Council holds secret closed-door meeting

A quorum of the Birmingham City Council met today behind closed doors, an apparent violation of the Alabama Open Meetings Law. Council President Carole Smitherman said that five people were in the

Politics

Council considers $15k for Witherspoon funeral

In a special-called meeting today, the Birmingham City Council is scheduled to consider spending as much as $15,000 to cater the funeral of Councilor Miriam Witherspoon who died Tuesday.

By Kyle Whitmire

In a special-called meeting today, the Birmingham City Council is scheduled to consider spending as much as $15,000 to cater the funeral of Councilor Miriam Witherspoon who died Tuesday. The addend

Politics

Birmingham City Councilor Miriam Witherspoon dies

When she spoke about “access,” it wasn’t the trite political jargon for having clout at City Hall. Instead, she was speaking of things most people never notice, like whether there are curb cuts where the sidewalks end.

By Kyle Whitmire

Birmingham City Hall is a place where everyone is trying to figure out what will happen next. Most of the people who work there either become skilled at predicting the future or insulated in ambivalen

Politics

Council to consider contractor disclosures

By Kyle Whitmire

A resolution before the Birmingham City Council Tuesday would require groups and companies seeking city dollars to make more thorough disclosures about partnerships and consultants. A mandatory dis

Politics

Tea time in Hoover

Citizens of Birmingham concerned about excessive government spending, among other things, exercised their rights to assemble peacefully on Wednesday, and joined groups in dozens of other cities in a "Tea Party" rally. Birmingham Weekly has video from the

By Madison Underwood

Citizens of Birmingham concerned about excessive government spending, among other things, exercised their rights to assemble peacefully on Wednesday, and joined groups in dozens of other cities in a "

Politics

Feds freeze out Langford on contracts, money

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has informed Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford that he is suspended from participating in federal contracts and similar federally assisted activities.

By Kyle Whitmire

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has informed Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford that he is suspended from participating in federal contracts and similar federally assisted activities.

Politics

Langford gives council silent treatment

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford has restricted city department heads from cooperating with the city council, a move councilors perceive as a retaliation for not rubber stamping the mayor\'92s agenda.

By Kyle Whitmire

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford has restricted city department heads from cooperating with the city council, a move councilors perceive as a retaliation for not rubber stamping the mayor's agenda.

Politics

Magnanimous in Victory

By Matt Hooper

Four years ago, in the wake of a bitterly narrow election that refused to break until dawn and teetered on a fulcrum of only 120,000 voters in the Buckeye State, it was apparent that the weight and gr

Politics

The Moment of Victory...

By Matt Hooper

Relive history across the networks and the web...\ Obama moment of victory on TV:\ CNN\ NBC\ MSNBC\ FOXNEWS\ ABC\ CBS\ Obama moment of victory in Chicago:\ CLICK HERE\ Obama moment of victory on the W

Politics

Reliving Election Night...

By Matt Hooper

Here's Birmingham Weekly's running blog coverage from Election Night 2008...ah, memories:\ *UPDATE - Nov. 6 - 1:30 p.m. CST*\ NORTH CAROLINA GOES FOR OBAMA. NOW ONLY ONE ELECTORAL VOTE REMAINS FROM NE