Dome
A Snapshot of the Convention and Event Business
Birmingham did not win the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Nor has it hosted an NCAA basketball tournament game in years. But players in Birmingham's tourism and convention industry are working to keep a steady stream of events through the city. We have a snapshot of that industry in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
John Archibald: Can Inmates Ever Stop Serving their Time?
The problems with Alabama's prisons are well documented. The state prison system is at almost twice capacity. It's costing the state more money every year. Plus there are numerous allegations of poor, even illegal treatment of prisoners by employees. Those issues were part of a panel discussion this week called Issues and Ales. WBHM hosted the event along with the Alabama Media Group and the Center for Investigative Reporting. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald listened to that conversation and shares his thoughts.
John Archibald: A Different Primary and Talk of a Dome
Voters go to the polls next Tuesday to vote in primary elections and residents will have an important decision -- whether to take a Republican or Democratic ballot. It's not an insignificant choice since in some races the winner of the primary is all but guaranteed to carry the general election in November. That means some voters in effect will have to pass on their chance to meaningfully affect the outcome of certain races. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about that as well as revived talk of a dome.
Semantics Antics
Proponents of an expanded civic center in downtown Birmingham will have to wait at least another year while lawmakers hammer out details of funding sources. It's not a new plan; it's been drawn up for years, and neither are the words that have been infused into the debate. Whether it's identified as a dome stadium or arena, WBHM's Steve Chiotakis reports that the public relations effort has been exhausting on both sides.
