Joseph D. Bryant

The city of Birmingham will spend nearly $500,000 to repair a computer problem that has hampered commercial and residential real-estate sales throughout the city for about five months.

The utility proposes a 4.28 percent rate increase for 2025. Officials said that amount would cost average customers about $2.14 more a month.

The lawsuit was filed by two city of Tarrant employees alleging sex discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment by the city's police chief, Wendell Major.

The winner will fill the seat currently held by Judge Carole Smitherman, who is retiring in January.

Several also criticized the hearing for the absence of a meaningful exchange between the public and decision-makers at the utility.

Some social action and relief organizations are already evaluating the impact of the election, just after the former president reclaimed his former seat and voters delivered him a majority in the Senate and a possible edge in the House of Representatives.

More than 71,000 customers of Birmingham Water Works will receive letters next week asking them to check for lead pipes in their homes.

The town now has to pay one of its department heads $500,000 bill for back pay and legal fees.

The firing of the former Tarrant chief was deemed improper so the town of 5,000 has two at the helm and a $500,000 bill to pay.

Both the council and mayor blamed the other for the impasse with the fire chief and other dysfunction.