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.

ACLU of Alabama calls for more paroles during COVID-19 crisis

The ACLU of Alabama on Tuesday called on the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles to begin releasing inmates amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) on Tuesday held the bureau’s first parole hearings since the COVID-19 crisis began, and denied parole for 20 out of the 22 eligible people. … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 20, 2020

Ten more COVID-19 cases at state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center

Ten more patients at the Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center have tested positive for coronavirus. Alabama Department of Mental Health spokeswoman Malissa Valdes-Hubert in a message to APR on Tuesday said there were 18 confirmed cases of the virus at the facility, which cares for elderly patients who are at more risk of serious … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 19, 2020

We weren’t ready for mental, physical toll of COVID-19, experts say — and it’s not over yet

When Dr. Ken Duckworth learned that a reporter interviewing him was from Alabama, the first thing he thought of was college football. “The absence of college football is not a mental health problem, but it takes away one of my favorite things in life,” said Duckworth, chief medical officer at the National Alliance on Mental … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 19, 2020

Four more prison workers test positive for coronavirus

Four more prison workers have tested positive for COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Corrections announced Monday. One worker at Staton Correctional Facility, one staff member at Kilby Correctional Facility and two workers at Frank Lee Community Based Facility/Community Work Center reported to the department that they’d tested positive for the virus, ADOC said in a … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 18, 2020

Prison staff delayed aid to dying inmate, witness says

When Colony Wilson collapsed in a stairwell in the Birmingham Women’s Community Based Facility and Community Work Center there were several staff members and other inmates with her, but staff didn’t help the woman get upstairs to the medical clinic for seven minutes as she lay there unable to breathe, and wouldn’t allow inmates to … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 18, 2020

RNC fighting nationwide mail-in ballots amid COVID-19

The Republican National Committee Chairwoman on Monday said the party continues to fight an expansion of absentee ballots and mail-in voting amid the coronavirus crisis, and said lawsuits filed by Democrats and left-leaning organizations aim to element “pretty much every safeguard in our elections.” The COVID-19 crisis has brought the decades-long fight over voting access … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 18, 2020

Legislature approves Ivey’s plan to spend $1.8 billion in coronavirus relief funds

The Alabama Legislature on Monday approved Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to spend $1.8 billion in federal CARES Act coronavirus relief funds. Ivey’s executive amendment passed the Senate in a 30-1 vote and the House by a vote of 73-1. The vote brought an end to a dispute between Ivey and Republican leadership in the Senate … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 18, 2020

Alabama rape crisis centers ready to help amid COVID-19 crisis

An Alabama nonprofit wants those who need assistance after a sexual assault to know that the COVID-19 crisis hasn’t shuttered the state’s rape crisis centers, which are still providing care and are ready to help. Alabama Coalition Against Rape’s (ACAR) 16 member crisis centers across the state continue to provide care for victims after sexual … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 15, 2020

More COVID-19 cases at Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center

Three more patients at the state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to eight. Two nurses at the facility have also tested positive for the virus, and tests are pending for other patients. The Alabama Department of Mental Health learned Thursday of the latest confirmed cases of … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 15, 2020

Governor’s gambling study group gets estimate on lottery revenue

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s Study Group on Gambling Policy on Thursday heard just how much the state might make if lawmakers were to allow a lottery. In the first year alone, Alabama could expect to generate about $1 billion in annual sales, depending on what lottery games the state sets up, and after expenses could … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 15, 2020