Transit Authority Board Under Fire for Meeting

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When former Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority executive director Ann August left her post in October, transit board members said they held an emergency meeting to accept her resignation.  Transit advocates say she was clearly fired.  That distinction could mean the difference between a legal move by the board and something illegal.  The Jefferson County District Attorney’s office appears to be investigating.  We hear about it from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald and also hear about the Birmingham City Council, which canceled a meeting for lack of a quorum.

Photo by acnatta

 

Alabama environmental groups secure rare win in fight to update water toxicity standards

The new standards will reduce amounts of 12 toxic or cancer-linked pollutants in Alabama waterways, according to clean water advocacy groups that petitioned for the changes.

Breaking another presidential norm, Trump drops the f-bomb on camera

Presidents have been known to use salty language behind closed doors. But President Trump may be the first to very deliberately drop an f-bomb on camera.

Fired Justice Department lawyer accuses agency of planning to defy court orders

The accusations from a veteran government lawyer add to broader concern about the Trump administration's repeated clashes with the judiciary.

She hoped key research could help save her eyesight. Then the Trump funding cuts came

Jessica Chaikof says research into gene therapies could someday save her eyesight. But she worries cuts to federal research funding could mean that therapy won't be ready in time.

6 new books out this week, including true stories of trailblazers

But for many working adults, the summer can often feel the same as the rest of the year. So, maybe our idea of a "summer read" should encompass a wider swath of books? Here are a few out this week.

Purple Heart Army veteran self-deports after nearly 50 years in the U.S.

Sae Joon Park left for South Korea on Monday. His removal order was the result of drug possession and bail jumping charges from over 15 years ago — offenses that, he said, stemmed from untreated PTSD.

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