in 1986, they had the opportunity to take a class that might sound a little odd. The course was called "Living in Birmingham and Liking it." Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald ran across this tidbit recently. He reflects on it and on Birmingham's changes over the last three decades.
Taking care of your instrument…
Birmingham Cellist Nancy Lewis…
Family photo memories…
Lessie Dingler of Gardendale…
Alabama lottery bill dies in Special Session
The proposed Constitutional amendment died Friday (Aug. 26), when Senators voted not to concur with changes made by the Alabama House of Representatives and give the bill final approval.
Birmingham’s Climate for High-growth Companies
The idea of starting or growing a business is pretty straightforward – an entrepreneur takes money and through hard work develops products or services to bring to the marketplace. But not all marketplaces are equal. This week in Magic City Marketplace we have some perspective on how well Birmingham is for entrepreneurs and companies trying to scale up quickly.
The Junction: Sebastian Kole
Birmingham native Sebastian Kole spoke with producer Mary Quintas about his connection to Ensley, how it informs his music, and the positive changes he sees in the community.
How to Avoid Being the Victim of Violent Crime
Recent studies show that violent crime is on the rise in America, and 2016 homicide numbers in Birmingham are on pace with last year, the highest number of homicides the city has seen since 2008. But does this mean you have a higher chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime?
Arc Stories: August 2016 Edition
This month on Arc Stories, we have four stories where our storytellers can’t quite comprehend what’s happening to them.
Birmingham’s Evolving Luxury Home Market
Birmingham’s housing market has steadily improved since the recession with some pockets absolutely on fire this year. But there's a segment of housing worth look at more closely – luxury homes. We talk about these homes selling for more than a million dollars in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Birmingham’s Comprehensive Plan: Four Years After the Launch
Some feel Birmingham residents are worse off now than they were before the Comprehensive Plan was implemented.
New Schools Chief Steps Into Turbulent Education Climate
Alabama has a new public schools chief. Last week, the State Board of Education selected Michael Sentance. He's the former Secretary of Education of Massachusetts and worked with the U.S. Department of Education. But he's never been a classroom teacher or principal and he was chosen over three Alabama candidates. That has some in the education community in an uproar. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
What’s Ailing Birmingham’s Public Transportation Industry?
There are several transformative projects many feel have lost momentum. We start this week's Magic City Marketplace asking, "Where do we go from here?
A Preview of the 2016 Special Session
A special session of the Alabama Legislature begins today (Monday, August 15). Governor Bentley called the special session to solve financial problems which he says, have held the state back […]
Maternity, Marketing and Malpractice
Medicine is a major economic driver in greater Birmingham. This week, a civil court lawsuit over medical marketing and medical malpractice may have major implications for maternity care in Alabama. […]
Hate-Filled Heckling in the Name of Religion
The hearing Monday for suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore sparked disturbing heckles directed at members of the LGBT community. Moore supporters chanted anti-gay slurs and mocked a speaker attempting to […]
