a pancake kind of morning

Ernie Dunn, a candidate for mayor of Birmingham, was found dead in his Hoover home Thursday night. The 49-year-old man had a history of medical problems according to authorities.

In an interview published earlier today by the Birmingham News, Dunn explained why he was running, even with a residence outside of Birmingham:

“I need a job. I’ve been trying to get back into the job market and the mayor’s job came open. I figured why don’t I give it a try. I’ll make good decisions for everyone, but I need a paycheck. I’m hungry just like everyone else.

“I’m broke. There is nothing else I can rent currently.”

Thirteen candidates remain in the race. Election Day is Tuesday.

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More Vote 2009 coverage.

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SEC Championship 2009: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 1 Florida

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Video: preview of the SEC Championship
between Florida and Alabama

It’s almost like the BCS National Championship game about 4 weeks early. No. 2 Alabama will play No. 1 Florida on Saturday in Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Both teams are undefeated.

In 2008, No. 2 Florida defeated No. 1 Alabama on its way to the National Championship. This year marks the seventh time these two teams have faced each other for the title. The winner will play for the actual BCS National Championship game (possibly against No. 3 Texas) on Jan. 7, while the loser will likely head to the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

The game airs at 3 p.m. Saturday on CBS 42 and also streams live online at the CBS Sports site.

Video: Paul Finebaum weighs in.

Will it be Alabama or Florida? Who’s going to play for a National Championship?

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Vote 2009: Up close with Steven Hoyt

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Steven Hoyt, recently made president pro tempore of the city council, is one of 14 candidates running for mayor of Birmingham.

Video: CBS 42 interview

WBHM (90.3 FM) interview:
[audio:http://www.wbhm.org/songs/stevenhoyt.mp3]

More video interviews with all the candidates will be added daily. Election Day is Tuesday.

• • •

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Vote 2009: NAACP holds last mayoral forum tonight

Friday, December 4th, 2009

The Metro Birmingham Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is holding the last candidate forum before voters head to the polls.

NAACP mayoral candidate forum

When: 6-8 tonight
Where: Jackson-Olin High School, 1300 Ave. F [map]
Format: forum
For more information: See the Birmingham Times story.

Election Day is Tuesday.

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Vote 2009: Up close with Stephannie Sigler Huey

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Stephannie Sigler Huey, a math teacher in the Birmingham school system, is running for mayor of Birmingham.

Video: NBC 13 interview

WBHM (90.3 FM) interview:
[audio:http://www.wbhm.org/songs/stephaniehuey.mp3]

More video interviews with all the candidates will be added daily. Election Day is Tuesday.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

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Vote 2009: Up close with Edith Mayomi

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Substitute teacher Edith Mayomi is one of 14 candidates running for mayor of Birmingham.

Video: CBS 42 interview

Video: NBC 13 interview

WBHM (90.3 FM) interview:
[audio:http://www.wbhm.org/songs/mayomi.mp3]

More video interviews with all the candidates will be added daily. Election Day is Tuesday.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.

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Florida State coach Bobby Bowden to retire after 44-year career

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Birmingham native became second winningest coach in college football history; will lead Seminoles in one last bowl game

Video: “I’ve got to go get a job. I ain’t had a job in 55 years.”

Coach Bobby Bowden announced Tuesday that he would retire after 34 years at Florida State, capping a 44-year career. The Birmingham native amassed 388 wins at Samford, West Virginia and Florida State, second only to Joe Paterno at Penn State.

Bobby Bowden Bowden led Florida State to two national championships in 1993 and 1999 and has never had a losing season there, save for his first season in 1976 at 5-6. The current Seminole team is 6-6, heading to a yet-to-be-decided bowl game.

He grew up in Woodlawn, then East Lake, played as a quarterback at Alabama, before transferring to Howard College (now Samford). Bowden modeled his career after another legendary coach, Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant.

On his retirement, Bowden said:

“Nothing lasts forever, does it? But I’ve had some wonderful years here at Florida State, you know it. Hadn’t done as good lately as I wish I could have, but I’ve had wonderful years, no regrets.”

Video: The Bowden legacy

Also:

Associated Press: “FSU coach Bobby Bowden to retire after bowl game”
Bhamwiki: Bobby Bowden
“Being Bobby Bowden”

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And in other football news …

Alabama’s high school football championships take place today and Friday in Tuscaloosa. Birmingham had played host to the games since 1996, but lost a bid earlier this year to Tuscaloosa and Auburn.

The only Birmingham-area team still in the running is Hoover. The 13-1 Buccaneers play 6A arch-rival Prattville at 7 p.m. Friday in Bryant-Denny Stadium. All games will air on WUOA-TV 23.