covid-19

2020 In Review: The Year in Alabama Politics

The coronavirus pandemic affected every aspect of life in Alabama during 2020, including politics. The beginning of the pandemic brought an early end to the Alabama Legislature’s 2020 session. It forced Gov. Kay Ivey to make tough decisions on shutting down some businesses in April and ordering masks be worn statewide. In addition, Alabama’s economy suffered, with record-low unemployment giving…

Music City Bowl Canceled Because of COVID-19 Issues

The Music City Bowl between Missouri and Iowa that was scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled because COVID-19 issues left the Tigers unable to play. The game in Nashville, Tennessee, is the second bowl called off since the postseason lineup was set on Dec. 20, joining the Gasparilla Bowl. Missouri is the third Southeastern Conference team that has had to…

House Republicans Block $2,000 Virus Checks Despite Trump Demand

House Republicans have shot down a Democratic bid to pass President Donald Trump’s longshot, end-of-session demand for $2,000 direct payments to most Americans. The made-for-TV clash came as the Democratic-controlled chamber convened for a pro forma session Thursday scheduled in anticipation of a smooth Washington landing for the massive, year-end legislative package. COVERAGE FROM CBS NEWS COVERAGE FROM ABC NEWS…

Congresswoman Sewell Hosts Holiday Food Giveaway in Wilcox Co.

From the West Alabama Newsroom– People in Wilcox County struggling through the pandemic — got a helping hand from Congresswoman Terri Sewell. Sewell held a drive thru food giveaway at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in the Alberta community Wednesday morning. More than 500 boxes of food were given out to help people feed their families. Sewell says its important…

Local Business Owner Relieved Following New Covid Relief Bill

Congress passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package late Monday night to deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals. It’s the second relief package this year, and many small businesses are going to get some much needed help. One business owner Samantha Williams talked with said the bill comes at the perfect time. The relief package was unveiled Monday afternoon…

Congress Approves $900B COVID Relief Bill, Sending to Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress has easily passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package. It promises to deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Lawmakers tacked on a $1.4 trillion catchall spending bill and thousands of pages of other end-of-session business to create a massive bundle…

Gov. Kay Ivey Gets COVID Vaccine, Calls It “A Safe Thing to Do”

Photo from Office of Gov. Kay Ivey/Hal Yeager Gov. Kay Ivey has become one of the first governors to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. She received the first of the two-shot Pfizer vaccine at a Montgomery hospital on Monday, a move aimed at building public confidence in the vaccines. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris also received the vaccine. Two top…

Congress Prepares to Vote on $900 Billion COVID Relief Bill

Top negotiators in Congress have sealed a deal on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package. Lawmakers announced the agreement Sunday after days of negotiations, and passage by Congress is expected Monday. The agreement would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefits and $600 direct stimulus payments to most Americans, along with a fresh round of subsidies…

Alabama to Get Fewer Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine Doses

State health officials say Alabama will receive almost 20,000 fewer doses of coronavirus vaccine than initially planned. The change will reduce the number of people who can receive an initial dose of the Pfizer vaccine in coming days. Health officials say the reason for the change is unclear. The department says almost 4,500 people in Alabama have received initial doses…

Alabama School Coronavirus Dashboard for December 18

The Alabama Department of Public Health has released an updated school dashboard of coronavirus cases for December 18. Overall, there are 3,352 COVID-19 cases involving Alabama’s public schools for this week. That is up from 3,255 last week. The dashboard doesn’t specify whether the cases involve students, teachers or other school employees. In the Montgomery metro area, here are the…