U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01) announced Wednesday that a group of college students from the University of South Alabama who have been stranded in Peru will be returning to the United States. The group of students, who were studying for positions in the field of medicine, became trapped in Peru when the country closed its […]

In a Facebook post on Wednesday morning, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) joined a growing number of Republican elected officials arguing that the health of the economy must be taken into account amid measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. After acknowledging the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak, Aderholt commented that “as we look […]

On a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey assured the public that a statewide shelter-in-place order is not currently planned. “We are not California, we are not New York, we are not even Lousiana,” said Ivey, referencing three states harder hit by COVID-19 than Alabama. “We’ll make that decision if and […]

In a live-streamed address on Tuesday afternoon, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin asked the Birmingham City Council to authorize a Shelter-in-Place Order for all Magic City residents. As of 1:40 p.m on Tuesday, Jefferson County is home to 90 of Alabama’s 215 confirmed coronavirus cases, making it the state’s hardest-hit area by a large margin. Woodfin’s […]

Fourteen-year-old Birmingham resident Levi Watkins has advanced to the knockout rounds of NBC’s singing competition show “The Voice.” In the episode broadcast Monday night, Levi faced off in a “battle round” against fellow contestant Jamal Corrie. The two alternated verses on “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic.

Alabamians living in Montgomery and surrounding areas can text MGMSAFE to 888-777 to receive free alerts on the state of the coronavirus response in their region. The text alerts are backed by Montgomery County, the City of Montgomery and the town of Pike Road. They will be provided the local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) that […]

Dr. Scott Harris, head of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), held a press conference Monday where he stressed that only Alabamians with COVID-19 symptoms should feel the need to get tested. The three most cited symptoms of the coronavirus are fever, cough and shortness of breath. “We do not need to test you […]

An anonymous donor has provided 100,000 pieces of personal protective equipment such as face masks for the state’s medical workers, according to a tweet from Governor Kay Ivey on Monday. A spokeswoman for the governor said that any individual or institution seeking to make a donation at a large scale can get in touch with […]

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensure Commission announced Monday they are creating an emergency medical licensing procedure that will allow those with licenses from outside Alabama to practice in the state. Additionally, retired physicians with waivers will be able to obtain emergency reinstatement of their licenses without the normal requirements. The […]

Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Revenue announced Monday that they would be joining the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in moving the due date for tax returns from April 15 to July 15. The moves come amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and a recent order by Ivey that there should be no groups […]

Orchestra Partners, a real estate company that owns the buildings where several popular Magic City bars and restaurants are located, has chosen to give its tenants a rent holiday until June. The decision to exempt the companies in question from payments until June was made in light of the economic stress caused by the coronavirus […]

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Friday authorized Adjutant General Sheryl Gordon to activate up to 100 members of the Alabama National Guard. The move is strictly a preparedness measure, according to a release from the governor’s office. However, the governor feels it is prudent to have the guardsmen ready in case a COVID-19 related situation […]

Dread River Distilling Company in Birmingham has found a new use for their alcohol expertise. The business, which is largely without customers due to coronavirus precautions, has taken to using the equipment at their disposal to make hand sanitizer and sanitizing spray. As first reported by CBS42, Dread River is recycling the extra alcohol from […]

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has announced that it will be opening a drive-up coronavirus screening site on Monday, March 23. The new location will be in downtown Birmingham and, because of limited supplies, will conduct 250 screenings per day. Citizens who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 — fever, cough, shortness of breath […]

The Mercedes plant near Tuscaloosa and the Toyota Engine plant near Huntsville have announced in recent days that their facilities will be pausing production in light of the slowdown in demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Mercedes production pause will begin Monday, March 23 and last for two weeks, until Monday, April 6. The […]

State Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) has drafted a bill that would provide businesses in Alabama civil immunity against lawsuits where an individual alleges they caught COVID-19 on the premises of the business. Orr says he will file the bill once the Alabama Senate returns from recess. “We should not let lawyers seek to profit on […]

The head of the Alabama Brewers Guild, a group of 55 breweries and distilleries across Alabama, presented Governor Kay Ivey with a letter on Thursday requesting changes to some of the new rules being enforced during the coronavirus pandemic. The group wants more latitude in serving curbside customers/to-go orders, the ability to deliver beer and […]

Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday markedly increased the State of Alabama’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In a joint release with the Alabama Department of Public Health, the governor outlined a new Public Health Order:  All gatherings of more than 25 people, where a distance of six feet can’t be maintained, […]

Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday issued a directive that all state and local governments must close their beachfront areas in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The governor said all beaches will be closed starting Thursday at 5:00 p.m and will remain closed until at least April 6. A determination will be […]

In a tweet on Wednesday, Alabama Governor Kay highlighted a web portal that displays locations across Alabama that are providing free breakfast and lunch to any student under 18 years of age. The program will be available for the entirety of the two and half week mandated break from school that Ivey ordered as a […]

The City of Gulf Shores has announced that all public beaches controlled by the city will be closed starting at 7:00 a.m. on Friday. “Our goal is primarily to protect our local citizens who are scared to death but also to protect the public that comes here,” Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft told FOX10. Craft […]

Automotive manufacturers Honda and Hyundai are stopping production at their plants in Alabama, according to media reports on Wednesday. WSFA is reporting that the Hyundai plant in Montgomery has had an employee test positive for COVID-19. The facility’s production halted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Honda’s production break extends to all of its plants in North […]

Former State Representative Barry Moore’s (R-Enterprise) campaign for Congress this week received endorsements from two prominent national conservative groups: the House Freedom Fund and the Club for Growth. Moore is set to face Wiregrass businessman Jeff Coleman in a runoff election to decide who will be the Republican nominee in Alabama’s heavily conservative Second Congressional […]

Samford University geography professor Jonathan Fleming has created a dynamic visualization tool to help his students and the public better understand the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The project has already garnered some viral attention, receiving over 55,000 visitors online. The project uses data from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University and […]