7. Huntsville now the largest city in Alabama
- Huntsville has officially surpassed Birmingham’s population, totaling 215,006 people in Huntsville, compared to the 200,733 in Birmingham. Montgomery has remained in third place with 200,603 people.
- Mobile is the fourth largest city with a population of 187,041. Since the 2010 Census, Huntsville has seen a 19.4% increase, but the three other cities saw population loss. Birmingham has lost 11,504, Montgomery has lost 5,161 and Mobile has lost 8,070.
6. If you welcome them, they will come across your southern border
- It’s been announced by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that in the month of July alone, there were 212,672 migrant encounters, which is a 13% increase from the 188,000 migrants encountered in June.
- Compared to 2020, there were only 40,929 migrant encounters in July. Mayorkas detailed that there were 95,788 people removed under Title 42 public health protections. He said that this has been “one of the toughest challenges we face.” Reportedly, 27% of those encountered had a previous encounter in the last year.
5. UAB delaying some surgeries
- UAB hospitals are delaying cancer and heart transplant surgeries due to the rise in coronavirus cases the facilities are dealing with. UAB’s Dr. Sarah Nafzinger and vice president of UAB Hospital Clinical Services said that the “hospitals have a breaking point” and stressed that the resources are “not infinite.”
- Nafzinger added that she doesn’t “want people to panic, but I also don’t want people to die because our hospital is so full of people with COVID.” The delay in surgeries is to prevent the further spread of the virus. She also stressed, “We are in dire circumstances right now and it’s time for people to take this seriously.”
4. Proof of vaccination is being required more commonly
- Live entertainment business AEG Presents has announced that they will require all events, venues, shows and festivals within their company to require that people show proof of coronavirus vaccination beginning October 1. There will not be an exception for those who have a recent negative test.
- The city of New Orleans will start requiring people to show proof of vaccine if they wish to enter a bar, restaurant or any indoor venue. There will be an exception made for those who wish to instead show proof of a recent negative test. However, there will be no capacity limits or shutdowns, according to Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
3. 20 more years in Afghanistan should do it
- U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) recently expressed concern over the situation in Afghanistan, stating, “Unless President Biden adjusts course quickly, the Taliban is on track to secure a significant military victory.”
- McConnell added that recent actions at the Embassy and withdrawing troops “seem like preparations for the fall of Kabul. President Biden’s decisions will have us hurtling toward an even worse sequel to the humiliating fall of Saigon in 1975.” McConnell went on to say that instead of removing all troops, we “should immediately commit to providing more support to Afghan forces, starting with close air support beyond August 31st.”
2. Critical Race Theory banned in Alabama public schools
- All seven Republican members of the Alabama Board of Education (BOE) have voted to ban Critical Race Theory in public schools throughout Alabama. With the seven members voting for the resolution, it passed along party lines.
- The resolution states, “Concepts that impute fault, blame, a tendency to oppress others, or the need to feel guilty or anguish to persons solely because of their race or sex violate the premise of individual rights, equal opportunity, and individual merit.” It was affirmed that this approach has “no place” in Alabama’s public education.
1. Alabama seeking help from FEMA as cases keep going up
- Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris has said that they have started making requests to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to find out what assistance may be necessary if the coronavirus cases in the state don’t slow soon. FEMA officials have already visited the state to discuss sending assistance.
- Dr. Don Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, has already said there’s a chance hospitals could exceed where they were in the winter surge, adding that “over the next two weeks, we don’t see any sign that it’s going to be slowing down.”
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.