Today’s guest columnist is Verna Gates.
When you read this piece, you’re going to think I’m crazy.
But I’m having the time of my life.
I’m Birmingham’s Queen of Controlled Chaos. Continue reading Birmingham: My goal is to gross you out!
By David Sher
On August 12, IKEA announced its first Alabama store—in Huntsville, opening in early 2026.
That means one of the worlds most respected and disciplined retailers evaluated Birmingham and Huntsville and chose Huntsville—even though Birmingham’s metro population is roughly twice as large. Continue reading Birmingham punched in gut by IKEA, but exotic dancers are happy
Today’s guest columnist is Bill Ivey.
When Birmingham was founded in 1871, the county was a sleepy place with a population of about 12,000.
Fifty years later, its population surpassed 300,000, and it had become the leading industrial region in the South. Continue reading The idea that could launch Jefferson County into the 21st century
By David Sher
Jefferson County has more jails per capita than any other county in the U.S.
Twenty jails. TWENTY.
That’s not a typo.
To put this in perspective, New York City with nearly 15 times our population operates just 14 jail facilities.. Continue reading A jail for every Jefferson County politician
Today’s guest columnist is Eric Thomas.
I’ve heard it for years…
“If only Birmingham had a river.”
“Birmingham can never be a major tourist attraction without water.”
I’ve been thinking about this idea for years and then I started researching it. Continue reading It’s not too late for Birmingham to have a river walk
By David Sher
I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
Not every idea presented by ComebackTown is viable or likely to happen.
ComebackTown’s goal is to make people aware of problems and opportunities with the intent to move our region forward. Continue reading Suburban fear of Birmingham is painful
Today’s guest columnist is Elizabeth Coleman.
Does anyone besides me wish we could resurrect the magnificent, original Birmingham Terminal Train Station.
Well, maybe we can…read on! Continue reading Let’s resurrect the original Birmingham Terminal Train Station
By David Sher
Birmingham, we just can’t get a break!
Just when we’re on the verge to take a leap forward we lurch towards a big fall.
By Terry Barr
Before music streaming, there were CD’s, cassettes, 8-tracks, 33, 45, and 78 records, The Sony Walkman, Apple iPods, and of course, AM and FM radio.
Birmingham has a storied radio history but there was one radio station I heard about while sitting in the back of my church. Continue reading This Birmingham radio station put me in danger of smoking pot
By David Sher
I recently had lunch with a friend who asked an interesting question, “Why doesn’t ComebackTown publish a column evaluating whether the University of Alabama should have a live mascot like many other colleges and universities.” Continue reading Time for U of A to have a live mascot?