Series
Kyle Whitmire: Judge Overturns Alabama Accountability Act
A Montgomery judge ruled today that the Alabama Accountability Act is unconstitutional. He said it violates the state Constitution's requirement for the Legislature to have only one subject in a bill. Plus, Representative Patricia Todd voices her opinions on closeted lawmakers living a double life.
John Archibald: State Rep. wants Perjury Charges Dismissed
State Representative Barry Moore of Enterprise is awaiting a judge's decision on dropping perjury charges against the south Alabama Republican. Moore was indicted last month, but this week appeared in court in Lee County as his lawyers argued for the case to be dismissed. It's a case that's already embroiled one other lawmaker and still has many wondering if it will also mean more trouble for House Speaker Mike Hubbard. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald was in that court hearing and offers his thoughts.
Kyle Whitmire: Luther Strange Returns PAC Money
Last month Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange's reelection campaign accepted a $50,000 donation from a newly registered Alabama political action committee. After the Alabama Media Group inquired about the transfer, the Strange campaign returned the donation to the PAC. Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to follow the money.
John Archibald: PSC Candidates and Why You Might Think Twice About Eating Fish in Alabama
It almost sounds like a joke. Two public service commissioners and two challengers walk into an elevator. The elevator gets stuck. That happened Monday when the quartet went to meet with the Birmingham News editorial board. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald was there. He talks about the candidates and other environmental politics.
Kyle Whitmire: Changes In Governor Bentley’s Staff
The governor's office announced today that former House Speaker Seth Hammett has been named the interim chief of staff for Governor Robert Bentley. Hammett replaces David Perry, who also announced today he has accepted a new position in Birmingham. Kyle Whitmire from AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss.
John Archibald: A Sit-down with Mike Hubbard
Politicians often feel they have a target on their backs. If there's anyone who that applies to right now in Alabama politics, it's House Speaker Mike Hubbard. A grand jury in Lee County has already ensnared two state lawmakers and the conventional wisdom is that body is after Hubbard. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald sat down with Mike Hubbard last week and offers his observations.
Kyle Whitmire: Public Prayer In Alabama
This week the Supreme Court ruled that it is lawful for prayers to be held before public events such as city council meetings. The ruling has spurred great debate especially in states like Alabama where public prayer is quite common. Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to explain the ruling and offer his own thoughts on public prayer.
INTERVIEW: Rick Vest, Counseling Coordinator Of Two-Year College For Prisoners
J.F. Ingram State is a unique part of Alabama's two-year college system because one hundred percent of its students are incarcerated. Its new pilot program at Julia Tutwiler Prison focuses on life skills, not just vocational training. As part of our prison-reporting partnership with Alabama Media Group's Investigative Journalism Lab, WBHM's Dan Carsen spoke with Ingram State Counseling Coordinator Rick Vest outside Ingram's Tutwiler campus. Among other things, Vest says learning job skills isn't enough.
John Archibald: A Miracle After the Tornadoes
Bessemer and Kimberly are among the towns cleaning up after a series of tornadoes plowed over Alabama Monday night. The storms killed three people statewide, tore off roofs and downed trees. It's a familiar sight to anyone who's lived in Alabama for very long. But the latest round of tornadoes has Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald thinking about one word -- miracle.
Interview: State Senator Cam Ward on Alabama’s Prison System
Alabama's prison system is under investigation by the Justice Department after a federal report detailed cases of rape and sexual abuse at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. If some big changes aren't made, the federal government could take over the prison system. State Senator Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, is fighting that. He's a vocal advocate of prison reform and chairs the Alabama Legislature's joint oversight committee on prisons. Ward spoke with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley about what he believes the legislature needs to do.
Kyle Whitmire: Lethal Injection Policies
In Oklahoma Tuesday night, Clayton Lockett was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection. But something went wrong. Lockett regained partial consciousness during the injection process. The execution was stopped and he died 20 minutes later from a heart attack. Death penalty politics and the sentiments behind lethal injection was a hot button issue during Alabama's 2014 legislative session. We take a closer look with Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News.
Tornadoes Rip Through Alabama; School Closings and Delays
Powerful storms blew through Alabama Monday afternoon and overnight, killing at least three people in the state, overturning cars and destroying homes. Possible tornadoes hit Limestone and Madison counties before plowing through parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties.
Scenes Of Damage In Bessemer
Bessemer, Alabama was hit extremely hard by Monday night's storms. WBHM's Andrew Yeager visited Bessemer today to document the damages.
Alabama Recovers from Tornadoes Before the Next Round
At least 3 people in Alabama have died and more than 100,000 Alabama Power customers were without electricity after strong storms raked across the state Monday night. As many as 18 tornadoes may have touched down. But as residents dig out there's a second line of storms on the way.
Tornado Slams Small Alabama Town
The National Weather Service estimates about 58 tornados hit the South last night, and more severe weather is on the way. Up to 18 of the tornados were in Central Alabama, where they damaged buildings and knocked down trees and power lines. A tornado with wind speeds of up to 100 miles per hour hit Kimberly, a town of less than 3,000 people. Two of its most important buildings were damaged -- one almost completely obliterated. WBHM's Dan Carsen went there to assess the damage and hear about how residents were coping. Carsen took pictures and speaks with WBHM News Director Rachel Osier Lindley.
Severe Storms Move Into Alabama
The National Weather Service in Birmingham says waves of severe storms are expected across north and central Alabama through Wednesday. Strong winds and tornados are on the minds of many in the south; this past weekend marked the three-year anniversary of the 2011 tornados that ripped through Alabama. The entire state is under a flash flood watch with as much as 5 inches of rain in the forecast. Schools releasing students early include Birmingham City Schools, Jefferson County Schools, Hoover City Schools and Shelby County Schools.
John Archibald: Some Numerical Perspective on the Northern Beltine
State and Birmingham leaders broke ground this week on the first portion of the Northern Beltline. That's the planned 52-mile highway which would arc across the northern half of the metro area, a counterpart to Interstate 459 to the south. The road is expected to take several decades to build and it comes with a $5.5 billion price tag. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald believes the price tag needs to be put in a little perspective.
Interview: Reporter Brian Lawson Discusses Inmate Healthcare
For the next several months, WBHM joins AL.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting as part of the Alabama Media Group's Investigative Journalism Lab. We're taking a closer look at Alabama's prison problems. Earlier this year, a Department of Justice report detailed cases of rape and sexual abuse at the Julia Tutwiler prison in Wetumpka. As part of their continued investigation of Alabama prisons, the Department of Justice is seeing if inmate medical care and mental health care are constitutionally adequate. AL.com reporter Brian Lawson has been looking into inmate health care, and he's heard some troubling stories for former inmates and their families. WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley sat down with Lawson to find out more.
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama’s 6th Congressional District Primary
Seven candidates are in the running to become the Republican nominee to represent Alabama's 6th Congressional District in Washington, D.C. following the retirement of Representative Spencer Bachus. The June 3 primary is seven weeks away. We discuss the candidates and more with Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News.
John Archibald: A Lackluster Primary
Election season is gearing up as candidates campaign for the primaries on June 3rd. There are races for governor and congress. But it's perhaps understandable if this year's races don't generate as much excitement as in the past. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald picks out a few key races.
John Archibald: Why Bills Don’t Pass in Alabama
If there's anyone who can breath a sigh of relief coming out of the recent Alabama legislative session, it's the Birmingham Water Works Board. Officials there were not happy with a proposed bill that would change the make up of the board and bring new restrictions. That bill died. But the board also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for lobbyists to try and defeat it. We hear about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Kyle Whitmire: 2014 Session Review
The 2014 session has come to a close. For an election year, there was plenty of action and drama at the statehouse. We take a look back at the highs and lows as well as the possibility of a special session with Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News.
Don Dailey: 2014 Legislative Session Review
The 2014 Alabama legislative session is in the books. Lawmakers wrapped up the session Thursday evening but there's a looming question about one key piece of legislation -- the education budget. We review the final days of the session with Don Dailey.
John Archibald: A Legislative Plea Deal
Thursday is the last day of the Alabama legislative session. It's a busy time in Montgomery, but if one thing can cut through all that activity, it's a sudden resignation and a plea deal. Montgomery Republican Representative Greg Wren resigned unexpectedly Tuesday and within hours the state attorney general's office announced a plea deal with Wren over an ethics charge. Many people believe there are similar announcements to come. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Folk Singer Willie Watson Brings Classic Folk and Blues to Birmingham
Guitar, banjo and harmonica player Willie Watson was a founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show, a popular Nashville-based Americana band. He left in 2011, after almost fifteen years performing with the band. Since then, Watson has been exploring his love of old folk music. His first solo album, "Folk Singer, Vol. 1" comes out next month. Watson plays Wednesday, April 2, at The Bottletree Cafe.
John Archibald: More City Travel Paid for by the Taxpayer
It's spring break for many people this week and that's time when folks often travel. On the travel itinerary for some Birmingham city officials this spring is the annual Neighborhoods USA conference. The trip is attracting attention once again because of the price tag, which is ultimately covered by taxpayers. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Birmingham Native Callie Courter’s New Album ‘Love is for the Brave’
Callie Courter can't remember when she wasn't writing poetry and singing around the house. The Birmingham native started writing song lyrics while majoring in music at UAB. As a graduation present, her dad financed the production of her first album, called 'Love Is For The Brave.' She now lives in Nashville, where she's chasing her dreams of being a professional musician. Courter sat down with Les Lovoy to tell WBHM about the new album, her first experience in the studio, and her songwriting process.
Kyle Whitmire: The Bottom Line With Common Core
This week former Alabama Governor Bob Riley publicly announced his support for Common Core standards. We take a look at his opinions and thoughts with Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News.
Interview: Reporter Kelsey Stein on Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women
For the next several months, WBHM joins al.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting as part of the Alabama Media Group's Investigative Journalism Lab. We're taking a closer look at Alabama's prison problems. As part of this project, al.com reporter Kelsey Stein has interviewed many former inmates of the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. The prison gained national attention earlier this year after a Department of Justice report detailed cases of rape and sexual abuse at the prison.
What’s Your Experience with Alabama’s Prison System?
WBHM, Alabama Media Group and the Center for Investigative Reporting are collaborating on a closer examination of the state's prison problems and who is being held accountable. We want to hear your experiences with the prison system.
John Archibald: A Culture of Fear at Tutwiler
State officials are working to turn around conditions at Alabama's Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women after accusations of rape and sexual abuse detailed in a Justice Department report. The prisons commissioner has a 58-point checklist outlining progress. But that tool bumps up against a deep seeded culture of fear at the prison. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: Judges Must Keep Private Probation Companies in Check
It's not often a low-profile state office such as the Judicial Inquiry Commission garners attention. But an advisory opinion released by that office makes a strong statement on ethics for judges in Alabama. It follows accusations some courts are violating defendants' rights. We hear about it from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
