The Alabama House of Representatives last week passed a packet of three bills that aim to improve mental health offerings in the Yellowhammer State. The votes on all three bills were unanimous, with legislators on both sides of the aisle supporting the initiative. The passage of the bills was spearheaded by Alabama House Majority Leader […]

Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday, in cooperation with Alabama Superintendent of Banking Mike Hill, highlighted measures taken by financial regulators to protect the financial system within the state. The Alabama Banking Department, which oversees operations of Yellowhammer State banks, has partnered with its regulated financial institutions to ensure they are as prepared as possible for […]

In a video released Tuesday morning, Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth urged the people of the state to get serious about their roles in flattening the curve of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). “I’m asking all Alabamians to follow the recommendations from the CDC during this COVID-19 pandemic,” Ainsworth stressed. “Too many among us are […]

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has issued updated guidelines that say restaurants in Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Shelby counties should close their dining rooms for one week. The recommendation is an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The new official guidelines also apply to bars, breweries or any Category 3 foodservice […]

Huntsville-based company Diatherix has developed a new test capable of confirming a case of COVID-19, according to a release from the group on Tuesday. The company is accepting samples and performing the tests as of Tuesday morning. They are promising results back the same day they receive a specimen. Diatherix is a lab-connected testing company, […]

Although the total impact of the coronavirus outbreak is yet to be realized, U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook) is urging his constituents to be prepared for whatever economic fallout may be to come as a result. In an interview with Huntsville radio’s WVNN, Jones indicated the economy in a downturn was a foregone conclusion. […]

The Alabama Beverage Control (ABC) board announced the temporary closure of 78 stores on Monday due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Citing staffing and health considerations, the ABC’s head of government relations, Dean Argo, said in a statement, “[W]e believe that closing some of our stores will provide the greatest amount of employee/customer protection, while […]

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted January 2020 unemployment rate remains at a record low 2.7%, unchanged from December 2019, according to the latest data from Alabama Department of Labor. The news of the Yellowhammer State’s January unemployment rate, which is well below last January’s unemployment rate of 3.6%, was announced by Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) Secretary […]

Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) Secretary Fitzgerald Washington on Monday announced that Alabama workers who are not able to work due to coronavirus (COVID-19) will be eligible to file for unemployment benefits. “Many changes are happening quickly with regards to Alabama’s workforce, and it’s important to ensure that we are offering as many available options […]

Alabama’s cable providers are now giving students and low-income populations hit hardest by closures and other impacts from COVID-19 pandemic in the state no-cost and low-cost options for high-speed internet access, according to a press release from alabamacable.org. The online press release noted more information on the duration of the services:

At the request of Mayor Tommy Battle, the Huntsville City Council approved a State of Emergency declaration on Monday in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The declaration gives the mayor’s office increased power over staffing and purchasing decisions. Battle said he requested the declaration so his administration “can respond quickly” to any situation that […]

Montgomery’s first coronavirus health clinic opened on Monday, and screening is only available for those that have symptoms and call to schedule an appointment. The clinic is being staffed with employees of Baptist Health and is an outpost of that organization. All in the area who believe they have symptoms must call 334-747-0150 first to […]

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin proclaimed a State of Emergency in the city of Birmingham due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As of 1:28 p.m on Monday, there are 17 confirmed coronavirus cases in Jefferson County out of 28 total in the state of Alabama. The mayor asked that there be no gatherings of more than […]

JASPER, Alabama — Hayashi Telempu North America (HTNA), a Michigan-based supplier of automotive interior components, plans to expand its operations in Walker County with a $7 million project that will create 19 jobs. The announcement makes HTNA’s facility in Jasper the first outside of North Alabama selected to supply Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, which is building […]

Dr. Scott Harris of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) gave a press conference Monday morning in which he updated the public on the current state of the coronavirus pandemic in Alabama. Harris said that as of 10:00 a.m. CT Monday morning Alabama has 22 confirmed coronavirus cases, with over half of those in […]

President Donald J. Trump is rallying the American people as the nation deals with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In tweets and in his recent public remarks, the president has been encouraging unity and expressing optimism. He even praised U.S. House Democrats on Saturday morning for working with Republicans to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response […]

While coronavirus is wreaking havoc around in the United States and around the world, it is also having a profound impact on domestic politics. In Alabama, with a March 31 primary runoff looming, questions have been raised as to whether or not that election should proceed as planned. In a statement sent out to the […]

Club for Growth is going to endorse former Auburn University head football coach Tommy Tuberville in Alabama’s U.S. Senate Republican primary runoff election, according to a report Monday from Politico. “I think both of them can win, but I think if Trump is not fully on board it becomes harder. And he’s made it clear […]

Wind Creek Hospitality on Sunday announced that its Alabama facilities will be closed until March 30 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading across the state and the nation. Wind Creek the day before had announced it would close the facilities for one day to be deep cleaned, with the plan of reopening on Monday. However, […]

A Sunday evening release from Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill’s office called for the upcoming March 31 primary runoff to be postponed, however it is still up in the air whether that will — or actually can — happen. The release outlined that following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state and […]

MOBILE — With 15 days to go until Republicans in Alabama’s First Congressional District head to the polls to select their preference for the GOP nod in November’s U.S. congressional general election, former State Sen. Bill Hightower is in a neck-and-neck race with Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl. Each candidate has sought to present themselves […]

MOBILE — One of the trends in U.S. politics that is hard to miss is an embrace of socialism as an acceptable model for the American system. Democratic politicians like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have gained popularity off of the promotion of socialism as a viable system. During a one-on-one […]

Endeavor, a global entrepreneurship nonprofit, is expanding in Birmingham, announcing plans to select and support more growth-stage founders and a new program called ScaleUp Birmingham to accelerate the path to Endeavor for the city’s fastest-growing startups. Endeavor’s efforts will be supported by Alabama Power, Alabama Small Business Capital and a new advisory board that includes founders who have successfully scaled […]

Communication is much easier when you speak the same language. But for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers around the globe, the digital “language” of product data varies from company to company — causing error and inefficiency to the tune of $181 billion, according to an Auburn University study. Auburn researchers have a simple idea: Let’s all use a […]