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Doug Jones, Phillip Ensler propose overhaul of Alabama lieutenant governor’s role (Alabama Reflector)
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones announced Wednesday that, if elected, he would work with the Legislature to introduce a constitutional amendment to reorganize state government, beef up the lieutenant governor’s powers and have the governor and lieutenant governor elected as a ticket, like the president and vice president. He was joined in the press conference by Phillip Ensler, the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor.
Alabama carries out execution of Jeffery Lee for 1998 double murder at pawnshop (Associated Press)
He was executed even though the jury that convicted him voted to give him a life sentence.
Action picks up in lawsuits targeting Birmingham data center (WBHM)
A flurry of legal activity during the past two weeks has surrounded a hyperscale data center under construction in Birmingham’s Oxmoor Valley neighborhood. Two new lawsuits related to the controversial project were filed last week, and on Thursday a judge consolidated three existing ones. The consolidated lawsuits allege the city of Birmingham illegally granted permits for the data center, which is being built in a mixed-use zoning district near homes and a school, and ask for a permanent end to the project.
Suspended Jefferson County judge argues 120-page complaint tries to undo her election (AL.com)
Suspended Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard denies “every paragraph, allegation, and claim” in the 120-page state complaint that accuses her of bullying, intimidation and more, according to a new court filing by her lawyers.
‘The dream did come alive’: A foot solider takes in a new civil rights visitors center in Birmingham (WBHM)
Gwendolyn Sanders Gamble, who was part of civil rights efforts in Birmingham as a teenager in the 1960s, was one of the first guests to enter the new Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Education and Visitor Center after a ribbon cutting Tuesday. Viewing the center, she said, “We’re working on it, but I never imagined that going to jail, getting beaten, water hoses and all that would accumulate all of this. It’s a joy in my heart today to see that this is commemoration of what we did in 1963, and we’re not going to stop here.”
Stung by Voting Rights Decision, Many Black Southerners Plan for November (The New York Times)
Black Democratic candidates for governor, the Senate and the House are hoping that attacks on Black representation will motivate more voters.
From a mule named Bird to robots: Coca-Cola United’s Birmingham story continues (WBRC)
For Pam Cook, Coca-Cola United’s corporate director of community and stakeholder engagement, a tour of the company’s new building is also a walk through its history, with plenty of reminders of where the company started and the people who helped it grow.
