Alabamians want public officials to mitigate landslide risk

In Birmingham, residents want two properties shielded from development and turned into parkland. Councilors decided to protect one parcel years ago. The vote never stuck.

What do you want state lawmakers to know?

That’s the question WBHM put to people at our recent News and Brews community pop-up at Church Street Coffee in Mt. Brook. Despite the early hour, those at the shop had plenty to share. 

SATs are going all digital, and students have mixed reviews of the new format

As SAT season kicks off this weekend, students across the U.S. for the first time will take it with computers and tablets — and not the pencils they've used since the college admissions test was introduced nearly a century ago.

Here are the details on Tuesday’s proposed constitutional amendment

Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will see a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendment 1 would remove a procedural step when considering local legislation.

How Birmingham reflects an entwined struggle for civil and labor rights

Movements for civil rights and workers' rights often intersect. But many times the labor part of the picture is overlooked. That’s the case in Birmingham, which is well known for its civil rights history.

During Mardi Gras, tons of fun comes with tons of toxic beads

New Orleans and Mobile dispute where Mardi Gras was birthed, but both Gulf Coast cities struggle with the same plastic waste. Where will a greener carnival be reborn?

Will the Moody Landfill Fire Ever Be Extinguished? The EPA Isn’t So Sure.

One resident, a former firefighter, said the fire should be completely extinguished. An EPA official said that may not be possible.

Environmentalists rattled by radioactive risks of toxic coal ash

The EPA now recognizes the risks of gamma radiation from radium in coal ash, but many states aren’t even sure where the toxic waste has been used. In Alabama, environmental regulators say they do not track so-called ‘beneficial’ uses of coal ash.

2024 ABBY Award Entry — News Reporter, Richard Banks

Montage of stories from Richard Banks including: “An old school in Birmingham’s Bush Hills is now an urban farm. Residents are thinking bigger” — Jan. 6, 2023 “Tuberville defends hold on defense nominations, says Pentagon wrong to screen out white nationalists” — May 8, 2023 “From drought to heavy rain, climate change means more of […]

Hale Freezes Over

In Hale County, Alabama, many residents have gone without running water for days. Many more are still boiling water.

How an Alabama utility wields influence by financing news

A Floodlight investigation found Alabama Power runs a news service and its foundation bought a Black newspaper. Neither publishes critical stories about the utility.

Pajamas, movies, relish: hear some of our favorite holiday traditions

We heard from patrons at Adventurer's Coffee Co. in Calera about their unique holiday traditions.

A books-to-prisons program creates connection behind bars

Katie Willis and Megan Lyle, founders of the local bookstore Burdock Book Collective, began their books-to-prisons program in 2020.

What did Alabama students think of the climate change quip in the presidential debate?

Two University of Alabama students, a conservative and a progressive, said they’re hoping for a more nuanced conversation on the environment.

Meet the tiny fish that only call Jefferson County home

Though the creek water at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is crystal clear, and thousands visit the preserve each year, it’s highly unlikely most will see three unique fish species that swim alongside them. They are the endangered watercress, rush and vermilion darters 

How a pianist is using classical music to bridge divides in Alabama

Classically trained concert pianist, Miki Sawada, is aware of the impression classical music has. She's trying to bring the music to a wider audience and bridge the country's divides.

LGBTQ community finds a home in Birmingham’s punk scene

Plenty of people are familiar with the sound and look of punk. But not as many are familiar with the importance of compassion when it comes to being a punk. That's meant the punk scene has become a refuge for some LGTBQ individuals.

Birmingham’s first Black police officer has died

Leroy Stover became an officer in March 1966 at 33 years old and moved up the ranks. By 1992, he was promoted to deputy chief in charge of field operations.

Community connects Dia De Los Muertos artwork

Artist Helga Mendoza said she’s always been interested in the grieving process. With grieving a strong theme of her work, it seemed appropriate that Mendoza was selected to create the featured image for this year’s Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, festival in Birmingham.

An Alabama coal plant again named the nation’s worst greenhouse gas polluter

In West Jefferson, everything happens in the shadow of Alabama Power. Just across the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River from West Jefferson, towering over the relatively rural Alabama landscape, is the coal-fired James H. Miller Jr. Electric Generating Plant

Hendrix and Brinyark winners in Tuesday’s runoff elections

With no Republican opponent, Democrat Travis Hendrix is expected to take the District 55 seat after January's general election.

Paws and prayers: Hoover church’s furry congregation gets blessed

The recent service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church is part of honoring St. Francis of Assisi.

Runoff Tuesday in race for House District 55

Democrats Sylvia Swayne and Travis Hendrix will meet in the runoff on Oct. 24. There are no Republicans in the race.

Ukrainian baker reconnects to Birmingham by sharing her sweet treat

Vasilisa Strelnikova fled to Birmingham following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. When she arrived, baking became a refuge . But she also wanted to use baking to show her love of Birmingham, and her love for her friends.

In disposing coal ash, Alabama is not like other states

Toxic coal ash has polluted Alabama’s waters for years. Is the state doing enough to stop it?

Protecting Margaritaville: Jimmy Buffett, Bama and the Fight to Save the Manatee

The singer, who died Sept. 1, grew up in Mobile and had a huge following in Alabama, even if many of his devotees in the state were less than thrilled by his liberal politics.

Those struggling with addiction meet ‘law and order’ treatment in Walker County

Anthony Mitchell allegedly froze to death after spending 14 days in a concrete room at the Walker County Jail according to a federal lawsuit his family filed in February. The case is drawing attention to how law enforcement treats those struggling with addiction.

Birmingham public transit inches forward with federal help and no state funding

Alabama, the only state that doesn't fund public transit, passed on another opportunity this legislative session. Thanks to car dependence, the state has the nation's highest per-capita gasoline use.

Arms are open again for infant cuddling after pandemic pause

Under pandemic restrictions, only staff at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham were allowed in the wards. Volunteers with the infant cuddling program couldn’t re-enter the NICU until the hospital lightened COVID-19 regulations. That was just four months ago.

Wealthy Governor’s Company to Pay Nearly $1 Million for Chronic Air Pollution Violations

In the generations before Bluestone acquired the plant in 2019, people living in the area faced exposure to levels of contaminants in the air and soil that have ranked among the worst in the nation.

Late Alabama artist Thornton Dial honored with first full-scale retrospective in his home state

Thornton Dial's art has been recognized nationally, but this is the first exhibit spanning his full career to be shown in his home state.

Feminism isn’t always popular or understood in Alabama. FemmSouth wants to change that

Alabama native Leigh Bancroft was looking for a way to educate others and discuss feminism. She began the FemmSouth book club, which now includes a podcast.