Jefferson County Voters Approve Tax Renewal For 12 School Systems
Voters approved the renewal of property taxes supporting all 12 school systems in Jefferson County in a Tuesday election.
While only 6 percent of voters went to the polls, education leaders say the election win shows that people in Jefferson County support public schools.
Larry Contri, interim superintendent of Birmingham schools, says he wanted to see a larger turnout, but was pleased with the results.
“I knew that the citizens of Birmingham, especially those who have children and grandchildren in Birmingham City Schools, would meet the challenge and turn out at the polls and successfully pass the tax referendum, because it will all go to the children,” Contri says.
Tuesday’s vote makes $103 million available for public schools for about 30 years. Contri says Birmingham’s share is $23 million each year.
Jefferson County schools will get $62 million annually as a result of the tax renewal, says Superintendent Craig Pouncey.
School leaders say the support for the tax renewal shows not only that citizens support public education, but that people in Jefferson County can work together on common goals.
“All 12 school districts came together and worked hard,” Pouncey says.
The economy slowed in the last 3 months of the year — but was still solid in 2025
The U.S. economy grew 2.2% in 2025, a modest slowdown from 2.4% the previous year. GDP gains were fueled by solid consumer spending and business investment.
Ali Akbar, who’s sold newspapers on the streets of Paris for 50 years, is now a knight
For decades, Ali Akbar has sold papers on the Left Bank of Paris. Last month, France gave the beloved 73-year-old immigrant from Pakistan one of its highest honors — and his neighborhood is cheering.
Bill limiting environmental regulations goes to the governor’s desk
President Trump has taken steps to roll back environmental regulations. Some of that same action is taking place in statehouses, including Alabama's. Lawmakers gave final passage this week to a bill that would ban the state from enacting environmental rules more stringent than those at the federal level. That's where we start our weekly legislative update with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
For years the Taliban told women to cover up in public. Now they’re cracking down
At hospitals, at seminaries and on buses, the Taliban is stepping up enforcement of rules on women's dress in the city of Herat.
What I learned watching every sport at the Winter Olympics
Sit down with pop culture critic Linda Holmes as she watches the 2026 Winter Games. She is exhausted by cross-country, says "ow ow ow" during moguls, and makes the case, once and for all, for curling.
Scientists worry about lasting damage from Potomac sewage spill
Drinking water around the District of Columbia hasn't been contaminated. But scientists say the environmental damage could be severe.
