James Giles
Local Government & Communities ReporterJames Giles is the local government and communities reporter at WBHM covering the stories, people and policies shaping central Alabama. A passionate storyteller, he believes the best reporting helps people better understand the communities they live in and the decisions that affect their daily lives.
Before joining WBHM, James spent nearly three years as a reporter at WBRC FOX6 News in Birmingham. There he covered everything from breaking news and severe weather to government accountability and public safety. His reporting also included Alabama’s death penalty, the state’s controversial use of nitrogen hypoxia and other stories with statewide impact.
A Georgia native, James graduated from Alabama State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. He began his journalism career in his hometown at WTVM in Columbus, Georgia. During those three years, he provided extensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on communities across the region. In 2023, James received a Georgia Association of Broadcasters GABBY Merit Award for his coverage of the investigation into the disappearance and death of 5-year-old Kamarie Holland and her convicted killer, Jeremy Williams.
James sees journalism as a public service. He is passionate about asking tough questions, holding public officials accountable and helping people better understand the decisions that shape their communities. Whether he is covering breaking news or enterprise reporting, he strives to produce journalism that is accurate, fair and centered on the people it serves.
Outside the newsroom, James is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. When he’s not chasing the next story, you’ll likely find him on a basketball court, exploring another corner of Alabama with his wife and kids or striking up a conversation with someone whose story hasn’t been told yet.
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The 12 proposals would give the city more tools to address neglected properties, expand affordable housing and strengthen code enforcement. -
After moving to Birmingham and struggling to find his footing as a new father, Marc Pierre started a monthly meetup for dads and their kids. -
Elijiah Briggs suffered a traumatic brain injury in this summer. The insurance giant denied the doctor-recommended therapy three times before relenting. -
A city council committee advanced the measure Wednesday. It'll go before the full council Oct. 27. -
The roadmap and report come from the Birmingham Children and Youth Commission, a panel of city, education, business and nonprofit leaders. -
Bessemer voters go to the polls Tuesday for a runoff election. At the top of the ballot is a contest for mayor. -
Fresh food was hard to find in Birmingham’s Titusville neighborhood. A new market is filling the gapThe Carver Jones Market will hold a grand opening Saturday. It's been 4 years since the Titusville area has had a full-service grocery store. -
As automated license plate readers, commonly known as Flock cameras, proliferate across Alabama, criticism has followed. Here's an overview of the debate. -
Junction 1910 is designed to be more than a traditional co-working space. Entrepreneurs can receive support and connect with others to move their businesses forward. -
At a town hall Tuesday, Irondale residents heard the results of a feasibility study looking at breaking away from the Jefferson County Schools.
