Skip to content
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

Madison, Baldwin counties lead state in population growth

Madison County and Baldwin County have seen the most growth of the 67 counties in the state, according to new data. The state saw an increase in the population of 15,504 citizens in the most recent available year. Of the increase, 11,284 were in Madison and Baldwin counties, accounting for 73 percent of that increase. … Continued
March 31, 2020

Census could cost Alabama a congressional seat

With the 2020 Census underway, Alabama could be at risk of losing a congressional seat due to a slowly growing population. Census data also determines the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. Congressional and state legislative districts are also drawn using census data.  The census results will also show what … Continued
March 31, 2020

COVID-19 cases reported in Northport, Hoover nursing homes

Two nursing assistants at a nursing home in Hoover and a resident at a nursing home in Northport have tested positive for COVID-19, according to an announcement from the company that manages the facilities. NHS Management, LLC, the company that owns and operates the nursing homes, announced that two nursing assistants at South Haven Health … Continued
March 26, 2020

SPLC: Ivey’s statements on absentee balloting “irresponsible”

The Southern Poverty Law Center condemned Governor Kay Ivey’s comments saying she would not advocate for “no-excuse absentee voting” during the COVID-19 outbreak, calling her comments “irresponsible.” Currently, to receive an absentee ballot, the voter must submit a valid reason as to why they are unable or unwilling to vote at a polling place. “No-excuse” … Continued
March 26, 2020

Virtual tip jars helping service industry workers amid COVID-19 closures

Communities are coming together to provide some relief to service industry workers who are unable to work due to restaurant and bar closures during the COVID-19 outbreak. Last week, Gov. Kay Ivey issued statewide shutdowns of all dine-in restaurants and bars in an attempt to increase social distancing as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to grow … Continued
March 26, 2020

DCH in need of touchless thermometer donations

The DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa is asking for donations of touchless thermometers to use to screen visitors and employees that enter the hospitals  “Dear Community – We are so grateful for the offers everyone has made to us for so many things,” a post to DCH’s Facebook page read. “We have promised that we … Continued
March 26, 2020

Red Cross: COVID-19 concerns causing canceled blood drives, severe blood shortage

The American Red Cross issued a statement calling for healthy individuals to donate blood due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak.  Peter Marks, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said that people need to start turning out “in force” to … Continued
March 18, 2020

Senior shopping hours, earlier closing times: How businesses are navigating COVID-19

Closures, online grocery shopping and elderly-only shopping hours are just some of the ways that businesses are trying to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will be temporarily closing 78 ABC stores across the state in an effort to protect customers and employees from the coronavirus. The stores that … Continued
March 17, 2020

Alabama House cancels March 25 committee meetings due to coronavirus

The Alabama House of Representatives announced on Monday that committee meetings scheduled for Wednesday, March 25 will be cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The legislative day on March 26 has not technically been cancelled but the House is not expected to have a quorum for that day. A “quorum” is the minimum number … Continued
March 17, 2020

Congressman: USDA will allow Alabama schools to keep feeding students during COVID-19 closures

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow all public schools in Alabama to provide food for students during the mandatory coronavirus (COVID-19) closures, according to a congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Congressman from Alabama Robert Alderholt tweeted on Sunday that the USDA granted Alabama a waiver for the National School Lunch Act … Continued
March 16, 2020