BW Recommends
BW Recommends | January 12, 2025
BirminghamWatch Recommends returns with stories that you might have missed this week, that offer insight into issues important to our area or sometimes that just tickle the curiosity. Soon we’ll be offering Recommends through a weekly email. Sign up here to receive it, along with our WeeklyWatch and the new Monday Morning Watch, a roundup of public meetings scheduled for the week.
One Republican, Two Democrats Qualify for Alabama Senate District 5 Special Election (Alabama Reflector)
The district, which includes some areas of far western and northern Jefferson County, has been solidly Republican. The election will fill the seat of former Sen. Greg Reed, who stepped down to become an adviser in Gov. Kay Ivey’s administration.
A vending machine outside the new Parrish Town Hall dispenses the lifesaving nasal spray for free in a county considered one of the most hard-hit by the opioid epidemic.
Alabama Grows Through Domestic and International Migration (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
Alabama grew by more than 40,000 people between July 2023 and July 2024, more than 60% of them coming from other states and the rest from out of the country.
Britt Named Deputy Whip in 119th Congress (Alabama Daily News)
Alabama’s junior senator, Katie Britt, was named a deputy whip for Senate Republicans this week, just two years after taking office.
ALDOT Finalizing US 280 Expansion, Plans To Begin Construction Spring 2025 (Bham Now)
The state is planning extensive work to widen sections of U.S. 280 from Homewood to Interstate 459, with the first of the work beginning this spring. According to ALDOT, the busiest section of the highway is near Overton Road, which carries nearly 105,000 vehicles a day.
Former VA Leader Davis Floats Run for Governor; Ainsworth, Pate Announcements Pending (Alabama Daily News)
With Gov. Kay Ivey’s time in the office coming to a close, potential candidates already are starting to line up in Alabama’s 2026 gubernatorial race.
How Nick Saban Went From Darth Vader at Alabama to College Football’s Favorite Uncle With ESPN (USA Today)
Saban wins over viewers as he translates his trademark on-field abrasiveness to straight talk on College GameDay.
These Alabama Counties Saw the Biggest Economic Gains in 2023 (al.com)
Small poor counties in Alabama showed the biggest economic gains in terms of percentage of growth. Jefferson County is still the state’s biggest economic driver with its $50 billion GDP, which grew by 2%.