Greg Garrison

Alabama

Reporter for https://t.co/ohh08GYlwT since 1997 and The Birmingham News since 1986, writing news and features on the South: culture, politics and faith. @aldotcom. @mujschool.

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Articles

Birmingham’s new Coca-Cola Amphitheater opening soon but a big question remains

1 week ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

Birmingham’s new Coca-Cola Amphitheater is on schedule for opening this summer, but parking for the 9,380-seat venue is still getting ironed out. An 8-story parking deck at the former Carraway Methodist Medical Center was supposed to provide parking, but the structure was damaged during the demolition of the hospital. Now, the city is considering a stopgap plan for 10 flat gravel parking lots scattered around the venue.
New Birmingham marker honors white pastor who stood for civil rights

1 week ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

On Palm Sunday, April 13, the Titusville Memorial Marker Committee along with St. Paul Lutheran Church dedicated a marker honoring a white pastor who played a key role in the civil rights movement in Birmingham and Selma. The Rev. Joseph W. Ellwanger, one of the few white Southern ministers who supported the civil rights movement and helped plan the Birmingham demonstrations in 1963, was honored with a historical marker in front of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 132 Sixth Ave. South.
From golf to God: Church of the Highlands campus pastor was star golfer at Auburn University

1 week ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

Church of the Highlands’ Opelika Campus Pastor Kevin Haefner was an All-American golfer at Auburn University and once aspired to be a professional golfer. Now he’s preparing the newest campus of the Church of the Highlands for Easter week services. “Palm Sunday’s an incredible Sunday for us,” Heafner said. “You never know when someone’s heart is going to be opened to God, whether it’s Palm Sunday, or a random Sunday in June. Every Sunday matters.
Palm Sunday marks start of Holy Week for Christians

1 week ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

It’s Palm Sunday, the beginning of the Christian Holy Week, leading up to the celebration of Easter next Sunday, April 20. Millions of Christians worldwide carry palm leaves in processions today to recall Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem for Passover week nearly 2,000 years ago, when cheering crowds waved palms, hailing what they expected to be a political savior. Jesus was later crucified by the Romans with crowds shouting approval, according to Gospel accounts.
Jewish festival of Passover begins

1 week ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

The eight-day Jewish festival of Passover begins tonight at sundown. A highlight of Passover is gathering for a ritual meal called the Seder. The Seder is usually held in homes on the first and second nights of Passover. The Seder is as much about storytelling and drama as symbolic food.
Pastor Mike Jr. on Today Show: Apostle Paul would use social media

1 week ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

Rock City Church Pastor Mike McClure Jr. of Birmingham was featured on NBC’s “Today Show” this week, talking about his use of social media. McClure, a singer who goes by Pastor Mike Jr. and now has 2 million followers on TikTok, said it’s what the Apostle Paul would do if he were spreading the gospel today. “If Paul was here, would he write a letter or would he post it?” McClure told NBC Today anchor Craig Melvin for a segment that aired Thursday.
Church of the Highlands opens 800-seat building in Opelika

2 weeks ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

The Church of the Highlands, a Birmingham-based congregation with dozens of branch locations in Alabama and Georgia, will open its new 800-seat Opelika worship center on Sunday, April 13. “The Opelika area is growing, and we’re honored to grow along with it,” said the Rev. Mark Pettus, who took over as lead pastor of The Church of the Highlands on Feb. 2.
How Birmingham spent $141 million in federal relief funds after Covid

2 weeks ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

Birmingham officials today recapped details of how they spent $141 million in federal relief funds the city received after the Covid shutdown of 2020. “Covid hit not just the city, county, state, but it hit the nation, hit the world,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.
Police and Fire games coming to Birmingham this summer

2 weeks ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

Gov. Kay Ivey this month welcomed organizers of the 2025 World Police and Fire Games, which will take place in Birmingham, June 27-July 6. The City of Birmingham allocated $2 million in 2022 to the World Police and Fire Games Federation to assist with organizing the games. The sporting event will feature more than 8,500 first responders competing in 1,600 medal matches.
Community Food Bank begins construction on new, bigger distribution center

2 weeks ago | al.com | Greg Garrison

The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, which feeds the needy across a 12-county area that includes Gadsden, Jasper and Talladega, has begun construction on a new distribution center in Bessemer that will be twice as big and replace the current facility in Birmingham. It’s expected to open in the spring of 2026.