News

Gov. Kay Ivey said Wednesday morning she has no plans to move toward shutting down any businesses despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases.

Ivey said the business community has her support and reiterated “you cannot have a life without a livelihood.”

Instead, the governor is rolling out a $200 million grant program aimed at small businesses, nonprofits and faith-based organizations that have been effected the pandemic.

 In light of the possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine next month, the state health department has more details on how it will be released.

The Alabama Department of Public Health says health care providers and the chronically ill could receive the vaccine as soon as mid-December.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 1,410 cases of COVID-19 on Monday, including probable cases.

According to ADPH data, there have been 219,232 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in the state since the disease was first discovered here in mid-March.

Monday’s report follows a record 2,980 new cases on Friday that were not the result of a data backlog. The highest number of cases ever reported in Alabama was 3,811 on Oct. 22, but that was the result of backlogs from on-boarding new laboratories, according to ADPH.

A member of the Alabama House of Representatives announced that he is running for the state Senate.

Rep. Kirk Hatcher, D-78, will run in a special election to represent District 26.

He announced the news Saturday morning in an event by the court square fountain in downtown Montgomery.

Hatcher said one of his goals is to build on what has already been started by those who came before.

  We’re learning more about the ethics violations charged against Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes.

Hughes, 46, was indicted by a Lee County grand jury Friday on multiple ethics violations, including five counts of using a public position for personal gain, one count of conspiracy to commit theft, and one count of perjury.

On Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Public Health reported 1,488 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

According to ADPH data, there have been 197,777 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in the state since the disease was first discovered here in mid-March.

Alabama’s death toll stands at 3,006.

The state reports 20,901 people have been hospitalized since March 13. The state’s hospitals reported 1,022 inpatients being treated for coronavirus as of Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Public Health reported 1,488 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

According to ADPH data, there have been 197,777 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in the state since the disease was first discovered here in mid-March.

Alabama’s death toll stands at 3,006.

The state reports 20,901 people have been hospitalized since March 13. The state’s hospitals reported 1,022 inpatients being treated for coronavirus as of Tuesday.

  Most Alabama voters know that the November 3 General Election ballot will feature the presidential race and our U.S. Senate race. But there’s a lot more that you’ll find on your ballot.

There are six proposed state amendments that will be on everyone’s ballot. There’s also the race for Public Service Commission president. While there are several state court races, those have candidates who are unopposed.

In our area, voters in the Second and Third Congressional districts will have a U.S. House race to decide.

Hurricane Zeta caused damage and impacted roads in central Alabama.

ROAD CLOSURES

The Alabama Department of Transportation is urging motorists statewide to use caution when traveling state, U.S., and interstate highways. Remember to abide by local travel advisories for city and county roads as authorities begin cleanup.

AUTAUGA COUNTY: Multiple roads that are impassable. EMA says crews are working to get roads reopened but may not be able to clear the roads until later much today. All Autauga county roads should be considered impassable until further notice.

 The Montgomery Public School system has begun posting information on the number of positive COVID-19 cases at each of its facilities.

MPS said the data is broken down by school and will be updated on a weekly basis. The number will not be broken down by students and staff. Rather, MPS said it will combine that information.

The data includes only positive cases, not the number of students or staff members who are on quarantine as a result.

MPS said every school reports its data at the end of each day and that information is released publicly each Friday.