Health Most infectious COVID strain yet is causing a spike in transmission Although the BA.5 variant is possibly more infectious, symptoms have been less severe and vaccines still protect against serious illness. Jacob HolmesAugust 5, 2022
Health Ivey’s office blasts ADPH message on masking Ivey has previously issued mask mandates to protect Alabamians from the virus. Josh MoonJuly 25, 2022
Party politics ALGOP passes resolutions supporting school choice bill, ending mask mandates in school The executive committee passed three resolutions, all passing with broad support from 85 percent or more of attending members. John H. GlennFebruary 21, 2022
Health Lawmaker pre-files bill to let parents opt out from school mask mandates The bill was filed on a day when Alabama had 92 fewer ICU beds statewide than patients needing that care. Eddie BurkhalterSeptember 2, 2021
Education Masking policy hotly debated before Mountain Brook Board of Education Parents and doctors debated mandatory masking of school children before the Mountain Brooks Board of Education. Brandon MoseleyAugust 19, 2021
Health Gov. Kay Ivey issues COVID state of emergency, but no mandates or closures Alabama hospital ICUs were at 95 percent capacity on Thursday, with a surge in COVID-19 patients that is alarming state health providers. Eddie BurkhalterAugust 13, 2021
Elections Katie Britt opposes mask mandates in schools Republican Senate candidate Katie Britt opposes more mask mandates for school children as COVID-19 surges. Brandon MoseleyAugust 5, 2021
Health Alabama Republicans oppose additional COVID-19 mandates “Getting a vaccine and wearing a mask should be a choice, not a government mandate," said Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth. Brandon MoseleyAugust 4, 2021
Governor Ivey blames the unvaccinated for COVID-19 cases “These folks are choosing a horrible lifestyle of self-inflicted pain,” Ivey said. “We’ve got to get folks to take the shot." Brandon MoseleyJuly 26, 2021
Local news Birmingham, Montgomery enact local mask mandates The resolution — passed two days before the governor's mandate expires — requires individuals to wear masks when in public. John H. GlennApril 7, 2021