Series
Arc Stories: February 2016 Edition
Stories about growing up during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham. A young black boy who lives in the basement of a wealthy white family’s home and then becomes a […]
Showdown Over Birmingham’s Minimum Wage
The Birmingham City Council and the state legislature are in a showdown over the minimum wage. The Birmingham City Council passed an ordinance on Tuesday to raise the city's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and make it effective Wednesday. It was an attempt to get ahead of a bill in the legislature which would prevent local governments from setting their own minimum wages. That bill has passed the House and is being considered by the Senate Thursday. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He also remembers To Kill a Mocking Bird author Harper Lee, who died last week at age 89.
Priming the Pipeline for STEM in the South: Student Incentives in Alabama
Given thousands of related job openings but only hundreds of computer science college graduates, Alabama is trying to ramp up its computer science education. That includes a new policy allowing those classes to count toward core math graduation requirements. WBHM's Dan Carsen concludes the Southern Education Desk series "Priming the Pipeline for STEM in the South" with a visit to a Birmingham-area class that's leading the way.
A Look Ahead to the “SEC Primary”
The SEC Primary, also known as Super Tuesday is next week. A look ahead at what we can expect to see when Alabamians go to the polls, and an update on the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard. State Legislators are now getting involved. Hear the latest from Kyle Whitmire the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com.
Priming the Pipeline for STEM in the South: Coding as a Foreign Language Credit
Computer coders have found a champion in Florida Senator Jeremy Ring. Ring, a former Yahoo! executive who helped build the company, believes coding and technology is an art, rather than a science. He wants to attract more students to STEM studies. As part of the Southern Education Desk series, Priming the Pipeline for STEM in the South, Lynn Hatter of WFSU reports on Ring’s proposal to allow Florida students to choose coding in order to fulfill a foreign language requirement for college.
Elections Could Change the Face of the Judiciary in Jefferson County
When Alabamians vote in the primaries next week, there’s a lot more on the line than who might be the presidential nominees. Judicial races at the county level arguably have a greater impact on resident’s lives, but receive less attention. In Jefferson County, judicial retirements have cleared the way for a new generation of Judges.
Priming the Pipeline for STEM in the South: A Look Across the Region
Over the next ten years, the number of jobs in science, technology, engineering and math fields are expected to outpace other industries by about five to ten percent. That’s according to the group Change the Equation, an organization that pushes for greater STEM education in schools. Yet, throughout the South, particularly in rural and high poverty communities, administrators have trouble attracting educators qualified to teach STEM.
Voter ID Law Creates Hurdles for Homebound Man
When Alabama primary voters go to the polls on March 1, they’ll have to show a government-issued photo ID. The law has been in place since 2014 and most people use their driver’s license. But for those who can’t get to a driver’s license office, the law creates difficulties. Samuel Stayer is one voter who ran into problems.
Business Community Watching Bills in the Alabama Legislature
With the Alabama legislative session in full swing, the business community has a number of bills they’re watching closely. These bills could have a significant effect on companies around Birmingham. We highlight a few of them in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Tea Party Group Angered After Gun Store Owner Calls Off Senate Debate
An event featuring candidates for U.S. Senate took a bizarre turn Thursday evening. The Rainy Day Patriots had organized a debate for all five republican candidates at Hoover Tactical Firearms. But when Senator Richard Shelby didn’t attend, things quickly began to unravel.
Tea Party Senate Debate Featuring Shelby Opponents Halted
A debate featuring Alabama candidates for U.S. Senate was shut down Thursday evening and attendees suddenly asked to leave. The event was to showcase Republican opponents to incumbent Senator Richard Shelby.
This Week in Montgomery: Minimum Wage, Guns in Cars and Earmarks
With the third week of the Alabama legislative session through, lawmakers have managed to pass some high-profile bills out of either the House or Senate. It's a key step if these measures are to become law. But the legislative progress doesn't debate wasn't heated. To help review the week's action is Don Dailey. He's host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television. He tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager about a bill that passed the House which would prevent cities from setting their own minimum wages, a bill allowing those with concealed carry permits to keep loaded guns in the cars and a bill to un-earmark millions in state revenue.
Hoover Could Use Zoning to Block Apartments
Zoning hearings can often be the white noise of local government, but zoning decisions do have a great effect on how cities develop. The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission made a recommendation last week to rezone 273 acres along Interstate 459 from apartment use to commercial. The Hoover City Council could consider the change next month. It's a change that represents more than a simple government reclassification. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the Hoover situation and about perceptions of rising crime around Birmingham.
Reveals in Case of Speaker Mike Hubbard Could Mean Trouble for Prosecutors
There’s been a big reveal in the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard that carries potential danger for prosecutors, and U.S. Senator Richard Shelby has quickly progressed from inspirational campaign commercials […]
Barbershop Forum Aims to Boost Support for Hillary Clinton
What happens when a handful of people gather in a barbershop to talk politics? People tend to speak their minds. That was the idea behind an event Monday evening at Moore Styles Barbershop in Birmingham’s Civil Rights District.
Why this Coal Industry Downturn may be Different
Alabama’s coal industry has faced its ups and downs through the decades. It’s clearly down now. Walter Energy, for instance, is embroiled in bankruptcy. While the industry has bounced back before, this time might be different. That’s where we start this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
This Week in Montgomery: Minimum Wage, Lottery and Common Core Repeal
From the lottery to minimum wage to Common Core, it was a busy past few days for the Alabama Legislature. Here to catch us up on all this week’s action from Montgomery is Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal. To start, Dailey told WBHM’s Rachel Lindley about a bill aimed at blocking Alabama cities from raising their minimum wage.
Community Leaders Meet to Discuss Plans for Green Space Under I-20/59
Last week, representatives from REV Birmingham and consultants Barge Waggoner and Cannon met with community leaders to discuss possibilities for the 6,600 foot stretch of land under I-20/59. The consultants presented a plan for creating usable public green space under the interstate. For more on this, we talk to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. Patterson says people at the public meeting were divided on what to use the space for, some calling for public space, and others calling for more parking.
Keeping up with South Carolina and a Political “What if”
Whether it's grades in school or keeping up with the Joneses, it's hard not to compare yourself to others. States aren't immune from that tendency either. For years, Alabama found itself ahead of South Carolina on measures such as jobs and population. That's no longer the case. We talk about what to take away from that comparison with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He also talks about a political "what if" that happened 50 years ago this week.
State Legislature Focuses on Budget, Common Core in First Week of Session
The 2016 Alabama legislative session began Tuesday with bleak budget projections and an ambitious State of the State address from Governor Robert Bentley. Here to catch us up on all this week’s action from Montgomery is Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal. Dailey told WBHM’s Rachel Lindley that tensions at the statehouse weren’t as high as expected.
“My conservative father just giggled…”
Kathi Rushing of Birmingham…
The art of reading a person’s body…
Tailor Chuck Robertson of Birmingham…
“They learn, I learn… “
ESL teacher Michael Rosato from Birmingham…
Governor’s Speech Creates Budget Confusion
Montgomery is buzzing now that the Alabama legislature is back in session. Governor Robert Bentley entered the fray Tuesday night with his State of the State Address. The governor offered a long list of proposals including tearing down and building new prisons, free community college tuition for low-income students, increased broadband access and incentives to improve healthcare for rural areas. The question of how to pay for all of this is mostly unanswered. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says this just creates confusion around the state's budget.
Bentley’s “Great State” Plan Lacks Funding Details
The Alabama Legislature is back to work and Governor Robert Bentley announced his Great State 2019 Plan at his State of the State address last night. AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire discusses […]
The 2016 Alabama Legislative Session Begins Tuesday: Here’s What to Watch
The 2016 Alabama legislative session kicks off on Tuesday. From the lottery to tightening the state budget to teacher pay, this year’s session will be full of important and controversial issues. Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal, spoke to WBHM’s about what folks should expect this year.
Blueprint Birmingham and Beyond
More than five years after the Birmingham Business Alliance launched Blueprint Birmingham, the BBA is working towards a new strategic plan, called Blueprint 20/20. For more on this and other stories, WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley spoke to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. Patterson joins WBHM most Thursdays during All Things Considered.
Arc Stories: January 2016 Edition
Stories about learning a valuable lesson. A young man striving for his father’s approval; a couple whose relationship is defined by the purchase of a van; and an educator who’s […]
Naloxone Helps Stop Heroin Overdoses in Alabama, But Still Not Widely Used
In Jefferson County, heroin abuse rose dramatically in 2014. The county coroner attributed more than 140 deaths to heroin. Law enforcement and the state have been rushing to respond. Last year, the state legislature approved access to a heroin antidote: naloxone, more commonly known as narcan. If used properly, naloxone can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. Public health officials in Alabama are trying raise awareness and get the potentially life-saving drug to the people who need it most.
High Costs of Heroin Addiction Treatment Put Significant Strain on Families
Heroin abuse continues to rise nationally and in Alabama, leaving more people searching for ways to kick addiction. Families ask friends, professionals and scour the Internet looking for the best, and most affordable, treatment for their loved one. But the financial burdens can be crippling, sometimes thousands upon thousands of dollars.
The Low Price and High Cost of Heroin
Heroin overdose deaths are on the rise nationally. In Jefferson County, deaths increased by more than 140 percent in 2014. The numbers were shocking: Heroin caused or contributed to 144 deaths in 2014. Area law enforcement responded by increasing efforts to get traffickers and drugs off the streets, especially in Birmingham.
Alabama’s Aging Infrastructure
Many economic development groups in Alabama consider infrastructure such as roads, bridges and railways essential for spurring growth and jobs. But when it comes to assessments of the state’s infrastructure, Alabama scores poorly. That’s where we start the conversation in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
