Government

Gov. Ivey Eases COVID-19-Related Restrictions on Businesses, Stores and Beaches

If you’re ready to go to the beaches in Alabama, you’ll get your chance Thursday night, and you can even do some shopping. But you’ll still be getting your restaurant meals through take-out or from a delivery driver. In general, residents of Alabama are still encouraged to stay at home but not required to, under the new “Safer at Home” order issued by Gov. Kay Ivey during a press conference Tuesday morning at the State Capitol. The new order is in effect through May 15. It replaces the “Safe at Home” order that expires Thursday at 5 p.m. Read more.

Birmingham Requires Face Masks in Public Starting Friday

Birmingham residents will be legally required to wear face masks in public starting May 1. The Birmingham City Council passed that legislation, sponsored by Mayor Randall Woodfin, on Tuesday; it’s the latest in a series of orders designed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Read more.

To Open for Business or Stay Closed by Coronavirus: Alabama Weighs the Options

UPDATED — As Gov. Kay Ivey eases her COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, stores, beaches and medical procedures, the question that remains for some is - is it time to reopen Alabama? Ivey, who announced a “Safer At Home” strategy that will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, has had advice from those who are primarily concerned about health outcomes of the coronavirus and those who consider economics – the loss of jobs, the shuttering of businesses – just as important, if not more. Although the team has reached the decision to begin reopening – while leaving some businesses, including restaurants and athletic facilities – not all in the state agree that it's time to reopen. Read more.

Should Gov. Ivey Loosen COVID-19 Restrictions? Not Yet, Retired UAB Public Health Professor Says

Coronavirus-adjusted General Fund Budget in Committee Tuesday

The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee is expected to debate and vote on the 2021 General Fund budget on Tuesday. Legislative leaders late last week said their session, on pause since mid-March because of the coronavirus, would resume May 4. But Senate budget committee chairman Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, said that lawmakers need to set an example for the rest of the state. Read more.

Alabama Reps Back New $484 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill

WASHINGTON — All of Alabama members in the U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to approve a $484 billion package to help hospitals, small businesses, farms and other recipients cope with economic misfortune over the next few months of the coronavirus pandemic. Read More

Alabama Lags Coronavirus Testing Rate Advised to Begin Reopening

As Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says increased coronavirus testing is needed to consider lifting pandemic protocols, data show the state lags behind most of its Southeast neighbors in testing. Alabama had tested 1.07% of its population as of April 24 through a combination of public, private and academic testing labs, according to an analysis of Department of Public Health data. A new Harvard study suggests the state would need to increase its testing more than threefold to get an adequate handle on the coronavirus outbreak. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, UAB’s Division of Infectious Diseases director, said Alabama has yet to see a downturn in new cases, though increases have slowed somewhat. “We’re continuing to see probably a 5% increase in cases every day,” Marrazzo said. “It’s not trivial in a state with a relatively small population that is doing limited testing. It’s definitely not over yet. It’s too early to say that we have reached our peak.” Marrazzo is also concerned about the distribution of tests in the state, as areas such as the Black Belt and the Wiregrass are charting lower testing rates than more urban counties. Alabama needs more diagnostic data to be strategic in the coming weeks, and the majority of its 67 counties have tested less than 1% of residents. Read more.

Half of Alabama Households Have Responded to 2020 Census

Alabama is running slightly below the national average in response to the 2020 census, state officials said Friday. Figures through Thursday, April 23, show 50.8% of the Alabama households that were sent questionnaires by the Census Bureau have responded, compared to 52.4 percent nationwide. Gov. Kay Ivey and other state officials have urged Alabama residents to participate in the census, which is taken every 10 years, because population figures are used to determine the number of members each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the distribution of federal funds to the states. Read more.

Inside Alabama’s Prisons, Fear of a Coronavirus Outbreak

Alabama corrections officials recently reported the first inmate death related to COVID-19. With several prisoners and staff members testing positive for the virus, those inside Alabama prisons worry this is just the tip of the iceberg. Read more.

Long List of Issues Fall by the Wayside as Virus Upends Session

MONTGOMERY — Less than three months ago, medical marijuana, education reform and a state lottery were expected to be headlining issues of 2020 legislative session. Projections for increased tax revenue meant larger General Fund and education budgets for 2021 and raises for state employees and teachers were anticipated. But when the new coronavirus interrupted daily life, it also upended the state’s economy and this year's regular legislative session. Read more.

Ensley’s Ramsay-McCormack Building to be Razed, Replaced

Ensley’s long-abandoned Ramsay-McCormack building will be demolished and replaced by a four-story, multi-use building, Mayor Randall Woodfin told the Birmingham City Council on Wednesday. An assessment by commercial construction firm Stewart/Perry revealed numerous structural problems in the 10-story, city-owned office building, which has been vacant since 1986. Read more.