Virginia Martin

Senate Approves Delay of Literacy Act Student Holdback Requirement

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate on Tuesday voted to delay by two years the requirement that third graders who don’t read at set levels be held back in school, as described in the Alabama Literacy Act, despite opposition from some chamber leaders. Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, sponsored Senate Bill 94. It passed by a vote of 23-9. The 2019 law currently requires that, starting at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, third grade students demonstrate sufficient reading skills before being promoted to fourth grade. Smitherman and others argued that COVID-19-caused learning loss would lead to more students being held back next year if lawmakers didn’t act. Read more. More from the Legislature this week: Bill Would Change State’s Grand Jury Secrecy Laws, Free Witnesses to Talk About Testimony Governor Signs Alcohol Delivery Bill Read complete legislative coverage.

by Mary Sell and Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Prison Lease Information Stokes Concerns About Cost to State, Funding Priorities

Recent information about prison company CoreCivic’s agreement with the state to build two large facilities is renewing concerns among some about the cost and state funding priorities. On April 2, Bloomberg News reported on bank Barclay’s plans to be an underwriter for CoreCivic. The story included a report from CoreCivic to potential investors that said ADOC’s revenues are provided by the Legislature. “This will include budgeting for all of ADOC’s obligations under the new lease agreements,” it said. “ADOC has discretion over how to spend the appropriation provided by the Legislature and has covenanted in the lease to prioritize lease payments above all other obligations to the extent permitted by law.” Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Alabama Pauses Distribution of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Alabama is one of several states halting distribution of the vaccine as federal health officials examine links to adverse health effects. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

Redevelopment of Southtown as Mixed-Use Property to Begin in June

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to rezone the Southtown Court housing project, making way for a mixed-use redevelopment of the property. Now designated a “mixed-use downtown” district, the property, near St. Vincent’s Birmingham, will be transformed into a development that includes multi-family residential, hotel, office, retail/dining, medical office, parking garage and open space uses. Developers intend to turn the property into a “pedestrian-friendly corridor,” including pocket parks, green spaces and bike lanes. Plans to redevelop the property, near where a 455-unit housing project now stands have existed in some form since at least 2008. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Alabama Adds 282 COVID Cases, 10 Deaths

A net total of 282 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Tuesday by the Alabama Department of Public Health, continuing a trend of daily figures hovering near the 300 mark over the past week. Read more.

by Robert Carter

Governor Signs Alcohol Delivery Bill

Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a bill making it legal for Alabamians to have beer, wine and spirits delivered to their homes starting this fall. The Legislature gave final passage last week to Senate Bill 126 from Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, and Ivey signed it Monday, according to the Associated Press. Effective Oct. 1,

by Alabama Daily News

Bill Would Change State’s Grand Jury Secrecy Laws, Free Witnesses to Talk About Testimony

A lawmaker from north Alabama wants grand jury witnesses to be allowed to discuss their testimony and experiences with prosecutors, something now prohibited under state law. Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, says current law takes away witnesses’ First Amendment rights. His bill would repeal an oath of secrecy for grand jury witnesses. House Bill 202 will be in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Ball said his original bill is modeled after federal grand jury laws, but he will bring a substitute to committee that makes the “bare minimum” changes he thinks are needed in state law. “They could talk about whatever they knew before, the questions they were asked and how they were asked,” Ball told Alabama Daily News. Read more. More from the Legislature this week: Governor Signs Alcohol Delivery Bill Read complete legislative coverage.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

How to Prepare for a Tornado

It comes with the turf when you live in the South. Tornado season typically begins in March and lasts through May. Maybe you’ve weathered multiple storms or perhaps it’s your first season. Either way, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest on how to prepare. We’ve got you covered with this guide. Read more.

by Miranda Fulmore, WBHM

Jefferson County Health Officer Recaps Tumultuous Year, Urges Residents to Continue Precautions so There Isn’t Another One

As the state's mandatory face mask order ended Friday, Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson urged residents to continue using masks and get the COVID-19 vaccine. "I am joining with Gov. Kay Ivey and state Health officer Dr. Scott Harris to encourage the use of masks," he said. In his Annual Public Health Address for Jefferson County, Wilson timelined his department's work last year with other agencies, including UAB and local governmental officials, to staunch the flood of COVID cases. Read more.

by Virginia MacDonald

Alabama Amazon Workers Reject Union, but Organizers Say the Fight Isn’t Over

Workers at the Amazon plant in Bessemer, Alabama have voted against unionizing, dealing a major defeat to labor organizers hoping for a galvanizing victory in the South. The union accused Amazon of illegal anti-union tactics and will challenge the results. Read more.

by Stephen Bisaha, WBHM