The Birmingham News is a major daily newspaper in Birmingham, Alabama, serving the Greater Birmingham area and parts of central Alabama. Known for its local, state, and national coverage, the publication focuses heavily on politics, business, education, and culture, especially issues impacting the region. Today, it operates mainly through its digital platform, with limited print circulation.
- Type: Daily newspaper (digital-first)
- Primary language: English
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Website: al.com/birmingham
Audience
The Birmingham News primarily serves residents of Birmingham and surrounding areas in central Alabama, with a focus on local issues but also covering regional, national, and global news.
History of the Publication
The Birmingham News was founded in 1888 by Rufus N. Rhodes as a four-page afternoon newspaper. Over time, it grew into one of the largest and most influential publications in the state, especially under the ownership of Scripps-Howard and later Advance Publications, which took over in 1956.
For decades, the paper enjoyed a broad readership and played a significant role in covering major local stories, from the civil rights movement in the 1960s to the transformation of Birmingham’s economy in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The Birmingham News has won multiple Pulitzer Prizes, notably for its work in investigative reporting and civil rights coverage.
In 2012, The Birmingham News shifted to a digital-first model under the AL.com umbrella, reducing its print editions to three days a week: Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. This move mirrored trends in the newspaper industry, driven by declining print subscriptions and the rise of digital media consumption.
Notable Journalists
Here are some of the key figures who have worked for The Birmingham News:
- John Archibald: A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for his in-depth and often hard-hitting columns about Alabama politics and public affairs.
- Tom Scarritt: Former editor of The Birmingham News who helped navigate the newspaper’s transition into the digital age.
- Eddie Lard: A longtime editorial writer known for his insightful commentary on local and national issues.
Do you have additional journalists in mind, or would you like to explore other key figures?
Notable Awards
The Birmingham News has earned several prestigious awards over its history. Some of the most significant include:
- Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting (1991): Awarded for the series “What They Won’t Tell You About Your Taxes,” an investigation into Alabama’s tax system.
- Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting (2007): Recognized for its coverage of unethical practices in the state’s two-year college system.
- Alabama Press Association Awards: Numerous accolades for excellence in reporting, photography, and editorial writing at the state level.
