Government

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.

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.

$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.

Yoga Still Being Taught to Some Students Despite 27-Year-Old Ban

WBHM Alabama is one step closer to overturning a decades-old ban on yoga in public schools. This week, the Alabama House of Representatives voted in favor of democratic Representative Jeremy Gray’s bill – which would give school systems the option to teach yoga poses and stretches as long as they don’t chant, recite mantras or say “namaste.” Jimi Lee heads the non-profit Yoga & Love and volunteers with Alabama 4H. He tells WBHM’s Janae Pierre that, despite the ban, he’s led yoga at some schools; they just had to call the practice by another name. Read more.

Prison Reform Bills Advance

MONTGOMERY — A number of criminal justice bills were approved in Alabama House and Senate committees Wednesday, marking progress for Gov. Kay Ivey's endorsed prison reform proposals and others. Read more.

Lottery, Gambling Compact Bills Introduced in State House

MONTGOMERY — A new version of a lottery bill has been filed in the Alabama House with enough co-sponsors to easily get it through that chamber, if it makes it to a vote. A different lottery bill filed recently in the Senate also sets up a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to allow table games at its casinos, including two new sites in Jefferson County and north Alabama. Both bills are constitutional amendments requiring voter approval. Read more.

Inmate Work Release Monitoring Bill Passes House

MONTGOMERY — The House on Tuesday passed legislation that would require state inmates who work outside of the Alabama Department of Corrections facilities to wear electronic monitoring devices. Read more.