The Birmingham Times

6 days ago | birminghamtimes.com | Joseph Bryant

The Birmingham Water Works Board would be dramatically reshaped under proposed legislation that takes the reins of power from Birmingham and hands more of it to surrounding areas. Birmingham under the proposal would lose its board majority and shrink to just one vote. The bill has reawakened old tensions and political fires over the water works, its assets and who lays claim to it.

1 week ago | birminghamtimes.com | Rebecca Griesbach

By Rebecca Griesbach | [email protected] federal government has cut nearly $9 million in funding for a rural Alabama school district and a program for struggling readers, state leaders said. In late March, the Education Department abruptly rescinded previously approved COVID relief spending extensions, saying districts had “ample time” to spend the money.

1 week ago | birminghamtimes.com | James Giles

Retired City of Birmingham employees may be getting a long-awaited boost to their monthly pension—potentially their first increase in more than two decades. On Wednesday, the city’s pension board voted to recommend a $400 per month raise for all retired municipal workers. It’s a proposal that still needs final approval from the Birmingham City Council, but for many who’ve spent their careers in public service, it’s a hopeful step forward.

2 weeks ago | birminghamtimes.com | Barnett Wright |Sym Posey

By Barnett Wright and Sym Posey | The Birmingham TimesLeaving the Super Target in Hoover, Alabama, recently, Kevin Jackson was unapologetic. Yes, he was aware of calls to boycott the retailer after it rolled back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Yes, he was concerned about the other corporations eliminating DEI programs. But that wasn’t enough to stop him from shopping there. “Black people still work there.

2 weeks ago | birminghamtimes.com | Williesha Morris |Mike Cason

By Williesha Morris | [email protected] and Mike Cason | [email protected] Alabama House last week passed a bill which stops K-12 students from using cellphones and other personal devices during class. HB166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Jefferson), also says the State Department of Education also must provide training on “the risks of using social media and how to use social media safely.” The bill passed 70-15 with some amendments.