WBMA - Focus at Four

Flag mural dedicated in Jacksonville

Edward Burch — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:04:00 EDT

A mural of the American flag, painted to honor Tomlinson's service and the service of other veterans was dedicated Friday morning.

Alabama Governor seeks to delay school tax credits in Act

Marissa Mitchell — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:02:00 EDT

One school district reacts.

Tuscaloosa teenagers are making a difference in their community

Candace Sweat — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:57:00 EDT

Making a difference in your community can be an extremely satisfying experience. A group of Tuscaloosa teenagers is learning that lesson through a program called Think Community. These students come in and build their own service projects from scratch.

Alabama unemployment rate drops below 7%

Ainsley Allison — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:50:00 EDT

Alabama's preliminary April unemployment rate dropped in April to 6.9%, down from 7.2% the month before, and well below the 7.4% recorded in April 2012.

Alabaster forms new school district, other cities consider

Marissa Mitchell — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:23:00 EDT

Over the years, many cities in Alabama have broken away from county school systems, forming their own school districts. Alabaster, in Shelby County, is the latest to do so.

Lawmakers question amended accountability act

Edward Burch — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:13:00 EDT

Governor Robert Bentley wants to delay the implementation of the accountability act for two years. Lawmakers are doubtful he has the votes to do it.

Senior prank sends many students home early from Oak Mountain High

Pam Huff — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:49:00 EDT

A slippery senior prank at Oak Mountain High School has parents lined up to check students out of class.

Alabama Environmental Council no longer taking glass to recycle

Candace Sweat — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:47:00 EDT

If you include glass in your recycling bin and you live in Jefferson county, stop. Due to a lack of demand, the state's oldest nonprofit recycling center can no longer collect glass.

Edward's engagement announcement

Edward Burch — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:19:00 EDT

Focus @ 4's Edward Burch and his fiance Claire Melchiori stopped by the weather center on Wednesday to talk with James Spann and Pam Huff about their recent engagement.

Jolie's announcement spurs questions about genetic cancer testing

Marissa Mitchell — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:51:00 EDT

With film star Angelina Jolie's recent announcement of a double mastectomy and a planned removal of her ovaries to lower cancer risks, many women are wondering about the heredity links to cancer.

Oxford building projects nearing completion

Edward Burch — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:50:00 EDT

These days it's easy to feel the earth move in Oxford. New buildings are taking shape and renovations are underway in this city in Calhoun County. One project nearing completion is a $10.4 million renovation of a 100-year-old building slated to be the new Oxford performing arts center.

Study: Average retiree has lost $117,000

Ainsley Allison — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:12:00 EDT

"Retirement derailers" include job loss, market declines and having to support an adult child.

Alabamians to help decide how to use multi-million dollar storm relief fund

Marissa Mitchell — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:24:00 EDT

Informational meeting on storm recovery funds.

Angelina Jolie trending online

Edward Burch — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:27:00 EDT

Angelina Jolie is trending online for her decision to get a double mastectomy.

New 3D imaging allows patients to see results prior to surgery

Candace Sweat — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:43:00 EDT

The biggest fear associated with plastic surgery is that the patient doesn't know if she will like her appearance until after the surgery is done. One Birmingham practice, Grotting and Cohn Plastic Surgery, now has a new tool that can allay that fear, and prevent a do-over procedure.

Edible insects could become part of your diet

Pam Huff — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:56:00 EDT

Edible insects already are part of much of the world's diet

Parents hear from school leaders on possible Jones Valley consolidation

Marissa Mitchell — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:29:00 EDT

Parents to learn about possible grade structure change.

Regions Field one month later

Edward Burch — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:54:00 EDT

April 10, the Birmingham Barons moved into Regions Field. One month later, fans keep coming through the gates.

Citizens on Patrol get new crime fighting tools

Ainsley Allison — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:57:00 EDT

They will use two new cars to monitor and patrol their community. People can expect to see the vehicles on the road by the end of the month.

Regions Financial lights up

Pam Huff — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:10:00 EDT

Regions Tradition is June 5-9

Birmingham Boys Choir celebrates 40 years

Edward Burch — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:31:00 EDT

For 40 years, the Birmingham Boys Choir has sung concerts across the nation and around the world.

Women 'Go Red' for heart disease awareness

Marissa Mitchell — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:20:00 EDT

Educating, empowering the public about heart disease.

"The Prom We Never Had"

Edward Burch — Thu, 9 May 2013 18:34:00 EDT

The Greater Birmingham 1963 Historical Prom reclaims a lost rite of passage for the alumni of ten high schools.

Heroin addiction awareness gains ground

Edward Burch — Thu, 9 May 2013 18:19:00 EDT

Leadership Shelby County is determined to raise awareness about heroin addiction. The grassroots effort is picking up steam. Pretty soon a heroin awareness pamphlet will be in businesses and doctors offices throughout the county.

Referees and coaches talk dangers on the field

Candace Sweat — Thu, 9 May 2013 17:58:00 EDT

Referees and officials endure verbal abuse, have objects thrown at them, and sometimes even suffer physical attacks

Ohio kidnapping, rape suspect has nothing to say in court

Pam Huff — Thu, 9 May 2013 15:55:00 EDT

A man who apparently had no problem torturing three women for a decade, suddenly had nothing to say as he stood before a judge for the first time in Cleveland, Ohio.

Recent grads return home with diploma, need for financial help

Marissa Mitchell — Wed, 8 May 2013 17:51:00 EDT

Ways to make for a smooth transition.

Tick-a-Thon set for a prom that never was

Pam Huff — Wed, 8 May 2013 15:28:00 EDT

"Prom We Never Had" set for May 17 at Boutwell

Center Point recovering after January 2012 tornado

Candace Sweat — Tue, 7 May 2013 19:31:00 EDT

Center Point is celebrating a final piece of its rebuilding phase following the January 2012 tornado.

Lyme disease awareness month

Edward Burch — Tue, 7 May 2013 17:54:00 EDT

A small deer tick infected with a particular bacterium can make life miserable for humans. An infected tick passes on Lyme disease with its bite.

Miracle League Baseball Field coming to Hoover

Marissa Mitchell — Tue, 7 May 2013 16:53:00 EDT

City council agreed to spend more $300,000 to build a Miracle League baseball field at Hoover Sports Park East.