Birmingham
Reverse Integration In A Birmingham School
Birmingham was at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, a major front in the battles that ended legal segregation. When the schools were integrated, white people fled the city, taking resources and other advantages with them. That continues today, but about two dozen families are bucking the trend and trying to reverse the process. WBHM's Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has the story.
September 24 News
Birmingham man arrested for tweeted death threats against Pres. Obama; UAH professor goes on trial for murdering colleagues; Plea deal may be in the works in running death of Etowah County girl.
BREAKING: Birmingham BOE Conducts Civil, Productive Meeting
The Birmingham School Board conducted a civil and efficient meeting Tuesday night, perhaps cowed by a judge's ruling that the state does have authority over the district and that Superintendent Craig Witherspoon will keep his job during the takeover. Our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has this surprising web-exclusive.
The New Children’s of Alabama
Doctors, staff and patients are getting used to their new digs, now that the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children is open for business. CEO Mike Warren says thanks to careful planning, the move to the building earlier this month went very well. So with Childen's of Alabama in its new home, WBHM Intern Aditi Jani spoke with Warren about how the facility positions the hospital for the future.
Judge Extends Orders Against Birmingham School Board
One round of testimony is over, but the long road to legal closure in the battle over Birmingham Schools is not. After two sometimes arcane, sometimes fiery days of testimony, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Houston Brown on Thursday extended two temporary injunctions against the Birmingham Board of Education by 10 days or until further notice. Our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has the latest in this web-exclusive story.
Tranquil Resource, Contentious Beginnings
About seven miles from Fort Payne is the northern gateway to a vision, a vision of a nearly hundred-mile "central park" between Birmingham, Atlanta, and Chattanooga. Decades in the making, the conservation, tourism, and education opportunities are gelling in this huge green corridor. In Part Two of his series, WBHM's Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has the intriguing story behind this growing resource.
Carsen and Ott on All Things Alabama Education
We've had a short break from Birmingham Board of Education fireworks, but that doesn't mean that story or the Alabama education beat has slowed down at all. In this week's Edu-Chat, WBHM's Tanya Ott inverviews Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen on No Child Left Behind, the Education Trust Fund, local kids in China, and "meatless meetings."
State Taking Over Birmingham Schools
In developments that many saw coming, the state education department is seizing control of Birmingham City Schools. Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has this late-breaking web-exclusive.
What Makes Good Teaching? Straight From The Classroom, A Play-By-Play
In some ways, teaching is like sports: there’s a lot that’s unseen by the untrained eye. That’s one reason post-game analysis is popular. So why not do that for something vital to our future? Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen used to be a teacher and a teacher-trainer. As part of our series "What Makes Good Teaching," he offers a play-by-play from right here in Birmingham.
B’ham Schools Submit State-Mandated Plan
The Birmingham School System has met the first part of a state-mandated deadline by submitting a detailed cost-cutting plan. But the state still could take over the local system's fiances soon. Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has this late-breaking Friday web exclusive.
Carsen, Ott on All Things Alabama Education
Clearly, just because school is out doesn't mean the education beat is slowing down. The question on many people's minds is, what's going on with Birmingham City Schools and the state? WBHM's Tanya Ott interviews Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen on that, tuition increases, "digital districts," and a grant meant to make cancer treatment more cost effective.
Birmingham to Beijing
Lack of exposure to other kinds of people, languages, and ideas is a disadvantage for poor rural and urban students across the country. Inner-city Birmingham is no exception, but six local high school students are hoping to become exceptional ... in more ways than one. Thanks to their hard work and the efforts of a first-year teacher, they're planning to study in China this summer. Our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has the story.
John Archibald on Jeffco’s Occupational Tax
When a judge ruled Jefferson County's occupational tax illegal it was clear the bankrupt county would have to find some way to replace that money. County commissioners appealed to the local legislative delegation, which responded by proposing a new tax. But with just two days left in the legislative session, the future of that bill is unclear.
Bike Sharing in Alabama
Birmingham often finds itself at back of the pack when it comes to friendliness to cyclists. In fact, Bicycling magazine named Birmingham as one of the worst cities for cycling in the country in 2010. But a new pair of so-called “bike sharing” programs are trying to encourage residents to hit the streets on two wheels. WBHM intern Dannial Budhwani reports.
Witherspoon Is Still B’ham Schools Chief
UPDATED LATE THURSDAY: Despite repeated efforts by some at the Birmingham Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, Craig Witherspoon is still the school system's superintendent, and will remain so during a new state-level investigation of the local school board. Our Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen was at the charged meeting and filed this extensive web-exclusive report. Click on the story to read Witherspoon's statement in response to the investigation, the state board's official April 12 resolution initiating it, and more.
Craig Witherspoon Controversy
Birmingham School Superintendent Craig Witherspoon could very suddenly lose his job just after 5 p.m. today. In this web-exclusive report, Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen explains how this surprising situation came about. UPDATED 3:18 P.M. FRIDAY: SPECIAL BOARD MEETING CANCELLED, PRO-WITHERSPOON RALLY TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNED AT 4 P.M. IN LINN PARK.
Cash Mobs
If you’re out shopping this weekend and the store is suddenly inundated with customers, don’t be surprised. Birmingham is the latest city to experience a phenomenon called a “cash mob” As WBHM’s Andrew Yeager reports, supporters of the concept hope it’ll have people buying local.
Carsen & Ott: Weekly Interviews on Education in Alabama
Carsen & Ott Talk Explosions and Explosive Issues Several Alabama school communities are reeling after incidents last week shook things up. E.P.I.C. Elementary School in Birmingham had to be evacuated Friday after a propane tank exploded. No one was hurt, but down in Mobile County, a teacher was taken to the hospital after an incident with a student. Nice, tame topics like charter-school propaganda, same-sex prom dates, and Louis Farrakhan round out this week's interview, which ends on a positive note.
John Archibald
This week, members of the Birmingham City Council donned hooded sweatshirts in an act of solidarity with Trayvon Martin, the Florida teenager shot to death by a neighborhood watch volunteer. John Archibald says the incident points out real problems in our own backyard.
Wilkerson Middle Defies the Odds
It's easy to focus on what's wrong with education. And it's no secret that Birmingham Schools, like other urban districts around the nation, face serious problems. But there are schools here that are achieving success regardless. From the Southern Education Desk at WBHM, Dan Carsen has much more.
The January 2012 Tornado
Residents along the north side of Birmingham are digging out after a line of storms rumbled across the state early Monday morning. A tornado killed at least two people in Jefferson County. And as WBHM’s Andrew Yeager reports, the damage is a reminder of the killer tornados which struck the state just last spring.
John Archibald
Birmingham Mayor William Bell uses consent agenda to get $500M in funding for a McDonald Restaurant and Nick Saban schedules a press conference and doesn't say what it's about.
John Archibald
Our weekly segment features The Birmingham News columnist John Archibald, discussing the city politic (and county and state politic too). Instead of being unplugged as he is in the newspaper, we offer him a bullhorn. Sort of.
Bring Your Own Parts
AAA estimates more than 42 million people will travel this Thanksgiving holiday, with most of them taking cars. Of course before you hit the road, you'll want to make sure the car's working properly. A new shop in Birmingham is offering an unusual way to fix your vehicle. You bring your own parts. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager takes a look at the potential for this business model.
Remembering Fred Shuttlesworth
Flags are at half staff across Alabama in memory of Birmingham civil rights leader Fred Shuttlesworth. Shuttlesworth died Wednesday. He was 89. Shuttlesworth fought for integration in schools and on buses in the 1950s. He also was arrested many times. Mobs attacked him. Ku Klux Klansmen bombed his home and church. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager reflected on Shuttleworth's legacy with biographer Andrew Manis.
Jefferson County’s New Health Officer
Doctor Mark Wilson says he wasn't looking for a new job, but on October first he'll take the helm of the Jefferson County Health Department as the new county health officer. Wilson has been chief of staff at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. He says the county health department has a great track record. But Wilson takes over at a time when Jefferson County's finances are shaky. And while the department is funded through a variety of sources, Wilson tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager local tax money is in the mix.
A Healthy Novella
The typical Spanish novella drips with passion, love, and jealousy. It usually doesn't explain how to manage diabetes or stop smoking. But a Birmingham-based radio project is trying to do just that. WBHM intern Clare Gamlin explains how this broadcast is teaching new Alabamians health information they might not otherwise hear.
Open Meetings Law
Jefferson County Commissioners will meet tomorrow to determine their next move as the county struggles with more than three billion dollars of sewer debt. They could reach a settlement with creditors or file what would be the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. But they'll hold the meeting in executive session. That means meeting with lawyers, behind closed doors. And as WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports that has some questioning if they're violating Alabama's open meetings law.
The 2011 Tornadoes: Churches
Governor Robert Bentley has declared Sunday a day of prayer for victims of the tornados which swept through the south on Wednesday. Alabama is a state where religious faith is ever present and a rallying point for communities. WBHM's Andrew Yeager offers this glimpse of how churches are weathering the storm.
Northern Beltline: Downtown Development
Birmingham's downtown has added many feathers to it cap in recent years. City officials point to last year's opening of Railroad Park, a growing restaurant scene, new office and hotel space in the works. It's a rebirth some critics of the northern beltline say could be muted by that bypass. This week we're taking a look at the proposed 52 mile highway planned for the northern half of Jefferson County. WBHM's Andrew Yeager examines what a new interstate bypass might mean for development in downtown Birmingham.
New Leadership at the BBA
Birmingham's regional economic development organization is under new leadership. The Birmingham Business Alliance hired Brian Hilson last month as its President and CEO. He comes from the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. He previously worked at the Birmingham Metropolitan Development Board. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke to Hilson.
A New Leader for Birmingham Southern College
Birmingham Southern College has new leadership today. General Charles Krulak will become the new president of the school, taking the reigns officially on June first. He's a retired U.S. Marine Commandant and former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Krulak has also worked in banking in the U.S. and Europe. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Krulak.
