State Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said that Alabama has had no issues with testing capacity for the novel coronavirus and that 20 sites around the state are being considered for additional designated screening facilities.
Author: Caroline Beck (Caroline Beck)
State superintendent issues letter to school districts on closure protocol
Mackey wrote to school administrators and educators in a letter detailing what protocols should be followed to ensure children’s safety and providing ideas on how to continue learning during the three weeks all Alabama K-12 public schools are to be closed.
Weekend Digest- March 15, 2020
Good afternoon! A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March. There has been a lot of development on the coronavirus in Alabama in the last 48 hours so buckle in. Here’s your Weekend Digest for March 15. 1. State of Emergency announced, schools close Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency Friday and closed...
Schools, food banks prepare to feed children during coronavirus-forced closure
By CAROLINE BECK, Alabama Daily News MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State Department of Education as well as area food banks throughout the state are working to feed children when schools close next week in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Friday that all public K-12 schools...
Medical marijuana bill passes Senate
The Alabama Senate on Thursday passed legislation to allow and regulate medical marijuana after five hours of debate.
Prison reform bills advance
A number of criminal justice bills were approved in Alabama House and Senate committees on Wednesday, ma progress for Gov. Kay Ivey's endorsed prison reform proposals and others.
School calendar, literacy rollback bills stir debate in State House
Both bills were filed last week and are now awaiting committee action, but they are already stirring debate in the State House.
Inmate work release monitoring bill passes House
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.
Coleman headed to runoff in AL-2, will await challenger from close race
Dothan businessman Jeff Coleman is heading to a GOP runoff in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, but a tight contest for the second runoff spot was too close to call early Wednesday morning.
Statewide 5G infrastructure bill passes first vote but cities still concerned
A bill that would set a state-wide standard for deploying 5G cellular infrastructure, including how much money cities can charge providers for access to existing utility structures, has support from multiple lawmakers but municipal leaders say the bill takes away too much local control.
Carl, Hightower headed for GOP runoff in AL-1
Alabama’s 1st Congressional District will see a March 1 runoff between Republicans Jerry Carl and Bill Hightower, according to unofficial results from the Tuesday primary election.
Prison reform package backed by Ivey promises better rehabilitation and oversight
Gov. Kay Ivey has endorsed a package of criminal justice reform bills as a way to respond to systemic problems within Alabama's prisons system.
Bloomberg and Biden test out message ahead of Alabama’s primary
During the 55th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday," Democratic presidential candidates came to commemorate the famous civil rights moment and win over black voters, with some being welcomed with wider arms than others.
Legislature approves bill to slow future occupational taxes
The Alabama State Senate on Thursday voted along party lines to give final approval to legislation slowing cities' ability to pass local occupational taxes.
Bill to give voters option to end police jurisdictions passes first vote
A bill that would require counties to allow voters to decide if they want to eliminate police jurisdictions passed out of a Senate committee on Tuesday, but disagreements between representatives of counties and municipalities still exist.