Green heron
Heron populations in general are in decline, and the green heron is a “common bird in steep decline,” according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology . Read more.
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Yellow-rumped warbler
The family of new world warblers has sustained one of the largest declines “in abundance” in the past 50 years, according a study. Read more.
Opportunity Zone Apartments Aim for Affordability Downtown. Will They Be?
WBHM Birmingham’s downtown housing market has boomed in recent years. Pricey lofts and luxury condos have mushroomed throughout the city center. But skyrocketing rents and leases mean many low-to-moderate income workers, such as in the restaurant and hotel industry can’t afford to live there. Read more.
Bassmaster Classic Returns to Birmingham and Lake Guntersville
Eleven days after announcing a name for the new downtown stadium, the executive director of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center was again at a podium, this time announcing that the 50th Bassmaster Classic presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods will be in Birmingham and on Lake Guntersville on March 6-8, 2020. “I want to have announcements every day. I'll never complain about that,” Snider said after an afternoon press conference. “But yeah, this is exciting.” Bruce Akin, CEO of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, said it is more than appropriate for the company to bring its “super bowl of fishing” to Alabama, the state where B.A.S.S. was born. This year’s announcement is a bit later than normal, he said, as organizers wanted to be sure construction on the Interstate 59/20 bridge through downtown Birmingham would be done in time. This will be the 13th time that Alabama has hosted this event out of 50. Read more.
Jefferson County Commission Will Take Up Health Care Authority in Thursday’s Meeting Despite Concerns
A four-hour committee meeting of the Jefferson County Commission ended Tuesday with a 3-2 vote to move the creation of a UAB Healthcare Authority to the agenda of Thursday’s commission meeting. Commissioners Jimmie Stephens, Joe Knight and Steve Ammons voted in favor of taking up the measure Thursday, with Lashunda Scales and Sheila Tyson voting no. Stephens said the health care authority is needed because that was part of the commission’s pledge when in-patient care was closed at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, “to form the best possible indigent care for our citizens.” But Scales pleaded with her fellow commissioners to delay action, saying the move lacked transparency and had little to do with providing health care to the poor. Read more.
ICYMI: Woodfin’s Team Updates Progress on Economic Opportunities and Other Initiatives
Woodfin updated the public on progress toward key goals, including workforce development and economic opportunity. Read more.
Alabama county gas taxes
Counties that collect a local gas tax: Baldwin 5 cents Blount 3 cents Bullock 3 cents Cherokee 1 cent Clay County 2 cents Colbert 2 cents Cullman 1 cent Dallas 2 cents DeKalb 3 cents Greene 2 cents Houston 1 cent Jackson 3 cents Jefferson 1
By Land, Water or Air, Pollution Will Be a Controversial Topic Throughout the Year
Environmental issues have made headlines throughout 2018, and 2019 promises to be no different.
Decisions will be made that affect the cleanliness of the state’s waters, air and land. Issues that will affect recycling, coal mining and solar, nuclear and hydropower generation also are looming on the horizon. Here are a few of the issues to watch in 2019.
More What to Watch in 2019
Gas Tax Is a Top Priority in 2019 Legislative Session
A gasoline tax increase to fund road improvements is expected to be a major topic of the 2019 Alabama legislative session. Legislators also are expecting several hundred million more dollars to spend in the education budget and will be debating raises, a child literacy program and other education improvements. Other issues include funding improvements in prisons and a possible lottery proposal. Read more.
32 Candidates for Two Seats on Birmingham City Council May Present their Cases on Thursday
Thirty-two people have applied to fill two vacant seats on the Birmingham City Council, and they will all get the chance to publicly make their cases to the council later this week. During a special-called meeting on Thursday, Dec. 13, applicants will be given one minute each to give “elevator speeches” on their qualifications, Council President Valerie Abbott said during Tuesday’s regular council meeting. “They are going to show us their skills at concisely telling us why they are the best candidates for the positions,” she said. Read more.
Near Campaign’s End, Ivey Adds to Fundraising Advantage Over Maddox
Gov. Kay Ivey continues to add to her fundraising advantage over Democrat Walt Maddox with one week remaining in their campaign for governor, according to reports filed Monday with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. Ivey, the Republican nominee, reported raising $146,413 from Oct. 20 to Oct. 26, compared to $45,465 for Maddox. Ivey spent $212,304, leaving a cash balance of $288,586. Maddox reported spending of $62,242 and has an account balance of $167,479. Read more. In Money Race, Chief Justice Candidate Vance Leads Parker in Past Week, This Year Republican Lt. Gov. Candidate Ainsworth Continues Far Ahead in Contributions Last Week Marshall Remains Far Ahead in Fundraising for Attorney General Race