Series
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.
INTERVIEW: Inmate And Horticulture Student Timothy Brown
Alabama's J.F. Ingram State may be the nation's only state-run two-year college exclusively for inmates. Its mission is to reduce recidivism by offering "three legs of the stool": academics, life skills, and vocational training. WBHM's Dan Carsen recently visited Ingram's Deatsville campus, where he met Timothy Brown, a 53-year-old convicted robber and burglar serving a life sentence but hoping for parole. Brown had walked over from the Frank Lee minimum-security facility next door. He'd been passing around organic cantaloupe and filling in for his horticulture teacher. Dan starts the interview by asking Brown if doing the latter makes him nervous.
John Archibald: Birmingham City Council Goes Behind Closed Doors
Birmingham city officials are gung ho about wooing the Democratic National Convention to the Magic City in 2016, but the price tag for that effort is quickly increasing. Two weeks ago the Birmingham City Council approved $250,000 to hire consultants to promote the city's bid. This week they approved another $275,000 for more consultants. But what's really raising eyebrows is the fact this involved a closed-door meeting and no bid contracts. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his thoughts.
Kyle Whitire: At What Cost Will Birmingham Host The DNC?
Birmingham City officials had a closed door meetings this week regarding the Democratic National Convention and the possibility of the Magic City playing host. Will Birmingham host the DNC and at what cost? Kyle Whitmire from AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss.
Alabama Gets National Attention, Working Across Political Lines
Today on Morning Edition, NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Alabama State Sentator Cam Ward and attorney Maria Morris of the Southern Poverty Law Center. The theme of the story - working across political lines to reduce overcrowding and other critical issues in Alabama's Prisons.
Kyle Whitmire: Reaction To Representative Mo Brooks’s Remarks
This week Republican Representative Mo Brooks of Huntsville found himself in hot water after he made some controversial remarks about the Democratic Party. Brooks claimed that the Democratic Party is "wagging a war on whites" and politicians from both parties are taking issue with his comments.
John Archibald: The Ethics of Economic Development
There's the adage it takes money to make money. An Alabama corollary could be it takes money to recruit jobs as state and local officials recently spent several hundred thousand dollars to attend an international airshow in London. They're hoping to recruit new aerospace business to Alabama. While that's supported by taxpayer dollars, the private money involved has Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald concerned.
Kyle Whitmire: Uber Stalls In Birmingham
This week the Birmingham City Council voted unanimously to modify the city's transportation code. The modifications would have a direct impact on taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber. While the changes would allow Uber to operate in city limits, Uber reps tell AL.com that Birmingham's rules still make it impractical for them do business in the city.
Becky Anthony: Life With An Incarcerated Son
When a loved one is incarcerated, it can have a profound impact on their family members on the outside. These families are lifelines to the inmate. From sending money to traveling long distances to visit the inmates, it's work to provide that kind of financial and emotional care. We explore those challenges as part of WBHM's continued coverage of Alabama's prison system. WBHM's Sarah Delia has the story of one mother who has made countless sacrifices to keep her family afloat in order to support her incarcerated son.
John Archibald: Enjoy the Date with Taylor Swift
Birmingham officials are waiting to see if they can beat the odds and land the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Party officials were in the Magic City this week on a site visit and while they had kind things to say about Birmingham, four larger cities are also competing for the convention. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says Birmingham is like the shy kid who won a prom date with Taylor Swift -- enjoy it while it lasts.
Kyle Whitmire: Will Birmingham Host The Next DNC?
This week the Democratic National Committee visited Birmingham to see how the Magic City would perform if selected to host the 2016 national convention. We take a look at how the visit went and what the city's chances are of hosting the convention.
Birmingham Gospel Singers Bring Old Spirituals to a New Generation
The Lee Family Singers have been singing gospel music in and around Birmingham for more than 40 years. Now six of their offspring have formed a new group, The Second Generation of the Lee Family Singers. Both groups are committed to introducing younger people to music that was created hundreds of years ago, music born out of suffering and hope -- the spirituals. For WBHM, Darlene Robinson Millender went to see the Lee Family Singers in action.
Alabama Politics Are More Boring Than You Might Think
Are Alabama politics boring? Well, yes, at least according to a recent article on the Washington Post's political blog -- and that's despite the heated campaigning surrounding the 6th Congressional District Republican primary runoff election on Tuesday, where Gary Palmer bested Paul DeMarco. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains Alabama's boring (and not-so-boring) political situation to WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley, and talks about what's next after the primary runoff election.
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama Runoff Elections
Alabamians voted in state legislative, congressional, and local primary runoffs Tuesday. We take a look at voter turnout rate, issues at the polls, and the winners and losers with Kyle Whitmire, political commentator for AL.com and the Birmingham News.
Female Inmates Can Face a Cycle of Abuse
While incarcerated women have characteristics that are similar to their male counterparts, a closer look reveals another story. Studies have shown that the majority of incarcerated women were victims of verbal, physical or sexual abuse before coming to prison. Les Lovoy reports how abuse in prison can re-traumatize women and the challenge for them to break the cycle of abuse, once they re-enter society.
John Archibald: Searching for a Caped Crusader
Drive down the highway and you'll see the roadside sprinkled with billboards. Even though they zip by in seconds, a billboard can create a lasting impression. That's clear from one posted right now along Interstate 20 near the Leeds/Birmingham border. It has some people crying "racist" and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald longing for a caped crusader.
Hypocrisy and Lies on the Campaign Trail
During midterm elections, hypocrisy and lies are in abundance on the campaign trail. That's according to Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He says we should pay no attention to what politicians say, we should just watch what they do. he spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall.
Kyle Whitmire: Should Alabama Legalize Marijuana?
It's illegal to buy or sell marijuana in the state of Alabama, but some Alabamians and even lawmakers may be coming around to the idea of one day legalizing the use of the drug. We take a look at the polarizing debate over the legalization of marijuana with Kyle Whitmire, political commentator for AL.com and the Birmingham News.
Magic City Marketplace: Stunted Downtown Growth?
Birmingham's received a lot of attention for its downtown revival with more apartments and a grocery store slated to open in the next couple of years. But that has some business types warning that growth could be stunted because of the city's taxes. That's where we start with this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Life After Prison: Victims Face Tough Road Too
All this week in our series Life After Prison we've been exploring the challenges inmates face rebuilding their lives after serving their sentences. It's part of a reporting project in partnership with AL.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting. But for every prisoner there's a victim and often victims face a tough road. WBHM's Andrew Yeager explores this through one crime victim's experience.
How Prison Shaped a Woman’s Career Path
For 10 years of her adult life, Jamie Faust was in and out of county jail and federal prison. In 2012 she entered Julia Tutwiler's Prison for Women as an HIV positive inmate. At the time, HIV inmates were segregated from the general population. She tells WBHM's Sarah Delia that living with HIV in prison wasn't easy, but the experience pushed her to follow a career path she might not have otherwise.
John Archibald: Give Edward Lane a Job
Idealists like to think of the little guy going to Washington and coming out on top. Every once in a while reality reaches toward that idealism. It happened in a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The justices ruled unanimously in favor of Edward Lane, a former Alabama 2-year college system employee who testified about corruption he saw and was fired. They say the First Amendment protects his testimony. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says he needs more than a moral victory.
Life After Prison: Ex-Felons Often Struggle to Find a Job
Throughout the week, WBHM is reporting on the hurdles ex-felons face once they're released from prison. One of the primary challenges they face is finding stable employment. In addition to the external struggles ex-felons face when looking for work, many also grapple with internal ones, like drug addiction or mental health issues. But, issues aside, ex-offenders need a job to provide for their basic needs, in addition to money required to pay court expenses and restitution. The long path back to a normal life begins with whether or not an employer will give ex-offenders a chance. For WBHM News, Les Lovoy has more.
Kyle Whitmire: 6th Congressional District Campaign Tactics
Kyle Whitmire, of AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss the campaign tactics of the two Republican candidates battling to represent Alabama's 6th Congressional District. Paul DeMarco and Gary Palmer will face each other in a runoff on July 15. The winner goes to the November general election.
