André Natta
@acnatta.bsky.social
I've been a journalist, a planner, and a hotel general manager. It's always about buying the ticket and taking the ride. Bronx native. Executive director/Executive editor, @bhamwatch.bsky.social
It's quite meta to watch the BBC ask hard questions about what happened at the BBC… on the BBC
November 9, 2025 at 8:10 PM
It's quite meta to watch the BBC ask hard questions about what happened at the BBC… on the BBC
Reposted by André Natta
Exclusive: Warner Bros Discovery board rejected Paramount Skydance buyout offer, source says reut.rs/47zDvuJ
Exclusive: Warner Bros Discovery board rejected Paramount Skydance buyout offer, source says
The Warner Bros Discovery board on Tuesday morning rejected a Paramount Skydance offer of nearly $24 per share to buy the company, a source familiar with the matter said.
reut.rs
October 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Exclusive: Warner Bros Discovery board rejected Paramount Skydance buyout offer, source says reut.rs/47zDvuJ
Yes, I did. @bhamwatch.bsky.social has had a great journey so far. Here's to what's next... and to finding ways to feed the interests of those civically curious in #bham for some time to come!
Yesterday marked ten years of serving Birmingham as a nonprofit news source. Our @acnatta.bsky.social took a moment to reflect on our past and hint at what our future may hold.
BirminghamWatch Celebrates 10 Years of Coverage - BirminghamWatch
BirminghamWatch executive editor André Natta recognizes the publication's upcoming tenth anniversary on Sept. 27 and asks for input as it prepares to evolve into a resource for the city's civically cu...
birminghamwatch.org
September 28, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Yes, I did. @bhamwatch.bsky.social has had a great journey so far. Here's to what's next... and to finding ways to feed the interests of those civically curious in #bham for some time to come!
Reposted by André Natta
The proposed ordinance would empower city officials to pursue foreclosure on nuisance properties in certain cases.
“This is a judicial process that targets the property and not the person,” Katrina Thomas, director of the city’s Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits, told councilors.
“This is a judicial process that targets the property and not the person,” Katrina Thomas, director of the city’s Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits, told councilors.
Birmingham Council Presented With Law to Allow Foreclosure on Nuisance Properties - BirminghamWatch
The move would give the city the power, and the money, to take over dilapidated properties.
birminghamwatch.org
September 3, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The proposed ordinance would empower city officials to pursue foreclosure on nuisance properties in certain cases.
“This is a judicial process that targets the property and not the person,” Katrina Thomas, director of the city’s Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits, told councilors.
“This is a judicial process that targets the property and not the person,” Katrina Thomas, director of the city’s Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits, told councilors.
I'm just going to think positive starts as we get this thing going again. Yes, it's Tuesday, but it's time for the Monday Morning Watch.
Monday Morning Watch | Week of Sept. 1, 2025 - BirminghamWatch
BirminghamWatch's weekly rundown of public meetings and agendas in the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County. Our goal is to help you keep your elected officials accountable.
birminghamwatch.org
September 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I'm just going to think positive starts as we get this thing going again. Yes, it's Tuesday, but it's time for the Monday Morning Watch.
Amid cheers of threepeat and “Randemic,” Randall Woodfin won his third election for mayor of Birmingham on Tuesday night, a feat not achieved since former Mayor Richard Arrington Jr. ended his five-term run in 1999.
Third Time’s a Charm as Woodfin Swept Back Into Mayor’s Office - BirminghamWatch
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was reelected Tuesday with almost 75% of the vote in a nine-candidate race.
birminghamwatch.org
August 27, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Reposted by André Natta
Our voter guide for next week's municipal elections in Birmingham, Alabama, is now available to peruse! Find candidate bios and profiles, sample ballots + a what-you-need-to-know primer as you head out to vote for mayor, City Council, and the school board.
2025 Birmingham Municipal Elections - BirminghamWatch
Your central resource for all things associated with the upcoming Aug. 26 municipal election in Birmingham, Ala, produced with support from NPR member station WBHM. This includes the current lists of ...
birminghamwatch.org
August 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Our voter guide for next week's municipal elections in Birmingham, Alabama, is now available to peruse! Find candidate bios and profiles, sample ballots + a what-you-need-to-know primer as you head out to vote for mayor, City Council, and the school board.
It's official. "The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism is suspending publication of BirminghamWatch until at least early September, as it is unable to secure enough bridge funding to operate until grant funds are scheduled to arrive in October."
BirminghamWatch Temporarily Suspends Publication through August - BirminghamWatch
The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism is suspending publication of BirminghamWatch until at least early September as it is unable to secure enough bridge funding to operate until grant fun...
birminghamwatch.org
August 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
It's official. "The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism is suspending publication of BirminghamWatch until at least early September, as it is unable to secure enough bridge funding to operate until grant funds are scheduled to arrive in October."
Hello, everybody! The nonprofit I run and its publication @bhamwatch.bsky.social need your assistance if possible. We'll need to suspend publishing late next week for a while if we're not able to secure some funds. Here's the 411:
BirminghamWatch needs you. Now, more than ever. - BirminghamWatch
The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism will temporarily suspend publication of BirminghamWatch at the end of July 2025 until early fall if it is unable to secure enough bridge funding to op...
birminghamwatch.org
July 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Hello, everybody! The nonprofit I run and its publication @bhamwatch.bsky.social need your assistance if possible. We'll need to suspend publishing late next week for a while if we're not able to secure some funds. Here's the 411:
I figured it was a good morning to wear my @jskstanford.bsky.social reunion T-shirt, especially considering how much this week felt like a roller coaster. The thumbs ups and first bumps made it feel like it was the right choice.
July 19, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I figured it was a good morning to wear my @jskstanford.bsky.social reunion T-shirt, especially considering how much this week felt like a roller coaster. The thumbs ups and first bumps made it feel like it was the right choice.
Reposted by André Natta
“It is not possible financially. It’s not realistic” for the city to maintain these properties for absentee owners, the mayor said. He added it would take roughly four years to cut this amount of lots one time with the city’s current personnel. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/09/b...
Birmingham Council Declares Emergency Over Rainfall Hampering Weed Abatement Efforts - BirminghamWatch
The declaration lets the city hire contractors to catch up on cutting abandoned lots.
birminghamwatch.org
July 9, 2025 at 10:40 PM
“It is not possible financially. It’s not realistic” for the city to maintain these properties for absentee owners, the mayor said. He added it would take roughly four years to cut this amount of lots one time with the city’s current personnel. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/09/b...
Reposted by André Natta
While most service lines in the local system are not made of lead or galvanized metal requiring replacement under the new EPA rule, 471 lines are known to be made of those materials, and the material type of about 39,000 service lines is unknown. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/09/b...
Birmingham's Water Line Work Can Temporarily Increase Lead Levels in Some Tap Water - BirminghamWatch
As part of its water main replacement project, the water works is partially replacing smaller service lines, which can release more lead into the water for a time if the pipes are made of lead or galv...
birminghamwatch.org
July 9, 2025 at 10:36 PM
While most service lines in the local system are not made of lead or galvanized metal requiring replacement under the new EPA rule, 471 lines are known to be made of those materials, and the material type of about 39,000 service lines is unknown. birminghamwatch.org/2025/07/09/b...
Thanks for sharing some info about us today, @brianlyman.bsky.social - and for collaborating with @bhamwatch.bsky.social this summer!
Programming note: We're collaborating with the good people at @bhamwatch.bsky.social this summer to cover elections in the Magic City. Birmingham Watch is a nonprofit news site like ours providing local coverage; give them some support here: birminghamwatch.org/donations/do...
Via Andrea Tinker, in collaboration with @bhamwatch.bsky.social: Crime is looming as a major issue in Birmingham's municipal elections this year, though there are signs that violence is in decline.
July 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Thanks for sharing some info about us today, @brianlyman.bsky.social - and for collaborating with @bhamwatch.bsky.social this summer!
It was fun serving on the @opennews.bsky.social community panel for @srccon.bsky.social 2025. It's also one of the reasons I'll spend a lot of time in Minneapolis this summer. Looking forward to seeing folks there! 2025.srccon.org
SRCCON 2025 — July 10-11, Minneapolis, MN
A peer-led conference from OpenNews for journalists who want to transform their work, their organizations, and their communities.
2025.srccon.org
May 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM
It was fun serving on the @opennews.bsky.social community panel for @srccon.bsky.social 2025. It's also one of the reasons I'll spend a lot of time in Minneapolis this summer. Looking forward to seeing folks there! 2025.srccon.org
When Frank Woodson initially announced his candidacy for mayor of Birmingham via an interview with @bhamwatch.bsky.social, it became one of the busiest weekends for the site in recent years. Check it out.
Mayoral Candidate Frank Woodson Says He's the Leader Birmingham Needs Now - BirminghamWatch
Woodson has thrown his hat into the ring to run for Birmingham mayor.
birminghamwatch.org
May 15, 2025 at 2:08 PM
When Frank Woodson initially announced his candidacy for mayor of Birmingham via an interview with @bhamwatch.bsky.social, it became one of the busiest weekends for the site in recent years. Check it out.
There's a reason for a long-term backyard garden project - a reminder to fully disconnect when needed.
May 15, 2025 at 1:08 AM
There's a reason for a long-term backyard garden project - a reminder to fully disconnect when needed.
Today's the day!
Thursday Is the Deadline for City Students to Apply for Birmingham Promise Scholarships - BirminghamWatch
The scholarships allow students to go to universities, colleges and certificate programs.
birminghamwatch.org
May 1, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Today's the day!
“At no point has a state legislator ever reached out to me or any of my colleagues to sit down with us and share their concerns,” [Birmingham City Council president] O’Quinn said. “This is not being done with us. This is being done to us.”
Senate Bill 330, which could get final passage by the as early as Thursday, would decrease the number of members of the board and reduce the influence of Birmingham. birminghamwatch.org/2025/04/29/c...
City Leaders Call on Public To Stop Bill That Would Change BWWB - BirminghamWatch
Members of the Birmingham City Council and Mayor Randall Woodfin say the bill would dilute the city’s influence over the water works but do nothing to improve water quality.
birminghamwatch.org
April 30, 2025 at 3:43 PM
“At no point has a state legislator ever reached out to me or any of my colleagues to sit down with us and share their concerns,” [Birmingham City Council president] O’Quinn said. “This is not being done with us. This is being done to us.”
Reposted by André Natta
Listen: Thanks to Bob Irving, creator of Chicago Architecture Center’s boat tours, millions have seen Chicago’s skyline from the best seat in the house: the river. Irving died earlier this month at the age of 93. Reset reflects on his life and legacy. www.wbez.org/reset-with-s...
Chicago says goodbye to the father of the city’s famous riverboat architecture tours
Bob Irving, beloved creator of the Chicago River architectural boat tour, has died at the age of 93.
www.wbez.org
April 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Listen: Thanks to Bob Irving, creator of Chicago Architecture Center’s boat tours, millions have seen Chicago’s skyline from the best seat in the house: the river. Irving died earlier this month at the age of 93. Reset reflects on his life and legacy. www.wbez.org/reset-with-s...
A lesson I'm learning: folks are more willing to spam the messenger instead of going out and actually "doing the work of engagement." Is the point to make noise or actually make a difference? Time will tell…
April 28, 2025 at 11:20 PM
A lesson I'm learning: folks are more willing to spam the messenger instead of going out and actually "doing the work of engagement." Is the point to make noise or actually make a difference? Time will tell…
Reposted by André Natta
"These medians will add another layer of safety to prevent someone accidentally harming themselves or others,” Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander said. birminghamwatch.org/2025/04/01/b...
Birmingham Council OKs Installing Safety Equipment at Railroad Intersections - BirminghamWatch
The City Council and Norfolk Southern are splitting the cost to install medians to prevent motorists from trying to beat trains through intersections.
birminghamwatch.org
April 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
"These medians will add another layer of safety to prevent someone accidentally harming themselves or others,” Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander said. birminghamwatch.org/2025/04/01/b...
Reposted by André Natta
The statement, issued Thursday evening, came after the Alabama House of Representatives approved a $3.7 billion General Fund budget proposal for 2026 that did not include funding for the 32-year-old institution, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame or the Magic City Classic.
BCRI Issues Statement About Proposed State 2026 General Fund Budget Cuts - BirminghamWatch
The statement, issued Thursday evening, came after the Alabama House of Representatives approved a $3.7 billion General Fund budget proposal for 2026 that did not include funding for the 32-year-old i...
birminghamwatch.org
April 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The statement, issued Thursday evening, came after the Alabama House of Representatives approved a $3.7 billion General Fund budget proposal for 2026 that did not include funding for the 32-year-old institution, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame or the Magic City Classic.
Reposted by André Natta
Two things about the 2017 Alabama Senate race:
1) It’s very hard for people outside Alabama to appreciate how much the state GOP operation *hated* Roy Moore. He was on Year 16 of causing them grief.
2) Doug Jones ran a damn-near perfect campaign. Stuck to his message; refused to be baited.
1) It’s very hard for people outside Alabama to appreciate how much the state GOP operation *hated* Roy Moore. He was on Year 16 of causing them grief.
2) Doug Jones ran a damn-near perfect campaign. Stuck to his message; refused to be baited.
April 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Two things about the 2017 Alabama Senate race:
1) It’s very hard for people outside Alabama to appreciate how much the state GOP operation *hated* Roy Moore. He was on Year 16 of causing them grief.
2) Doug Jones ran a damn-near perfect campaign. Stuck to his message; refused to be baited.
1) It’s very hard for people outside Alabama to appreciate how much the state GOP operation *hated* Roy Moore. He was on Year 16 of causing them grief.
2) Doug Jones ran a damn-near perfect campaign. Stuck to his message; refused to be baited.
The Alabama Humanities Alliance has suspended all grantmaking and halted booking Road Scholars visits in response to DOGE-recommended National Endowment for the Humanities budget cuts. No words.
Federal Humanities Funding Cuts Could Threaten Projects Across Alabama - BirminghamWatch
The Alabama Humanities Alliance has suspended all grantmaking and halted booking Road Scholars visits in response to DOGE-recommended cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities.
birminghamwatch.org
April 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The Alabama Humanities Alliance has suspended all grantmaking and halted booking Road Scholars visits in response to DOGE-recommended National Endowment for the Humanities budget cuts. No words.
Things I've realized I didn't miss those years not running a local newsroom - Part 5,000: Press releases sent in an attempt to see who'd bite on an April Fool's joke. Yeah...
March 30, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Things I've realized I didn't miss those years not running a local newsroom - Part 5,000: Press releases sent in an attempt to see who'd bite on an April Fool's joke. Yeah...