After an abrupt end to the spring semester, Alabama’s colleges and universities started announcing their plans for reopening in the coming months. Here is a rundown of where things stand for several of the state’s colleges and universities. University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis St. John outlined his system’s intent to return to campuses this […]

Last week, Gov. Kay Ivey announced a loosening of restrictions on businesses and activities initially put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, not included among those were opening of barbershops, hair salons, nail salons and massage parlors, indoor dining at bars and restaurants and worship services at churches and other religious institutions. […]

Add Twinkle Cavanaugh to the growing list of leaders sounding the alarm over China’s role on the world stage. “China has set out to weaken America, and it is has become more apparent that we need to take a more firm stand on protecting ourselves economically,” the president of Alabama’s Public Service Commission recently told […]

“I grew up in the house next door to where I live now so I know most of the residents,” said Darlena Battle, vice president of the Fountain Heights neighborhood association and who is in the Corporate Affairs department at Alabama Power. “I choose to remain in this neighborhood. I want to make a positive impact […]

When the University of South Alabama discovered USA Health and other health care providers faced a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the university reached out to the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and area businesses for help. “They found out what PPE they might need,” said David Rodgers, vice president of Economic Development at […]

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) on Saturday called on Governor Kay Ivey’s administration to reopen the state. Ainsworth has been an outspoken leader on prudently reopening Alabama’s economy, with his Alabama Small Business Commission Emergency Task Force’s “Subcommittee to Reopen the Economy” weeks ago releasing its “Reopening Alabama Responsibly Phase One” plan that would have seen […]

The corporations in the Yellowhammer State listed on the New York Stock Exchange have not received loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) meant for companies with less than 500 employees, according to a database compared by the financial website FactSquared. Alabama is home to the headquarters of 16 publicly traded companies as of 2019, […]

As of Thursday at 5 p.m. last week, many businesses in Alabama were allowed to reopen with some conditions, as the state’s shutdown order resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. However, some things were not allowed to reopen just yet, including churches, restaurants and bars. During a radio interview with Huntsville’s WVNN on Friday, State […]

Auburn basketball standout Isaac Okoro signed with two agencies this week, the next step in what observers expect will culminate in a top-10 selection in this year’s NBA draft. Earlier in the year, Okoro took the first step of preliminarily declaring his intention to enter the NBA draft. He still has not yet taken the […]

Giving back to her community is not new to Meghan Goyal. That’s why the 10th grader at Birmingham’s Altamont School quickly embraced the idea when she read an online article that volunteers are needed to help make plastic face shields for health care workers fighting the battle against the deadly COVID-19 disease. Local organization Bham Support […]

NASA on Thursday selected three U.S. companies to design and develop a human landing system for its return mission to the Moon – and the program stands to have a strong Alabama connection. “With these contract awards, America is moving forward with the final step needed to land astronauts on the Moon by 2024, including the incredible moment when we will see the first woman set foot on the lunar surface,” said […]

Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill is continuing to be outspoken against what he sees as environmental activists promoting their “political agenda by threatening the economic livelihood of Alabama businesses” during the ongoing pandemic. Earlier this week, Merrill penned an op-ed lamenting that California-based Sierra Club, along with the Birmingham-based liberal environmental group GASP, […]

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions appeared on the Fox News Channel’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Thursday evening and had sharp words when asked about former FBI Director James Comey. Comey’s name has returned to headlines in relation to revelations this week about questionable behavior by the FBI in their investigation of former National Security Advisor […]

An 80-megawatt solar project is another major step closer to reality after receiving an important vote of confidence by the Covington County Commission this week. Tax abatement policies needed to support the large scale Wing Solar Project in southern Covington County by Origis Energy were approved by a 4-0 vote. Once completed, the Wing Solar […]

Chasiti Shepherd, president of BGrace Media in Birmingham, was appointed to the National Small Business Association Leadership Council this week. The National Small Business Association (NSBA) is comprised of over 65,000 member businesses across all 50 states. It is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy group and operates without partisan preference. “As a small-business owner, I […]

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman warns his fellow Democrats against making 2020 all about President Donald Trump. Siegelman, the author of his forthcoming political memoir “Stealing Our Democracy” and self-described as from the left side and liberal, argued the path to victory was convincing voters to put aside party labels. He told Huntsville radio’s WVNN […]

Stephanie K. Cooper has been named Alabama Power’s vice president of Corporate Sustainability, effective Friday, May 1. In this new role, Cooper will oversee the development and implementation of the company’s strategic initiatives related to social responsibility, governance and sustainability. She will work with teams across the company and the Southern Company system to address […]

Troy University students will return to campus in August for the start of the fall semester. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., chancellor for Troy University, announced the decision on Thursday in a message to the Trojan Family. Recognizing the challenge the school has faced trying to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, Hawkins believes the university is […]

The U.S. Navy on Thursday snubbed Mobile-based Austal USA, instead choosing Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin for a massive contract to build the Guided-Missile Frigates FFG(X) that replaces the current LCS design. The contract will be at least worth $795 million, however between the lead ship and options for up to nine others that total would be […]

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions is calling for large companies to give back loans they received under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). “[B]ig corporations are taking large sums meant for the little guy. Every one of them should return these loans immediately, and the Small Business Administration should ensure those funds go to struggling small […]

Shipbuilder Austal USA has donated more than $100,000 to Mobile area organizations supporting families and small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. “Austal understands the challenges many are facing during the pandemic at home or with their business,” said Craig Savage, director of communications and external affairs for Austal, in a statement from the company. “We […]

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf joined an Auburn University live stream on Thursday to discuss his agency’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Wolf’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the cabinet-level agency that oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As such, his department has faced unique challenges in recent weeks during the […]

According to information released by the Alabama Department of Labor on Thursday, 74,966 Alabamians filed initial unemployment claims last week alone. This means that a total of 419,347 Alabamians have filed initial unemployment claims since February 8. Governor Kay Ivey declared a State of Emergency due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak on March 13.

Alabama is already set to play leading roles in landing the first woman and the next man on the surface of the moon through NASA’s Artemis program, and a major announcement Thursday only reinforced that reality. Huntsville-based Dynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), was named as one of three prime contractors awarded […]