State Health Officer Recommends Avoiding Events with 500+ People
At a news conference this afternoon, Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris says he is recommending that people avoid public gatherings of 500 or more people as a way to help…
Coronavirus
ASU Closing Campus for Remainder of Spring Semester Following Spring Break Vacation
Alabama State University leaders have announced that students shouldn't return to campus after next week's Spring Break vacation. The university says they will offer online classes and other alternative delivery methods to allow students to complete their courses. This will…
Troy University Transitioning All Classes to Alternative Delivery Method, In-person Classes Scheduled to Resume on April 6
Troy University officials Thursday announced the transition of all classes to alternative delivery methods effective Monday, March 16. In-person classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, April 6. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, there are currently…
NCAA Cancels NCAA Basketball Tournament, Previously Planned to Play Games Without Fans
The NCAA has announced via Twitter that they will cancel the  men's and women's Division I basketball tournaments. President Mark Emmert said in a statement Wednesday he made the decision to conduct both the men’s and women’s tournaments, which begin…
Alabama Legislature Approves Money for Coronavirus Response
Alabama lawmakers have approved additional money for coronavirus testing and response to increase the number of people being screened for the rapidly spreading illness. The Alabama Senate approved a $5 million supplemental appropriation for the Alabama Department of Public Health…
NASCAR to Postpone Racing Until May 3
Update: NASCAR has decided to postpone all racing events until May 3. NASCAR has responded to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus by restricting access to upcoming race events. NASCAR has issued this statement: “At this time, NASCAR will…
Auburn to Shift to Online Classes Starting Monday Due to Coronavirus Concerns
Auburn University has announced that it will transition from on-campus to remote instruction beginning Monday, March 16 and continuing through April 10 in response to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. In a statement, university officials have asked that…
NHL Follows in NBA Footsteps, Suspends Season Amid the Coronavirus Outbreak
The NHL is following the NBA's lead and suspending its season amid the coronavirus outbreak. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league is "pausing" its season. The move comes a day after the NBA suspended play following a player's positive…
State JROTC Drill in Greenville Cancelled Due to Coronavirus Concerns
Alabama News Network has learned that the Alabama JROTC State Championship Drill scheduled for Saturday in Greenville has been cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus. "I cannot express how disappointing this is for our cadets and for me personally,"Â …
SEC, Other Conferences Cancel Basketball Conference Tournaments Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The SEC and the other big conferences in college sports have now all canceled their basketball tournaments because of the coronavirus, putting the celebrated NCAA March Madness Tournament in doubt. The Power 5 conferences are the ACC, Big Ten, Big…
U.S. State Dept. Wants You to Reconsider Traveling Abroad
The Department of State wants U.S. residents to reconsider traveling outside of the country because of the coronavirus. It says travelers may experience border restrictions and quarantines. These conditions could arise with very little notice. For the latest information, visit…
U.S. Capitol Closing to Public Due to Coronavirus Concerns
Congress is shutting the Capitol and all House and Senate office buildings to the public until April in reaction to the spread of the coronavirus. The House and Senate sergeants at arms said in a statement that the closure will…
Princess Cruises to Stop Operations for 60 Days Because of Coronavirus
Princess Cruises has announced, due to the coronavirus, it will voluntarily pause global operations of its 18 cruise ships for 60 days, affecting trips departing March 12 to May 10. Cruise ships have been particularly hard hit amid the new…
Local Schools, Churches and Businesses taking Extra Precautions to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus
Currently, Alabama does not have a confirmed case of the coronavirus but health officials warn that it is only a matter of time. Local churches, schools and businesses are already taking precautions to…
NCAA Limiting Attendance to NCAA Tournament Basketball Games Due to Coronavirus
NCAA President Mark Emmert says NCAA Division I basketball tournament games will be played without fans in the arenas because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus. Emmert said in a statement Wednesday he made the decision to conduct both…
WHO declares that virus crisis is now a pandemic
ROME (AP) - The World Health Organization is declaring that the global coronavirus crisis is now a pandemic. The assessment comes as Italy is weighing even tighter restrictions on daily life and has announced billions in financial relief to cushion…
State Officials: No Coronavirus Cases Reported in Alabama
At a news conference this afternoon, leaders from the Alabama Dept. of Public Health,…
Employee at Georgia Waffle House Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Company officials say a worker at a Georgia Waffle House tested positive for COVID-19, prompting co-workers to quarantine themselves in their homes. Waffle House said in a statement Tuesday that none of the co-workers from the restaurant in the Canton…
Coronavirus Spreads to 8 Georgia Counties
Health officials say five more people in Georgia have tested positive for COVID-19, and the Centers for Disease Control. That means a total of 17 people in the state have now tested positive, though some of the tests have yet…
Coronavirus Affecting Travel
As Spring approaches, may people are monitoring the Coronavirus outbreak, and the impact it will have on travel. Alabama World Travel is a travel advisory agency that has been doing business in Montgomery…
Dow Jones Drops 7.8%, Worst Fall Since 2008
The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 7.8%, its steepest drop since the financial crisis of 2008, as a free-fall in oil prices and worsening fears of fallout from the spreading coronavirus outbreak seize markets. The sharp drops triggered the first…
Seeking Trial Delay, Sheriff Accused of Making False COVID-19 Claim
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) - Lawyers for an Alabama sheriff seeking a delay in his theft trial falsely claimed the officer was being tested for the illness caused by a new coronavirus. With Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely set to go…
Oil Plunges 20% as Another Virus-Fueled Trading Week Begins
NEW YORK (AP) - Oil prices are plunging as a dispute among producers could lead a global economy weakened by COVID-19 to be awash in an oversupply of crude. Brent crude, the international standard, lost $9.50, or 20.1%, to $35.77…
No Fans, No Fun: Athletes Uneasy Over Empty-Arena Solutions
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - As U.S. sports leagues weigh whether to bar fans from ballparks and stadiums to help stall the coronavirus outbreak, San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija is one of the few players who can tell them exactly…
