Coronavirus
Restaurants Are Hardest Hit As Businesses Try To Rebound From Pandemic
Some restaurants in Birmingham are working to regain a loss in revenue after forced closures during the pandemic. Meanwhile, other restaurants like Babalu and Lucy's Coffee & Tea weren't so lucky - closing their doors indefinitely.
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.
College Virtual Learning Rife With Technical Challenges
As the pandemic spreads on college campuses, many schools are increasingly relying on virtual instruction. That's expected to bring a host of technical troubles.
COVID-19 Totals Increase By 699 Cases And 29 Deaths In Thursday Report
Recent coronavirus numbers reflect a downward trend in the rate of infections over the past month.
Albert Trousdale’s Son Points COVID-19 Skeptics To A Tombstone
“I said ‘I love you. That was the last time I saw him alive," said Matt Trousdale, whose father died from COVID-19.
COVID-19 Tracking App Available To The Public
All Alabama residents can now use the phone app GuideSafe, which anonymously tracks COVID-19 exposure.
Remembering the Alabamians Who Have Fallen To COVID-19. Who Were They?
We know very little about the Alabamians who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus and related illness during the pandemic.
College Entry Testing Shows Less Than 1% Of Students Have COVID-19
Preliminary numbers from a program to test college students returning to campus indicate a low positivity rate. The program has tested about 30,000 students so far.
Through The Intercom, Nursing Home Employee Sings To Residents
At a nursing home in Marion, Alabama, one employee uses her voice to help lift morale among residents and staff during the pandemic.
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.
This Year’s Sidewalk Film Festival Becomes A Drive-In
The annual event will move from its home in downtown Birmingham to a drive-in theater in Leeds.
As Nursing Homes’ Stocks Of PPE Get Too Low For Comfort, Ivey Grants Them $50 Million In COVID Aid
Federal aid for nursing homes comes as older adults comprise the largest share of COVID deaths in Alabama amid dwindling supplies.
Alabama Is In ‘Survival Mode’ Says University Of Alabama Economist
One economist says the country's deficit isn't as important as surviving the pandemic. He's advocating for renewed extra unemployment checks, injection $1 trillion a month into the country's budget and issuing another round of stimulus checks to working Americans.
Students With Disabilities Face Significant Challenges As Schools Plan To Reopen
For more than 96,000 students with special needs across Alabama, the loss of in-person services could mean a decline in learning, communication or functional skills. It also takes a toll on family members.
Pregnancy During The Pandemic: What You Should Know
The interim chair of UAB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology debunked a number of COVID pregnancy myths.
Jefferson County Schools To Go Virtual-Only For First Nine Weeks; Start Sept. 1
The Jefferson County Board of Education voted Tuesday to begin the 2020-2021 school year with nine weeks of online education only and no option for traditional classroom learning.
UAB Launches COVID Testing For More Than 200,000 College Students
Alabama health experts and university leaders launched a statewide campus re-entry initiative to test and monitor the spread of COVID-19 on college campuses.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
