Series
AG Marshall: Hoover Police Officer Was Justified in Fatal Shooting
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says the officer who shot and killed Emantic Bradford Jr. Thanksgiving night was justified. This comes in a report released Tuesday, more than two months after the shooting.
State of the Union: Democrats’ Response
Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the Georgia governor’s race in November, is delivering the Democrats’ response to President Trump’s State of the Union address. Reporters across the NPR newsroom are […]
Trump’s State of the Union Address
President Trump is delivering his State of the Union address, which the White House says will outline a “policy agenda both parties can rally behind.” Yet the speech follows the […]
Alabama Lawmakers’ Pay up 4% in 2019
Alabamians’ median household income increased in 2017, which means Alabama lawmakers received a corresponding 4.03 percent pay increase this year. Their annual salary is now $48,123. This is the third raise for lawmakers since 2014, when their pay was tied to household incomes through a voter-approved constitutional amendment.
School Closings for Tuesday Jan. 29
Many schools systems around Alabama will be closed Tuesday, January 29th due to expected snow.
Bradford Family Renews Calls For Release of Shooting Video
The family of Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr. renewed the call today for authorities to release all videos from the fatal Thanksgiving night shooting at the Riverchase Galleria mall.
Civil Rights Institute Reverses Decision on Angela Davis Award Again
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will award Birmingham native Angela Davis its 2018 Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award -- again. Friday's reversal is the latest development in a public controversy that has embroiled the institute for the last month.
Civil Rights Institute Grapples With Fallout From Davis Decision
A few weeks from now, political activist Angela Davis is expected to speak in Birmingham. This despite that earlier this month, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute rescinded an award it initially planned to give to Davis. The decision roiled the city, sowed divisions, and led to the resignation of three board members.
Birmingham Denies Application For Woodlawn Charter School
The Birmingham school board denied the application Thursday for a proposed charter school in Woodlawn.
Jefferson County Commission Plans Town Hall Meeting to Explain Sewer Rate Increases
Jefferson County Commissioners had a lengthy discussion during their committee meeting Tuesday about setting a town hall meeting to focus on rising sewer rates as a result of the county’s bankruptcy.
Scales Opens the Windows of the County’s Committee Meeting Room
Citizens of Jefferson County could only imagine the discussion and debate that happened when commissioners assembled for their committee meetings.
One-Third of Alabama’s Failing Schools Are in the Birmingham Metro Area
The Alabama State Department of Education has posted its list of the state’s failing public schools, and 25 Birmingham metro-area public schools are on it. Statewide, 76 public schools are on the list.
North Birmingham Neighborhoods ‘Have Taken a Beating,’ Work to Unite Over Pollution Concerns
The EPA Superfund cleanup and ABC Coke’s proposed air emissions permit have dominated health concerns of residents in northern Birmingham neighborhoods for months. Now officials and residents of several neighborhoods there are attempting to form a coalition to broaden the concerns to other sources of possible pollution.
Tornado Rips Through Wetumpka Causing Extensive Damage
A tornado Saturday caused significant damage to parts of Wetumpka. Numerous reports show the tornado damaged homes, took down trees, and destroyed a church.
Grand Jury to Decide Fate of Man Charged in Mall Shooting
A Jefferson County judge sent the case of Erron Brown to a grand jury following a Thursday preliminary hearing. Brown is charged with attempted murder in the mall shooting that injured two people and left one dead on Thanksgiving.
Experts: Alabama’s Mask Law is Outdated
For almost 70 years it's been illegal to wear a mask in public in Alabama, unless it's Halloween or Mardi Gras. Some activists and experts say the state's mask provision is unconstitutional.
Woodfin Mournful but Optimistic in His Second State of the Community Address
Following a tragic week for Birmingham, Mayor Randall Woodfin delivered his second State of the Community address Monday night. His speech was equal parts elegiac and hopeful, addressing the death of former Mayor Larry Langford and the murder of Birmingham Police Sgt. Wytasha Carter while casting an optimistic eye toward the future.
A Life Remembered: Hundreds Line Up to Pay Their Respects to Larry Langford
Hundreds of mourners had already walked by the rose-covered casket in the center of Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex by the time the visitation for Larry Langford was scheduled to begin.
Gov. Kay Ivey Praises Past Progress, Outlines Future Route in Inaugural Address
Gov. Kay Ivey was sworn in this morning along with other constitutional officers in a ceremony of pomp and circumstances on the red carpet-lined steps of the Alabama Capitol.
Civil Rights Institute Apologizes as Questions Remain
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute apologized today (Monday) for the way it has handled the Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award and the impact of cancelling the award presentation to human rights activist Angela Davis.
Jefferson County’s First African American Sheriff Wants to Boost Diversity
Mark Pettway begins his job as Jefferson County sheriff today. He’s the first African American to hold that post after defeating longtime Republican Sheriff Mike Hale in November. One of his priorities is to hire and promote more women and minorities in law enforcement.
Birmingham Police Officer Killed, Another Wounded in Downtown Shooting
A Birmingham police officer was fatally shot downtown Sunday morning and another critically wounded. The slain officer has been identified as Sgt. Wytasha Carter, 44, of Birmingham.
Proposed Birmingham Charter School Draws Mixed Reviews
Birmingham’s first charter school would open in Woodlawn next fall for students in grades K-5 under a proposal before the Birmingham Board of Education. School leaders heard mixed feedback on the plan at a Thursday night hearing.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Board Leaders Resign Over Award Controversy
Board leaders for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute stepped down today following days of controversy over a decision to cancel a prestigious award presentation to noted scholar and activist Angela Davis.
Alternative Events Planned To Recognize Birmingham Native Angela Davis
More developments came today in response to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute's decision to cancel an award presentation for scholar and activist Angela Davis. The top three leaders on the Institute’s board resigned and another group announced alternative events to honor the Birmingham native.
Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, 72, Dies
One of Birmingham’s most colorful and memorable mayors died Tuesday. Larry Langford, 72, died Tuesday evening at a Birmingham hospital.
Activists Call for Resignations After Davis Controversy
Local activists called for leaders of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to resign today after the organization canceled plans to honor human rights advocate Angela Davis. The group planned to present Davis with the prestigious Fred Shuttlesworth Award next month.
Gas Tax Is a Top Priority in 2019 Legislative Session
A gasoline tax increase to fund road improvements is expected to be a major topic of the 2019 Alabama legislative session.
Push to Rewrite Mayor-Council Act Shaping up at Birmingham City Hall
In a recent meeting during which two new Birmingham City Council members were appointed, councilors gave clear signals that they’re ready to take on a rewrite of the law that governs separation of powers in Birmingham’s municipal government.
Alabama School Report Card Shows Mostly Improvements, and Some Big Leaps, by Birmingham-Area Schools
Several schools in the Birmingham metro area show significant improvements in achievement in this year’s Alabama State Report Card, which grades the performance of public schools.
Not Just Galleria Shooting, AG Takeover of Local Cases Common
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall was criticized for taking over the case of the shooting death of a black man by police, but his office says intervening in cases held by local district attorneys is common.
LeFleur Still Feeling the Sting From Advocacy Groups’ Condemnation, Responds to Their Criticism
Months after testifying in the North Birmingham bribery trial, the state’s top environmental regulator is firing back at watchdog groups calling for his dismissal or resignation.
