On the podcast we’ll be going over a handful of hurricane vocabulary. That might especially be helpful for newcomers to the state, so feel free to share the podcast episode with your friends.

Whose water?

So long, Birmingham Water Works. If you’re a customer, you’ll now be paying Central Alabama Water.

The name change was passed by the Board 5-2, with both board members from Birmingham voting against and all members from outside the city voting for the change, reports AL.com’s Joseph D. Bryant.

And it didn’t sit well with Birmingham officials.

Said Councilwoman Carol Clarke: “I’m curious what the cost is going to be, because you’ve got to rebrand every vehicle, every uniform, repaint every water tower, and for what? Birmingham is a city and a region so it makes no sense.”

A new state law regionalized the water-works board and took majority control away from the city of Birmingham. That’s led to 5-2 splits on several issues.

And not always a happy 5-2 split, either, as the Board navigated through some tense moments. Board Chairman Tommy Hudson began Tuesday’s meeting by saying the Board will follow bylaws that limit member comments to two per issue, mandating that all questions be directed toward him, and prohibiting disparaging remarks.

Don’t feed the bear

People in and near Coastal Alabama are accustomed to bear sightings. Some are being seen in North Alabama as well, with a few recently turning up in Huntsville.

AL.com’s Scott Turner reports that now at least one bear is being spotted in Athens.

I recommend that citizens take Athens Police Chief Anthony Pressnell’s wisdom to heart: “We ask that you please do not agitate the bear, try to feed it, or try to take a selfie with it. If you see the bear, you can call us. We are staying in contact with Wildlife. Our hope is the bear will return to a more remote area.”

Do not agitate the bear, folks.

Here’s an interesting note that Scott reported: The Coastal Alabama bears and North Alabama bears are actually different subspecies. In Lower Alabama we have the Florida black bear, while the Athens visitor is an American black bear whose bear relatives have migrated over from Georgia.

Tuberville on street protests

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is among Republicans on Capitol Hill who want to make it a federal crime to intentionally block or delay traffic on a public road, reports AL.com’s Heather Gann.

Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, wrote the Safe and Open Streets Act.

A release from Tuberville indicates that it is a response to the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles: “The First Amendment gives us the right to freedom of assembly, but it doesn’t give the right to block our streets and put American lives at risk.”

Cut out the lights

Here’s a story that’s local but can apply to anyone who’d like to save a buck on a utility bill.

Huntsville Utilities is asking folks to try to use less power during peak hours while this heat wave in on us, reports AL.com’s John R. Roby.

That means cut back on using dishwashers, washers, dryers, ovens and stoves from noon until 8 p.m. And — something I’ve heard myself say more than a few times — cut off lights when you’re not using them.

The TVA has put into effect its “Emergency Load Curtailment Program.” That’s standard procedure when demand is expected to rise. The TVA managed to get through its highest all-time peak demand in January without grid problems.

By the numbers

$591 million

That’s the size of Birmingham’s budget, as passed by the City Council on Tuesday.

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