Virginia Martin, Author at BirminghamWatch - Page 135 of 480
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Virginia Martin

Tyson Says JeffCo Not Getting ‘Most Bang for Its Buck’ for TWG 2022; Knight Expects Budget Shortfall

Sheila Tyson said Jefferson County hasn’t gotten “the most bang for its buck” from The World Games 2022. She expressed that sentiment as she and other commissioners met this morning at the Bessemer Justice Center. Tyson said Commissioner Joe Knight, the commission’s representative to The World Games, should have been more prominently used, perhaps during the Opening Ceremony last week or the Closing Ceremony set for Sunday. “We have just as much money (invested in The World Games) as the city has,” Tyson said. “I feel like Commissioner Knight should have at least been able to speak at the Opening and the Closing Ceremony. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

JeffCo Commission Indicates It Will Look for Alternate Absentee Voting Space After Clerk Alleges Voter Suppression

Bessemer Absentee Voting Clerk Karen Dunn Burks had a hug for every member of the Jefferson County Commission present after the panel settled on a resolution to a contentious disagreement over where absentee voting will take place in Bessemer. During its meeting Tuesday at the Bessemer Justice Center, commissioners moved to Thursday’s meeting agenda a plan for absentee voting to continue in the ceremonial courtroom in the basement of the justice center while the offices of the county manager and general services explore the possibility of moving the office to the second floor. Burks last week accused Jefferson County government of voter suppression because of plans to move her office from the courtroom basement to another office also in the basement. She contended the plan created unfair conditions and accommodations for voters and was inhumane. After Tuesday’s meeting, Burks said, “I feel very hopeful. I feel very good. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Sick and Tired of All the Bad News? You’re Not Alone

“I can’t even.” That was a common remark on social media in the wake of discovery that a mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, left a 2-year-old boy orphaned. He was found wandering in the street. “Are Mommy and Daddy coming soon?” he later asked his grandfather. I can’t even. Of course, what’s the unspoken part of that sentence? “I can’t even comprehend something so awful.” “I can’t even imagine what life will be like for him.” “I can’t even believe we live in a society where that could happen.” All of the above. And for some people: “I can’t even bring myself to read the news these days.” It’s bad out there: COVID, the Ukraine war, mass killings, political insanity, add your own. Many people decide they just don’t want to read or watch it anymore. They engage in “news avoidance.” Read more.

by Tom Arenberg

The World Comes to Birmingham

Thousands of athletes from around the world have gathered in Birmingham to compete in The World Games. The 11-day competition is a chance for non-Olympic sports to shine. Read more.

by Kyra Miles, WBHM

World Games Kicks Off in Birmingham

As The World Games begin, residents around event venues already have been dealing with detours and road closures. If acquiring residents’ passes and plotting new routes already has you frazzled, recite this mantra: $265 million … $265 million. That’s the economic impact the games is predicted to generate throughout the Birmingham metro. Here is information and on the venues and road closings around them. Read more.

by Virginia Martin
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