Author

Eddie Burkhalter

Eddie Burkhalter is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can email him at [email protected] or reach him via Twitter.

Alabama federal corrections officer sentenced after sexual assault conviction

A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced a former federal corrections officer from the federal women’s prison in Aliceville, Alabama, to more than three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two inmates and lying to investigators. Adrian L. Stargell, 39, worked as an education specialist at the Aliceville facility, located in southern … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 19, 2020

Alabama to apply for program to boost COVID-19 unemployment benefits by $300

Alabama will apply for a program that would boost unemployment benefits for those already receiving such aid due to COVID-19. Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced Tuesday that the state will submit an application into the Lost Wages Assistance program, which would increase payments by $300. Those out of … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 19, 2020

Alabama Public Health warns against COVID-19 misinformation shared on social media

It was unclear Tuesday who made the chart or why, but it has been circulated so widely on social media in recent days that prominent infectious diseases doctors in the state took notice and began to issue warnings about its flawed assumptions.

Eddie Burkhalter

August 18, 2020

Gov. Kay Ivey moves forward Gulf Coast projects totaling $26 million

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced her approval to move forward with 16 projects on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The projects, which total more than $26 million, are being funded through the federal Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act Program, or GOMESA, which disburses revenue from oil and gas production to Gulf states for conservation … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 18, 2020

Citations, arrests in Tuscaloosa for violations of COVID-19 mask order

Police in Tuscaloosa on Sunday issued 12 citations for face mask violations and arrested four on seven charges, which included obstruction of justice, after photos of mostly mask-less crowds outside bars circulated on social media. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in a press conference Monday said that University of Alabama students obeyed the state’s mask order … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 17, 2020

COVID-19 exposure notification app now available to the public

Public health officials are hoping as many people as possible download a phone app that can notify them if they’ve been exposed to someone who’s tested positive for COVID-19. The more people who do so, the better the app can help slow the spread of the deadly disease, said Curtis Carver, UAB’s chief information officer, … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 17, 2020

Executive director at Alabama Possible leaving for new role in Ohio

Kristina Scott, executive director of the statewide poverty nonprofit Alabama Possible, is leaving her position on Sept. 4, the organization announced Friday. Scott is headed to Dayton, Ohio to take on the role of chief executive officer of Learn to Earn Dayton, an education advocacy organization. Scott had been at Alabama Possible since August 2008. … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 17, 2020

Jefferson County health officer, UAB head say COVID-19 numbers are improving but flu season is near

Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson said Friday that the county’s COVID-19 numbers are improving, but with schools reopening and flu season approaching, it’s critical for the public to continue wearing face masks and practicing social distancing. Wilson and Will Ferniany, the CEO of the UAB Health System, held a press briefing on Friday … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 14, 2020

Seventeenth Alabama inmate dies after testing positive for COVID-19

William Edward King, 65, is the 17th Alabama inmate to die after testing positive for COVID-19. King tested positive for COVID-19 on June 1 at a local hospital, where he was being treated for an end-stage preexisting medical condition, the Alabama Department of Corrections announced on Thursday. King’s condition improved, and he was released, but … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 14, 2020

Jones says Mitch McConnell failed country by adjourning without COVID-19 aid

Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, on Friday expressed his concern over the Senate majority leader adjourning the Senate without passing another round of COVID-19 relief aid. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, adjourned the Senate until Sept. 8 without passage of relief aid that Jones said is critical for struggling citizens and businesses. Jones’s statement: “Mitch … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 14, 2020