Government

JeffCo Commission Again Stalls Food Assistance Funding for Questions

Sheila Tyson took another swing Thursday at getting federal funding to three organizations with sights set on feeding people. Once again, her swing came up empty as her fellow Jefferson County commissioners couldn’t agree unanimously to bring the matter up as new business during their morning meeting. Tyson admitted after the meeting that she held little hope that the matter would come up for discussion and possibly a vote. “No, I did not,” she said, recounting that she talked to her fellow commissioners before the meeting. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Food Program Funds Delayed by JeffCo Commission Questions

Jefferson County Commissioners on Tuesday put the brakes on doling out federal money to COVID-prompted food programs. The agenda for the commission’s committee meeting had three entities that were being considered for awards of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Some commissioners said they wanted more information on how and where each organization is distributing food and their policies for doing so. Sheila Tyson cast the lone “no” vote. “So let me get a full understanding,” Tyson said. “We're getting ready to pull these off of the agenda, these programs that will be feeding hungry senior citizens, for our lack of understanding?” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Alabama Lawmakers Roll the Dice on a New Lottery Bill

The constitutional amendment would authorize a state lottery, sports betting, eight full casinos and two smaller gambling operations. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

Alabama’s ‘Ultimate School Choice’ Bill Gets Complicated When Considering Race and Poverty

Parents could get about $5,600 per kid in state money to use for other schooling options. The proposal is currently in a legislative study committee. But experts told WBHM school choice brings up concerns around equity. Read more.

by Kyra Miles, WBHM

Rep. David Wheeler of Vestavia Hills Dies

Vestavia Hills legislator David Wheeler died Wednesday morning. The Alabama House of Representatives released the following obituary: State Rep. David Wheeler, R-Vestavia Hills, died this morning.  He was 72. A retired employee of Alabama Power Company, he was elected in 2018 to his first term serving House District 47 in Jefferson County.  He had qualified

by BirminghamWatch

Birmingham Council OKs Minority-Led Housing, Retail and Recreational Development

The Birmingham City Council has approved the sale of 222 acres near Lakeshore Parkway to Green Meadow Apartments LLC, which will redevelop the property into single-family, multi-family and senior housing. The city will receive $1.5 million for the property, which is located at 1911 Tiger Walk. General contractor Michael German, the former Alabama field office director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, has represented Green Meadow Apartments at council meetings. He told councilors that the proposed development will include a park, walking trail and a town center — including a grocery store and a community center — and compared the development to the nearby Ross Bridge community. Green Meadow is a minority developer, and Cornell Wesley, the city’s director of innovation and economic opportunity, described its project as potentially transformational for the city. “We are looking at what I believe to be the largest economic impact led by African Americans in our storied history as a city, that being over $100 million worth of economic impact and investment in our area,” Wesley said. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Alabama Lawmakers Advance a Record-Setting Education Budget

Legislators also took up measures to improve math education and attack what's known as "period poverty." Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

Birmingham Leaders Say Decision to Ban Russian Athletes From the World Games ‘a Show of Solidarity’

The World Games’ ban was in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week. Read more.

by Cody Short, WBHM

Jefferson County Delays Request to Rescue Birmingham Residents After City Ran Short of Housing Relief Money

The Jefferson County Commission today opted not to ride in and rescue Birmingham residents, tabling a resolution to make some federal relief funds available after the city exhausted its allotment of federal funds to aid people with rental and utility assistance. The county has been spending that money to help persons in unincorporated Jefferson County and cities outside of Birmingham. Commissioner Sheila Tyson on Tuesday appealed to other commissioners to help Birmingham residents, but some of them were concerned about limiting their ability to help others, and they said they needed more information about other funds that might be available. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Birmingham Council Shuts Down Mahogany Bar Despite Some Community Support

The Mahogany Social Bar and Lounge will remain permanently closed after a vote by the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday. Owner Montego Temple had moved the club to its 1709 Third St. W location after its previous location across the street burned down. Though Temple told councilors he believed he had secured a transfer of his liquor license and dance permit to the new location, he was arrested in December for operating without a proper license. But complaints from the Birmingham Police Department that the club was a threat to public safety ultimately stymied his efforts to legally reopen Mahogany. Police pointed to 10 calls for service to the club in the past six months — ranging from gunshots to car break-ins — as well as an inspection by Detective Victor Langford that showed multiple safety issues and culminated with a fistfight in the club. Read more.

by Sam Prickett