Issues
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.”
Alabama’s Largest City Tightens Restrictions To Stem Spread Of Coronavirus
Birmingham is under a shelter-in-place order and hospitals are being inundated with a wave of COVID-19 patients. We talk with a local cardiologist who is now ill with the disease about the pandemic's toll on the health care system.
Three Mini Stories To Make You Smile During The COVID-19 Crisis
There's so much news about the coronavirus it can be overwhelming. So here are three bright moments in the midst of the pandemic.
Coronavirus Impacts Revenue At Birmingham Zoo
Spring usually kicks off the busy season for the Birmingham Zoo, but not this year. Like many attractions across the nation, the zoo is closed until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
Falling Tax Revenue Looms For State, Counties, Cities
Late April will bring financial pain for state and local governments as businesses in Alabama begin submitting lower taxes because of the coronavirus.
New Coronavirus Tracker Hopes To Locate Hotspots In Rural, Underserved Areas
UAB has created a new symptom checker to track the spread of COVID-19. The website hopes to give public health officials insight on virus hotspots, especially in underserved communities.
Association Protests Plan To Put Recovering COVID-19 Patients In Nursing Homes
The Alabama Nursing Home Association opposes a decision by Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson to place patients who are recovering from COVID-19 in nursing homes.
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.
Birmingham Could Be Two Weeks Away From NYC COVID-19 Rates
The coronavirus pandemic in Alabama is not as bad as hot spots elsewhere in the country, but public health officials expect that to change.
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.
No Need To Worry About Drinking Water During The COVID-19 Crisis, ADEM Director Says
Public drinking water is safe, according to the director of the Alabama Department of Environment.
UAB To Test Potential COVID-19 Vaccine
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the biopharmaceutical company Altimmune Inc. will test a potential vaccine for COVID-19, the university announced today.
Making Sense Of Alabama’s Coronavirus Numbers
Alabama's coronavirus numbers don't always seem to line up. What's going on?
Alabama Bankers Association CEO Says Banks Are Secure During Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has many people wondering about their economic future and the safety of their money. The head of the Alabama Bankers Association says banks across the state have been preparing for a crisis of this magnitude for years.
‘Critical Shortage Everywhere’ Of Personal Protective Equipment
The health care workers who care for COVID-19 patients are on the front lines, but hospitals and clinics are running out of the protective equipment medical providers need to protect themselves.
Coronavirus Scams Peddling Fake Cures And Work-At-Home Schemes On The Rise
The continued spread of the coronavirus is making people increasingly anxious. That climate of fear opens up an opportunity for online scammers.
World Awaits Results Of COVID-19 Drug Treatment Developed At UAB Center
In the search for a drug treatment for COVID-19, prime interest has centered on Remdesivir, a compound produced by Gilead Sciences that has its roots in a National Institutes of Health-funded center based at UAB.
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.
Lt. Gov. Ainsworth: ‘We’ve Got To Get This Under Control’
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth wants Alabamians to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously. Other state leaders don't seem to share the same urgency.
Alabama K-12 Students Will Finish School Year From Home
Amid growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says K-12 students will not return to classrooms to finish out the 2019-2020 school year.
Birmingham’s Food & Beverage Industry Struggles Amid Coronavirus
Many small businesses in Alabama hit by the coronavirus crisis are struggling to stay afloat. State health officials recently prohibited on-site eating and drinking at restaurants and bars. The restrictions have forced a few Birmingham establishments to close their doors for good.
Getting Out For A Walk In The Woods? Social Distancing Still Applies
With gyms closed and kids home from school, more people are visiting area parks. Some officials are grappling with how to manage the crowds without putting the public’s health at risk.
Layoffs, Job Losses — COVID-19 Impact Expected To Play Out Over Months
The coronavirus pandemic has caused layoffs and job loss across the country. Now Alabamians are figuring out how to cope with a new normal.
Jackson County Reports Alabama’s First Coronavirus Death
An employee at the Jackson County Courthouse has died from the coronavirus, according to County Commission Chairman Tim Guffey, which could be Alabama’s first death from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus Puts Focus On Preppers
Preppers — those who stockpile food and other supplies — are getting a lot of attention lately given the public’s concerns over Coronavirus and the fear of some kind of societal breakdown.
Updated: Where Can I Get Tested For COVID-19?
A list of where you can get tested for COVID-19 in Alabama.
Birmingham Under Shelter-In-Place Order
A new shelter-in-place order puts restrictions on where you can go outside your home.
Alabama Schools Chief Explores Ways To Teach Students During An ‘Incomplete Year’
State education leaders are trying to figure out how to teach students in an era of coronavirus.
Sunday Church Drive-In Style In The Coronavirus Age
Large gatherings are banned due to coronavirus, so churches can't meet as usual. One Alabama church tried a drive-in service.
As COVID-19 Spreads, Meals On Wheels Adapts To Serve Seniors
With volunteers at home and the economy in decline, area nonprofits are feeling the impact of COVID-19. Meanwhile, communities are seeing an increased need for charitable programs.
