Government
JeffCo Employees Getting 3% Raises In Budget Passed Thursday
The Jefferson County Commission unanimously passed a $882,750,611 budget last week. It includes a 3% across-the-board raise for county employees.
Birmingham Applies For Grants To Beef Up Surveillance, Readies To Open Real-Time Crime Center
The city of Birmingham will apply for a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to purchase and maintain license plate readers in an effort “to improve the [Birmingham Police Department’s] response to violent crime.”
Birmingham Council OKs Rezoning To Allow Event Venue In Kingston
The city’s long-range land-use plan for the area states that the property should transition “toward a more mixed-use low designation” because of its proximity to residential areas, said Katrina Thomas, the city’s interim deputy director of planning, engineering and permits.
‘Can-Do Cal’ Takes A Customer-Focused Approach To New Job As JeffCo County Manager
Cal Markert will start his new role of Jefferson County Manager on Oct. 1, 2021.
Project To Turn Old Ensley High Project Into Apartment Complex Moves Forward
Plans to redevelop the former Ensley High School into a 244-unit apartment complex took another step forward Tuesday, despite pushback from one councilor.
COVID Drives Up Costs At Jefferson County Jails
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office asked for more money during the final weeks of the 2020 fiscal year. The apparent reason was a hefty cleaning bill at the two county jails. But commissioners learned that increased expenses for feeding prisoners brought on by pandemic protocols contributed to the large request.
Strong Campaign Propels Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin To A Second Term
University of Alabama at Birmingham political science professor Peter Jones said fundraising and a "boots to the ground" strategy gave incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin his commanding victory in Tuesday's election.
Six City Council Members Win Reelection; Parker And Hilliard Face Runoffs
City Councilors William Parker (D4) and John Hilliard (D9) will face challengers in a runoff on Oct. 5.
Here Are The Full Results From Birmingham’s City Election
A runoff election is Oct. 5 for races in which no candidate won a majority.
Two Incumbents, Including President, Ousted From The Birmingham School Board Of Education
Incumbent and Board President Daagye Hendricks (D4) was defeated by Derrick Billups. Incumbent Terri Micha (D2) was defeated by Neonta Williams. And District 1 will go to a runoff between incumbent Douglas Lee Ragland and Sherman Collins Jr..
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin Wins Another Term
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was elected to another term Tuesday evening, taking in roughly 64% of the vote.
Birmingham Council OKs Extra Funds For Bus Rapid Transit System
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve using $18 million in American Rescue Plan funds to cover unexpected extra costs in construction of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit System. […]
WBHM Surveyed Birmingham School Board Candidates — Here Are Their Responses
The election for the Birmingham City school board is August 24. Ten candidates responded to WBHM's survey to see where they stand on COVID, academic, funding, and parent engagement.
Donald Trump’s ‘Save America’ Rally Packs Farm Near Cullman
The former president of the United States fired up supporters Saturday night, criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the troop withdrawal in Afghanistan and more.
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.
