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Jessa Reid Bolling

Jessa Reid Bolling

Jessa Reid Bolling is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter and graduate of The University of Alabama with a B.A. in journalism and political science.

News / National / State

Brooks says ruling on LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination “dumbest” he’s ever read

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who represents Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, called the Supreme Court decision that federal anti-discrimination laws cover gay, lesbian and transgender workers the “dumbest” he’s “ever read.” The Supreme Court on Monday, in a landmark 6-3 ruling, found that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act offers protection against workplace discrimination … Continued
June 16, 2020

Will in-person graduation ceremonies pose a risk?

After Alabama relaxed rules last week that limited crowds to 10 people or less to prevent the spread of COVID-19, multiple schools are now planning to hold in-person graduation ceremonies.  Gatherings of any size are now allowed as long as people from different households stay at least 6 feet apart. Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. … Continued
May 18, 2020

Alabama to receive over $2 billion in COVID-19 relief funds

Alabama is in line to receive more than $2.47 billion from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, according to estimates by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA). The CARES Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27. A supplemental act passed Congress on April 23. The … Continued
May 4, 2020

Domestic violence cases increase during COVID-19 outbreak

Millions of Americans are staying home to keep themselves safe from COVID-19 but for many, home is not a safe haven. Patricia Speck, a domestic violence prevention specialist at UAB, said that one in four women and one in seven men are expected to experience domestic violence during the pandemic. She said this is due … Continued
April 27, 2020

Livestreams and drive-ins: Easter in the time of COVID-19

Sunday church service is as engrained in Southern culture as sweet tea and college football. This Easter, churches across the country will be missing their congregations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health issued a statewide order prohibiting non-work related gatherings of 25 people or … Continued
April 12, 2020

Slight decline in number of Alabama graduates attending college, report shows

The number of Alabama high school graduates enrolling in college has slightly decreased over the last five years, according to a report published by a nonpartisan research group based at Samford University. The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) has a tradition of reporting college-going rates for Alabama and its local systems and schools. … Continued
April 9, 2020

Governor prohibits evictions, foreclosures during COVID-19 outbreak

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued an order on April 3 to suspend the enforcement of any evictions or foreclosures due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The protective order is set to last for the duration of the state of emergency that was declared on March 13. The order instructs all law enforcement officers to cease enforcement … Continued
April 3, 2020

Four UA employees, three students diagnosed with COVID-19

The University of Alabama confirmed on Friday afternoon that four UA employees and three UA students have tested positive for COVID-19. According to a UA Alert emailed to the campus community, the four employees along with three students notified University officials of their diagnoses after students, faculty and staff left for spring break on March … Continued
April 3, 2020

Jefferson County Health Department: Nursing homes can take in COVID-19 positive residents

A letter from the Jefferson County Department of Health informed nursing homes that they can take in residents who have been treated for COVID-19 and still test positive for the virus if they meet certain requirements. The letter, sent to Jefferson County nursing homes, reads that there is a “possibility that our hospitals will not … Continued
April 1, 2020

UAB launches symptom tracker to identify COVID-19 hot spots in Deep South

To better track COVID-19 cases, experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have created a symptom checker to identify hot spots where the virus is spreading.  The new website, called HelpBeatCOVID19.org, will provide public health officials insight into underserved areas based on the symptomatic data collected from the region and could help inform and … Continued
April 1, 2020