Economy

News / Economy / State

345,000 Alabamians applied for unemployment over the last six weeks

Another 66,432 Alabamians filed an initial jobless claim last week, bringing the total since the week ending March 14 up to 345,863 or about 15 percent of the state’s total labor force in February 2020, according to the Alabama Department of Labor. The number of people who filed a jobless claim during the past six … Continued

Chip Brownlee

April 24, 2020

Opinion

Unemployed Alabama workers deserve support, not suspicion

Thousands of sick Alabamians. Hundreds of dead Alabamians. Hundreds of thousands of Alabamians out of work. These are the realities of the COVID-19 virus’ effect on this state. But they are not the most worrisome aspects of this crisis. No, the most worrisome aspect, it turns out — and really, y’all, hold onto your seats … Continued

Josh Moon

April 24, 2020

Sewell, Byrne, and Palmer all vote for Coronavirus Relief bill

Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to replenish the Payroll Protection Program and help hospitals and healthcare providers during this global COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Selma), Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose), and Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) voted in favor of the House-passed Senate Amendment to H.R. 266, the Interim Emergency Coronavirus Relief Package, otherwise … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 24, 2020

Trump says it is too early for Georgia to reopen its economy

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is set to lift a number of restrictions in Georgia as early as Friday. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he disagrees with Kemp’s decision to move quickly to reopen large parts of the state’s economy. “I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree, strongly, with his decision … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 23, 2020

Birmingham company uses technology to allow corporations to operate remotely

Alabama is now in its sixth week of the forced economic shutdown ordered to combat the spread of the novel strain of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. The COVID-19 global pandemic has forced companies to implement social distancing, telework, and keep operating despite bans on travel and of groups over ten. One Birmingham firm is … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 23, 2020

Alabama child support advisory committee to hold online meeting amid COVID-19

The Alabama Advisory Committee on Child Support Guidelines and Enforcement is to hold a web meeting on April 30 as in-person meetings have been suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis. The committee, which makes recommendations to the state Supreme Court con the child support matters, is to meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 30. … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

April 23, 2020

Aderholt: Business leaders he polled say economy should reopen May 1

Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, sent Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey a letter this week stating that the majority consensus of the business leaders he consulted is that the Alabama economy should reopen on May 1. “The majority consensus (64% of respondents) is that Alabamians are prepared to return to work and that the economy should begin … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 23, 2020

Brooks: Every day Ivey delays reopening causes “more economic suffering”

Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, on Wednesday repeated his call for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to lift the restrictions that have shut down the Alabama economy. “Every day, Governor Ivey delays causes more economic suffering by Alabama’s economy,” Brooks stated on social media. On Monday, Brooks, after consulting with his appointed counsel of advisors, sent a … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 23, 2020

Jones asks Senate to aid furloughed, laid off workers

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, in a letter to Senate leadership Wednesday, pressed for a program to shore up laid off or furloughed workers’ wages and benefits for up to six months as businesses big and small struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Jones and Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Richard Blumenthal … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

April 22, 2020

Shelby, Jones vote for $484 billion coronavirus relief bill

U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, and Doug Jones, D-Alabama, both applauded the Senate’s passage Tuesday of the “Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Health Care Enhancement Act.” The $484 billion measure provides additional funding to assist small businesses and meet the urgent healthcare needs of American families and workers during the COVID-19 public health pandemic. The … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 22, 2020