Federal Lawsuit Highlights Conflict Between State and Local Government
When Courtney Williams got to work in the kitchen at the Rally’s in Center Point last week, it was 99 degrees inside. As he stood on the steps of the Hugo L. Black United States Courthouse shortly before a demonstration began last week, he pulled out his phone and showed a picture of the feverishly high thermostat.
“It’s been like that for two weeks now,” Williams said, lamenting his low wages and long hours as a fast food worker. What’s worse, he says, is what he feels is a stigma on people working low-wage jobs. “People want to act like it’s not a job, but it is. I’m in that hot kitchen eight hours a day and when I get my check, it’s not even enough for bills.” – Cody Owens, writing in WELD
Alabama doesn’t have a minimum wage law. The state uses the federal rate of $7.25. Earlier this year, the Birmingham City Council tried to increase the city’s minimum wage, but we overridden by a bill Governor Robert Bentley signed into law inFebruary. The bill, originally flied by Mountain Brook Republican state Rep. David Faulkner, said only the state can set the minimum wage. That move motivated a federal lawsuit filed by the NAACP against Governor Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange, contending the law is racially motivated. For more on this, the weekly newspaper WELD visited a recent protest by Birmingham fast food employees, and WELD editor Nick Patterson tells WBHM’s Rachel Lindley workers told them.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable
Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
