Government
Frustration And Anxiety While Waiting for Unemployment Benefits To Arrive
More than 285,000 Alabamians have filed for unemployment benefits in the last month as the coronavirus outbreak has forced layoffs and furloughs. Many applicants have yet to receive any money.
Birmingham Commits Another $1 Million To Temporary Worker Program
In an abnormally short, 13-minute meeting on Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council voted to allocate more funds to the city’s fight against COVID-19.
Parole Hearings Will Resume With “Reduced Person-To-Person Interaction”
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles will resume parole hearings May 18 after stopping them last month in response to COVID-19. Advocates say the state should expedite the parole process to protect inmates and alleviate prison overcrowding.
Alabama Labor Department Urges Patience For Unemployment Claims
Alabama has seen a record number of unemployment claims because of the coronavirus. The state Department of Labor is trying to keep up.
Getting Government Services During Pandemic Requires Patience, Persistence
Alabama residents who need to renew their driver’s license during the coronavirus shutdown will have to do it online.
Gov. Ivey Issues Statewide Stay-At-Home Order Effective April 4
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statewide stay-at-home order Friday after mounting pressure by state and local leaders.
Birmingham Extends Shelter-In-Place Order Through April
“People need to remember that people are dying, that this has the potential to continue to spread,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin says. “If you can’t take this serious[ly] and police yourself, then we will gladly assist and help you.”
Doug Jones: Alabama ‘Critically Unprepared’ For COVID-19
Democratic U.S. Sen. Doug Jones says Alabama is an "unhealthy" state with a high-risk population. He says officials should implement strict measures to fight the spread of COVID-19.
Jefferson County Commission Sets Up $1 Million Virus Fund, Extends County Closings Through April
The Jefferson County Commission used its second emergency meeting of the COVID-19 pandemic to extend the closure of county facilities until April 30 and set up a $1 million COVID-19 fund to handle needs as they arise.
Advocates Call For COVID-19 Resources In Spanish, Other Languages
Local advocacy groups say non-English speaking immigrants are an especially vulnerable group during this crisis, and not enough is being done to help them.
Lawyers: Set Parole Hearings, Prevent Virus Spread In Alabama’s Crowded Prisons
A group of law school faculty members and former prosecutors has written Gov. Kay Ivey urging her to have the state Board of Pardons and Paroles hold expedited hearings to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to Alabama’s prison population.
Making Sense Of Alabama’s Coronavirus Numbers
Alabama's coronavirus numbers don't always seem to line up. What's going on?
Alabama Orders Nonessential Businesses Closed Due To Coronavirus
The Alabama Department of Public Health has ordered nonessential businesses closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Birmingham Under Shelter-In-Place Order
A new shelter-in-place order puts restrictions on where you can go outside your home.
COVID-19 Repercussions Will Strain Next Fiscal Year’s State Budget
The state budget is sure to take a hit next year. Lawmakers say it's too early to tell how big it will be.
Doug Jones: ‘We Don’t Want To Overrun This System.’
U.S. Sen. Doug Jones says everyone has to do their part to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Congress is working on relief packages to support the medical community and address the economic fallout.
Alabama Lawmakers Approve $5 Million For Coronavirus Response
Coronavirus grabbed the attention of state lawmakers this week. And bills related to the prison system and medical marijuana advanced.
Gov. Kay Ivey Declares State Of Emergency Due To Coronavirus
Alabama schools will close and a second coronavirus case is confirmed -- this one in Jefferson County.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Yoga, Banning Gender Therapies
State lawmakers this week considered bills around yoga, guns, and gender therapy for minors.
Attorneys For Nathaniel Woods Request Emergency Stay Of Execution
An Alabama inmate scheduled to be executed today is asking federal courts to postpone his execution.
Mosquito Spraying To Continue In Birmingham Despite Objections
The city of Birmingham will continue the practice of spraying for mosquitoes, despite vehement objection from two city councilors.
Alabama Republican Senate Contest Headed To A Runoff
The race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate is headed to a runoff. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville will face off March 31st.
Alabama Live Election Results
Follow for live election coverage of the Alabama primary elections.
NPR Live Coverage: 2020 Super Tuesday
Follow NPR's live coverage of the 2020 Super Tuesday contests, including results and analysis.
In Comeback Senate Bid, Jeff Sessions Backs Trump — Despite Public Falling-Out
Jeff Sessions is making a play for his old senate seat from Alabama, arguing he's the one who has Trump's back despite the president's disparaging remarks about his former attorney general.
Alabama Ban On Gender Therapies Moves Forward
Doctors would not be allowed to administer gender therapies to youth, according to a bill moving forward in the Alabama Legislature. Opponents say the bill is fear mongering.
Parkers Will Be Able To Pay At Birmingham Meters Using An App
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to modernize its parking system, approving a three-year contract with ParkMobile, an application that allows users to pay for parking with their smartphones.
BirminghamWatch 2020 Primary Voter Guide: Republican U.S. Senate Race Headlines March 3 Primaries In Alabama
The Alabama primary election is on Tuesday, March 3. And all seven Senate Republican candidates have shown basic agreement on the topics of immigration, taxes and the economy as well as social issues such as abortion, guns and health care.
Officials Say Anniston Facility Not Designed To Hold Coronavirus Patients
State and local leaders say they were justified in pushing back against a plan to bring Americans infected with the coronavirus disease to a facility in Anniston. They say there weren't enough details known.
Report Reveals Voter Access Difficult In Alabama
Super Tuesday is nearly a week away and hundreds-of-thousands of Alabama voters are expected to turn out. But according to a new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Alabama remains one of the most difficult states for an eligible voter to register and cast a ballot.
Live Coverage: 2020 Nevada Caucuses
Follow NPR's live coverage of the 2020 Nevada caucuses, including results and analysis.
Medical Marijuana, Transgender Athlete Bills Pass Committee
A bill to allow medical marijuana in Alabama picked up steam in the Alabama Legislature this week as a Senate committee overwhelmingly approved it. Another committee backed a bill requiring transgender students to play sports under their “gender assignment at birth" as opposed to how they identify.
