A Look at the Struggling Neighborhoods of Birmingham’s West Side

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2005/06/ensley.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:450;s:4:"file";s:18:"2005/06/ensley.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:7:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"ensley-336x252.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:252;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"ensley-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:16:"ensley-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"ensley-415x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:415;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"ensley-353x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:353;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"ensley-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"ensley-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

)
1657504027 
1474560526

There’s a misconception about Birmingham’s industrial history. Many believe the epicenter of the city’s revolution hovered around Sloss Furnaces, but it actually began on the west side in Pratt City. Communities like Ensley, West End and Fairfield were commercial hubs during the industrial heyday of the late 1800s and early 1900s. But, as Cody Owens from the weekly newspaper Weld reports, those days are long gone and some west side communities now struggle to pay their bills. Owens starts by looking back at a once booming metropolis, Ensley, and when the economic decline of the west side began.

 

Brazil’s Lula warns of 50% tariffs on U.S. goods after Trump trade threat

Brazil's President Lula is firing back at Trump's 50% tariff threat — saying Brazil is ready to match any U.S. import taxes, dollar for dollar.

Thousands celebrate baby hippo Moo Deng’s first birthday at a Thailand zoo

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo was overrun with Moo Deng fans on the first of four days of activities marking the birthday of the adorable social media sensation.

What should you do in a flash flood? Expert safety tips for before, during and after

Flash floods can start suddenly and become dangerous quickly. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself, both in the moment and well in advance.

A recent high-profile case of AI hallucination serves as a stark warning

MyPillow creator Mike Lindell's lawyers were fined thousands for submitting a legal filing riddled with AI-generated mistakes. It highlights a dilemma of balancing technology and using it responsibly.

A dive into mermaid camp

Mermaids may not be real, but that hasn’t stopped people from turning it into a career.  Mermaiding isn’t just about fantasy. It’s about building real confidence and skills that carry over into other water sports.

This TikTok video is fake, but every word was taken from a real creator

TikTok researchers and users say there is yet another type of deception to look out for on the hit video app: Deepfake videos that copy the exact words of a real creator but in a different voice.

More Arts and Culture Coverage