@newsmanbryant.bsky.social
A Birmingham church sign assails state Republican leaders as bigots who stole the water utility and urges the mayor & pastors to fight back harder. Rev. Michael Jordan calls it a racist conspiracy to snatch jobs, money and resources from Birmingham. www.al.com/news/birming...
Birmingham pastor’s church sign says Republican ‘bigots stole’ the water utility
The Rev. Michael Jordan says the Central Alabama Water board restructuring was designed to steal jobs from Black employees.
al.com
All signs point to the regional water utility moving out of Birmingham and heading to the suburbs. But no one is answering questions. www.al.com/news/birming...
Is Alabama’s largest water utility leaving Birmingham? No one will say
The move could deliver significant economic and legal ramifications.
al.com
Suspended Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard is making a temporary return to the courthouse, but with restrictions. Blanchard was granted permission to access her office and gather records related to her upcoming trial. www.al.com/news/2026/07...
Suspended probate judge facing trial can return to Alabama courthouse, but with restrictions
Yahshiba Blanchard was suspended following a 120-page complaint accusing her of professional misconduct.
al.com
The sheriff of Alabama's largest county says rumors about his ties to illegal gambling are part of a Republican conspiracy to undermine him and other Democrats. “They’ve been wanting to take me out of office since day one,” he says. www.al.com/news/birming...
GOP conspiracy behind gambling rumors, Jefferson County Sheriff claims: ‘to take me out’
The Jefferson County sheriff and his brother say Republican officials fabricated illegal gambling allegations to tarnish his reputation and remove him from office.
al.com
Police officers sued for excessive force in the death of a west Alabama man have reached a settlement with his family as two others begin mediation talks in the federal lawsuit. Bodycam footage shows the exchange that ended in Michael Broady's death. www.al.com/news/birming...
Two officers accused of excessive force in death of Alabama man reach settlement with family
Two police officers reached settlements with Michael Broady's family over his 2021 death following an arrest involving stun guns and alleged choking. Mediation continues with remaining defendants.
al.com
A Birmingham businessman, who is also the sheriff's brother, has won a major round in his libel and defamation lawsuit against a conservative news site over comments linking him to illegal gambling. www.al.com/news/birming...
The state once seized $240,000 from his accounts — now this Birmingham businessman is winning his defamation fight
Bruce Pettway argued he was targeted because Republicans wanted to malign his brother, Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway.
al.com
State auditors are making what they call a routine examination of Jefferson County Probate Court spending at the same time suspended Judge Yashiba Blanchard fights for her job. Here's what we know so far. www.al.com/news/birming...
State auditors make routine probe of probate court spending as judge fights for her job
State examiners began reviewing Jefferson County probate court finances in March.
al.com
An Alabama mayor - who is also a former police officer - says he does not feel safe working at city hall. He castigated city leaders as ‘ghetto' and 'modern day oppressors.' Others on the dais tell a different story and say problems rest with the mayor who remains absent. www.al.com/news/birming...
Alabama mayor says ‘ghetto’ city hall is too dangerous for him to work
"You’re leading a city and if you’re going to lead it, you can’t lead it through email. Your presence is needed," the city clerk replied.
al.com
The Birmingham City Council and their families can get personal security "to address a national increase in credible threats and violent acts against public officials." A source tells AL.com that this is in response to social media threats against them over data centers. www.al.com/news/birming...
Birmingham council approves security for themselves, their families when facing threats
Security would be deployed when a credible threat is determined by the police chief, supported by investigative findings and reasonably connected to their official duties.
al.com
In a little over a year, the now suspended probate judge for Alabama’s largest county approved spending more than $1 million for two consultants, along with thousands more for radio commercials and promotional materials including T-shirts & photo shoots. www.al.com/news/birming...
Suspended judge spent more than $1 million on PR firms and radio ads from discretionary fund
Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard hired political consultants and paid for radio ads and photo shoots from a fund created to preserve crumbling historic records.
al.com
The city of Birmingham is investing $7 million in a $39.5 million plan to transform a historic steam plan into a first of its kind community gathering place and space for people with sensory challenges. “This has global impact,” says Mayor Randall Woodfin. www.al.com/news/birming...
Birmingham investing $7 million in ‘amazing’ $39.5 million space for people with sensory challenges
The $39.5 million project will convert the 1895 Powell Avenue Steam Plant into a national hub for people with sensory disabilities and a public gathering space.
al.com
NEW: This marks the fourth known city in Alabama to approve a moratorium on data centers. www.al.com/news/2026/06...
Alabama city approves one-year pause on data centers – with penalties to enforce it
This marks the fourth known city in Alabama to approve a moratorium on data centers.
al.com
Ala. Rep. Terri Sewell joins New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to lead healthcare committee as midterms near. Dems are focusing on affordability as a priority before Nov. elections. AOC has previously partnered with Sewell, including her visit to Ala. last month. www.al.com/news/birming...
Sewell joins Ocasio-Cortez to lead Democratic committee on healthcare as midterms near
The Alabama representative was appointed to work with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to craft policy recommendations for lowering healthcare costs.
al.com
Birmingham's regional water utility ranks last in customer service and the board is paying $90,000 to the company that gave them poor marks to learn why. The utility board was restructured by the state last year in part over customer service concerns. www.al.com/news/birming...
Birmingham water board ranks last in customer service, spending $90,000 to learn why
The current Central Alabama Water utility, restructured by the state legislature, was championed as a response to years of complaints.
al.com
Birmingham activist Eric Hall has just one regret after his arrest at city hall when he demanded to meet with Mayor Randall Woodfin to discuss two recent deaths at the city jail. www.al.com/news/birming...
Two deaths in three days expose Birmingham City Jail’s disturbing conditions: ‘The city has a responsibility’
Kalena “Peaches” Croskey, and Kadeem Sweazer of Center Point died in a span of three days.
al.com
New details are revealed in secret plans from Birmingham's regional water utility to leave the city and head to Shelby County suburbs. The water board remains mum, yet AL.com has the latest information on the plan and what it means. www.al.com/news/birming...
Alabama Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather
Get the latest Alabama local news, sports, weather, entertainment and breaking updates on al.com
al.com
A state lawmaker who is challenging her loss for reelection said she no longer has confidence in receiving a fair hearing from the judge assigned to the case. She says the judge is friends and drinking buddies with some officials and witnesses in the case. www.al.com/news/birming...
Too close for comfort: Lawmaker asks judge to step aside in lawsuit to overturn election
Juandalynn Givan claims Judge Chuck Price has friendships with Mayor Randall Woodfin and potential witnesses in her lawsuit challenging Alicia Escott Lumpkin's eligibility to hold office.
al.com
A Birmingham activist demanded to see the mayor about recent deaths at the city jail. Instead, was tackled & arrested after a showdown with police. In handcuffs, Eric Hall says it's all evidence of a "coward ass mayor and a coward ass administration." www.al.com/news/birming...
Birmingham activist arrested at city hall after showdown with police over jail deaths
Activist Eric Hall was tackled and handcuffed by police after demanding to meet with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin about two deaths at the city jail that occurred three days apart.
al.com
Alleged secret plans by Birmingham’s regional water utility to abandon the city and move offices to the suburbs have ignited pushback from critics. Central Alabama Water leaders are quiet, but a lawyer is railing against the plan & demanding answers. www.al.com/news/birming...
Lawyer demands answers on alleged plan to move Birmingham water utility
A Birmingham attorney suing Central Alabama Water demands utility leaders confirm or deny plans to move headquarters from Birmingham to Shelby County or face more court action.
al.com
A board member of Birmingham's regional water utility alleges there are secret plans underway to move Central Alabama Water out of the city and into the suburbs of Shelby County. "It's a slap in the face," she says. www.al.com/news/birming...
Secret plans allegedly underway to move Birmingham water utility out of city: ‘A slap in the face’
CAW has not publicly discussed the move or responded to inquiries.
al.com
A lawsuit challenging the victory of a political newcomer over a longtime Birmingham area legislator now rests with a skeptical judge. Rep. Juandalynn Givan argues that Alicia Escott Lumpkin was prohibited from seeking the post because she worked for the mayor. www.al.com/news/birming...
Fate of lawsuit over election defeat of longtime state rep. rests with skeptical judge
Rep. Juandalynn Givan is seeking subpoenas of human resources and payroll records to prove whether Alicia Lumpkin had properly resigned from her city position before running for office when she defeat...
al.com
The first and only female plant operator at Alabama's largest water utility has filed a federal complaint alleging sexual harassment, gender and race-based mistreatment that she says led to her firing. www.al.com/news/birming...
Fired female water utility operator alleges sexual harassment in federal complaint
Brittany Reynolds was featured on a magazine cover and praised publicly, but says she faced sexual harassment, denied promotions, and a termination designed to humiliate her.
al.com
She won, but was she even eligible to run? A defeated state lawmaker has filed election challenge in court that questions her opponent’s qualifications to seek office. www.al.com/news/birming...
Defeated lawmaker files election challenge in court, questions opponent’s eligibility
Juandalynn Givan wants a judge to order Alicia Escott Lumpkin to provide proof that she left her city position before qualifying for the District 60 race as required by law.
al.com
From luxury trips to bird hunting and football tickets, @hdenham.bsky.social combed through pages of documents to see what gifts were received by Alabama's federal judges. Here's what she found. www.al.com/news/2026/06...
Luxury trips, bird hunting, football tickets: Here are gifts Alabama’s federal judges accepted
The gifts that federal judges accept, and their relationships to donors, has largely escaped scrutiny.
al.com
Birmingham's regional water system needs a court-appointed overseer to end ‘reckless and unlawful’ acts, a lawsuit claims. And a familiar name has joined the fight against what is now known as Central Alabama Water. www.al.com/news/birming...
Birmingham water system must be taken over to end ‘reckless and unlawful’ acts, lawsuit claims
Plaintiffs say an independent receiver should oversee the Central Alabama Water to stop harmful decisions.
al.com
Suspended Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard is accused of election interference in a new lawsuit filed by a failed legislative candidate. www.al.com/news/birming...
Suspended Jefferson County probate judge accused of election interference in new lawsuit
A defeated Alabama candidate says a suspended Probate Judge offered to pay her campaign expenses if she dropped out of a race against ally.
al.com
A state complaint against Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard claims issues began the first day she took office. The 120-page document has detailed allegations against Blanchard, including claims of bullying & intimidation. See the details: www.al.com/news/birming...
What’s in complaint against Alabama judge Yashiba Blanchard? See the details
The state complaint against Judge Yashiba Blanchard is filled with detailed allegations against her judicial leadership after less than a year and a half in office.
al.com
Birmingham Civil Rights institute to reopen and remain operating as repairs are ongoing https://mrf.lu/wcXK
Historic Alabama college brings back football games after 80 year absence https://mrf.lu/ws2n
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a major downtown landmark and attraction, will remain open during major repairs, officials announced Saturday evening. www.al.com/news/birming...
Birmingham Civil Rights institute to reopen and remain operating as repairs are ongoing
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will be open next week and will remain open as the facility undergoes major infrastructure upgrades.
al.com