COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations on the rise in Alabama after easing of restrictions
On Saturday, April 24, at 2 p.m. CDT, the Alabama Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee is hosting a meeting calling for the unification of all workers in Alabama: “Support educators, Warrior Met miners, and Amazon workers! Unite our struggles to save lives AND livelihoods!”
and invite your coworkers, friends and family to this important meeting.
On April 7, Alabama’s Republican Governor Kay Ivey lifted the state’s mask mandate, citing a decline in cases and hospitalizations since peak numbers in January. During a press conference, both Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris spoke gushingly of the state of the pandemic in Alabama, saying “we’ve finally rounded the corner” and that the “pandemic is almost over.” Obligatory mention was made of the fact that the virus continues to spread, but they assured the public that “common sense” and “personal responsibility�
Alabama House rejects bill to ban holding cell phone while driving
Updated Apr 06, 2021;
It’s already illegal in Alabama to send or read a text message while driving.
The bill by Rep. K.L. Brown, R-Jacksonville, would have expanded that to make it illegal for a driver to hold a phone or support it on their body, such as on their shoulder. It would have made it illegal to use a cell phone to take or watch a photo or video while driving.
The bill failed on a 48-47 vote.
Brown said that similar laws have saved lives in Georgia and Tennessee. But some lawmakers said the law could have been misused to target Black drivers. Others said new restrictions on cell phones would do nothing to stop other causes of distracted driving.
Alabama House rejects distracted driving bill by single vote montgomeryadvertiser.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from montgomeryadvertiser.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Alabama lawmakers pass bill to allow churches, businesses to stay open during pandemic
Updated 4:29 PM;
The Alabama Legislature gave final approval today to a bill to limit the power of the governor and state and local agencies to close businesses and churches during a state of emergency caused by a pandemic.
The Senate passed it today after the Republican majority voted to end a filibuster by Democrats. The House had passed it last month. Votes in both chambers were mostly along party lines, with Republicans supporting the bill and Democrats opposed.
The legislation, by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, says businesses and churches can stay open during a pandemic if they follow all the safety guidelines issued by the governor or a state agency that allow other entities to stay open.
Dining with dogs: Alabama bill would let restaurants with outdoor dining go ‘dog friendly’
Updated Mar 16, 2021;
Posted Mar 16, 2021
Keshawn Buyton, 21, poses with his pet dog, Copper, while walking the Fairhope Pier in Fairhope, Ala., on Friday, March 12, 2021. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).
Facebook Share
Keshawn Buyton doubts his barely year-old pet dog, Copper, could sit still through a dinner at a restaurant patio in Fairhope. And he’s not sure whether it would be good public policy to let him try.
“Some people just don’t pay attention (to their dogs),” said Buyton, 21, of Fairhope, while walking Copper at Fairhope’s Municipal Pier. “Personal responsibility plays a big role in that decision. But I know some people just don’t want a dog close to them while they are eating.”