The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has activated a statewide informational hotline and a general information e-mail address to field questions from the public about the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The addition of a hotline for general questions will give the public the ability to speak with someone who can direct them to information that […]

Just in the last several days, extraordinary measures have been taken by federal and state officials as a response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. On the state level, Gov. Kay Ivey has taken steps to prevent the spread in Alabama. Among those were limiting gatherings of more than 25 people, forbidding customers to eat or […]

Alabama small businesses and nonprofits that face economic loss due to COVID-19 now have some relief. Gov. Kay Ivey said Saturday those in the state that are hurt by the coronavirus pandemic are eligible for assistance under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The program will help qualified businesses and […]

Facebook is providing Alabama governments and residents with additional tools and resources to prepare and manage for what is expected to be an impactful tornado season. “Facebook knows the devastation that tornadoes can cause in local Alabama communities so we are focused on providing tools to help protect lives and rebuild these communities,” said Will […]

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Frontier Conference 2020 has been postponed to ensure the safety and well-being of the conference’s multinational community of attendees. The conference had been set for April 1-3 at The Lyric Theatre in Birmingham. Conference organizers have rescheduled to Sept. 14-16 at the same venue.

Gov. Kay Ivey has taken some extraordinary steps to stem the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Alabama. Among those were limiting gatherings of 25 or more people or more and closing Alabama’s beaches, preschools and child care centers. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s State Health Officer, Dr. Scott Harris, those unprecedented measures […]

A student team at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) successfully launched a rocket with a rover as its payload in a national NASA Student Launch that was shortened by the COVID-19 virus. Named Baedor, the rocket that launched on March 14 in Woodville, Ala., used a Level 2 Aerotech L2200G solid fuel motor. […]

BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama (BCBS) has issued a warning about potential scams surrounding the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. According to a press release from the company, warning signs include:

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 […]

We are in a trying time. There is a global pandemic underway, and our overreaction to it may cause even more problems than the spread of the virus itself. Some reports indicate that the current closing of most businesses, working from home and disruptions to American life may not be enough. The implications of a […]

As the state deals with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Commissioner Rick Pate wants to assure all Alabamians that there “is no reason to feel the need to hoard or to store more food than normal.” In a message sent out this week, Pate outlined that the department has […]

The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) on Friday announced that Jean Elizabeth Miles will serve as the organization’s director of communications. A press release advised that Miles comes to BCA from Lockheed Martin, where she served as a community relations representative for missiles and fire control in Orlando, Florida.

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 […]

On Wednesday, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a candidate for the GOP nomination for Alabama’s U.S. Senate election to be held in November, called on his opponent former Auburn University head football coach Tommy Tuberville to face him in a debate. Thursday, Tuberville downplayed Sessions’ call, citing the severity of the coronavirus pandemic and […]

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 […]

Two philanthropic entities associated with Alabama Power Company have now pledged a total of $1 million to provide support to Yellowhammer State communities affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Alabama Power Foundation and the Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund (ABC Trust) have pledged the money, as announced in a release on Thursday afternoon. […]

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is warning those who would seek to illegally profit from the current public health emergency related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that Alabama’s price gouging law has officially been activated. Last week, Governor Kay Ivey formally declared a State Public Health Emergency in Alabama due to the state’s first confirmed […]

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, […]

During his daily briefing on Thursday, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle expressed both caution and optimism for how the people of his city have handled the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Sitting more than six feet away from representatives from Huntsville Hospital, emergency management and the chamber of commerce, Battle began his briefing by reassuring his constituents that […]

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 […]

As Alabamians deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the best direct sources to keep up with accurate, updated information are the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation,” ADPH states. As such, the department is updating the public twice daily […]