Journalism instructor, U of Alabama. Ex-Birmingham News sports and news editor. Amazing record of never having any wrong opinions (LOL).
Birmingham, AL
Joined January 2014
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Game time! Test your journalism knowledge and puzzle solving ability with an original, interactive, journalism-themed crossword on my blog. It’s a fun time filler but not a brain killer. tomarenberg.net/blog/2025/7/…
From a blog reader: "Great post! Sometimes it seems like mainstream media reporting about corruption, particularly with this president, makes no difference. But it looks likely to this year."
Some people like to disparage the press as irrelevant or worse. But there’s evidence that voters are paying attention to some impressive reporting lately. We might see more evidence on Tuesday.
The latest blog post (3 min): tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/10…
From a blog reader: "Trump’s corruption raises a fundamental question: Is the presidency serving the American people—or private financial interests?"
Some people like to disparage the press as irrelevant or worse. But there’s evidence that voters are paying attention to some impressive reporting lately. We might see more evidence on Tuesday.
The latest blog post (3 min): tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/10…
Some people like to disparage the press as irrelevant or worse. But there’s evidence that voters are paying attention to some impressive reporting lately. We might see more evidence on Tuesday.
The latest blog post (3 min): tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/10…
Since this blog post last week, a UK Channel 4 News reporter said West Bank settlers assaulted him as Israeli soldiers watched, and CPJ condemned Israel's demolition of the home of a Lebanese journalist who did a documentary critical of Israel.
tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/10…
From a blog reader: "Israel's extremist treatment of the press is a further example of the country's unyielding desire to control the narrative.... Israel is guilty of the timeless crime of bloodying the messengers while stifling the message."
Journalists have faced a level of danger in the Gaza war that is without modern precedent.
A 1.5-minute blog post: tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/10…
Despite Netanyahu ignoring evidence and referring to an 'alleged' attack, Israeli police, to their credit, detained 10 settlers for the assaults on a Washington Post photographer and European diplomats.
Journalists have faced a level of danger in the Gaza war that is without modern precedent.
A 1.5-minute blog post: tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/10…
I think weeks of questions, stories and commentaries by Scott Johnson of Lagniappe Daily and Kyle Whitmire of AL.com are starting to get to Tuberville.
Journalists have faced a level of danger in the Gaza war that is without modern precedent.
A 1.5-minute blog post: tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/10…
Kevin is exactly right about a diminished regular season.
I also can't wait to see playoff games shoehorned into the academic calendar. I presume that'll include airlifting title game players directly to their first spring semester class.
An ex-ESPN producer told CJR the network suppressed or softened stories about gambling.
Re-sharing my November 2025 blog post on why sports media business deals with gambling companies are a terrible idea. (And CJR interview link in first comment.)
tomarenberg.net/blog/2025/11…
According to social media, a WBHM show host has used "area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico" and "area south of Gulf Shores."
This is commendable, and also a comical reflection on the situation.
Another ridiculous infringement on news media freedom. Only this time it’s local.
A 2-minute blog post: tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/9/…
Tom Arenberg retweeted
"But whenever the government is part of a news outlet’s business structure – or ... uses government financial support such as tax credits ... it offers an avenue for politicians to meddle where they don’t belong. And eventually, they’ll do exactly that."
That maxim holds for whatever you'd care to replace 'news outlet' with and it's a pity, a crying shame, that it has taken our News Outlets being finally being meddled with for them to realize it.
I feel your pain on the compelled sillyspeak, but there was a scorpion on your back the whole time.
From a reader: "We live in a stupid time and we are governed by stupid and mean people. I will continue to support WBHM with my little monthly contribution because I enjoy news and interviews with smart, funny, creative people."
Another ridiculous infringement on news media freedom. Only this time it’s local.
A 2-minute blog post: tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/9/…
From a reader: 'The Gulf touches more coasts in America than Mexico. Just saying.'
From another: 'All this bull---- will get rectified when that idiot Trump is gone.'
Another ridiculous infringement on news media freedom. Only this time it’s local.
A 2-minute blog post: tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/9/…
Another ridiculous infringement on news media freedom. Only this time it’s local.
A 2-minute blog post: tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/9/…
UPDATE: Clancy’s defense attorney has asked the judge to investigate whether the holdout juror refused to follow the law on reasonable doubt, considered evidence from outside the trial and, relevant to this blog post, was not wholly truthful on his pre-trial juror questionnaire.
You’ve maybe had a good experience on jury duty, you’ve maybe had a bad one. But you didn’t go through what the news media did to a juror in the Lindsay Clancy case.
The latest blog post (2 min): tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/9/…
From a blog reader: "It was outrageous. One of the sacred principles of jury service has been anonymity."
You’ve maybe had a good experience on jury duty, you’ve maybe had a bad one. But you didn’t go through what the news media did to a juror in the Lindsay Clancy case.
The latest blog post (2 min): tomarenberg.net/blog/2026/9/…