Presented by

The Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition

 

 

 

 

 

1. State further lifts restrictions

• Alabama will revive more of its economy by letting entertainment venues, athletics and schools reopen Friday afternoon despite shaky progress in taming the coronavirus pandemic.
• Gov. Kay Ivey announced new rules Thursday that allow casinos, tourist attractions, bowling alleys, youth sports practices and arcades to resume along with schools, child care facilities and summer camps. All remain subject to capacity, social-distancing and sanitation rules, she said.
• Ivey acknowledged the state health officer’s assessment that “our numbers are not as good as we would hope” and that there are areas including Montgomery where a large number of hospitalizations is a concern.
• “Today, however, is the next step in what has seemed like a long and difficult process of reopening our economy while at the same time remaining true to the belief, the fact, that y’all, this is a serious, deadly disease,” she said.
• The changes came as an Associated Press analysis of testing data from The COVID Tracking Project showed that, over the past 14 days, the situation in Alabama has gotten worse. New daily cases have risen to 304 from 268, and the positivity rate of daily tests has increased from 6.7% to 7.6%. The AP used seven-day rolling averages to account for daily variability in the testing data. The data includes counts through May 20th.
• Dr. Scott Harris, the state health officer, said the rate of positive tests in the state has decreased by the state’s count. He added, however, that people are still “safer at home” despite the loosened restrictions.
• Full story HERE.

 

 

2. ALDOT considering allowing police cameras, plate readers

• The Alabama Department of Transportation is considering allowing law enforcement agencies access to ALDOT rights-of-way and structures to install license plate readers and other surveillance equipment.
• Tony Harris, government relations manager for ALDOT, told Alabama Daily News the proposed rules are a result of recent requests from multiple police agencies.
• “It will be our practice to limit the use of those devices to law enforcement and public safety,” Harris said.
• At least one Alabama lawmaker said legislation may be needed to regulate the use of the devices and information they collect.
• Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said he’s gotten calls from concerned constituents about the proposal.
• “This reminds me of ‘big brother’ and the police state,” Orr said. “I’m all for helping law enforcement catch criminals, but we must be careful that it doesn’t lead to gathering information on everyone else.”
• A sample application provided in the public notice lists license plate readers, gunshot detection devices and legacy surveillance cameras as allowable devices. Agencies can also submit other uses on their applications.
• As of early 2019, 16 states, including Georgia, Tennessee and Florida, had statutes about the use of automated license plate readers that capture computer-readable images, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
• Full story from ADN’s Mary Sell HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

A message from

The Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition

• The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the significant need and demand for the expansion of rural broadband all across Alabama.

• Fast and reliable internet is something that all Alabamians should enjoy, not just those who are fortunate enough to live within the current coverage areas.

• For Alabama to thrive in a 21st century economy, every Alabamian should have access to a reliable internet connection. High-speed broadband is a basic personal necessity in today’s society and will bring an array of benefits related to education, telemedicine, economic development and agriculture.

• Our children, our economy and our livelihood depend on it.

 

 

 

 

 

3. About that Montgomery hospital scare

• This week, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed has been sounding the alarm about an uptick in coronavirus cases in the Capital City.
• Wednesday’s report that the city’s hospitals had reached their ICU bed capacity and were diverting patients to Birmingham was especially concerning to many residents.
• However, the managers of those hospitals and the state health officer on Thursday offered some important context that takes some of the shock value out of the news.
• Dr. Scott Harris said that having near capacity in a hospital’s ICU unit was not unusual, nor is working with other hospitals to handle patients.
• The CEOs of both Baptist Hospital and Jackson Hospital echoed Harris’ assessment and confirmed that none of their patients had been sent to Birmingham.
• Read the full story from WSFA HERE.

 

 

4. Senate declines more coronavirus aid for now

• Last week, the Democrat-led U.S. House of Representatives quickly passed another $3 trillion coronavirus relief package.
• This week, the Republican-led Senate declined to take it up, opting instead to take a wait-and-see approach to first assess how the first $3 trillion package passed in March is being used.
• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s bill as a “liberal wish list.”
• The floor action this week revolved around votes on nominees for judicial and executive branch positions. Senators confirmed a new Federal Election Commission member and four federal judges. Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, was confirmed Thursday.
• In considering the next aid package, some Republicans are discussing revamping the previously-passed unemployment benefits extensions with the goal of eliminating potential barriers to reentry into the job market as the economy opens back up.
• Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, said the $600 weekly boost during the pandemic approved under the earlier aid bill, would “handcuff” workers and discourage them from returning to work.
• Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said, “It was a mistake to make it so high to begin with. It would be a mistake to extend it.”
• Republicans are hopeful that as states reopen, the economy will improve, lessening the need for more federal funds. But if workers refuse to return to work, they worry companies can’t begin to rebound.
• Brady proposes giving workers a one-time $1,200 bonus to get back to work. He said conversations were happening at the highest levels at the White House.
• Full story from Lisa Mascaro HERE.

 

5. Column: Budget bright spots, Part One

• Remember when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die?
• Yeah, that was this week, not a month ago like it seems.
• It was truly one of the all time weirdest sessions in state history, and that’s saying something.
• No one got punched (that we know of), but there were some dramatic moments toward the end.
• Now that the dust has settled a bit, I wanted to highlight some of the positive developments that came out of the session, particularly with the budgets.
• Passing the budgets this year was no easy feat, and we ended up with some relatively healthy spending plans despite the pandemic’s threat to state revenues.
• My column this week focuses on some of those bright spots, starting with the Education Trust Fund.
• Here’s an excerpt:

• Read my full column HERE.

 

 

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama unemployment rate hit 12.9% in April

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama reopening continues amid shaky coronavirus progress

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – ALDOT considering allowing police cameras, plate readers

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – GOP weighs ‘redesigning’ jobless aid as layoffs surpass 38 million

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Stacy Column: Bright spots in the budgets, Part One

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama hospitals lost $739M in revenue in March, April

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Manasco confirmed to federal bench, LaCour named

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Pomp and masks: Graduations draw thousands despite pandemic

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Watchdog cites persistent infection lapses in nursing homes

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – May 21, 2020

 

AL.COM  – Theaters, sports practices, summer camps can reopen, Ivey says

 

AL.COM  – Trump makes major disaster declaration for Alabama flooding in February and March

 

AL.COM  – Youth sports practices can resume this weekend in Alabama

 

AL.COM  – Redstone Arsenal to reopen next week, officials say

 

AL.COM  – Freshened-up USS Alabama on course to reopen Saturday

 

AL.COM  – How and when will Poarch Creek reopen casinos, resorts?

 

AL.COM  – Alabamians are beginning to drive again, especially in rural counties

 

AL.COM  – How are state offices in Montgomery dealing with virus flare up?

 

AL.COM  – Alabama in ‘holding pattern’ as COVID cases creep higher

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Eight people, including a child, injured in seven separate shootings within 12 hours

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Gov. Kay Ivey loosens coronavirus restrictions on theaters, athletic events, child care

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Montgomery mayor Steven Reed: Hospitals asked me to sound the alarm over ICU beds

 

YellowHammer News – More than half a million Alabamians have filed for unemployment since March

 

YellowHammer News – Ivey further reopens Alabama in latest State Health Order

 

YellowHammer News – Legendary Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Jeana Ross to retire, consult for Harvard

 

Tuscaloosa News – Gov. Kay Ivey loosens some coronavirus restrictions

 

Tuscaloosa News – More than 20 Tuscaloosa County Jail inmates quarantined with COVID-19

 

Tuscaloosa News – Alabama reopening continues amid shaky coronavirus progress

 

Decatur Daily – Victims of domestic abuse seeing fewer avenues of relief amid coronavirus pandemic

 

Decatur Daily – Wayne Farms employee tests positive for COVID-19; more workers undergoing tests

 

Decatur Daily – DU plans $3.8 million water booster station to benefit industry

 

Times Daily – Solid Waste Disposal Authority approves landfill purchase

 

Times Daily – Ivey Vetoes Elected School Board Bill for Muscle Shoals

 

Times Daily – Alabama hospitals lost $739M in revenue in March, April

 

Anniston Star – Free summer food programs start in June for local schools

 

Anniston Star – Alabama’s health order expires Friday; officials still advise caution

 

Anniston Star – Alabama hospitals lost $739M in revenue in March, April, group says

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Birmingham PD take robbery suspect into custody after hours of negotiations

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Ala. among few states to incorporate Apple, Google contact tracing technology

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Dr. Wilson: Most COVID-19 deaths in Jefferson Co. happened in nursing homes

 

WAFF Huntsville – Alabama hospitals lost $739M in revenue in March, April

 

 

WAFF Huntsville – Marshall Medical Centers see decrease in COVID-19 patients

 

WAFF Huntsville – Marshall County deputies searching for suspect in boat storage break-in

 

Gadsden Times – Ivey lifts more COVID-19 restrictions

 

Gadsden Times – Georgia teen’s body recovered at Little River Canyon

 

Gadsden Times – Sardis High School graduation 2020

 

Dothan Eagle – Revised Safer-at-Home order opening more of Alabama on Friday

 

Dothan Eagle – Photos: Man who filmed Arbery shooting video charged in his slaying

 

Dothan Eagle – Wiregrass Memorial Day Ceremony adjusts to COVID-19

 

Troy Messenger – Youth sports, camps and theaters can reopen

 

Troy Messenger – CHHS Class of 2020 honored with outdoor commencement ceremony

 

Troy Messenger – Patriot Pals parade for Class of 2020

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Florida governor approves short-term rental property reopening for Okaloosa, Walton counties, Bay to reopen soon

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Opelika City Council renews director of economic development’s contract

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Opelika school board outlines graduation ceremony plans

 

Daily Mountain Eagle – Commission gives energy savings contract to Ingenuity

 

Daily Mountain Eagle – 6 sworn in as new JPD officers

 

Daily Mountain Eagle – Box named Sumiton Christian’s outstanding female senior

 

Trussville Tribune – Alabama Department of Health to work with Apple, Google to track spread of COVID-19

 

Trussville Tribune – Thousands attend local graduation ceremonies despite threat of virus

 

Trussville Tribune – Morning Update: Daily number of COVID-19 cases growing with little increase in overall testing

 

Athens News Courier – Coronavirus-triggered layoffs in US hit nearly 39 million

 

Athens News Courier – BREAKING: 3 killed in wreck on U.S. 72

 

Athens News Courier – SAFER-AT-HOME AMENDED: Entertainment venues, summer camps can open

 

WSFA Montgomery – Montgomery hospitals can handle ICU bed shortages, state health officer says

 

WSFA Montgomery – Marine Patrol enforcing social distancing rules Memorial Day weekend

 

WSFA Montgomery – AHSAA schools may begin summer activities June 1

 

WKRG Mobile – Florida teacher convicted of sex crimes asked for castration, not prison time

 

WKRG Mobile – Amber Alert issued for child out of Miami, Florida

 

WKRG Mobile – COVID-19 question of the day: “What does it mean to be a carrier of COVID-19?”

 

WTVY Dothan – Farmers markets gear up for changes

 

WTVY Dothan – Wicksburg holds graduation/prom parade

 

WTVY Dothan – Man arrested for shooting in Kinsey

 

WASHINGTON POST  – Appeals court orders Flynn judge to defend actions, as legal scholars weigh in

 

WASHINGTON POST  – Supreme Court won’t halt preparations for transgender inmate’s surgery

 

WASHINGTON POST  – 2.4 million Americans filed jobless claims last week, bringing nine-week total to 38.6 million

 

NEW YORK TIMES  – University of Alabama to Push Contact Tracing App, Require Online Health Checks

 

NEW YORK TIMES  – Trump Will Withdraw From Open Skies Arms Control Treaty

 

NEW YORK TIMES  – Fed Chair Warns This Is a ‘Downturn Without Modern Precedent’

 

 

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