Series
AG Puts Foot Down on Alabama’s Open Carry Law
Attorney General Luther Strange orders removal of all "No Firearms Allowed" signs around Alabama.
The Definition of Ethics In Alabama is..
If you look for a definition of the word, “ethics,” terms come up like, “moral principles,” and “the concept of right and wrong.” Appropriate behavior, or noting the lack of […]
Strong Headwinds Against Wind Energy in Alabama
Drive through the Midwest or Great Plains and you may see expansive wind farms rising from the fields. That sight is not something you see in Alabama. Still there are those who see a place for wind energy in this state and we talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Who is Worse? Democrats or Republicans?
When it comes to less than stellar behavior in Alabama politics, both sides bring plenty to the table. Democrats are the party of George Wallace and the two-year college scandal. Republicans have now seen their House Speaker Mike Hubbard removed from office on ethics convictions. Meanwhile Republican Chief Justice Roy Moore faces his own ethics charges and Governor Robert Bentley faces an impeachment effort. Which side is worse? Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says it's a trick question.
Corruption in Alabama: The Role of the State Ethics Commission
We continue our examination of corruption that appears to plague Alabama politics
Cahaba Grand Sale Leaves Void for Large Events
Alabama’s largest church, the Church of the Highlands, purchased the Cahaba Grand Conference Center for $8 million earlier this year. As that facility along Highway 280 transitions from conference venue to house of worship, it’s causing ripples through the Birmingham area event space market. We talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Arc Stories: June 2016 Edition
Stories where plans put into motion take some unexpected turns. One young woman’s attempt to have a little fun at some protester’s expense, a boy who is taken on the […]
Mother Suing Birmingham Clinic for Medical Negligence
Mothers-to-be put a lot of thought into how – and where – they want to give birth to their babies. And a lot of what influences that choice is how […]
A Private Gym For Birmingham Airport Leader Raises Questions
High-profile positions often come with perks. But with public positions involving public money, perks can drift into illegal ethics violations. Those are the concerns around Birmingham's airport authority CEO and what's been called his private gym. We talk about the controversy with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. We also hear about the unanswered questions around the firing of a high-raking employee of the State Department of Finance.
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Corruption in Alabama?
Alabama has a corruption problem. Former House Speaker Mike Hubbard is currently awaiting sentencing for 12 felony ethics convictions, Chief Justice Roy Moore is scheduled to go to trial for […]
A Birmingham Business Mystery may be Revealed, Soon
A “good news” Birmingham business mystery may soon be revealed. The firearms business is booming. Changes in the industrial economy are impacting Alabama’s waterways and roadways. Ty West is Editor of the Birmingham Business Journal. He joins WBHM’s Scott Hanley to consider some of these latest stories in the Magic City Marketplace.
The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama – Janice Houston Nixon
In 1967, 12-year-old Janice Houston Nixon decided to transfer from the all-black school in her native Ensley, to an all-white school nearby. Nixon was inspired to do so by her sister, […]
Alabama Families Living in Poverty Hit Hard by Welfare Reform
The number of families living in poverty in Alabama has risen, but the number of families currently receiving TANF funding has dropped.
Spencer Collier “Anxious” to Testify Against Gov. Bentley in Potential Impeachment Trial
An investigation is underway to determine whether Governor Robert Bentley should be impeached, and a discussion about Alabama real estate mogul Franklin Haney and his potential influence on state politics. […]
TAKING ON TESTS: Atlanta School Students Still Recovering From Cheating Scandal
“We have lots of challenges and skepticism and there will be criticism, but also success is knowing that as we are getting this off the ground and running there are people who are saying this is great I'm glad you are doing something,” Dr. Alicia Hill says.
Putting Yourself in Other People’s Shoes…
Birmingham yoga instructor Jasper Elliott Wolfe…
The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama — Holy Family Cristo Rey High School
Fair or not, the words "Ensley" and "success" don't often appear together in local media reports. But tucked among vacant buildings and weedy lots a few feet from an Interstate, there's a high school with a college acceptance rate most suburban schools would envy. For the latest chapter of "The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama," education reporter Dan Carsen talks with the people making it happen to find out how this school works.
The Potential for a New Round of Bank Mergers
Birmingham’s banking industry is not what it used to be. After major acquisitions in the 2000s and the Great Recession, Birmingham is left with two big banks: Regions and BBVA Compass, which was snapped up by a Spanish financial giant. While all that activity has died down, there’s chatter we could see a pick up in mergers and acquisitions among banks. We start there in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Does My Vote Matter? We Ask What You Think
Your right to vote is arguably the most important and coveted right a person can have in this country. When the 2016 presidential election is over, one person, the president, will represent a nation of close to 320 million people. After this primary season, more than a few of those American's have lost faith in American’s voting process.
Poultry Waste Dumping Causes Concern in Marshall County
At any given time there are roughly 5 million broiler chickens being raised in Marshall County, Alabama. It ranks third in the state for poultry production. While the industry creates […]
The Post-Hubbard Landscape for Alabama Politics
A new political landscape is emerging in Alabama following last week’s conviction of now former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard. On Friday night, a jury in Lee County convicted Hubbard on 12 felony ethics charges. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald watched much of the testimony and was there as the verdict came down. He spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
How to make someone’s day…
School custodian Curtis Radford…
Birmingham’s Perceived Growth: What’s Real and What’s Not
The University of Alabama at Birmingham wants to expand its role as a statewide player in healthcare through the passage of the University Authority Act approved this spring by the Alabama Legislature. It allows the school's medical branch to join forces with other healthcare facilities around the state - especially in rural Alabama.
The Junction: Stories From Ensley, Alabama – An Integration Pioneer
In 1965, Carolyn Houston Crumbley Major became the first African-American graduate of Ensley High School. Producer Mary Quintas spoke with Carolyn's son, Rafaael Crumbley, and sister, Janice Houston Nixon, about Carolyn's contributions as an integration pioneer - and what her legacy means today.
“Before long I could say three sentences or four…”
Les Levoy, of Birmingham, on overcoming stuttering…
Sounds of the Mighty Wurlitzer…
Organist, Gary Jones, of Birmingham…
Birmingham May Help Neighboring Fairfield as Financial Troubles Continue
Financial troubles continue to plague Fairfield, Birmingham's struggling neighbor. On Monday, the city council had another contentious meeting, with arguments over unpaid bills and late paychecks. Last month, the city learned they were in debt to the Birmingham Water Works for more than $128,000, on top of a more than $500,000 debt to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority for bus service. The authority voted to stop service to the area on July 5.
“Friendship” Playing Big Role in Hubbard Trial
The trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard has brought to light some curious aspects of Alabama ethics law, most notably a provision regarding friendship. Hubbard took the stand in his own defense this week and testified about how he emailed so-called "friends" for business opportunities and advice when he was laid off in 2011.
Birmingham Restaurants Face Worker Shortage
Birmingham’s food scene wins accolades from the around the country. It seems there’s always a new restaurant to try. But that success has created a new problem. There are not enough people to staff restaurant kitchens. We hear about that from Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Governor Testifies in House Speaker’s Trial
Wednesday brought the most anticipated moment of House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics trial so far. That’s when Governor Robert Bentley took the stand. Bentley testified about whether Hubbard lobbied him on behalf of a business client. Bentley is embroiled in his own scandal, accused of an affair with a former aide. But the testimony was perhaps less than what political junkies hoped for. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the trial and about financial troubles that have the City of Fairfield veering toward bankruptcy.
Increase of Private Funds for Medical Research Raises Ethical Concerns
Medical research is a notable part of the Birmingham economy and more and more funding for potential breakthroughs is coming from private dollars. That can open up ethical questions. We also talk about a planned technology festival in Birmingham and the effect of new federal overtime rules in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
WBHM’s “On The Line” Talk Show Tackles Uneven Birmingham Revival
Walk around downtown Birmingham and there’s an energy you wouldn’t have felt a few years ago. Residents are moving to new lofts and apartments. Restaurants and retailers are opening. People do yoga at Railroad Park or take in a ballgame at Region’s Field. They’re visible signs of a Birmingham revival. But that revival is uneven. Talk to some in neighborhoods away from Downtown and they’ll say "revival" doesn’t mean much to them. No fancy lofts, just abandoned homes and potholed roads that never seem to be fixed. And all this takes place against the backdrop of Birmingham’s racial history, with investment, by-and-large, coming from whites in a city that’s been majority black for a generation.
