Virginia Martin

Phillips Academy Teacher Wins Milken Award, Known as the ‘Oscar of Teaching’

A Birmingham teacher was given an award nicknamed the “Oscar of Teaching” during a surprise assembly at John Herbert Phillips Academy on Wednesday. Korri Cunningham, IB coordinator for the school, was surrounded by cheering students, colleagues and dignitaries when she was surprised with the Milken Educator Award. She said the award was “beyond anything I could ever imagine.” “In teaching, the rewards aren’t always seen,” she said. “So to receive something of this magnitude, I can’t even begin to describe it. And it feels so good to really feel appreciated for all the hard work I put into the classroom.” Read more.

by Virginia Martin

JeffCo Commission OKs Eco Dev Funds, Tyson Wants More to Go to Small Black-Owned Businesses

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday authorized its support of Innovation Depot and the Birmingham Business Alliance, but not without Commissioner Sheila Tyson voicing her objection. “I feel like both of those organizations do not address the businesses in the minority community,” she said. “(They) don’t reach farther out from downtown.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

In Gaza Hospital Reports, the Crutch of Attribution Failed

Nothing sets up the news media for errors and remorse better than the bad combination of major breaking news and the immediate lack of information about that news. Audiences demand information pronto, and the media have zippo. This was the case when an explosion occurred Oct. 17 at a Gaza City hospital. The New York Times soon posted this big, online headline: “Israeli Strike Kills Hundreds in Hospital, Palestinians Say.” The headline went through several versions, including one that added “At Least 500 Dead.” The “Palestinians” in “Palestinians Say” was the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Ministry. Other media around the globe produced similar headlines, including some with no attribution. Read more.

by Tom Arenberg

Travis Hendrix Wins Nod for Alabama House District 55 Seat; Brinyark Nominated for District 16 Seat

Travis Hendrix was overcome with emotion as he made his triumphant arrival at Soho Ensley Tuesday night after defeating Sylvia Swayne by an almost 2-1 majority in a runoff for the District 55 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. Hendrix drew 65.12% of the votes to Swayne’s 34.88%, according to results reported by Jefferson County. “I just feel really, really, really good,” he said after he composed himself. “I thank all the voters that came out in District 55. I thank everybody who voted for me. I thank you for the love and the support (from) my family, my friends, from the local government, from the state government, from everybody that supported me.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr. and Virginia Martin

What Do the H’s Mean in 4H? A Lot

Commissioner Joe Knight interrupted today’s committee meeting of the Jefferson County Commission with a quiz. "Tell me what the four H’s are,” he said, referring to the 4H Club, a staple of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Knight stumped the room, acknowledging, “I don’t know them.” That was strangely appropriate as many people know little, if anything, about the extension system, including that the 4 H’s come from the organization's original motto of head, heart, hands and health, which were later incorporated into the fuller pledge officially adopted in 1927. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Birmingham Council Elects O’Quinn, Alexander to Lead in the Next Two Years

Birmingham City Councilor Darrell O’Quinn on Tuesday took on the mantle of council president, and former President Wardine Alexander stepped into the president pro tem position. Read more.

by Virginia Martin

Two House Seats Go to Runoffs in Tuesday Balloting

Voters in two sections of the Birmingham area will head to the polls Tuesday for special elections to fill vacant seats in the House of Representatives. In District 55, which includes parts of Birmingham, West End and Fairfield, Travis Hendrix and Sylvia Swayne will meet head-to-head for a runoff after none of the seven candidates in September’s election gained a majority. The District 16 seat also has a runoff Tuesday, with Brad Cox and Bryan Brinyark competing to represent the district that includes western Jefferson County, Fayette County and northern Tuscaloosa County. To find out whether you’re in either of the districts and find your polling place, visit visit Alabama Votes. Read more. The BirminghamWatch Voter Guide has interviews with each candidate along with their bios. Read more about these races here: View Into Community Prompts Hendrix to Run for the Alabama House District 55 Seat Sylvia Swayne Bucks Customs in House District 55 Runoff Race Brad Cox, Bryan Brinyark Competing in GOP Runoff for House District 16 Seat

by BirminghamWatch

Travis Hendrix, Alabama House District 55 Runoff

Travis Hendrix, House District 55 Age: 40 Residence: Birmingham Occupation: Sergeant, Birmingham Police Department Education: B.S., Criminal justice, Oakland City University, 2017; M.S.M. (Master’s in Strategic Management), Oakland City University, 2019 Party: Democratic Previous political experience/campaign: Democratic candidate, Alabama House of Representatives District 55, 2022.

by Alabama Reflector

View Into Community Prompts Hendrix to Run for the Alabama House District 55 Seat

Travis Hendrix’s path to Tuesday’s ballot for the Alabama House District 55 seat began after he became a police officer. He was assigned to a community service unit as a school resource officer, which allowed him to get to know his community on a more personal level. “It showed me a different light in terms of how you can serve your community,” Hendrix said. Read more.

by Alabama Reflector

Sylvia Swayne Bucks Customs in House District 55 Runoff Race

Sylvia Swayne has heard it all before as she has been running in the District 55 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. The 26-year-old is a transgender woman, a Montgomery transplant who’s only lived in the district about a year and a half. But she embraces her differences as she faces Travis Hendrix on Tuesday in a runoff to determine who represents a district that stretches from less affluent places such as Wylam and parts of Fairfield in the west to more affluent Highland Park, where Swayne lives, in the east. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.