BW Recommends is a rundown of stories you might have missed this week. It offers insight into issues important to our area and sometimes tickles your curiosity.

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Birmingham Ranked 4th Worst in Southeast for Ozone Pollution, New ALA Report Says (WBHM)

The American Lung Association’s “State of the Air 2025” report gave Birmingham failing grades for ozone pollution and long-term particle pollution.

Ivey Announces Over $200,000 in Grants to Reduce Violent Crime in Birmingham, Jefferson County (AL.com)

The Jefferson County Commission has been awarded $137,242 and the city of Birmingham $100,000 under the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods grant program, which incorporates research to inform decisions on violence reduction strategies.

Tuberville Appears Closer to Entering Governor’s Race but Is Still Deciding (Alabama Daily News)

Despite a report that Sen. Tommy Tuberville told supporters he had decided to run for governor, he said later that he still is praying over the matter.

Alabama Political Heavyweights Gear Up To Battle for Tuberville’s Senate Seat: Whom to Watch (AL.com)

Among the potential candidates for Senate are former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and former Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis.

Alabama State Bar Unveils Sculpture of Fred Gray (WVTM)

A new sculpture honoring prominent Alabama civil rights attorney Fred Gray was unveiled Saturday outside the Alabama State Bar Association in Montgomery. During his 70 years practicing law, Gray has won landmark representing Claudette Colvin, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

Alabama Lawmakers Approve New School Funding Formula Aimed at Student Needs (Alabama Daily News)

The RAISE Act given final passage Thursday allows the state to distribute additional education dollars to K-12 schools based on student needs.

What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 22-24, 2025 (Alabama Reflector)

Action in the Legislature last week.