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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Blood Money (Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama Reflector in an investigative series revealed that the state has agreed to settle nearly 100 lawsuits in the past five years alleging brutality by corrections officers. Legal costs associated with defending the officers alone came to $12.9 million.

Alabama Power Threatened With Lawsuit for Contaminating Groundwater With Coal Ash (Inside Climate News)

The Coosa Riverkeeper has filed notice of intent to sue over allegations that, even though the Gadsden Steam Plant ceased operations nine years ago, the unlined coal ash pond where its waste is stored still is leaching toxic metals and chemicals into the groundwater and river. It will ask that Alabama Power be ordered to clean out the pond and move the debris to containers away from waterways. The pond is near Gadsden’s riverwalk and a drinking water intake.

Hate Groups in the US Decline but Their Influence Grows, Report Shows (Associated Press)

The number of white nationalist, hate and anti-government groups in the country dropped by 5% last year, logging in at a total of 1,371, according to a report from the Southern Poverty Law Center. But the center attributed the drop to a lesser sense of urgency to organize because their beliefs have infiltrated politics, education and society.

What Trump’s Tax Cut Bill Could Mean for Alabama (Alabama Daily News)

More than 150,000 Alabamians could lose some SNAP benefits, up to 67,000 could lose health care coverage and the state could lose $90 million in Medicaid operational funds under the Trump administration’s tax and spending bill approved by the U.S. House last week, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.

GOP US Sen. Tommy Tuberville Is Expected to Announce Run for Alabama Governor, Associates Say (Associated Press)

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville plans to run for governor of Alabama in 2026, according to people familiar with his plans. Tuberville did not confirm the plans but said he intends to announce a decision on Tuesday.

Birmingham Metro Keeps Growing in the South and East: ‘More Bang for Your Buck’ (AL.com)

As the city’s core and its over-the-mountain suburbs shrink in population, areas farther east and south expand. Cities such as Chelsea, Calera, Pell City and Trussville all offer homebuyers more bang for their buck than the central areas.

Birmingham Files Lawsuit to have Apartment Complex Declared Public Nuisance (Birmingham Times)

The city filed suit Friday over the Norwood Plaza Apartments, on 32^nd Place North, contending it is a magnet for illegal activity and a threat to public safety. The city is asking the owners to install a list of safety measures, including surveillance systems and fencing, or to allow the sale of the property if the owner fails to comply.

As A Final Act, Old Birmingham Water Works Board OKs $3 Million Job Contract for Longtime Lawyer (AL.com)

The day before the governor signed a law to restructure the BWWB, its members approved a 5-year full-time contract with attorney Mark Parnell that pays him a base of $660,000 a year. They also approved employment contracts with four assistant general managers and an executive assistant.