Health

Jones proposes “small business lifeline fund” to continue payroll for workers

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, spoke in the Senate chamber this weekend to propose a new model to direct money to small businesses by funding payroll service companies. His proposal, the “Small Business Lifeline Fund,” would establish a new fund that would offer short-term, no-interest “bridge” loans to employers that would be directed through their … Continued

March 23, 2020

Montgomery’s Jackson Hospital near breaking point with COVID-19 patients, ER staff say

Emergency room staff at Montgomery’s Jackson Hospital are exhausted, in personal danger and frustrated. “I don’t mind putting my life on the line, that’s what I trained for,” said a Jackson Hospital emergency room staffer. “But what I didn’t expect was the lack of planning, supplies, and guidance at the level we are experiencing right … Continued

Bill Britt

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March 22, 2020

The numbers show COVID-19 could cripple Alabama’s hospitals

Even in the best-case scenarios, we could run out of ICU beds. In the worst, thousands could be without a bed. Will this crisis cripple our hospitals? Read more here    

Chip Brownlee

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March 22, 2020

Confirmed COVID-19 case at Irondale Community School

The Irondale Community School has a confirmed case of COVID-19, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin Jr. announced Saturday.  In a letter posted to the City of Irondale’s Facebook page, Gonsoulin said an individual at the school tested positive for the virus, and that students and employees at the school may have been exposed.    The … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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March 21, 2020

Families, advocates ask Alabama to release at-risk inmates amid COVID-19 outbreak

When Amber Faircloth learned Thursday of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in an Alabama prison, she worried that her husband, who has cancer, could be in jeopardy.  Her husband, who’s serving time at Limestone prison, is one of more than 1,000 inmates most at risk of serious complications or death if the virus spreads … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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March 21, 2020

No, grocery stores are not closing next week, governor’s office says

No, grocery stores in Alabama are not closing next week. In a week of rumors surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest social media hoax on Friday — that Gov. Kay Ivey would order closed all Alabama businesses, including grocery stores, next week — sent shoppers around the state cramming into supermarkets on Friday night. Despite … Continued

Josh Moon

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March 20, 2020

Alabama prisons halt intakes from county jails during COVID-19 outbreak

The Alabama Department of Corrections on Friday announced a 30-day moratorium on taking in inmates from the county jails amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  ADOC on Thursday said an administrative employee in a prison tested positive for the virus, and that all staff who came into contact with the person are under a 14-day quarantine. It … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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March 20, 2020

Alabama schools to suspend state testing

State school superintendent Erick Mackey announced Friday that Alabama will ask the federal government for a waiver so that the state can suspend all state testing for the rest of the year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  Speaking to reporters Friday Mackey said there will also be no report cards given out for the rest … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

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March 20, 2020

Governor: Ban on gatherings of 25 or more does not apply to businesses

Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health said Friday that a public health order issued Thursday is not meant to apply to work-related gatherings of 25 people or more. “In order to keep Alabama going, we must keep Alabama businesses going to the best of our abilities,” Ivey said. “I fully support … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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March 20, 2020