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Governor expected to update stay-at-home order Tuesday

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to address the status of her stay-at-home order Tuesday morning at a press conference at the state capitol, according to several lawmakers who were on a conference call with the governor Monday and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. The governor’s office says the press conference will be at … Continued
April 27, 2020

When should Alabama’s economy reopen?

When should Alabama reopen its economy after the COVID-19 shutdown? President Trump has said the decision is for Governors to make, even if he disagrees with his or her decision. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has said she plans to announce a decision this week, possibly April 28. White House Guidelines for “Opening Up America Again” … Continued
April 27, 2020

Resuming parole hearings is not enough

On December 18, 2019, I watched Alabama’s parole board deny relief to every case it considered that day. It was the last day of parole hearings for the year, and I decided to observe the process in action after monitoring the data for months as paroles plummeted like an elevator with snapped cables. Under new … Continued
April 24, 2020

Appeals court refuses to lift injunction prohibiting Alabama from banning abortions

A federal appeals court Thursday refused to lift a preliminary injunction prohibiting Alabama from banning abortions during the COVID-19 epidemic. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday issued a ruling that denied the state of Alabama’s request to stay a preliminary injunction issued by federal district court Judge Myron Thompson. The decision ensures that … Continued
April 24, 2020

Former U.S. surgeon general: Opening too soon is like walking into the eye of a hurricane

Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin said Thursday that attempts to lift stay-at-home restrictions prematurely and without the appropriate level of testing and contact tracing could be like walking out into the eye of a hurricane before the storm has truly passed. “We have no idea what we’re dealing with because this a new … Continued
April 23, 2020

Alabama Legislature will return to session May 4

The Alabama Legislature plans to return to its regular session beginning May 4 after postponing the session in March amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh said Thursday that the Legislature will resume meetings on May 4, and will likely continue meeting until May 18, the … Continued
April 23, 2020

We have the smarter governor

The economy is a wreck. That’s true. Some believe this will be the worst recession since the Great Depression. We had that one already, in 2008 and 2009. Guess what? A Democratic Party president, and a black man at that, cleaned up that mess and set off the longest economic boom in recent memory. That … Continued
April 23, 2020

“Expect a second wave:” What lifting restrictions too soon could look like

Public health experts in Alabama are urging caution and restraint as discussions abound about lifting the state’s stay-at-home order and relaxing other restrictions on the economy in the days and weeks ahead. Two experts dealing closely with the outbreak warn that reopening will almost certainly lead to a second wave of infections but reopening too … Continued
April 20, 2020

Alabama Public Health: At least 1,200 people have “recovered” from COVID-19

At least 1,200 people have “recovered” from infection with COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Public Health said Sunday in a statement to APR. “Recovered is a broad term used based upon persons who were no longer having symptoms at the time of interview and/or have completed quarantine,” said Dr. Karen Landers, the assistant state health … Continued
April 19, 2020