BirminghamWatch

Who’s Running For Birmingham City Council?

Do you know who is running for Birmingham City Council? Check out this complete list.

2021 Birmingham Mayoral Candidate Profiles

The ballots are set for the Birmingham mayoral election on Aug. 24. But do you really know who the candidates are? Check out these profiles.

Health Official Warns About The Danger Of Being In Crowds As High School Football Fully Kicks Off

High school football games are set to fully kick off this week. Health experts say you should continue to wear a mask even if you're fully vaccinated because these events are likely to spread COVID-19.

K-12 Students To Be Tested For COVID In Schools

Cases of COVID-19 in youth are on the rise, according to the state department of public health. A new testing program in Alabama schools hopes to combat that.

Taliban Takeover Leaves Americans More Vulnerable, Says Father Of First American Killed In Afghan War

An Alabama man was the first American to die while fighting in Afghanistan. As President Biden withdraws U.S. troops from the area, the family is reflecting on his death nearly 20 years later.

Impasse Between City Council, Mayor’s Office On Scheduling Delays Spending Of City Relief Funds

The city of Birmingham hasn't made any more headway on spending the $74 million it received from the American Rescue Plan. The problem? Scheduling, according to Council President William Parker. That's because the city council, Mayor Randall Woodfin and the finance director need to meet again to discuss logistics.

54% of support comes from members

JeffCo Commissioner Cautions About Travel Expenses

The commissioner's eye was drawn to a trip someone from the county compliance office will next month to the Compliance & Ethics Institute Conference in Las Vegas. That trip will cost $3,354.55.

Alabama Health Officials Say COVID-19 Vaccine Safe For Pregnant Women

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or wanting to get pregnant, says health experts.

Schools Opening Short On Teachers Because Of An Increase In Retirements

Last school year, more than 3,500 school employees retired in Alabama. That's the highest number since 2010. Some credit the pandemic for the rise in retirement, while others say a growing unappreciation for school employees had caused these workers to leave the industry.

Delta Strikes Birmingham Public Works, But Mayor Says The City Will Get To Your Trash

Your trash will be picked up, said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin at a press conference Tuesday.

UAB Doc Predicts New Cases Of COVID Could Rocket To 13,000 A Day By The End Of August

New modeling shows that Alabama could reach a peak of 13,000 new cases per day by the end of August.

Jefferson County Commissioners Look For Ways To Stop Illegal Dumping

The amount of illegal dumping of trash in Jefferson County is "concerning," says county commissioners. They say more needs to be done to address the problem, which could include more stringent penalties.

Come Back With More Detail And We’ll Talk: Council Delays Plan For Rescue Money

Birmingham’s efforts to distribute millions of dollars of federal American Rescue Plan funding hit a snag Tuesday after councilors took issue with the vagueness of Mayor Randall Woodfin’s proposed allocations.

Birmingham Schools Will Require Masks After Shift In CDC Recommendations

Birmingham City Schools will once again require all students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear a face mask while in school facilities.

Birmingham Police Revise Policies To Disallow No-Knock Warrants

Birmingham police will no longer use no-knock warrants such as the one that led to the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville last year.

Offering A Carrot Won’t Get People Vaccinated, Maybe It’s Time To Talk About The Stick, Health Official Tells Birmingham Council

One health professional says incentivizing vaccines is not working and that it may be time for businesses to start requiring it.

Alabama’s COVID New-Case Average Quintuples In 10 Days, As Health Officials Struggle To Get More People Vaccinated

Health officials in the region are sounding the alarm as COVID-19 cases continue to increase. Across the Gulf States, hospitalizations have reached levels not seen since the Spring.

No Place Like Home As Woodlawn High Breaks Ground For New, On-Campus Football Stadium

The new stadium is expected to be ready for the 2022 football season. It'll accommodate 2,800 spectators, and it will include an artificial turf athletic field, renovated field house and a stadium lighting and sound system.

“It’s Playing A Game With Us”: Researcher Says COVID Delta Variant Is Spreading In Alabama

New data shows the delta variant made up almost 71% of cases tested at one local lab in recent weeks.

Birmingham Recycling Kicked Up To Twice A Month, City Buys Refuse Equipment

Residents in the city of Birmingham will soon start having their recycling picked up twice a month. The city’s recycling program was temporarily halted by COVID-19 last April.

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54% of support comes from members

Birmingham Elections Ballot Set

After the qualifying deadline elapsed Friday, eight people were on the ballot to compete in the mayor’s race, trying to capture the seat now held by Mayor Randall Woodfin.

Counties At Very High Risk Of COVID Spread Quadruples In 2 Weeks

Roughly 26 of Alabama's counties are at a 'very high risk' for COVID-19, according to data from the state health department.

Business Exec, A Self-Proclaimed “Full-Throttle Conservative,” Enters Senate Race

A fourth candidate has joined the race for Alabama U.S. Senator Richard Shelby's seat.

With COVID Cases On The Rise, Health Officials Say They’re Seeing Last Year’s Pattern Repeat Itself

Health officials say Alabama may be headed toward an explosion in the number of COVID-19 cases thanks to the coronavirus delta and delta plus variant.

Birmingham Council Looking At Candidates To Fill Seats On Several Boards

Seats on several Birmingham boards and authorities will be up for grabs next month, including city council-appointed positions on the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority and the Birmingham Land Bank Authority.

As Other States Drew Fire For Passing Restrictive Election Laws, Alabama Skirted The Limelight

National attention fell on Georgia for changes to its election laws earlier this year, but Alabama made changes too.

Mayor Woodfin Seeks Community Help To Find Shooters Of Children

Five children have been killed or injured by gun violence in Birmingham this year, and city leaders are pleading for witnesses to come forward.

Environmental Groups Appeal Judge’s Cahaba River Ruling To The Supreme Court

Two local environmental groups are appealing a Jefferson County Circuit Court’s recent decision to throw out the lawsuit against the Birmingham Water Works Board.

Bang, Bang. You’re Closed: Birmingham Threatens To Close Clubs With Violent Episodes

A drive-by shooting at Club Euphoria in west Birmingham left 21-year-old Lykeria Taylor dead and another male injured. Earlier that night, gunfire broke out at the club, leaving three others with non-life-threatening injuries.

Birmingham Council OKs Law To Allow Museum To Return Native American Art

The Birmingham Museum of Art will soon return several works of art to two Native American tribes that have requested them back.

Controversial New Alzheimer’s Drug Approved Despite Reservations

The drug, aducanumab, is expected to help slow the progression of the disease, but not to improve current memory impairments, according to a release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Birmingham Schools Will Vaccinate Students And Their Families

Birmingham City Schools and Alabama Regional Medical Services will be giving COVID-19 vaccinations to city school students and their parents over the summer in an effort to make schools and their communities safer when they reopen in the fall.