Government

Derelict Banks High School Building Set To Be Demolished

The Birmingham City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the one-year extension of a loan agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to tear down the building.

Environmental Groups Say Water Board Isn’t Effectively Protecting Drinking Water Supply

A new lawsuit against the Birmingham Water Works Board claims it failed to comply with a 2001 consent decree that protects land around the Cahaba River watershed, a major source of Birmingham’s drinking water.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Lighter Marijuana Penalties, Transgender Youth Therapies, Confederate Monuments

The week's highlights: A bill to ban therapies for transgender minors passed in the Alabama Senate. Lawmakers rejected a measure that would have given cities and towns more flexibility to move unwanted Confederate monuments elsewhere.

Ivey Extends Face Mask Order But Not For Long

Gov. Ivey leaves face mask order alone for now, but says it will end April 9.

Birmingham Divvies Up $500K In Bold Funding For Nonprofits

Nine Birmingham nonprofits will receive funding from the city’s Building Opportunities for Lasting Development grant initiative this year, despite an overall reduction in funding for the program.

Field Of Candidates For Birmingham Mayor Continues To Grow

Currently, there are six people in the race for mayor of Birmingham. The filing deadline is July 10.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Gambling, Medical Marijuana, No-Excuse Absentee Voting

One of the measures that passed with very little debate in the Alabama Senate this week would authorize the use of medical marijuana. But the measure could face bigger challenges in the House.

Jeffco Commission Gets Clean Bill Of Health After State Review Of Its Accounts

The Jefferson County Commission is conducting its duties in accordance with state law, says a report from the Alabama Examiners of Public Accounts.

Birmingham Mayor, Council Pushing Two Separate Wish Lists In Legislature

The city of Birmingham is sending two sets of lobbyists to Montgomery — one from Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office and one from the City Council.

Federal COVID-19 Rent and Utilities Assistance Set For Birmingham Residents

The City of Birmingham has received nearly $6.3 million in federal funding to assist residents who are unable to pay rent and utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alabama Senate Committee Passes Gambling Bill Before Break

Sweeping gambling legislation cleared a hurdle in the Alabama Legislature this week.

Jefferson County Commission OK’s More Cleanup Help In Fultondale

"Somebody has to get those big trees out of that creek or it’s going to back up and start flooding and start blocking roads and flooding these houses that are damaged," said Commissioner Joe Knight.

Jefferson County Commission May Hire More Road Clean-Up Help

Jefferson County Commissioners are considering whether to hire temporary workers to clean up litter along county roads.

Candidates Lining Up To Run For Birmingham City Council

Several incumbents plan to seek re-election and some challengers have emerged.

Birmingham City Council Approves The Council President’s Trip To Meet With Legislators

The Birmingham City Council has approved its first official travel since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

Gambling Proposals Must Pass The ‘Smell Test’ Before Going To Voters, Ivey Tells Lawmakers

The governor recapped the challenges of 2020, particularly on schools and the economy.

William Bell Will Run For Mayor’s Seat Again

Former Birmingham Mayor William Bell has filed paperwork to run again for mayor.

Bill Would Mandate Feedback On Jefferson County Public Health Rules

Lawmakers have proposed legislation that would require more oversight of the local health officer in Alabama's most populous county. Area physicians strongly oppose the measure.

Ivey Signs Contracts To Build Two Mega Prisons

Alabama moves one step closer to replacing most existing male prisons with three privately-built mega prisons.

What To Expect During The 2021 Alabama Legislative Session

Lawmakers will debate perennial issues from the budgets to prisons, but the coronavirus pandemic remains ever present.

Woodfin Kicks Off Mayoral Reelection Campaign, Says He’ll Ramp Up Work On Neighborhoods, Education Priorities

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced this weekend that he is running for another term.

Jones Starts His Post-Senate Life As CNN Contributor

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones is taking on a new role as a political commentator at CNN.

City Council Approves Bid For Birmingham Real-Time Crime Center

The city of Birmingham's 'real-time crime center' is coming to life thanks to the city council's approval of a nearly $1 million construction bid.

Settlement Reached To Address ABC Coke Pollution

The Drummond Company will now be required to follow a leak detection and repair program for the rest of the plant’s existence.

Birmingham Police Stations Offer Safe Place To Exchange Online Purchases

The comments from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin comes after a UAB student was shot and killed during a transaction arranged online.

Park Board Approves Making Legion Field A 24/7 Vaccination Site

Legion Field has been operating as a testing site for COVID-19. Now officials want to expand the operation to include coronavirus vaccinations.

JeffCo Commission Picks Up Where Feds Left Off, Will Pay For COVID Time Off

The Jefferson County Commission unanimously approved funding this week that will help pay county employees for time off related to COVID-19.

Birmingham Council Hires Its Own Lobbyist And Lawyer, Saying The Mayor Doesn’t Share Information

The Birmingham City Council decided this week to hire its own lobbyist and legal consultant.

Alabama Young Voters On Capitol Attacks: ‘We Can’t Unsee Those Images’

Young voters of both parties look toward the future as a new administration takes over.

Woodfin Looks Toward A Better 2021 In State Of The Community Address

The mayor discussed continued neighborhood revitalization, the rise in homicides, and encouraging economic development projects on the horizon.

Scales Announces Bid For Mayor

The county commissioner would be the first elected female mayor of the city.