Government
BCRI Board Gets 12 New Members, 5 Reappointed
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Board received a makeover Tuesday with the City Council’s appointment of a dozen new members and reappointment of five current members.
Report: Alabama Community Corrections Harms Low-Income Participants
A recent report from the Southern Poverty Law Center says Alabama’s community corrections program unfairly burdens low-include people by charging fees to those under its supervision.
MAX Transit Weighs Cuts, Fare Increases
The Birmingham Jefferson Transit Authority (BJCTA) is considering cuts and fare increases to the MAX bus system. Many bus riders around Birmingham say the buses are unreliable and inefficient.
Annexit: The Push to Deannex Parts of Anniston into Oxford
Anniston City Councilwoman Millie Harris says some residents want out of the city because of poor schools, high crime rates, and declining property values.
Alabama Democrats Face a Deadline for New Bylaws and Elections
The Alabama Democratic Party is in the midst of a leadership crisis. The party must approve a new set of bylaws and elect new leaders by Saturday. But many observers say it looks like state Democrats will blow the deadline.
Birmingham Councilor Says City Has Increased Its Dedication to Public Transit
Despite looming service reductions from the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, District 5 Birmingham City Councilor Darrell O’Quinn emphasized Tuesday that the city has increased its dedication to public transit.
All Quiet on Alabama Immigrant Front in Face of ICE Raids in Neighboring Mississippi
It may have been an uneasy quiet for the large number of Hispanics among the 86,000 people employed in the Alabama poultry industry, but it has been quiet here since the 680 workers at Mississippi plants were arrested Wednesday by immigration authorities.
Jefferson County Commission Approves $700 Million Budget
The Jefferson County Commission recently passed a budget of more than $700 million for fiscal 2020.
Prison Re-Entry Program to Expand with $6 Million Grant
When prisoners are released, they often face lots of hurdles. They can't find work or housing or health care. Often, they end up back in prison. The Dannon Project recently received a large federal grant that will allow the nonprofit to help more former inmates get on their feet.
Birmingham Budget Passes After Debates Over School, Discretionary Funding
The Birmingham City Council passed Mayor Randall Woodfin's fiscal 2020 budget. Woodfin said his proposed $451 million budget was "as lean as they come."
Birmingham Sees Conflict Resolution as Key to Breaking Cycle of Violence
Violent crime remains high in Birmingham, particularly among young black men. Now, the city is partnering with several nonprofits to teach skills they hope will prevent conflicts from escalating.
Jones, Byrne Lead in Fundraising Among Candidates in 2020 US Senate Race
Democratic incumbent Sen. Doug Jones raised $1.8 million for his election campaign during the past three months, outpacing the still-forming field of candidates for Alabama’s 2020 U.S. Senate elections.
Partnership Aims to Make Birmingham’s Economic Growth More Equitable
Birmingham has gained attention for its downtown rebirth. But the Birmingham area economy still falls behind similar cities, particularly when it comes to job growth. A partnership announced in December between the city and the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C. think tank, aims to boost the Birmingham economy with an eye toward making those gains more equitable.
Birmingham City Council Approves Healthy Food Overlay District
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to establish a “healthy food overlay district,” designed to make healthy food options more accessible for the approximately two-thirds of the city’s population that lives within food deserts.
District Attorney Drops Charges Against Marshae Jones
Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Lynneice Washington announced Wednesday afternoon that she has dropped the manslaughter case against Marshae Jones, the Alabama woman who was charged in the death of her fetus when she was shot in the stomach during an argument.
Attorney Explains Motion To Dismiss In Case Of Alabama Woman Indicted In Death Of Her Fetus
Marshae Jones is facing a manslaughter charge for "intentionally causing the death of her fetus."
Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance Accuses Trump Administration of Holding Migrants in Concentration Camps
Allegations that children are living in squalid conditions, forced to sleep on concrete floors with limited access to bathrooms and no way to brush their teeth or bathe, have prompted calls for action and pushback from officials with Customs and Border Protection.
“Harsh and Sad at the Same Time” – Residents React to Case of Marshae Jones
Marshae Jones was charged with manslaughter in the death of her fetus after being shot in the stomach during a fight. The case has drawn international attention, with people on both sides of the debate over whether a fetus should have the rights of personhood.
Lawyers File Motion to Dismiss Charges Against Woman Whose Fetus was Killed in Fight
Lawyers for a Jefferson County woman who was charged last week with manslaughter in the death of her 5-month-old fetus filed a motion to dismiss on Monday.
Alabama Woman Charged with Manslaughter in the Death of Her Own Fetus Awaits District Attorney Decision
Marshae Jones has been charged with manslaughter for the death of her own fetus, even though a different woman shot Jones in the stomach. Police say Jones was endangering her fetus by starting the fight.
Justices Won’t Revive Alabama Ban on Abortion Procedure
The U.S. Supreme Court won't revive Alabama's ban on the most commonly used procedure in second-trimester abortions. The measure has been blocked by lower courts.
Persistent Potholes Draw Phallic Painting
Drive around Birmingham and you probably have to dodge potholes. A strategy middle school boys would love is drawing new attention to the problem. Recently, someone sprayed penises on potholes in an effort to get city officials to respond.
Young Democrats Hold Presidential Debate Watch Party
Several of the candidates have visited Alabama in the last two months, but most have not. The president of the group Birmingham Young Democrats says while many in attendance may be leaning toward a particular candidate already, the debates give them a chance to consider the full slate.
Merrill Announces Run for Alabama U.S. Senate Seat
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill is adding his name to the long list of Republicans who hope to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Doug Jones. Merrill says Alabama needs a “proven conservative” in the Senate who will support President Donald Trump on issues like immigration and judicial appointments.
Two Homewood Dispatchers Claim Discrimination in Lawsuit
The City of Homewood is facing a federal lawsuit after two police dispatchers say department leaders discriminated against them at work.
Supreme Court Orders Documents Unsealed In Death Penalty Case
The U.S. Supreme Court ordered documents unsealed Monday in a death penalty case out of Alabama after a motion was filed by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and NPR.
Roy Moore Announces He’ll Run for U.S. Senate Again in 2020
Alabama Republican Roy Moore announced Thursday that he is running for U.S. Senate again in 2020 after failing to win the seat two years ago amid sexual misconduct accusations.
Scales Says Jefferson County Commissioners Should Be Kept More in the Loop on Indigent Health Care Plans
After two months of waiting, Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales wanted some answers Tuesday concerning the health care authority being designed by UAB Health System and Jefferson County and expressed concern that commissioners are not more involved in the process.
Birmingham Councilor Suggests Calling in the Guard If Nothing Else Curbs Crime in the City
Birmingham City Councilor Steven Hoyt called on Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin to change his strategies for fighting crime in Birmingham, even if it means calling in the National Guard.
Birmingham-Area Republicans Gather for Trump Reelection Watch Party
Area Republicans gathered Tuesday night to watch President Trump's televised rally in Florida launching his reelection campaign. Many there say they've already made up their minds no matter who else joins the race. They'll support Trump.
Alabama’s Chemical Castration Law Draws Criticism
Certain convicted sex offenders in Alabama will soon have to undergo chemical castration if they want to be released on parole. That’s according to a bill signed into law this week by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris Campaigns in Birmingham
In her Friday speech in Birmingham, Sen. Kamala Harris promised to stand up for women's access to reproductive care, take on gun control and work to give all Americans quality healthcare.
