Amanda Howard Real Estate recently named Elizabeth 'Beth' Riggs their new Director of Operations. Beth has been with Amanda Howard Real Estate for four years working her way up starting with an entry level position with the company as a Director of First Impressions.

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $3.7 Million loan to the City of Birmingham to revitalize the Powell School Building

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) notes the Supreme Court‘s decision in Michigan v. EPA, where the court concluded that the Environmental Protection Agency ‘unreasonably’ failed to take into account the costs of the new mercury emissions standards aimed at coal-fired power plants before deciding to pursue them and gives the following statement

One of Alabama's largest credit unions today filed a federal lawsuit against Alabama public officials, including a state senator and a senior aide to the governor, local attorneys, and others, alleging conspiracy and abuse of power emanating from Gov. Robert Bentley's office to coerce tens of millions of dollars in legal settlements from the credit union after it received clean bills of health from state and federal regulators

Learn how to decorate with succulents when you attend the July 8 Wonderful Wednesdays seminar at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Join Sherry Melton and Molly Dickson of Zimlich's Patio Shop as they demonstrate how to create decorative wreaths and picture frames with tiny succulent plants during the session

Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged the former comptroller for the Boaz Housing Authority with stealing federal Housing and Urban Development funds, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and HUD Special Agent in Charge Nadine E. Gurley.

EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice today lodged in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama a proposed modification of a prior 2006 consent decree with Alabama Power Company that will secure further reductions of harmful air pollutants, primarily sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), from three of the company’s coal-fired power plants in Alabama. The proposed modifications, if entered by the court, will resolve the remaining claims in a long-running case that alleged violations of the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review program

Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) released the following statement regarding H.R. 2042, the Ratepayer Protection Act, that passed the House today on a 247-180 vote. As background, in 2014 the EPA proposed a "Clean Power Plan" rule that requires each state to submit federally enforceable carbon dioxide goals for their electricity generation systems and increases Tennessee Valley utility costs by another 9.4% by 2020. The Ratepayer Protection Act blocks the EPA's Clean Power Plan rule.

Transworld Business Advisors of Alabama has announced that it has become an active member in the Alabama chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Association. ABC of Alabama is a construction industry trade association representing nearly 600 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work

The Grandma Home House Retreat (TGHHR), an event venue equipped with a certified event planner in Pike Road, Ala., will host an open house and business breakfast on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 from 8-9 a.m.

The movement among Americans toward a decent, honest populism—toward a refocusing on the needs of American citizens and American interests—grows stronger by the day. Every vote to come before Congress, beginning with the next fast-track push, will face this test: does your plan strengthen or weaken the social and economic position of the loyal, everyday working American?

Congress gave itself additional influence and oversight on international trade Friday, as the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass strengthened parameters for U.S. trade agreements.

To honor Birmingham and Alabama's Veterans, REALTORS® from the Birmingham Association of REALTORS® will be delivering gift bags to residents at Birmingham's Veteran's Hospital on Thursday, June 11

Last night, Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL) offered two amendments to the FY16 Transportation, Housing & Urban Development Appropriations Act, which sought to eliminate federal government subsidies of Amtrak, thus forcing Amtrak to operate in the black. The Congressional Research Service reports that, from 1971 to 2015, federal Amtrak subsidies totaled $78 billion (in constant 2015 dollars). In Fiscal Year 2014, Amtrak had a net loss of $1.1 billion. The House voted on Brooks’ amendments this afternoon and they were not adopted

Mayor Sandy Stimpson today reopened the CSX parking lot located on Water Street. The city-owned lot, on the east side of Water near the foot of Government Street, is free and open to the public.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final Clean Water Rule.

The National Water Center, a new facility located at the University of Alabama, is poised to become an incubator for innovative breakthroughs in water prediction products and services. As the country becomes more vulnerable to water-related events, from drought to flooding, the innovative predictive science and services developed by NOAA and its partners at the National Water Center will bolster the nation’s ability to manage threats to its finite water resources and mitigate impacts to communities.

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced full committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. The legislation includes several priorities that are important to the state of Alabama. Following today’s action by the Committee, the bill will go to the full Senate for consideration.

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell voted for H.R. 2353, the Two-Month Highway Trust Fund Extension, but added that the short-term extension fails to address the urgent need to fix our nation’s crumbling infrastructure

Federal water regulators seeking to greatly expand their reach into small ponds, puddles and ditches on private lands would be forced to abandon their scheme under a bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday.