2016 Election
How a pianist is using classical music to bridge divides in Alabama
Classically trained concert pianist, Miki Sawada, is aware of the impression classical music has. She's trying to bring the music to a wider audience and bridge the country's divides.
Charles Henderson, Newly Elected DA, Prepares To Bring Change To Criminal Justice
"What we’ve been doing hasn’t worked. I’ve been saying all along we need to do more on this side to get people the resources they need, and quit using prisons as a way to kinda brush the problem aside."
2016 General Election Results
NOTE: The results listed below are for this evening’s contested races in the state of Alabama. Updates will be made to the page as results are made available. Results courtesy of Associated Press and alabamavotes.gov President 2,522 of 2,522 precincts – 100 percent Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine (Dem) – 35 percent Donald Trump/Mike Pence (GOP) – 63 […]
Heavy Voter Turnout Reported Throughout Jefferson County
Election officials in Jefferson County say voter turnout has been heavy today and could surpass the totals in the previous General Election.
Live Election Day Updates & Results from NPR
Today, as results come in across the country, the NPR Politics team and member station reporters will be updating this breaking news blog in real-time.
A Birmingham/NASA Connection and Amendment 11
Alabama has a long history with space exploration thanks to the Marshal Space Flight Center and other NASA facilities in Huntsville. But Birmingham is taking a small step toward that space industry through a project at UAB. We hear about it along with Amendment 11, a ballot proposal economic development leaders want to see passed, in this week’s Magic City Marketplace
U.S. 280 Becoming a Second City Center
There’s been plenty of attention showered on downtown Birmingham for its building boom and growth in restaurants and attractions. But there’s another area that’s been expanding too into almost another economic hub. That’s the U.S. 280 corridor from Jefferson to Shelby counties. We talk about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Supporters Say Constitutional Amendment Must Pass to Preserve Hundreds of Local Laws
When voters go to the polls next month, they’ll be voting on a proposed constitutional amendment that some say has to pass or cities and towns could be thrown into legal chaos. Supporters of Amendment 14 say without its approval, hundreds of local laws across Alabama could be wiped out by legal challenges. The list includes laws related to schools to local taxes to law enforcement.
NPR Live Fact-Check: Clinton and Trump Debate in St. Louis
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton are scheduled to face off in the second presidential debate Sunday night at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Live Fact-Check: The 2016 Vice Presidential Debate
Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence square off in the vice-presidential debate Tuesday night. NPR's politics team, with help from reporters and editors who cover national security, immigration, business, foreign policy and more, is live annotating the debate. Portions of the debate with added analysis are highlighted, followed by context and fact check from NPR reporters and editors.
Does My Vote Matter? We Ask What You Think
Your right to vote is arguably the most important and coveted right a person can have in this country. When the 2016 presidential election is over, one person, the president, will represent a nation of close to 320 million people. After this primary season, more than a few of those American's have lost faith in American’s voting process.
Primary Runoff Voter Guide 2016
Voters go back to the polls April 12 to determine the nominees in several races that were undecided after the March 1 primary. For races in which no candidate got half of the votes or more, the top two candidates will compete for the nomination.
Senator Richard Shelby Avoids Runoff, Wins Primary Bid for a Sixth Term
Alabama’s top Republican on Capitol Hill came through the primary unscathed. Senator Richard Shelby fought off four challengers to claim a win in his primary bid for a sixth term. He told supporters at an election night event in Tuscaloosa that his long tenure is a good thing.
Alabama Clinton Supporters Look to November After Super Tuesday Win
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton stormed through Alabama and much of the South on Super Tuesday, clinching victories. Clinton claimed a commanding primary victory over Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders with 78 percent of the vote in the Alabama Democratic primary. Clinton was propelled by heavy support from African-American voters. Nine in 10 black Democrats supported Clinton.
What to Watch on Super Tuesday
The SEC Primary. Super Tuesday. Call it what you will, but today’s the day Alabamians vote for everything from local judicial races to presidential nominees. Dr. Angela Lewis, director of UAB’s political science program, tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley what’s at stake in Alabama.
Shelby County Residents to Vote on Sunday Alcohol Sales
During Tuesday’s primaries residents of Shelby County will vote on whether to allow alcohol to be sold on Sundays.
Elections Could Change the Face of the Judiciary in Jefferson County
When Alabamians vote in the primaries next week, there’s a lot more on the line than who might be the presidential nominees. Judicial races at the county level arguably have a greater impact on resident’s lives, but receive less attention. In Jefferson County, judicial retirements have cleared the way for a new generation of Judges.
Tea Party Senate Debate Featuring Shelby Opponents Halted
A debate featuring Alabama candidates for U.S. Senate was shut down Thursday evening and attendees suddenly asked to leave. The event was to showcase Republican opponents to incumbent Senator Richard Shelby.
Barbershop Forum Aims to Boost Support for Hillary Clinton
What happens when a handful of people gather in a barbershop to talk politics? People tend to speak their minds. That was the idea behind an event Monday evening at Moore Styles Barbershop in Birmingham’s Civil Rights District.
New Law Could Simplify Restoring Voting Rights for Felons
For millions of Americans, past criminal convictions mean they can no longer vote. Getting back that right in many states is straightforward: serve your time, do probation, and have your voting rights restored. But in Alabama, those with felony convictions face enormous struggles ––especially when they’ve committed certain crimes. We’re talking about crimes of moral turpitude. If you’re confused, you’re not alone.
Election Fear…Over the Candidates
Surveys show voters are anxious this election cycle. NPR’s Mara Liasson reported earlier this week that issues such as stalled economic progress, terrorism and demographic shifts have people on edge. Seems the candidates themselves could be added to the list.
We Want to Hear from You about the Election!
We want you…to help with a political reporting project. Here’s what it’s about. As the election season heats up, surveys report voters across party lines are feeling anxious and angry. Issues such as stalled economic progress, terrorism and demographic shifts have people on edge.
Sanders Tells Black Voters U.S. Must Confront ‘Institutional Racism’
It’s not just Iowa and New Hampshire where Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders will have to perform strongly to win the Democratic nomination. He’ll also need to do well on March 1st, this year’s Super Tuesday. That's when a dozen, mostly southern states hold presidential primaries and caucuses. And in many of those states, African-Americans are a key Democratic voting block. That’s one reason Sanders spent Monday night in Birmingham celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Could Long-Time U.S. Senator Richard Shelby be Dethroned in 2016?
Alabama is bracing itself for a busy election cycle; not only for the presidential race and the new SEC Primary March 1, but also for a Congressional seat that’s up for grabs in Alabama in 2016. And, a recent report from a public policy research group shows the state is still struggling to bring in […]
WBHM and Birmingham’s Gigi Douban Chosen for Political Reporting Partnership with NPR
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM and Birmingham reporter Gigi Douban have been chosen collectively as participants in NPR’s Political Reporting Partnership. Douban and WBHM, along with a group of sixteen reporters from other public radio stations across the country, will work closely with NPR to cover the 2016 election from a state and local perspective. […]
