Calera mayor steps down after alleged racist remarks: ‘Resignation letter rings hollow’

Calera Mayor Kenny Dale Cost has officially resigned after allegedly making racially insensitive remarks. Former council president, now Mayor Drew Bradshaw announced the news during the Monday evening city council meeting. While the council was set to publicly condemn the mayor’s actions, his resignation instead led to a sudden shift in leadership and discussion of the city’s future.

Doug Jones vying to be Alabama's next governor

WSFA 12 News anchor Ian Alvano is in Birmingham at the Doug Jones watch party for the race for Alabama's new Governor.

New UAB Dental Clinic Targets North Alabama’s Care Shortage

DECATUR — North Alabama families facing limited dental care options could gain a new treatment destination as the University of Alabama at Birmingham develops a community clinic designed to address the region’s shortage of providers. UAB announced Nov. 2 that its School of Dentistry has broken ground on...

Peg Hill wins reelection to Place 2 on Shelby County BOE

Longtime educator and incumbent Peg Hill has successfully won reelection to another term on the Shelby County Schools Board of Education Place 2, after receiving the majority of the votes in the 2026 general election. With 39 of 40 precincts reporting, Hill secured 32,505 votes at 63 percent during the...

‘I’m progressing well,’ recuperating Knight tells JeffCo Commission

The commissioner recently had heart surgery. Your support helps us grow and sustain a newsroom for the City Built to Change the South. Donate today to help Birmingham stay informed. Four members of the Jefferson County Commission were present in the chamber Monday for the final meeting of this four-year...

Waggoner re-elected for ninth term in Alabama Senate

Jabo Waggoner has been re-elected and will serve a ninth term as the state senator for Alabama’s 16th District, defeating Democratic candidate Spencer Stone in the Nov. 3 general election. Waggoner won the district with a total of 29,184, or 53.67 percent of votes across Shelby and Jefferson County...

Vestavia council OKs elevated wheelchair ramp from U.S. 31 to library

The Vestavia Hills City Council on Monday approved an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation regarding construction of an elevated handicapped-accessible pedestrian ramp from U.S. 31 to the Library in the Forest. While the project to add the pedestrian bridge over U.S. 31 did provide ways for people in...

I-Team investigates unsafe apartment staircases after collapse at Jefferson County complex

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — A staircase and deck collapsed at Country Park Apartments in Jefferson County, injuring one person and leaving other residents trapped inside their apartment. Now, questions about the safety of other staircases have prompted inspections and a closer look at how officials address deteriorating structures at apartment complexes.

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.