Alabama’s Chemical Endangerment Law makes it a felony offense to use drugs during pregnancy. A UAB program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services wants to redirect the focus from criminalizing a woman’s addiction to treating it. The post A UAB Program Connects Resources For Pregnant Mothers Dealing With Substance Use Disorders appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
It’s football season which means tailgates and then ... the game. But before fans even get to the stadium, they need to find parking, which can be dreadful. There have been several mobile apps developed around the country to help drivers find parking. WBHM’s Janae Pierre looks at one new mobile app here in Alabama meant to take some of the pain out of parking. The post New App Aims to Make Game Day Parking Easier appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
The Jefferson County Department of Health extended the deadline for comments on the proposed renewal of an air emissions permit for ABC Coke. The move comes at the request of residents and environmental groups. Two public hearings are set for November at the Department of Health at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Residents may also submit comments online. The post Health Department Gives More Time for North Birmingham Residents to Weigh in on Air Quality appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
The new $25 million dollar Alabama Futures Fund will try to attract and grow promising startups in Alabama. The post $25 Million Alabama Futures Fund: ‘This state is open for business for startups.’ appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
The play "Separate and Equal" by University of Alabama Professor Seth Panitch centers on a hypothetical basketball game between black and white teens in 1951 Birmingham -- a game that would have been illegal. The post A New Play Explores Race Through A 1951 Birmingham Basketball Court appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Antarctica happens to be a perfect place to study the impacts of climate change. A UAB researcher has devoted his entire career to just that. This weekend, Professor Jim McClintock brings the issue to the stage, along with a love story. "Ushuaia Blue" explores the issue of global warming through the story of two marine biologists trying to save their relationship. The post Ushuaia Blue: A Play About a Life Devoted to Science appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Coal mines are coming back in some parts of Alabama. Industry observers say easing of regulations and a steady demand for coal overseas means more mining jobs. That's welcome news in places like Brookwood in Tuscaloosa County, where coal is mined to produce steel. The post Coal Coming Back in Some Alabama Communities appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
On the football field, visual communication is key. That’s especially true for the Silent Warriors, a team of middle and high school students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. They compete against mainstream and deaf schools across the U.S., where having a unique language can be both an advantage and a challenge on the field. The post Deaf Football Players Find Novel Ways to Communicate appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
The City of Birmingham hopes the federal government will move two agriculture agencies to Birmingham and fill downtown office space that's been vacant since 2010. The post Birmingham Pursues Two Federal Agencies to Fill Downtown Building appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Judge Bob Vance has been on the bench in Jefferson County since 2002. This year he’s trying for a second time to become the head of Alabama’s court system. Vance is the Democratic nominee for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. The post Judge Bob Vance Makes Second Run for State’s Top Judicial Seat appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
This week marks the 70th anniversary of the Birmingham Black Barons’ appearance in what would become the last Negro League World Series ever played. The 1948 team was considered the greatest Black Barons team of all-time and was made up of legends like Bill Greason. Greason was a pitcher who broke the color barrier with the Oklahoma City Indians and later played briefly in the Major League. The 94-year-old tells WBHM’s Janae Pierre about that final Negro League World Series against the Washington Homestead Grays. The post Former Birmingham Black Barons Pitcher Remembers ’48 Negro League World Series appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
People seeking an alternative to pain medications or anti-anxiety drugs are increasingly turning to CBD oil. Some athletes even claim it helps with post-workout recovery. Studies have shown it curbs severe epilepsy. Those array of claims have made it easier to find CBD products in Alabama. But there’s just one problem: CBD is derived from marijuana. The post Is CBD Oil Legal in Alabama? It’s Complicated. appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Five years ago, Birmingham poet Emma Bolden faced an excruciating decision. She was 33. She wasn’t married and had no children, but she was considering a hysterectomy because of decades of health issues. That decision and the subsequent surgery became a theme for her latest collection of poems called “House is an Enigma.” The post Birmingham Poet uses a “House” to Explore her Personal Loss appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Chimney swifts are a common sight in Birmingham. You might notice large numbers of them as they funnel into chimneys. Many people mistake them for bats. But as new development replaces old buildings and their chimneys, the chimney swift population is at risk. Birmingham Audubon is working to reverse the decline by constructing “swift towers” throughout the city. The post Birmingham Development Threatens Chimney Swift Habitat appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
A new thriller opens in theaters today. It’s about an American submarine captain on the hunt for a U.S. submarine in distress. The film “Hunter Killer” features some big names including Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman. It was adapted from a novel co-written by Birmingham author Don Keith. The post Birmingham Author’s Book Hits the Big Screen appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Two statewide amendments on the November ballot have already generated debate among legal scholars. One involves the public display of the Ten Commandments. That's the same issue that led to the removal of former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore from the bench in 2003. The other amendment deals with abortion. Approval of these measures could potentially set the stage for future legal challenges. The post Ten Commandments and Abortion Amendments Could Spur Legal Challenges appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Political debates can be fiery and emotional. They can reveal a lot about a candidate, including how he or she acts under pressure. And they've become an issue in the Alabama governor’s race. The post Ivey Won’t Debate Maddox. Do Voters Care? appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Every year, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra features an up-and-coming composer. This season, it’s Alabama native Martin Kennedy. Thursday night, the orchestra gives the world premiere of Kennedy's Forest Dark and Stars Above. Kennedy spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall about his approach to composing. Their conversation began with Kennedy describing the piece and features some of Kennedy’s other music. The post Composer Martin Kennedy Debuts Original Work: ‘Forest Dark and Stars Above’ appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has gotten into some intense partisan Twitter battles recently. Merrill is a Republican and he is running for re-election this Tuesday. Partisanship is to be expected among political candidates. But is it a problem when you are also the state’s top elections official? The post State Elections Chief Faces Criticism Over Partisanship appeared first on WBHM 90.3.
Of all the congressional candidates in Alabama Tuesday, only one was guaranteed to win. Democratic Representative Terri Sewell faced no opposition as she reclaimed the seventh district seat. But for the first time in her congressional career, Democrats hold the majority in the House of Representatives. Rep. Sewell says Democrats will be able work with Republicans on Capitol Hill. The post Alabama’s Sole Congressional Democrat Sees Opportunity in House Victory appeared first on WBHM 90.3.