NASCAR hopes to reschedule all races postponed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, even if that means midweek races and doubleheader weekends. NASCAR President Steve Phelps addressed questions about safety precautions and scheduling during a teleconference with the sport’s media Tuesday. NASCAR announced Monday that races through at least May 3 will have to be rescheduled, including […]

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:

While Governor Kay Ivey and Dr. Scott Harris, Chair of the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, work hard alongside other state, national and private enterprise leaders to mitigate the effects of the novel coronavirus and bring its spread to a conclusion, it is important that people maintain the social distancing and other health recommendation standards. “We […]

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 […]

As a family medicine physician, I can tell you that we are in a uniquely uncertain time. The coronavirus, known as novel COVID-19, is a new virus that we have never seen before. This means that our bodies do not have immune systems used to fighting off this particular virus. We do not yet know […]

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 […]

7. Beaches are closing On Friday, all public Alabama beaches closed at 7:00 a.m. due to large crowds that were still gathering amid the coronavirus outbreak. Florida has not issued a similar order, but several beaches will be shut down as well. Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft said that they’re hoping to have the beaches […]

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 […]

Vestavia Hills’ Carl Cooper just turned 100-years-young this week, and this heroic World War II veteran has provided a roadmap for others to follow in seeking a long, rewarding life. Cooper, a native of Chilton County who also served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, visited with WVTM’s Rick Karle, who originally reported this story. […]

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 […]

I wanted to update you on the latest COVID-19 coronavirus developments. While the situation remains serious, the risk to most Americans remains low. It is important that we stay calm and do not panic unnecessarily. The federal government continues its aggressive response to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, secure access to testing for those […]