Ben Lewellyn: Member of the Month, January 2016
I’m Ben Lewellyn, and I’m the Sales Director at Good People Brewing Company where I’ve worked since 2011. I’ve lived in Birmingham and the suburbs my whole life except for a two-year stint in Texas for graduate school. While I was in Texas, I started listening to the podcast of This American Life and discovered the world of public radio from there. I guess that is the most millennial thing about me — I was introduced to great terrestrial radio through podcasts.
My favorite programs these days are probably On The Media or Says You, although a great episode of World Cafe or This American Life is still a treat. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was comparing notes with a fellow public radio fan about our favorite stories from TAL. My answer is “The Super,” the wild story that Jack Hitt tells about the manager of his NYC apartment building in the early 80s. I won’t ruin it for you, but that story has stayed with me and been forced upon unsuspecting family and friends for many years now.
For a few years, WBHM has been my primary information and entertainment source. I’m proud to be a sustaining member of this station, whose original reporting and programming schedule — just like our local beers — are as good as anywhere else in the country!
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.
