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 attorney general says state was “ambushed” with DOJ report on mens’ prisons

Reaction to the U.S. Department of Justice’s latest scathing report on Alabama’s broken prisons for men came swiftly on Thursday, and the state’s top law enforcement officer claims Alabama was “ambushed.” The Justice Department report published Thursday details numerous instances of unprovoked and illegal violence against inmates by correctional officers, cover-ups of those crimes by … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 24, 2020

UAB to begin clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine in August

If all goes well in upcoming clinical trials, the world could know if we have a safe, effective vaccine for COVID-19 as early as December, but questions remain about what immunity to the virus will look like. Dr. Paul Goepfert, professor of medicine in the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases, told reporters in a press briefing … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 24, 2020

Justice Department report finds systemic excessive use of force by prison guards, attempted cover-ups

The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday released a report that details why the federal government believes systemic use of excessive force within Alabama’s prisons for men violates the Eighth Amendment. The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama found systemic problems … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 23, 2020

Federal appeals court upholds Alabama’s voter ID law

Federal appeals judges on Tuesday allowed Alabama’s voter ID law to move forward, upholding a lower court’s decision that the law is not racially discriminatory.

Eddie Burkhalter

July 23, 2020

Alabama reports record increase to COVID death toll

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 57 new coronavirus deaths, breaking the previous daily record of 47 set July 15.

Eddie Burkhalter

July 22, 2020

Montgomery County, Birmingham City schools join others in virtual learning for start of school year

Numerous school districts statewide have opted for online learning to start the 2020-2021 school year.

Eddie Burkhalter

July 22, 2020

Jefferson County health officer: Hospitals, testing sites, labs strained under surging COVID-19

Jefferson County’s top health official said Tuesday that the continued surge in COVID-19 cases is putting a strain on the area’s health care system, which is collectively near capacity. “We are in a much worse place than we were back in mid-April, late March. COVID-19 is now putting a strain on every part of our … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 21, 2020

Trump signs memo aimed at omitting undocumented immigrants from apportionment

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a memorandum that would bar undocumented people from being counted in the 2020 census for purposes of Congressional apportionment, a move that almost certainly will be challenged in court, as was his U.S. Supreme Court-blocked attempt to add a citizenship question to this year’s census. “I have accordingly determined … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 21, 2020

Poll: Majority of Alabamians support masks, alternatives to in-person voting

Seventy-eight percent said they’re likely to wear face masks through the end of the year if the coronavirus pandemic persists, while 11 percent said they were unlikely to wear masks.

Eddie Burkhalter

July 21, 2020

Gov. Kay Ivey urges Alabamians to fill out 2020 Census

“To put it plainly, 60 percent just won't get it. Self-response at that level just will not cut the mustard," Gov. Kay Ivey said.

Eddie Burkhalter

July 21, 2020