The Birmingham News/AL.com has picked up the American Thinker article about the Collapse of Birmingham. The News' Joseph Bryant first covered the story on Friday here. Saturday, Bryant spoke with John T. Bennett the author of the original piece and published that interview in a follow up here.

John Bennett, writing in the American Thinker, said "[Virginia Spidle's] lawsuit seems to be one symptom of a larger problem. ... Birmingham is simply past the point where legal, structural, or policy changes will ameliorate cultural pathology."

Among the latest initiatives to celebrate the fifty years of progress in civil rights, the City Council under the leadership of Council member Jonathan Austin proposed an anti-discrimination ordinance.   Both the proclamation and the proposed ordinance have been submitted to the Mayor’s office and the City Law Department. The newly proposed ordinance would call for a city-wide human rights commission to address discrimination in employment, housing, and accommodation.

The due process hearing of Walker County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Adam Hadder was covered by the Daily Mountian Eagle, Jasper's local paper. The paper covered all three days of the hearing.

Felecia Ward filed an appeal with the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals asking for the court to affirm her reinstatement as ordered by the Jefferson County Personnel Board.

January 11, 2013 - Virginia Spidle has filed a complaint against the City of Birmingham for reverse race discrimination. Mrs. Spidle, a 24-year employee of the City, was accused of racial discrimination and dismissed in 2010. Recently, she was awarded back pay and returned to work in a different position.

In her complaint, Spidle details how racial animus fueled an atmosphere of hostility toward all Caucasian employees of the City's finance department. Below is the full complaint filed with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Chade Evans was unable to attend her scheduled hearing Wednesday, October 24, before Hoover Municipal Court due to the horrific effects caused from her chemotherapy treatment. She was set for a hearing on her motions for dismissal of probation with JCS and for recall of the writ of arrest.

On Sunday September 23rd, the Birmingham chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its annual Continuing Community Service Awards Ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Graymont. Branch President Hezekiah Jackson was the master of ceremonies for a night honoring members of the community who have made outstanding contributions through selfless service.

The City of Birmingham is contracted with Judicial Correction Services (JCS) to provide probationary services. Part of those services include conducting educational classes that cost the defendants anywhere from $65 to $650 with additional charges for workbooks. A municipal judge can order a defendant to attend one or more of the following:

In 2009, Chade Evans was given two traffic citations; following too close and driving with a suspended license. November 1, 2011, she paid $1,380 to Hoover.
In August 2012, she now faces the prospect of serving 90 days in the Hoover City jail and additional payment of fines and costs in excess of $2,000.
She may also be asked to pay JCS for private probation "services."