Articles by Kim Chandler

Distracted Driving Bill Crashes In Alabama Legislature

The Alabama House of Representatives last week narrowly rejected a proposal to fine people for using a smartphone while driving. The bill by Republican Rep. K.L. Brown of Jacksonville would have prohibited a driver from holding a phone with their …

Alabama House Committee Advances Medical Marijuana Bill

A medical marijuana bill on Wednesday cleared its first major hurdle in the Alabama House of Representatives. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill after lengthy debate and multiple amendment attempts. The bill now goes to the Health Committee after …

‘Treating Us Like Robots’: Alabama Amazon Workers Seek Union

Linda Burns was excited at first to land a job at the Amazon warehouse outside Birmingham, Alabama. The former nursing assistant had always enjoyed ordering from the company, Now, she would be working for them. A cog in a fast-moving …

Lawmakers Reviewing Alabama Medical Marijuana Legislation Passed by Senate

The Alabama House of Representatives began a lengthy review of medical marijuana legislation on Wednesday, requiring the bill to go through two committees before it can secure a vote by the full House. The Alabama Senate approved the bill by …

Alabama Lawmakers Move Forward with COVID Liability Protections

Alabama lawmakers on Thursday fast-tracked a pair of pandemic bills – one to exempt coronavirus relief payments from state income tax and another to shield businesses, health care providers and others from virus-related lawsuits. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and GOP …

Alabama Education Association Urges COVID Vaccinations for Teachers After 39 Deaths

The Alabama Education Association is urging the state to give teachers COVID-19 vaccinations following the deaths of at least 39 public school employees from the contagious illness. The group, which represents public education employees, sent a letter Friday to State …

Alabama Transgender Driver’s License Policy Ruled Unconstitutional

Alabama’s policy requiring a transgender person to undergo full gender reassignment surgery before they can change the sex on their driver’s license is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled Friday. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson said Alabama policy’s that people “can …

University of Alabama COVID Cases Top 1K in First 2 Weeks of School

The University of Alabama reported Friday that an additional 481 students have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to more than 1,000 infections since students returned to campus for the fall. The University of Alabama System released new numbers …

University of Alabama Reports More than 500 COVID Cases, City Closes Bars

The University of Alabama has recorded 531 cases of COVID-19 on campus since the fall semester began last week, according to numbers the university system released Tuesday as officials try to clamp down on student parties, bars and other gatherings …

Alabama Alters Hurricane Shelter Plans Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Shelters that open during dangerous hurricanes may look and operate differently this storm season, state emergency officials said, as the new coronavirus complicate response plans. Across the coastal United States, concerns over COVID-19 has added a new complication to response …