BirminghamWatch

Jefferson County Elections Shaped Early as Uncontested Races Emerge - BirminghamWatch Three County Commission seats, U.S. House seat among those with only one qualified major party candidate.

Qualifying to run for office on a major party ticket in Alabama this year may have just recently closed, but (likely) winners could already be called in several Jefferson County offices simply because only one person is running — so far.

Nourish Grocer Plants Seeds of Wellness in Western Birmingham with Health-Focused Food and Education - BirminghamWatch The grocer expanded recently to provide organic foods and health staples in the underserved area.

In 2018, retailer and health coach Jacquie Fasekas became Bama Health Foods’ newest owner, continuing its legacy while expanding its mission. That expansion took a major step forward Dec. 6 with the opening of Nourish Grocer, just next door.

StoneX and Boobie Trap Return to JeffCo Agenda on Thursday - BirminghamWatch The County Commission may give StoneX a $300K tax abatement, bringing public support potentially up to $500K.

The Jefferson County Commission is set to make a decision on additional support for StoneX Group's expansion and offer a recommendation to the ABC Board about the former Wesley's Boobie Trap during their Feb. 5 meeting.

Deborah Bowie Returns Home to Lead BCRI During Challenging Times - BirminghamWatch The new executive director and CEO said she wants to honor the “sacred ground” on which the institute is built while adapting for the future.

Bowie said BCRI, a centerpiece of the Birmingham Civil Rights District, is a community organization that is built on “sacred ground.” It must reflect the community’s priorities when it was constructed, she said.

Councilors Approve $2.6M Construction Bid to Rebuild Tornado-Damaged Pratt Neighborhood - BirminghamWatch The Birmingham City Council approved more work to rehab the neighborhood devastated in 2011.

Site development at Pratt City's Shadow Brook project began in June 2025. The project is part of the city’s $16.6 million initiative to expand affordable housing in Birmingham.

Latest Proposal to Redevelop Former Sherman Industries Site Takes Step Forward - BirminghamWatch The latest effort to transform the former Sherman Industries property into a multifamily development received conceptual approval by the city's Design Review Committee on Jan. 14. It must still return...

This is the third proposal for the redevelopment of Block 268 since 2022. It received conceptual approval by the city's Design Review Committee on Jan. 14. It must still return for final approval before any demolition can begin.

Please take a look at what our parent nonprofit's executive director and CEO posted and consider giving or sharing with others who may be able to give... and thanks for your support, this year and always!

Downtown Birmingham Preps for A Signage Change to Its Skyline - BirminghamWatch The Birmingham skyline will look a little different from the south very soon as the Landing sign on the John Hand Building will soon be replaced with one for a newer area bank.

During yesterday's Design Review Committee meeting, we learned the Birmingham skyline will look a little different from the south very soon, as the current sign on the John Hand Building will be replaced with one for a newer area bank.

KultureCity Seeks JeffCo Help To Bring National Accessibility Park to Powell Steam Plant Site - BirminghamWatch The park would include training for those with sensory disabilities, a museum, amphitheater, sensory park and resource center.

During their pre-commission work session, Jefferson County commissioners moved a resolution to invest $3.5 million in KultureCity’s plan to create the National Accessibility Park at the former Alabama Power Co. property, which borders Railroad Park, to Thursday’s agenda.

CAW Cancels Policy That Encouraged Disadvantaged Firms To Bid on Contracts - BirminghamWatch Black members of the board expressed concern about the move; managers said the policy was a paperwork burden.

After a heated debate, the board that governs Alabama’s largest water utility rescinded its historically underutilized business policy, which had encouraged companies owned by women, minorities and other disadvantaged groups to bid on contracts with the organization.

Water Works Board Approves Budget With Slashed Capital Funding, No Rate Increase - BirminghamWatch The $215.6 million budget doesn’t include automated meters, constricts work on Lake Purdy Dam and reduces pipe replacements.

The $215.6 million budget represents a 16.5% decrease, with the largest cuts affecting capital projects, and it could be further reduced early next year.

JeffCo Starts to Prep for Potential Arrival of Large Data Centers - BirminghamWatch The County Commission president proposed studying rules for data center developments before one asks to move into unincorporated Jefferson County.

Jimmie Stephens said he is unaware of any efforts to bring a major data center to any part of unincorporated Jefferson County. However, the County Commission president said that makes this the best time to devise a plan for such a development.

College Football's Coaching Carousel Stops With Hires at UAB, Samford and Auburn - BirminghamWatch UAB elevated Alex Mortensen to the head coaching job and Samford brought John Grass back to the state.

The college coaching carousel that spun wildly through the state of Alabama came to a stop this week as the last of the coaching hires were announced.

Birmingham Moves Forward With Third Grocery Recruitment Effort for Titusville’s Woodland Park - BirminghamWatch The council approved $885K in incentives to lure Carver Jones Market to the Heritage Parke Towne Center spot.

The approved agreement is with Carver Jones Market, which will lease and remodel the 10,000-square-foot site that Save-A-Lot left in 2023.

Residential Development to Begin Early Next Year at The Star Uptown - BirminghamWatch The Birmingham City Council approved rezoning the property adjacent to the old Carraway Hospital site for the construction.

The Birmingham City Council voted on Tuesday to rezone property adjacent to the land where Carraway Hospital once stood, allowing for a new rental development, featuring townhouses, cottages and duplexes. Work on the first component is now set to begin early next year.

JeffCo Set to OK Debris Removal From Last Week's Storm - BirminghamWatch High winds and small tornadoes caused damage in unincorporated parts of northern Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Commission placed an item on the agenda for this Thursday’s upcoming meeting to approve the collection and removal of roadside debris in unincorporated parts of the county affected by the storm.

Central Alabama Water CEO Names Interim Leaders - BirminghamWatch The CEO introduced the new temporary leaders to the board on Monday.

CEO Jeffrey Thompson placed all the utility’s senior managers on paid administrative leave Nov. 20, the day he was hired. He has elevated current employees to the leadership roles at least temporarily.

Magic in the Margins: How J.R. Williams Is Reviving Birmingham’s Alt Storytelling Legacy - BirminghamWatch The second edition of Williams’ Magic City Reader recently rolled off the presses.

John ‘J.R.’ Williams had spent his career in newspapers, from the copy desk to neighborhood beats; he still carried the imprint of the Black & White issues he'd indulged as a child. It's led to the development of Birmingham's newest entry in its alt-news history.

At His Third Inauguration, Woodfin Promises Agenda to Support Children From ‘Cradle to Career’ - BirminghamWatch Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was reelected in August with three-fourths of the vote.

Just after being sworn in for his third term Tuesday evening, Mayor Randall Woodfin told the crowd of hundreds at Boutwell Auditorium that the next generation of Birmingham residents won’t just be part of his agenda; they will drive every decision he makes.

City Council OKs Drainage, Erosion Repairs - BirminghamWatch Birmingham councilors also discussed an upcoming homelessness summit and recent national conference.

This week's recap includes details about the Birmingham City Council's approval to move forward with two projects aimed at resolving flooding issues along a section of 33rd Ave. N. and in George Ward Park.

Mayor Rebukes Central Alabama Water Board, Says Behavior Is ‘More Than Questionable’ - BirminghamWatch Woodfin shows up at CAW meeting, chastises board for secrecy around hiring of new CEO.

Board member Sheila Tyson also presented a letter with questions to CAW and her fellow board members, seeking information about the hiring process and requesting that answers be provided within 10 days.

Woodfin: Birmingham Must Move Beyond ‘Perpetual Promise’ and Plan for Generational Growth - BirminghamWatch Headed toward his inauguration Tuesday for a third term, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin sat down with BirminghamWatch for a broad conversation touching on infrastructure, tourism, crime and more iss...

With his third term set to begin tomorrow, Mayor Randall Woodfin has his mind focused on the big picture... and Birmingham's long-term goals.

He recently sat down with @gonzogaddy.bsky.social to talk about his priorities.

Water Works Managers Placed on Leave, 2 CAW Board Members Sue to Block CEO Hiring - BirminghamWatch The board members allege the process was flawed and they were denied information before the vote.

The five managers placed on leave made up CAW’s senior leadership team before the hiring of new CEO Jeffrey Thompson. He released a statement Friday saying the utility’s operational continuity is secure.

Former Home of La Paree May See New Lease on Life - BirminghamWatch This month, we learned the building that once housed La Paree on Fifth Ave. N. downtown is being given a new life as a new restaurant. The city's Design Review Committee also reviewed several projects...

The city's Design Review Committee also reviewed several projects downtown and carried out a rare overruling of a neighborhood committee decision in Avondale.

Water Board Hires CEO in Contentious Vote as Members Protest Secretive Search - BirminghamWatch Some board members protested the lack of transparency in a search process that publicly produced only one candidate, a former manager the utility had agreed not to rehire.

Attempts to delay the vote on the special-called meeting’s only agenda item by calling for an executive session, making a motion for adjournment and questioning a last-minute change to the CEO’s contract all failed.

`Simply Shameful’ Woodfin Says of Stephens’ Stance on JeffCo Maintenance of City Walk - BirminghamWatch The Jefferson County Commission president says the county has no responsibility at the downtown park.

A pair of metro leaders are taking dueling stances on who should maintain the 31-acre linear park in downtown Birmingham.

Experts Give Differing Opinions on How to Best Stabilize Purdy Dam - BirminghamWatch The chairman of the board over Central Alabama Water said most likely the board will continue work to shore up the dam.

Two of those experts endorsed the current plan to add buttresses to the dam, while the third suggested the board should consider a different design option that would allow water to overflow the dam.

Youth Detention Director Says Goodbye to Jefferson County - BirminghamWatch Monique Grier will be returning to the Atlanta area for a job working with the disenfranchised.

Monique Grier found it just as hard to say goodbye yesterday.

Help BirminghamWatch continue to serve you into 2026 and beyond - BirminghamWatch Our year-end fundraising campaign will continue through December 31, 2025. Your support will help continue to power us as we strive to be a primary resource for Birmingham.

We're in the early days of our end-of-year fundraising campaign. @acnatta.bsky.social just published a piece describing how we plan to use any monies raised. Take a look, donate if you can, and share widely.

Woodfin Announces Emergency Food Relief Effort as SNAP Suspension Looms - BirminghamWatch The mayor said he will ask the Birmingham City Council to commit $1 million to help feed Birmingham families.

Randall Woodfin stood with local elected, faith & social service leaders yesterday, saying he will ask the Birmingham City Council to commit $1 million in city funds to make sure no family in the city goes hungry during the SNAP benefits suspension.