April 2015

Monthly Archives:

Alabama Lawmaker Says He Could Introduce Gambling Bill As Soon As Next Week

Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh says he might introduce legislation allowing casinos and a state lottery as soon as next week. It’s the latest move by Republicans to cover the states $250 million dollar General Fund budget deficit. We’ll hear more on this from Don Dailey. He’s the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television, and he joins WBHM on Fridays to recap the week at the statehouse.

Why I Support WBHM: Chad and Allison Kahl

Chad and Allison Kahl are both WBHM members. Chad's in the Air Force. He's a flight surgeon attached to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron out of Birmingham. During Chad's most recent deployment, the Kahls say WBHM helped keep them connected.

Two Veteran News Professionals Join WBHM

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM welcomes Sherrel Wheeler Stewart as the Managing Editor of the Southern Education Desk and Chris Osborne as Announcer/Producer for WBHM.

A Prosecutorial Team Back Together

If you're a powerful politician such as a president, senator or governor, you can sometimes get the rock star treatment. But if you're a former federal prosecutor, probably not. It a move though by a federal former federal prosecutor that has Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald celebrating as if the Beatles reunited. He talks about that and a To Kill a Mocking Feud in Monroeville.

Casinos, Lottery Possible Fix For Alabama’s General Fund Budget Crisis?

Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh told lawmakers on Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation legalizing some forms of gambling. Marsh said this could be the state's solution to the $250 million budget shortfall. We here more on this from Kyle Whitmire, political commentator for al.com and The Birmingham News.

Small Alabama Banks Move to Birmingham

Birmingham has seen some big names in banking from Wells Fargo to PNC to come into the city in the last decade. But it’s also attracting small banks from around Alabama who hope to gain a foothold in the city. We hear about that, changes to Medicare and a bike sharing program comes to Birmingham in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.

54% of support comes from members

Governor and Lawmakers Still Split over Budget Crisis

This week, Governor Robert Bentley defended his agency heads from accusations they’re using scare tactics in describing the effects of possible budget cuts to the state’s general fund. To fill us in on this and other activity in Montgomery this week is Don Dailey. He’s the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.

What Stands in a Storm

Monday marks the fourth anniversary of a massive tornado outbreak where 62 tornados raked across Alabama in a single day. More than 250 people died from those storms on April 27, 2011. Writer Kim Cross chronicles that time through several personal stories in her book What Stands in a Storm. It grew out of an article she wrote for Southern Living magazine. She spoke with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager.

WBHM Wins Seven Regional Murrow Awards

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM/WSGN 91.5 has won seven 2015 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association. The awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world.

A Republican Reversal on Ethics Oversight and Birmingham Festivals find they now owe the City

Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard faces trial on ethics charges this fall. The Republican representative is accused of using his political office for personal gain. Hubbard's defenders contend his prosecution is politically motivated. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says that refrain is familiar. Democrats used to say the same thing when they faced corruption scandals. He talks about this and how Birmingham festivals will now have to pay for city services that used to be provided for free.

NPR’s Cokie Roberts’ New Book, “Capitol Dames,” On The Women Of Civil War Washington

This month marks the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. Much has been written about the men behind the military and political forces on both sides of the conflict. But what about the women’s stories? In her new book, Capitol Dames, Cokie Roberts tells the stories of how American women saw and influenced the war, from the sidelines of battle and the sidelines of political power. Roberts will speak and read from her book Tuesday, April 21 at the Doubletree Hotel in Birmingham. The event is presented by the Alabama Booksmith, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit WBHM.

Golf Courses Struggle to Stay Above Par

Drive by a country club now that the weather is warmer and you’ll likely see people taking in a round of golf. However the number of people who choose to do that has been steadily dropping over the last 10 to 15 years. That’s forced a couple of Birmingham country clubs to close and the others to look to a new strategy. We hear about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.

Why I Support WBHM: Virginia Stone

Virginia Stone is a WBHM member listening from Birmingham, Alabama -- and oddly enough, she’s a huge fan of the fund drive. “I love it because of the community that I feel when I hear the name of someone I know,” says Virginia. “I do understand why people get annoyed; they don’t want to be pestered for donations. But the truth is, they need to step up.”

Birmingham Awarded 3-Star Sustainability Certification

Birmingham was awarded a three star rating by the STAR Communities on Friday. STAR stands for "Sustainability tools for assessing and rating communities." In a ceremony at UAB, Mayor William Bell addressed the crowd about his vision for a sustainable Birmingham. But, as the weekly newspaper WELD reports, the city still has a ways to go. Nick Patterson, the editor of WELD joins WBHM to explain where the city needs to show some improvement.

Alabama Courts Couldn’t Function With Proposed Cuts, Says Chief Justice Roy Moore

Representatives from Alabama's court system, law enforcement officials and the Department of Health and Human Resources all spoke before the Alabama House this week, describing what proposed budget cuts would do to their organizations. We hear more about the bleak outlook from Don Dailey, the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television. He joins us most Fridays during the legislative session.

Accountability or Politics at the Statehouse and Connections in High Places at UAB

State lawmakers like to talk about accountability and keeping tabs on the taxpayers’ money. But keeping tabs on money can also be a tool of politics and influence. Two key members of the Alabama House have introduced a bill that Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says even though it’s ostensibly about accountability, politics is not far behind. He also talks about a position at UAB created last fall for a friend of Senior Vice President Shirley Salloway Kahn -- a position that pays $28,000 a month.

State Courts Underfunded Despite Rising Court Fees

In Cleburne County Alabama, a speeding ticket could cost you about $20. But after the fees kick in, you could end up owing almost $300. Alabama Media Group political commentator Kyle Whitmire reports that, while the state is staunchly against new taxes, rising court fees are being used more and more to fund general government operations.

Why I Support WBHM: John Nicholson and Catherine Dewitt

John Nicholson and Catherine Dewitt’s love for public radio is just as deep as their feelings for each other.

Check Out WBHM’s New “Listen More, Know More” T-Shirt

Support Your Local Public Radio Station In Style For the Spring 2015 Fund Drive, WBHM has a new t-shirt designed and hand-printed by Birmingham’s own Yellowhammer Creative. This special vintage-look “Listen More, Know More” t-shirt is printed on a soft cotton Tultex t-shirt. Show off your WBHM pride in this stylish shirt! It’s sure to start […]

Metal Artist David Matson Creates Golf Divot for WBHM

Perfect for the public radio golfers. The WBHM call letters form a golf divot tool for use on your favorite course. Designed and made by Birmingham metal artist, David Matson. It's made out of 14-gauge stainless steel -- a serious tool and piece of functional art.

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54% of support comes from members

Why I Support WBHM: Rachel Brewer

Rachel Brewer is a UAB grad student and WBHM member. Even as a long-time public radio listener, she has beef with a treasured classic.

Why I Support WBHM: Mina Khan

Mina Khan is a WBHM member from Trussville. To start her day off right, she tunes into Morning edition during her hour-and-a-half commute. “When I have to start my day at work,” she says, “I cannot sit and listen to a story that’s so engaging that I don’t really want to turn off my radio.”

Artist Paul Wilm Tells The Story Behind His WBHM Design

WBHM has once again partnered with a local artist to create a unique pint glass for members. Artist Paul Cordes Wilm has created a custom and public radio-inspired design for the station emphasizing Alabama’s connection to the world and the world’s connection to Alabama through WBHM.

Potential Changes to State Incentives

When it comes to attracting new or expanding businesses to Alabama, incentives are a tool state leaders say can make the difference. However, Alabama has been falling behind its southern neighbors when it comes to incentives. A bill in the legislature would make changes to that and we talk more from Birmingham Business Journal editor Cindy Fisher Crawford in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.

WBHM’s Spring 2015 Fund Drive Runs Through April 18

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM’s Spring 2015 Fund Drive will begin Wednesday, April 8, and feature a collaboration with local artist Paul Cordes Wilm. Wilm has created a custom and public radio-inspired design for the station emphasizing Alabama’s connection to the world and the world’s connection to Alabama through WBHM. Wilm says the initial inspiration for his Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM came from the children's game "telephone" in which one person whispers a message to another, which is passed through a line of people until the last player announces the message to the entire group.

Local Artist Creates ‘Functional Art’ Bottle Opener For WBHM Pledge Drive

For our Spring Pledge Drive, WBHM partnered with several Birmingham artists and companies to create unique thank you gifts for members. What goes great with a WBHM pint glass? A WBHM bottle opener! Local artist David Matson created these little works of art that also double as bottle openers for WBHM. With a donation of just […]

Heads of Alabama Prison, Medicaid and Mental Health Systems Say Budget Cuts Would Hurt

Alabama’s facing a general fund budget shortfall. Governor Robert Bentley told law makers Wednesday that state agencies would see sever cuts if taxes aren't raised. Here to recap the budget conversation in Montgomery this week, and more is Don Dailey. He’s the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television, and he joins WBHM each Friday during the legislative session. To start, Dailey tells’ WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley how heads of the state’s prison, Medicaid and mental health systems described how’d they’d deal with budget cuts to state legislators.

A History Of Tuberculosis In Alabama

Homewood residents were startled late last month when Homewood City Schools announced that a freshmen at Homewood High School was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). For most people, the respiratory disease tuberculosis is an anachronism, but it still kills more than a million people each year, mostly in developing countries. "Not surprisingly, TB has a long history in Alabama as well," says Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. Patterson recently wrote about TB's history in Alabama. He says, in the 50's, TB was a leading cause of death in Jefferson County.

Auburn’s Lesson for Alabama

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees usually operates without a lot of attention. But with UAB boosters angry over the loss of that university’s football program and two bills in the state legislature aimed at restructuring the panel, more people are taking note of how the board is made up. Several members have close ties to Bryant Bank, founded by long time board member Paul Bryant Junior, himself the son of legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The board also has self-selecting membership. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald has written about this and says it looks similar to a situation from Auburn University.

Alabama Bill Brings Religious Freedom Debate Into The Classroom

Kyle Whitmire from the Alabama Media Group joins WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley to discuss HB1, which would allow “the free exercise of student-led religion in school.” Plus more on Governor Robert Bentley and the harsh criticism he's facing from state politicians and the public over his proposed tax hikes.

Bentley Says State Parks, Mental Health Cuts Possible If Taxes Aren’t Raised

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley says Alabama will face severe cuts in state services if legislators refuse to raise taxes. The governor described the potential budget cuts during a speech on Wednesday. Bentley says Alabama could see the closure of state parks, reductions in mental health services, longer courthouse lines, a possible release of state inmates and other consequences.

Urban Food Project Brings Fresh Produce To Corner Stores

For some who live in Birmingham, it is easy to get healthy food, especially if you have a car and can drive to a large grocery store. But if you are one of the 88,000 people living in one of Birmingham’s food deserts, getting quality food can be a real challenge. A local revitalization organization, REV Birmingham, is working to change that through an initiative called the Urban Food Project.