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Has Alabama lost its independent streak?

What if I told you that Sen. Richard Shelby, outraged by the stories of laid off Alabama workers forced to camp out overnight to get unemployment compensation, was pushing his fellow senators to pump more money into states to rectify the situation? What if I told you that Shelby had fought to get more funding … Continued

Josh Moon

July 3, 2020

After long lines, in-person unemployment assistance will be appointment only

After news accounts of people driving across Alabama to camp out in a Montgomery parking lot overnight in hopes of getting help with their unemployment claims, the Alabama Department of Labor on Thursday announced new guidelines for seeing a worker in person. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting large numbers of unemployed seeking help left the … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 2, 2020

Alabama’s COVID-19 surge is not slowing

The number of patients in Alabama hospitals being treated for COVID-19 surged past 800 on Thursday, marking a fourth straight day of record-high hospitalizations as concerns grow over the possibility that hospitals could become stressed due to the influx of patients.[mfn referencenumber=*]This story was updated throughout at 4 p.m. on July 2 to reflect updated … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 2, 2020

Opinion

Gov. Ivey: This is our time, Alabama

In a few days, America will celebrate her 244th birthday. Traditionally, many towns and cities around the country light up the night with fireworks and music festivals. In 1776, John Adams predicted that Independence Day would be “celebrated by succeeding generations” with “pomp and circumstance…bonfires and illuminations.” However, largely because of COVID-19, this year’s observance … Continued

Kay Ivey

July 2, 2020

Opinion

Somebody, please, take the lead

Just like Donald Trump on the national level, Gov. Kay Ivey has bungled containing the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Alabama is showing record cases and hospitalization levels. But while Ivey extended the Safer-at-Home order though July 31, she didn’t add any new restrictions. The governor says requiring masks is simply too difficult to manage and enforce. … Continued

Joey Kennedy

July 2, 2020

Two more inmates at Staton prison die after testing positive for COVID-19

Two more inmates who had underlying medical conditions and were serving at the Staton Correctional Facility died after testing positive for COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Wednesday. The latest deaths follow the deaths of two other men from Staton prison who died recently. The virus had spread throughout the infirmary there, and as … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 1, 2020

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