News
Alabama Broadband Expansion to Improve High-Speed Internet Access
Alabamians, especially in rural areas, will see improvements in their internet access. A new partnership announced today plans to expand current broadband infrastructure and provide faster fiber optic cables throughout the state.
Relatives of Alabama Inmates Call on Prisons Task Force to Improve Conditions
Advocates and relatives of Alabama prisoners called on Gov. Kay Ivey's criminal justice study group to implement reforms. Concerns at Wednesday's meeting ranged from violent prison conditions to the lack of re-entry services.
Buttigieg Calls for Pay Equity During Visit to Birmingham
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg spoke about economic and racial inequality at a community leaders meeting in Birmingham Wednesday. It was part of a multi-day campaign swing through the South.
Remembering Slain Alabama Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams
Funeral services were held today for "Big John" Williams. He was a popular sheriff allegedly killed by the son of a deputy from a neighboring county. His death has resonated nationwide.
High Court Rules Confederate Monument Outside Birmingham City Hall Cannot Be Covered, Fines City
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the city of Birmingham had violated state law by covering a Confederate monument outside City Hall.
Police Positively Identify Aniah Blanchard’s Remains
The remains found Monday in Macon County have been positively identified as those of Aniah Blanchard, according to the Auburn Police Division.
Birmingham Water Works Board Approves Rate Increase
Birmingham Water Works customers will have slightly higher monthly water bills starting in January 2020.
Humans Remains Found in Macon County Could Be Those Of Aniah Blanchard
The human remains found Monday in Macon County could be Aniah Blanchard's, according to Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes. But Macon County Coroner Hal Bentley says his office hasn't received a call about the remains.
Birmingham Initiative Pardons Low-Level Marijuana Convictions
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin launched a new initiative to pardon thousands of people with misdemeanor marijuana convictions, a move meant to ease a significant barrier to employment.
Bradford Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The family of Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr., a young black man killed by a Hoover police officer a year ago, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Friday over his death. Attorneys for the family allege the officer did not follow proper procedure.
PSC Hears Arguments for Raising or Abolishing Alabama Power’s Fees for Solar Users
Spectators – many wearing ‘Let It Shine’ stickers – packed a Public Service Commission hearing room this morning to hear testimony about the fees Alabama Power Company charges residents to use solar panels or other alternative means of power generation.
Walter Gonsoulin Named New JefCoEd Superintendent, Its First African American Leader
Walter Gonsoulin, who has served as interim superintendent of the Jefferson County Schools since the departure past month of Craig Pouncey, now holds the position for good.
Questions Loom One Year After Hoover Mall Shooting
The police killing of 21-year-old Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr. happened a year ago at the Riverchase Galleria Mall after officers wrongly thought he was the shooter. Alabama’s Attorney General cleared the Hoover police officer of any criminal wrongdoing and so did the Department of Justice. But a lot of questions remain unanswered.
Alexander Retains Seat in Birmingham City Council District 7 Runoff
Despite strong opposition from challenger Ray Brooks, incumbent District 7 City Councilor Wardine Alexander appears to have retained her seat on the Birmingham City Council.
New UAB Initiative Seeks to Improve Health Statewide
Alabama often ends up at the bottom in health rankings on indicators such as obesity and high blood pressure. A new initiative launching Tuesday aims to pull Alabama out of the bottom ten among states over the next decade.
Public Hearing to Consider Future of Alabama Power’s ‘Solar Tax’
Solar power is becoming cheaper and more accessible nationwide. But in Alabama, residents face a roadblock. State regulators will hold a public hearing this week on Alabama Power's fee for solar panel users.
Crime Down in Birmingham So Far in 2019
Birmingham is getting safer according to Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. He says the latest statistics show many crimes are down compared to a year ago.
What Climate Change Could Mean for Alabama’s Coast
Climate change has far reaching effects. A new series from Birmingham Watch looks at what climate change could mean for Alabama's coast.
Jefferson County Clears Hurdle to Working out an Agreement With UAB for a Health Care Authority
The Jefferson County Commission voted 3-2 for a resolution that executes an amended master agreement to establish the framework for UAB to form an authority to operate Cooper Green Mercy Health System.
Report: State Improved in Several Child Health Indicators but Still Struggles With Poverty, Racial Disparity
Alabama has made significant progress in infant mortality rates, teen pregnancies and child safety, but poverty and a racial disparity in indicators of wellbeing remain a problem for children in the state, according to a report released today.
Changing Climate: Many in Coastal Alabama Act Now to Rebuild Shorelines, Prepare for Storms
Some Alabamians and the politicians they elect traditionally have denied global warming. But many people in coastal Alabama are preparing now for what they fear will be inevitable consequences of increased warming of the air and oceans.
What to Expect at the Alabama-LSU Game with Trump in Attendance
The Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers, the top two teams in college football, will clash at Bryant-Denny Stadium. On top of that, President Donald Trump will be there.
How Trump Factors into Jeff Sessions’ Senate Run
Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to join a long list of Republicans who want to be Alabama's next U.S. Senator.
Jeff Sessions Wants To Return To The Senate, GOP Sources Say
Republican sources say ex-Attorney General Jeff Sessions wants to return to the Senate. He was a key Trump supporter but the relationship soured when Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe.
Changing Climate: In Pursuit of the Disappearing Alabama Oyster. Will They Ever Return?
Oysters, one of the vital signs of the health of Alabama’s coastal waters, were once a jewel of the state’s economy and a local delicacy. Now, wild oysters from the Mobile Bay area have almost entirely disappeared. With few exceptions, the oysters most of us now enjoy originate elsewhere.
Alabama Democrats Under New Leadership As Legal Battles Loom
This past weekend, members of the state Democratic Executive Committee removed party chair Nancy Worley and elected state Rep. Chris England chair instead. Worley sued to stop the meeting from happening, but ultimately the Alabama Supreme Court allowed it to go on. An attorney for the faction that pushed for new leadership says looming legal battles are not a cause for concern.
Birmingham Council Chips in on East Lake Grocery Revamp as Part of Battle Against Food Deserts
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve a slate of economic incentives for one East Lake grocery store, continuing the Woodfin administration’s pledge to work toward eliminating food deserts in the city.
After Two Month Delay, Parole Hearings Will Resume
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles will resume parole hearings Tuesday. The state agency postponed hundreds of hearings since September, citing new legal requirements.
Cloudy Future for Dauphin Island, a Canary in the Coal Mine of Climate Change
Dauphin is one of perhaps 2,200 barrier islands that make up 10% to 12% of the globe’s coastline. They help absorb the blows of nature and suffer greatly for it, either eroding dramatically from catastrophic hurricane forces or gradually, almost imperceptibly, from constant wave action.
The Partisan Divide Isn’t That Wide Between Alabama’s Two US Senators, Though It Still Is a Canyon Among House Members
Although they differ on many high-profile issues, Alabama’s two U.S. senators voted together about half the time on key issues during 2019.
Jefferson County Is on the Brink of Shedding Personnel Consent Decree
U.S. District Court Judge Lynwood Smith wished Tony Petelos a happy Halloween, one in which he would get more treats than tricks.
UAB Researchers to Study Silent Strokes
You could have a stroke and not know it. It’s called a "silent stroke." And researchers at UAB want to know more about how it affects the brain.
