Birmingham City Schools, C Avondale Elementary, C Barrett Elementary, F BCS Virtual Academy of Learning, F Bush Hills STEAM Academy, D Central Park Elementary, C Charles A. Brown Elementary, C Christian School, A EPIC Alternative, A George Washington Carver High, C Glen Iris Elementary, C Green Acres Middle, D Hayes K-8, F Hemphill Elementary,
When Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin gave an update on the city’s initiatives Thursday, he asked the crowd at the Birmingham Museum of Art’s auditorium to view that progress through the eyes of one mother or grandmother and the many tangible ways life has improved for her and her family since he took office. “Everything we’ve done has been to increase opportunities for our children and grandchildren,” he said. “That really drives what we do at City Hall. That drives this administration. That is the heartbeat of what we do for our children, for our grandchildren.” Back in 2017, the mayor said, that grandmother would look out her front door and see dilapidated or vacant homes next door, a cracked sidewalk and roads dotted with potholes. Six years ago, that woman’s grandchildren didn’t have a playground nearby, and the family lived miles away from a store selling fresh vegetables. And worst of all, he said, she and her grandchildren would often hear gunshots throughout the night. “By the end of our first term, here is what we did for that mother; here is what we did for that grandmother,” the mayor said. Read more.
Though the creek water at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in northeast Jefferson County is crystal clear, and thousands visit the preserve each year, it’s highly unlikely most will see three unique fish species that swim alongside them. They are the endangered watercress, rush and vermilion darters “This is kind of like a ‘Where’s Waldo,’” said preserve manager Charles Yeager, wading through the center of Turkey Creek, looking for the darter. Read more.
Thomas Cleveland, a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, was indicted this week for assault in relation to an on-duty shooting April 20. According to a statement from the Jefferson County district attorney’s office, the State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and submitted its findings to the DA’s office, which presented the case
For the first time in nearly a decade, U.S. prison populations are trending up. Alabama's numbers are a part of troubling gains across the Gulf South. Read more.
Travis Hendrix has been named as the next legislator to represent Alabama House District 55. Hendrix ran for the seat in a special Democratic primary and won the nomination in an October runoff with Sylvia Swayne. Because no Republican ran for the seat, Hendrix would not have had competition in the special general election on Jan. 9, and so he was declared winner. Read more.
The longest-sitting members of the Jefferson County Commission on Tuesday recognized the 10-year anniversary of the county being removed from bankruptcy. Commission President Jimmie Stephens and Pro Tempore Joe Knight were reminded of the occasion by text messages from David Carrington, a commissioner with them at the time of the bankruptcy along with Sandra Little Brown and George Bowman. “It was a very traumatic experience that we went through,” Stephens said during Tuesday’s commission committee meeting. He said the anniversary “has a great deal of significance to us.” Read more.
Carol Nunnelley, founding executive director of the Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism, died Dec. 3 after a long illness. Her more than 50-year career as a journalist led to many important initiatives, both locally and nationally. Nunnelley began her career as a reporter at The Birmingham News in 1966, when women were still something of an oddity in newsrooms. Read more.
“Magic City: How the Birmingham Jazz Tradition Shaped the Sound of America” (University of North Carolina Press, 2023) by Burgin Mathews Mathews will speak and sign copies of “Magic City” at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame on Saturday, 5-7 p.m., and at the Birmingham Historical Society on Sunday, 3-5 p.m. Birmingham has been waiting for this book for a very long time. In my 30 years as an archivist, I directed many local students and out-of-town tourists to the site of Tuxedo Junction and shook my head no when asked, “Isn’t there a good book on jazz in Birmingham?” Now there is, “Magic City: How the Birmingham Jazz Tradition Shaped the Sound of America.” Read more.
UPDATED — A Jefferson County allocation of ARPA funds could provide healthier grocery options for residents along the U.S. 78 corridor. County commissioners on Thursday approved spending American Rescue Plan Act funds to address food insecurities. The pilot program supports a food pantry to create a low or no-cost grocery store. Federal funds totaling $472,782.96 will enhance a program that’s in place and sponsored by Daniel Payne Legacy Village Foundation. “It's focused on areas where there's no grocery store,” County Manager Cal Markert said. “If you've only got Dollar Generals and gas stations, there aren't as many fresh fruits and vegetables. This will kind of try to supplement that and get packages of more healthy foods for families to have.” Read more.
