Ivey Issues Mask Order; Tuberville Wins Runoff: The Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL — With record numbers of new COVID-19 cases reported in recent weeks, Gov. Kay Ivey finally issued a statewide ordinance requiring face coverings in public. This comesduring a week when Alabama not only topped its record for most new COVID-19 cases in a day, but also the most COVID-19 deaths in a day.

Also making headlines this week was former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, who defeated former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Republican primary runoff election for U.S. Senate. Tuberville will face Sen. Doug Jones in the general election in November.

Here are those and other stories that made headlines on Patch this past week:

Library In Mountain Brook To Change Name

Amid complaints from residents regarding its namesake's racist past, the Emmet O'Neal Library will change its name.

Gov. Ivey Issues Statewide Mask Mandate

Alabama joined multiple states in the country in requiring face coverings in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Gov. Kay Ivey made the announcement Wednesday.

Tuberville Wins GOP Senate Primary Runoff

Tommy Tuberville defeated former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Republican primary runoff election for U.S. Senate.

Birmingham Mayor Announces New Public Safety Task Force

Mayor Randall Woodfin Tuesday announced he has appointed a task force that will examine Birmingham's public safety agencies and procedures.

Alabama Native, Civil Rights Titan Rep. John Lewis Dies

Georgia Congressman John Lewis, who began fighting against racial injustice in the Jim Crow era, died Friday night.