(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) A new report finds that life expectancy in the United States dropped a staggering one year during the first half of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic caused its first wave of deaths. Minorities suffered the biggest impact, with Black people losing nearly three years and Hispanics, nearly two years. The estimates were re-leased Thursday by the Centers…
 (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) MILWAUKEE (AP) – President Joe Biden is promising a majority of elementary schools will be open five days a week by the end of his first 100 days in office. He is restating his goal after his administration came under fire when aides said schools would be considered open if they held in-person learning just one day…
LANETT, Ala. (AP) – An east Alabama mayor has been jailed on felony ethics charges. Jonathon Kyle McCoy, the mayor of Lanett which is east of Atlanta, was arrested Tuesday on three felony charges of using his official position or office for personal gain. The 56-year-old mayor surrendered at the Chambers County jail Tuesday morning, and his bond was set…
COVID-19 poses an extra danger to patients with heart disease and doctors think there should be a system for getting those at the highest risk vaccinated first. The American College of Cardiology recommends patients with advanced cardiovascular disease be prioritized over those with conditions that are well managed. The pandemic may be getting in the way of children’s dental care….
 (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden is extending a ban on housing foreclosures to June 30 to help homeowners struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. The moratorium on foreclosures of federally guaranteed mortgages had been set to expire on March 31. On his first day in office, Biden had extended the moratorium from Jan. 31. Census Bureau figures…
Auburn University at Montgomery says it will offer an allotment of the COVID-19 vaccine starting this week. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to any community members who meets ADPH’s Phase 1A and 1B guidelines. The clinic will be held on Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18 from 8:00AM to 11:00AM and 1:30PM to 4:00PM at the AUM…
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) – The case against a longtime Alabama sheriff accused of theft and ethics violations is being delayed again after a judge stepped aside. Retired Circuit Judge Pride Tompkins cited his own risk of catching the coronavirus in recusing himself from the case against Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. Blakely was indicted on multiple felony charges in August…
County health departments in the Northern, West Central and part of the Southwestern Public Health Districts will be closed on Monday, February 15, due to winter weather conditions that could heavily impact roadways. A list of county health departments that will be closed in each district is included below. Northern District: Cullman, Colbert, Franklin, Jackson, Lawrence, Limestone, Lauderdale, Madison, Marion,…
Montgomery COVID-19 Drive-Up Vaccination Clinic/Source: Alabama News Network Baptist Health officials say more than 8,000 people received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Montgomery Drive-Up Vaccine Clinic this week. Along with the original 5,000 doses provided by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Baptist Health was able to provide an additional 3,000 doses from its current community…
On Friday Morning State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris held a press conference to update coronavirus vaccination efforts in Alabama Phase 1-B includes: Everyone 65 and older; educators; grocery store workers; some manufacturing workers; public transit workers; agriculture employees; state legislators and constitutional officers. Previously only health care workers, first responders, nursing home residents and people 75 and older were…
