Author: Virginia Martin
Scott Thurmond Named Birmingham Police Chief
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Thurmond’s appointment as police chief Thursday. Thurmond succeeds Patrick Smith, who announced his resignation as police chief in January. Read more.
Policing the Truth: Yes, the Cops May Be Lying
Whenever a large-scale crime of violence grabs national media attention, it’s gut wrenching to watch those interviews with grieving families and witnesses. It’s only natural to think, “Leave those poor people alone.”
But reporters have reasons for doing it. Here’s one: To try to figure out if the police are lying to everyone.
We are seeing this now with the mass murders at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Interviews and social media videos have shown that early law enforcement accounts of quick confrontation and bravery by officers were bogus. Read more.
With Vanpooling, Workers and Employers Find a ‘Win-Win’ Amid a Tight Labor Market, High Gas Costs
As 2022’s economic woes continue, more people are using vanpools as a cost-effective way to get to work. It’s also helping out their employers. Read more.
Déjà Vu: Two Years Later, and Coronavirus Case Levels Are Virtually the Same
The number of new coronavirus cases a day in Alabama now is almost exactly the same as it was two years ago heading into Memorial Day. Cases have been trending upward for more than a month, and Alabama averaged 510 new cases a day in the 7-day period that ended Friday, according to information from the Alabama Department of Public Health. At this time in 2020, Alabama was averaging 501 cases per day. Read more.
New Face Moves Into Jefferson County Deputy County Manager’s Office
County Manager Cal Markert has moved into the office of his former boss. Now he has someone to move in next door, in the office where he worked as deputy county manager. Jefferson County has hired Dave Strahl to fill Markert’s former post. Strahl comes from Illinois, where he served as interim village manager of Schiller Park. He has more than 30 years of experience working with municipal governments of all sizes. Markert said being short-handed has made things pretty difficult because there are vacancies in some director positions, including human resources. Read more.
Complete Election Results from Tuesday’s Primaries
Gov. Kay Ivey has won the Republican nomination for governor without a runoff, despite having eight opponents. In the other most-followed race in the state, the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate is going to a runoff between Katie Britt and Mo Brooks.
But there were far more nominations than those decided Tuesday, including several high-profile Jefferson County races in addition to races for the statewide constitutional offices. See complete election results.
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RESULTS
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RESULTS
Tyson Handily Wins Reelection to Jefferson County Commission
A jubilant Sheila Tyson celebrated with supporters Tuesday night after she won a second term representing District 2 on the Jefferson County Commission.
As the DJ at L.I.T on 8th played McFadden and Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” the former Birmingham City Council member declared that she had defeated the Rev. Steve Small Jr.
“With 55 percent of the boxes in, I am at 86 percent of the vote,” Tyson declared. “Our goal was 52 percent of the vote.” At the end of the night, Tyson had held onto that lead, logging 86.5 percent of the vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting. Read more.
Sheriff Mark Pettway Cruises to Victory in Democratic Primary; Likely Second Term in Fall
Incumbent Mark Pettway, who made history four years ago when he was elected Jefferson County’s first Black sheriff, on Tuesday won the 2022 Democratic primary for the office and likely reelection to a second term in November.
According to unofficial results with 98 percent of the precincts reporting, Pettway received 35,368 votes or 76 percent, against three challengers — Felicia Rucker-Sumerlin, a former sheriff’s office deputy of 30 years; Kareem Easley, a Birmingham Police Department sergeant and Wilson Hale, Alabama State Trooper and former U.S. Army First Sergeant. Read more.
