Austin Reelected Birmingham City Council President
The Birmingham City Council reelected Council President Johnathan Austin by one vote, 5-4, on May 10. The council was required to hold new elections because of a bill passed by the Alabama Legislature this session. It approved controversial changes to the law defining Birmingham’s balance of power, the Mayor-Council Act.
Elections for council president and president pro-tem will now be held every two years, rather than four. The council selected Steven Hoyt as the new president pro-tem, over incumbent Jay Roberson.
Under this new bill, the council also needs approval from the mayor in writing to change the general budget.
After months of disagreement between Mayor William Bell and the Council, Austin says he’s looking forward. One of his missions is to “[c]ontinue to focus on the neighborhoods, focus on our communities, work to rebuild our neighborhoods.”
“They’ve been languishing for so long and it has been neglected for so long,” he continued.
“I hope that the mayor is certainly willing to work with the council. In the past he’s not been, but I believe that we always have an opportunity to hit the reset button.”
Workers at Alabama’s Mercedes plants vote against joining a union
The workers voted 56% against the union, according to tallies released by the National Labor Relations Board, which ran the election.
Taylor Hunnicutt is championing her home state with debut album ‘Alabama Sound’
Alabama offers a diverse symphony of swampy rock, swaggering blues, murky country, and bone-rattling soul. It’s a sound singer-songwriter Taylor Hunnicutt recently reimagined on her debut album, Alabama Sound, which is out now.
UAB building among Alabama’s first to feature ‘bird safe’ glass
Advocates hope the new glass will prevent window collisions, a leading causes of bird mortality.
Researchers look into community health impact of wood pellet production in rural Mississippi
Brown University and Tougaloo College students are testing for potential air and noise pollution near the Drax wood pellet plant in Gloster, Mississippi.
Alabama coal company sued for a home explosion is delinquent on dozens of penalties
Crimson Oak Grove Resources has been cited for 204 safety violations since the March 8 blast, many involving “significant and substantial” safety violations.
The United Auto Workers faces a key test in the South with upcoming vote at Alabama Mercedes plant
The United Auto Workers is aiming for a key victory at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama. More than 5,000 workers at the facility in Vance and nearby battery plant will vote this week on whether to join the UAW.
