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André Natta

@acnatta.bsky.social

3.2K followers 370 following 140 posts

I've been a journalist, a planner, and a hotel general manager. It's always about buying the ticket and taking the ride. Bronx native. Executive director/Executive editor, @bhamwatch.bsky.social

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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 10d

Yes, I did. @bhamwatch.bsky.social has had a great journey so far. Here's to what's next... and to finding ways to feed the interests of those civically curious in #bham for some time to come!

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 10d

Yesterday marked ten years of serving Birmingham as a nonprofit news source. Our @acnatta.bsky.social took a moment to reflect on our past and hint at what our future may hold.

BirminghamWatch Celebrates 10 Years of Coverage - BirminghamWatch

BirminghamWatch executive editor André Natta recognizes the publication's upcoming tenth anniversary on Sept. 27 and asks for input as it prepares to evolve into a resource for the city's civically cu...

birminghamwatch.org

Reposted by André Natta

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Sep 3

The proposed ordinance would empower city officials to pursue foreclosure on nuisance properties in certain cases.
“This is a judicial process that targets the property and not the person,” Katrina Thomas, director of the city’s Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits, told councilors.

Birmingham Council Presented With Law to Allow Foreclosure on Nuisance Properties - BirminghamWatch

The move would give the city the power, and the money, to take over dilapidated properties.

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Sep 2

I'm just going to think positive starts as we get this thing going again. Yes, it's Tuesday, but it's time for the Monday Morning Watch.

Monday Morning Watch | Week of Sept. 1, 2025 - BirminghamWatch

BirminghamWatch's weekly rundown of public meetings and agendas in the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County. Our goal is to help you keep your elected officials accountable.

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Aug 27

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Aug 27

Amid cheers of threepeat and “Randemic,” Randall Woodfin won his third election for mayor of Birmingham on Tuesday night, a feat not achieved since former Mayor Richard Arrington Jr. ended his five-term run in 1999.

Third Time’s a Charm as Woodfin Swept Back Into Mayor’s Office - BirminghamWatch

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was reelected Tuesday with almost 75% of the vote in a nine-candidate race.

birminghamwatch.org

Reposted by André Natta

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Aug 22

Our voter guide for next week's municipal elections in Birmingham, Alabama, is now available to peruse! Find candidate bios and profiles, sample ballots + a what-you-need-to-know primer as you head out to vote for mayor, City Council, and the school board.

2025 Birmingham Municipal Elections - BirminghamWatch

Your central resource for all things associated with the upcoming Aug. 26 municipal election in Birmingham, Ala, produced with support from NPR member station WBHM. This includes the current lists of ...

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Aug 1

It's official. "The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism is suspending publication of BirminghamWatch until at least early September, as it is unable to secure enough bridge funding to operate until grant funds are scheduled to arrive in October."

BirminghamWatch Temporarily Suspends Publication through August - BirminghamWatch

The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism is suspending publication of BirminghamWatch until at least early September as it is unable to secure enough bridge funding to operate until grant fun...

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Jul 22

Hello, everybody! The nonprofit I run and its publication @bhamwatch.bsky.social need your assistance if possible. We'll need to suspend publishing late next week for a while if we're not able to secure some funds. Here's the 411:

BirminghamWatch needs you. Now, more than ever. - BirminghamWatch

The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism will temporarily suspend publication of BirminghamWatch at the end of July 2025 until early fall if it is unable to secure enough bridge funding to op...

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Jul 21

I didn't expect this kind of a reaction, or at least not this "loud" of one, for the shirt - thanks! One of the things I'm juggling is securing funding for @bhamwatch.bsky.social - here's how you can help, if you can. Regardless, thanks.

BirminghamWatch needs you. Now, more than ever. - BirminghamWatch

The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism will temporarily suspend publication of BirminghamWatch at the end of July 2025 until early fall if it is unable to secure enough bridge funding to op...

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Jul 19

I figured it was a good morning to wear my @jskstanford.bsky.social reunion T-shirt, especially considering how much this week felt like a roller coaster. The thumbs ups and first bumps made it feel like it was the right choice.

Older Black man wearing a black T-shirt with the text in white, "First they came for the journalists. We don't know what happened after that " in front of a dark blue background.

Reposted by André Natta

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Jul 9

“It is not possible financially. It’s not realistic” for the city to maintain these properties for absentee owners, the mayor said. He added it would take roughly four years to cut this amount of lots one time with the city’s current personnel. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/09/b...

Birmingham Council Declares Emergency Over Rainfall Hampering Weed Abatement Efforts - BirminghamWatch

The declaration lets the city hire contractors to catch up on cutting abandoned lots.

birminghamwatch.org

Reposted by André Natta

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Jul 9

While most service lines in the local system are not made of lead or galvanized metal requiring replacement under the new EPA rule, 471 lines are known to be made of those materials, and the material type of about 39,000 service lines is unknown. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/09/b...

Birmingham's Water Line Work Can Temporarily Increase Lead Levels in Some Tap Water - BirminghamWatch

As part of its water main replacement project, the water works is partially replacing smaller service lines, which can release more lead into the water for a time if the pipes are made of lead or galv...

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Jul 9

Thanks for sharing some info about us today, @brianlyman.bsky.social - and for collaborating with @bhamwatch.bsky.social this summer!

Brian Lyman @brianlyman.bsky.social · Jul 9

Programming note: We're collaborating with the good people at @bhamwatch.bsky.social this summer to cover elections in the Magic City. Birmingham Watch is a nonprofit news site like ours providing local coverage; give them some support here: birminghamwatch.org/donations/do...

Alabama Reflector @alabamareflector.com · Jul 9

Via Andrea Tinker, in collaboration with @bhamwatch.bsky.social: Crime is looming as a major issue in Birmingham's municipal elections this year, though there are signs that violence is in decline.

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · May 15

It was fun serving on the @opennews.bsky.social community panel for @srccon.bsky.social 2025. It's also one of the reasons I'll spend a lot of time in Minneapolis this summer. Looking forward to seeing folks there! 2025.srccon.org

SRCCON 2025 — July 10-11, Minneapolis, MN

A peer-led conference from OpenNews for journalists who want to transform their work, their organizations, and their communities.

2025.srccon.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · May 15

When Frank Woodson initially announced his candidacy for mayor of Birmingham via an interview with @bhamwatch.bsky.social, it became one of the busiest weekends for the site in recent years. Check it out.

Mayoral Candidate Frank Woodson Says He's the Leader Birmingham Needs Now - BirminghamWatch

Woodson has thrown his hat into the ring to run for Birmingham mayor.

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · May 15

There's a reason for a long-term backyard garden project - a reminder to fully disconnect when needed.

A close-up of a Rudbeckia Maxima (giant coneflower) adjacent to a fire pit area.

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · May 1

Today's the day!

Thursday Is the Deadline for City Students to Apply for Birmingham Promise Scholarships - BirminghamWatch

The scholarships allow students to go to universities, colleges and certificate programs.

birminghamwatch.org

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Apr 30

“At no point has a state legislator ever reached out to me or any of my colleagues to sit down with us and share their concerns,” [Birmingham City Council president] O’Quinn said. “This is not being done with us. This is being done to us.”

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Apr 30

Senate Bill 330, which could get final passage by the as early as Thursday, would decrease the number of members of the board and reduce the influence of Birmingham. birminghamwatch.org/2025/04/29/c...

City Leaders Call on Public To Stop Bill That Would Change BWWB - BirminghamWatch

Members of the Birmingham City Council and Mayor Randall Woodfin say the bill would dilute the city’s influence over the water works but do nothing to improve water quality.

birminghamwatch.org

Reposted by André Natta

WBEZ @wbez.org · Apr 29

Listen: Thanks to Bob Irving, creator of Chicago Architecture Center’s boat tours, millions have seen Chicago’s skyline from the best seat in the house: the river. Irving died earlier this month at the age of 93. Reset reflects on his life and legacy. www.wbez.org/reset-with-s...

Chicago says goodbye to the father of the city’s famous riverboat architecture tours

Bob Irving, beloved creator of the Chicago River architectural boat tour, has died at the age of 93.

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Apr 28

@rhutabhayga.bsky.social, see above

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Apr 28

I'm all for tagging people when necessary. When you tag me with a story in a part of the state where my team doesn't have the capacity or ability to cover (+ hasn't in more than a year), I question your tactics and your ultimate goal.

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Apr 28

A lesson I'm learning: folks are more willing to spam the messenger instead of going out and actually "doing the work of engagement." Is the point to make noise or actually make a difference? Time will tell…

Reposted by André Natta

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Apr 2

"These medians will add another layer of safety to prevent someone accidentally harming themselves or others,” Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander said. birminghamwatch.org/2025/04/01/b...

Birmingham Council OKs Installing Safety Equipment at Railroad Intersections - BirminghamWatch

The City Council and Norfolk Southern are splitting the cost to install medians to prevent motorists from trying to beat trains through intersections.

birminghamwatch.org

Reposted by André Natta

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Apr 4

The statement, issued Thursday evening, came after the Alabama House of Representatives approved a $3.7 billion General Fund budget proposal for 2026 that did not include funding for the 32-year-old institution, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame or the Magic City Classic.

BCRI Issues Statement About Proposed State 2026 General Fund Budget Cuts - BirminghamWatch

The statement, issued Thursday evening, came after the Alabama House of Representatives approved a $3.7 billion General Fund budget proposal for 2026 that did not include funding for the 32-year-old i...

birminghamwatch.org

Reposted by André Natta

Brian Lyman @brianlyman.bsky.social · Apr 3

Two things about the 2017 Alabama Senate race:

1) It’s very hard for people outside Alabama to appreciate how much the state GOP operation *hated* Roy Moore. He was on Year 16 of causing them grief.

2) Doug Jones ran a damn-near perfect campaign. Stuck to his message; refused to be baited.

Highlighted text from New York Times story: But even before that, Republicans managed to lose a Senate race in Alabama, of all places, ceding Jeff Sessions’s vacated seat to the Democratic candidate, Doug Jones. Mr. Jones was elevated by high turnout in the bluest pockets across the state, defeating a divisive opponent as voters angry with Mr. Trump sought to send a message to Washington.

André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · Apr 3

The Alabama Humanities Alliance has suspended all grantmaking and halted booking Road Scholars visits in response to DOGE-recommended National Endowment for the Humanities budget cuts. No words.

Federal Humanities Funding Cuts Could Threaten Projects Across Alabama - BirminghamWatch

The Alabama Humanities Alliance has suspended all grantmaking and halted booking Road Scholars visits in response to DOGE-recommended cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities.

birminghamwatch.org