Alabama

Gov. Robert Bentley last week said Alabama would appeal after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals refused a request from his state and Florida to reconsider a ruling that allows Atlanta and other surrounding communities to withdraw drinking water from Lake Lanier.

BRADENTON, Fla. - A federal judge in Alabama Wednesday dismissed the Securities and Exchange Commission's suit against former Birmingham Mayor and Jefferson County Commission president Larry Langford, ending a case that began more than three years ago.

Cash-strapped Jefferson County got a small windfall last week when a local judge ordered the return of $6.4 million from escrowed occupational taxes.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Jefferson County, Ala., Commission Friday avoided filing the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history by agreeing to a restructuring deal with creditors holding about $3.11 billion of defaulted variable- and auction-rate sewer warrants.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jefferson County, Ala., commissioners meet Friday with bankruptcy still on the table. Once again, they will consider whether to approve a deal with creditors to restructure $3.14 billion of defaulted sewer debt, or to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, or continue with negotiations as they did in August.

Jefferson County commissioners Tuesday postponed a vote on hiring the county’s first manager.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Just days before a critical decision on how to deal with $3.14 billion of defaulted sewer debt, Jefferson County, Ala., commissioners plan to hire the county's first manager.

Former Jefferson County commissioner Larry Langford last week requested that the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rehear the appeal of his pay-to-play conviction.

Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos said Tuesday that he is interested in becoming Jefferson County’s first manager. The 11-year former state representative is seeking an interview with the County Commission, he announced at a press conference.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell last week won reelection for another two years, handily besting five challengers with 88.9% of the vote.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jefferson County, Ala., late Friday released its 2009 audit, with authors reiterating as they did earlier this year that the County Commission's ability to continue as a going concern is in substantial doubt without restructuring the local government's troubled debt.

Gov. Robert Bentley Tuesday announced the appointment of Marquita Davis as director of the Alabama Finance Department.

House Financial Services Committee chairman Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., last week told mayors in Jefferson County that he believes the right decisions will be made by county commissioners dealing with the sewer debt crisis, according to the Birmingham News.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Oct. 4 will hear arguments in the appeal filed by former Jefferson County Commissioner Gary White.

Birmingham voters go to the polls next Tuesday to decide among six candidates who will be the next mayor of Alabama’s biggest city. Mayor William Bell, who won the office in January 2010, is seeking reelection.

Brighton notified the bond market Tuesday that it failed to comply with continuing disclosure requirements regarding the filing of financial reports.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The small city of Brighton, Ala., has defaulted on general obligation warrants it issued in 2003.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jefferson County, Ala., commissioners may decide Friday whether to file for bankruptcy if creditors holding $3.14 billion of troubled sewer debt do not agree to accept the county's final offer to restructure the debt.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The federal judge presiding over a Securities and Exchange Commission civil suit permanently enjoined former Jefferson County, Ala., commission president Larry Langford from violating securities laws in the future.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta Friday affirmed the conviction of Larry Langford, one-time president of the Jefferson County Commission and former mayor of Birmingham.