• Government
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Culture
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • ElectionWatch 2026
  • Donate to BW!
Support BW

Donate Now

Subscribe

BirminghamWatch

A publication of the Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism

Support BW

Donate Now

  • Subscribe
  • Government
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Culture
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • ElectionWatch 2026
  • Donate to BW!
    Trending:
  • Birmingham City Council
  • Jefferson County Commission
  • Central Alabama Water
  • The front of a residential structure with concrete steps leading up to a painted brick facade.
    Government

    Birmingham Council Rejects Rezoning Request for Clairmont Avenue Antique Store

    Leaders also recognized June as Gun Violence Awareness Month.

    Daniel Gaddy, June 3, 2026
  • Black hatchback car parked close to a ParkMobile App sign. Birmingham City Hall is in the distance center left, with a Birmingham Fire Department station slightly closer.
    Government

    Birmingham City Council Rejects Parking Fine Increase, Approves New Fee for Overdue Tickets

    Council members say enforcement should come before higher fines as the city tackles 700,000 unpaid parking violations.

    Daniel Gaddy, June 3, 2026
  • ElectionWatch 2026

    Givan Challenges Primary Winner’s Eligibility in Alabama House Race

    The four-term legislator contends challenger Lumpkin still worked for the mayor while running for office, which would be barred by law.

    Drew Taylor, June 2, 2026
  • Government

    New Legal Filing Suggests Birmingham Helped Developers Evade Data Center Moratorium

    Opponents of the Oxmoor Valley project added defendants to their lawsuit and allege property values were inflated in a series of quick sales.

    Forrest Terrell, May 28, 2026
  • Government

    Woodfin Proposes $615 Million Budget With Major Investments in Transit, Violence Prevention

    The council will hold a public hearing on the spending plan June 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the council’s chambers.

    Daniel Gaddy, May 19, 2026
  • ElectionWatch 2026

    Alabama Primary Results Fuel Democratic Optimism

    Doug Jones and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stood together the day after the primary to tout Democratic trends in Alabama.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., May 20, 2026
  • ElectionWatch 2026

    Four Incumbent Legislators Fall in Tuesday’s Primaries

    Givan, Datcher, Carns and Roberts appear to have lost bids to return to the Legislature, according to unofficial vote totals.

    Forrest Terrell, May 20, 2026
  • ElectionWatch 2026

    Scales, Pettway Cruise to Easy Democratic Primary Wins

    Results in JeffCo races Tuesday.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., May 20, 2026
  • ElectionWatch 2026

    Races for Sheriff, Legislative Seats Join Statewide Offices on Tuesday’s Ballot

    Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for voters to take part in either the Republican or Democratic primary.

    Virginia Martin, May 14, 2026
  • Culture

    Healing and Legacy Continue in Gardens at Princeton Hospital

    Former Birmingham City Councilor Carole Smitherman, with her daughter, current Councilor Crystal Smitherman, and the tree they planted at what is now Princeton Healing Gardens.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., May 15, 2026
  • Government

    Birmingham Entertainment Security Ordinance Pulled Back Following Concerns of Impact on Businesses

    A council committee will reconsider details of the proposal.

    Daniel Gaddy, May 12, 2026
  • Government

    Booker, Sewell Focus Town Hall on Voting Rights Fight

    The Democratic rally turned into a platform for discussion of the Alabama Legislature meeting this week to try to redraw electoral maps.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., May 5, 2026
  • Government

    New Data Center Regs Proposed for Birmingham

    The City Council delayed adopting new rules until June.

    Forrest Terrell, April 28, 2026
  • Government

    Birmingham Council Applies for $10M Federal Grant to Improve Pedestrian Walkways, Traffic Signals

    If awarded, the federal grant to modernize and improve traffic signals and pedestrian infrastructure for the city’s busiest intersections.

    Daniel Gaddy, April 29, 2026
  • Government

    Birmingham Residents Push for More Neighborhood Association Funding During Budget Hearing

    The mayor has proposed a $615 million for next year.

    Daniel Gaddy, June 3, 2026
  • ElectionWatch 2026
    Federal congressional map approved by the U.S. Supreme Court on Jun. 2, 2026.

    Voters in Eastern JeffCo Affected by Congressional Map Ruling

    New candidates have qualified to run against incumbents in House District 6 and 7.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., June 4, 2026
  • Government

    County Official Praised for Her Role in Bringing Costco to Irondale

    The $105 million project is going in at the intersection of Grants Mill Road and I-459.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., June 2, 2026
  • Government

    Retired Judge Friday Steps in for Suspended Probate Judge Blanchard

    A complaint against Blanchard focuses on her treatment of attorneys and slow handling of commitment cases.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., May 22, 2026
  • Government

    Smithfield Affordable Housing Project Gets Six-Month Extension From Birmingham City Council

    The move gives developers more time to buy property.

    Daniel Gaddy, May 26, 2026
  • Government

    Jefferson County Reviews Criteria for New Data Centers

    Commission hears updates on the process.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., May 21, 2026
  • Government

    Oxmoor Leader Alleges Police Harassment After Data Center Lawsuit

    One of the residents who sued to block the Nebius data center says police stopped her without cause to intimidate her.

    Forrest Terrell, May 20, 2026
  • Government

    City Sets Public Hearing on Data Centers, Town Halls on ADUs

    Residents will have a chance to share their views in meetings next week.

    Virginia Martin, May 13, 2026
  • Government

    Nearly a Year After Restructuring, CAW Presents Mixed Financial Outlook

    S&P removed it from CreditWatch, expenses are down but so are revenues.

    Forrest Terrell, May 13, 2026
  • Government

    Birmingham Council Approves $240K for Neighborhood Improvements Near I-20/59 Bridge

    The project includes traffic calming measures in Norwood and sidewalk repairs in Druid Hills and Fountain Heights.

    Daniel Gaddy, May 5, 2026
  • Government

    JeffCo Commission OKs Demolitions in Muscoda

    It also approved a contract to build a new evidence storage facility and extended incentive for the Alabama Farm Center.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., May 5, 2026
  • BirminghamWatch

    McMurrey Earns Sweepstakes Award for Success in AMP Communications Contest

    Regular BW contributors Solomon Crenshaw and Robert Carter also placed in the annual competition.

    BirminghamWatch, April 29, 2026
  • Government

    Oops: Commission President Might Have Made a Different Decision If He’d Known How Long He’d Serve

    After 16 years in office, Jimmie Stephens recalls his decision not to enroll in the retirement system as the commission extends its 457 plan contract.

    Solomon Crenshaw Jr., April 24, 2026
  • Government

    City Council Approves Development Plan for Eastern Birmingham

    The plan sets out desired development for specific areas.

    Daniel Gaddy, April 22, 2026
  • Government

    CAW OKs Loans to Continue Lead Line Replacement

    The $56 million in loans will be through ADEM and the state’s revolving drinking water fund.

    Forrest Terrell, April 20, 2026
Donate to BW

  About News

  • Cream Scrabble tiles on a wooden table. The letters A and I are set up on the organizing piece while the other letters are scattered.
    Journalism Education Must Teach More Than Shiny New Things
    May 13, 2026

    How some Birmingham newsrooms are using AI.

  • One Thing Conservatives Agree On: The ‘Liberal Bias’ Media
    April 9, 2026

    A UA assistant professor’s book looks at the long-standing conservative movement against the press.

Birmingham Design Review

Jan. 14, 2026

December 2025

November 2025

September 2025

BW Recommends

May 31, 2026

May 25, 2026

May 17, 2026

May 10, 2026

Monday Morning Watch

Jun. 1, 2026

May 26, 2026

May 18, 2026

May 11, 2026

subscribe

Subscribe to one of BirminghamWatch's Newsletters

News and useful information about Birmingham are at your fingertips.

  • Government
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Culture
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • ElectionWatch 2026
  • Donate to BW!

Connect with BirminghamWatch

Subscribe by Email:  

Sign up for our newsletters today!

* indicates required
Choose your newsletters
Institute for Nonprofit News
Copyright © 2026 BirminghamWatch    Web Development By Infomedia