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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 1d

The Jefferson County Commission is set to approve updates to its development regulations on Thursday. Commission president Jimmie Stephens stressed that the plan is not “developer-driven,” which he said is “very, very important.”

JeffCo Poised to Adopt Comprehensive Land Use and Zoning Update - BirminghamWatch

The new plan is to be considered in Thursday’s meeting.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 1d

Last night, voters made their final selections for the remaining seats on Birmingham's City Council and its Board of Education.

Gunn, Smith, Tate, Others Claim Victory in Birmingham Runoffs - BirminghamWatch

Voters made final selections for the City Council and Board of Education in Tuesday’s runoff election.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 1d

We've also added a link to the unofficial results to our election guide.

2025 Birmingham Municipal Runoff Election - BirminghamWatch

BirminghamWatch's ElectionWatch 2025 Birmingham municipal runoff election voter guide for Oct. 7, 2025.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 1d

Unofficial #bham municipal runoff election results have been posted to the city's website.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 2d

Three seats on the Birmingham City Council and three on the Birmingham Board of Education are at stake. Polls close at 7 p.m.

Birmingham’s Municipal Election Wraps Up With Runoff Tuesday - BirminghamWatch

Three seats on the Birmingham City Council and three on the Birmingham Board of Education are at stake.

birminghamwatch.org

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 7d

“Hosting the Penny Games signals that our city is investing in next-gen talent — connecting HBCU excellence with local opportunity, supporting workforce development, and strengthening talent retention.” - Elbi Elm, director of communications and philanthropy for The Penny Foundation.

Penny Games to Showcase Intellectual Sports - BirminghamWatch

The debate event spotlights Birmingham as a tech hub where young people can build their careers.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 10d

We also took a moment to look at the impact Railroad Park has had on #bham over the last fifteen years as it celebrates this evening.

Railroad Park Celebrates 15 Years as Birmingham’s ‘Front Lawn’ - BirminghamWatch

The park is credited with sparking commercial and residential growth in Birmingham’s downtown area.

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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...

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 17d

Jimmie Stephens, who represents the district where the data center is proposed, said the roadway that would complete the interstate loop around Birmingham should be given a higher priority than the data center.

Commissioner Renews Opposition to Data Center, Cites Northern Beltline Conflict - BirminghamWatch

Jimmie Stephens said many in his district also fear noise and environmental effects from the project.

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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.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Sep 3

The price tag will not only cover the replacement of the municipal court parking lot's gate but also the parking sensors at the municipal court's parking lot. The project will also include upgrading the payment system to accept credit cards.

Birmingham Councilors Question $391K Price of Parking Equipment Agreement - BirminghamWatch

The agreement covers replacing the gate, parking sensors and payment system.

birminghamwatch.org

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Sep 2

Incidentally, we've also started updating our Birmingham municipal runoff election guide. It's scheduled for Oct. 7, and we'll be updating with more information between now and then.

Birmingham Municipal Runoff Election - BirminghamWatch

BirminghamWatch's ElectionWatch 2025 Birmingham municipal runoff election voter guide for Oct. 7, 2025.

birminghamwatch.org

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Sep 2

Yes, it's Tuesday, but it's time for the first Monday Morning Watch in a while. Let's see what happens...

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.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Aug 27

Incumbents Sherman Collins Jr., Derek Billups and Leticia W. Harvill are headed back to the Birmingham City Board of Education after being reelected Tuesday night. Candidates in Districts 2, 8 and 9 did not receive the 50% plus 1 vote needed to win those races outright. Runoffs will be held Oct. 7.

Three Birmingham School Board Members Reelected, Three Races to Be Decided in Runoffs - BirminghamWatch

Incumbents Sherman Collins Jr., Derek Billups and Leticia W. Harvill are headed back to the Birmingham City Board of Education; runoffs are needed in Districts 2, 8 and 9.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Aug 27

With three incumbents — Councilors Crystal Smitherman, Wardine Alexander and Clinton Woods — winning their races outright Tuesday and two incumbents — Hunter Williams and Darrell O’Quinn — running unopposed, the makeup of the council will remain largely the same.

Six Seats Decided, Three Go to Runoffs After Birmingham City Council Voting - BirminghamWatch

Incumbent Councilors Crystal Smitherman, Wardine Alexander and Clinton Woods won election along with newcomer Josh Vasa. Races is Districts 4, 8 and 9 will be decided in runoffs.

birminghamwatch.org

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.

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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

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Aug 13

Birmingham radio station WJLD invited 5 of the city’s 9 mayoral candidates to participate in a debate last night at the historic Carver Theater. A healthy crowd filled the 450-seat venue and more than 1,800 people streamed the event live online.

The insults, however, were innumerable.

Leading Mayoral Candidates Trade Insults in Debate - BirminghamWatch

Incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin’s administration was a frequent target in Tuesday’s debate, sponsored by WJLD.

birminghamwatch.org

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Aug 1

“Blacks make up less than half of Jefferson County’s population, but, in 2024, 88% percent of Jefferson County’s homicide victims were Black, with 172 deaths,” the report states. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/31/p...

PARCA Report Sharpens Picture on Birmingham’s Homicide Drop - BirminghamWatch

A report by the Public Affairs Research Council highlights lower homicide rates in Birmingham and Jefferson County.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Aug 1

The board will likely request an opinion from Alabama’s attorney general about whether it can legally continue contributing funds to a foundation it established to help low-income residents pay their water bills and repair leaks. birminghamwatch.org/2025/08/01/w...

Water Works Board May Ask for Guidance on Support for H2O Foundation - BirminghamWatch

The water works board may ask for an AG’s opinion after lawyers said a law restructuring the board bars it from giving money to the foundation that helps low-income residents pay water bills.

birminghamwatch.org

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Aug 1

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

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Jul 30

The closing of West End High in 2008 was marked by a ceremony with a parade, pep rally, picnic and alumni basketball game. The school was torn down and eventually replaced by West End Academy, a grades PreK-5 school. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/30/w...

West End High Alumni Celebrate Historic School - BirminghamWatch

Alumni of West End High School used to gather for an annual picnic after the school closed in 2008, and that event grew to a week-long celebration every year.

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BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Jul 30

According to city staff, 1,691 private lots have been cut by the city this calendar year. There are currently 14,820 tax delinquent properties in Birmingham. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/30/b...

Birmingham Council Approves Emergency Bids for Weed Cutting After Heavy Rains - BirminghamWatch

The city is catching up after unusually heavy rainfall this summer hampered work to cut overgrowth on nuisance properties.

birminghamwatch.org

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Jul 26

The Smithfield Estates resident is one of nine people running for mayor in the Aug. 26 city election. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/25/r...

Russell Aims for Power Seat in Aug. 26 Election, Wants to Return Birmingham to No. 1 - BirminghamWatch

David Russell is running for the mayor’s seat with plans to bolster western areas, rebuild population.

birminghamwatch.org

BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · Jul 26

The choir earned national recognition as it competed on the NBC show “America’s Got Talent.” birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/24/g...

Golden-Buzzer Choir Shows JeffCo Commission Why It Was Lifted to the Top - BirminghamWatch

The Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Fellowship Choir, which earned the golden buzzer from judge Simon Cowell to send it to the live telecasts for the “America’s Got Talent” competition show, dropped ...

birminghamwatch.org