News

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.

Advocates Call For Environmental & Racial Justice At North Birmingham Superfund Site

The "Right to Breathe Caravan" toured several north Birmingham neighborhoods Saturday, calling for environmental and racial justice in communities that have faced decades of industrial pollution.

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.

Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Optimistic About Black Lives Matter Movement

The civil unrest in America today looks a lot like protests held in the 60s, when Black Americans fought for equal rights. Foot Soldiers of that time say it's the same fight but they're hopeful change will come.

It’s Sessions Vs. Tuberville In Tuesday’s Republican Runoff For Senate

Republican voters will decide Tuesday who will go up against Democrat Doug Jones in the race for U.S. Senate.

Fauci Says Alabama Still Could Rein In COVID-19, Even As Cases Spread Among Young People

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says states that are seeing an outbreak of the virus should mandate masks and close bars.

An Update On The Pandemic’s Effect On WBHM

We don’t often turn the spotlight on ourselves, but the last four months at WBHM have been unlike any other time in the station’s history thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. In advance of WBHM's one-day fund drive, we hear from station's executive director Chuck Holmes on how COVID-19 has affected WBHM.

‘Black At Samford’ Pushes For Changes In The University’s Culture, Treatment Of Black Students

Samford University is predominantly white. Now Black students are pushing for changes to procedures and culture to treat them more fairly and make the campus more multicultural.

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.

UAB To Open New Coronavirus Facility For Elderly Patients

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is creating a specialized skilled nursing facility for some COVID-19 patients in Jefferson County. Alabama's nursing homes have seen an influx of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began in late March.

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.

Generation After Generation, The Need For Black Parents And Children To Have ‘The Talk’ Continues

“Many people who look like me suffer through some of the same situations and are humiliated just because of the color of their skin," said Alabama Democratic Party Chair Chris England.

‘It’s A Reality For Us.’ ICU Nurse Shares The Impact Of COVID-19

Kelsey Jacks is a registered nurse in the medical Intensive care unit at UAB Hospital, where she takes care of the sickest COVID-19 patients. To help people understand the impact of the virus, she recorded an audio diary during a recent shift.

Face Masks Required Throughout Jefferson County Starting Monday

Beginning Monday, face masks will be required in indoor spaces open to the public throughout Jefferson County. Health officer Dr. Mark Wilson announced the new order Friday, citing concerns about the recent increase in spread of COVID-19.

Alabama Schools To Open In August, But Parents Have Home Education Option

Alabama public schools will reopen in August despite the COVID-19 pandemic, but parents will be given the option of continuing distance learning.

Community Organizer: ‘Our Protests Are Not Peaceful’

Alabama Rally Against Injustice has held several demonstrations in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. One of the group's representatives says leading rallies week after week is emotionally draining, but necessary. The group plans to continue holding rallies until policing policies change.

First Woman To Lead The Episcopal Diocese Of Alabama

The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama will consecrate Rev. Glenda Curry as a new bishop on Saturday. She's the first woman to hold the position.

Coronavirus Cases In Ages 5-24 Double Within A Month; Alabama Hits New Record Daily High

Alabama saw the number of coronavirus cases double among 5 to 24-year-olds, according to data from the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state also recorded a new daily high of 1,129 cases between 10 a.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Thursday.

COVID-19 Cases Hit Record High Average For The Past Two Weeks

The 14-day moving average of COVID-19 cases has now surpassed the 700 mark.

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.

The ‘Old Normal’ Is Making Us Sick Again, UAB Doc Says; NY-Area Bans Alabama Travelers Without A Quarantine

The number of COVID-19 cases in the state rose Wednesday by 954, one of the state’s largest daily increases since the pandemic began, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

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."

NASCAR Fans React To Confederate Flag Ban, Noose Incident

A day after a noose was placed in the garage of NASCAR's only full-time Black driver, fans at Talladega Superspeedway condemned the incident, but were mixed on NASCAR's decision to ban the Confederate flag.