City flags fly at half-staff today as we learn that Miriam Witherspoon, Birmingham City Council President Pro Tempore, passed away last night. The first-term representative for Birmingham’s District 7 was 48. According to BhamWeekly’s Twitter profile, Birmingham City Council President Carole Smitherman confirmed the news in City Council chambers earlier this morning. 

The Birmingham News‘ breaking news blog has more details, with the city website’s bio and BhamWiki entry providing a glimpse of what she was able to accomplish.

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