Sam Prickett
BirminghamWatch
Sam Prickett is a reporter with BirminghamWatch, a nonprofit, independent news site. WBHM and BirminghamWatch collaborate through a content-sharing partnership.
Birmingham Revenue Appears Stable, Council Extends Funding For Rickwood, McWane And Ruffner
The city of Birmingham has approved contracts with three area nonprofits — Friends of Rickwood Field, McWane Science Center and Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. These nonprofits previously had their funding cut by the city because of the pandemic.
Birmingham Public Library Executive Director Resigns After Three Controversial Years
Floyd Council, executive director of the Birmingham Public Library, announced his resignation Tuesday morning after three embattled years on the job.
Birmingham Will Apply For Grant To Revitalize Smithfield Court
With the grant month, the city plans to improve the area around Smithfield Court, including infrastructure improvements such as street paving, sidewalks, lighting and parks as well as beautification and anti-blight efforts.
Jones Calls For Bipartisanship In Farewell To Senate, Does Not Address Talk Biden Favors Him For AG
Democratic Senator Doug Jones gave his farewell speech Wednesday on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
Birmingham Bringing Back Up to 132 Furloughed Employees
The city will borrow money from its general fund reserve amid concerns from some council members.
Council Postpones Vote On Holiday Pay, Says Woodfin Expects Them To Make Budget Decisions “Blindly”
The Birmingham City Council delayed a proposal to pay city employees for an unpaid holiday on Black Friday.
Birmingham Council Balks At Mayor’s Plan To Bring Back Some Workers, Wants More Information
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin wants to use $7 million from the reserve fund to bring back more than 130 furloughed city employees. But the city council is not sold.
Birmingham Library Exec Returns To Work After One-Month Suspension
Birmingham Public Library Executive Director Floyd Council was back at work Friday after one month of being suspended without pay.
Birmingham City Council Approves Carraway Hospital Rezoning
Birmingham's Carraway Hospital, which has been closed since 2008, will be redeveloped to include retail, dining, residential, office and entertainment spaces.
New Microtransit Program Coming To Birmingham
The Birmingham City Council approved deals with this week with two bike- and scooter-sharing companies.
Voters Change Constitution With Votes For At Least Five Amendments
Five of the six statewide amendments on Alabama’s ballot passed Tuesday.
Tommy Tuberville Wins Alabama U.S. Senate Race
Tommy Tuberville will serve as the next U.S. senator from Alabama. He'll serve alongside current U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.
Jones Tells Supporters He Can Beat Tuberville, Despite What Polls Say
Sen. Doug Jones, who is up for reelection on Tuesday, says the platform of his opponent, Republican Tommy Tuberville, has mostly been copied from President Trump.
Birmingham Council Approves Incentives Package To Bring Grocery Store To District 1
Birmingham's Roebuck neighborhood is getting a new grocery store in an effort to reduce food deserts in the city.
Birmingham City Council Approves Software For Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center
The software could include facial recognition technology.
Nonprofits Adapt To Harsh Financial Conditions After Birmingham Budget Cuts
The city of Birmingham's newly passed 2021 fiscal budget is nearly $50 million smaller than last year. Among the numerous budget cuts was funding to external nonprofits.
Birmingham Passes “Phantom” Budget, Unchanged From Woodfin’s Proposal
The Birmingham City Council approved Mayor Randall Woodfin’s proposed 2021 city budget this week. The $412 million budget includes nearly 250 indefinite furloughs with more than half coming from the city’s library system.
Protesters Not Allowed Into Birmingham Council Meeting To Speak On Drastic Cuts To The Library Budget
Protesters gathered outside Birmingham City Hall on Tuesday morning, but they weren’t allowed to speak at the City Council meeting going on three stories above them.
Birmingham City Council Seeks Halt To Closing Of Recreation Centers
A proposal to close 12 of Birmingham's recreation centers is facing pushback by city council members.
Woodfin’s Constantly Changing Budget Leaves Library Board, City Council to Wonder: “What the Heck Is Going On?”
A proposed budget for the city of Birmingham wants to cut funding to the Birmingham Public Library for the third time.
Board Of Education President Criticizes Woodfin’s Plan To Cut Funding For Birmingham Schools
The city of Birmingham's proposed 2021 budget has faced criticism for funding cuts including those for the city's school system, libraries and social services.
City Notifies Birmingham Library Employees Of Furloughs; Library Board President Contests City Authority
The city and the library board are at odds over whether the mayor has the right to furlough hundreds of employees.
Budget Blows To Birmingham Schools and Transit Cushioned, Other Groups Not As Lucky
The Birmingham Public Library is among several organizations slated to take a significant financial hit next fiscal year under Mayor Randall Woodfin's proposed budget.
Restaurants Are Hardest Hit As Businesses Try To Rebound From Pandemic
Some restaurants in Birmingham are working to regain a loss in revenue after forced closures during the pandemic. Meanwhile, other restaurants like Babalu and Lucy's Coffee & Tea weren't so lucky - closing their doors indefinitely.
Woodfin’s Budget Features Pay Cuts, Furloughs And Funding Reductions
The city of Birmingham faces a $63 million shortfall in business tax revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Birmingham Council OKs Al Fresco Dining as ‘Hail Mary’ for Restaurants
Birmingham officials approved outdoor seating for restaurants in hopes of giving them an economic boost during the pandemic.
BCRI Gets Emergency Funding From City Of Birmingham
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has been closed since March because of the pandemic causing a lack of revenue. Now it's receiving $250,000 in emergency funding from the city of Birmingham.
Birmingham Council OKs Partial Transit Funding Under Protest From Hoyt
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to fund the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority through the end of 2020.
First Police Review Finds BPD Is “Doing Pretty Good,” Woodfin Says, Ends With Explicit Ban On Chokeholds
Mayor Randall Woodfin says there is still room for improvement in the Birmingham Police Department. This comes after a 30 day internal review.
Avondale Added As The City’s Newest Entertainment District On July 1
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve the creation of the “Avondale Entertainment District."
City of Birmingham Facing ‘Economic Crisis’ Over Falling Revenue From Pandemic
Birmingham expects a significant hit to its budget due to coronavirus.
Birmingham Conducting Review Of Police Department Procedures, Could Make Changes To Operate In Post-George Floyd World
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin says his office will conduct a comprehensive internal review of the city’s police department.
