JeffCo money problems. Joel watch continues with special prosecutor. And the Evil Empire nurses a well-earned hangover.

This morning the Jefferson County Commission promises a possible double feature. Commissioner Larry Langford has introduced two resolutions, each of which would make way for the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center to build a 40,000-seat arena. Three commissioners have said already that they are opposed to the project, including BJCC board member Bettye Fine Collins, who had voted for the project. Last week, Commissioner Collins said that as long as the Alabama Legislature threatens to repeal the county’s occupation tax, she cannot risk bankrupting he county by paying $10 million a year on an arena.

Also up for discussion, yesterday the commission received a report from Porter, White & Co., regarding the county’s series of complicated and convoluted bond swaps. According to that report, the swaps have so far cost the county more than $150 million and politically connected investment bankers have been overpaid tens of millions more than they should have received.

The report comes on the heels of news last week that the county could have to borrow as much as $100 million this year to pay for debt service and operating budget.

Where in the world …

At the Birmingham City Council today, the Joel Montgomery watch continues, without an expectation or anticipation of an appearance. The city councilor has been keeping a low profile since being arrested in Five Points South more than a week ago for public intoxication.

Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid will likely announce the name of a special prosecutor appointed last week to handle the case. If the case moves forward, even as a misdemeanor, it could pose an interesting legal tangle for the city. The municipal court, which ultimately answers to the council and mayor, would likely have to recuse itself, in addition to any number of city lawyers who could be draw into the case.

News-worthy

This morning the Birmingham News cures a hangover with some hair of the dog after a long-awaited binge last night. The News lead investigative reporter, Brett Blackledge, won a Pulitzer Prize yesterday for investigative journalism. His series on Alabama’s two-year college system has exposed widespread nepotism and corruption throughout Alabama, all the way to and throughout the Alabama Legislature.

The news had been a finalist for the Public Service Pulitzer, up against a Washington Post series on farm subsidies and a Wall Street Journal expose on corporate executives backdating stock options. However, the Pulitzer committee moved the News to the investigative category and awarded them the prize.

The move benefits Blackledge. Under the Public Service category, the newspaper itself would have received the award, but in the investigative category, the reporter receives the prize.

Congratulations.

You bastards.

— Kyle Whitmire