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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Georgia Nonprofit Jumps Into Alabama Environmental Battles (Alabama Reflector)

Since opening an office in Birmingham 15 years ago, the Southern Environmental Law Center has become a significant player in the Alabama environmental landscape by partnering with other nonprofits and organizations in legal battles in the public and private sectors.

Alabama’s Delegation Urges Army to Select Redstone as Microreactor Site (Alabama Daily News)

Alabama’s entire congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to push for Redstone Arsenal to be selected as a site for a microreactor power plant. The Army’ aims to develop and deploy nuclear power technology for military installations independent from the commercial grid. As part of the initiative, the Army selected nine possible locations, and three will be selected by mid-2026. Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville is one of the potential sites.

AG Backs Jefferson County Commission in Racial Gerrymandering Case (Alabama Political Reporter)

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall gave his support to the Jefferson County Commission’s appeal of a ruling barring the use of its current district map. Marshall in a brief filed with the federal court last week argued that the judge who issued the ruling erred by entering the case with the presumption the county had acted in a discriminatory manner rather than presuming it had acted in good faith.

The force of the ruling has been stayed while the case is settled, and the county will be using the map it approved in 2021 for the 2026 election.

Birmingham Humane Society Campus Progresses With New JeffCo Animal Facility Opening Soon (BhamNow)

Jefferson County Animal Services plans a grand opening in December for its new facility on Sydney Drive, while the Greater Birmingham Humane Society is continuing work on its new campus on land next door.

Behind Mayor Randall Woodfin’s Staff Shake-Up at Birmingham City Hall (Birmingham Times)

Even with his most lopsided margin of victory in three campaigns for Birmingham mayor, Randall Woodfin surveyed the landscape inside of City Hall after the August elections and did the unexpected — he began a staff shake up.

Retailers Gear Up for New State Hemp Law in Shadow of Looming Federal Ban (Alabama Daily News)

As of Jan. 1, Alabama retailers have to comply with a new state law regulating the sale of hemp products. They’ll do that with the understanding that 11 months later, they may not be able to sell most of those products under an even newer federal law.

Doug Jones’ Candidacy Sparks Strong Reactions Ahead of Governor’s Race (Alabama Political Reporter)

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones’ decision to file for the 2026 governor’s race on Monday immediately set off a wave of Republicans dismissing his chances and Democrats welcoming the return of one of the party’s most recognizable figures. Jones enters a field already dominated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who announced in August that he would seek the governor’s office. Jones’ filing formalizes a matchup that many political observers had long anticipated.