Olivianna Calmes
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Olivianna Calmes is thrilled to be in Birmingham working at WBRC as a multimedia journalist with a special interest in breaking news. She hails from all over, having grown up in both Michigan and Taiwan where her parents work as overseas missionaries. She attended Oklahoma Baptist University, earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Marketing. While in college, Olivianna interned in Los Angeles at Fox News Channel and in Taipei, Taiwan at Arrow Cinematic Films.
Before landing in sweet home Alabama, Olivianna worked as a reporter and weekend anchor in Decatur, Illinois. There she reported on essential stories in the thick of the pandemic, covered elections, created a series about women working in male-dominated fields, was first on scene at breaking news, and more. She enjoyed anchoring Weekend Wake Up alongside a great co-anchor. Now, she is excited to be away from the blizzards and into the sunshine here in Birmingham.
Besides working to get the lead story, you can find Olivianna hunting for thrifted treasures, exploring local coffee or bubble tea shops, doing portrait photography, or getting lots of social time in.
She is excited to share the stories that impact you most. If you have a story idea, please don’t hesitate to reach out! You can send her an email at olivianna.calmes@wbrc.com.
Updated: Mar. 17, 2023 at 10:41 PM CDT
|By Olivianna Calmes
March Madness brings more than just madness on the court - it brings a big economic impact to the city, and more revenue for local businesses.
Updated: Mar. 14, 2023 at 9:56 PM CDT
|By Olivianna Calmes
Local high schools are getting female students interested in construction, and are getting the word out this month.
Updated: Mar. 7, 2023 at 5:05 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
On Tuesday evening, March 7, Governor Kay Ivey is delivering the State of State Address, which comes after the 20-23 legislative session kicked off at noon.
Updated: Mar. 6, 2023 at 10:24 AM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Bloody Sunday commemorates the marches from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 to advocate for voting rights. That march ended with 80 of the 600 marchers being beaten down by Alabama police.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2023 at 9:12 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
A parking building in downtown Birmingham takes damage in storms.
Updated: Mar. 1, 2023 at 10:12 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
We spoke with the interim superintendent at Briarwood Christian School about the rise they have seen in applications for private school.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 2:00 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
While some went up Tuesday night to say the school has a spotted past and it’s removal will not hurt Birmingham’s west side property value, most who spoke said the school is a staple in the community and has inspired them to become better agents for change in Alabama and beyond.
Updated: Feb. 21, 2023 at 6:38 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Winston County is mourning the death of one of it’s own. Pebble Fire Chief Steve Smith was killed in a car crash Sunday while responding to a fire.
Updated: Feb. 21, 2023 at 6:30 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Children and teenagers in Birmingham are getting critical knowledge on civil rights history through the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. One of the main objectives is to fill in the gaps that schools are not able to cover, especially on local civil rights history.
Updated: Feb. 15, 2023 at 10:16 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The Alabama Association of School Boards presented the Trussville Schools Board of Education with five finalists to become their new superintendent Tuesday, Feb. 14. The board said they come from 29 applicants who applied last month.
Updated: Feb. 9, 2023 at 8:44 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The group in charge of bringing film productions to Birmingham is pushing for state lawmakers to provide additional money for incentives to bring more movie shoots to the Magic City.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 10:34 PM CST
|By Aajene Robinson and Olivianna Calmes
The Hoover City Council passed an ordinance 5-2 Monday night that will restrict certain short-term rentals in the city.
Updated: Feb. 4, 2023 at 6:47 AM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
One Place Family Justice Center in Birmingham said domestic violence permeates more than just the home, it affects the whole community. They said you need to know your options if you or a loved one are experiencing it, because it can escalate to sometimes fatal outcomes.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 6:06 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Experts say home prices are beginning to stabilize after a few rocky years, but this year experts say prices will not be as daunting.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 4:02 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
With thousands of jobs available in Birmingham alone, recruiters give tips on how to find the best job that fits your needs.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 3:12 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The percentage of cases with this variant has jumped in the last couple weeks, but experts say it should be very similar to Omicron, which is a milder variant.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 9:52 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Parking Enforcement System, Inc. is getting fresh complaints from customers and neighbors.
Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 12:59 PM CST
|By WBRC Staff and Olivianna Calmes
They are collecting all kinds of items, from toiletries to propane tanks to take to Selma this Friday, Jan. 20.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2023 at 7:45 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes and WBRC Staff
Birmingham City Schools confirm Huffman High School girl’s basketball coach Lin Slater collapsed and was transported to a local hospital Saturday.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Greensboro residents shared how their homes were affected by storms on Thursday.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 5:35 PM CST
|By WBRC Staff and Olivianna Calmes
A family’s home and barn in Greensboro were hit hard as severe storms rolled through the area Thursday.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 11:05 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The Puppy Protection Act didn’t get passed in the senate this year to ensure more universal puppy breeding standards, but Alabama animal advocates hope that this year change can be made through the Farm Bill.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 3:22 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Residents concern over respiratory health continues in light of the Moody landfill fire, which continues to burn.
Updated: Jan. 4, 2023 at 9:29 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Cynthia Burke said she does not want to have to relocate from her home of over 20 years because of the Moody landfill fire.
Updated: Jan. 3, 2023 at 11:27 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Chilton County saw storm damage Tuesday, including tin roofs coming off, trees falling, and more.
Updated: Dec. 27, 2022 at 8:43 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The 16th Annual TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl was Tuesday night in the Magic City. The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers played the East Carolina Pirates at Protective Stadium.
Updated: Dec. 25, 2022 at 3:19 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
People are frustrated because they say they have no running water due to their pipes bursting and flooding their homes.
Updated: Dec. 24, 2022 at 10:59 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
This Christmas, there are a lot of things to be thankful for, and a Birmingham man says he is especially grateful this year looking back.
Updated: Dec. 24, 2022 at 10:47 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
We’re just one week away from the deadline for businesses to apply for a medical cannabis license in Alabama.
Birmingham Recovery Center partners with Prescott House to give kids comfort that will last all year
Updated: Dec. 22, 2022 at 4:00 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Birmingham Recovery Center and Prescott House are teaming up to help kids who go through the forensics interview process with overnight packs.
Updated: Dec. 21, 2022 at 10:04 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office are looking for a man seen in a security camera abusing a dog attached to a leash.
Updated: Dec. 20, 2022 at 10:33 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
A landfill fire in Moody is still burning, and complaints are pouring in from people living miles away concerned about the bad air quality and smell.
Updated: Dec. 16, 2022 at 9:50 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
December is full of social gatherings and many of these gatherings involve alcohol. This holiday season, experts say it is important to remember what’s too much when it comes to alcohol.
Updated: Dec. 7, 2022 at 10:07 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
A new Birmingham company is expanding remote drug testing to help with drug addiction recovery. You can do the remote drug testing anywhere without having to take a urine sample. It is saliva based and it can be configured through an app.
Updated: Dec. 5, 2022 at 8:56 AM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Delta Incorporated of Birmingham, a local nonprofit, showcased local talent of all ages and donated money to the music programs at two local schools.
Updated: Dec. 2, 2022 at 9:57 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The South has some of the highest rates of HIV diagnosis in the country. Organizations are pushing to bring outreach and prevention to the state of Alabama.
Updated: Dec. 2, 2022 at 2:05 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The community of Eutaw was full of Christmas cheer Thursday, despite the tornado that came through earlier this week. People from all over the community came together for an annual parade that hasn’t happened for three years.
Updated: Nov. 23, 2022 at 8:30 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
The Downtown YMCA facility in Birmingham on 4th Avenue is closing permanently, but even though it’s closing, it leaves a lasting impact on the downtown community.
Updated: Nov. 22, 2022 at 10:42 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Many companies are hiring seasonal workers. If you’re looking for a permanent gig, it might even be your way into a great company.
Updated: Nov. 18, 2022 at 5:22 PM CST
|By WBRC Staff and Olivianna Calmes
Police arrived at the scene to find a red SUV crashed into a pole. The passenger was declared dead at the scene.
Updated: Nov. 17, 2022 at 10:26 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
A Hoover brother and sister who are 2 years apart are celebrating winning the 2022 Outstanding Gifted Students award for the state of Alabama.
Updated: Nov. 17, 2022 at 9:04 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Investing might seem daunting, but it could bring you rewards later on. Inflation might be making your budget tight, but now is actually the perfect time to start investing.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2022 at 4:39 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
This month is national scholarship month and a great time to start planning.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2022 at 1:06 PM CST
|By WBRC Staff and Olivianna Calmes
All three suspects in a jewelry store robbery in Ohatchee are now in custody.
Updated: Nov. 12, 2022 at 11:23 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
A local organization called ‘Protect His House’ is teaching the community how to respond during a shooting, hoping to save lives.
Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 5:54 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Research has come out from Stanford and Harvard of education recovery across the nation and Alabama as a state. Hoover City Schools scored remarkably high.
Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 8:04 PM CST
|By Olivianna Calmes
Odds are you have either had or know someone with the flu, COVID-19 or even Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). It is not going anywhere soon, according to medical experts.
Updated: Nov. 3, 2022 at 7:54 PM CDT
|By Olivianna Calmes
We often see stories about grocery prices soaring with inflation, but it is hitting some of your local sweets vendors even harder.
Updated: Nov. 2, 2022 at 4:08 PM CDT
|By Olivianna Calmes
New census data shows more seniors are now living in poverty and a third of older adults in Alabama rely completely on social security for their monthly income.
Updated: Nov. 1, 2022 at 8:13 PM CDT
|By Olivianna Calmes and WBRC Staff
The former superintendent of Trussville City Schools has resigned following an investigation into Hewitt-Trussville High and Middle school threats.
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