Government
City of Birmingham Employees Could Receive One-Time Premium Pay
Birmingham’s 3,500 city employees could see extra “premium pay” later this month. The city council approved the one-time payments as a “thank you” for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Birmingham Seeks Dollars For Its Entertainment Venues
The city will seek federal funding for Boutwell Auditorium, Sloss Historic Landmark Furnace, the Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Arlington Historic House.
JeffCo Commissioners Look Forward To Dropping Social Distance At Meetings
Restrictions prompted by Gov. Kay Ivey's coronavirus public health orders will expire at the end of the month.
Woodfin Presents $455 Million Proposed Operating Budget
Employee pay raises and restored funding to agencies around the city are among the highlights of the proposed fiscal 2022 plan.
Legislative Wrap-Up: What Died And What Passed On The Final Day
Many bills made it out before Monday's deadline. But the lawmakers also expect a special session later this year.
Alabama Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Legislation
Lawmakers had a change of heart after decades of debate on the issue.
Woodfin Won’t Resign In Controversy Over Police Shooting
The Birmingham chapter of Black Lives Matter has called for the resignation of Mayor Randall Woodfin and Police Chief Patrick D. Smith following the fatal police shooting of an armed Black man.
Governor Shuts Down Extra Help For The Unemployed, Says Workers Needed To Invigorate The Economy
Alabama will stop participating in all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs beginning June 19. Gov. Kay Ivey says she made the decision because of the increasing difficulty of business owners and employers to find workers to fill jobs.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Medical Marijuana And Yoga Bills Pass, Gambling Bill Stalls
A medical marijuana bill goes to the governor. Meanwhile a gambling bill looks unlikely to pass this session.
Alabama Legislature Drops Resistance, OKs Medical Marijuana
The bill faced strong resistance among House lawmakers.
Birmingham City Council Approves Incentives For HBCU Classic At Legion Field
Legion Field is adding another HBCU football classic to its schedule.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Updated Sex Ed Language, DA’s Fight Medical Marijuana Bill
Alabama lawmakers have been more receptive to bills that ease restrictions on alcohol this year. Senators approved a wine delivery bill this week without much debate.
Analysis: President Biden Addresses Congress
(Wednesday, April 28, 2021) President Biden is addressing a joint session of Congress on the eve of 100 days in office. Watch his remarks live. Live annotations, with fact-checking and analysis by NPR journalists, will be available below for both President Biden’s address and for the Republican Party’s response. EDITOR’S NOTE: (4/29/21) The link to […]
Alabama Avoids Loss Of Congressional Seat With Slight Population Gain
Alabama avoided the loss of a congressional seat as its population grew from 4.8 million in 2010 to 5.03 million last year, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
A Decade Later, Tuscaloosa Continues Rebuilding From Deadly EF-4 Tornado
Of the 62 tornadoes that struck Alabama on April 27, 2011, the largest twister hit Tuscaloosa, killing 53 people and destroying more than 5,000 homes and businesses. A decade later, much of the city has redeveloped, but communities are still recovering.
Local, Federal Officials Launch Partnership To Reduce Gun Violence In Birmingham
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin launched a partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies to impose stiff penalties for people who have unauthorized guns.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Racial Profiling, Voting, Vaccine Passport Bills Considered
A bill to ban racial profiling has failed to win support for almost a decade, but it was one of many measures debated this week in the Alabama Legislature.
Erasing The Stain: 15,000 Pardoned Of Marijuana Possession Convictions
Mayor Randall Woodfin plans to pardon more than 15,000 Birmingham residents convicted of marijuana possession.
Jefferson County Nears Deal For New Humane Society
The plan is for Jefferson County to purchase lots one and two of the property, which would remain under county ownership. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society would purchase lot three and build an animal hospital and adoption control facility there.
Financial Controversy Over Two Prison Contracts Gives Bibb Opponents Hope
Major banks have backed off of financing two of the three proposed new prisons in Alabama. The banks’ sudden resignation as lead underwriters for the bond sale is considered highly unusual.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Senate Moves To Nullify Federal Gun Control, Passes Gambling Bill
Alabama is one of several conservative states where lawmakers are considering a measure making it a crime to enforce federal gun regulations.
Redevelopment Of Southtown As Mixed-Use Property To Begin In June
The redevelopment plans have been several years in the making.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Medical Marijuana, Yoga Bills Gain Traction
The push to legalize medical marijuana is gaining momentum in the Alabama Legislature. The bill would allow people with certain conditions to buy medical marijuana with a doctor’s approval. We have more in our weekly legislative wrap-up.
Birmingham Getting $5 Million To Battle Homelessness
The funding will come through HUD’s Home Investment Partnerships Program and is intended to help cities create affordable and supportive housing and services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Secretary of State John Merrill Won’t Run For Office Next Year, Acknowledges Affair
Merrill was expected to announce a run for U.S. Senate in 2022.
Gov. Kay Ivey Announces ‘Safer Apart’ Order As Mask Mandate Ends
Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued a proclamation transitioning the state from an amended Safer at Home Order to a new Safer Apart Order.
Alabama Expands COVID Vaccine Eligibility To Those 16 And Older
That means a total of about four million Alabamians will be eligible starting Monday.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Bills on Habitual Offenders, Trans Athletes, Public Records Advance
Alabama's prisons are severely overcrowded. Some state lawmakers say repealing a law that stiffens punishment for repeat offenders would help alleviate that.
Bill Would Cut Pensions For Future Birmingham Employees, Raise Employee Contributions
A bill proposed this session would require the city of Birmingham to fully fund its pension obligation and increase employee contributions to the pension fund by half a percent. But opponents of the bill say, if passed, it would disproportionately affect lower-earning city employees.
JeffCo Commission Moves Toward Buying Land Next To Shady Grove Fire Station, Selling Old West End Health Center
Jefferson County wants to buy property from the state of Alabama. The land is located next to the Shady Grove Fire Department.
Mo Brooks Sets Up U.S. Senate Campaign Committee
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks is expected to make an announcement tonight that he plans to run for U.S. Senate.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Transgender Sports, Abortion, Riot Bills Advance
Alabama is one of several states considering bills restricting transgender minors. The sports bill is the second one related to transgender youth introduced this session.
