WBHM
John Archibald: A Culture of Fear at Tutwiler
State officials are working to turn around conditions at Alabama's Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women after accusations of rape and sexual abuse detailed in a Justice Department report. The prisons commissioner has a 58-point checklist outlining progress. But that tool bumps up against a deep seeded culture of fear at the prison. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: Judges Must Keep Private Probation Companies in Check
It's not often a low-profile state office such as the Judicial Inquiry Commission garners attention. But an advisory opinion released by that office makes a strong statement on ethics for judges in Alabama. It follows accusations some courts are violating defendants' rights. We hear about it from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: A Solicitation Through the Water Works
If you're a customer of the Birmingham Water Works, you might have missed a insert in a recent bill. The flyer offers coverage if there's a break in the water line between your house and the street. That's because homeowners, not the water works, are responsible if there's a problem there. As good an idea as that may sound, Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says buyer beware.
John Archibald: An Audit Reveals a Mess at the Water Works
Lawmakers in Montgomery continue to debate a bill placing new restrictions on the Birmingham Water Works Board. The water works and city are fighting the measure, but a new audit doesn't do much to help their cause. The audit, paid for by the water works board, describes loose rules, poor accounting and bad communication. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Political Ties to Potential Real Estate Deal Goes Deeper
Local government watchers are casting a critical eye on a proposed agreement which would have the City of Birmingham renting space in a former Social Security building for almost $140 million for 30 years. It's attracting attention because the developer gave tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to city council members as they consider this deal. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discovered this story goes beyond just a potential building rental.
John Archibald: Campaign Cash and a Rental Deal
There's a potential rental deal attracting attention around Birmingham. The city council is considering renting space in a former social security building. While the move is questionable, the situation involves a shower of campaign cash as well. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains.
John Archibald: The View from Wilcox County
There are portions of Birmingham with significant poverty. But that pales in comparison with what some residents of Wilcox County experience -- arguably the poorest place in Alabama. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald traveled there recently and shares his thoughts.
John Archibald: What do you think of Obamacare?
Opinion on the Affordable Care Act nowadays seems to be pretty split and there's no gray for some. Obamacare is the best thing to happen or it'll destroy the country. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald has been listening to what people think about the law and shares what he heard.
John Archibald: Who is Anthony Barnes?
Anthony Barnes has quite a task. He has to convince lawmakers in Montgomery the Birmingham Water Works Board is the best thing since sliced bread. The Birmingham City Council has hired Barnes as a lobbyist to help fight a proposed bill that would change representation on the board and bring other new restrictions. The move though leaves Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald sighing.
John Archibald: Battle over the Birmingham Water Works Board
The next session of the Alabama legislature gets underway on Tuesday and one thing lawmakers have their eyes set on is the Birmingham Water Works Board. Two Birmingham area legislators plan to introduce a bill that would expand representation on the board and put in place new restrictions. While this has been a simmering conflict, A-L (dot) com columnist John Archibald says the situation highlights hypocrisy on the part of the Birmingham City Council
John Archibald: A Look Back At 2013
There was no shortage of news in Birmingham and Jefferson County in 2013. We take a look back at some of this year's notable stories with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: Hoover Reverses Bus Decision
School officials in Hoover are trying to figure out what's next now that the district has reversed a decision to end bus service for most students next school year. The Hoover School Board made the change Monday after months of harsh criticism from some parents and residents. We hear more from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: Low Voter Turnout
What if you held an election and nobody showed up? That's practically what happened this week in a special election to fill the House District 53 seat in Birmingham. Out of almost 21,000 eligible voters turnout was just 2.6 percent. We hear more from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: An End to Jefferson County’s Bankruptcy
Jefferson County's municipal bankruptcy appears to be in its final days. County commissioners approved the sale of $1.7 billion in new sewer debt Wednesday. Meanwhile a federal bankruptcy judge began a hearing on the county's plan to exit bankruptcy. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: Remembering Maxine Parker
Birmingham Mayor William Bell called it "a sad day for our city" when reacting to news of city council president Maxine Parker's death. She died unexpectedly Tuesday leaving colleagues in shock. But they also remembered Parker as a quiet, fierce advocate for residents of her north Birmingham district. We remember Parker with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Not quite “Mission Accomplished” for Jefferson County bankruptcy
Jefferson County commissioners are out talking to investors, pushing a revised plan which would allow the county to exit bankruptcy by the end of the year. It's a major accomplishment given that rising interest rates made a previous plan unworkable. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says its too early to say "mission accomplished."
John Archibald: Fighting for Fighting’s Sake
After a two year legal battle, the fight over Alabama's toughest-in-the-nation illegal immigration law appears to be at an end. Tuesday, the state and a coalition of civil rights groups challenging the law announced a settlement. Alabama agrees to not enforce parts of the law, many of which had already been temporarily blocked by federal courts. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says this kind of fight seems to be part of Alabama's DNA.
John Archibald: New Leadership on the Birmingham City Council
Birmingham seated its new city council this week, as expected. But what caught many by surprise is who will lead the board. Maxine Parker is the new council president, a dark horse candidate for the position. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his perspective on the new council. He also says Birmingham could learn from the game of basketball.
John Archibald: What Alabama Power Spends to Influence
Large utility companies often spend millions to lobby and influence public opinion. Alabama Power is no different. But the amount of money Alabama Power spends puts the company far above its peers. We hear details from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: Take a Hike, Joe Reed
Democrats are something of an endangered species in Alabama. There are no Democrats left in statewide elected office. Republicans hold solid majorities in the state legislature. A part of the reason for that political downward spiral is Alabama Democratic Conference President Joe Reed. That’s according to Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
John Archibald: Government Reboot and Mellencamp’s Advice for Alabama
The federal government shutdown is now in its third day with little sign of a breakthrough between Democrats and Republicans in Washington. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says we don't need a government shutdown. We need a government reboot. He also talks about what Alabama could learn from rocker John Mellencamp.
John Archibald: Grades for UA and Lessons from a Madame
The controversy involving race and sororities at the University of Alabama is subsiding. The student newspaper there detailed allegations earlier this month that sorority members were prevented from voting on accepting potential recruits because they were black. Since the dust up at least 11 black women have been granted bids. Al.com and Birmingham News Columnist John Archibald grades the parties involved. He also talks about what Hoover could learn from a famous Birmingham madame.
John Archibald: Race and Greek Life at the University of Alabama
Students, faculty and administrators at the University of Alabama are trying to figure out what's next after a march Wednesday calling for an end to racial discrimination in campus Greek organizations. The march comes after the student newspaper published a story detailing allegations of racial bias in sorority recruitment. But the bias seems to be coming from alumna not currents students. We talk about the unfolding controversy with AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald.
WBHM Looks Back On 1963
Throughout the past year WBHM has marked the key moments from the civil rights movement and explored the legacy of events of 1963. Today we take a look back on some of those stories and voices.
John Archibald: How far has Birmingham come?
Birmingham is in the midst of what's been dubbed "Empowerment Week," a series of panels, concerts and commemorations leading up to Sunday, the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. The blast killed four girls and severely injured a fifth. On this anniversary AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald is considering how far Birmingham has come since the civil rights era.
John Archibald: Chris McNair Released from Prison
As Birmingham prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, one unexpected observer of the commemoration is Chris McNair. His daughter was one of the four girls killed in the bombing. It's expected though because until last week McNair was in federal prison serving a sentence for corruption. AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald talks about McNair's release under a new Justice Department policy.
John Archibald: What the Birmingham Election Results Mean
Birmingham voters had their say this week as they went to the polls to select a mayor, city council and school board members. Many incumbents returned to office, with the exception of the Birmingham Board of Education, which will see a wave of new blood. We take a look at the post-election political scene with Al.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald.
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM Hires News Director
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM has hired Rachel Osier Lindley as its news director. Lindley will oversee the activities of the WBHM news team while giving voice to the North Central Alabama community the station serves. She will work extensively with on-air and online content, local, regional, and national content partners, and evolving technology.
John Archibald: Discontent within the Birmingham Water Works
The split between management and workers can be a source of tension in many workplaces. But for employees of the Birmingham Water Works they seem to be particularly unhappy. AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald talks about a "no confidence" letter from employees, a sign criticism of the water works' leadership isn't just coming from the outside.
John Archibald: Coming Full Circle in Bankruptcy
As Jefferson County works toward leaving bankruptcy, the discussion around new sewer rates sounds rather familiar. We talk about coming full circle in the county's financial saga with AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald.
WBHM Wins Seven AP Awards
WBHM 90.3 FM/WSGN 91.5 FM has won a total of seven 2013 Alabama Associated Press awards. The awards were presented at a luncheon July 20 in Birmingham. Here's the list of the winners.
John Archibald: A Sideshow over Power Rates
Government public hearings can sometimes be dry, perfunctory matters few people pay attention to. That not the case with a Wednesday hearing by Alabama's Public Service Commission. The panel is reviewing the rate structure that determines what Alabama Power charges its customers. AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald explains how contentious the process has becomes.
