Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett is celebrating a major reduction in homicides across the city, crediting both law enforcement personnel and the community for the progress. In a public statement shared on June 19, Pickett reported a 75% decrease in homicides for the month of June compared to the same time last year. As of […]

Mobile and Montgomery are earning national attention for how they manage city budgets, according to a new report by WalletHub ranking the best- and worst-run cities in America. The financial website analyzed the efficiency of local leadership in 148 of the nation’s largest cities by comparing the quality of public services against per-capita spending. The […]

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $536.7 million contract for the full dismantling of the Ex-USS Enterprise (CVN 65), the nation’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The project will take place in Mobile, Alabama, marking a significant industrial milestone for the region. According to a Department of Defense announcement, the contract was awarded to […]

Alabama’s housing market showed strong signs of growth in May, with increases in home sales, prices, and total sales volume compared to both the previous month and the same time last year, according to the latest Alabama Economic and Real Estate Report from the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. A total of 6,214 homes were sold […]

A tragic industrial accident claimed the life of 39-year-old Michael Dewaine Townsend on Monday at the U.S. Steel plant in Fairfield, according to AL.com. Townsend’s death marks a second devastating loss for his children, who also lost their mother to illness last year. Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Matt Angelo confirmed that Townsend, a father of […]

After years of planning and construction, the long-awaited Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham’s Druid Hills neighborhood is set to open its gates Sunday, with a full slate of concerts, comedy shows, and cultural events on deck. The $46 million venue, built on the former Carraway Hospital site as part of the Star Uptown redevelopment project, has […]

Amy Dozier Minton of Rainbow City has officially entered the race for Alabama Senate District 10, launching a campaign focused on conservative values, infrastructure, education, and veterans’ support. She will challenge incumbent Senator Andrew Jones in the 2026 Republican primary. A longtime Etowah County resident, Minton highlighted her professional background in healthcare and education, along […]

The Fairhope Public Library remains at odds with state officials over the placement of certain books in its teen section. The dispute has resulted in a suspension of state funding and an uncertain path toward reinstatement for the library. Yellowhammer News reported that the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) board voted in March to freeze […]

Homewood business owner and longtime community leader JJ Thomas announced today that he is running for City Council in Ward 2. With Homewood approaching its 100-year anniversary, Thomas said the moment offers an opportunity not just to reflect, but to chart a thoughtful course for the city’s next century. “Next year, Homewood turns 100 years […]

Alabama’s steel industry stands to benefit significantly from the newly finalized $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan-based Nippon Steel Corporation. The historic partnership, officially announced on June 18, is expected to lead to substantial investments in domestic steel operations, including as much as $500 million allocated for improvements at U.S. Steel’s Fairfield facility […]

Residents in Shelby County had the opportunity to this week to hear directly from their new representative on the Birmingham Regional Water Works Board during a town hall meeting in Hoover. According to WBRC, Jeff Brumlow, who was recently appointed to the newly created regional board as the representative for Shelby County, made one of his […]

Justin Smith, a 23-year-old community activist and candidate for the Birmingham City Council District 8 seat, is now addressing legal issues stemming from a 2024 incident in Boston. While working in the city last year, Smith was charged with felony larceny in connection with alleged thefts from a retail store. He has pleaded not guilty […]

A nonprofit organization contracted by the City of Birmingham is facing criticism after profanity was prominently displayed at a community event hosted by a local church. Urban Alchemy, the group chosen by the city to lead homelessness response efforts through the HEART program, drew complaints after setting up a tent at the East Lake United […]

Nearly 24,000 Alabama students have been approved to receive state-funded education savings accounts (ESAs) through the CHOOSE Act, according to data from the Alabama Department of Revenue. The program, enacted in 2024 and launched this year, enables eligible families to utilize public funds to cover private school tuition, homeschool expenses, or out-of-district public school fees. […]

Dr. Todd Freeman, superintendent of Vestavia Hills City Schools, has been named Alabama’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the State Superintendents of Alabama (SSA). The recognition highlights Freeman’s ongoing contributions to public education and leadership within one of the state’s high-performing school districts. Vestavia Hills City Schools congratulated Freeman on social media for being […]

During its latest meeting, the Chelsea City Council approved the largest incentive package in the city’s history to support the development of Chelsea Plaza. The major retail project will span 14 acres and include 16 retail and commercial units. According to ABC 33/40, the incentive agreement allows the developer to collect three cents of the […]

Jared Hudson, a former Navy SEAL and current CEO of Covenant Rescue Group, spoke with Yellowhammer News about the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and how people from Alabama are directly involved in humanitarian relief efforts on the ground. Hudson confirmed he has previously worked in Israel, primarily in humanitarian aid but also in […]

Alabama’s public schools made measurable academic progress during the 2024 school year, with gains in third-grade reading proficiency, graduation rates, and college and career readiness. State education leaders say the upward trends signal that recent investments and reforms are having an impact, though achievement gaps persist in some districts. According to data released by the […]

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has officially joined the growing list of Alabama leaders stepping up—and cooling down—for mental health awareness as part of the Ice Bucket Challenge launched by Longleaf Recovery & Wellness. The initiative, which began earlier this spring, has already seen figures such as meteorologist James Spann and Longleaf leaders participate in the […]

Tiffany McIntyre has officially entered the race for the Homewood City Council Ward 1 seat releasing her official announcement. “I grew up in West Homewood and I have always loved our great community. Even while living in places all across the country as an Army spouse, I always knew Homewood was where I wanted to […]

New statewide data from the Alabama State Department of Education shows that 88.4% of third-grade students scored at or above the required level to be promoted to fourth grade, despite a higher benchmark implemented for the 2025 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) reading test. The updated cut score—the minimum score needed for promotion—was raised from […]

The first Walker County School Board meeting since Sheriff Nick Smith was indicted for hiring unqualified SROs to guard schools took place this week. According to a report by WBRC, a grand jury recommended that the school system revise its policies and verify that SROs meet state certification requirements. However, the matter was not addressed […]

State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) formally introduced House Bill 20 during a press conference Thursday at the Baldwin County satellite courthouse in Fairhope, drawing support from law enforcement leaders across the region. “Today, alongside Sheriffs Hoss Mack, Anthony Lowery, and Paul Burch, Mobile District Attorney Keith Blackwood, and Sergeant John Young, I announced the filing […]

The Mobile Airport Authority has updated the timeline for the completion of the Mobile International Airport project, now targeting September 2026 as the opening date instead of spring 2026 as first announced. The change reflects a decision by city and airport officials to prioritize staying within budget over meeting the earlier schedule. Construction on the […]