Government

Birmingham Voters Head To The Polls Aug. 24. Here’s A Sample Ballot And What You Need To Know.

Headed to vote in the Birmingham city elections on Tuesday, Aug. 24? Check out this sample ballot and find your polling place.

Birmingham Mayoral Debate 2021

On August 17, 2021, al.com partnered with WBHM, The Birmingham Times, CBS 42, Summit Media and the Birmingham Association of Black Journalists to host a virtual Birmingham mayoral debate to provide voters the information they may need to decide which candidate deserves their vote.

Birmingham Council Set To Fund Rapid Transit Project Next Week

The Birmingham City Council will vote on Tuesday whether to allocate $18 million of the city’s American Rescue Plan funding toward the construction of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit system. The project will create a 10-mile, higher-speed public transit corridor through 25 neighborhoods.

Who’s Running For Birmingham City Council?

Do you know who is running for Birmingham City Council? Check out this complete list.

2021 Birmingham Mayoral Candidate Profiles

The ballots are set for the Birmingham mayoral election on Aug. 24. But do you really know who the candidates are? Check out these profiles.

Impasse Between City Council, Mayor’s Office On Scheduling Delays Spending Of City Relief Funds

The city of Birmingham hasn't made any more headway on spending the $74 million it received from the American Rescue Plan. The problem? Scheduling, according to Council President William Parker. That's because the city council, Mayor Randall Woodfin and the finance director need to meet again to discuss logistics.

JeffCo Commissioner Cautions About Travel Expenses

The commissioner's eye was drawn to a trip someone from the county compliance office will next month to the Compliance & Ethics Institute Conference in Las Vegas. That trip will cost $3,354.55.

With A Crowded Field For Mayor, Birmingham Voters Weigh In On City’s Future

Birmingham voters have until next week to send in absentee ballots, and Election Day is fast approaching on Aug. 24. On the ballot, they’ll find a long list of choices for mayor.

Delta Strikes Birmingham Public Works, But Mayor Says The City Will Get To Your Trash

Your trash will be picked up, said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin at a press conference Tuesday.

Birmingham Expands Hours At Vaccination Clinic, Offers New Incentive Amid COVID Surge

Anyone who visits Legion Field for a COVID-19 vaccine will receive a concert ticket to the Jazz Festival or the Battle of the Bands.

Jefferson County Commissioners Look For Ways To Stop Illegal Dumping

The amount of illegal dumping of trash in Jefferson County is "concerning," says county commissioners. They say more needs to be done to address the problem, which could include more stringent penalties.

Come Back With More Detail And We’ll Talk: Council Delays Plan For Rescue Money

Birmingham’s efforts to distribute millions of dollars of federal American Rescue Plan funding hit a snag Tuesday after councilors took issue with the vagueness of Mayor Randall Woodfin’s proposed allocations.

Birmingham Residents Clear Their Traffic Records Quickly With Rocket Docket

The event also helps the court system clear a backlog of cases due to the pandemic.

Birmingham Police Revise Policies To Disallow No-Knock Warrants

Birmingham police will no longer use no-knock warrants such as the one that led to the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville last year.

Offering A Carrot Won’t Get People Vaccinated, Maybe It’s Time To Talk About The Stick, Health Official Tells Birmingham Council

One health professional says incentivizing vaccines is not working and that it may be time for businesses to start requiring it.

Developer Partners with Tuskegee Students, Minority-Owned Contractors To Revitalize Old American Red Cross Building

The building has been vacant for 21 years and is poised to offer a more affordable option for living in downtown Birmingham.

Birmingham Recycling Kicked Up To Twice A Month, City Buys Refuse Equipment

Residents in the city of Birmingham will soon start having their recycling picked up twice a month. The city’s recycling program was temporarily halted by COVID-19 last April.

Birmingham Elections Ballot Set

After the qualifying deadline elapsed Friday, eight people were on the ballot to compete in the mayor’s race, trying to capture the seat now held by Mayor Randall Woodfin.

Business Exec, A Self-Proclaimed “Full-Throttle Conservative,” Enters Senate Race

A fourth candidate has joined the race for Alabama U.S. Senator Richard Shelby's seat.

Birmingham Council Looking At Candidates To Fill Seats On Several Boards

Seats on several Birmingham boards and authorities will be up for grabs next month, including city council-appointed positions on the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority and the Birmingham Land Bank Authority.

Economic Opportunity, Community Policing Among Solutions To Birmingham’s Gun Violence

Birmingham has been riddled with crime for decades, and people are concerned about the increasing number of homicides. So far in 2021, there have been at least 60 homicides in the city of Birmingham, according to data from the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.

As Other States Drew Fire For Passing Restrictive Election Laws, Alabama Skirted The Limelight

National attention fell on Georgia for changes to its election laws earlier this year, but Alabama made changes too.

Mayor Woodfin Seeks Community Help To Find Shooters Of Children

Five children have been killed or injured by gun violence in Birmingham this year, and city leaders are pleading for witnesses to come forward.

Environmental Groups Appeal Judge’s Cahaba River Ruling To The Supreme Court

Two local environmental groups are appealing a Jefferson County Circuit Court’s recent decision to throw out the lawsuit against the Birmingham Water Works Board.

Bang, Bang. You’re Closed: Birmingham Threatens To Close Clubs With Violent Episodes

A drive-by shooting at Club Euphoria in west Birmingham left 21-year-old Lykeria Taylor dead and another male injured. Earlier that night, gunfire broke out at the club, leaving three others with non-life-threatening injuries.

Five Ways Birmingham Is Celebrating Its 150th Birthday

Mayor Randall Woodfin and the CEO of Vulcan Park and Museum announced this week a series of events to celebrate Birmingham’s 150 anniversary.

People in Alabama Prisons Confused, Frustrated As State Officials Withhold Their Stimulus Checks

Thousands of people in Alabama prisons received COVID-19 stimulus payments from the federal government, but state officials are holding the checks. They say people in prison will get their money, but maybe not all of it.

Birmingham Mayor Combats Violence Against Children With $125K Incentive

Since January of this year, six children under the age of 10 have been shot in Birmingham, according to police reports. Only one of the shooting incidents has led to an arrest.

Birmingham City Council To Hear $13 Million Vaccine Sweepstakes Proposal Tuesday

Council President William Parker's plan includes gift cards, savings bonds, college scholarships and drawings in an attempt to encourage more people get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Five Things You Need To Know About Alabama’s New Medical Marijuana Law

Alabama's new medical marijuana law is more than 100-pages long. We did the hard work and pulled out the highlights that may impact you.

Ivey’s Prison Construction Plan Meets Financial Roadblock

State officials are back to the drawing board after Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to lease three privately-owned prisons missed a major financial deadline this week.

Gov. Kay Ivey Launches Reelection Campaign for 2022 Gubernatorial Race

In a campaign video, Ivey, 76, noted the state's economic growth, low unemployment and critical improvements in education and to the state’s infrastructure.