• Alabama’s unemployment rate was 9.9% for the month of May, the Alabama Department of Labor announced this morning.
• May’s rate represents an almost four point drop from April’s revised rate of 13.8%.
• Secretary of Labor Fitzgerald Washington said more than 80,000 fewer people were counted as unemployed last month, while the number of employed rose by more than 128,000.
• Gov. Kay Ivey marked the significance of the progress in a press release Friday.
• “While we are nowhere near pre-pandemic levels, a monthly decrease of nearly four percentage points is certainly a positive,” she said. “Alabama, along with the rest of the nation, will be feeling the impacts brought on by this virus for months to come.”
• Full story HERE.

• A genetic analysis of COVID-19 patients suggests that blood type might influence whether someone develops the disease.
• Scientists who compared the genes of thousands of patients in Europe found that those who had Type A blood were more likely to have severe disease while those with Type O were less likely.
• Wednesday’s report in the New England Journal of Medicine does not prove a blood type connection, but it does confirm a previous report from China of such a link.
• “Most of us discounted it because it was a very crude study,” Dr. Parameswaran Hari, a blood specialist at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said of the report from China. With the new work, “now I believe it,” he said. “It could be very important.”
• The evidence of a role for blood type is “tentative … it isn’t enough of a signal to be sure,” said Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego.
• During the SARS outbreak, which was caused by a genetic cousin of the coronavirus causing the current pandemic, “it was noted that people with O blood type were less likely to get severe disease,” Hari said.
• Full story HERE.

Birmingham drops charge against ‘Funnymaine’ for inciting riot

• BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Charges of inciting a riot have been dropped against an Alabama comedian who spoke at a rally following the police killing of George Floyd and was accused of helping spark unrest in Birmingham.
• Jermaine “FunnyMaine” Johnson was arrested on the misdemeanor charge and released after posting $500 bond, said his lawyer, Emory Anthony.
• Johnson spoke at a peaceful rally in a downtown park on May 31 before a crowd went a few blocks away to Linn Park, where a Confederate monument was badly damaged. People later spread out through the area, smashing windows, setting fires and looting despite cautionary words in Johnson’s speech.
• The damaged obelisk was removed.
• On Wednesday, Johnson appeared in Birmingham Municipal Court before Presiding Judge Andra Sparks, al.com reported. During the hearing, city officials dismissed the charge, the news site said.
• “We believe these charges never should have been brought against Mr. Johnson,” Anthony said at a news conference after the appearance. “Mr. Johnson never incited a riot.”
• Johnson thanked God and those who supported him following his arrest, including Eric Hall of Black Lives Matter.
• “Thank you guys for fighting and standing up,” he said. “The citizens – y’all stepped up and showed out. You deserve better. You’re going to get it. Change is on the way. You should be proud. This isn’t about me. This is about y’all.”
• The comedian is known for his videos about the University of Alabama football team.
• Story link.

Auburn announces August commencement plans

• AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Spring and summer graduates of Auburn University will be recognized in two ceremonies in August.
• The university, in a news release Tuesday, said the ceremonies are planned for Saturday, Aug. 8, at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
• “From the beginning, we have worked to balance three important goals when planning our graduation ceremonies,” said Auburn President Jay Gogue. “Beginning with measures to support the safety of our graduates and guests, we have also strived to uphold the tradition of our ceremonies while engaging input from our students.”
• A sample of graduates were asked for feedback on various commencement plans and the option of holding ceremonies in the stadium was overwhelmingly chosen, officials said.
• Full story HERE.

Ohio State-Alabama set first home-and-home football series

• TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama and Ohio State have scheduled a home-and-home football series for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
• The two powerhouse programs announced the matchups on Thursday.
• The first game will take place in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 18, 2027, with the Buckeyes coming to Tuscaloosa the following Sept. 9.
• It is the first home-and-home meeting between Ohio State and Alabama. They have played four times, all in neutral site games. Ohio State won the last meeting 42-35 in the 2015 Sugar Bowl en route to the national title.
• The Crimson Tide won the other three meetings.

Pilot dies in crash of crop duster plane in Alabama

• ATMORE, Ala. (AP) — The crash of a small crop duster plane in Alabama has killed its pilot.
• Eddie Gideon died when his crop duster plane went down into a private property near his home in Atmore Tuesday morning, WKRG-TV reported.
• “He’s a very, very good man in the community,” Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson told the news outlet. “Escambia County lost a good man today.”
• The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed to WALA-TV the damaged plane was located in a wooded area. Earlier in the day, Jackson told WKRG-TV deputies were having trouble getting to the scene of the crash because of its location.

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama’s unemployment rate drops to 9.9%

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – New report shows a majority of women skipping prenatal care due to COVID-19

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Court rules Trump improperly ended DACA

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Study ties blood type to COVID-19 risk; O may help, A hurt

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Auburn announces August commencement plans

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Report: Alabama law enforcement seized $4.8M in 2019; lawmaker wants more information

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Mobile Harbor modernization project gets final agreement; construction to begin in the fall

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama Policy Institute poll shows support for ‘RESTORE’ plan

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – In new book, Bolton claims Trump asked China to help him get reelected

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Birmingham drops charge against ‘Funnymaine’ after Floyd rally

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – June 18, 2020

 

AL.COM  – Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed calls for reconciliation on Juneteenth

 

AL.COM  – As Huntsville’s police chief defends using tear gas, protesters call for apology

 

AL.COM  – Supreme Court ends ‘sleepless nights’ for thousands of Dreamers in Alabama

 

AL.COM  – Coronavirus cases in Alabama jump by 882; deaths now top 800

 

AL.COM  – Small Alabama police department quarantined after chief tests positive for COVID-19

 

AL.COM  – Alabama will lose $105 million in hotel tax revenue because of COVID-19, report says

 

AL.COM  – Auburn, Tuskegee universities open Alabama Center for Reparative Justice

 

AL.COM  – Dr. Anthony Fauci stresses football needs ‘bubble,’ similar to NBA, says season may not happen

 

AL.COM  – Alabama artists amplify truths and emotions surrounding George Floyd protests

 

Montgomery Advertiser – City to give out free masks at sites across Montgomery

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Montgomery reps call for expanded voting options ahead of November election

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Voting access during coronavirus press conference

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Miles College announces layoffs, furloughs because of COVID-19 pandemic

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Does Jefferson County have enough COVID-19 contact tracers?

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Workshops Inc. helping job seekers during COVID-19

 

Tuscaloosa News – Ivey urges cooperation in restarting state economy

 

Tuscaloosa News – This is still ‘My City’: Five years later, song of unity by Tuscaloosa songwriter may have found its time

 

Tuscaloosa News – Juneteenth events going online

 

Decatur Daily – Decatur looks to increase employees’ share of health insurance premiums

 

Decatur Daily – Decatur lawmaker wants more data on $4.8M in law enforcement seizures

 

Decatur Daily – Sheriff: Athens man charged after 120 mph chase, assault on officer

 

Times Daily – Donnie Allen announces run for Muscle Shoals City Council

 

Times Daily – Court rejects Trump bid to end young immigrants’ protections

 

Times Daily – Decline in new US virus deaths may be temporary reprieve

 

Anniston Star – Calhoun County sees fourth COVID death, two more suspected

 

Anniston Star – Phillip Tutor: What a JSU student sees in Jacksonville’s square

 

Anniston Star – Amtrak to end daily service for Anniston station

 

Gadsden Times – Firm donates masks to HeadStart program

 

Gadsden Times – Probation officers fired upon in Bessemer

 

Gadsden Times – Southside puts 3-way stops in place

 

YellowHammer News – Incoming Univ. of Alabama freshman raises more than $165K for black-owned businesses damaged during rioting

 

YellowHammer News – Two Alabama law enforcement officers fired upon, escape uninjured

 

YellowHammer News – BCA backs ‘job creator’ Carl in AL-01 Republican primary runoff

 

Dothan Eagle – Ashford man’s body found Thursday in Chattahoochee search

 

Dothan Eagle – Museum sets online Juneteenth observance

 

Dothan Eagle – Coronavirus roundup: Masks vs. personal freedom debate persists; 1.5 million more Americans file jobless claims

 

Troy Messenger – Troy Police celebrate promotions

 

Troy Messenger – Parole board rules on Huk A Buk killer’s request

 

Troy Messenger – Pike County reports third death

 

Andalusia Star News – COVINGTON CASKET BREAKS GROUND

 

Andalusia Star News – Local car dealers: ‘Despite COVID-19, now’s the time to buy a car’

 

Andalusia Star News – City improves financial position in FY 2019

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Face masks mandatory at Auburn University, starting Monday

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Local COVID-19 hospitalizations calm before the storm?

 

Opelika-Auburn News – COVID-19 couple celebrates 65th wedding anniversary in hospital

 

Daily Mountain Eagle – Inmate flees, quickly recaptured

 

Daily Mountain Eagle – Neuendorf: WBMC planning capital improvements

 

Daily Mountain Eagle – County BOE to use $1.4 million in CARES Act funding for technology

 

Trussville Tribune – Pinson Council gives updates on openings of splash pad, storm shelter; passes resolution extending demolition deadline for property on Sweeney Hollow Circle

 

Trussville Tribune – Original Hot Dog Factory coming soon to Center Point

 

Trussville Tribune – Alabama Ethics Commission dismisses matter concerning Trussville Redevelopment Authority

 

Athens News Courier – Montgomery to mark Juneteenth with online celebration

 

Athens News Courier – Arrests made in car chase, drug bust

 

Athens News Courier – GROWING STRONG: Work goes on at Hampton Farms despite coronavirus pandemic

 

Sand Mountain Reporter – Crossville Health and Rehab reports 28 cases of COVID-19 | Only one symptomatic

 

WSFA Montgomery – Sen. Doug Jones, Montgomery doctor discuss surge in local COVID-19 cases

 

WSFA Montgomery – Mayor calls on Alabama to make Juneteenth a state holiday

 

WSFA Montgomery – Shelby signs on to federal Justice Act to curb police violence

 

WAFF Huntsville – Unclaimed Baggage launches new online store for 50th anniversary

 

WAFF Huntsville – SEC Commissioner: ‘It is past time for change to be made to the flag of… Mississippi’

 

WAFF Huntsville – Risk of spread of COVID-19 high in close community

 

WKRG Mobile – Family of teen killed after fleeing Saraland Police want answers

 

WKRG Mobile – Former Gov. Don Seigelman reunites with dog he saved while in prison

 

WKRG Mobile – SEC Commissioner says it’s ‘past time’ to change Mississippi flag

 

WTVY Dothan – Most police video is never made public

 

WTVY Dothan – Hospital safety during Coronavirus pandemic

 

WTVY Dothan – National Peanut Festival Fourth of July elements eliminated except fireworks

 

WASHINGTON POST  – Top State Department official resigns in protest of Trump’s response to racial tensions in the country

 

WASHINGTON POST  – Tulsa arena asks Trump campaign for detailed health plan as Oklahoma Supreme Court hears arguments about rally

 

WASHINGTON POST  – Trump’s former national security adviser calls him unfit to lead; Trump calls him a liar

 

WASHINGTON POST  – Trump claims the coronavirus pandemic is ending. Data and the experts disagree.

 

NEW YORK TIMES  – Analysis: Seizing the Presidency to Suit His Own Needs

 

NEW YORK TIMES  – Targeting Bolton, Justice Dept. Again in Alignment With Trump’s Desires

 

NEW YORK TIMES  – Rising Seas Threaten an American Institution: The 30-Year Mortgage

 

NEW YORK TIMES  – Climate Change Tied to Pregnancy Risks, Affecting Black Mothers Most