Government
ALDOT Pitches Options for Little Cahaba River Bridge. Opponents Warn of Immediate and Permanent Harm to Drinking Water
Traffic authorities seeking to extend a road across the Little Cahaba River in southern Jefferson County promised Tuesday to make it a controlled access road and prevent adjacent development in the watershed that protects metropolitan Birmingham’s drinking water supply.
The Biggest Donors Eclipse The Rest In Gubernatorial Campaigns
By Glenn Stephens Hundreds of thousands of dollars from Alabama’s richest person and a group of Tuscaloosa-based political action committees are fueling the race for governor as the campaign enters its final three months. Incumbent Republican Gov. Kay Ivey and Democratic challenger Walt Maddox, mayor of Tuscaloosa, have gotten most of their campaign money from […]
Uncovering Elder Financial Abuse? It’s Tricky.
The elderly can be easy targets for financial abuse. First, they might have money saved from a lifetime of working. Plus they might not be as alert to scams or people taking advantage of them. Banks and other financial institutions can sometimes spot potential problems early. That’s just the beginning of what can be a sticky issue.
Seniors Find Opportunities and Challenges Returning to Work
It’s a good time to be in the market for a job in this state. And that goes for older adults too.
Florida Gun Violence Survivors Join Alabama Activists In Gun Control Panel
When a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida earlier this year, killing 17 students and faculty, surviving students led a charge for gun control and launched a political movement to demand action from lawmakers.
Peace Program is on President’s Budget-Cut List. Here’s Why Alabama Teacher Values Its Help
A Birmingham-area teacher is among four selected from across the country to participate in a national program aimed at “empowering their students to see peace as something practical and possible.”
Promoting Humanities in a Math and Science World
Listen to Alabama politicians talk about education and you’ll hear about workforce development. They say schools should focus on math and science to help industry grow. There’s less emphasis on music or literature. That concerns John Parrish Peede. The Mississippi native became chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities earlier this year.
Unpaid Debts: Cities Owe Jefferson County More Than $800,000 for EMA and Personnel Board Costs
Cities and towns in Jefferson County owe the county more than $800,000, according to a report given at the County Commission meeting Thursday in Bessemer.
Appeals Court Ruling Allows Fight for Minimum Wage Increase To Continue
A federal court ruling allows Birmingham minimum wage workers to continue to push for higher pay.
Alabama Leaders Oppose Clean Car Standards Rollback
Elected leaders and others gathered in Birmingham to oppose to Trump administration's plan to roll back clean car standards, including those setting targets for fuel efficiency.
Bribery Trial Guilty Verdict Sends Message Through Alabama Politics
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald reacts to the bribery conviction of a Birmingham attorney and a coal company executive saying it sends a message to those who believe this is business as usual.
Birmingham Attorney, Coal Executive Found Guilty of Bribing State Lawmaker
An attorney with Birmingham firm Balch & Bingham and an executive with coal company Drummond have been convicted of bribing a state lawmaker to stop expansion of an environmental cleanup site around north Birmingham.
Relatives of Unaccompanied Minors Fear Deportation
As the court-imposed deadline for the Trump administration to reunite unaccompanied minors with their parents nears, relatives across the U.S. including Alabama are reluctant to step up.
City Offers Help to Renovate Homes in Blighted Neighborhoods
Two big economic development projects in Birmingham might pay off for city neighborhoods. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced a program today to spend $1 million on home renovations in blighted neighborhoods.
Etowah County Sheriff Accused of Sex with Underage Girls
An Alabama woman says she had sex with Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin four times in 1992, when she was 15 and he was 29. The incidents allegedly took place at drug-fueled parties the sheriff hosted. Entrekin denies the allegations.
It’s Back to the Polls Across Alabama. Voters to Decide Party Nominees
Alabama's primary runoffs include statewide races for lieutenant governor, attorney general, and a number of local races. Here's everything you need to know.
Federal Bribery Trial Digs into Lobbying Around Birmingham Superfund Site
The prosecution has rested its case in the federal corruption trial of two Birmingham attorneys and a coal company vice president. The question is whether they bribed a state lawmaker to fight efforts to clean up a polluted Birmingham neighborhood.
2018 Runoff Voter Guide: What Races Are up in the Air and Who’s on the Ballot?
In this edition of the BirminghamWatch Voter Guide, you will find lists of candidates on the ballot and their profiles, which include basic information about each of the candidates such as the top contributors to their campaigns, the main issues they’re citing in their campaigns and links to their web or social media sites.
Racking Up Tickets in Birmingham? It’s Amnesty Time
If you have unpaid parking tickets in Birmingham or tickets for minor traffic offenses, the city is giving you two months to pay. No extra fines. It's part of the city's latest amnesty program.
Hoover City Council to Consider Sales Tax Increase
The Hoover City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on increasing its sales tax by a half cent. The council will also consider boosting some lodging taxes and rental property fees.
Why People Are Talking About Gov. Ivey’s Age
There's a lot of chatter among political pundits and voters about whether Gov. Kay Ivey is up to the task of leading the state for a full term. Is it a question that comes up often for older female political candidates?
Judge Helen Shores Lee Remembered For Equity and Fairness
Judge Helen Shores Lee, the first African America female elected to the Jefferson County Circuit Court, died today. She was 77.
Trump’s Budget Wish List: What It Could Mean for Alabama
How President Trump's proposed budget cuts could affect Alabama's urban and rural residents.
AG Marshall Speaks Out About Wife’s Mental Health Struggles
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall shed light today on circumstances around his wife's death this past Sunday. In an emotional press conference, Marshall set the record straight about his family.
Amazon Expected to Change Bessemer’s Economy
Bessemer city officials and Amazon have confirmed that the nation’s largest e-commerce company will build a $325 million fulfillment center along I-20/59 near Bessemer City High School.
Teachers, School Funding Among New Schools Chief’s Priorities
Eric Mackey is Alabama’s new superintendent of education. Before this, he was a lobbyist for state school superintendents. Mackey says Alabama schools must address poverty, teachers, and school funding.
Birmingham City Council Approves $436 Million Budget
The $436 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 includes basic support for city services and a small cost of living adjustment for employees. But some funds and requests will be handled differently.
Analysis of Alabama’s Primary from the Right and Left
Democrat Walt Maddox and Republican Kay Ivey will meet in the fall race for Governor. Some other races in Alabama's primary will go to runoffs first. We have analysis from Republican consultant Jeff Vreeland and Democratic pollster Zac McCrary.
Ivey, Maddox to Face Off in November
Gov. Kay Ivey won Tuesday's Republican primary with a significant lead over her three opponents, giving her a chance to be elected to the seat for the first time in November. She will face Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in the race for governor.
Birmingham Lands New Pro Football Team For 2019
Birmingham is getting a new professional football team and Legion Field is getting a new tenant. The Alliance of American Football League, led by television and film producer Charlie Ebersol and former NFL executive Bill Pollian, announced Monday it will include Birmingham in its initial eight-team line up.
Alabama Governor’s Primary Race is All About Corruption
There’s been rampant corruption among state leaders in Alabama, and it’s escalated in recent years. Voters have noticed. And judging by the anti-corruption political ads and fliers blanketing mailboxes and screens, candidates in Tuesday’s primary are responding.
Council Proposes Changes to Birmingham Mayor’s Budget
The Birmingham City Council wants to restore funding for neighborhood associations and several non-profits in its proposed changes for Mayor Randall Woodfin’s 2019 budget. The council submitted its budget counterproposal to the mayor on Tuesday.
