[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5972022,"mediaKeyId","5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f","parentId",5854548,"title","Mayor Reed touts HBCU weekend as economic and community event; urges visitors to behave and stay local","audioSeconds",205,"startMs",1821000,"endMs",2026000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f&start=1821&end=2026","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f/thumbnail_1821000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5972022/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Mayor-Reed-touts-HBCU-weekend-as-economic-and-community-event-urges-visitors-to-behave-and-stay-local","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972022-4bcd51827224504e2492afb0d187151d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452843&Signature=ccXwDPxBC8YzU2m0t8K0Dnx7e04PfgadBBP8wwWToCaGfJtdOKGPPnvEOAhVd-7MhgKfiW2VVFazpGFVmJlDCdGGDecC1-ydpvIEqPnBnQUILVfkqgf0DUJ9I-MQ-QAKu476seEHXUqMDqMPYnXvf6jwvnye8eOfoSw4YB5LHUutCE9XjZDXyeCNe4V~P3M1CCxKdAga8rwK9qKt7XPld9~gD~N9YPNVXVlmpZO7ZibNQRAFllnWeGCyJHX3SS5W-E0-2NaBj-IG24i~-ikb-wUY46Sd9SU6OUgGwm6akDdQMiCzTLqBfvPk1550nubaTEC2cErNsx-arw~h-zq-bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery City, AL","date","2025-09-30T17:45:30Z","article","Mayor Steven L. Reed previewed Montgomery’s HBCU weekend events, saying the city expects bands, football, concerts and vendors and urging visitors to behave and spend locally.

Reed named performers and attractions including DJ Kid Capri for a postgame event, a Ferris wheel on the Riverwalk, food trucks, and Battle of the Bands competitions tied to Morehouse, Tuskegee and Alabama State University events. “It’s gonna be HBCU headquarters right here in Montgomery come October 3,” Reed said.

On public safety, Reed said the city has seen crime fall and cited a greater than 25 percent drop in crime overall and reductions in homicides and nonfatal shootings, crediting community partnerships and police work. “We've seen crime drop by over 25%. We've seen reduction in homicides and nonfatal shootings,” he said; the podcast did not provide the data source or timeframe for those figures.

Reed encouraged visitors to bring family-friendly behavior and not to incite trouble: “Come down there with a mindset to have a great time,” he said, and advised attendees to report poor behavior to help maintain a safe environment. He also framed the weekend as an opportunity to keep spending in Montgomery: “You can spend that money and invest that money right here and have a great time.”

The mayor did not provide event budgets, contracts with performers, or operational security plans on the podcast. He said the city will request state and federal funds for some larger infrastructure projects, but did not link those requests directly to the HBCU weekend activities during the interview.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The Mayor's Take: Episode 9","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Steven L. Reed described HBCU weekend events at Crampton Bowl and Riverwalk, listed entertainment and vendors, said Montgomery has seen crime declines and encouraged residents and visitors to spend locally and behave responsibly.","taxTitle","Montgomery City, Montgomery County, Alabama","taxId",3930,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5972027,"Mayor Reed warns against normalizing political violence and rising cancel culture in national discourse",438,648000,1086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f&start=648&end=1086","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f/thumbnail_648000.jpg","/articles/5972027/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Mayor-Reed-warns-against-normalizing-political-violence-and-rising-cancel-culture-in-national-discourse","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972027-0fce705b7b92067e40acce603c7a6042/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452843&Signature=TXt3l5Xv01XBQmP3J-kNeCcH4XxyjecB2r5APmgrr5LRMr0QVLwn3c9A-5xTI~pFiGR03PejMJijGEK1Jcuydon7TpmPbpMduxTx04tSNrvaiKPQqQybQfQ0B12aM-KTm52zptVGIsg9SRixzjxxIf4EaHdeEKkeQsOChJG5J7GS1jnnKgnL5myAOe6fJPfOO0Xv5h5i-ts~cpw2W9Q2fw1hZAyhAw~b9-FToQbqrQhmWuI-fBaqVv05MsmuMuRTUYZq6Iq6xLS8zEg6Wvp9yAWAlPalUaWxXYxK4HfhoFHbAyYikx7A6AuEoh5jfGSypGfX6M4ro50txn3HFpAwaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Steven L. Reed used his podcast appearance to urge consistency in how Americans apply free-speech principles and to condemn political violence. “No one wants to see a life lost because of views and opinions of people,” Reed said.

He referenced the Jan. 6 insurrection and recent attacks on public officials as examples of political violence that should not be normalized. “You can't excuse that…You can't excuse someone ambushing an 80 year old man” at a public official’s residence, he said, and also mentioned incidents of shootings targeting elected officials.

Reed criticized what he termed selective enforcement of cancel culture and media or corporate decisions driven by profit motives. He discussed the case of a high-profile commentator and the response by a broadcast network, saying, “If ABC is canceling him…because they're really worried about this multibillion dollar merger…that is a problem,” adding that corporate-management decisions tied to government enforcement risk blurring public and private roles.

Reed said the country’s democratic norms are at risk if public institutions and private companies lose credibility and public trust: “Once people start losing faith in democratic norms, it becomes a lot easier for that democracy to erode and ultimately to die.” He urged citizens to lead by example and be mindful of rhetoric, especially from public platforms.

The podcast remarks reflect the mayor’s view and do not report a formal municipal action or legal analysis. Reed did not cite specific federal orders, court decisions or statutes during the interview.","On a podcast, Mayor Steven L. Reed criticized political violence and called out what he described as inconsistent approaches to free speech and cancel culture, referencing incidents including the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol and recent attacks on public officials.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5972032,"Mayor Reed urges community response to school fights and discipline, calls for resources for conflict resolution",174,1518000,1692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f&start=1518&end=1692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f/thumbnail_1518000.jpg","/articles/5972032/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Mayor-Reed-urges-community-response-to-school-fights-and-discipline-calls-for-resources-for-conflict-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972032-9960bd18a7a6bab86bde44c49d33abb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452843&Signature=ckIKBmyouIvbl6eF0JXv4RzLbsySsHjTt~AshsoOtHrfibvlyTQot2VGzK3mOOFZWVk2d70qigVREiaWV1u4eU-yF5HxiE-sxx4DIsPwBTYa0mw3IP37g1PHQBDTsKwLy251XsbnrBLbBwpZnPwJBRLAG7cztRcmfvkvc64Xcb3IV0WF2h52ClWd6XyJ~WrNo8cq1ZfTHjZ0XAMSxFKCJ4M8OyViyrG3iaSKnacoGhYNkS~JYgYlTNflNyBZ1CWkdonIED9yrf6SRckUqUjUwXa2DCPu-SDfsToFWred4-9PvbiwrWaOgV4N3hH~4aSpC3rzTHheIOe-MURyM~~q5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Steven L. Reed addressed recent fights and disruptive behavior in Montgomery schools, urging parents and community leaders to help reduce incidents and support discipline at school.

“Somehow or another we got to a point where too many parents are agitators in this,” Reed said, adding that ubiquitous recording devices and social media can inflame tensions. “Everybody's recording…We can't have that, and not want to correct those issues.”

Reed also spoke about student suspensions and consequences. “Fights were happening at JD when I was there…you didn't have parents encouraging it,” he said, adding that students must understand school discipline prepares them for work and adult life. “We gotta make sure that from a community standpoint, if we can be better partners, then allow us to be better partners. But we might have to have some no nonsense conversations.”

He called for more resources focused on conflict resolution and anger management: “Let's also make sure we have the resources for young people to deal with conflict resolution, to deal with anger management and to deal with things that they may be seeing at home or in their community.” Reed suggested community organizations and men in the community should step up as mentors and role models.

The mayor did not provide specific program names, budgets or timelines during the interview, nor did he offer a formal policy action taken by the city during the conversation. The transcript does not quantify how many incidents have occurred or provide school-district data; those numbers were not specified.","Mayor Steven L. Reed said schools and families must work together to reduce fights and disruptive behavior, called out parents who he described as agitating incidents, and urged expanded conflict-resolution and anger-management resources for students.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5972037,"Montgomery mayor says city is exploring cradle-to-career partnerships with Harlem Children’s Zone",159,1189000,1348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f&start=1189&end=1348","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f/thumbnail_1189000.jpg","/articles/5972037/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-mayor-says-city-is-exploring-cradle-to-career-partnerships-with-Harlem-Childrens-Zone","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972037-4ec8863907b7100441641f0ff2e26798/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452843&Signature=F32MtSfkXwN12X~G9aGyA0I~iLprE5IvR2OthBnDWrogSi3~ZEJQMT6-f11yibtTOVjPhiP96FSWvzalGI1AJvYqhuBMObRKivb5H32VyNQdcWleymoF~RukkdJF-C4e1tlR6sLO4UTzTUddc-OzIywZlV-5iECVe55bmXKqHjn~Vq8Lq8PXvlgxNoJg7E0oSpVTUOlZXFRPMYNC4FDWZ1obSiZD-WTZ2tjP30SdPG8~sfVsv30ATd8xR-vGEE2JEK9lDebcAmLfkBicgUsEJsgJl1PUl9eTdF1aLlehHA39-Yz-25f2gxCiZARjnCuqUBp1QOxD~m0S-HkLExSTCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Steven L. Reed said Montgomery has engaged with the Harlem Children’s Zone and invited its founder, Jeffery Canada, to discuss “cradle-to-career” programs aimed at improving educational and economic outcomes for children.

“Man, just a fantastic opportunity for us to team up with Jeff Canada and his team for cradle to career initiatives,” Reed said. He described the Harlem Children’s Zone as a “world class brand” with research, data and support systems that could help Montgomery expand educational opportunity.

Reed said the city has been partnering with local organizations such as Valley Cross Academy and Alabama State University to create early childhood and K–12 pathways, and he said the mayor’s office participated in a mayor’s neighborhood academy event in Harlem. “We were invited to be a part of the mayor's neighborhood academy in Harlem,” Reed said.

Reed framed the partnership as part of a broader effort to keep residents in Montgomery by improving education and local economic opportunity: “We want to…get to a point where it's a lot easier for people to see themselves staying in Montgomery.”

The mayor named Anthony and Fred Brock in connection with Valley Cross Academy but did not provide contractual terms, program budgets, or an implementation timetable on the podcast. He said the city is pursuing “global partners” to accelerate local progress but did not list specific commitments or funding sources during the interview.","Mayor Steven L. Reed described visits from Harlem Children’s Zone founder Jeffery Canada and said the city is exploring cradle-to-career initiatives in partnership with local schools and Alabama State University.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5972040,"Montgomery mayor says city has largest budget in history, cites Fitch AA rating and 5% merit pay increase",83,177000,260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f&start=177&end=260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854548-f36f3e09b86f0c33dfebda721302847f/thumbnail_177000.jpg","/articles/5972040/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-mayor-says-city-has-largest-budget-in-history-cites-Fitch-AA-rating-and-5-merit-pay-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972040-82205dd759e807da56944c1c00304d84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452843&Signature=EkRXqqzSG3yQS1A7vn5CSxh0Bvkputd8ETDVmOXuv3LSwqGZkUdP7qd67fECFwx1nwUgWVbbye4EhSZ0XLgfTGONHXrMVHGKQ-Jli0ThTBdTZUbPIpRRiHrilLhryMax8DQNqQ6MqBt~Gf9ve1rIBDWXUbO9fLvsKOc2c6k5rM2eW3dD-3Hv8-eVG~D2vFU98HVRwAgqc1CPj5EK46jqFqhNnUQ-Ce-SKqtbWtJyQINeSWsgwO6oQeauZnhtVu-rNhnqxS5AzWZUNmsIMX8K8jn2ODmEMXA2FBvhpXO2PnD7Nz85uaIkPXgefdVIxPaZHmlFZpRiIQ-FHYaCpewobg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Steven L. Reed said Montgomery’s proposed budget is the largest in the city’s history and described the city as being in its strongest financial condition in decades. “The budget is the largest in the city's history,” Reed said, and added the city holds a “double A, bond rating from Fitch.”

Reed said the city maintains a reserve target of about 20 percent. “Having that at 20% is where, really it needs to be,” he said, describing those reserves as a “savings account” the city can use for long-term investments. Reed also said the administration plans a 5% merit increase for city employees this year. “We’re doing that with a 5% merit increase this year,” he said.

Reed said the budget will fund technology upgrades for the Montgomery Police Department and continued street maintenance, and that city leaders will seek additional state and federal funds for larger projects. “Whether it’s making sure from a software perspective, the ease of government is more efficient and effective, or…paving the streets that need to be paved,” Reed said. He framed those expenditures as investments that are intended to yield longer-term returns for residents.

Reed presented credit ratings and reserve levels as part of the city’s ability to borrow and invest. “We got a double a, bond rating from Fitch. We go to Wall Street…that’s 800 credit y’all,” he said. He described the rating and reserves as tools that allow Montgomery to pursue infrastructure, public safety and community programs when opportunities arise.

Reed emphasized fiscal stewardship and transparency, saying not all investments will occur immediately but that the city must invest now to realize benefits later. “Not all of this will happen tomorrow,” he said. “These are the investments you have to make…to get the return down the road.”

No formal ordinance, vote or specific appropriation was described on the podcast. The mayor spoke in general terms about the budget’s size, credit standing, reserve target and personnel pay plan; he did not provide a line-item breakdown or cite the departmental or legal actions approving the merit increase during the interview.","Mayor Steven L. Reed told a podcast audience the city’s budget is the largest in Montgomery’s history, highlighted a Fitch AA rating and said the city will implement a 5% merit increase for employees while maintaining about 20% reserves.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor Reed touts HBCU weekend as economic and community event; urges visitors to behave and stay local

Mayor Reed warns against normalizing political violence and rising cancel culture in national discourse

Mayor Reed urges community response to school fights and discipline, calls for resources for conflict resolution

Montgomery mayor says city is exploring cradle-to-career partnerships with Harlem Children’s Zone

Montgomery mayor says city has largest budget in history, cites Fitch AA rating and 5% merit pay increase