Government
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.
Spend It All: JeffCo Commission Makes Sure to Leave No Cares Act Money On The Table
The county commissioners sought to tie up any loose ends for Cares Act money at its meeting on Tuesday.
Predictable Prejudice: Predictive Policing Software Promises Unbiased Crime-Fighting, But Can It Deliver?
Predictive policing software programs such as PredPol was adopted by the Homewood Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 and Birmingham Police Department in 2019.
Birmingham Officials Reject Defunding, But Plan Police Reforms With Civilian Oversight
The city of Birmingham’s Public Safety Task Force released a report Thursday morning that outlines four areas that the city can improve on.
DOJ Sues Alabama Over Violence In Prisons
The lawsuit is an attempt by federal officials to force the state to remedy a prison system long riddled with violence.
Slated For A Mega Prison, Brierfield Residents Demand Answers
Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced where she wants to build three new mega prisons. Residents are pushing back on the plan.
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.
Gov. Ivey Extends Mask Order Into 2021
Governor Kay Ivey is extending Alabama’s Safer-at-Home order until January 22, 2021.
Cam Ward Plans New Direction For Pardons And Paroles
State Sen. Cam Ward is replacing Charlie Graddick as director of Alabama's Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. Under Graddick's leadership, paroles rates declined significantly.
State Finance Chief: All Coronavirus Relief Money Will Be Spent
The state is working through a backlog of requests from local governments, nonprofits, and others for CARES Act funds.
Jeffco Commission To Consider Mortgage Assistance
The Jefferson County Commission is expected Thursday to amend its disbursement of Cares Act funds to include mortgage assistance for residents adversely affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Birmingham Bringing Back Up to 132 Furloughed Employees
The city will borrow money from its general fund reserve amid concerns from some council members.
Alabama Nears Deadline To Spend Coronavirus Relief Money
Alabama must spend its remaining coronavirus relief funds by Dec. 30. Advocacy groups are urging Gov. Kay Ivey to fund immediate needs across the state. But, getting the money out isn’t an easy task.
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.
Commission OKs Cares Act Funding In Quick Session
"We don’t want to send money back to Washington. We want to make sure that it’s spent here and for us to do that, we need to make sure we’ve looked at every avenue possible," said Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons.
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 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.
Alabama Democrats Celebrate Biden Victory
Alabama Democrats celebrated the news that Joe Biden was declared the winner in the 2020 presidential race.
With New Flag Design, Mississippi Ushers In A New Symbol Of Hope
Mississippi voters overwhelmingly approved a new design for a state flag to replace the Confederate-themed flag that had been in place since 1894.
Big Turnout But No Major Problems At Jefferson County Precincts
About 64% of registered voters in Jefferson County turned out to vote in Tuesday's general election, according to the county's website.
Ivey Extends Mask Mandate Through December 11
The extension comes as new COVID-19 cases rise in Alabama.
Alabama Moves One Step Closer To Removing Racist Language From State Constitution
Alabama voters approved an amendment to remove racist language from the state constitution. But change won't be fast and there are more hurdles to clear.
Voters Change Constitution With Votes For At Least Five Amendments
Five of the six statewide amendments on Alabama’s ballot passed Tuesday.
Trump Sweeps Alabama, Tuberville Ousts Jones for Senate Seat
Trump won Alabama overwhelmingly Tuesday night over Democrat Joe Biden.
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.
Live: 2020 Election Updates And Results
November 3rd was the final voting day of the 2020 election. The presidency as well as several key Senate, House and gubernatorial races were on the line. Follow NPR’s coverage and results.
2020 BirminghamWatch Voter Guide: Finally, Voters Are Streaming Into Polls for Election Day 2020
Voters are turning out Tuesday to vote in the 2020 general election.
Deeply Red Alabama Returns To Form With Tuberville Win
Republican Tommy Tuberville defeated Democratic incumbent Sen. Doug Jones in Tuesday's election.
Jeffco Election Officials Work Through The Weekend To Fix Absentee Ballots
Some voters in Jefferson County have already come in to "cure" their ballots and can continue to do so before the deadline on Monday, November 2, at 5 p.m.
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.
2020 BirminghamWatch Voter Guide
Your guide to the 2020 Election.
