Virginia Martin

With COVID-19 Cases Confirmed, Schools are Set to Close, Drive-Thru Testing Begins and Churches and Facilities Put Precautions in Place

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey closed public schools and declared a state of emergency Friday as Alabama confirmed its first cases of COVID-19. A Jefferson County resident became the second confirmed case of the new coronavirus in the state, and a Montgomery man was identified with the virus earlier Friday. The Department of Public Health is reporting four presumptive positive tests in addition to the two positive results. Those people are in Elmore, Limestone and Tuscaloosa counties, and one person tested was from out of town, according to the Department of Public Health website. In all, 74 people had been approved for tests when the website was updated Friday. The Jefferson County case involves an international traveler who returned home and was tested by a private physician. The Montgomery case is a Maxwell Air Force Base civilian employee. Across the nation, there were 1,629 cases of the virus and 41 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control's update as of Friday evening. Read more.

Sports Fans’ Dismay: Most Sporting Events Suspended, Locally and Nationally

If you were planning to take in a Birmingham Bulls hockey game, or a youth volleyball tournament or youth soccer play, you’re bound for disappointment. Sports have been anything but fun and games this week as COVID-19 has knocked much of the sports world off its axis. The diagnosis that one, and then a second, player in the National Basketball Association has contracted the virus began a domino effect that continues to ripple across the country and even to some youth sports in metro Birmingham. Locally, a weekend bicycle race, a volleyball tournament and youth soccer play are among the events that have been called off. Beyond today, Gov. Kay Ivey announced that public schools will close at the end of business Wednesday and remain closed for about two weeks with a proposed reopening on April 8. During that school closure, there will be no school sports events or practices. Read more.

Alabama Has Its First Cases of COVID-19; Public K-12 Schools to Close for 2½ Weeks

Latest Updates: Alabama now has two confirmed cases of COVID-19, one in Jefferson County and one in Montgomery County, and public schools will close after Wednesday for 2½ weeks. Read more.

Alabama Events Canceled Amid Coronavirus Fears

Many public gatherings are being canceled across the state as concerns grow over the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Senate

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate after five hours of debate Thursday passed legislation to allow and regulate medical marijuana. Read more.

PSC Hearing Wraps Up. Decision on Alabama Power’s $1.1 Billion Expenditure Not Likely Soon.

Testimony wrapped up Wednesday in a Public Service Commission hearing on Alabama Power Company’s bid to spend $1.1 billion to add new energy sources. The company and opposing groups were asked to submit legal briefs by April 17 to support their views on how administrative law judge John A. Garner should rule in the matter. A decision is not expected until summer, and further delay is likely if the ruling is challenged in circuit court. Read more. More on the topic:

PSC Hearing Starts Monday on Alabama Power Request to Add $1.1 Billion in Energy Capacity

State Puts $5M Toward Coronavirus Prep, Testing

Alabama Daily News The Alabama Legislature and Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday issued $5 million to help the Alabama Department of Public Health prepare for and test more Alabamians for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. As of Thursday evening, State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said there have been no positive cases found in the limited number of Alabamians tested for COVID-19. But he believes the virus is in the state. “I don’t think there is any doubt we have disease circulating to some degree," Harris said. Read more.

Cancel Gatherings of 500 People or More, Jefferson County Health Officer Advises

Jefferson County’s health officer, Dr. Mark Wilson, in a press conference Thursday recommended canceling all public gatherings of 500 people or more in a bid to protect people from the new coronavirus. No one in Alabama has been diagnosed with COVID-19, but there’s a good chance there are undiagnosed cases in the state, Wilson said. Read more.

UAB Latest Area College to Move Classes Online to Battle COVID-19 Threat

UPDATED — Several Birmingham-area institutes of higher learning are considering moving to online classes in the wake of Samford University’s announcement that it will begin the electronic classes Monday to avoid exposure to coronavirus. Read more.

$13 Billion and a U.S. House Seat Ride on Participation in This Year’s Census

Gov. Kay Ivey and state census officials say participation by Alabamians in this year’s census “will make or break” the state. Poor census participation by state residents could result in the state losing a member of the U.S. House and about $13 billion in federal health care and education funds. Anyone living in Alabama on Friday is being asked to complete the census. For the first time, the census can be completed online, as well as by phone or mail. Letters encouraging residents to complete the census are now being mailed to Alabamians. Kenneth Boswell, director of the Alabama Department of Community Affairs, is spearheading the census in Alabama. Boswell and Ivey pointed out that federal funding disbursements are tied to census data. “It is the most important census the state has ever seen,” Boswell said. Read more.