Heads and tales: Get the word out

Money? Well … spent: The Jefferson County Commission has paid more than $200,000 in PR services. Don’t worry: Your tax dollars aren’t being squandered. First, they sent out this neat brochure that explains how the commission has saved you money. Second, the PR firms billed for vital services like reading the newspaper, putting stickers on folders, attending meetings and attending more meetings. We’re just bitter because we provide all those services for double the cost — that’s the Wade on Birmingham difference.
• County spends $202,000 for PR [Birmingham News]

Maximizing security: As required by the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act, Alabama is taking steps to curb sexual assault in prisons. Step No. 1: Posters! Egad, will it be the kitty in the tree captioned “Hang in there, baby!” or the sleek management poster touting “F R E E D O M.”
• Prison system takes steps to crack down on inmate sexual violence [Associated Press]

39 cents and a dream: If you didn’t actually receive your county commission flyer, maybe it’s because the post office hasn’t picked it up yet. The Postal Service moved its collection times to earlier in the day around the city — some before noon. That has made it difficult for some businesses to get outgoing letters and packages ready on time. Kristy White said the downtown branch has drive-through boxes with last collection times at 8 p.m. That’s simply not true: They stopped collecting that late at those outdoor boxes long ago — you must go inside and drop off before 8. But heck, 39 cents is still a bargain, right? Right?
• Mail collection time change vexes some [Birmingham News]

Also: