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ACLU of Alabama calls for more paroles during COVID-19 crisis

The ACLU of Alabama on Tuesday called on the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles to begin releasing inmates amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) on Tuesday held the bureau’s first parole hearings since the COVID-19 crisis began, and denied parole for 20 out of the 22 eligible people. … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 20, 2020

Ten more COVID-19 cases at state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center

Ten more patients at the Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center have tested positive for coronavirus. Alabama Department of Mental Health spokeswoman Malissa Valdes-Hubert in a message to APR on Tuesday said there were 18 confirmed cases of the virus at the facility, which cares for elderly patients who are at more risk of serious … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 19, 2020

Sewell urges Senate to take up $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell urged Republican leadership in the U.S. Senate to immediately take up the House’s $3 trillion coronavirus relief package, the Heroes Act, and pass it without delay. The package, which passed the House Friday with hardly any Republican support, includes nearly $1 trillion in aid to struggling state and local governments and … Continued

Chip Brownlee

May 19, 2020

We weren’t ready for mental, physical toll of COVID-19, experts say — and it’s not over yet

When Dr. Ken Duckworth learned that a reporter interviewing him was from Alabama, the first thing he thought of was college football. “The absence of college football is not a mental health problem, but it takes away one of my favorite things in life,” said Duckworth, chief medical officer at the National Alliance on Mental … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 19, 2020

Opinion

Alabama House Members answer the call to duty

When the Legislature convened its 2020 regular session in February, Alabama enjoyed record-low unemployment and record-high revenues in our state budgets. Pay raises for educators and state employees were foregone conclusions, unprecedented improvements in mental health services offered to Alabamians were being passed, and new and expanded education programs were on the table. But as … Continued

Mac McCutcheon

May 19, 2020

Opinion

Ivey brings the heat

The Alabama Legislature on Monday approved Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to spend $1.8 billion in federal CARES Act relief funds responsibly and transparently, and it is a victory for the people of Alabama. Passage of Ivey’s executive amendment was, however, a blow to the fragile egos and grand money grab orchestrated by Senate President Pro … Continued

Bill Britt

May 19, 2020

ASU’s Ross: Coronavirus has exposed longstanding inequities in college funding

Traditionally underfunded and serving an economically challenged student population, America’s historically black colleges are particularly vulnerable to the challenges of COVID-19 and many are facing bankruptcy, Alabama State University President Quinton Ross told CNN on Monday evening. Ross was interviewed by CNN as part of the network’s coverage of how coronavirus shutdowns of college campuses … Continued

Josh Moon

May 19, 2020

Prison staff delayed aid to dying inmate, witness says

When Colony Wilson collapsed in a stairwell in the Birmingham Women’s Community Based Facility and Community Work Center there were several staff members and other inmates with her, but staff didn’t help the woman get upstairs to the medical clinic for seven minutes as she lay there unable to breathe, and wouldn’t allow inmates to … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 18, 2020

Will in-person graduation ceremonies pose a risk?

After Alabama relaxed rules last week that limited crowds to 10 people or less to prevent the spread of COVID-19, multiple schools are now planning to hold in-person graduation ceremonies. Gatherings of any size are now allowed as long as people from different households stay at least 6 feet apart. Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

May 18, 2020

Governor announces special election dates for House District 49

Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed a proclamation to set special election dates for Alabama House District 49. This seat became vacant when Republican State Rep. April Weaver announced her resignation from the Alabama Legislature to take a position with the Trump administration. Ivey set the special primary election for Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. The … Continued

May 18, 2020