Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Saks) praised President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled strategic approach to China on Thursday. Rogers as the ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee has an outsized role in policies dealing with the security and stability of the United States on the world stage. “I am proud that President Trump has laid […]

The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and local government leaders have teamed up to create a small business relief fund that will provide grants to small businesses in Montgomery negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The grants will be administered through the Chamber’s nonprofit foundation, and the pool of money to be given away is […]

On Thursday, Gov. Kay Ivey further relaxed restrictions under her so-called Safer-at-Home Order to allow theaters, bowling alleys, museums and other establishments to open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with some limitations. Now that some time has passed since the height of the state’s restrictions a month ago, State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) said he […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Labor on Thursday announced the latest official count for initial unemployment claims filed with the State of Alabama. Covering May 10–16, the count showed 25,150 initial claims filed during the week; the week previous showed 26,666 initial claims filed. This means that since March 8, 501,630 initial unemployment claims […]

MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced an amended Safer-at-Home Order that will take effect Friday, May 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. and expire on Friday, July 3, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Ivey made the announcement in a press conference alongside State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. The latest order further relaxes restrictions on […]

Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced that Jeana Ross is retiring as secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) effective June 1. Ross has served in this position since 2012, and under her exemplary leadership, the department has received national recognition for their work. “I am extremely grateful for Secretary Ross’ tireless […]

Storied Auburn football coach Pat Dye has tested positive for COVID-19 while in the hospital for kidney issues. He is resting comfortably and expected home soon. The news of Dye’s hospitalization and coronavirus diagnosis was first announced to the public by his home parish of Toccoa First United Methodist Church. Subsequent reporting on his condition […]

Three health centers across Alabama will be receiving grant money from the federal government to expand their telehealth offerings. Telehealth, connecting doctors and patients through online video chat software, has seen an increased focus during the coronavirus pandemic. “Lack of access to telehealth services has long been an issue for rural areas including my own […]

It has been a few days since the Alabama legislature adjourned sine die after a tense lead-up on Goat Hill between Gov. Kay Ivey’s office, the House and the Senate. It may, however, take some more time for relationships to fully heal, especially between the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives. Senate President Pro Tem […]

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin outlined their cities’ respective efforts to aid small businesses during a regional teleconference Wednesday night. Hosted by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the teleconference included numerous black leaders from across the Southeast. SBA regional administrator Ashley Bell, an Entrepreneurship Policy Advisor for the White House Opportunity […]

Calls from the White House for the U.S. Senate to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden’s relationship with Ukrainian energy company Burisma are being dismissed by U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook). On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday voted to authorize subpoenas related to an investigation into the […]

President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday announced his intent to nominate Edmund G. LaCour, Jr., to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Middle District of Alabama. LaCour currently serves as the solicitor general for the State of Alabama within the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. He rose to his current post from deputy solicitor […]

The Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced it will induct 12 honorees later this year. Founded in 1997, the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame recognizes a wide range healthcare professionals who have made outstanding contributions to, or rendered exemplary service for, healthcare in the state of Alabama. The not-for-profit organization’s selection committee chooses […]

Anna Manasco of Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday was confirmed 71-21 by the United States Senate to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama. U.S. Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Doug Jones (D-AL) both voted to support her confirmation. Manasco was formally nominated for the prestigious federal judgeship by President Donald J. Trump […]

The Mercedes-Benz automotive manufacturing plant in Tuscaloosa County is suspending production due to a delay in receiving component parts from plants in Mexico. The news was first reported by Bloomberg News, which procured an internal company memo on the topic. The delay is expected to last around one week, and plant employees are being asked […]

A recently published report revealed that the Southeast is home to the top-five of America’s major cities receiving the most precipitation, with one Alabama municipality coming in at No. 1. Fox News reported that the most recent data available (covering 1981-2010) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that Mobile has the highest average annual […]

Vice President Mike Pence recently announced the updated membership of the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group (UAG). Pence, who chairs the National Space Council, announced that Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) and United Launch Alliance (ULA) president and CEO Tory Bruno have each been nominated to new two-year terms. Ivey and Bruno are original members […]

Southern Company, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), on Wednesday announced an expanded focus for the National Carbon Capture Center located in Wilsonville, Alabama. The National Carbon Capture Center is a DOE-sponsored research facility focused on finding breakthroughs in next-generation carbon capture technologies. Managed and operated by Southern Company, this world-class neutral […]

The City of Fairfield, a small suburb west of Birmingham and east of Bessemer, filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, citing millions in debt liabilities. The City will begin Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy proceedings at the federal bankruptcy court in Birmingham, per Bloomberg News. Fairfield Mayor Eddie Penny told the public that the City had been […]

Governor Kay Ivey highlighted Wednesday that Alabama will receive $11,946,730 in federal funds intended to relieve recent financial strains on the state’s fisheries and other seafood industry businesses. Part of the money, $3,299,821, is federal CARES Act funding that is designated to provide relief for seafood companies hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. Ivey also said […]

One of Alabama’s natural gas utilities is seeking to help small business customers get back on their feet. Spire has created a fund to provide relief on bills for small businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 closures. Under the program, eligible businesses may receive up to $200 in grant money through the program. Customers can […]

The coronavirus pandemic has seemingly had an impact on every aspect of Alabama’s economy, and the state’s seafood industry is not immune. Much like the disparity in cattle and beef prices, which is due in part to measures implemented to mitigate COVID-19’s spread, including the closures of restaurant dining areas, a similar phenomenon is underway […]

Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education on Tuesday proudly announced that the world-class Alabama First Class Pre-K program will add 55 new classrooms to 25 counties this coming fall. The department received 163 new classroom applications, and 123 of those met the qualifying criteria for funding. With the $6 million […]

University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis “Fess” St. John IV on Wednesday joined an exclusive national group for a discussion with Vice President Mike Pence and other key Trump administration officials on how to best get Americans safely back to school in the fall. Pence led the discussion (via teleconference) with higher education leaders from […]