Birmingham

Birmingham Xpress extends free period through the end of 2022

the Birmingham Xpress bus line will offer free rides until the end of 2022 to increase ridership.

Alabama calls off execution after difficulties inserting IV

This is the second execution since September the state has cancelled because of IV difficulties.

City officials want parents to combat gun violence. Community leaders say it’s not that simple

Officials point to parents and the need for strong community networks to stop gun violence in Birmingham. They say it takes a village. But it’s not just the people in charge saying that, it’s also kids, activists, and the parents themselves.

Elias Hendricks brings classical soul to Birmingham with Vox Fortura

Singer and Birmingham native Elias Hendricks has a career that has taken him all over the world. He'll perform with his classical soul group Vox Fortura Sunday at the Lyric Theatre.

Birmingham hopes City Walk will bridge a divide between neighborhoods

Birmingham's City Walk is a linear, urban park that opened about five months ago under the Interstate 20/59 bridges. City officials say it's an attempt to reconnect downtown to the northern neighborhoods.

Outdoorsy Black Women helps change the face of outdoor activities

Outdoorsy Black Women is a national organization with more than 3,000 members across the country. The Birmingham chapter began in early 2022 and it already has 160 members. 

54% of support comes from members

Will the Magic City Classic return to Legion Field next year?

With Legion Field nearly 100 years old and Protective Stadium opening last year in downtown Birmingham, people have questioned if the Magic City Classic will find a new home.

Birmingham’s status as a minor league sports hub gets a major boost from the New Orleans Pelicans

Friday night isn’t just any old preseason game for the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s also a pivotal moment for Birmingham in its quest to be a sports town.

Birmingham’s new Xpress rapid bus line gives residents a new option to travel across the city

The Birmingham Xpress is a single route that runs east to west between Five Points West and Woodlawn. A total of 32 stops take riders by places like Princeton Baptist Hospital, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Railroad Park and Sloss Furnace.

Ahead of its Alabama debut, John Archibald gives an inside look at ‘Pink Clouds’

AL.com columnist John Archibald brings his columns to the stage with the debut of his first play, "Pink Clouds." It premieres Saturday at Red Mountain Theatre.

Imani Perry draws on her hometown, Birmingham, in her new book exploring the South

Perry is an Ivy League professor in New Jersey but a Southerner at heart. She was born in Birmingham, but today she teaches African American studies at Princeton University. In her latest book she argues to truly understand the United States start with the American South.

Birmingham’s guaranteed income program aims to help single mothers who face inequality

Sixty percent of all households with children in Birmingham are led by single mothers. That’s one factor when it comes to inequalities working women face.

The historic A.G. Gaston Motel comes back to life with a coffee shop and exhibit

The motel opened in 1954 and became one of the city’s main Black establishments. The motel served as a first-class lodging, entertainment and dining hall for traveling Black people who came to Jim Crow Birmingham.

Jefferson County health providers ‘well equipped’ for The World Games

Officials plan to treat as many people as possible at on site medical tents. They say the biggest concern is heat-related illness.

Woodfin says people without homes won’t be moved from public spaces for The World Games

World Games officials clarified that anyone will be able to walk through and access public areas around venues like Railroad Park, Linn Park, Protective Stadium and the new City Walk, despite those sites being behind security parameters.

Sleeping shelters for homeless people will be built for The World Games. What happens next?

Security parameters will be put in place, restricting access to otherwise public places. People without homes who use some of these public spaces for shelter will have to find other places to be. 

Scott Thurmond named Birmingham Police Chief

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Thurmond’s appointment as police chief Thursday. Thurmond succeeds Patrick Smith who announced his resignation as police chief in January citing personal matters.

Workers at a Birmingham Starbucks become 1st to unionize in Alabama

Workers at the downtown Birmingham coffee shop cast a near-unanimous vote to become the first Starbucks location in the state to say yes to forming a union.

‘Better isn’t good enough’: Starbucks workers in Birmingham, New Orleans discuss unionizing

Starbucks stores in Birmingham and New Orleans could be the next to unionize. Those leading the efforts sit down to discuss why and what they've learned so far.

Birmingham targets motels over illegal activity and blight

Since last fall, Birmingham city officials have sued or taken other measures to shut down the businesses.

The World Games will mean closed roads around Birmingham. Here’s your list

With that number of people coming to the area for the World Games, that will require security boundaries and road closures at several venues.

One year later, where is the Birmingham Civilian Review Board? 

A year ago, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the launch of the Birmingham Civilian Review Board to offer independent accountability for police. But the board doesn't seem to be active.

The World Games were delayed for a year, but did it help with preparedness?

The World Games was originally set to come to Birmingham July 2021, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed the large event for a year.

World Games officials aim for full venues amid pandemic uncertainty

Event organizers say they're following guidance from local health officials, who say it's impossible to predict COVID case numbers this summer.

R&B artist Anthony Hamilton brings his Southern flair back to Birmingham

Hamilton discussed touring after a pandemic break, Southern food, and his return to The Magic City. 

Birmingham mayor issues pardon for unpaid traffic fines 

The City of Birmingham pardoned all negligent traffic fines and parking violation tickets that were issued prior to January 1, 2011.

Birmingham leaders say decision to ban Russian athletes from the World Games ‘a show of solidarity’

The World Games ban was in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week.

World Game medals make their debut in Birmingham, but will soon be all over the world

Medals for the World Games, which will take place in Birmingham in July, were unveiled by city leaders and games organizers Wednesday at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Alabama native’s play explores Black student unity through co-ed fraternity

The play is centered on a group of Black college students at the fictitious McMillian University, a  small, mostly-White Christian college in Birmingham.

Guaranteed income is coming to the Gulf South. Take a look at the 3 programs

Guaranteed income programs are coming to three cities in the Gulf South including Birmingham, which is set to launch soon.

Three Birmingham families on what the Magic City means to them as the city turns 150

Birmingham's first 150 years contains powerful history. But it was also home to tens of thousands of people.

Culinary professionals eat up discussion on food and civil rights

The relationship between food and civil rights goes much deeper than sit-ins at lunch counters or bake sales that funded boycotts. A discussion about the intersection between the two was the main dish at a conference in Birmingham last month.