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Camp counselor at YMCA’s Camp Cosby tests positive for COVID-19

A camp counselor at YMCA’s Camp Cosby in Talladega County has tested positive for COVID-19, the organization confirmed to APR on Wednesday. Dan Pile, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Birmingham, in a statement to APR said that they learned that the counselor had tested positive for the virus Wednesday afternoon. “The counselor is … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 1, 2020

Mobile approves face mask ordinance amid rising COVID-19 cases

Mobile City Council members on Wednesday voted to require the public to wear masks as the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Mobile County continue to rise. The ordinance, which passed in a 6-1 vote, requires individuals — ages 10 and older — to wear masks when in public, including inside of businesses open … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 1, 2020

Alabama COVID-19 hospitalizations at new high for second straight day

Tuesday marked the second day in a row that Alabama saw a record number of patients in hospitals with COVID-19, and it came on the same day Gov. Kay Ivey said she would issue no new restrictions despite surging cases and the increasing number of hospitalizations. Alabama’s hospitals on Tuesday were caring for a record-high … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 1, 2020

Seventh Alabama inmate dies after testing positive for COVID-19

A seventh Alabama inmate has died after testing positive for COVID-19, and the man is the second person from the infirmary at the Staton Correctional Facility to have tested positive for the virus and subsequently died. Daniel Everett, 74, died Tuesday after testing positive for coronavirus at a local hospital, the Alabama Department of Corrections … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 1, 2020

After public apology, councilman’s priority is keeping the most vulnerable safe from COVID-19

Montgomery City Councilman Glen Pruitt’s change of heart after a failed mask order vote on June 18 was a rarity in politics — a public apology that took responsibility for his own reasoning rather than shifting blame to his critics’ reaction to it. His wife, Ashley, prompted his realization when she mentioned his daughter, who … Continued

Micah Danney

July 1, 2020

Jones calls for Senate action following House approval of Medicaid expansion incentives

U.S. Senator Doug Jones, D-Ala., today called for the U.S. Senate to take action on his legislation to incentivize Alabama and other non-expansion states to expand Medicaid. Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a broad package to expand access to quality, affordable health care. Senator Jones’ States Achieving Medicaid Expansion (SAME) Act was included in … Continued

June 30, 2020

Ivey extends “safer-at-home” order with no new restrictions amid COVID-19 surge

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday held her first press conference in more than a month to discuss COVID-19, during which she announced an extension of her “safer-at-home” order until July 31 but no new restrictions amid a surge in cases and hospitalizations. Ivey’s amended safer-at-home order, which went into effect May 22 and allowed more … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 30, 2020

Sixth Alabama inmate dies after positive COVID-19 test

A sixth incarcerated person in Alabama died Monday after testing positive for COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Corrections announced Monday. Wanda Gaye Dison, 68, who was serving at Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka died at a local hospital Monday, according to the department. Dison was hospitalized for advanced, chronic health problems, was tested … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 30, 2020

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Alabama set new record high

Alabama on Monday saw a new record number of patients in hospitals with COVID-19, and while the hospitals are managing well now, that could change if the trends of rising cases and hospitalizations continue. “Please wear masks,” said Dr. Don Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, speaking to APR on Monday. Alabama’s hospitals were … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

June 29, 2020

Opinion

Alabama leaders’ plan to reopen schools really isn’t a plan at all

There is no plan to reopen Alabama’s public schools. That much was clear after state superintendent Eric Mackey’s hour-long press conference on Friday — the one in which he presented the state’s plan to reopen schools. It was, to put it kindly, underwhelming. To put it not so kindly: It was the State Department of … Continued

Josh Moon

June 29, 2020