Issues
Business Capital, Knowledge Remains Out Of Reach For Many Minority Entrepreneurs
None of the Black-owned businesses in 4th Avenue and Civil Rights commercial districts have gone out of business because of 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.
SEC Announces Delayed Start Of 2020 Football Season
The SEC is delaying the start of its football season and taking extra precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
Health Officer Recommends Virtual Classes For Middle And High Schools, No Contact Sports For Now
Jefferson County's health officer issued strict guidelines about how schools should operate this fall. It's up to schools whether to adopt those recommendations.
With End Of $600 Unemployment Benefit, Groups Expect Surge In Evictions, Homelessness
As Congress debates another stimulus package, many Alabama residents will now see their weekly unemployment checks drop to less than $300.
Jefferson County Board Of Education Unanimously Approves ‘School Roadmap’
Parents can choose between traditional in-person classes, remote learning with Jefferson County teachers, or virtual learning with outsourced teachers.
Local Districts Will Decide High School Sports Plans
Recommendations around high school sports this fall largely mirror public health guidelines, but the Alabama High School Athletic Association leaves the details to schools.
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.
Health Care Disparities: Being The Target Of Racism Can Make You Physically Sick, Research Shows
The American Academy of Pediatrics has found that racial discrimination against Black children and youth can affect their health.
Birmingham City Schools Will Begin The Year Online
BCS joins a growing list of school districts, including Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Huntsville, that will begin the school year with remote learning only.
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.
JeffCo Health Officer: COVID-19 Straining Entire Public Health System
Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson says COVID-19 is putting a strain on every part of the public health system.
UAB Researchers Create Culturally-Based Protocol For Palliative Care
Ronit Elk led the study for the new protocol, after noticing the lack of respect for cultural differences for the nation’s sickest minority patients.
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.
Drug Overdoses Increase During The Pandemic
Suspected drug overdoses have increased significantly in recent months across Alabama. Experts say the uptick is related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
First Black American To Lead Birmingham Business Alliance
Kenneth Coleman starts Monday as the new president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance.
Birmingham Schools Discuss Plans To Reopen Aug. 24
The Birmingham Board of Education is considering four possibilities to begin the academic school year: remote learning, a hybrid model, traditional school and a virtual school option for the first nine weeks. A final decision will be made July 31.
Researcher Finds Emojis Still Lack Diversity
Its World Emoji Day, a day to celebrate those little characters that help us express ourselves online. Emojis have come a long way, but how inclusive are they?
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.
Selma City Schools Will Begin The Year With Online Learning
Selma City Schools is the first district in the state to announce they’ll be completely virtual to start the academic year. Superintendent Avis Williams said the decision was based on coronavirus numbers plus concerns from teachers and parents.
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.
Health Inspectors Are Enforcing Coronavirus Rules, Can Close Jefferson County Restaurants And Bars That Do Not Comply
The Jefferson County Health Department is using food inspectors to monitor restaurant and bars’ adherence to COVID-19 orders, and they can immediately close establishments that do not comply.
Williamson: People’s Actions In The Next Two Weeks Critical To Controlling The Future Of COVID Infections
The former head of the Alabama Hospital Association says the state can slow the spread of COVID-19 if people wear masks and socially distance.
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.
As More Inmates Die, Alabama Prisons Expand Testing For COVID-19
In recent weeks, the number of state inmates who have died from COVID-19 has more than doubled, with two more deaths announced Monday. Last week, ADOC officials announced plans to expand testing among the inmate population.
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.
