Search Results for King
City Stages Vendors Left with Bill
It's been several weeks since City Stages announced it was taking its final curtain call. The non-profit music festival had struggled for many years with a deficit. And now, local businesses who provided services for this year's festival say they're scrambling to make ends meet because they weren't paid for their work.
Gay/Straight: Bullying Gay Students
It's a phrase many kids use almost daily: That's so gay. Experts say that the use of homophobic slurs in schools is on the rise. Two 11-year-olds recently committed suicide after being bullied with anti-gay taunts. And though a new law requires the Alabama Department of Education to come up with a policy prohibiting harassment, that new policy isn't likely to mention sexual orientation.
Gay/Straight: Spirituality
For many gays and lesbians, coming out is an overwhelming experience. They face, family, friends, coworkers and sometimes the most daunting of all, their church. The message delivered from the pulpit leaves many at spiritual crossroads. Some feel obligated to be someone they're not. Others try to decide what part of their spirituality to keep and what to discard. Les Lovoy reports on how this faith journey affects gay men and women and their families.
Scrushy Ordered to Pay $2.9 Billion
A judge has ordered former HealthSouth C.E.O. Richard Scrushy to pay almost $2.9 billion for his role in the massive account fraud which nearly sunk the company. Shareholders sued Scrushy in civil court alleging he faked profits which triggered bonuses for him. Scrushy testified he knew nothing of the fraud and other executives in the company were responsible. Plaintiff lawyer John Haley led the legal team seeking damages from Scrushy. He spoke with WBHM's Bradley George.
Birmingham’s Budget: Child Care Resources
Many Birmingham non-profit organizations are still reeling from the news they've been cut out of Mayor Larry Langford's proposed budget for 2010. Several high profile groups are taking a hit, including Child Care Resources, which trains child care providers and offers referral services and financial assistance to working parents looking for care.
US Steel: Fairfield Fallout
German steel giant ThyssenKrupp announced Tuesday it may delay opening its massive steel plant under construction near Mobile. The $4.5 billion plant is currently scheduled to open for next spring. But ThyssenKrupp says its hemorrhaging money - more than one billion dollars this year - so the plant may have to wait. This comes after U.S. Steel announced it would indefinitely idle steelmaking operations at its plant in Fairfield, putting 1,700 jobs in limbo. WBHM's Andrew Yeager attended a town hall meeting Tuesday and spoke to a number of workers who are anxious and confused, but optimism as well.
Wilcox County Unemployment
When the economy turned sour, people started making comparisons to the Great Depression. But experts quickly noted it wasn't anything like the 1930's, when unemployment soared to 25%. But for one Alabama community, unemployment is that high. WBHM's Tanya Ott takes us to Wilcox County, where one in four people who want to work can't find a job.
More Budget Cuts?
There are just five more work days left in the Alabama legislative session and Jefferson County commissioners are anxiously watching what happens to a bill concerning the county's occupational tax. A judge declared the tax illegal earlier this year, meaning the county could miss out on about $70 million in revenue. That and other financial uncertainty prompted county officials to tell department heads to prepare for massive budget cuts. WHBM's Andrew Yeager reports on how those cuts could affect one county department.
Swine Flu and Alabama
Government health officials report 40 people in the United States are now infected with swine flu. While none of those cases are in Alabama, State Health Officer Don Williamson says it's only a matter of time before there is a case here. In fact, Trussville City Schools leaders are talking with federal officials after some band students took a weekend trip to Mexico, where more than 100 people have died due to swine flu. So far, there are no reports of flu symptoms among the group. Don Williamson is monitoring the situation and spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Grocery Auction
Need another sign of the times? Head on down to Calera to the Cadle Auction House, where you might find more toilet paper and laundry soap than Waterford crystal and speed boats. WBHM's Tanya Ott reports.
The Economy & Nonprofits: A Conversation with Tim Delaney
Nonprofit organizations ranging from health care groups to after-school programs are hurting right now. Corporate and individual donations are down. Foundations are tightening their belts, and state and local governments are taking drastic cost cutting measures as well. All of this adds up to the very real possibility that thousands of nonprofit organizations may have to shut down.
Regions: Managing the Message
A recent headline in Newsweek magazine pretty much says it all when it comes to the current financial crisis - "No One Wants to Hug a Banker." Critics of Birmingham-based Regions Bank got two pieces of ammunition last week. The company announced executive compensation for 2008 and while CEO Dowd Ritter turned down a $1.1 million bonus, his total compensation still rose more than $2 million. Two days later, Regions announced it was suspending matching contributions for its employees' 401(k)s. Not exactly positive news in today's economic climate. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Alabama Prepaid College Tuition
In the last two years, the value of Alabama's Prepaid college tuition plan (PACT) has dropped nearly 50%. The tumbling stock market and increased college enrollments are squeezing pre-paid plans nationwide, but Alabama's situation is the worst. State officials hope to calm nerves by holding a public meeting in Montgomery this afternoon. But as Les Lovoy reports they're likely to hear from a lot of irate parents.
New Lead Laws Affect 2nd Hand Clothing Stores
New consumer safety rules go into effect next week, aimed at making children's products safer. After a flood of imported toys came ashore with high lead levels, Congress moved quickly last year to make children's products safer. Maybe too quickly. The new 'Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act' takes effect Tuesday and there are more questions than answers. WBHM's Tanya Ott reports.
The Inauguration and the Magic City
While the eyes of the country turned to Washington D.C. today, the inauguration of Barack Obama is tempered with deep significance for many here in Birmingham. The city which saw the brutality of civil rights - fire hoses, police dogs, even bombings - can now witness the United States' first black president. Thousands marked the occasion today in a city-backed celebration at Boutwell Auditorium. WBHM's Andrew Yeager takes us there.
Considering Faith: Prayer in School
Public schools are expected to be neutral when it comes to all matters religious. In reality, however, there's plenty of preaching going on. But the real surprise is this: chances are the people talking to your children most about God in school are other kids. Gigi Douban takes a look at a school club with a heavy evangelical streak.
Considering Faith: Emuna
Religion has inspired art in the western world for centuries. Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' or Michelangelo's 'David' are just two examples. In Birmingham, one group of artists is also drawing on religion, but not so much for inspiration - rather as a platform for discussion. WBHM's Andrew Yeager introduces us to Emuna
Considering Faith: Religion in the Workplace
In the past, there was a complete separation of religion or spirituality and the workplace . Business owners, managers and employees kept their beliefs to themselves. Increasingly, though, Today, however companies from carpet layers to pediatricians are promoting or marketing themselves as 'religious' or 'Christian' places of business. In the latest installment of our series 'Considering Faith', reporter Les Lovoy considers reports on how this growing trend may effecthelp or hurt the fortunes uture of these companies., and how some businesses may be exposing themselves to a new wave of religion-based discrimination law suits.
Considering Faith: Pulpit Politics
One principle which has shaped American democracy is the separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson used the phrase a "wall of separation" and through the years courts and legislatures have shaped what that wall looks like. Now one group has made a specific challenge to that boundary, saying the federal government is preventing pastors from speaking their minds on politics. One part of that battle is in an Alabama church as we hear in the first installment of our series Considering Faith. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports
Election Day Tips
It almost seems like it would never come. We're finally just a day away from the 2008 election. Record turnout and long lines are expected in Alabama. So before you go to cast your ballot, WBHM's Andrew Yeager has a few things to keep in mind for the occasion.
2008 Constitutional Amendments
When voters go to the polls tomorrow, they'll get to choose who will be in the White House for the next four years, as well as congressional, local government and judicial seats. In Alabama, there are also a number of constitutional amendments to consider. We have an overview from WBHM's Andrew Yeager and Tanya Ott.
Electing Judges?
Alabama has a history of expensive and nasty races for the state supreme court. This election cycle has done nothing to change that reputation. But Alabamians will select other judges on this year's ballot too, leaving some to wonder if these men and women personifying fairness and impartiality should even be elected. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Jefferson County Bankruptcy Update
Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy became part of federal law in 1934, during the Great Depression, when towns and cities nationwide faced massive drops in tax revenues. Since then, there've been less than 500 municipal filings. But that number may tick up during the current economic crisis. Vallejo, California, has already filed for bankruptcy protection and Jefferson County, Alabama, is on the brink of filing the largest municipal bankruptcy in U-S history. WBHM's Tanya Ott has an update.
Congressional District 3
Alabama congressmen don't normally have to spend much money on television advertising when they're running against an underdog, but that's not the case this year in the 3rd Congressional district. Republican incumbent Mike Rogers is waging an aggressive campaign against democratic challenger Joshua Segall and, as WBHM's Tanya Ott reports, the negative campaigning may continue right up until election day.
HealthSouth CEO Advises on Tough Economy
There's been a lot of bad economic news lately, with turmoil in the banking and housing sectors and wild fluctuations on Wall Street. HealthSouth President and CEO Jay Grinney says his company's "near death experience" holds lessons for other businesses in the current economy.
Alabama Economy: Big Family
The current financial crisis is fueling chronic stress and limiting some people's ability to think clearly and control their emotions. But for one Trussville family with 16 kids, a little humor help keeps things in perspective.
Alabama Economy: Homeless
A sputtering economy, skyrocketing food and gas prices and the mortgage mess are forcing more Alabama families from their homes. More than 800 houses in Alabama are in some state of foreclosure. That's a big jump from last year. Most displaced homeowners find somewhere else to live, but some end up homeless. And as Les Lovoy reports, Birmingham's homeless shelters are struggling to keep up with demand.
Alabama Economy: Downtown Housing
Real estate isn't what it used to be. Home values are dropping. Mortgages are harder to get. And more people are foreclosing. The massive slowdown has hit all sectors of the economy and all places of American life. One area that had been on an upswing is downtown Birmingham, which once boasted a booming condo and loft business. Today, it's getting harder to sell those units, as WBHM's Steve Chiotakis reports as part of our series The Alabama Economy.
Alabama Economy: Regions Bank
This September is a month economists will remember like it or not. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual, Wachovia - it seems financial giant after giant just kept falling. Then yesterday, Birmingham-based Regions' stock plunged more than 40%. So what does this mean for our corner of the banking system? As we continue our series on the Alabama Economy, WBHM's Andrew Yeager looks at how Regions Bank is weathering the storm.
Vipassana Behind Bars
Just outside of Birmingham lies what's arguably Alabama's toughest prison. The maximum security Donaldson Correctional Facility holds death row inmates, murderers, rapists...the worst of the worst some might say. But in the midst of this environment, and in the Bible belt of Dixie, some inmates are practicing an incredibly intense eastern meditation from the Buddhist tradition. And it's winning fans from prisoners and prison officials alike. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Minority Science Brain Drain
To advance in the science-related fields of higher education takes a love of research and a commitment to academic excellence. The work is complicated, yet rewarding. But a large demographic is missing from the classroom and lab. Many African-American women who've chosen those science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields - STEM programs -- are not following all the way through to graduate school and beyond. And that's produced an educational catch-22, as WBHM's Steve Chiotakis reports.
The XO goes to School
As children at Glen Iris Elementary School in Birmingham head back to school Monday, their backpacks will most likely contain notebooks, pencils and...small laptops. The Glen Iris students are part of a pilot program for the new XO Laptops. Mayor Larry Langford plans on bringing them to other Birmingham city schools this coming year as part of the first large-scale XO Laptop program in America. Despite criticisms these computers are a waste of money and merely toys, the little machines are getting a positive response from educators. WBHM's Katie Turpen reports.
