Series
StoryCorps: “I need to get my last name legally changed, please.”
Gregory and Joshua Laning share their experiences getting their names changed and talk about being one of the first legally gay married couples in Alabama. They had a conversation at Storycorp’s mobile booth in Birmingham, AL
Blueprint Birmingham After Five Years
Five years ago this fall, the economic development group Birmingham Business Alliance announced Blueprint Birmingham. With a big marketing push it was hailed as five-year strategic plan that would change a region that so often lags behind. With that time frame over we talk about what the plan did in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
StoryCorps: “Because I love him.”
Neil Rafferty talks to his partner Mike Rudulph about their emotions before Mikes deployment to Iraq. They had a conversation at Storycorp's mobile booth in Birmingham, AL
Grant for BJCTA-MAX Buses, Birmingham and UBER Negotiate
It’s been a busy time for the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority. They were recently awarded a $20 million TIGER grant to improve buses, just weeks after they controversially parted ways with their then-executive director, Ann August. For more on this and other regional transportation news, we turn to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD.
Dash Cam Video Raises Questions in Birmingham Police Shooting
Birmingham police are reviewing an incident in which an officer shot a suspect on a street in East Lake after dash cam video released this week shows the situation isn't exactly as police reported. The two officers involved say the man pointed a gun at them prompting one to shoot. That officer, Daniel Aguirre, received a departmental award for his actions. The man, Aubrey Williams, survived but faces attempted murder charges. His attorney says the video shows he did not point a gun at the officers. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He also talks about a second mistrial in the case of a Madison police officer accused of using excessive force against an Indian man.
Phil Hammonds on Bold Goals for Alabama Education’s Future
In advance of WBHM's and the Southern Education Desk's "Issues and Ales" education forum this evening, former Jefferson County School Superintendent Phil Hammonds joined WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley to talk about his prescriptions for improving Alabama’s schools and what Bold Goals Education aims to do.
Artur Davis files suit against AL Democratic Party
A judge will hear arguments on former congressmen Artur Davis’ lawsuit against the Alabama Democratic Party; the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reopens some satellite driver’s license offices; and an update […]
Trisha Powell Crain Talks Money, Politics, and More in Alabama Education
There's never a shortage of stories coming from Alabama's schools. But before WBHM's and the Southern Education Desk's "Issues and Ales" education forum Thursday evening, we wanted to shed as much light as possible on the big picture behind the headlines. For better or worse, that backdrop always includes money and therefore politics. So our education reporter Dan Carsen sat down with Alabama School Connection founder and BirminghamWatch contributor Trisha Powell Crain to talk about that and more.
Dr. Tondra Loder-Jackson, Discusses Impact of Civil Rights On Education
In advance of the WBHM/Southern Education Desk Issues and Ales forum on the future of Education in Alabama, Dr. Loder-Jackson discussed her research on civil rights in Birmingham schools.
StoryCorps: “We’re just people too.”
Jennifer Sumner and her 12-year-old son Rae talk about the challenges of being transgender. They had a conversation at Storycorp's mobile booth in Birmingham, AL
The Financial Confidence Gap
Surveys show women make the majority of purchasing decisions in any given household. But when it comes to confidence with money, they trail men. We talk about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace. Birmingham Business Journal editor Cindy Fisher Crawford tells WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about this Vanderbilt University study and what it reveals about a financial confidence gap.
WBHM Partners with StoryCorps OutLoud
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM is partnering with StoryCorps to broadcast selections from its StoryCorps OutLoud initiative recorded in Birmingham. StoryCorps OutLoud is a multi-year project dedicated to preserving the […]
Hubbard Pre-trial Hearing Ends Without Much New Revealed
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard isn't scheduled to go on trial on felony ethics charges until March, but Alabama political watchers received an early helping of the courtroom fireworks this week with a pre-trial hearing. Lawyers for Hubbard are arguing the case should be thrown out because of selective prosecution and prosecutorial misconduct. Prosecutors say it's all a distraction. We hear more about it from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Alabama Keeps Money-Losing Liquor Stores Open
A Perry County Judge tells offenders they can either pay their fine or give blood. And Alabama closes driver’s license offices, but keeps money-losing liquor stores open. Kyle Whitmire is […]
A Potential Change for Credit Unions has Banks Unhappy
One winner in the recovery since the Great Recession has been credit unions. They’ve seen growth in membership and lending activity. And that’s put them at odds with those who traditionally handle services like this – banks. We hear about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace. Birmingham Business Journal editor Cindy Fisher Crawford tells WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about what drove that growth for credit unions.
Arc Stories: October 2015 Edition
Three storytellers find themselves in frightening situations. A camp ghost story that gets out of hand; a man forced to look death in the face; and trying to spy on […]
Why I Support WBHM: The Williams Family
Paul and Cindy Williams family listen to WBHM everyday. “We turn on the radio first thing in the morning and then make coffee,” says Cindy. The whole family, including their […]
Private Probation Company Leaves Alabama
Courtroom and legal-themed shows proliferate in entertainment media, but the real nuts and bolts of the legal process don’t often attract attention. That’s not the case for a private probation company which drew outrage around Alabama for the escalating fees it charged people with minor offenses such as traffic violations. That company, Judicial Correction Services, has announced it is leaving the state and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald is among those who is cheering.
Why I Support WBHM and the SED: Paul Blutter
Paul Blutter is a civic-minded businessman and father of two who appreciates stories from the Southern Education Desk at WBHM. He’s originally from New York and now lives in Homewood. […]
The Best Story for YOU from WBHM!
WBHM goes beyond the flash to the substance of a story. Support WBHM with a pledge. Call now to give at (800) 444-9246 or go to WBHM.org. Pledge Now
Why I Support WBHM: Reed Lochamy
Reed Lochamy is what you might call a renaissance man. He’s an English teacher at Hoover High School, host of the weekly show “Oh Brother Radio” on Birmingham Mountain Radio, […]
Why I Support WBHM and the SED: Linda Stephan
Linda Stephan is a local artist and art historian who values reporting from the Southern Education Desk at WBHM. She’s lived in the Birmingham area most of her life and […]
Reopening VictoryLand
Alabama casino developer Milton McGregor won a legal victory earlier this month which appears to put to rest a five-year court battle over his Macon County casino VictoryLand. A judge said the state had no grounds to seize thousands of electronic bingo machines from VictoryLand. So McGregor is working to reopen the facility. We talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Why I Support WBHM: Teri Lavette
Teri Lavette is an attorney, mother of two boys and a dollar-a-day sustaining member of WBHM. And she’s a loyal and consistent WBHM supporter. Lavette and her family have been […]
Why I Support WBHM: David Resuehr
“Hands down it is the most interesting radio station that I know,” says David Resuehr, a scientist and WBHM member. He says he can’t start his day without WBHM and […]
Why I Support WBHM: Dan Fulton
Dan Fulton is a retired teacher who loves to listen to stories from the Southern Education Desk at WBHM. “It’s very informative and provides me with so much information that […]
Get the story YOU deserve with WBHM!
WBHM is there for you with the news that matters. Will you be there for WBHM? Give at (800)444-9246 or wbhm.org. Pledge Now
Why I Support WBHM: Michael Harrington
Michael Harrington’s winning design is featured on the newest edition of WBHM’s pint glass for the Fall 2015 fund drive. For a contribution of just $7.50/month or a one time […]
Transparency in Question when Elected Leaders use Private Email
Used to be if you wanted something done, you’d write your congressman or congresswoman. But nowadays written communication is more often done through email. A notable number of state politicians in Alabama don’t use their official state email address instead opting for a Gmail or even AOL account. That’s a problem say government transparency advocates. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Should Larry Langford Go Free?
The former Birmingham Mayor remains in jail serving a 15 year sentence. And Governor Bentley proposes a possible solution to reopen 31 rural driver’s license offices.Kyle Whitmire is the state […]
Alabama Launchpad
Let’s say you have a great business idea. That’s a good start but it takes funding to get the idea off the ground. One of the ways Alabama entrepreneurs have been receiving funding for their ventures is the Alabama Launchpad competition. We talk about it in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
State’s Response to Rural Driver’s License Office Closures not Enough for the Black Belt
Calls are growing for the Justice Department to investigate how the closure of 31 rural driver’s license offices may affect voting. The state closed those offices last week due to budget cuts. The problem, say civil rights advocates, is residents must have a photo ID to vote. The most common ID is a driver’s license and Alabama now has 31 fewer places to get a new drivers license. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says state officials are taking steps to address the situation, but it’s not enough for the Black Belt. That's an area of the state that’s poor, largely African American and disproportionately hit by the closures.