Homewood
Homewood votes this month to change its form of government. Why is the issue so controversial?
A move by Homewood to change to a council-manager form of government began with little fanfare. But as the September 24th vote has grown closer, the relatively quiet, special election has spun into a controversial issue.
‘Ruffed’ up by school? These dogs help Birmingham students with stress
Comforting kids is a family affair for Foxie and Merlin. The facility dogs are being used as a new tool to help students manage stress and mental health while at school.
Remembering Homewood Resident And Civil Rights Activist Eileen Walbert
Eileen Walbert died last month at the age of 100. She was heavily involved in school desegregation and led a group of white people during a voting rights march in Selma the day before Bloody Sunday.
Hospitalized For Months: One Man’s Fight Against COVID-19
COVID-19 has left 38-year-old Victor Perea hospitalized for almost three months. His wife wants others to understand how bad the virus can be.
Municipalities In Jefferson County Elect New Mayors In Runoffs
The cities of Homewood and Center Point have named new mayors. Meanwhile, the city of Fairfield has reelected its mayor after a runoff election.
Voters In Several Jefferson County Municipalities Choose Mayors, Council Members On Aug. 25
Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 25, to determine the outcome of multiple municipal elections.
Traditional Graduation Ceremonies Back On At Some High Schools
Hoover City Schools announced it will move forward with in-person graduation ceremonies this week, and they’re not alone. Parents are divided on the issue.
Shoppers Emerge From Quarantine As State Eases COVID-19 Emergency Order
Alabama's retail industry opened its' doors once again after being closed for at least a month because of COVID-19.
Fearing Coronavirus Spread, Many Area Schools Close Immediately
As concerns about the spread of coronavirus grow, more schools opt to close immediately.
JeffCo Commission Approves Fees for Credit, Debit Card Payments to Revenue Department
The Jefferson County Revenue's Office will now apply a 1% convenience fee on debit and card payments after passing with unanimous consent on Thursday.
Aniah Blanchard Remembered for Smiles, Laughter and Encouragement
Friends and family remembered Aniah Blanchard Saturday, a Homewood native who was abducted and killed this fall. Speakers at the funeral told of her caring nature and her faith.
Police Positively Identify Aniah Blanchard’s Remains
The remains found Monday in Macon County have been positively identified as those of Aniah Blanchard, according to the Auburn Police Division.
Humans Remains Found in Macon County Could Be Those Of Aniah Blanchard
The human remains found Monday in Macon County could be Aniah Blanchard's, according to Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes. But Macon County Coroner Hal Bentley says his office hasn't received a call about the remains.
Tax Bills Increase for Many in Jefferson County
The former AT&T City Center, a vacant skyscraper in downtown Birmingham, will have a property tax bill about half a million dollars more than last year's. It's one of many properties, including homes, that can expect to pay more in taxes this year.
Transit Authority Chief Seeks Compromise to Pass Budget
The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority recently rejected a proposed budget that would have increased bus fares to $1.50 and cut bus service. Executive Director Frank Martin says riders aren’t paying enough into the system, and neither is the city of Birmingham.
Two Homewood Dispatchers Claim Discrimination in Lawsuit
The City of Homewood is facing a federal lawsuit after two police dispatchers say department leaders discriminated against them at work.
Rosedale Residents Skeptical of Homewood’s Master Plan
Along 18th Street South in Homewood, there is a mix of trendy restaurants, boutique fitness studios and coffeehouses. It is easy to miss the sign for Rosedale, the city’s predominantly African American community. Some residents there wonder whether the city overlooked their priorities in crafting its master plan.
Jeffco Voters to Decide on Homewood’s Ability to Increase Property Taxes
Homewood doesn't want the state legislature to "micro-manage" its property tax rate. Instead, it wants local control. So a referendum on tomorrow's ballot in Jefferson County will let voters decide whether Homewood can hold a vote to increase property taxes to help fund schools. No such vote is planned at this time.
Seniors Find Opportunities and Challenges Returning to Work
It’s a good time to be in the market for a job in this state. And that goes for older adults too.
WBHM Politics: Guns, Schools and Safety
The issue of guns and schools has been in the news the past month after a gunman walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people. In Birmingham these issues became very real when a student was shot and killed at Huffman High School earlier this month. We explore the topic through a series of conversations.
A Rash of Political Sign Thefts in Homewood
Supporters of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones in Homewood have taken to social media to complain about a wave of campaign signs stolen from their yards around the city.
Residents Worry About More Vacancies at Brookwood Mall
Belk announced last week it will close its store at Brookwood Village Mall. Homewood residents are now wondering what's next?
Series Takes On Alabama’s Racial Achievement Gap
African-American students in Alabama tend not to perform as well on standardized tests as their white counterparts. That’s part of the so-called “achievement gap,” one of the most persistent and touchiest issues in education. But a new data-driven series by Al.com, journalism nonprofit Spaceship Media, and teachers from across Alabama aims to explore and find solutions to those disparities.
Picture Not Quite as Rosy for Law School Grads
Law school graduates seem to be in an enviable position. They're on the way to a solid job with good pay and a prestigious career. That rosy picture though has tarnished somewhat. We hear about it in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Birmingham Revitalization: Struggling to Keep Homewood’s Rosedale Neighborhood
The neighborhood of Rosedale is easy to miss, quietly tucked at the base of Red Mountain on the edges of Homewood. For years, residents of the community have been fighting to keep its historic character, but the city is expanding and there is a constant threat of commercial development.
Community Banks Increase Lending to Small Business
We sort of know the broad outlines of starting a business. You have an idea, find an investor or lender for funding, then go at it. Around Birmingham community banks are increasingly getting in on that small business lending action. That's where we start the conversation in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
UAB Needs Ray Watts and Football
UAB President Ray Watts should announce by Monday whether the university will revive its football, bowling and rifle teams after shutting them down in December. Football backers have aimed a lot of anger at Watts with some calling for him to go. A few voices have said this was the correct, albeit painful move for an institution of higher learning. But one prominent alumnus says UAB needs both Watts and football. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about that and case of business incentives he says shows bad citizenship on the part of an Alabama bank.
Law Enforcement Cautions Drivers Recovering Abandoned Cars
Many roadways around Birmingham are flowing with traffic now that temperatures have risen above freezing which is melting much of the snow left by Tuesday's storm. The warmer weather means drivers who had to abandon their vehicles in the chaos are now retrieving them. But law enforcement officials are still warning motorist to be careful.
