WBHM and Birmingham’s Gigi Douban Chosen for Political Reporting Partnership with NPR

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2015/09/gigi-with-quote.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:810;s:6:"height";i:450;s:4:"file";s:27:"2015/09/gigi-with-quote.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-336x187.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:187;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-771x428.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:428;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-768x427.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:427;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"gigi-with-quote-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-600x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-560x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:560;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-470x261.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:261;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-600x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:244292;s:14:"optimized_size";i:181754;s:7:"percent";d:25.600000000000001;}s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:55:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/09/gigi-with-quote.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:142766;s:14:"optimized_size";i:107030;s:7:"percent";d:25.030000000000001;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:6:"medium";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:5:"large";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:63:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/09/gigi-with-quote-771x428.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:91660;s:14:"optimized_size";i:65070;s:7:"percent";d:29.010000000000002;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/09/gigi-with-quote-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:3159;s:14:"optimized_size";i:2981;s:7:"percent";d:5.6299999999999999;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:63:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/09/gigi-with-quote-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:6707;s:14:"optimized_size";i:6673;s:7:"percent";d:0.51000000000000001;}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1680741538 
1441208371

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM and Birmingham reporter Gigi Douban have been chosen collectively as participants in NPR’s Political Reporting Partnership. Douban and WBHM, along with a group of sixteen reporters from other public radio stations across the country, will work closely with NPR to cover the 2016 election from a state and local perspective.

“With the addition of Gigi Douban to WBHM’s news team, we’ll be able to ensure Alabama is part of the national conversation in 2016,” said Rachel Osier Lindley, WBHM’s News Director.

Working with Lindley and NPR’s Local Partnership Editor, Brett Neely, Douban will find new and surprising political stories from Alabama.

“We’re extremely excited to work with WBHM to cover the 2016 election,” said Neely. “NPR’s Political Reporting Partnership with stations is designed to help the public radio system cover this election from the ground up. We are impressed with WBHM’s commitment to expand their political coverage and know they’ll be a great partner.”

A public radio reporter since 2006, Douban has reported stories for WBHM, NPR, Studio 360, and Public Radio International’s The World.  Most recently, Douban reported for Marketplace, bringing the country stories about toxic landfills, debtors prisons, and more serious matters, like why urinals are ubiquitous in public bathrooms, but not in homes. She also writes for Bloomberg News and Runner’s World.

“WBHM is delighted to join with NPR and other leading stations across the country in service of journalism and the public,” said WBHM’s General Manager Scott Hanley. “This is an exciting opportunity to expand and deepen our coverage for Alabama and the nation, sharing insights, perspectives and voices that deserve more attention.”

Douban will start reporting from WBHM in fall 2015.

About WBHM

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, a listener-supported service of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is “Your NPR News Station” and home to the Alabama Radio Reading Service, a resource for the blind and print-impaired. WBHM programming and award-winning regional journalism also can be heard in North Central Alabama on WSGN 91.5 FM through a partnership with Gadsden State Community College. Listen and give at wbhm.org and follow the station on Twitter @WBHM and on Facebook.

About NPR

NPR connects to audiences on the air, online, and in person. More than 26 million radio listeners tune in to NPR each week and more than 30 million unique visitors access NPR.org each month making NPR one of the most trusted sources of news and insights on life and the arts. NPR shares compelling stories, audio and photos with millions of social media users on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Snapchat; NPR News and NPR One apps, online streaming, podcasts, iTunes radio and connected car dashboards help meet audiences where they are. NPR’s live events bring to the stage two-way conversations between NPR hosts and the audience in collaboration with the public radio Member Station community. This robust access to public service journalism makes NPR an indispensable resource in the media landscape.

 

Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed

The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.

Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?

The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.

Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins

Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.

Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries

Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.

Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham

Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.

Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot

Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.

More Front Page Coverage