New Jefferson County Commission Takes Office With Three New Members
Sheila Tyson and Lashunda Scales were sworn into office as Jefferson County commissioners Wednesday, along with Steve Ammons, a former Vestavia Hills City Council member. Tyson and Scales are Democrats; Ammons is a Republican. The Republican majority continues on the commission with incumbents Jimmie Stephens and Joe Knight.
Stephens holds on to his job as commission president and Scales is second in command as president pro tempore.
In their new roles, Tyson and Scales will head committees that address some of their major campaign platforms. Scales will lead the environmental services or sewer committee after campaigning on the need to lower county sewer rates.
Tyson is chairperson for the health care committee, which includes Cooper Green Mercy Health Services. Steve Ammons will lead economic development.
Tyson’s district stretches from Fountain Heights to Bessemer. She says there’s a lot of poverty in the district and many residents rely on Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, a hospital the county runs to care for the indigent.
The hospital should be run by a health care authority, Tyson says. Health care for the poor should not be pieced together “to where the citizens won’t have an opportunity to get good treatment,“ she says.
Jefferson County has started talks with UAB Health Systems to establish a university health authority.
Tyson says she also wants help for residents who struggle to pay their high sewer and water bills.
Scales has had her share of battles in the Birmingham council chambers. The county and the city historically have not had a good relationship, but Scales says she wants to change that.
Supreme Court appears split in tax foreclosure case
At issue is whether a county can seize homeowners' residence for unpaid property taxes and sell the house at auction for less than the homeowners would get if they put their home on the market themselves.
Top House Dem wants Justice Department to explain missing Trump-related Epstein files
After NPR reporting revealed dozens of pages of Epstein files related to President Trump appear to be missing from the public record, a top House Democrat wants to know why.
ICE won’t be at polling places this year, a Trump DHS official promises
In a call with top state voting officials, a Department of Homeland Security official stated unequivocally that immigration agents would not be patrolling polling places during this year's midterms.
Cubans from US killed after speedboat opens fire on island’s troops, Havana says
Cuba says the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. is gathering its own information.
Surgeon general nominee Means questioned about vaccines, birth control and financial conflicts
During a confirmation hearing, senators asked Dr. Casey Means about her current positions and her past statements on a range of public health issues.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026 shortlist includes Lauryn Hill, Shakira and Wu-Tang Clan
The shortlist also includes a 1990s pop diva, heavy metal pioneers and a legendary R&B singer and producer.
