Politics
How Alabama Ethics Laws Allow for Questionable Campaign Spending
A loophole in Alabama's campaign finance law allows for questionable contributions.
It Might Just Be Legal
Spending practices regarding election campaign funds in Alabama are under review. How those funds are spent, now, can be looked up as public information, and there are some questions that come from the details. Kyle Whitmire of AL.COM and the Birmingham News took a dive in to the data about Alabama Representative Mike Hill, a Republican […]
The Definition of Ethics In Alabama is..
If you look for a definition of the word, “ethics,” terms come up like, “moral principles,” and “the concept of right and wrong.” Appropriate behavior, or noting the lack of it. Kyle Whitmire, political columnist for the Birmingham News and AL.COM, notes that the latest changes to ethics laws in Alabama have allowed for a […]
Hundreds Gather For Rally And March in Downtown Birmingham
Organizers of the rally say while they encourage peaceful protest, they want to see people push for policy changes and go to the polls to vote in elections.
Corruption in Alabama: The Role of the State Ethics Commission
We continue our examination of corruption that appears to plague Alabama politics
Birmingham City Council Delays Approving Funds For New Kingston Fire Station
Residents from the Kingston community showed up at the Birmingham City Council meeting on July 5, to ask leaders (again) to go ahead and replace their fire station. But, again, they learned they will have to wait. The council did not approve the $3 million request for the new station, even after a lengthy, intense […]
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Corruption in Alabama?
Alabama has a corruption problem. Former House Speaker Mike Hubbard is currently awaiting sentencing for 12 felony ethics convictions, Chief Justice Roy Moore is scheduled to go to trial for allegedly violating judicial ethics and Governor Robert Bentley is being investigated for possible impeachment. So, is there a way to solve the state’s corruption problem?
Spencer Collier “Anxious” to Testify Against Gov. Bentley in Potential Impeachment Trial
An investigation is underway to determine whether Governor Robert Bentley should be impeached, and a discussion about Alabama real estate mogul Franklin Haney and his potential influence on state politics. The latest from AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire.
Birmingham City Council Rejects $30,000 Request For Deontay Wilder Heavyweight Fight
Council members say they support Deontay Wilder, but the city has several pressing needs.
New Mayor Council Act Leaves Pronounced Rift Among Birmingham City Leaders
Earlier this week, the Birmingham City Council narrowly reelected Johnathan Austin as council president. Steven Hoyt was elected the new president pro-tem. This shuffle was the result of changes to the Mayor Council Act, approved recently by the Alabama Legislature. This move is causing some new tensions among council members. To discuss this and other […]
Birmingham Mayor Proposes Budget With Employee Pay Raises, More Neighborhood Funds
The $420 million budget represents an increase of about 4 percent over the previous year.
A Trip to Las Vegas Could Mean Trouble for Governor Bentley
There’s a new twist in the feud between Governor Robert Bentley and former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency head, Spencer Collier; a trip to Las Vegas could put Bentley in hot water with campaign finance law and a look at the state’s lack of oversight on religious daycare centers. The latest from AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire.
Evoking the “Goat Hill” Committee of the Alabama Legislature
A small delegation of Alabama lawmakers - led by a Republican Representative from Hartselle - announced plans to impeach Governor Robert Bentley, the Legislature overrides Bentley's budget veto and the role the Legislature's infamous "Goat Hill" committee will play in all of this. The latest from AL.dom's Kyle Whitmire.
Meeting Over Changes to Mayor-Council Act Incites More Debate
At a public meeting Monday night, more than a hundred people huddled into a tight room in the Jefferson County courthouse. Residents poured out into the hallway. They gathered to discuss proposed changes to the Mayor Council Act, legislation that divides powers between the mayor and city council.
Scandal Erupts Between Alabama’s Governor and Former Top Cop
Alabama’s top law enforcement officer, Spencer Collier, is fired following statements he made about an alleged affair between Governor Robert Bentley and a top adviser, Rebekah Mason. For more, we turn to AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire. Following Spencer Colliers press conference, Governor Robert Bentley held his own saying he did not have a physical relationship with Rebekah Mason. […]
Payday Loan Bill Alive, But For How Long?
A public meeting was held in Montgomery Wednesday, March 9, to discuss legislation that would affect payday loans, a U.S. lawmaker from Alabama is chosen to advise Republican front-runner Donald Trump on national security issues and we say goodbye to a beloved, satirical social media entity. All that in this week’s conversation with Kyle Whitmire, […]
Analysis Shows Great Voting Divide in Jefferson County, A Win for Ben Carson
Less than half of Jefferson County's 411,838 registered voters went to the polls on Tuesday. A total of 82,928 voted in the Democratic Primary and 93,985 voted in the Republican Primary.
Looking Forward to the General Election
Super Tuesday has come and gone in Alabama. What was surprising and what to expect come November? Analysis of the primary elections. And House Speaker Mike Hubbard is back in court tomorrow - Thursday, March 3. A look at what's happening in that trial taking place in Lee County.
A Look Ahead to the “SEC Primary”
The SEC Primary, also known as Super Tuesday is next week. A look ahead at what we can expect to see when Alabamians go to the polls, and an update on the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard. State Legislators are now getting involved. Hear the latest from Kyle Whitmire the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com.
Reveals in Case of Speaker Mike Hubbard Could Mean Trouble for Prosecutors
There’s been a big reveal in the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard that carries potential danger for prosecutors, and U.S. Senator Richard Shelby has quickly progressed from inspirational campaign commercials to attack ads spearing his Republican opponents. Kyle Whitmire has more on this.
Bentley’s “Great State” Plan Lacks Funding Details
The Alabama Legislature is back to work and Governor Robert Bentley announced his Great State 2019 Plan at his State of the State address last night. AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire discusses where funding for this plan is going to come from.
Support Strong for Governor’s Costly Legal Battles
There are a few issues that have come up again and again around the 2016 elections, and Governor Robert Bentley has recently gotten in the middle of them—namely through the legal system. And that can be expensive for the already cash-strapped state. But are Alabamians willing to go along for the potentially costly ride? Ask […]
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.
Governor Bentley Addresses Suing Feds Over Refugees
Governor Robert Bentley announced Thursday that he filed a lawsuit against the federal government alleging they violated the Refugee Act of 1980. Bentley held a press conference about this and WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli was there. She talked to WBHM's Rachel Lindley about what the governor had to say.
Alabama Chief Justice Orders Stop to Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
Alabama Chief Justice, Roy Moore, issues an order to all probate judges regarding the state’s law on same-sex marriage, and Alabama lawmakers and community leaders address issues of gun rights in the wake of President Barack Obama’s executive order that expands background checks for gun buyers. More on this from Kyle Whitmire, political columnist for […]
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 […]
Success More Than Jokes For Birmingham’s Roy Wood Jr. On Daily Show
For me, I think I have been very, very lucky to have a career up until this point where pretty much everything I have done, prepared me for what I am doing today on The Daily Show – from the acting, to the stand ups, even the prank phone calls. Roy Wood Jr.
Water Works Ends Longtime Ties With Lawyers Waldrep, Stewart and Kendrick
The Birmingham Water Works Board cut ties today with its longtime lawyers Waldrep, Stewart and Kendrick. The board’s vote ends a lucrative relationship valued at more than $ 1 million a year and had lasted almost three decades. The contract ends on Jan. 11, says Mac Underwood, General Manager for the utility. Charlie Waldrep, a […]
JeffCo Residents Left Paying Bill on Billion Dollar Utility Scandal
Another Alabama lawmaker uses social media as a political podium, this time encouraging his followers to buy more guns, a settlement regarding a major banking institution may have a lasting and negative impact on Jefferson County residents and is Kyle Whitmire the Archie Bunker of the new millennium? The answer in this week’s conversation with […]
Kyle Whitmire: Donald Trump, Alan Harper and “Safe Spaces” on College Campuses
An Alabama state legislator asks constituents on Facebook to avoid shopping at stores that aren’t owned by “God-fearing Christians;” College students around the country are demanding their schools provide “safe spaces,” on campus and Alabama’s fascination with Donald Trump. A look at these issues in this week’s conversation with Kyle Whitmire.
