Learning that his department has a much bigger task than anticipated with The World Games, Sheriff Mark Pettway today sought $1.2 million from the Jefferson County Commission. “We've had some other departments to pull out, which increased our involvement within The World Games,” Pettway said. “We are here. We're local. We want to make sure that when everybody comes here, that everybody is safe. Read more.
The Birmingham City Council has approved an increase in taxi rates to offset rising fuel costs. The decision, which passed unanimously after a public hearing yielded no speakers, will add a $1 surcharge to every taxicab ride in the city through at least the end of the year. It’s the first time taxicab rates have been raised in a decade. Read more.
Voters go to the polls today to determine the nominees in several offices for which no candidate got a majority of the vote in the May 24 party primaries. The polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across the state. The runoff ballots are fairly light. At the top of the Republican ballot is perhaps the most-discussed race in the state this year, for nomination to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Richard Shelby, who is retiring. At the top of the Democratic ballot is nomination to the governor’s race. Candidates who won their party’s nominations for each office will face each other in the general election in November. One important thing to know about the runoffs is that Alabama bans crossover voting. That means that if you voted in the Republican primary, for instance, you can vote only in the Republican runoff. You cannot vote in one party’s primary and the other party’s runoff. If you didn’t vote in the May 24 primary, though, you can vote in whichever runoff you choose. If you don’t know where you should go to vote, what ID you need or other information about voting, check out the Voter FAQ in BirminghamWatch’s Runoff Voter Guide. Also in the Voter Guide are candidate profiles and printable sample ballots. Read the Voter Guide.
Candidates on Jefferson County Ballots U.S. Senator Katie Britt Mo Brooks State Representative, District No. 14 Tom Fredricks Timothy “Tim” Wadsworth Secretary of State Wes Allen Jim Zeigler State Auditor Stan Cooke Andrew Sorrell Public Service Commission, Place No. 1 Jeremy H. Oden Brent Woodall Public Service Commission, Place
Candidates on Jefferson County ballots: Governor Yolanda Rochelle Flowers Malika Sanders Fortier Jefferson County, Board of Education, District No. 3 Stephanie Floyd Rochelle Malone State Representative, District No. 55 Fred “Coach” Plump Roderick “Rod” Scott State Representative, District No. 56 Tereshia Huffman Ontario J. Tillman State Representative, District No. 57 Patrick
Charles Ray Winston III Party: Democratic Residence: Has lived in Hueytown, Brighton and Pleasant Grove Professional experience: Served in the U.S. Army; constable; contractor in security. Main issues: Education, more accessible health care; increased mental healthcare access. Campaign Info: https://charleswinston57.com/about
Patrick Sellers Party: Democratic Residence: Pleasant Grove Professional experience: Pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church; former pastor of Cathedral Faith Baptist Church; former orthopedic first assistant, Children’s of Alabama. Served in the U.S. Army and Reserves. Member of former board member, Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority; Project
Tereshia Huffman Party: Democratic Age: 37 Residence: Oxmoor Valley Political experience: Member, Birmingham Water Works board; field organizer for Mayor Randall Woodfin’s 2021 campaign. Professional experience: Previous community organizer for House District 60. Worked in the office of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, including in human resources and in human services; managed a streetcar project, worked on time-saving
Ontario J. Tillman Party: Democratic Age: 44 Residence: Bessemer Political experience: First run for political office but has worked for candidates through the Bessemer Voters League. Professional experience: Attorney in private practice; former educator and basketball coach. Civic experience: Has been involved with the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, boys’ clubs and
Police say the suspect is a 71-year-old white male who occasionally attended the church. They haven’t released a motive but said he used a handgun. Read more.
