Author: WAKA Action 8 News

ADPH Confirms Alabama’s First Coronavirus-Related Death

According to the Jackson County Commission Facebook page, an Jackson County employee has died from the coronavirus. The Alabama Department of Public Health has confirmed this. The county sends their sympathy to the family of the employee. Jackson County commission says the employee was a part-time courthouse employee and did not regularly come in contact with the public. All employees…

MPS Making Changes to Free Meal Program

The days and times for pickup of meals at Montgomery Public Schools sites will be changing starting Monday, March 30. Pickup will be available on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meals received will cover breakfast and lunch until the next pickup day, excluding Saturday and Sunday. There will be a total of five meals provided each…

Publix Installing “Sneeze Guards” at Cash Registers to Protect Customers and Workers from the Coronavirus

Florida-based grocery chain Publix says it will begin installing plexiglass barriers at the cash registers to protect its workers and customers from the coronavirus. A company spokeswoman says all of its stores should have the barriers installed within the next two weeks. Publix has joined its competitors Kroger and Walmart in installing the so-called “sneeze guards.” Grocery stores are seeing…

Public Funerals Now Prohibited in Macon County Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

All public funerals in Macon County are prohibited, effective immediately. Funeral directors have been informed of this guidance. Small graveside services are to be arranged. This guidance will be enforced by local law enforcement. Macon County Emergency Management Agency Director Frank Lee, says: “I feel we have some COVID-19 cases, but they have not been identified, because we have no…

Alabama Department of Labor: Nearly 17,000 People Filed for Unemployment Over 2 Days

Thousands of Alabamians are filing for unemployment benefits as the coronavirus pandemic causes workplaces to temporarily close or reduce operations. The Alabama Department of Labor said nearly 17,000 people filed unemployment claims over two days. Most of the claims were listed as related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Most were from the hospitality industry. Alabama and other states have mandated closures…

Pike Road Schools Give Out Meals In Response to Coronavirus School Closures

In an effort to support local families during the school closures, the Pike Road Schools System is offering free pick up meals to children. Pike Road Schools Superintendent Chuck Ledbetter says now is a time of need for many children in and around his district. “We’re trying to make sure we’re taking care of all of our kids. We are…

Consumer Alert: Ford Recalls More than 268,000 Vehicles

Ford Motor Company has announced that it is issuing a safety recall to fix door latches on some cars. It says some of the cars are registered or have been registered in Alabama. Ford is recalling some 2014-15 Ford Fiesta, 2014-16 Ford Fusion and 2014-16 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The company says a piece in the door latch may crack and…

Britain’s Prince Charles tests positive for new Coronavirus

Prince Charles & Camilla (Source: Clarence House) LONDON (AP) – Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has tested positive for the new Coronavirus. The prince’s Clarence House office says the 71-year-old is showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland. It says his wife Camilla has tested negative. The palace says Charles…

Warm Wednesday; Likely Record Warmth the Rest of the Week

WARM WEDNESDAY: A frontal boundary is pushing south through the state this morning and continues to produce some showers as it does. These showers will continue to push south and east through the early morning hours, before exiting the state by midday. The sky will be clearing through the day and by this afternoon we should see plenty of sunshine…