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Chip Brownlee

Chip Brownlee is a former political reporter, online content manager and webmaster at the Alabama Political Reporter. He is now a reporter at The Trace, a non-profit newsroom covering guns in America.

COVID-19 cases in Alabama surpass 50

We’re tracking the growing number of coronavirus cases in Alabama. Our interactive map will show you where the cases are in the state. Click here.
March 18, 2020

Around Auburn, where officials had trouble controlling bars, a growing number of cases

UPDATE: The owner of the largest bar in Auburn has said they will not reopen this week, according to The Auburn Plainsman. Lee County, Alabama—the home of Auburn University, where officials have been having trouble discouraging young people from visiting bars—now has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Public … Continued
March 18, 2020

UAB infectious diseases specialist tests positive for COVID-19

A physician in UAB’s Division of Infectious Disease, one of the groups leading the state’s response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, has tested positive for the virus. Dr. Mike Saag, a physician in the division, tested positive, UAB’s president said in a statement to the UAB community Tuesday evening. “He wishes to make his case … Continued
March 17, 2020

“An unprecedented situation”: Sen. Doug Jones says “anything is on the table” including direct financial assistance

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones on Tuesday said “anything is on the table” as the country reels from the spread of COVID-19, state health officials rush to try to contain the outbreak and healthcare facilities prepare for an unprecedented strain on the country’s health system. Jones said the Senate is likely to pass the House’s coronavirus … Continued
March 17, 2020

More restaurant, bar limitations and public health measures ordered across Central Alabama

For more information about the closures, visit this page. Restaurants, bars, breweries and other foodservice establishments across six Central Alabama counties will no longer be allowed to serve food or drinks on-premises for at least a week. The order will take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The new public health guidelines come as the number … Continued
March 17, 2020

Birmingham City Schools employee tests positive for COVID-19

Birmingham City Schools said Monday that a central office employee has tested positive for coronavirus. The notification comes as at least 17 people in the county have tested positive for the virus. Public health officials in the county believe there is community transmission of the virus, meaning there could be many more cases in the … Continued
March 16, 2020