Series
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.
Leon Botstein: Music is so important because it has no purpose
UAB has awarded the 2014 Ireland Distinguished Visiting Scholar Prize to Dr. Leon Botstein. The award brings to campus outstanding scholars who are recognized as leaders in the arts and sciences. While at UAB, Botstein conducted a special performance of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Botstein also lectured and met with students and faculty in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences. He spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall
Kyle Whitmire: The Future of Common Core
The Senate Education Committee voted 4-2 Wednesday to allow local school systems to opt out of the Common Core curriculum standards, but the legislation still faces a bleak future. Senate President Del Marsh said he did not think the bill had the support to get through an inevitable filibuster on the Senate floor.
John Archibald: A Solicitation Through the Water Works
If you're a customer of the Birmingham Water Works, you might have missed a insert in a recent bill. The flyer offers coverage if there's a break in the water line between your house and the street. That's because homeowners, not the water works, are responsible if there's a problem there. As good an idea as that may sound, Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says buyer beware.
Kyle Whitmire: Abortion Legislation Moves Forward
It got a little tense at the statehouse last night when the topic of abortion legislation was discussed. This week the Alabama House passed a bill to ban most abortions in the state and make legal abortions difficult if not impossible. One representative brought up the issue of race and how he thinks it plays a role in a woman's choice to abort a pregnancy.
John Archibald: An Audit Reveals a Mess at the Water Works
Lawmakers in Montgomery continue to debate a bill placing new restrictions on the Birmingham Water Works Board. The water works and city are fighting the measure, but a new audit doesn't do much to help their cause. The audit, paid for by the water works board, describes loose rules, poor accounting and bad communication. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Political Ties to Potential Real Estate Deal Goes Deeper
Local government watchers are casting a critical eye on a proposed agreement which would have the City of Birmingham renting space in a former Social Security building for almost $140 million for 30 years. It's attracting attention because the developer gave tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to city council members as they consider this deal. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discovered this story goes beyond just a potential building rental.
Kyle Whitmire: Bresette Family Lawsuit Update
Monumental Contracting, one of several contractors involved with a flight information display board that collapsed on 10 year old Luke Bresette at the Birmingham airport last year, has been cleared of responsibility. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us for an update.
John Archibald: Campaign Cash and a Rental Deal
There's a potential rental deal attracting attention around Birmingham. The city council is considering renting space in a former social security building. While the move is questionable, the situation involves a shower of campaign cash as well. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains.
John Archibald: The View from Wilcox County
There are portions of Birmingham with significant poverty. But that pales in comparison with what some residents of Wilcox County experience -- arguably the poorest place in Alabama. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald traveled there recently and shares his thoughts.
Kyle Whitmire: The Revolving Door Ban
Kyle Whitmire from Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss the details of Alabama's revolving door ban. It prohibits legislators from lobbyists for two years after they leave office.
John Archibald: What do you think of Obamacare?
Opinion on the Affordable Care Act nowadays seems to be pretty split and there's no gray for some. Obamacare is the best thing to happen or it'll destroy the country. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald has been listening to what people think about the law and shares what he heard.
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama’s Open Meetings Act
Governor Robert Bentley has introduced a bill that would make serial meetings among public officials illegal. Bentley also wants to close other various loopholes in Alabama's Open Meetings Act. These changes would not only impact Alabama lawmakers at the statehouse but also Jefferson County Commissioners. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us.
John Archibald: Who is Anthony Barnes?
Anthony Barnes has quite a task. He has to convince lawmakers in Montgomery the Birmingham Water Works Board is the best thing since sliced bread. The Birmingham City Council has hired Barnes as a lobbyist to help fight a proposed bill that would change representation on the board and bring other new restrictions. The move though leaves Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald sighing.
Kyle Whitmire: What Was Missing From The SOTS?
On Tuesday night, Governor Robert Bentley used his State of the State address to talk about jobs, Medicaid, and raises for state employees. But there were several issues the Governor didn't mention at all. Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News discusses what was left out of the address.
John Archibald: Battle over the Birmingham Water Works Board
The next session of the Alabama legislature gets underway on Tuesday and one thing lawmakers have their eyes set on is the Birmingham Water Works Board. Two Birmingham area legislators plan to introduce a bill that would expand representation on the board and put in place new restrictions. While this has been a simmering conflict, A-L (dot) com columnist John Archibald says the situation highlights hypocrisy on the part of the Birmingham City Council
Kyle Whitmire: Jefferson County Spending
Jefferson County spent millions of dollars in legal costs during Chapter 9 bankruptcy including more than $300,000 in fees for public relations. Some commissioners said they didn't learn about the spending until this week. Plus, the future of Birmingham based law firm Haskell, Slaughter & Young remains uncertain. Kyle Whitmire from AL.com and the Birmingham News discusses these issues and more.
Kyle Whitmire: Jefferson County New Year’s Resolutions
If Jefferson County officials were to sit down and write three new year's resolutions,what would they be? Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us as we look at the county's future in 2014.
John Archibald: A Look Back At 2013
There was no shortage of news in Birmingham and Jefferson County in 2013. We take a look back at some of this year's notable stories with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Birmingham Schools: Takeover To Today, Part 3
The Alabama State Department of Education's intervention team has left Birmingham City Schools. ALSDE staff are approving local board agendas and monitoring finances from Montgomery. A year and a half after the state first took the reins, the local board is quietly going about its business. As 2014 approaches, there's a new optimism from the Superintendent's office down to the trenches. But is it realistic? In this third and final installment, WBHM's Dan Carsen reports on the reality on the ground, and on where informed stakeholders think it's all headed.
Kyle Whitmire: The Truth Behind Alabama’s Unemployment Numbers
In 2010, Alabama's unemployment rate was around 10 percent. Governor Robert Bently campaigned on the promise to reduce unemployment numbers, and to not draw a paycheck until he did. Today, unemployment is down to 6.5 percent in Alabama. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss Alabama unemployment and job growth.
Birmingham Schools: Takeover To Today, Part 2
In any big institution, good things are usually happening even when problems get the attention. This week WBHM is airing a three-part "status update" on Birmingham City Schools, from the state takeover to today. Yesterday, Part One explored some reasons why the state intervened and the district could lose accreditation. Today in Part Two, our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen talks with teachers, parents, and students to get a different view -- a view from the ground level.
Birmingham Schools: Takeover To Today, Part 1
The state education department's intervention team is now monitoring Birmingham City Schools from afar, a year and a half after it first took control of the school system. The district had been facing major challenges, including a board so dysfunctional it made national news. But that's only part of the picture. In this first of a three-part series, WBHM's Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen delves into the complex and often painful situation leading to state intervention.
John Archibald: Hoover Reverses Bus Decision
School officials in Hoover are trying to figure out what's next now that the district has reversed a decision to end bus service for most students next school year. The Hoover School Board made the change Monday after months of harsh criticism from some parents and residents. We hear more from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Act of Congress: Christmas Vol. 2
The Birmingham acoustic quartet features influences from jazz, rock and pop and just released an album of Christmas songs. WBHM's Michael Krall spoke with band members Adam Wright and Chris Griffin and produced this audio postcard. (Note: Click the title bar above for music downloads.)
Kyle Whitmire: Hoover School Bus Services Will Continue
On Monday members of the Hoover board of education agreed to overturn an earlier vote to stop offering bus services next school year. The vote came after months of complaints and protests by parents. Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News discusses how this decision will impact students, families, and schools in the Hoover system.
