Birmingham
Federal judge sets March trial date for Birmingham Rep. John Rogers
Birmingham Rep. John Rogers could go to trial on obstruction of justice charges in March. A federal judge Tuesday set a March 18 trial date for Rogers, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice in October after being charged with diverting public money from a youth baseball league to an […]
Birmingham Rep. John Rogers released from jail
A federal judge Monday released Birmingham Democratic Rep. John Rogers from jail for violating the conditions of his bond. But Magistrate Judge Staci G. Cornelius added “some additional conditions of release,” as she said to Rogers on Monday morning. The new conditions include a complete ban on speaking to his codefendants in his obstruction of […]
Birmingham-Southern College officials, alumni seek way forward amid financial woes
Birmingham-Southern College might close. The president wonders why it has reached this point. “Why did the governor sign a bill that apparently many people knew would never be enforced?” Daniel Coleman said in an interview on Friday. Earlier this year, the Alabama Legislature passed a bill that would offer up to $30 million to “distressed” […]
Birmingham Rep. John Rogers to remain in custody over witness contact
BIRMINGHAM — Democratic Rep. John Rogers of Birmingham will remain under custody at least until Monday for contacting another person connected to his indictment on obstruction of justice charges. But Magistrate Judge Staci G. Cornelius Thursday allowed Rogers’ counsel to propose a custodian to ensure that he does not attempt to contact anyone associated with […]
Prefiled bill would extend abilities of Alabama land banks
A bill filed for the Alabama Legislature’s 2024 session would give land banks more flexibility in acquiring properties and allow cities and counties to create joint land bank authorities for economic development. SB 3, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, said in an interview Wednesday that the bill would allow land bank authorities to acquire […]
Birmingham Rep. John Rogers arrested for violating witness contact order
Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, was taken into custody Monday for contacting another person connected to his indictment on obstruction of justice charges. Magistrate Judge Staci G. Cornelius told Rogers, the longest serving member of the Alabama house, that she “very plainly” and “very clearly” told Rogers that he could not contact anyone associated with the […]
Montgomery judge dismisses Birmingham-Southern College lawsuit against state
A Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit from Birmingham-Southern College that accused State Treasurer Young Boozer of wrongfully withholding a loan from the financially troubled school. Judge James Anderson said he was “sympathetic” to the college, but he dismissed the case after a roughly 60 minute hearing that examined the word “may” in […]
Travis Hendrix wins Democratic nomination in House District 55
Birmingham Police Sergeant Travis Hendrix won the Democratic nomination for a Birmingham-area House seat. As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, Hendrix had 2,367 votes (65.12%) in unofficial returns. Sylvia Swayne, a quality assurance manager, had 1,268 votes (34.88%). Turnout was about 9%. No Republican qualified for the race, meaning Hendrix is virtually guaranteed to take the […]
Flyer attacks candidate’s gender identity days before Democratic runoff for Alabama House seat
A Democratic candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives has been attacked by a flyer targeting her gender identity, days before a runoff for the party nomination. The flyer, which does not have identifying information on it, said Sylvia Swayne, seeking the Democratic nomination in House District 55 in Birmingham, “was born to be a […]
Travis Hendrix, Sylvia Swayne seek Democratic nod in Birmingham-area House seat
The two Democratic candidates in the Oct. 24 runoff in House District 55 came to the election down different paths. Travis Hendrix, a 40-year-old Birmingham police sergeant, said he became passionate about politics after working in a community service unit as a school resource officer. The new position, he said, allowed him to get to […]
Rep. John Rogers pleads not guilty to federal obstruction of justice charges
Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of obstruction of justice on Thursday at the Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse in Birmingham. Rogers was released after being processed by the U.S. Marshals on a $5,000 bond. Prosecutors allege that Rogers diverted public money from a youth baseball league to an assistant. […]
Alabama Public Charter School Commission renews two charter schools
The Alabama Public School Charter Commission Tuesday renewed the contracts of two charter schools. Montgomery-based LEAD Academy, opened in 2019 and approved as a kindergarten to eventually twelfth grade school, received a renewal for two years. The charter has dealt with crises and controversy since opening its doors, which members of the commission alluded to […]