Applications Close Soon for Flood Damage Relief in Central Alabama
Jefferson and Shelby counties experienced flooding in October 2021. The federal applications for flooding relief close soon. Read more.
Government
JeffCo Commissioners Discuss Laws to Stop “Poop Trains” From Hauling Waste Into the County
In the race to attract businesses from the North, the Jefferson County Commission made it clear that it would rather not be in the race, and it certainly doesn’t want to win the race. At least when it comes to “poop trains.” During its committee meeting today, commissioners discussed a couple of matters they hope will address a renewed effort by companies in New York and New Jersey to ship solid waste to Jefferson County by rail. So-called “poop trains” made a literal and figurative stink in 2017 as solid waste was brought into the area by rail. A resolution that was moved to the agenda of Thursday’s commission meeting would establish solid waste officers who would help enforce ordinances put in place concerning illegal littering and, more specifically, the poop trains that are coming into Jefferson County from up north. Read more.
Mahogany Club Given Stay of Execution, New Birmingham Council Hearing Set
Once again, the Birmingham City Council is considering the closure of a nightclub due to several instances of gun violence and other crimes. This time, the club is Mahogany Social Bar and Lounge, at 1709 Third St. W in the city’s Rising-West Princeton neighborhood. Temple’s attempt to obtain a new liquor license and dance permit for Mahogany was met with open skepticism by many city councilors based on claims by police that the nightclub is a threat to public safety. But one councilor said neighborhood officers had written a letter supporting the club and its owner, who they said had responded to previous complaints. Read more.
Alabama Republicans Pass Bill to Hike Penalties for Removing Confederate Monuments
Republicans also advanced a bill that would require jail time for those who participate in a riot, plus another banning certain therapies for transgender youth. Read more.
School Choice and Permitless Carry Bills Face Rocky Road in the Alabama Legislature
Alabama often falls near the bottom among states when it comes to school standardized test scores. One state lawmaker said that needs to change and proposed what he called the “ultimate” school choice bill to shake up the education system. Republican State Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston introduced a bill that would allow families to
Second Verse Same as the First: Four of Five JeffCo Commissioners Have No Known Election Challengers
The next Jefferson County Commission will look very much like the current one as four of the sitting five commissioners have no challenger in the upcoming primary or the general election. Qualifying for the May 24 party primary elections concluded Friday with four of the five incumbents facing no opposition. District 2 Commissioner Sheila Tyson was the lone exception; Steve Small qualified to face her in the Democratic primary. None of the commission seats has a qualifier from the other party in November’s general election. Barring a successful independent or third-party challenge, Republicans Jimmie Stephens (District 3), Joe Knight (District 4) and Steve Ammons (District 5) and Democrat Lashunda Scales (District 1) will remain in office another four years. Stephens and Knight were initially elected in 2010. Scales, Ammons and Tyson were first elected to the commission in 2018. Commissioners questioned Tuesday said the lack of challengers is an endorsement of the work they’ve done. “It says that all five commissioners – not just four – all five commissioners have been working for the betterment of their communities,” said Stephens, the commission president. “We all run in districts, and everyone within those districts are extremely satisfied. They did not see a need to change. “That means that we as a commission are working together to get things done to improve the quality of life for our citizens in Jefferson County,” he continued. “That is indeed what we were elected to do.” Read more.
Humane Society Can Continue Operation After JeffCo Commission Extends Contract
The Jefferson County Commission on Tuesday made sure the Greater Birmingham Humane Society can continue to house animals the next three years, avoiding having to move – or even euthanize – them. It extended the county’s contract with GBHS, without which the humane society would not have been able to get the insurance it needs. “I don't know where the slowdown came,” Commissioner Joe Knight said, “but it was some back-and-forth stuff up in the personnel board. But we got it out and we got her done. Had it expired, they would have had to move the animals.” Read more.
New Library Board Taking Over as Birmingham Council Replaces Five Members
The Birmingham City Council appointed five new members to the Birmingham Public Library’s board of trustees Tuesday, replacing a majority of the board’s current lineup, including President Eunice Johnson Rogers. It’s a high-profile shake-up for the library board, which over the past several years has proven a lightning rod for controversy. Read more.
Candidates, On Your Marks
Candidates have lined up under the Republican and Democratic flags to run for their party nominations for a slate of offices, from U.S. Senate to governor to Jefferson County Commission. Friday was the deadline for candidates to file papers to run in the primary election, which will be May 24, leading up to the Nov. 8 general election. In Jefferson County alone, Democratic voters will have more than 80 candidates to choose from, and Republicans will have more than 60. That doesn’t count candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives. That qualifying deadline has been extended while the courts determine whether the redrawn House districts approved after the 2020 census are constitutional. A three-judge federal court panel ruled that they were not and told the state to redraw them, but the state has appealed that ruling to the U.S. For lists of candidates running in each primary, read more.
Republican Primary Candidates 2022
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY CANDIDATES U.S. Senate Lillie Boddie Katie Britt Mo Brooks Karla M. Dupriest Mike Durant Jake Schafer U.S. House House qualifying has been extended indefinitely while the courts decide whether the state’s newly drawn House districts are constitutional. State Offices Governor Lindy Blanchard Lew Burdette Stacy Lee George Kay Ivey Tim James Donald