We're a digitally-powered nonprofit news organization serving Birmingham, Alabama - the City Built to Change the South. https://birminghamwatch.org/https://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mmca7zvsas2lThe incumbent Jefferson County Commissioner for District 1 outdistanced Birmingham City Councilor Clinton Woods 17,110 votes to 11,316. No Republican candidate is running for the seat in November, making Scales the presumptive commissioner for the next term. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/05/20/scales-pettway-cruise-to-easy-democratic-wins/20 May 2026 15:35 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmca7zvsas2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mmca5xp5es2lIn one of the most closely watched races, Rep. Juandalynn Givan fell 1,819 votes short of apparent winner Alicia Escott Lumpkin, who was backed by Mayor Randall Woodfin, for the nomination to the Alabama House of Representatives District 60 seat, with 178 of 179 precincts reporting. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/05/20/four-incumbent-legislators-fall-in-tuesdays-primaries/20 May 2026 15:34 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmca5xp5es2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mmc7w5ftjk2lAs voters went to the polls on Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council received its first look at the mayor’s proposed $615 million budget, which includes significant funding increases for transportation, violence prevention programs and homeless outreach services. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/05/19/woodfin-proposes-615-million-birmingham-city-budget/20 May 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmc7w5ftjk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mlqqaksigs2bThe public hearing for proposed changes to the city’s zoning ordinance related to new data center developments is scheduled for Jun. 9, during the regularly scheduled council meeting. Public discussions about accessory dwelling units are also starting next month. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/05/13/city-sets-public-hearing-on-data-centers-town-halls-on-adus/13 May 2026 16:34 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqqaksigs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mlqml6uvzs2bIn a report issued May 11 by S&P Global, the credit rating agency affirmed CAW’s AA- bond rating. It also removed its CreditWatch surveillance, with which it had been placed with negative implications on Feb. 11. Also, expenses at the utility may be falling — but so is revenue. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/05/13/nearly-a-year-after-restructuring-caw-presents-mixed-financial-outlook/13 May 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqml6uvzs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3ml4j626c5s2mLast week's U.S. Supreme Court decision changed the tenor of Booker’s town hall conversation w/ U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell from simply rallying to support Democratic candidates in this year’s election to bolstering support for the fight against moves to reverse the gains made generations ago. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/05/05/booker-sewell-focus-town-hall-on-voting-rights-fight/05 May 2026 15:34 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml4j626c5s2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mkohcjooyk2jIf approved, city officials will use the grant money to pay for improvements such as enhanced signaling, countdown timers, sound cues and accessible push buttons at crossings. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/29/birmingham-council-applies-for-10m-federal-grant-to-improve-pedestrian-walkways-traffic-signals/30 Apr 2026 01:23 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkohcjooyk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mknynne3h22oFormer BirminghamWatch contributor Olivia McMurrey racked up a baker’s dozen of awards – 10 of them first-place. Congratulations also to BW contributors Robert Carter and Solomon Crenshaw, Jr., who received awards, including another first-place piece by Carter. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/29/mcmurrey-2026-sweepstakes-award-amp/29 Apr 2026 21:01 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknynne3h22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mknrekhecs2oCity officials presented their draft regulations defining terms for data centers and addressing concerns such as energy use, water consumption, noise and other potential environmental impacts. Review the document for yourself in our story about yesterday's public hearing. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/28/new-data-center-regs-proposed-for-birmingham/29 Apr 2026 18:51 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknrekhecs2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mkjnbnfnxc2jFunded through the 2023 U.S. Department of Justice Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) grant, these investments are expected to expand critical services connected to Jefferson County Family Resource Center’s RESTORE program. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/27/birmingham-announces-14-microgrants-to-bolster-restore/28 Apr 2026 03:27 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkjnbnfnxc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mkbkjalqq22wConcerns about the environment and electricity use by data centers mount, but the city of Birmingham’s moratorium won’t change the controversial plans along Lakeshore Parkway. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/24/battle-against-oxmoor-valley-data-center-fizzles-but-residents-left-with-concerns/24 Apr 2026 22:16 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkbkjalqq22whttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mkbh37vids2wThe Jefferson County Commission’s discussion this week about the county’s 457 plan prompted Jimmie Stephens to recall a decision he made years ago about his own retirement financing. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/24/oops-commission-president-might-have-made-a-different-decision-if-hed-known-how-long-hed-serve/24 Apr 2026 21:15 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkbh37vids2whttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mk4g4zcm422wThe Jefferson County Commission is set to consider, during its Thursday meeting, releasing its interest in the former Graymont School to allow for construction on a senior living and early-learning development. 🔗 - https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/21/jeffco-set-for-vote-that-would-allow-graymont-school-redevelopment-to-continue/22 Apr 2026 21:14 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4g4zcm422whttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mk3ghot7ck2wIn a final ruling issued Monday, Circuit Court Judge Frederic Allen Bolling walked back his earlier decision and dissolved the city’s lawsuit against Central Alabama Water, determining that the utility did not violate the law and is not compelled to reinstate fluoride. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/21/judge-dissolves-ruling-leaving-birminghams-water-without-fluoride/22 Apr 2026 11:48 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3ghot7ck2whttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mk3gas7bdk2wThe Eastern Area Framework Plan, developed as part of the city's 2013 Comprehensive Plan, includes 19 neighborhoods in the communities of East Birmingham, Airport Hills, East Lake and Woodlawn. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/22/city-council-approves-development-plan-for-eastern-birmingham/22 Apr 2026 11:44 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3gas7bdk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mjzveg6tac2wA plan to protect open space and two mineral springs on the crest of Shades Mountain took a step forward when the Birmingham City Council on April 14 approved an agreement to work with the city of Hoover and the Friends of Shades Mountain to create a natural preserve at Hale Springs in Bluff Park. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/21/effort-gains-ground-to-turn-historic-mineral-springs-site-into-public-preserve/21 Apr 2026 21:09 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzveg6tac2whttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mjza3dkecc22The agreement is between CAW, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the state's Drinking Water Finance Authority, which administers the loans through the State’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, a low-interest loan program intended to fund infrastructure improvement projects. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/20/caw-oks-loans-to-continue-lead-line-replacement/21 Apr 2026 14:48 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjza3dkecc22https://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mjla44xmuc2cThe vote on the measure comes as the council approved an amendment to an agreement with the Jefferson County Greenways Foundation for the redevelopment of East Side Park, which will include 10,000 feet of wheelchair accessible trails. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/14/birmingham-council-approves-347k-for-village-creek-walking-trail/16 Apr 2026 01:11 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjla44xmuc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mj7wn2rwdk2qThe board over Central Alabama Water voted Friday to outsource management of its vehicles to Enterprise Fleet Management Inc. in a five-year agreement, saying the move follows an earlier unannounced decision to dissolve the utility’s in-house fleet department. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/10/caw-closes-its-fleet-contracts-for-vehicles/11 Apr 2026 13:23 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj7wn2rwdk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mj3vv3nnus2sTwo resolutions on Thursday’s agenda of the Jefferson County Commission brought JeffMet North, the latest industrial park of the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, to the brink of fruition. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/09/jeffco-makes-arrangements-for-engineering-work-in-advance-of-jeffmet-north/09 Apr 2026 22:58 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3vv3nnus2shttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mj3r4qtq7k22Apparently, Birmingham Legion FC's mascot, Noigel, decided to take the long way to town, arriving nearly eight years after the team's debut. We recently learned why it took him that long and what to expect from our fuzzy yellow friend now that he's here. More: https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/09/legion-debuts-new-mascot-noigel/09 Apr 2026 21:33 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3r4qtq7k22https://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mj3qj3l63s2cThe facility would be at 4400 Seventh Ave. S. During the public hearing, neighborhood leaders spoke in favor of the new business, which would occupy a former industrial site. More info: https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/08/council-hears-of-medical-waste-facility-planned-in-kingston/09 Apr 2026 21:22 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3qj3l63s2chttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mipduvukc22aU.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco denied a request to issue a temporary restraining order demanding that a variety of moves be undone, from rehiring fired employees to reinstating the project to shore up Lake Purdy Dam. However, she deferred ruling on the merits of the case. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/03/judge-refuses-emergency-action-in-water-works-case/04 Apr 2026 23:04 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mipduvukc22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3milpmqu5jc2bThis week, 14 people went from living on the street to living in a new Home For All Micro-Shelter Village adjacent to the Faith Chapel Care Center. Several dozen people were on hand Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting and tour of the new facility. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/04/02/new-micro-shelter-village-offers-14-homes-and-support/03 Apr 2026 12:24 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3milpmqu5jc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3migzzeihfc2nThe surplus plan provides $2 million for KultureCity’s redevelopment of the old Powell Steam Plant, an initiative to develop the first-ever technical college in the U.S. built specifically to train, support and place individuals with certain disabilities into meaningful employment. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/03/31/birmingham-approves-31-8m-surplus-plan-for-infrastructure-civil-rights-projects-and-youth-programs/01 Apr 2026 15:47 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3migzzeihfc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mie744rjps2nNearly two years after receiving a federal grant that targets economic development in four historically underinvested communities, the city of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity is reminding residents of its goal while seeking their reactions for Reinvest Birmingham. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/03/30/city-reacquaints-residents-with-reinvest-birmingham-as-plan-moves-forward/31 Mar 2026 12:40 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mie744rjps2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mi2wcv44vc2yThe program, called the Eat Your Way to Better Performance Nutrition and Performance Project, is a collaboration between the Birmingham City Schools and the nonprofit Bama Wellness Advocacy, which operates Bama Health Foods. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/03/24/birmingham-council-extends-huffman-high-nutrition-program-with-97500-arpa-funding/27 Mar 2026 20:08 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2wcv44vc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mhl2dvubj22yThe Pinson City Council unanimously approved a motion Friday night to cut its 25-year-old ties with the Alabama Butterbean Festival and organize a new event in its place. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/03/20/pinson-starts-the-ball-rolling-on-a-replacement-for-canceled-butterbean-festival/21 Mar 2026 12:38 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhl2dvubj22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mhjrhniag227The utility announced Friday that it will no longer treat drinking water with fluoride, citing safety, financial and infrastructure concerns. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/03/20/caw-will-no-longer-add-fluoride-to-drinking-water/21 Mar 2026 00:26 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhjrhniag227https://bsky.app/profile/bhamwatch.bsky.social/post/3mhjkt7bcfc27The local chamber of commerce that has run the Alabama Butterbean Festival for 20 years in the city of Pinson has canceled the event. But apparently, it didn’t tell the city’s mayor or its council members — or so their side of the story goes. Here's the 411 in advance of Friday's meeting. https://birminghamwatch.org/2026/03/20/spilled-beans-a-big-pot-boils-over-between-managers-of-canceled-butterbean-festival-and-city-of-pinson/20 Mar 2026 22:27 +0000at://did:plc:eijpwfs4e4rsagwz4hcqf6os/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhjkt7bcfc27