Series
Found Footage Festival
Meet the Instant Adoring Boyfriend, Blue Berry the Creepy Clown, and crowd favorite, the Sleazy Hypnotist. They didn't start out to be funny, but they are. These characters and others star in the Found Footage Festival that stops in Birmingham this weekend. WBHM's Greg Bass has the details.
Jefferson County’s Closed-Door Bankruptcy Meetings
Jefferson County is trying desperately to exit municipal bankruptcy. Earlier this week commissioners met in closed-door sessions with their attorneys to presumably work on another plan to present to creditors. Meanwhile, sewer rates are skyrocketing in another nearby county.
Kyle Whitmire: Inching out of Bankruptcy
A big question this year is whether Jefferson County will exit municipal bankruptcy. County commissioners spent a good deal of time this week working toward that effort in closed door meetings. We talk about it with The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Eden Rise
A small Black Belt town is the scene of a civil rights era killing and years later the defendant is brought to trial in a Birmingham federal court. Sounds like Alabama history, but it’s actually the plot Eden Rise, the first novel from award-winning historian Jeff Norrell.
State Officials Say School Safety a Priority
State officials say making schools safer is a top priority for the upcoming legislative session. More than a hundred people packed a school safety hearing Wednesday. But some communities aren't waiting for the state to take action. They're making moves of their own.
Kyle Whitmire: RSA vs. AEA
There's a battle playing out in Montgomery between the leaders of the Retirement Systems of Alabama and the Alabama Education Association. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire explains the talk of a board "power play."
What’s Ahead for 2013?
We've closed out one year and are starting another. Seems like a good time to reflect on the big regional news of 2012 and look ahead to 2013. John Archibald says there's one story that could rock the core of the state GOP.
Kyle Whitmire: A New Year for Cooper Green
With the new year comes a new set up for Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. The Jefferson County-owned facility turned its emergency room into an urgent care center on January 1st. The hospital also closed inpatient care and laid off more than 200 people. We talk about it with The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Will Gun Control Fly in Alabama?
In the aftermath of last week's school shooting, President Obama says it will take a national effort to address gun violence. In a press conference yesterday he mentioned several recent shootings, including the one last weekend at Birmingham's St. Vincent's Hospital.
Kyle Whitmire: A Subpoena for GOP Financial Records
Alabama's attorney general has subpoenaed financial records from the State Republican Party, ones that show a company co-owned by House Speaker Mike Hubbard benefited from party spending. We talk about that with the Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Question Linger in Shootout Involving Mayor
Birmingham Mayor William Bell has had a relatively low key tenure compared to his predecessor. But not last weekend. The mayor and his security detail were involved in a downtown shootout that could have been ripped from a Hollywood movie. There are still a lot of questions about the incident.
Alabama Shakes Up For Three Grammy Awards
A year ago the members of Alabama Shakes were working day jobs and playing small gigs in bars. Today, they're nominated for three Grammy Awards and being hailed by Rolling Stone, NPR and the New York Times.
Kyle Whimtire: Birmingham’s Mayor Caught in a Shootout
It's not every day a city leader is in a roadside shootout. But that happened to Birmingham Mayor William Bell on Friday. And while the mayor is okay, The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire says police aren't being forthcoming with details.
Jefferson Finally Getting Public Defenders Office
Criminal defendants in Jefferson County who can't afford to hire a lawyer will have a new advocate in their corner. Birmingham Attorney Kira Fonteneau will lead the newly created Public Defender Office.
Kyle Whitmire: The Fight over the BJCC Board
There are three open seats on the BJCC Board. The problem is four people have been appointed. It's a dispute that's embroiled the Jefferson County legislative delegation and is now spurring legal action. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire has details.
Alabama Municipalities Dangerously Vulnerable
A new report shows some of Alabama's largest municipalities have very low financial reserves. Local governments rely a lot on sales taxes and revenues have been lower since the recession. The report from the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama finds that the City of Montgomery had a negative fund balance for 2010, though the city's finance director disputes that. Kyle Whitmire says many other communities may be in the black, but they're still dangerously vulnerable.
Potential Power Shift on Birmingham Board of Education
After months of infighting that resulted in a state takeover, there appears to be a power shift on the Birmingham Board of Education. New board member Carole Clarke was sworn in this week and minutes after taking the oath the board elected a new president and vice president. Who they elected and how is pretty telling.
Election 2012: Alabama and the Nation
Alabama voters go to the polls today to elect a president, members of congress, a state supreme court chief justice, president of the Alabama Public Service Commission and several other offices. They'll also decide on eleven constitutional amendments including one controversial measure that removes racist language from the 1901 constitution.
Rev. Al Sharpton Coming to Birmingham
The Rev. Al Sharpton will be in Birmingham Friday to attend a forum and rally against the downsizing of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. But will Sharpton's appearance pressure Jefferson County Commissioners into changing their minds? John Archibald and Tanya Ott discuss that, plus a city councilwoman's criticism of a lesbian photo exhibit, the resignation of the school board president, and demands by the county attorney for a pay raise.
John Archibald on Changes at Birmingham News
The Birmingham News shifted to three day a week print editions this week and public reaction has been mixed, though largely negative, on social media sites. John Archibald discusses what the change means for news reporters and consumers and addresses other thorny issues like the status of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
Found Sound: Boyd Hayes
Public radio listeners are accustomed to hearing people share their very personal stories (think Story Corps). Today, WBHM's Will Dahlberg shares the story of his adoptive father's quest to hear his own father's voice for the first time.
Jefferson County Passes Balanced Budget with Cuts to Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
Jefferson County has passed a $160M balanced budget, but not without questions concerning Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
Opera Birmingham Announces New Season
Opera Birmingham has announced its 2012-2013 season. The season opener features the winner of the “Opera Idol 2012” Audience Favorite Award and later in the season the company presents Mozart's The Magic Flute for the first time in more than a decade.
Is $437M Transfer Just a Temporary Bandaid?
It's official. By a 2-to-1 margin, Alabama voters have approved a constitutional amendment to transfer $437 million from the Alabama Trust Fund to the General Fund Budget. The money will help pay for basic services like Medicaid, prisons and child protective services. But John Archibald says it may just be kicking the can down the road.
The Rise and Decline of the Redneck Riviera
The beaches that run from Mobile Bay to Panama City are some of the most beautiful in the world. Prior to World War Two they were sparsely populated and undeveloped. But that began to change after the war when the beach became a tourist destination.
Sept 18 Vote, More Trouble at School Board, and Big Lobbying Bills
Next week, Alabama residents go to the polls to vote on a referendum state leaders say is vital to the financial health of the state. The vote would authorize moving $437 million from the Alabama Trust Fund to shore up the state’s general fund budget. Supporters say without the transfer critical state services will be hurt, but opponents argue the state should live within its means. John Archibald tackles that and other regional news in this week's interview.
John Archibald on Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
The Jefferson County Commission votes to discontinue in-patient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. John Archibald offers his thoughts that situation as well as the latest from the Birmingham Board of Education, and Artur Davis' political switch.
John Archibald On Why Carol Garrison Is Leaving UAB
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has a new interim President. Earlier this week, University of Alabama System Chancellor Robert Witt announced that longtime UAB administrator Richard Marchase would take over for outgoing president Carol Garrison. The university will now start a national search for a permanent replacement. John Archibald offers his observations on the leadership change at UAB, as well as leadership on the Jefferson County Commission.
Birmingham School Board Gets Down To Business
The Birmingham school board finally gets down to business; and emotions run high as county commissioners look to close inpatient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
Court Considers Firing of School Superintendent
Attorney alleges Birmingham school board president doesn't live in Birmingham; Former Governor Don Siegelman is likely headed back to prison; and UA gets approval for $9 million athletic facility, but what does UAB get?
Through the Sparks Returns to Birmingham
Through the Sparks may be a Birmingham-based band, but it's been a while since they've performed in Birmingham. That changes tonight. The band plays Bottletree Cafe tonight.
Cuts More Clear at Birmingham City Schools
Details are emerging in the massive budget cuts at Birmingham City Schools. On Tuesday, the school board deadlocked over approving the state's $12 million cost cutting plan, but the state stepping in and imposed the plan anyway, firing 61 employees and cutting the salaries of many high-level administrators.
