Governor appoints Rep. Bill Poole as state finance director
Poole last month announced he was running for House speaker, before pulling out of the race.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey
Mobile native Gen. Lloyd Austin confirmed as defense secretary
Retired four-star general Lloyd Austin on Friday became the first Black person to be confirmed as secretary of defense.
Governor awards $18 million for COVID-19 testing in nursing homes
Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday awarded $18.27 million of federal COVID-19 relief money to the Alabama Nursing Home Association Education Foundation for coronavirus testing and surveillance in the state’s nursing homes. The Coronavirus Relief Fund money is to be used to test and monitor both nursing home staff and residents, according to a press release … Continued
Lawsuit claims governor ignored nomination process to appoint probate judge
A lawsuit filed Wednesday is challenging Gov. Kay Ivey’s appointment of Birmingham attorney James “Jim” Naftel II as Jefferson County probate judge place 1. The suit, filed the day Ivey announced the appointment, alleges she circumvented the Jefferson County Judicial Commission’s nominating process. She should have selected an appointee from a list of three nominees … Continued
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
Federal appeals court rules against Alabama in COVID-19 voting case
Judges on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals turned down the state of Alabama’s appeal to the court over a federal judge’s ruling lifting a statewide ban on curbside voting and waiving certain absentee ballot requirements for voters in at least Jefferson, Mobile, and Lee Counties for the July 14 runoff. U.S. Circuit judges Jill … Continued
UAB expert warns court in elections suit of possible COVID-19 spike in fall
A renowned Birmingham infectious disease physician believes Alabama needs to take precautions as elections near, and warned of a likely spike in COVID-19 cases in the fall. Dr. Michael Saag, a professor and associate dean at UAB’s School of Medicine and a leading HIV/Aid researcher and expert on infectious diseases, wrote to the Circuit Court … Continued
Report: Medicaid expansion needed during COVID-19 crisis
More than 340,000 Alabamians are suffering because the state hasn’t expanded Medicaid, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to do so is all the more critical, according to a report released Wednesday. The Montgomery-based nonprofit Alabama Arise’s report, Medicaid Matters: Charting the Course to a Healthier Alabama, details how an expansion of the federal … Continued
Above-normal hurricane season predicted
Monday marks the first day of hurricane season, and in a statement Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey warned of the potential of numerous hurricanes this season. “June 1 marks the first day of hurricane season, and as we know, Alabama is far too familiar with the uncertainty and damage that accompanies any severe weather. The National … Continued
Governor authorizes use of National Guard after violent protests in Birmingham
Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday said she supports the right for people to protest peacefully in the wake of the death of a Minneapolis man at the hands of police, but cautioned against the sort of violent protest and looting that occurred in Birmingham early Monday morning. Ivey also authorized the Alabama National Guard to … Continued