Two More Weeks Of Face Coverings Required, Birmingham Council Says
By Sam Prickett, BirminghamWatch
The Birmingham City Council has extended the city’s face covering ordinance for two more weeks. The updated order, now effective through June 12, also relaxes the original law’s controversial penalties for violation, which had drawn criticism from state and local leaders.
The council’s decision came after Mayor Randall Woodfin’s announcement earlier this week that he would allow the ordinance to expire on Friday. Woodfin had faced criticism from Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who wrote a letter to Woodfin asking him to “reconsider” the ordinance’s “excessive” penalties, which were originally a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
In his letter, Marshall speculated that these penalties could spawn “unnecessary litigation.” Woodfin maintained that he had ordered the city’s police department to focus on educating, rather than punishing, violators.
The council’s extended ordinance eliminates the jail sentence entirely and provides an incremental fine structure: $25 for first offenses, $100 for second offenses and $250 for third offenses. “We don’t think it will get to that point,” said Council President William Parker.
The extension was passed unanimously. District 8 Councilor Steven Hoyt was absent from the meeting, as was District 2 Councilor Hunter Williams, who had vocally criticized what he called the original ordinance’s “overzealous, punitive measures.”
Woodfin was not present at Friday morning’s special-called council meeting and his office has not responded to requests for comment about the extension.
“What we’re doing is going to save lives,” District 9 Councilor John Hilliard said just before the extension was passed. “Just a sneeze on someone could kill them. Isn’t that incredible? And when we think about that, it’s our duty to try to protect and educate … It’s so important that we take every opportunity to warn people.”
U.S.-China trade talks continue for a 2nd day in London
Chinese exports of rare earth minerals, which are vital to carmakers and other industries, and China's access to high-end technology from the U.S., including computer chips, are high on the agenda.
A promising new HIV vaccine was set to start trials. Then came Trump’s latest cuts
On May 30, a team of researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health got the word: Funding for their vaccine development program will end next year.
Is all this talk of recession indicators a sign a recession is coming?
For generations, people have looked for small, informal signs that a recession is coming or already here. This phenomenon recently exploded on social media, often in joke form.
Why knowing your neighbors can be an important climate solution
Earthaven Ecovillage fared remarkably well after Hurricane Helene. The community had backup power and water systems, as well as food supplies, but members also knew how to work together in a crisis.
5 dark tales hit shelves this week
Sometimes all it takes to make your day a little brighter is to remind yourself just how dark life can get. Here are four dark novels and a true crime tale.
By removing invasive bullfrogs, scientists help Yosemite’s native turtles recover
The huge amphibians "will literally just feed on anything that fits into their mouth" — including turtle hatchlings. Clearing thousands of frogs from ponds helped other species stage a comeback.
