HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Employees across the Valley are weighing safety versus a paycheck.At the Hair Queen on University Drive in Huntsville, customers strolled in on May 8, buying an assortment of hair and beauty products.Co-owner Anwar Asmar said in Alabama doubled his customers, and business is “booming.”Asmar said he’ been able to bring 70 to 80 percent of his staff back on board, while the others are waiting it out.“They chose to stay home, they chose to stay safe, and no one can blame them for that,” he said.He said he’ll welcome back the staff members once they’re more...…HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Employees across the Valley are weighing safety versus a paycheck.At the Hair Queen on University Drive in Huntsville, customers strolled in on May 8, buying an assortment of hair and beauty products.Co-owner Anwar Asmar said in Alabama doubled his customers, and business is “booming.”Asmar said he’ been able to bring 70 to 80 percent of his staff back on board, while the others are waiting it out.“They chose to stay home, they chose to stay safe, and no one can blame them for that,” he said.He said he’ll welcome back the staff members once they’re more...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Starting this week, vouchers for free broadband internet for school students in Alabama start going out.Michelle Roth with the Alabama Cable and Broadband Association has been working closely with state leaders to roll out the Alabama Broadband Connectivity for Students program which gives free internet access for families with students on free or reduced lunch.Roth tells us almost 300,000 vouchers for free internet for families should start hitting mailboxes this week. If you receive one, all you have to do is call the internet provider listed in your voucher...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Starting this week, vouchers for free broadband internet for school students in Alabama start going out.Michelle Roth with the Alabama Cable and Broadband Association has been working closely with state leaders to roll out the Alabama Broadband Connectivity for Students program which gives free internet access for families with students on free or reduced lunch.Roth tells us almost 300,000 vouchers for free internet for families should start hitting mailboxes this week. If you receive one, all you have to do is call the internet provider listed in your voucher...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - It’s been over two months since places of worship have been able to open their doors for in-house services, and many pastors in Montgomery say it’s still too soon.Under Alabama’s current amended safer at home order, church services can be held if guests maintain a six-foot distance. However, coronavirus cases have more than doubled in Montgomery County since the beginning of May and some pastors say opening would only put the community more at risk.According to data from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Montgomery started the month with 355 coronavirus...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - It’s been over two months since places of worship have been able to open their doors for in-house services, and many pastors in Montgomery say it’s still too soon.Under Alabama’s current amended safer at home order, church services can be held if guests maintain a six-foot distance. However, coronavirus cases have more than doubled in Montgomery County since the beginning of May and some pastors say opening would only put the community more at risk.According to data from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Montgomery started the month with 355 coronavirus...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - If you're looking for a job, or planning to head back into your office soon, you may be required to get tested for COVID-19.But is it even legal for your employer to require that?In short, the answer is yes.But, there are some things you need to consider.Alabama is an employment at-will state.That means your employer can hire or fire you for any reason, as long as it's not discriminatory.So if your employer requires you to get tested before returning, or if a potential employer requires testing before hiring you, that's within their legal rights to do that.But can...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - If you're looking for a job, or planning to head back into your office soon, you may be required to get tested for COVID-19.But is it even legal for your employer to require that?In short, the answer is yes.But, there are some things you need to consider.Alabama is an employment at-will state.That means your employer can hire or fire you for any reason, as long as it's not discriminatory.So if your employer requires you to get tested before returning, or if a potential employer requires testing before hiring you, that's within their legal rights to do that.But can...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Alabama secretary of state’s office is asking voters to be on the lookout for letters by the Election Mail Service out of Austin, Texas.Secretary of State John Merrill says this third-party organization is “contacting voters with outdated and inaccurate information to encourage voter registration and voter participation.”The letters from Election Mail Service encourage voters to visit . Merrill says this website is not associated with the secretary of state’s office.The letters tell voters that they are not registered to vote and include an unofficial voter...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Alabama secretary of state’s office is asking voters to be on the lookout for letters by the Election Mail Service out of Austin, Texas.Secretary of State John Merrill says this third-party organization is “contacting voters with outdated and inaccurate information to encourage voter registration and voter participation.”The letters from Election Mail Service encourage voters to visit . Merrill says this website is not associated with the secretary of state’s office.The letters tell voters that they are not registered to vote and include an unofficial voter...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Hundreds of people from across the state camped out in the early morning hours in Montgomery Friday to get help with their COVID-19 related unemployment claims.For weeks, the Alabama Department of Labor has been helping people in-person at the Alabama State University Dunn-Oliver Acadome.But it’s first come, first served because ADOL staff can only fit in about 300 to 350 people per day for the in-person services that run M-F from 8-5p.m.Some people began lining up at 10 o’clock Thursday night to get a spot Friday, according to people on the scene. Others lined up...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Hundreds of people from across the state camped out in the early morning hours in Montgomery Friday to get help with their COVID-19 related unemployment claims.For weeks, the Alabama Department of Labor has been helping people in-person at the Alabama State University Dunn-Oliver Acadome.But it’s first come, first served because ADOL staff can only fit in about 300 to 350 people per day for the in-person services that run M-F from 8-5p.m.Some people began lining up at 10 o’clock Thursday night to get a spot Friday, according to people on the scene. Others lined up...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The official number of initial unemployment claims filed during the week of March 29-April 4 has been released.The Alabama Department of Labor said 106,739 initial claims were filed online and by telephone, with 94,047 COVID-19 related. showed about 98,000 claims were filed during the time period.ADOL’s “” page shows 36,662 claims were filed in an unclassified sector, while 13,962 claims were filed by those who work in manufacturing. Workers in the accommodation and food services industry accounted for 12,121 claims. The “” page shows that in WSFA 12 News’ coverage...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The official number of initial unemployment claims filed during the week of March 29-April 4 has been released.The Alabama Department of Labor said 106,739 initial claims were filed online and by telephone, with 94,047 COVID-19 related. showed about 98,000 claims were filed during the time period.ADOL’s “” page shows 36,662 claims were filed in an unclassified sector, while 13,962 claims were filed by those who work in manufacturing. Workers in the accommodation and food services industry accounted for 12,121 claims. The “” page shows that in WSFA 12 News’ coverage...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Those Alabamians looking for details on their unemployment benefits now have the option of tracking their claim with a new tool.The Alabama Department of Labor rolled out a claims tracker Thursday to help residents see the status of their claim, in addition to showing them the next steps and what to expect from ADOL.Access to the tracking tool can be found at with login requiring the claimant’s social security number and PIN.ADOL says the tool includes the following information:“We have been working constantly to come up with innovative ways to help Alabamians get...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Those Alabamians looking for details on their unemployment benefits now have the option of tracking their claim with a new tool.The Alabama Department of Labor rolled out a claims tracker Thursday to help residents see the status of their claim, in addition to showing them the next steps and what to expect from ADOL.Access to the tracking tool can be found at with login requiring the claimant’s social security number and PIN.ADOL says the tool includes the following information:“We have been working constantly to come up with innovative ways to help Alabamians get...WW…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is warning drivers about a third-party website that is up-charging for driver license renewal.ALEA agents said third-party websites may look “official,” and often partner with search engines to appear at the top of search results, but most of them charge additional fees to complete transactions.The third-party application sites are independently run and are not affiliated with ALEA in any way.“We were recently made aware of a website that charged a $50 administrative fee in addition to the agency’s $39 renewal fee. That is...…BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is warning drivers about a third-party website that is up-charging for driver license renewal.ALEA agents said third-party websites may look “official,” and often partner with search engines to appear at the top of search results, but most of them charge additional fees to complete transactions.The third-party application sites are independently run and are not affiliated with ALEA in any way.“We were recently made aware of a website that charged a $50 administrative fee in addition to the agency’s $39 renewal fee. That is...WW…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBRC) - Governor Kay Ivey released a statement Monday urging Congress to put more money into the Paycheck Protection Program.The program, which ran out of money Thursday, provided loans at ultra-low interest rates to businesses with fewer than 500 employees to incentivize them to keep staff on payroll or rehire workers who have already been laid off as a result of the virus outbreak.If at least 75 percent of the money goes to keep employees on the payroll, the federal government will forgive the loans.Governor Kay Ivey on the program: “In Alabama, small businesses are the...…MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBRC) - Governor Kay Ivey released a statement Monday urging Congress to put more money into the Paycheck Protection Program.The program, which ran out of money Thursday, provided loans at ultra-low interest rates to businesses with fewer than 500 employees to incentivize them to keep staff on payroll or rehire workers who have already been laid off as a result of the virus outbreak.If at least 75 percent of the money goes to keep employees on the payroll, the federal government will forgive the loans.Governor Kay Ivey on the program: “In Alabama, small businesses are the...WW…