AL Businesses To Reopen; Podcasters Up For Pulitzer: Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Gov. Kay Ivey made a big announcement this past week which will allow many of Alabama's businesses to reopen after more than a month of closure amid the coronavirus pandemic.

However, that does not mean the spread of he virus is over. The state of Alabama saw three of the four highest daily totals for new COVID-19 cases in the past week.

Here are those stories, plus others that made headlines on Patch this past week:

More Alabama Businesses To Reopen As Ivey Amends Safer-At-Home Order

Restaurants, barber shops and more small businesses will be allowed to reopen in Alabama on Monday as Gov. Kay Ivey amended the "stay-at-home" order while also extending it until May 22.

Birmingham Podcasters Named Finalists For Pulitzer Prize

What started as a hopeful project by two journalism professors at the University of Alabama became a Pulitzer Prize finalist this week.

Alabama Continues To See Jump In New COVID-19 Cases

Alabama confirmed 332 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, which was the third highest tally for new cases in a day since the pandemic started.

UAB Announces Cuts Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

The University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB Medicine are implementing additional expense-reduction strategies due to significant financial losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Birmingham Restaurant Is James Beard Finalist

Automatic Seafood & Oysters has been named a finalist for Best New Restaurant. The awards, now in their 30th year, are regarded as the Oscar Awards of the culinary industry.