Government

Tuscaloosa To Close All Bars And Prohibit Alcohol Sales

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox announced Monday a prohibition on alcohol sales and the closure of all bars for the next 14 days.

RNC Live Coverage: Monday, August 24

Follow live updates and analysis of Day 1 of the Republican National Convention, where the party is set to formally nominate President Trump as its presidential nominee. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. Central.

Voters In Several Jefferson County Municipalities Choose Mayors, Council Members On Aug. 25

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 25, to determine the outcome of multiple municipal elections.

Alabama’s Census Leader Hopes For A “Second Wind” To Boost Census Participation

Time is running out on the census and Alabama is below the average among states for people who have filled out their forms.

Fact Check: Biden’s DNC Speech

Joe Biden formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president on Thursday. NPR reporters are providing live analysis of his remarks.

DNC Live Coverage: Thursday, August 20

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is speaking Thursday night. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. Central.

Accounting Contract Leads To Squabble On The Jefferson County Commission

Tensions were high at the county commission meeting this week after Commission President Jimmie Stephens said he felt he was being disrespected by President Pro Tem Lashunda Scales.

DNC Live Coverage: Wednesday, August 19

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention. Wednesday’s speakers include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. Central.

Woodfin’s Budget Features Pay Cuts, Furloughs And Funding Reductions

The city of Birmingham faces a $63 million shortfall in business tax revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DNC Live Coverage: Tuesday, August 18

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention. Tuesday’s speakers include New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former President Bill Clinton. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. Central

DNC Live Coverage: Monday, August 17

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention. Monday’s speakers include Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former first lady Michelle Obama. Coverage begins tonight at 8 p.m. Central.

Birmingham Council OKs Al Fresco Dining as ‘Hail Mary’ for Restaurants

Birmingham officials approved outdoor seating for restaurants in hopes of giving them an economic boost during the pandemic.

BCRI Gets Emergency Funding From City Of Birmingham

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has been closed since March because of the pandemic causing a lack of revenue. Now it's receiving $250,000 in emergency funding from the city of Birmingham.

Gov. Ivey Requires Face Masks In Schools, Extends Statewide Ordinance

Face masks will be required in schools and colleges for anyone in second grade and above. The requirement, along with the statewide mask ordinance and Safer at Home order, are now set to expire August 31 at 5 p.m.

DOJ Finds Excessive Use of Force In Alabama’s Male Prisons

In one case, a lieutenant slammed a handcuffed prisoner on a concrete floor several times, knocking him unconscious and leaving him unable to breathe. He required hospitalization.

Alabama Secretary Of State: There Will Be No Delay In Reporting November Election Results

Demand for absentee ballots is expected to surge because of the pandemic. Secretary of State John Merrill is confident election officials can handle the increase.

Birmingham Council OKs Partial Transit Funding Under Protest From Hoyt

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to fund the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority through the end of 2020.

Investigation Finds Most Judges Who Break Laws Or Ethics Rules Don’t Lose Their Jobs

A recent investigation by Reuters also finds Alabama's system for tackling judicial misconduct makes it harder to discipline judges than in most other states.

Jones Starts Last Leg Of Campaign With Almost 16 Times As Much Money As Tuberville

Democrat U.S. Sen. Doug Jones is heading into the November election with more cash on hand than competitor Tommy Tuberville, according to reports the candidates filed Wednesday with the Federal Elections Commission.

Jones Expects Competitive Senate Race With Tuberville

The race for U.S. Senate is set between incumbent Democrat Doug Jones and Republican challenger Tommy Tuberville. Jones believes he can win despite Alabama's conservative leanings.

Gov. Ivey Issues Statewide Mask Order

Beginning Thursday, face coverings will be required in public spaces throughout Alabama. Gov. Kay Ivey issued the order Wednesday, citing recent spikes in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.

Analysis: Trump’s Endorsement Helped Tuberville Win Amid Low Turnout

Tommy Tuberville defeated Jeff Sessions to win the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Tuesday's runoff election. Here's a recap of the race and a look at what to expect in the months ahead.

Tuberville Beats Sessions, Wins Alabama Senate GOP Primary

Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions lost the Republican nomination for his old Senate seat in Alabama to former college football coach Tommy Tuberville.

First Police Review Finds BPD Is “Doing Pretty Good,” Woodfin Says, Ends With Explicit Ban On Chokeholds

Mayor Randall Woodfin says there is still room for improvement in the Birmingham Police Department. This comes after a 30 day internal review.

Alabama’s Budgets In Good Shape Despite Economic Hit From The Pandemic

Unemployment skyrocketed in Alabama and the economy sputtered after shutdowns prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. Still Alabama’s two budgets are on reasonably good footing.

Report: Complicated Alabama Voting Rules Restrict Access To The Polls

A new report details barriers and inconsistencies around voting that significantly limit access to the ballot box for Alabama's poor, rural, and minority voters.

Jay Town Resigns As U.S. Attorney Of The Northern District Of Alabama

U.S. Attorney Jay Town is resigning from his position with the U.S. Department of Justice after nearly three years on the job.

2020 Primary Runoff Voter Guide: Your Source Of Information For The July 14 Election

Alabama's Senate primary runoff is July 14. Check out these candidate profiles and what's on the ballot.

Supreme Court Blocks Curbside Voting, Loosening Of ID Requirements For Absentee Ballots

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday halted plans to provide curbside voting in the July 14 primary runoff and to ease ID requirements to vote by absentee ballot.

Ivey Extends COVID-19 Health Order Through July

Gov. Ivey extended a public health order aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. It would have expired Friday.

Sessions Calls On Birmingham To Reinstate Agreements With Church Of The Highlands

U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Sessions says the Birmingham Board of Education and Birmingham Housing Authority's decision to end agreements with the church is unconstitutional.

Avondale Added As The City’s Newest Entertainment District On July 1

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve the creation of the “Avondale Entertainment District."