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Inmate who died at Bullock prison showed no COVID-19 symptoms, ADOC says

An inmate at the Bullock Correctional Facility died Saturday, and while the cause of his death is under investigation, “foul play” isn’t suspected, and he was not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Monday. Richard Jason Reed, 35, of Etowah County died at the Bullock County prison on Saturday, ADOC confirmed … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 4, 2020

Proposed 2021 General Fund budget has $167 million increase

The Alabama legislature returns to Montgomery Monday to finish the 2020 regular legislative session and work on the state General Fund and Education Trust Fund budgets. The first item to be considered will be the SGF. The 2020 SGF budget was $2,222 million. The proposed 2021 budget is $2,389 million — a $167.3 million increase … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 4, 2020

Alabama to receive over $2 billion in COVID-19 relief funds

Alabama is in line to receive more than $2.47 billion from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, according to estimates by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA). The CARES Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27. A supplemental act passed Congress on April 23. The … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

May 4, 2020

Jerry Carl calls on Alabama attorney general to sue China

Monday, April 27 Republican congressional candidate Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl called on Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall to sue China for their mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic. Two other states, Missouri and Mississippi, have filed civil lawsuits against China, seeking reparations for loss of life, human suffering and economic turmoil. “The Chinese government and … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 4, 2020

NASCAR to be first major pro sports league to resume play

Thursday, NASCAR announced that it will resume racing this month but with no fans in the stands. They are the first of the major sports leagues to resume competition following the economic shutdown that closed everything from billion-dollar pro sports leagues to 5-year-olds playing T-ball with their friends. Seven weeks have passed since the NBA … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 4, 2020

More than 1,200 COVID-19 cases in Alabama long-term care facilities

More than 1,200 long-term care facility residents and employees in Alabama have tested positive for COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Public Health reported Sunday. At least 770 residents and 496 employees have tested positive, according to the latest data. The cases in these long-term care facilities, which include both nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, account … Continued

Chip Brownlee

May 3, 2020

Sixth Alabama inmate, 16th prison worker tests positive for COVID-19

A sixth inmate in Alabama prisons has tested positive for COVID-19, and three more prison workers as well, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Friday evening. A man serving at Easterling Correctional Facility in Clio tested positive at a local hospital where he was being treated for “advanced, non-COVID-19 related medical conditions that were considered … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 2, 2020

Jones asks for clarity on COVID-19 loan forgiveness for small businesses

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, and Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, on Friday called for clarity on loan forgiveness for small businesses that received coronavirus-related grants through the Paycheck Protection Program. “On Monday, April 27, the second round of funding began to help support our small businesses. However, the terms for forgiveness were and continue … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 1, 2020

Preliminary data: Fewer COVID-19 racial disparities in Jefferson County

Preliminary data from the Jefferson County Health Department released Friday shows that African-Americans in Alabama’s largest county are not dying from COVID-19 in disproportionate numbers — unlike the state as a whole and many other cities across the country. Of Jefferson County’s deaths so far, according to the data released Friday, 40 percent of those … Continued

Chip Brownlee

May 1, 2020

FDA grants “emergency use authorization” for UAB-developed drug to treat COVID-19

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday issued an “emergency use authorization” for the drug remdesivir to treat COVID-19 patients, a fast-tracked approval of a drug that early clinical trial results show can speed recovery. In a letter Friday to Gilead Sciences, the California-based drug-maker that owns the rights to the drug, the FDA … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

May 1, 2020