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The stadium bid for Woodlawn High School is approved. It could be built by the fall
The Birmingham Board of Education has approved a bid for Woodlawn High School's new football stadium. It could be built by fall 2022.
Birmingham Mayor Woodfin sworn in for a second term
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin began his second term Tuesday, continuing his tenure as the city’s 30th mayor.
Tips for a happy, safe and COVID-free Thanksgiving from Gulf South health officials
Hosting a family gathering for Thanksgiving but worried about COVID transmission? Health officials offer these tips for a happy, safe holiday.
Deep South’s most vulnerable residents share their stories during EPA’s ‘Journey to Justice’ tour
Black residents of Southeast Louisiana, dedicated to fighting air and soil pollution in their own neighborhoods and towns met with EPA Administrator Michael Regan on his “Journey to Justice,” listening tour, sharing their stories and frustrations.
JeffCo Commission announces $1.1 billion deal with Smucker’s
Food maker J.M. Smucker, known for its peanut butter and jelly products, is bringing a manufacturing and distribution plant to McCalla.
Alabama, Gulf States receive F rating in March of Dimes’ 2021 maternal health report
Alabama ranked toward the bottom in the nation for maternal and infant health outcomes in an annual report put out by March of Dimes, an organization that promotes maternal and infant health across the United States through research, education and advocacy.
Gulf South health care systems are failing to equally serve people of color, study says
A new analysis from research foundation Commonwealth Fund shows that health care access and outcomes are poor for people of color across the nation, and even worse in Gulf South states.
An unlikely place, Lowndes County, has the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Alabama
At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, Lowndes County was one of the hardest hit places in Alabama. So when the vaccine became available, doses were rushed to Lowndes and other Black Belt counties by the federal government.
Black farmers’ land leases are vanishing. Some say racist policies are to blame
Black farmers and their families once owned and worked on thousands of acres of land in Louisiana’s Iberia Parish. The land has shrunk over the last several decades, and some, like Eddie Lewis III, say it stems from racist policies.
Board rejects bid for Woodlawn High School stadium
The Birmingham Board of Education rejected the bid to build a stadium and fieldhouse on the campus of Woodlawn High School. This comes just months after the ceremonial groundbreaking.
More renters in the Gulf South face eviction, but states are still slow providing aid
A slowed rollout to federal aid, tedious applications and non-cooperative landlords are just some of the issues renters are now facing a few months after the CDC’s eviction moratorium ended.
Birmingham Promise gets a $1.8 million grant to boost students’ careers
Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded the Birmingham Promise a $1.8 million grant specifically to support internships and apprenticeships for Birmingham City Schools seniors.
Wastewater failures for Lowndes County’s Black residents at center of DOJ investigation
The investigation, opened Tuesday, is looking into the Alabama Department of Health’s and the Lowndes County Health Department’s wastewater disposal and infectious disease and outbreak programs.
First kids ages 5-11 to get COVID shot looking forward to sleepovers, ‘feeling safe’
As pharmacies and health care providers begin rolling out the Pfizer COVID vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds, appointments and waitlists are filling up.
Why Black teens are getting vaccinated at higher rates than white teens across the South
Data acquired from health departments across the Gulf South show that among 12 to 17 year olds, Black teenagers are getting vaccinated at roughly one and a half times the rate of white teenagers.
Birmingham delays ICE agreement, wants to assure it won’t lead to police involvement in deportations
The Birmingham City Council has delayed approving an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would allow several city police officers to act as officers for the federal agency’s Homeland Security Investigations division.
JeffCo considers kicking in $500K to bring USFL to Birmingham
On Thursday, the Jefferson County Commission is set to consider approving $500K to help bring the United States Football League to Birmingham next year.
How outreach helped Gulf States outpace national COVID vaccine rate for Black residents
COVID-19 vaccination rates among Black residents in the Gulf States are surpassing that of Black residents in the U.S. Health officials say building trust has been key to reaching this point.
Why nearly $910 million meant to prevent evictions in Gulf States has been left unspent
New data shows about $910 million meant to prevent evictions had yet to be used by the end of September in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Montgomery, Ala., drops Confederate street name to honor famed civil rights attorney
Despite a threat from Alabama's attorney general, Jefferson Davis Avenue in Montgomery will be no more. The street once named for the Confederate figure will now honor civil rights attorney Fred Gray.
Women will hold the majority on the Birmingham City Council over the next four years
Starting this Tuesday, the makeup of the Birmingham City Council changes when it swears in three new members.
COVID vaccines for young children could be approved soon. Are Gulf States prepared?
Kids between the ages of 5-11 years old might be able to get vaccinated in the near future. Here’s why it would be a game-changer for the Gulf States, and how they’re preparing for the shot’s rollout.
Birmingham takes part in Embrace Mothers guaranteed income pilot
Single-mother households represent about 60% of all Birmingham households with children, according to Mayor Randall Woodfin's office. The mothers involved in the program will receive $375 a month for a year.
The Birmingham Library delays plans to close four branches after city officials protest
The Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees has delayed a proposed vote to shut down four library branches after receiving criticism from city leaders, including Mayor Randall Woodfin.
No more Euphoria. The Birmingham City Council revokes license of infamous club
The Birmingham City Council has revoked the business license of Club Euphoria, an Ensley nightclub deemed a “nuisance” by the surrounding neighborhood.
Federal covid relief funds enabled churches and other religious organizations to pay employees
A review by BirminghamWatch of federal records listed about 321 applicants from Jefferson County who received millions of dollars under the Paycheck Protection Program. These applicants identified themselves as religious organizations.
A bad day for incumbents: 2 Birmingham councilors, 1 BOE member defeated in runoffs
Two incumbent city councilors and one incumbent school board member were unseated during Birmingham’s municipal runoff election Tuesday.
JeffCo commissioners begin redrawing district lines
Jefferson County Commissioners are deciding between three proposed maps for redistricting.
Ivey signs a $1.3 billion prison construction plan into law
The action caps a special legislative session that lasted only five days.
Alabama Will Follow CDC Guidelines For COVID-19 Booster Shots
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has authorized a third shot of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups.
Alabama Lawmakers Will Take On A $1.3 Billion Prison Construction Plan In A Special Session
As Alabama faces mounting federal pressure to address violence in state prisons, lawmakers begin a special session Monday to vote on a proposal that includes two new mega prisons for men and a new women's facility.
There Were More Deaths Than Births In Alabama Last Year, A Grim First For The State
Alabama's top health official says the state has "literally shrunk." According to preliminary data, it saw 64,714 total deaths and 57,641 births in 2020.
