Search Results for King
The General Fund Budget Pie
State lawmakers will gather in Montgomery Tuesday to kick off this year's legislative session. One of the biggest issues they face is how to make up for a projected shortfall in the General Fund budget. There are no easy fixes.
WBHM will be off-air tonight
WBHM will be making some important infrastructure and IT upgrades that require us to be off the air from 10 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday
Alabama’s Prison Reform Task Force Readies Bill For 2015 Legislative Session
Alabama's overcrowded prison system has been under close scrutiny since the Justice Department started investigating it last year. If big changes aren't made during the upcoming legislative session, the state risks a federal takeover. Alabama's Prison Reform Task Force is working to draft legislation to improve the prison system. State Senator Cam Ward of Alabaster is the task force's chairman. Ward sat down with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley to talk about the proposed legislation, and who has been involved in the process.
Winter Storm Warning for N. Central Alabama — Schools Closing, Gov. Bentley Declares State Of Emergency
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for much of north central Alabama from 9 a.m. Wednesday though midnight Wednesday. The warning covers an area roughly along the Interstate 20 corridor and north. UAB classes and campus operations will be cancelled for Wednesday, Feb. 25th and additional cancellations are likely.
“Sam” To Bring Produce To Food Deserts
The economic development group REV Birmingham has turned a federal grant into a refrigerated truck meant to bring fresh produce to Birmingham's food deserts. The truck's name is Sam. WBHM's Joseph Thornton has the story.
Running Birmingham Track Club’s 1200 Mile Challenge
Approximately 5,000 runners hit the streets of Birmingham this weekend for the annual Mercedes-Benz Marathon. WBHM contributor Javacia Harris Bowser recently started running with one club that's training for the race. But this group -- The Birmingham Track Club -- sets an even more ambitious goal for its members: Run 1200 miles in one year.
Lectures Behind Bars
Few people normally go to Donaldson Correctional Facility, a state prison in far western Jefferson County. But twice a month UAB faculty travel to this maximum security prison to lecture to inmates. It's been happening for almost three decades. Reporter Ashley Cleek sits in on a class.
John Archibald: Same-Sex Marriage Confusion
More Alabama probate judges are issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples after a federal judge's ruling striking down Alabama's gay marriage ban went into effect on Monday. It's not all counties as some judges cite an order by Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore instructing judges not to follow the federal ruling. While gay marriage advocates celebrated in the counties which did issue licenses to same-sex couples, Alabama remains a state where opposition to gay marriage is high.
Says You! Host and Creator Richard Sher Dies
The creator, executive producer and host of the long-running wordplay program Says You! died February 9th after a battle with cancer.
Alabama’s Top Stories, Harper Lee’s New Book and Same-Sex Marriage
Alabama has been in the national spotlight for two reasons this February: "To Kill A Mockingbird" author Harper Lee says she'll release a new book, and some Alabama started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Monday. Both are controversial, for their own reasons. Kyle Whitmire, political commentator for the Alabama Media Group joins WBHM to discuss these stories and more.
Judicial Chaos Complicates Same-Sex Marriage In Alabama
Despite judicial confusion throughout Alabama, on Monday several Alabama counties did issue same-sex couples marriage licenses, including in Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery. Rachel Osier Lindley explains what happened across the state the day Alabama became the 37th to recognize same-sex marriage.
Alabama’s Only Openly Gay Lawmaker Overjoyed as State Recognizes Gay Marriage
On Monday Alabama probate judges can begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. It's the result of a decision last month from a federal judge in Mobile striking down the state's ban on gay marriage. Birmingham Representative Patricia Todd is the only openly gay lawmaker in the state legislature. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke to her about this turn of events. Todd starts by explaining what happened last week when an envelope with no return address was delivered to her Montgomery office.
Shaping History with a Camera
In March, Selma will mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. That's the day police beat demonstrators attempting to march to Montgomery in support of voting rights. Saturday an exhibit opens in Selma of some of the most iconic images of that day. They're from the late photographer Spider Martin.
Same-Sex Marriages Begin In Alabama On Monday
Barring a last-minute stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, on Monday Alabama becomes the 37th state to recognize same-sex marriage. Despite some heated political debate, most probate courts around the state are getting ready to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. But some wont be following suit.
John Archibald: Roy Moore and Same-Sex Marriage
Monday appears to be the day for same-sex couples in Alabama. Barring action by the U.S. Supreme Court, a federal judge's ruling will go into effect making Alabama the 37th state to recognize same-sex marriage. One of the most outspoken opponents of the ruling is Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald suggest there's more to Moore than religion-infused pronouncements.
UA BOT Member On Dr. Ray Watts, UAB Football Controversy
Supporters of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's recently canceled football program have vowed to protest when the UA System Board of Trustees meets in Birmingham later this week. WBHM contributor Greg Bass spoke with Board of Trustees member Finis St. John of Cullman about the controversy surrounding UAB football and the role of the Board of Trustees in the governance of UAB.
Stay On Same-Sex Marriage Decision From U.S. Supreme Court Unlikely
A federal appeals court has cleared the way for same-sex marriages to begin next week in Alabama. The state has seen political debate, along with a few stays, motions and rulings since U.S. District Judge Callie Granade struck down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage last month. Here to sort through what the courts are up to is Henry Strickland, dean of the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He says it's unlikely the U.S. Supreme Court would honor Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange's request for a stay.
Appeals Court Denies Stay Request On Alabama Same-Sex Marriage Decision
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to keep a hold on a district judge's decision overturning the state's ban on gay marriage. The filing came after the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to issue a stay, paving the way for Alabama to become the 37th state where gays can legally wed.
Developers Receive Approval For New Downtown Publix Designs, Permits
The Birmingham Design Review Board on Wednesday approved developers design plans and permits for a Publix grocery store downtown at 3rd Avenue South and 20th Street. The 35,000 square foot grocery and pharmacy will anchor a $20 million dollar development that will include three apartment buildings, retail stores, restaurants, and office space.
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama Leaders React To Same-Sex Marriage Decision
The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a judicial ethics complaint against Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. The complaint stems from Moore's criticism of a federal judge's ruling Friday striking down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage. Moore called it "judicial tyranny." Meanwhile, State Representative Patricia Todd, Alabama's first openly gay legislator, said she would "not stand by and allow legislators to talk about 'family values' when they have affairs." Alabama Media Group political commentator Kyle Whitmire sorts through the reactions as Alabama moves towards possibly becoming the 37th state to recognize same-sex marriage.
Same-Sex Couple In Birmingham Denied Marriage License
Greg Mullins and Josh Laning went to the Jefferson County Courthouse to apply for a marriage license today, despite the two-week stay on a Friday decision striking down Alabama's same-sex marriage ban. They have been thinking about getting married for years, but they never believed it would be possible in Alabama.
Federal Judge Puts Temporary Hold on Same-Sex Marriage Decision
Alabama same-sex couples who hoped to get marriage licenses today will have to wait a few more weeks to see if the state will legally recognize their relationships. A federal judge put a two-week hold on her decision striking down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage. WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley spoke to Andrew Yeager about what happened over the weekend and what might happen next.
John Archibald: Birmingham to Host 2021 World Games
Birmingham leaders are celebrating today's announcement the city has won the chance to host the 2021 World Games. It's an international competition of non-Olympic sports. Birmingham beat Lima, Peru, and Ufa, Russia, to capture the games. City officials are not only talking about history and civic pride but economic impact as well. We hear reaction from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
BPD Issues Statement On Looming Pepper-Spray Trial
If you read this after 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, the day after Martin Luther King Day, witnesses may already be on the stand in a federal courtroom in yet another Birmingham trial with civil rights implications. Barring a last-minute settlement, the Southern Poverty Law Center's suit against the Birmingham Police Department over officers using mace on city students will go forward, and lawyers representing the city and the police are promising a vigorous defense. WBHM's Dan Carsen has more.
Auburn University’s Rural Studio Brings 20K Houses To Hale County
For some residents of Alabama’' Black Belt, good housing can be hard to come by. In Hale County, 30 percent of the population lives below the poverty line -- meaning an individual lives on less than $11,670 a year. A group from Auburn University wants to help by designing an efficient and inexpensive house that anyone could afford. For WBHM, Ashley Cleek visited Newbern, Alabama to check out the homes.
Two Churches Join Forces For MLK Holiday Worship and Community Service
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "The most segregated time of the week is on Sunday." Reverend James Sutton and Reverend Steven Castello, the leaders of Ardent Church and Holy Trinity World Outreach Ministry, are determined to change that. The two Birmingham churches -- one majority black, the other majority white -- are coming together this weekend to honor Dr. King Jr. by fostering friendships between the members of their congregations.
UAB Faculty Senate Passes No Confidence Resolution in President Ray Watts
Thursday morning, UAB's Faculty Senate passed a resolution expressing no confidence in university president Ray Watts. It's the latest fallout from his decision to end UAB's football, bowling, and rifle programs. Watts has said he would not resign even if the resolution passed. WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley has this recap.
Movie Stirs Memories in Selma
The Golden Globe Awards are Sunday and one film that could pick up a few statues is Selma . The film depicts the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches which led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. This weekend, Paramount Pictures began free screenings in the movie's namesake town in Alabama.
Schools Start Later Thursday Due To Cold
More than 30 Alabama school systems are delaying opening on Thursday because of forecasts of bitterly cold weather. Most of the postponements are in north and central Alabama. But systems as far south as southeast Alabama also are telling students to come later than normal. Officials are delaying openings because of temperatures in the single-digits and teens and wind-child readings that are expected to fall below zero in areas.
Ollie’s Barbecue: The Case that Integrated Restaurants
One of the enduring images of the Civil Rights Movement is of black protesters being pulled away from lunch counters. Fifty years ago this Sunday a U.S. Supreme Court ruling effectively ended segregation in restaurants. That case came from Birmingham.
Kidney Chain Links Record Number of Donors and Needing Patients
Traditionally, people who suffer from kidney disease and need a transplant put their name on a national list. Next, they have to wait until their name comes up to receive a compatible kidney. And with over 100,000 names on that list, it can take up to 10 years to receive a kidney. Today, there's a viable alternative. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is at the forefront of a process, which allows someone to receive a healthier kidney in a much shorter time.
A Moonshine Renaissance
Mention moonshine and you might think of an illegal backwoods still in the mountains of the South, carefully hidden to evade the authorities. In recent years though, legal distilleries have been popping up in sort of a moonshine renaissance.
