Legal showdown over Birmingham schools postponed

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A Jefferson County Circuit judge postponed an injunction hearing on the lawsuits against Birmingham school officials by the city and state superintendents. The Birmingham News reports that the postponements made Friday will give the school board a chance to decide whether to keep fight the lawsuits or settle. Circuit Judge Houston Brown says the injunction hearing will be postponed until Aug. 1. Brown agreed to delay the hearing that had been set for Monday. State superintendent Tommy Bice and city school superintendent Craig Witherspoon filed separate lawsuits in relation to a board's attempt to fire Witherspoon. Witherspoon's lawsuit seeks court protection after he was reinstated by a judge last week. Bice's lawsuit seeks court order for the city school board to comply with a state takeover of the system.