Government

Philemon Hill: Birmingham Needs Economic Development and Strong Schools

Philemon Hill is a sports marketer. He’s promoted sporting events from baseball to golf around the Southeast. But he’s also become a fixture at Birmingham City Council and School Board meetings. Now, he’d like to make the leap from gadfly to mayor.

Bell, Woods, and Woodfin Top Poll and Fundraising in Birmingham Mayor’s Race

A WBRC Fox 6 News poll in the Birmingham mayor’s race shows incumbent William Bell, building contractor Chris Woods and Birmingham school board member Randall Woodfin leading the race as the Aug. 22 election approaches. Those same three candidates are leading in fundraising, according to a WBHM analysis.

From Poverty to Potholes, Frank Matthews Wants to Fix the City

Frank Matthews has been a preacher, a media consultant and co-director of the Mayor's Office of Citizens' Assistance. Now, the he wants to become mayor of Birmingham .

The Risk Brooks Took: Choosing Sessions Over Trump

Congressman and Republican U.S. Senate candidate discusses his decision to criticize President Donald Trump over publicly berating Attorney General Jeff Session.

Trump’s Attacks on Sessions Become Part of U.S. Senate Primary

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the Republican side of the special primary election for U.S. Senate.

Fernandez Sims Says Birmingham Needs A Servant Leader

Brother Fernandez Sims is a Birmingham minister. From his time in the pulpit and counseling people in the community, he says he sees the needs of Birmingham residents. He says he wants to be mayor to address those some of those needs.

Former Chief Justice Roy Moore Campaigns on Return to Morality

As former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat, he's not backing away from his opposition to same-sex marriage or his views on religion in government.

Crowded Field of Eight Battle For District 2 Council Seat

There’s only one seat for the Birmingham City Council in District 2, and eight people want it – including the incumbent. The district, which includes the east Birmingham communities of East Lake, Roebuck Springs, Liberty Highlands, Crestwood South, Huffman and several others, has attracted a combination of young professionals and community leaders.

Crime, Education, Jobs Among Top Issues For Birmingham Voters

Many of those running for office in Birmingham, whether for mayor or city council or school board, have their own ideas on how to improve life in the city. But ask some of the city’s 212,000 residents what keeps them up at night, and you’ll hear the same concerns come up over and over again: jobs, education, and crime.

Corruption Probe Moves Beyond Indicted Former State Lawmaker

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses what could be next now that indicted former state lawmaker Oliver Robinson is cooperating with prosecutors in a bribery scandal.

Revisiting Birmingham’s Bid to Host the Democratic National Convention

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains why he believes the City of Birmingham's bid to host the Democratic National Convention in 2016 wasn't really about landing the convention.

Randall Woodfin Wants to Revitalize Birmingham Communities

Birmingham lawyer Randall Woodfin grew up in different parts of Birmingham. The 36-year-old is now running for mayor. He says he’s connected to communities from North Birmingham to Southtown. And if elected, he says he would revitalize those neighborhoods outside of downtown.

Election Commission to States: Hold Voter Info Pending Legal Ruling

President Trump’s election commission sent a letter today asking Secretaries of State to hold off on submitting the voter data it requested pending a federal judge’s ruling on a legal challenge. […]

Secretary of State Questions Election Commission Request for Voter Data

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill was in Indianapolis this past weekend for the National Association of Secretaries of State’s annual conference. He says President Donald Trump’s Election Integrity Commission […]

Birmingham Races Draw Crowds; A Dozen Candidates in Mayor’s Race

No one gets a free pass into office this year in Birmingham. The 19 races on the ballot for the upcoming City Elections are all contested. The largest number of candidates want the job as mayor.

Tuscaloosa Law Enforcement and University of Alabama Accused of Mishandling Alleged Rape

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the case of Megan Rondini. The former University of Alabama student was allegedly raped and later committed suicide after the family says the university and law enforcement botched her case.

Chris Woods Makes Second Run For Mayor of Birmingham

He is a child of the civil rights movement and came of age as his father and uncle battled racial injustice. But Woods, now running to unseat Birmingham Mayor William Bell, has had different struggles that have shaped his own vision for the city. Woods sat down with our Sherrel Wheeler Stewart.

Larry Contri, Former Interim School Superintendent, Vies for a Board Seat

The veteran Birmingham educator, who was interim school superintendent but passed over for the permanent job, is running for a seat on the Birmingham Board of Education. Contri qualified Friday to run in District 3. Mary Drennen Boehm, the former executive director of A+ College Ready Alabama, has also qualified for that race.

Birmingham Election Qualifying Ends This Week — Who’s In?

The list of candidates so far includes several incumbents and other familiar names. Qualifying ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 7.

Trump Administration Cuts Funding to Anti-White-Supremacy Group

A group that helps people leave white supremacist organizations recently lost a huge federal grant. Officials with Life After Hate say the news was upsetting but not surprising. The Department […]

Marchers Urge Birmingham to Become Sanctuary City

Immigrant advocates and residents marched in downtown Birmingham Saturday from Kelly Ingram Park to City Hall. They want Birmingham to become a “sanctuary city” – one that does not use city resources to carry out federal immigration enforcement.

Birmingham Officials Spend Hundreds of Thousands on Travel Annually

A review by the weekly newspaper Weld finds one Birmingham City Council member was responsible for nearly half of the council's entire travel budget last fiscal year.

Is Robinson Indictment the Beginning of “Alabama’s Watergate?”

Alabama is currently waiting to see what happens next in the situation involving former state Rep. Oliver Robinson. He pleaded guilty last week to federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion and wire fraud. AL.com's John Archibald thinks there may be more indictments to come.

Focus on Birmingham Mayor’s Race as Election Revs Up

Between the mayor’s race, city council and school board – 19 seats in all are up for grabs in the Birmingham City Elections set for August 22.

Medicaid Cuts Could Hit Alabama Seniors Hard

The U.S. Senate has delayed a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. As of now, the proposed new bill would result in deep cuts to Medicaid. But a recent report says Alabama is one of seven states where rural seniors rely more on Medicaid for their health care than they do in most other places.

Ex-State Lawmaker Oliver Robinson to Plead Guilty In Federal Bribery Case

Former State Representative Oliver Robinson will plead guilty to federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion and wire fraud in a scheme to block expansion of a Superfund site.

Investigation Shows State School Board Member Conspired Against Superintendent Candidate

The Alabama Board of Education accepted a report Wednesday that found five people, including a state school board member, conspired to keep a leading candidate from being chosen as state superintendent last year.

Humane Society Approved for New 27-acre Facility in Titusville

The Birmingham City Council Tuesday transferred ownership of the property in Titusville to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Despite overwhelming support from residents, some in the neighborhood voiced concerns about the move. Hear more from Nick Patterson of Weld.

Finding Agreement in a Divisive Culture

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a shooting that left a congressman wounded and flaws he sees in Alabama's constitution.

Special Coverage: Attorney General Jeff Sessions Testifies on Capitol Hill

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee in an open hearing on Tuesday. Senators will likely ask about his recusal from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and what if anything he knew about President Trump reportedly asking former FBI Director James Comey to ease off the inquiry into onetime national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Changes to Mayor-Council Act Deepening Rift at Birmingham City Hall

Weld investigates changes to the Mayor-Council Act and what Mayor William Bell is doing with his new authority.

Mayor Bell Takes Interest in Delinquent Water Works Customers

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about why all of a sudden Mayor William Bell is voicing concern about the Birmingham Water Works' decision to start cutting off service to customers who are behind on their bills.