Yellow-rumped warbler
The family of new world warblers has sustained one of the largest declines “in abundance” in the past 50 years, according a study. Read more.
Virginia Martin
Crystal Smitherman
Birmingham City Council District 6 Age: 26 Residence: Birmingham Political Experience: Birmingham City Councilor, 2019-present. Professional Experience: Summer Law Clerk, Marsh, Richard & Bryan, P.C., 2017; Administrative Assistant, Highland Park Golf Course and Country Club, 2016; Education Outreach Coordinator, Girls Inc., 2015-2016; Legal Intern, Farris, Riley & Pitt LLP, 2015-2016. Civic Experience: Member, Delta Sigma
Trump Inquiry Dominates Congressional Conversation
WASHINGTON — All of Alabama’s U.S. House of Representatives members voted to call for the release of a whistleblower complaint alleging misconduct by President Trump centered on his interactions this year with the Ukrainian government. That action (H Res 576) passed, but by that time, the administration already had sent Congress the complaint, which it had refused to release for more than a month. The Senate adopted an identical resolution on a non-record vote. However, the vote split along party lines on a measure (H Res 590) to force floor debate on a Republican resolution disapproving of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to start a formal impeachment inquiry against Trump. The measure was quashed on a technicality, and the House voted 232-193 to uphold that ruling, meaning the measure could not be debated U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-7, was the only Alabama representative who voted not to debate H Res 590. Supporting the resolution were Republican Reps. Bradley Byrne, R-1, Martha Roby, R-2, Mike Rogers, R-3, Robert Aderholt, R-4, Mo Brooks, R-5, and Gary Palmer, R-6. Read more.
What’s the Future of Legion Field?
WBHM It won’t be long before construction starts on the new Protective Stadium at the BJCC in downtown Birmingham. It’s expected to be finished in 2021. That brings up a big question: what happens to Birmingham’s current stadium, Legion Field? An article published Friday in the Birmingham Business Journal explores some options. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager spoke about those with BBJ editor Ty West. Read more.
The Heat Goes On, and So Do the Ozone Alert Days
It’s Alabama’s uncharacteristic September heat, not lack of rain, that’s caused recent air quality ozone alerts in numbers unheard of this late in the summer. That’s the word from the Jefferson County Department of Health expert Corey Masuca. Masuca, who is the county’s air quality control engineer, is one of six experts who the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is required to depend on for recommendations on air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter, among other air pollutants, to protect public health and safety. Ozone alerts have occurred nine days since May, according to the health department. Six of those have occurred in September. Check here for daily information on air quality in Jefferson County. Ninety-degree Fahrenheit temperatures are expected to persist for the next several days in a “heat dome” effect that occurs only once every 10 to 30 years, according to an analysis by the joint national weather services of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Read more.
Jones: Take a Deep Breath and Let the Constitution, Not Politics, Guide Impeachment Decisions
U.S. Sen. Doug Jones said in a press conference and in remarks on the Senate floor Thursday that it's crucial that the constitutional process in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump be allowed to play out. Asking the media to “take a deep breath,” Jones said it was important to understand that the impeachment process is just beginning. Jones said that to rush to any judgment on either side of the political fence without knowing all of the facts is irresponsible. “Allegations in a complaint are simply that,” he said. “They are allegations made, but they have to be proven.” Read more.
The Gap Between Graduating and Being Ready
Alabama’s graduation rate and the rate of students deemed college and career ready both are on the rise, but concerns remain about the gap between those two numbers, according to a recent report by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. PARCA reported that the graduation rate statewide has been raised from 72 percent in 2011 to 90 percent in 2018, based on preliminary information from the state Department of Education. College and career readiness rose to 75 percent in 2018, compared to 66 percent in 2016. State education leaders have raised concerns about the students who are graduating but are not ready to get a job or go to college, PARCA reported. PARCA has posted detailed interactive graphics that allow you to look up specific measures of readiness by school system and even compare two schools. You can find those graphics here.
Birmingham Launching Pilot Ridesharing Service
Starting in December, residents of some Birmingham neighborhoods will have a new transit option. The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve a six-month transportation pilot program with ridesharing company Via, funded in part by the city and in part by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. The program will provide on-demand transportation using marked Mercedes Metris vans, which can be summoned online, through an 800 number or on a smartphone app. Each trip will have a flat fee of $1.50 per rider; the vans can accommodate six riders at one. The pilot program will cover a 6.7-mile area that includes parts of downtown Birmingham, along with western neighborhoods such as Smithfield, Graymont and College Hills. Read more.
Jefferson County Commissioners Quarrel Over Making Changes to New Budget
The recently passed fiscal 2020 budget was the subject of some terse discussion during the Jefferson County Commission’s committee meeting Tuesday. Commissioner Joe Knight offered a resolution to move $250,000 from demolition to reserves and another $250,000 that had been listed in the public service fund to a project fund for transit. Knight said there was no new money. The transit money was already there, he said. The proposal prompted a lengthy discussion that addressed the lack of demolitions of derelict house and the prospect of 15 being torn done this year. Read more.
Birmingham Partnering With Bloomberg Philanthropies on Early Childhood Learning Program
Birmingham in October will be launching an early childhood program designed to increase interactive talk with children as a way to foster early brain development. The Birmingham Talks program will serve 2,500 children, birth to 3 years old, across Jefferson County over the next three years. The city of Birmingham is among five cities selected to replicate the Providence Talks program, which is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies through its What Works Cities initiative. Read more.