MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Wednesday marks four weeks since a mask order went into effect in Alabama. Based on calculations by WSFA 12 News, data shows a difference in the percentage of cases in the month leading up to and the month following the order.The mandate became effective on July 15 and requires citizens to wear a mask in public when interacting within six feet of people from a different household. It was later extended to Aug. 31 with an additional requirement that masks be required in schools.In the month prior to the mandate, Alabama recorded an 8 percentage point increase in...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Wednesday marks four weeks since a mask order went into effect in Alabama. Based on calculations by WSFA 12 News, data shows a difference in the percentage of cases in the month leading up to and the month following the order.The mandate became effective on July 15 and requires citizens to wear a mask in public when interacting within six feet of people from a different household. It was later extended to Aug. 31 with an additional requirement that masks be required in schools.In the month prior to the mandate, Alabama recorded an 8 percentage point increase in...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - A few people were arrested during a protest Tuesday at the Alabama State Capitol.The protest, held by the Save Our Selves for Justice and Democracy group, was in response to the who reportedly painted “Black Lives Matter” in front of the Capitol on July 16.WSFA 12 News video shows a few people being arrested Tuesday. A few appear to be trying to spray paint the street in front of the Capitol.According to Montgomery Police Captain Saba Coleman, officers responded to the area in reference to protesters painting the street in front of the Capitol steps. They notified...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - A few people were arrested during a protest Tuesday at the Alabama State Capitol.The protest, held by the Save Our Selves for Justice and Democracy group, was in response to the who reportedly painted “Black Lives Matter” in front of the Capitol on July 16.WSFA 12 News video shows a few people being arrested Tuesday. A few appear to be trying to spray paint the street in front of the Capitol.According to Montgomery Police Captain Saba Coleman, officers responded to the area in reference to protesters painting the street in front of the Capitol steps. They notified...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Montgomery police say warrants have been secured for two people with more charges pending after a message was painted in front of the Alabama Capitol Thursday.Karen Jones, 45, and Johnny Ford, 77, each face one count of “Deface any Public Building or Public Property,” Montgomery Police Department Capt. Saba Coleman says.The Alabama Save OurSelves Movement for Justice and Democracy, which advocates for the expansion of Medicaid in Alabama, holds regular protests. Thursday’s protest was held on the steps of the state capitol.The group is usually peaceful. On...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Montgomery police say warrants have been secured for two people with more charges pending after a message was painted in front of the Alabama Capitol Thursday.Karen Jones, 45, and Johnny Ford, 77, each face one count of “Deface any Public Building or Public Property,” Montgomery Police Department Capt. Saba Coleman says.The Alabama Save OurSelves Movement for Justice and Democracy, which advocates for the expansion of Medicaid in Alabama, holds regular protests. Thursday’s protest was held on the steps of the state capitol.The group is usually peaceful. On...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama became the latest in a growing number of states to require the use of facial masks when in public, Gov. Kay Ivey confirmed Wednesday morning.About half of all states now have some statewide face mask requirement in place, the latest effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.Under Ivey’s order, citizens must wear a mask in public when interacting within six feet of people from a different household. The order goes into effect Thursday at 5 p.m. and stays in effect until at least July 31, the day the governor’s amended Safer At Home order is set to...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama became the latest in a growing number of states to require the use of facial masks when in public, Gov. Kay Ivey confirmed Wednesday morning.About half of all states now have some statewide face mask requirement in place, the latest effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.Under Ivey’s order, citizens must wear a mask in public when interacting within six feet of people from a different household. The order goes into effect Thursday at 5 p.m. and stays in effect until at least July 31, the day the governor’s amended Safer At Home order is set to...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Shortly after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a statewide mask mandate, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth spoke out against it.While Ainsworth said wearing a mask and social distancing are good ways to slow the spread of COVID-19, the mask mandate is an “overstep that infringes upon the property rights of business owners and the ability of individuals to make their own health decisions.”Wearing a face mask and maintaining social distancing are among the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, it’s an overstep that infringes upon the property rights of business...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Shortly after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a statewide mask mandate, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth spoke out against it.While Ainsworth said wearing a mask and social distancing are good ways to slow the spread of COVID-19, the mask mandate is an “overstep that infringes upon the property rights of business owners and the ability of individuals to make their own health decisions.”Wearing a face mask and maintaining social distancing are among the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, it’s an overstep that infringes upon the property rights of business...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama’s hospitals hit a sixth day of records Friday for the number of inpatients being treated for the coronavirus.A total of 1,183 are currently hospitalized, up another 73 from Thursday. That’s a third of all hospitalizations in the state since the pandemic began.The Alabama Hospital Association warns that the state’s healthcare system cannot continue to support the sustained increase in COVID-19 patients much longer. there is a narrow window stretching to the end of July to bring down the numbers before the healthcare system could begin to buckle or collapse...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama’s hospitals hit a sixth day of records Friday for the number of inpatients being treated for the coronavirus.A total of 1,183 are currently hospitalized, up another 73 from Thursday. That’s a third of all hospitalizations in the state since the pandemic began.The Alabama Hospital Association warns that the state’s healthcare system cannot continue to support the sustained increase in COVID-19 patients much longer. there is a narrow window stretching to the end of July to bring down the numbers before the healthcare system could begin to buckle or collapse...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Alabama Department of Labor announced Thursday it is changing the way unemployment claimants will be seen in person.ADOL will start seeing claimants by appointment only starting next week.There will be 300 appointments available each day. Registration will open each Friday at 5 p.m. for the following week.The first time to register will be Friday at 5 p.m.The location has also been moved from Alabama State University to the Crump Senior Community Center in Montgomery. The senior center is located at 1750 Congressman W.L. Dickinson Drive.Registration can be done...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Alabama Department of Labor announced Thursday it is changing the way unemployment claimants will be seen in person.ADOL will start seeing claimants by appointment only starting next week.There will be 300 appointments available each day. Registration will open each Friday at 5 p.m. for the following week.The first time to register will be Friday at 5 p.m.The location has also been moved from Alabama State University to the Crump Senior Community Center in Montgomery. The senior center is located at 1750 Congressman W.L. Dickinson Drive.Registration can be done...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama Department of Labor staff to assist people trying to file unemployment compensation forms.ADOL staff will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday this week and will be able to help around 300 people per day. Once the staff has served the maximum amount of people, they will cut the line off.ADOL asks that no one line up before 6 a.m., but customers are welcome to bring a lawn chair and snacks while they move through the line.ADOL also reminds people to come by themselves, bring all the information they need, practice social distancing and...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama Department of Labor staff to assist people trying to file unemployment compensation forms.ADOL staff will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday this week and will be able to help around 300 people per day. Once the staff has served the maximum amount of people, they will cut the line off.ADOL asks that no one line up before 6 a.m., but customers are welcome to bring a lawn chair and snacks while they move through the line.ADOL also reminds people to come by themselves, bring all the information they need, practice social distancing and...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed signed a proclamation Thursday officially recognizing Juneteenth in the capital city.Just a day before the commemoration marking the 155th anniversary to the end of slavery, Reed issued the proclamation calling on residents to commemorate the day.“Decades of terror and misery followed, but Juneteenth allows us to commemorate the symbolic and historical end of slavery while reflecting on the long road to racial reconciliation in America,” Reed said.Reed, who is the city’s first black mayor, said the capital city was among those around...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed signed a proclamation Thursday officially recognizing Juneteenth in the capital city.Just a day before the commemoration marking the 155th anniversary to the end of slavery, Reed issued the proclamation calling on residents to commemorate the day.“Decades of terror and misery followed, but Juneteenth allows us to commemorate the symbolic and historical end of slavery while reflecting on the long road to racial reconciliation in America,” Reed said.Reed, who is the city’s first black mayor, said the capital city was among those around...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama surpassed the 100,000 mark Wednesday after confirming 875 cases of COVID-19, according to data from the Alabama Department of Public Health.ADPH reports there are another 4,000 probable cases awaiting a determination, a possible indication of the ongoing backlog of tests the state is awaiting results for.Asked about the data, which showed a low of around 500 new cases Tuesday, ADPH’s Dr. Karen Landers cautioned “it is necessary to look at trends over periods of days, rather than a single day, to have an accurate assessment new case numbers.”Landers said...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama surpassed the 100,000 mark Wednesday after confirming 875 cases of COVID-19, according to data from the Alabama Department of Public Health.ADPH reports there are another 4,000 probable cases awaiting a determination, a possible indication of the ongoing backlog of tests the state is awaiting results for.Asked about the data, which showed a low of around 500 new cases Tuesday, ADPH’s Dr. Karen Landers cautioned “it is necessary to look at trends over periods of days, rather than a single day, to have an accurate assessment new case numbers.”Landers said...WW…