New Birmingham Council Pledges To Work Together
Birmingham has a new city council – six returning members and three new ones. The council took office this morning, pledging to do things differently, mainly working with the new mayor and cooperating.
No one brought out a hymn book at the swearing in of the Birmingham City Council, but all members seemed to sing from same page: work together, children.
Valerie Abbott, the longest serving council member, was elected council president on 5-4 vote. Councilman Jay Roberson is president pro-tempore. They voted for each other while also gaining the support of councilmen Darrell O’Quinn, William Parker and Hunter Williams.
Abbott says this council will usher in a more collaborative spirit.
“I think that it’s this council’s sense that we want to work with the new mayor and all be on one page to the greatest extent possible so that we can move our city forward and have a good reputation while we are doing it,” she says.
In recent years, council meetings have been marked with long, heated debates. During one meeting, there was a fist fight between the mayor and a council member. Abbott says that wasn’t a good look.
“Our reputation has suffered during the times of discord,” she says.
The previous council and the outgoing mayor never agreed on a budget. It was supposed to be passed by July 1.
The budget was on the new council’s first agenda, but members delayed voting to allow Mayor-elect Randall Woodfin to weigh in once he takes office in late November.
Russia attacks Kyiv, killing 1 and wounding many ahead of Ukraine-US talks
Russia attacked Ukraine's capital with missiles and drones early Saturday morning, killing one and wounding over 20 people a day before talks between Ukraine and the U.S., local authorities said.
Myanmar is set to hold phased elections. Here’s why they’re being called a ‘sham’
Myanmar's military rulers are holding a general election in phases starting Dec. 28 amid the country's civil war. The head of the U.N. says the vote will be anything but free and fair.
Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65
Perry Archangelo Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the influential goth band The Cure, has died. He was 65. The band announced his death on their official website on Friday.
Judge to hold hearing on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being vindictively prosecuted
A federal judge this week canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in pursuing a human smuggling case against him.
Thailand and Cambodia sign new ceasefire agreement to end border fighting
In addition to ending fighting, the agreement calls for no further military movements by either side and no violations of either side's airspace for military purposes.
Top Instagram reels from Goats and Soda in 2025: Plumpy’Nut, aid cuts, soccer grannies
Our most-viewed Instagram videos include reports from a Rhode Island factory that makes special food for malnourished children and from a tournament for soccer-playing "grannies."
