Alabama Power plan to demolish structure next to Powell Avenue substation stalls over wall design

Your support helps us grow and sustain a newsroom for the City Built to Change the South. Donate today to help Birmingham stay informed. Publisher’s note: The story has been updated on Nov. 2, 2026, to properly identify the project and the property in question. Alabama Power Co. is...

Construction Underway at New Saban Smart Home

Susan DuBose reelected as state representative for District 45

Susan Dubose will serve another four years in the Alabama House of Representatives for District 45 after winning the General Election on Nov. 3. Dubose will be starting her second term as representative for District 45, after she won her first election in 2022. Last May, Dubose defeated challenger John Dawson for the primary republican candidate seat.

New Calera High School gym faces uncertain future as council considers cheaper alternative

CALERA, Ala. (WBMA) — Plans for a new gymnasium at Calera High School face an uncertain future after city leaders acknowledged that money for the project is not included in the current budget and suggested a less expensive alternative that could serve students and youth sports programs. During Monday...

ALDOT crews to perform concrete work on I-59 Trussville project

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. — Crews from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will begin concrete work on the I-59 Trussville project at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.  It will be performed through 6 a.m. on the I-459 northbound ramp leading to I-59 southbound near Trussville.  “Traffic needing to access that area will have to use US-11 as […]

Rep. Steve Hurst seeks final four-year term in Alabama House District 35

TALLADEGA, Ala. – First elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1998, Rep. Steve Hurst is asking voters in District 35 to give him one final four-year term before stepping away from public service. Hurst’s political career began with an appointment to the Talladega County Commission. He later...

New Homewood Pig coming into focus

Austin Virciglio has fond memories of the year his father put a basketball goal in their backyard for him and his brother, Andrew. “I tell you, we got some hours back there,” he said. “The whole neighborhood would come. A little concrete pad and a basketball goal. That’s probably one that really sticks out to me the most.”

Developers move closer to releasing proposed plan for old Brookwood Village mall

Plans for a mixed-use project for the old Brookwood Village mall may not be moving quickly, but they are moving. Local leaders say more details on the mixed-use redevelopment may be released by the end of the year. “There is movement,” said Mountain Brook Mayor Graham Smith. “The developers are...

Zoning plan submitted for 331 acres in west Hoover

Signature Homes has presented the development plan for its next big community in western Hoover, and the proposal is slated to be considered by the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 2. Update: The Collier Vallley development plan was continued by the zoning board on Nov. 2 and was...

Alabama Proposes 90-Hour Cap on Digi Power X Diesel Engines

Each of the 42 diesel engines planned for Digi Power X's data center in Columbiana would get 90 hours to run in any rolling 12 months under draft air permits the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) proposed Oct. 29. The public notice covers synthetic minor operating permits for the site at 130 Industrial Parkway in Shelby County, and comments and hearing requests are due within 15 days after publication.

Trussville Eagle Scout replaces park bulletin board

Trussville Park has a new community bulletin board, thanks to an Eagle Scout service project by Jonah Miller. Miller, a member of Troop 216 and Venture Crew 2124, built and installed the board near the Senior Center at the starting point of the John LeMaster Memorial Disc Golf Course. It replaces an older board at the same spot and, like the original, is dedicated to LeMaster, with a new sign and an updated case.

Leeds Main Street to host second annual Leeds Valor Fest on Nov. 7

LEEDS, Ala. — Leeds Main Street will host the second annual Leeds Valor Fest in the downtown area on Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event begins with Leeds Valor Fest 5K at 9 a.m. where walkers and runners will be on a route that passes the recently painted mural by Dan […]

Colder weather begins to freeze Chilton unemployment rate

Chilton County’s unemployment rate went up a bit in September as the colder weather rolls into the area, but the county still sits in the bottom tier of rates across Alabama. Chilton County saw its unemployment rate spike a bit from August to September, jumping from 3.1% to 3.4%....

Electric vehicle owners hold showcase in Birmingham

More than a dozen electric vehicle owners spent Saturday morning at The Market at Pepper Place in Birmingham, handing out candy and talking with visitors about driving electric vehicles every day. The free showcase, sponsored by Drive Electric Alabama, featured a variety of makes and models, including full-size electric pickup...

Samford seeks city approval for new 280-space parking lot

The Homewood Planning Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 3, plans to consider a request by Samford University for permission to build a 280-space student parking lot along Shelburne Lane on the northwestern edge of the campus. The property is next to Greek Village and south of Saulter Road. The project would...

Local beauty shop encouraging voters to head to the polls though outreach initiative

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Inside Etheridge Beauty Salon and Etheridge Barbershop in downtown Birmingham Friday, chairs were full of clients waiting for get their hairdos and fades for Magic City Classic Saturday, which also happened to be Halloween. The Classic wrapped up a week of events tied to the annual...

As voters go to the polls today, Hurst says this will be his last Alabama House race

TALLADEGA, Ala. – First elected to the Alabama House of Representatives 28-years ago in 1998, Rep. Steve Hurst is asking District 35 voters for one final four-year term before stepping away from public service. Hurst’s time in politics started with an appointment to the Talladega County Commission. He later...