Women will hold the majority on the Birmingham City Council over the next four years
The Birmingham City Council's newest members: (left-right) Carol Clarke, Jonathan 'J.T.' Moore, and LaTonya Tate.
Starting this Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council will look a little different after swearing in three new members.
Last week, Mayor Randall Woodfin said goodbye to Council President William Parker and Councilors John Hilliard and Steven Hoyt.
“Truly, it’s been an honor to serve with you over these last four years. I know the citizens you represent are grateful for your service, and I just want to publicly state thank you for your service,” Woodfin said.
The new members joining the council are Jonathan J.T. Moore representing District 4, Carol Clarke for District 8, and LaTonya Tate in District 9. For the first time since 2013, the council will be mostly occupied by women, with five of the nine seats held by women.
Steven Hoyt, who decided not to run for reelection, said that he knows the women will get the work done.
“I think it’s wonderful. I think they’re going to do a great job if you want it done right in a way, you will get a woman right,” Hoyt said.
Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander said that she’s excited Birmingham voters kept inclusion and equity in mind when they went to the polls. She also mentioned that the councilors will vote for new leadership positions. Alexander said the field for president and pro tem is wide open.
“I think all nine of us are looking to what that leadership will be, and so we’ll just be able to see on Tuesday which direction the council takes,” she said.
The swearing in and election of new council officers will happen during Tuesday’s regular meeting at Birmingham City Hall.
80-year-old grandmother becomes oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship
Just 20 years ago, Natalie Grabow was learning to swim. Now she's hailed as an inspiration after winning her age group at the famously grueling triathlon competition in Hawaii.
Should the bus be free? Transit advocates are divided
"Free buses" is one of the big ideas that helped Zohran Mamdani win the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City. But the track record in cities that have stopped collecting fares is mixed.
Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater find the heartbreak in ‘Blue Moon’
Director Richard Linklater and actor Ethan Hawke discuss their new film Blue Moon, which focuses on one fateful night toward the end of lyricist Lorenz Hart's life.
For private flood insurance companies, the government shutdown is good for business
With the government shutdown, the National Flood Insurance Program is no longer writing new policies. It's causing problems for would-be homeowners, but private companies have stepped in to help.
Health insurance premiums are going up next year — unless you work at these companies
As U.S. health insurance costs rise, some companies are paying for all of their workers' premiums. It's a big expense — but they say it pays off.
The two wildcards shaping the tail end of the Virginia race for governor
Virginia is just weeks away from electing a new governor, but the government shutdown and an explosive text message scandal in the race for attorney general could reshape the election.
