Government
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.
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.
