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John Archibald: Coal Mine Hardball and Jackpot Justice
When you turn on the tap, you probably don't give much thought to where the water comes from. For some Birmingham residents it comes from the Black Warrior River. AL.com and The Birmingham News columnist John Archibald offers an update on a planned controversial mine along the river. He also talks about "jackpot justice" in the BP oil spill claims process.
John Archibald: A Wave of Murders in Birmingham
Birmingham has seen a violent crime drop in recent years, but a rash of homicides has police and city leaders scrambling to respond. It's a subject that's easy to gloss over if you live in a safe neighborhood or aren't directly affected. But AL.com and Birmingham News columnist John Archibald says it's something that should prompt outrage.
Supreme Court rules on Voting Rights Act and Same-Sex Marriage
Republican leaders in Alabama are hailing this week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning a portion of the Voting Rights Act. Democrats say it guts the historic civil rights legislation. AL.com and The Birmingham News' John Archibald says that's the wrong reaction. He also talks about the court turning back the Defense of Marriage Act
John Archibald: A Political Payoff on the JeffCo Commission?
An "I'll rub your back, you rub mine" attitude may be the grease that sometimes keeps the political process going, but it can create more squeaks. The hint of such a deal between Jefferson County Commission President David Carrington and Commissioner George Bowman is raising eyebrows. We talk about the situation with AL.com and The Birmingham News columnist John Archibald.
Montgomery and Life are like High School
In his column this week, the Birmingham News' John Archibald writes that the just concluded legislative session was a bit like high school. Also, we discuss the new intermodal transit hub for downtown building, to be constructed on the site of one built just 14 years ago.
Tanya Ott’s final day at WBHM
On her final day as News Director and Morning Edition host, WBHM's,Tanya Ott speaks with Michael Krall about her time in North Central Alabama and tells us about her new position with Georgia Public Broadcasting.
John Archibald: Unrest at the Jefferson County Commission
There's a lot of unrest in the Jefferson County Commission these days. The commission forced out its top attorney, then convinced a state Supreme Court justice to take the job. But then, he promptly withdraws.
John Archibald: Why Jeffco Is Paying Attorney $393K To Do Nothing
Jefferson County spends many millions of dollars a year on legal fees. From the $4.2 billion bankruptcy case to challenges to the county’s occupational tax, Jeffco pays a lot for the lawyers is employs. But this week it put the top in-house attorney on paid leave.
Old Questions about Airport Death and New Questions about Auburn Football
It's been almost two weeks since a flight information display tipped over at Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport, killing a boy and injuring his family members. There are still many unanswered questions about the incident and new questions about possible NCAA violations in Auburn University's football program.
John Archibald: Still Too Many Questions About Airport Tragedy
It's been nearly a week since a large airport sign fell on a Kansas family traveling through Birmingham, killing a ten year old boy and injuring his mother and brothers. Since the accident there have been a lot of questions about why it happened, who is responsible and how authorities are responding.
John Archibald: Railroad Park Shooting and the Birmingham Barons
It's been a bloody week in the Birmingham metro area with five violent deaths yesterday and the fatal shooting of a teenager at a popular downtown park.
WBHM 90.3 FM Education Reporter Dan Carsen Receives Multiple Awards for Journalism Excellence
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM's Southern Education Desk Reporter Dan Carsen is the recipient of three awards for excellence in broadcast journalism for his reporting on education issues in Alabama.
School Accountability Act Either Brilliant Politics or Despicable Move
Republican legislators dropped a bomb last week with passage of a heavily revised School Accountability Act. Democrats pushed back with a legal challenge, and now the case may go to the State Supreme Court.
John Archibald Visits Alabama’s Worst Cities
Birmingham News columnist outraged some readers with his list of Alabama's Best and Worst Cities. He's making amends by visiting some of the underdogs.
Jefferson County’s Closed-Door Bankruptcy Meetings
Jefferson County is trying desperately to exit municipal bankruptcy. Earlier this week commissioners met in closed-door sessions with their attorneys to presumably work on another plan to present to creditors. Meanwhile, sewer rates are skyrocketing in another nearby county.
State Officials Say School Safety a Priority
State officials say making schools safer is a top priority for the upcoming legislative session. More than a hundred people packed a school safety hearing Wednesday. But some communities aren't waiting for the state to take action. They're making moves of their own.
Instagram’s New User Agreement: Social Media Suicide?
100 million people use the photo website Instragram to share snapshots of everything from their dinner to their cats and their children. But Instagram unveiled a new user agreement this week that has many critics crying foul. Find out why....
Question Linger in Shootout Involving Mayor
Birmingham Mayor William Bell has had a relatively low key tenure compared to his predecessor. But not last weekend. The mayor and his security detail were involved in a downtown shootout that could have been ripped from a Hollywood movie. There are still a lot of questions about the incident.
Jefferson Finally Getting Public Defenders Office
Criminal defendants in Jefferson County who can't afford to hire a lawyer will have a new advocate in their corner. Birmingham Attorney Kira Fonteneau will lead the newly created Public Defender Office.
Rev. Al Sharpton Coming to Birmingham
The Rev. Al Sharpton will be in Birmingham Friday to attend a forum and rally against the downsizing of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. But will Sharpton's appearance pressure Jefferson County Commissioners into changing their minds? John Archibald and Tanya Ott discuss that, plus a city councilwoman's criticism of a lesbian photo exhibit, the resignation of the school board president, and demands by the county attorney for a pay raise.
UAB to Open New Med School Branch
UAB officials say a new medical school branch in Montgomery will help address a looming shortage of primary care physicians in Alabama. It's estimated the country will need 45,000 more primary care physicians and 46,000 more surgeons and specialists by 2020 to meet the needs of an aging population.
John Archibald on Changes at Birmingham News
The Birmingham News shifted to three day a week print editions this week and public reaction has been mixed, though largely negative, on social media sites. John Archibald discusses what the change means for news reporters and consumers and addresses other thorny issues like the status of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
U.S. Senator Blasts BP for Cleanup
A U.S. Senator blasts BP's cleanup efforts along the Gulf Coast while a judge dismisses one lawsuit against the oil company. In other news, embattled Birmingham schools superintendent Craig Witherspoon gets kudos from his peers.
Carrington Responds to Charges of Racism
Jefferson County Commission President David Carrington tells WBHM's Tanya Ott he's moving forward with plans to downsize Cooper Green Mercy Hospital despite protests.
Jeffco Commission Pres. Carrington on Budget Cuts
Jefferson County has a new budget. Commissioners approved it yesterday. The Associated Press describes it as a "balanced" budget, which it's required by law to be. Other local media outlets are describing it as "bare bones" or worse. At $160 million, it's more than a $100 million less than the county's budget was just a few years ago.
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.
Is $437M Transfer Just a Temporary Bandaid?
It's official. By a 2-to-1 margin, Alabama voters have approved a constitutional amendment to transfer $437 million from the Alabama Trust Fund to the General Fund Budget. The money will help pay for basic services like Medicaid, prisons and child protective services. But John Archibald says it may just be kicking the can down the road.
September 19 News
Voters approve transfer of $437 million from trust fund to General Fund; BP loosens documentation requirements for oil spill losses; and Alabama faces expensive and deadly obesity crisis.
September 18 News
Polls are open till 7 p.m. and state officials expect low turnout for today's referendum; a lawsuit over segregating HIV-positive prison inmates goes to trial; and heavy rains drench the region.
September 14 News
Forces are rallying on both sides in advance of next week’s statewide referendum. The constitutional amendment would allow the transfer of $437 million dollars from the Alabama Trust Fund to be used for Medicaid, prisons and other state services.
September 12 News
Former UAH professor pleads guilty to murder while former AL Governor reports to prison and Gadsden's federal courthouse targeted in closure.
WBHM Names Scott Hanley as New GM
Scott E. Hanley will become general manager of Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM , licensed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham , effective Monday, Aug. 27.
