Jefferson County
Birmingham Mayor Undecided On When To Reopen City Economy
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin updated residents on the city's fight against COVID-19.
Crime Slows As People Shelter From Coronavirus
Crime isn’t taking a coronavirus holiday, but law enforcement statistics show it headed in a positive direction as more people shelter from the pandemic.
As COVID-19 Spreads, Meals On Wheels Adapts To Serve Seniors
With volunteers at home and the economy in decline, area nonprofits are feeling the impact of COVID-19. Meanwhile, communities are seeing an increased need for charitable programs.
Alabama Health Department Expands COVID-19 Restrictions
The Alabama Department of Public Health announced Tuesday it was expanding limits on restaurants and senior center gatherings in six counties. Jefferson County put its restrictions into effect Monday.
‘Drastic Efforts’ In Jeffco Aim To Curb The Spread Of Coronavirus
To help slow the spread of the coronavirus, health officials announced Tuesday a series of orders to limit public gatherings in Jefferson County.
Fearing Coronavirus Spread, Many Area Schools Close Immediately
As concerns about the spread of coronavirus grow, more schools opt to close immediately.
Jefferson County Department Of Health Prepared For Coronavirus
In a press conference, President Trump insisted the risk of Americans getting the coronavirus disease remains very low. But CDC officials say they expect COVID-19 to spread to more states across the U.S. and they’re preparing local health departments with specific guidelines for dealing with the disease.
Some Prisoners Invited To Vote By Absentee Ballot For The First Time This Year
Valentine’s Day took on new meaning Friday as members of five organizations continued their tour to get persons in jail and prison registered to vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming primary and beyond.
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.
Jefferson County Commission Delays Vote on Fee for Card Payments
The Jefferson County chief financial officer says discussion about a 1% debit and credit card convenience fee should be tabled for another two weeks.
Severe Weather Threatens Most of Alabama on Saturday
Forecasters in central Alabama say the storm system threatens to spin off tornadoes. Officials say residents should have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and should not depend solely on outdoor warning sirens.
Jefferson County Gets New Human Resources Director, Raising Hopes for Lifting Consent Decree on Personnel Practices
Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight offered a predictable straight line after Caroline Brown was introduced as Jefferson County’s new human resource director at Tuesday’s commission committee meeting.
“Just Mercy” Sheds Light on Lack of Change in AL Justice System
The film “Just Mercy” premieres Friday in Montgomery. It’s based on civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson’s efforts to free a man who was wrongfully sentenced on death row. That was in 1989. But not a lot has changed since then.
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. Talks Alabama Bicentennial and the State’s Reputation
The grand finale of Alabama’s Bicentennial commemoration is this weekend in the state’s capital. There will be concerts and parades throughout the weekend and appearances from the state’s more notable residents. Alabama native and comedian Roy Wood Jr. is one of them.
Jefferson County Is on the Brink of Shedding Personnel Consent Decree
U.S. District Court Judge Lynwood Smith wished Tony Petelos a happy Halloween, one in which he would get more treats than tricks.
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 Board Approves Fare Increase and Service Cuts
The MAX Transit Board approved its $34 million budget Wednesday, including a fare increase and some service cuts.
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.
Bessemer Residents Eager for Lincoln Theatre Restoration
Acclaimed actor Andre Holland is best known for his role in the Oscar winning film Moonlight and playing Andrew Young in the movie Selma. Holland purchased the Lincoln Theatre in his hometown of Bessemer, Alabama and plans to re-open it as a single-screen cinema and performing arts space.
Jefferson County Owes Medicare and Medicaid More Than $1 Million for Overpayments to Cooper Green Hospital
Jefferson County Commissioners learned during their committee meeting Monday that the county is on the hook for more than $1 million in back payments for Medicare and Medicaid that was overpaid when Cooper Green was a hospital.
MAX Transit Weighs Cuts, Fare Increases
The Birmingham Jefferson Transit Authority (BJCTA) is considering cuts and fare increases to the MAX bus system. Many bus riders around Birmingham say the buses are unreliable and inefficient.
All Quiet on Alabama Immigrant Front in Face of ICE Raids in Neighboring Mississippi
It may have been an uneasy quiet for the large number of Hispanics among the 86,000 people employed in the Alabama poultry industry, but it has been quiet here since the 680 workers at Mississippi plants were arrested Wednesday by immigration authorities.
“Harsh and Sad at the Same Time” – Residents React to Case of Marshae Jones
Marshae Jones was charged with manslaughter in the death of her fetus after being shot in the stomach during a fight. The case has drawn international attention, with people on both sides of the debate over whether a fetus should have the rights of personhood.
Lawyers File Motion to Dismiss Charges Against Woman Whose Fetus was Killed in Fight
Lawyers for a Jefferson County woman who was charged last week with manslaughter in the death of her 5-month-old fetus filed a motion to dismiss on Monday.
Scales Says Jefferson County Commissioners Should Be Kept More in the Loop on Indigent Health Care Plans
After two months of waiting, Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales wanted some answers Tuesday concerning the health care authority being designed by UAB Health System and Jefferson County and expressed concern that commissioners are not more involved in the process.
Birmingham-Area Republicans Gather for Trump Reelection Watch Party
Area Republicans gathered Tuesday night to watch President Trump's televised rally in Florida launching his reelection campaign. Many there say they've already made up their minds no matter who else joins the race. They'll support Trump.
New Trail That Leads To Red Mountain Park Set To Open In June
The Red Rock Trail System in Jefferson County is opening a new trail this summer. The path will connect more communities to Red Mountain Park in Birmingham.
Birmingham Looks at Limiting Dollar Stores, Easing Restrictions on Other Food Vendors as Way to Battle Food Deserts
A new ordinance proposed by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin looks to combat the city’s food deserts by loosening regulations on mobile grocers and farmers markets, while simultaneously limiting the spread of dollar stores in low-income neighborhoods.
Jeffco Commission Approves UAB-Led Authority for Cooper Green
The Jefferson County Commission approved a resolution Thursday to allow UAB to manage operations at the county's indigent care clinic.
Jeffco Health Officials: Violence is a Public Health Issue
Violence is the newest strategic focus for the Jefferson County Department of Health. It was one of several topics discussed in Tuesday's annual State of Health in Jefferson County address.
Memorial Planned to Honor Jeffco Lynching Victims
Organizers of the Jefferson County Memorial Project will release findings today on 30 lynching victims in the county. That’s a small fraction of the thousands of African American lynchings that took place in the South. Now, the grassroots coalition wants to bring a lynching memorial to Birmingham as a remembrance.
U.S. Steel Revives Furnace Project in Fairfield
U.S. Steel Corporation will restart work on its electric arc furnace in Fairfield. The $215 million initiative will replace the former blast furnace at Fairfield Works.
