Birmingham
Birmingham Election Qualifying Ends This Week — Who’s In?
The list of candidates so far includes several incumbents and other familiar names. Qualifying ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 7.
New Report: Lack of Regional Cooperation Hinders Birmingham’s Growth
Birmingham Business Journal's Ty West talks about one of the biggest factors hindering Birmingham's growth, a lack of regional cooperation.
Marchers Urge Birmingham to Become Sanctuary City
Immigrant advocates and residents marched in downtown Birmingham Saturday from Kelly Ingram Park to City Hall. They want Birmingham to become a “sanctuary city” – one that does not use city resources to carry out federal immigration enforcement.
Focus on Birmingham Mayor’s Race as Election Revs Up
Between the mayor’s race, city council and school board – 19 seats in all are up for grabs in the Birmingham City Elections set for August 22.
Qualifying Begins For Birmingham City Elections
Seventeen people have already signed up for various races. All city elected jobs – mayor, council, and school board – will be on the ballot on August 22.
UAB Unveils Completely Solar-Powered House for Upcoming Competition
The project is part of the 2017 Solar Decathlon competition taking place in Denver this October. UAB is competing against 12 other teams from around the world to see which team can build the best, completely solar-powered, full-size home.
Business Community Concerned about I-20/59 Bridge Project
The I-20/59 bridge replacement project has Birmingham's business community concerned as investors and developers work to revitalize the area in and around downtown. We talk more about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Changes to Mayor-Council Act Deepening Rift at Birmingham City Hall
Weld investigates changes to the Mayor-Council Act and what Mayor William Bell is doing with his new authority.
Mayor Bell Takes Interest in Delinquent Water Works Customers
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about why all of a sudden Mayor William Bell is voicing concern about the Birmingham Water Works' decision to start cutting off service to customers who are behind on their bills.
Tesla to Boost Charging Sites in Alabama to 10
Tesla is known for fast electric cars with price tags that can easily reach six figures. But this summer, the company plans to produce its first mass-market model. To prepare for more Teslas on the road, the company says it’s expanding its network of charging sites in North America by 150 percent, including in Alabama.
Birmingham’s VA Faces Challenges Keeping Wait Times Down
Wait times have been shrinking at the Birmingham VA after zooming up last year, but challenges with space and hiring still remain.
On the job problem solving…
Telephone technician, Matthew King, of Birmingham…
More than just the shoes…
Alabaster shoeshiner Ronald Grant…
Condoleezza Rice’s Book Explores Democracy, Segregated Birmingham
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has just come out with a new book, "Democracy: Stories from the Road to Freedom." While in Birmingham Monday, she told WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart how memories of a segregated Alabama during her childhood have stuck with her and laid the foundation for her latest work.
First Public Charter School Approved for Birmingham
The Alabama Public Charter School Commission voted this month to approve a request to open STAR Academy, which will be the state’s first public charter school and will open in Birmingham. Charter schools are a contentious subject, with both opponents and supporters both citing statistics supporting their opinions.
The Heritage Band: Keeping Birmingham’s Big Band Spirit Alive
The Heritage Band was founded in 1976 by late saxophonist J.L. Lowe. The group is keeping the big band spirit alive in Birmingham, long after the days of the Duke Ellington-style big bands have disappeared.
Alabama’s Exotic Pet Laws Could Soon Change
Nick Patterson, editor of Weld, discusses how Alabama lawmakers are considering changing the state’s regulations on exotic pet ownership.
Birmingham Hires New School Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools have a new leader. The school board voted last night to hire Lisa Herring of Louisville, Kentucky, following days of controversy after no candidates from Birmingham or Alabama were named finalists for the job.
Income Inequality in Birmingham, Alabama
Officials say there are three main obstacles keeping people in Birmingham and Alabama from achieving prosperity: education, poverty and crime. These barriers also contribute to the growing wage gap. WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli talks about this with Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper Weld.
Savings Uncertain With Birmingham’s LED Street Lights
Birmingham is installing new LED street lights across the city. But while other cities across the country have seen dramatic savings after switching, there's no guarantee Birmingham will see similar savings.
House Concerts: An Intimate Way to Enjoy Live Music
Imagine attending a concert in the comfort of your home surrounded by dozens of friends both old and new. That’s what it’s like hosting a house concert. This tradition has been around for decades and is a popular way to enjoy music in an intimate setting.
Birmingham Board of Ed Members Protest Superintendent Candidates
Members gathered in protest recently after the five finalists for the superintendent position were announced. Among their concerns are the process by which the finalists were chosen and the finalists themselves.
Governor Declares State of Emergency In Advance of Predicted Storms
The statewide declaration will be in effect until the threats have passed. The expected severe weather may include destructive and long-track tornadoes.
BJCTA’s New Fleet Offers Cheap Downtown-to-Southside Route
The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority announced last week its new Magic City Connector fleet of buses. BJCTA says the fleet will connect Downtown with Southside and should make public transportation along the 20th St. corridor a lot smoother.
TEDx Birmingham 2017: Possibility
This year's theme was “Possibility”. Each speaker challenged the status quo and looked for better ways to impact Birmingham and the world. Program Director Michael Krall attended and spoke about his experience with Andrew Yeager.
The Truth About Cats and Dogs from Allison Black Cornelius
Allison Black Cornelius has been helping others her entire adult life. She spearheaded the passage of Megan’s Law, the country’s first sex offender registry. She later founded a consulting company that helps non-profits. Now she heads the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.
Jefferson County School Leaders Relieved After School Taxes Renewed
Education officials in Jefferson County are breathing a sigh of relief after voters approved the renewal of a property tax Tuesday that will provide about $100 million dollars for the county’s 12 public education systems.
Al Sharpton Challenges Adults To Support Wenonah Students
“You are not responsible for how you was born or who your parents were,” he said, “but you are responsible for what you do with the rest of your life," Rev. Al Sharpton.
Congressman Gary Palmer Holds Town Hall Despite Recent Protests
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer fielded questions from constituents at a town hall in Hoover Saturday. Palmer’s visit follows a slew of contentious public meetings involving members of Congress and their constituents. Residents flooded the entrance to Hoover City Hall waiting to meet with Palmer. Some members of Congress are refusing to hold town halls after […]
Birmingham Immigrant Communities on Edge Following Crackdown
Raids in search of undocumented immigrants have yet to take place in Alabama, but many immigrant communities in the state fear it’s only a matter of time.
Rise in Anti-Minority Violence Appears Tied to Current Political Climate
There’s been a dramatic rise in hate-related crimes and anti-minority violence in the last year. The Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham was evacuated on Jan. 9 following a bomb threat. That incident turned out to be one of dozens of bomb threats at Jewish community centers around the country that day. Groups that track […]
Housing Authority CEO Looks To Residents To Help Curb Gun Violence
More than 5,000 families live in Birmingham public housing. Lundy says too many residents are either, killed, wounded or affected by guns and violence.
