Montgomery Public Schools Will Go Virtual for First 9 Weeks
The Montgomery Public School system has announced it will go completely virtual for the first nine weeks of the school year. MPS Superintendent Dr. Ann Roy Moore made…
Coronavirus
Alabama Inmate Serving Life without Parole for Marengo County Murder Dies from COVID-19
Wilson Roosevelt Conner, a 47-year-old inmate who was serving a life without the possibility of parole sentence for murder out of Marengo County at St. Clair Correctional Facility (St. Clair) in Springville, passed away on July 17. Conner, who suffered…
Governor Ivey Announces $170 Million for Health Care and Remote Learning in Alabama Public Schools
Governor Kay Ivey on Monday awarded $70 million to support the Alabama State Department of Education’s (ALSDE) Education Health and Wellness Grant Program and $100 million to support the Educational Remote Learning Devices Grant Program. “COVID-19 greatly impacted delivery of…
Review Shows Alabama School District Plans Lack Details of Closure Caused by Outbreak
A review of Alabama school districts' plans for reopening during the coronavirus outbreak finds that few districts provide clear guidance about what would force them to close again. Reports say the plans instead refer to guidance from local and state…
Alabama U.S. Attorneys Warn Citizens of Misleading Information Regarding Face Masks Exemptions
The three United States Attorneys in Alabama join together to warn citizens that cards and other documents bearing the Department of Justice seal and claiming that individuals are exempt from face mask requirements are fraudulent. Inaccurate flyers or other postings…
Update on the Coronavirus Cases in Alabama
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health (APDH), there have been nearly 20-thousand new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the last two weeks. Medical professionals in Alabama say they are witnessing two starkly different realities: Inside the hospitals, they…
Doctor Who Survived COVID-19 Bewildered by Public Disregard
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Medical professionals in Alabama are witnessing two starkly different realities: Inside the hospitals, they attend to patients fighting for their lives in overcrowded intensive care units. Outside the medical centers' doors, they see a society that…
Trenholm State Community College Releases Plan to Reopening School
With the safety of students, faculty, and staff as a top priority, Trenholm State Community College (TSCC) has released a plan to reopen August 14, and return to normal operations…
Bullock County Schools Reopening Strictly Virtual on August 24
Bullock County Schools will begin the 2020-2021, on August 24, on a virtual/remote plan for the first nine week period. All students will have access to digital materials and instructional activities to remain engaged in learning during the time schools…
Alabama Jobless Rate Down from 12.9% to 7.5% as Economy Reopens
Alabama's unemployment rate dropped to 7.5% as the economy recovers during a worsening coronavirus threat. State statistics show the jobless rate for June was down substantially from April, when it hit 12.9% as almost 217,000 lost their jobs as businesses…
Women's Golf Tournament in Prattville Postponed Until 2021
Due to the continued impact of COVID-19, the Symetra Tour announced today that the fourth annual Guardian Championship on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill—originally scheduled for September 18-20—has been postponed. The tournament will return to the…
Georgia Governor Explicitly Voids Mask Orders in 15 Localities
ATLANTA (AP) - Doing the complete opposite of Gov. Ivey in Alabama, Georgia's Gov. Brian Kemp is explicitly banning Georgia's cities and counties from ordering people to wear masks in public. He's voiding orders that at least 15 local governments…
What You Need to Know About Alabama's Statewide Mask Mandate
Effective July 16, 2020 at 5:00 P.M., each person shall wear a mask or other facial covering that covers his or her nostrils and mouth at all times when within six feet of a person from another household in any…
Low Voter Turnout in Dallas Co. for Runoff Election
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- Dallas County voters are at the polls choosing a new tax collector -- and two new county commissioners. Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn says voter turnout in Dallas County --…
Senators Propose Plan to Reopen Schools
Two state senators say the state's "Roadmap to Reopening Schools" does not do enough to protect students and staff. Tuesday, they took their plan for reopening schools to State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey and the State Board of Education. Senators…
As U.S. Grapples with Virus, Florida Hits Record Case Increase
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — With the United States grappling with the worst Coronavirus outbreak in the world, Florida hit a grim milestone Sunday, shattering the national record for a state’s largest single-day increase in positive cases. Deaths from the virus have…
Alabama Sees Over 1,600 New Virus Cases, 7 Additional Deaths
More than 1,600 new confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported in Alabama, along with seven additional virus-related deaths. The state recorded more than 16,500 new confirmed cases of the virus over the last 14 days, according to data released Sunday…
Disney World Reopens as Coronavirus Cases Surge in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — “The Most Magical Place on Earth” has reopened after nearly four months with new rules in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are reopening Saturday,…
Funeral Arrangements Announced for Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver
Billy Joe Driver, 84, of Clanton passed away July 9, 2020 at St. Vincent's in Birmingham, Alabama due to COVID-19. He was mayor of the City of Clanton. On Monday, July 13, a walk-through visitation will be held from 4:00…
Protecting College Students in Residence Halls
With classes set to resume in person this fall at most universities in our are, administrators are taking extra precaution to protect students. Most universities have already adopted policies requiring mask to…
New Superintendent Takes Over Leadership of Perry Co. Schools
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The Perry County School District has a new superintendent. Dr. Marcia Smiley took the reins at the school district July 1st. Smiley is no stranger to Perry County Schools.…
Dallas Co. Poll Workers Attend Election School
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- Dallas County officials held an election school for poll workers -- to get ready for the runoff elections Tuesday. Poll workers were trained how to use the election equipment…
Perry Co. Courthouse Closed Due to COVID-19
From the West Alabama Newsroom-- The Perry County Courthouse is closed due to a worker testing positive for COVID-19. The shutdown comes right before the runoff election. Commission Chairman Cedric Hudson says the courthouse…
Clanton Mayor Dies of COVID-19
The city of Clanton has announced the death of their mayor, Billy Joe Driver. Driver was 84-years-old. He died Thursday, July 9 after being admitted to the hospital last week for COVID-19 treatment. Driver had been the mayor of Clanton…
ADPH Increases Contact Tracing Staff
The Alabama Department of Public Health is now increasing its contact tracing staff as more Coronavirus cases are confirmed everyday, but health officials say staffing isn't the main challenge when it comes…
