Series
New Year’s Resolutions for Alabama’s Political Leaders
2014 was a busy year for Alabama -- Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard was indicted on felony corruption charges, Republicans swept all the major elections in the state and Jefferson County had, arguably, its first slow news year in a decade. What's in store for 2015? Kyle Whitmire of al.com and the Birmingham News suggests some New Year's resolutions for Alabama's leaders.
Kyle Whitmire: Is Governor Bentley Now Open To Expanding Medicaid?
Governor Bentley has repeatedly said he's opposed to the state expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. But in a speech to legislators last week, Bentley seemed to change his tune. Is Medicaid expansion on the horizon for Alabama?
John Archibald: UAB President’s Leadership has been Damaged over Football
UAB President Ray Watts' decision to cut the school's football, bowling, and rifle teams has moved beyond a simple matter of athletic priorities now that a no confidence vote is in play. The UAB faculty senate on Tuesday agreed to draft a resolution expressing no confidence in Watts. They could vote on the measure next month.
Could UAB Afford To Keep Football? Depends Who You Ask
It's been just over a week since the University of Alabama at Birmingham announced it's canceling the university's football, rifle and bowling programs. UAB president Dr. Ray Watts cited the rising costs of college athletics and a report from independent consultants Carr Sports. The decision, the process behind it and the numbers in the Carr Sports report have drawn heavy criticism. But others are calling it an unpopular-but-necessary move.
John Archibald: UAB Football was not a Recent Decision
University officials say this week's decision to end UAB's football program came after a strategic planning process revealed increasing costs were unsustainable. In the days since, evidence has emerged that the university had been laying groundwork to cut football for some time. We hear more about that from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
What’s Behind the Decision to End UAB Football?
University of Alabama at Birmingham football players, coaches and staff are trying to figure out what's next after the university announced Tuesday its ending the school's football program. UAB President Dr. Ray Watts says UAB made the decision after a campus-wide study conducted by a consulting firm over the past year. But there's a perception among some that the decision to end football was dictated by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. Kyle Whitmire from al.com and the Birmingham News explains.
Just How Bad Is Alabama’s General Fund Budget Shortfall?
Alabama has had its fare share of budget trouble, and this fiscal year is no different. Governor Robert Bentley, in a speech last week, said Alabama's General Fund could be short about $250 million. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News discusses the extent of the state's financial woes with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley.
Leadership and Diversity in Alabama’s Democratic Party
Alabama's Democratic party has long been led by white democrats, a trend that has continued after the November 4 elections. But the overwhelming majority of Democratic elected officials are black. Kyle Whitmire discusses why party leadership doesn't accurately reflect the party, along with the latest on House Speaker Mike Hubbard's ethics charges and what's next for U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller.
John Archibald: A Spat in the Mike Hubbard Case
A trial for indicted Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been delayed until next year, but it hasn't stopped people on both sides from trying to influence public discussion. Hubbard faces 23 corruption charges and Tuesday Acting Attorney General Van Davis released a statement pushing back against Hubbard defenders who say this is a political prosecution. By the end of the day Hubbard's lawyer said he would file new a motion with the court. Alabama Media group columnist John Archibald talks about the tit-for-tat.
John Archibald: The Future of UAB Football
Alabama may be a football crazy state, but UAB's football program has always struggled to gain traction. Certainly there's the dominance of the teams at the University of Alabama and Auburn University. But UAB boosters say the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has undermined the team and is now trying to shut it down. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Kyle Whitmire: Gerrymandering In Alabama
On Wednesday the US Supreme Court took up the complicated question of what kind of gerrymandering is acceptable and what kind is not. The court is being asked to decide whether a 2010 state legislative redistricting in Alabama overloaded some districts with black Democrats on the basis of race or party.
With Republicans Dominating the Ballot Box, What’s Next?
Alabama Republicans are celebrating their election victories as they maintained control of all statewide offices and all but one congressional seat. Republicans also added to their supermajority in the the Alabama legislature. That means 4 more years for Governor Robert Bentley and 4 more years of Republican dominance.
Election 2014 Results
Alabama Republicans maintained their dominance sweeping all statewide offices in the 2014 election. Governor Robert Bentley wins a second term and he'll have a legislature in firm Republican control to work with. We have the results.
John Archibald: Don’t Despair about Political Corruption
Corruption seems to be gaining the spotlight in Alabama politics after being dormant for a few years. That's thanks to the indictment of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard on 23 corruption charges. He's the latest in a long line of politicians wrapped up in corruption cases. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says don't despair.
Parker Griffith: Alabama’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate
Parker Griffith is a former congressman and state law maker as well as a retired physician. He's also the Democratic gubernatorial candidate facing incumbent Governor Robert Bentley on November 4th. WBHM's Sarah Delia spoke with Griffith about his campaign.
A Guide to Alabama’s 2014 Constitutional Amendments
When voters head to the ballot box next week, they won't just be voting for governor, attorney general and other statewide offices. They'll also vote on five statewide constitutional amendments. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Anniston Star reporter Tim Lockette about the amendments.
The Races for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District
As Alabama voters pick their members of Congress at the polls next week, only residents of the sixth congressional district will be guaranteed to have new representation. Long-time Congressman Spencer Bachus is retiring from the district that covers suburban Birmingham. The fight for Alabama's only open seat is heating up.
John Archibald: Birmingham Schools Superintendent Resigns
The Birmingham City Schools is looking for a new leader. Superintendent Craig Witherspoon surprised many when he announced his resignation Tuesday. It's effective December 31st. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his thoughts on the move.
Kyle Whitmire: Politics is local, School and City Politics have a busy week
After renewing his employment contract, the Superintendent of the Birmingham City Schools resigns. Meanwhile, Birmingham City Council has voted to give themselves a lift in their expense accounts, future council members a raise in salary, and give the mayor more freedom to spend. We ponder these local political acts and what's next with Kyle Whitmire, political commentator for the Alabama Media Group.
John Archibald: Security and Service
The topic of security for public officials is getting special attention this week writ very, very large. The Secret Service in Washington has a very big task. Keeping public officials safe is important, and John has written about the topic on a more Alabama-focused level. Meanwhile, election day is about a month away. The final push has a lot of energy, rhetoric and money at play. After November 4th, what's next?
Kyle Whitmire: Judge Lifts Restrictions On The Montgomery Advertiser
Last week Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Vance lifted his ban that temporarily blocked the Montgomery Advertiser from publishing information from Alagasco documents. We take a look at why the ban was set in the first place as well as job numbers in the state.
Kyle Whitmire: The Practice of Law and the Practice of Journalism
The practice of journalism and the practice of law are getting deeply intertwined in Alabama and nationwide. Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss.
John Archibald: A Not So Empowering “Empowerment Week”
This week marks the 51st anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham. The blast killed four girls and is a pivotal moment of the Civil Rights Movement. The City of Birmingham noted that event by bring back what's been dubbed "Empowerment Week." The series of speakers, festivals, and a day of service comes with an $180,000 price tag. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says it's not very empowering.
Kyle Whitmire: Domestic And Child Abuse In The South
Ray Rice, Mark Fuller, and Adrian Peterson. All of these men have been in the headlines in recent weeks for issues involving domestic or child abuse. As these acts of violence keep resurfacing in the news cycle we're left wondering: what needs to change in our culture to make the abuse stop? Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us now to discuss.
John Archibald: Preferential Treatment for the Governor’s Security Head
Those who protect prominent politicians often stay out of the limelight, But the head of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's security detail is getting some unwelcomed attention. It's for how much he's making and for a promotion some say wasn't deserved. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald has the details.
The Uncertain Future Of The AEA
Paul Hubbert is the retired leader of the Alabama Education Association. This week he wrote a letter to the AEA board of directors saying the organization is in trouble. He says there are management, financial, and organizational problems. Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss the future of the AEA.
John Archibald: Open Season for Campaign Finance Abuse
Alabama has seen a number of high profile corruption trials in recent years, but one that won't be added to the list is that of Lowell Barron. The former Democratic State Senator and a staffer faced charges of misusing campaign funds. The attorney general's office though dropped the case last week after the Alabama Supreme Court upheld a lower court judge's ruling blocking certain evidence from being presented. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says that constitutes a slap in the face.
John Archibald: Court Fines and the Wonders of Birmingham
The flashpoint for protests in Ferguson, Missouri, these last few weeks is the shooting death of 18-year old, African American Michael Brown by a white police officer. But those protests rest on kindling of distrust between the town's black majority and the white leadership. Part of that distrust could be due to court fines that have become increasingly part of Ferguson's revenue and it sounds similar to a phenomenon in Alabama. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about that and offers his seven wonders of the Birmingham world.
Kyle Whitmire: Determining Lawmaker’s Salaries in 2015
State officials are working with a Birmingham law firm to try and determine the median household income in Alabama. The number could control the salaries of state lawmakers in the coming year because of a constitutional amendment approved by state voters in 2012.
A College For Inmates, And An Interview With Its President
The United States locks up people at a higher rate than anywhere else in the world. Some of the most overcrowded prisons are right here in Alabama. Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women is one of them. But some inmates there have access to a unique state-funded program that offers academics and "life skills" they'll need after release. The problem is, this J.F. Ingram State Technical College program, which could ease overcrowding, is struggling for funds. WBHM's Dan Carsen has the story and a full-length interview with J.F. Ingram's president.
John Archibald: Salary Disparities Between Teachers and Superintendents
It's good to be king, but as John Archibald says, it's super to be superintendent. The salaries earned by superintendent vs. teachers in Alabama is significant to say the least. We take a look at those numbers and what it means for Alabama educators. Plus, is it fair to compare present day Ferguson, Missouri to Birmingham, Alabama in the 1960's?
Kyle Whitmire: There Will Be A Dome?
College football season is nearly upon us. It comes at the same time a sports-related political football is reemerging in Birmingham. Local leaders have argued for years about building a domed stadium or multi-purpose facility. Momentum for such a facility has been on the rise in recent months. This week a prominent voice in the hospitality industry declared there will be a domed stadium with or without public support. We talk about those comments with Al.com and Birmingham News political commentator Kyle Whitmire.
