Today’s guest columnist is Jimmy Parnell.
For thousands of families, livestock shows are where parents and children make memories, pass along life lessons and grow relationships.
For my family, the show ring was our baseball diamond, soccer field and concert stage. It’s where I watched my children — and countless others — mature into responsible, respectful men and women. Continue reading $158M regional attraction proposed for Jefferson County
Today’s guest columnists are Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr and U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
Jefferson County has a murder problem.
Our murder problem is so prolifically deadly, that it even eclipses the annual homicide rate for the entire continent of Australia, a nation of more than 25 million people. Continue reading A homicide prevention strategy that will work
Today’s guest columnist is Jim Coker.
Birmingham hosted the World Games from July 7th to July 17th, 2022.
Was it worth the time and expense?
Many folks are celebrating a big victory for Birmingham.
Others are not quite so sure.
What might the impact ultimately be for Birmingham?
Continue reading World Games impact much greater than 11 day event
Today’s guest columnist is Jay Glass.
Within central Jefferson County near Forestdale there is a wooded elevated area, which at only 699 feet above sea level, belies its name of “Cat Mountain.”
It was there on June 16, 1911 that a Black man named John Holland came to his death at the hands of several white men. Continue reading 1st time JeffCo white men executed for murder of Black
Today’s guest columnist is Jennifer Andress.
The history of the Birmingham area is a complicated one, to put it mildly.
Regional strife led to thirty-five separate competing municipalities in Jefferson County, each operating for its own benefit. Continue reading How we’re overcoming distrust that has plagued Birmingham
A graph of Jefferson County’s population over the past 50 years looks eerily like the EKG of a dead man.
It’s a straight line that goes neither up nor down. It lays dormant like a dead body.
Unfortunately that flat line now appears to represent the good ‘ole’ days. Continue reading How to turn around a shrinking Jefferson County
Today’s guest columnist is Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat.
On May 19, our Jefferson County Mayors Association endorsed an agreement that has the potential to fundamentally change our region forever. Continue reading Jeffco Mayors pull off minor miracle
Chattanooga saw the future and acted.
Now it’s Birmingham’s turn.
While we’re in the midst of a pandemic, it’s time for Birmingham to stop, take a breath, and develop a bold vision. Continue reading What Birmingham can learn from a once dirty smoggy neighbor
Our Alabama legislature screams bloody murder when the federal government passes legislation that overrides Alabama’s wishes.
Our legislators proclaim liberty and states’ rights—yet they rule our cities with an iron hand that deny them the ability to govern.
Gov. Kay Ivey just signed a bill requiring cities to get legislative approval for new occupational taxes, blocking a 1% tax passed by the Montgomery City Council last month. Continue reading How Birmingham can avoid a brawl
It was an inconvenient and unnecessary experience—and proof that at least one Alabama government agency doesn’t care about its citizens.
I called and immediately got a busy signal. Continue reading Held hostage and powerless in Shelby County