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Birmingham water utility prices likely rising in 2027 for most customers (AL.com)
Most customers of Birmingham’s regional water authority will likely pay more for service in 2027. Leaders of Central Alabama Water on Friday endorsed a proposal to change the way the base rate for water is charged, which could raise rates for about 90% of customers by between $3.52 and $4.90 a month. The board also said that in in a future meeting it will discuss a standard rate increase that also would take effect in January.
Birmingham cleans up after Isaias plows through (WBHM)
Hurricane Isaias swept over the coast late Friday, bringing tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain sweeping across the region and killing four people, including one in Birmingham.
Alabama public schools expected to see another significant enrollment decrease (Alabama Reflector)
Alabama public schools may have seen another sharp enrollment decrease in the last school year, Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey told members of the State Board of Education on Thursday. Mackey said preliminary numbers for the 2025-26 school year showed a decline of roughly 12,000 students from the year before. That loss could translate to about 800 teacher units to be lost across the state.
Documents could reveal how a Birmingham data-center site’s value jumped $66 million in one hour (WBHM)
Defendants in a Birmingham data center lawsuit have agreed to turn over sales documents that might shine light on how land the facility is being built on dramatically rose in value the day it sold. Three transactions in a little more than an hour last year increased the property’s price by $66 million, according to plaintiffs. Their attorney said last week’s agreement reached in a Jefferson County courtroom is a win for his clients, who have been asking for the developers for that information to no avail.
Alabama sets stricter data center rules. But there’s a loophole. (Inside Climate News)
The Alabama Public Service Commission approved new rules that require the PSC to consider plans to develop large data centers, but they leave in place a provision that allows approval by default if the commission does not schedule a vote on them within 90 days.
Birmingham’s Titusville Library reopens with a fresh makeover (Bham Now)
The Titusville Branch of the Birmingham Public Library reopened recently after having been closed in May for structural repairs. In addition to foundation work, the library got new carpeting and flooring and updated furnishings.
Alabama Supreme Court affirms dismissal of Tommy Tuberville residency challenge (Alabama Reflector)
The state’s high court on Friday upheld the dismissal of a case challenging Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to run for governor. The Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s determination that it did not have jurisdiction in the lawsuit as filed because Tuberville is a political nominee, not a public official. Plaintiffs contend Tuberville does not meet the residency requirements to run for governor of Alabama.