Alabama top stories in brief
- Alabama is set to receive $1.4 billion from the U.S. Department of Commerce to boost broadband access in the state. “My priority is for Alabama to gain full ability to be connected to high-speed internet,” said Governor Kay Ivey in a press release.
- After their shop was closed without warning, the employees of Birmingham’s Revelator Coffee location held a live concert inside the store to raise funds for employees who had just lost their jobs. Employees told AL.com that staff received a text abruptly informing them that their store would be closed. The concert was able to raise a few hundred dollars to split amongst the former employees.
- A GoFundMe page has been established by the family of a Pelham police officer who was injured while directing traffic. Officer Elizabeth Minter was directing traffic away from an accident, when she was hit by a car. According to the GoFundMe page, Minter is in stable condition, but has a long road to recovery ahead.
- Alabama Political Reporter reported that Anthony Perez Brackins died while incarcerated at the Limestone Correctional Facility on June 28. ADOC Law Enforcement Services Division is currently investigating to determine the cause of death. This marks at least 61 individuals who have died while incarcerated in ADOC facilities so far this year.
- Two baby red pandas were born at the Birmingham Zoo this May. The zoo announced the new additions on July 1. The babies are part of an effort to grow the red panda population in Asia, which currently has approximately 2,500 red pandas in the wild. Their population has declined 40 percent over the last two decades and are classified as an endangered species.
Alabama receives large grants for transportation in Birmingham and Lawrence County
Two projects in Alabama were awarded federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The two projects are the Birmingham Civil Rights Crossroads: Reconnecting Historic Neighborhoods Through Active Mobility and Jefferson Street Railroad Bridge Replacement in Courtland.
The Birmingham grant totaled $21.6 million and will go towards making a multimodal trail, adding bike lanes and better pedestrian walking paths. The trail will be around 2.5 miles and will connect the communities of Smithfield and Greymont to the downtown Birmingham area near Kelly Ingram Park and City Walk Birmingham.
According to the city’s website, “This project will provide an essential multimodal connection from some of Birmingham’s most underserved and under-invested neighborhoods to essential services downtown.”
The project in Lawrence County will also add pedestrian and bike lanes. It received $1.6 million in funds and will replace the Jefferson Street Railroad Bridge.
Both projects are receiving funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program. The program is sending $2.26 billion in total funds to all 50 states, two U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
Our articles you might have missed
- In last month’s edition of The Breathing Room, managing editor Hannah Irvin shares some simple ways to regain joy when the weight of the world feels heavy on your shoulders.
- Last week’s roundup covered the case of Toforest Johnson. Johnson’s lawyers have been seeking a retrial and have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court based upon their claim that the prosecution failed to present key evidence at the time of Johnson’s trial. Johnson has been on Alabama’s death row for over 20 years and his case has gained national attention.
