Government

Knight Wants Careful Consideration of the County’s Federal COVID-19 Funds

Commissioner Joe Knight gave a friendly reminder at the Jefferson County Commission Committee meeting today that financial resolutions, particularly those related to COVID-19 funds, should be submitted in a timely manner. County Manager Tony Petelos told commissioners he will bring emergency items to Thursday’s commission meeting related to the Cares Act, which provides federal funds related to the coronavirus pandemic. “I don't want to start seeing these things pop up the day before and then try to get them in as new business before we can take a really deep down look at them,” said Knight, the commission’s finance chairman. “Even though they've been through the process, we still have to set an amount, and a budget to see what's right,” Knight said. “I just don't want them to start coming in here with five or six here at the last minute, and say, ‘Hey pass these, pass these, pass these.’” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Avondale Added as the City’s Newest Entertainment District on July 1

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve creation of the “Avondale Entertainment District,” a stretch of 41st Street South where, starting July 1, it will be legal to drink alcohol in public. It’s the fourth such area in the city, following entertainment district designations for Pepper Place, Uptown and Five Points South. “So far, this has been very successful for the city of Birmingham,” said District 2 Councilor Hunter Williams, who chairs the council’s public safety committee. The Avondale Entertainment District will stretch along 41st Street South between Second Avenue South and Fifth Avenue South. It’s a busy corridor of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues including Saturn, the Avondale Common House, Post Office Pies, Saw’s Soul Kitchen, Melt, Fancy’s on Fifth, the Marble Ring, Avondale Brewing Company, 41st Street Pub and Parkside. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Gov. Ivey Has Been Quiet On COVID-19. Does It Matter?

Some governors have spent lots of time in front of the cameras talking about the coronavirus pandemic. New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has held daily press briefings. Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has been out front almost daily as well. Meanwhile, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has been relatively quiet about COVID-19. That’s despite new cases increasing sharply around the state in June. “I think we’ve all got to do a much better job of educating people top to bottom,” U.S. Sen. Doug Jones said in a press conference last week. He said state leaders, not just the governor, should be talking about the pandemic. He added the message those leaders give should be based on science. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

Hundreds Gather in Birmingham to Celebrate Juneteenth

Hundreds of people gathered at Birmingham’s Kelly Ingram Park on Friday to commemorate Juneteenth, a celebration of the end of slavery. Onoyemi Williams is with the group Alabama Rally Against Injustice. She said after weeks of protests and demonstrations, today is a celebration of Black lives. “Because when you’re at war, you must take the time for self care and celebration,” she said. “We’re celebrating where we’re at so we can prepare for where we have to go.” Read more.

by Janae Pierre, WBHM

Black Lives Matter Message Rolls Over Downtown Birmingham Street

Shawn Fitzwater admits he had little hope of his suggestion of a “Black Lives Matter” street mural coming to fruition. “Really,” the professional painter said today, “not at all.” But the suggestion from Fitzwater and another individual will likely be a reality by the end of today. Work began Wednesday on the street mural, on First Avenue South between 16th and 17th Streets, where “Black Lives” has been painted in bright yellow paint. Today, the final word of the phrase is going into place as a second coat is applied to the first two words. The aim is to complete the project in time for Juneteenth festivities in Birmingham. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Former Governor Turns Attention to Criminal Justice System Following Release From Prison

It has been three years since former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman was released from prison after being convicted of federal corruption charges in 2006. One thing remains unchanged about the case: Siegelman maintains he is innocent. A jury convicted Siegelman of bribery for soliciting a $500,000 donation from then-HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy for a fund to support his education lottery campaign. Prosecutors say in exchange, Siegelman appointed Scrushy to a state hospital regulatory board. Siegelman said the prosecution was politically motivated. In a new memoir, “Stealing Our Democracy: How the Political Assassination of a Governor Threatens our Nation,” Seigelman lays out how he saw the case and trial. But paints himself as a fighter for criminal justice reform after experiencing what he believes was an improper prosecution. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

Jones Leads Senate Reading of King’s Letter From the Birmingham Jail

Sen. Doug Jones today led a bipartisan reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail on the U.S. Senate floor.This is the second year the Senate has held a reading of the famous letter, which King wrote in 1963 from the cell where he was being held for leading a series of nonviolent protests and boycotts in Birmingham. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

City of Birmingham Facing ‘Economic Crisis’ Over Falling Revenue From Pandemic

Birmingham can expect an $18.3 million budgetary shortfall for the 2020 fiscal year because of the pandemic, Finance Director Lester Smith told the City Council Tuesday. And he warned that the economic impact on the city’s FY 2021 budget could be nearly four times that. Mayor Randall Woodfin, calling the situation an “economic crisis,” said that the dip in revenue means “painful” budget cuts are likely on the way. The COVID-19 pandemic and the city’s subsequent “shelter-in-place” order led to a significant drop in business tax revenue for the city, Smith said. That revenue, which includes sales, use and occupational taxes, typically accounts for 81.3% of the city’s overall budget.  Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Fourth Inmate Dies With the Coronavirus

A fourth inmate in the Alabama prison system has died after testing positive for the coronavirus. Read more.

by Tom Gordon

Senate Agrees to Debate Funding Bill to Maintain National Parks

WASHINGTON — Alabama’s senators split along party lines June 10 on a vote to start debate on HR 1957, which would greatly increase financial support of federal land agencies including the National Park Service and boost U.S. government funding of federal, state and local efforts to purchase and protect unspoiled acreage. Read more.

by Voterama in Congress