FROM THE APTV STUDIOS IN THE ALABAMA STATE HOUSE, WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

I'M RANDY SCOTT IN FOR TODD STACY WHO HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS UNDERWAY AND MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW PROGRAMS TO HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE MORE IN THE CLASSROOM.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY GOT A CLOSE UP VIEW OF NEW STEM LAB WORK AT MONTGOMERY'S DALARAIDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO SEE STUDENTS IN ACTION.

LISTENING THIS IS AN EXCITING VISIT AND STEM INNOVATION LAB.

STUDENTS CAN LEARN ENGINEERING AND BUILDING AND SCIENCE ALL IN ONE LOCATION.

THEY'RE DOING AN AMAZING JOB GETTING THIS DONE.

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE STEP IN LEARNING.

GOODNESS WHEN WE WERE IN FOURTH GRADE WE DIDN'T BUILD ROBOTS.

GOODNESS NO.

WE'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THERE AND UNDERSTAND.

DALRAIDA ELEMENTRY IS THE FIRST SCHOOL IN MONTGOMERY TO HAVE A STEM INNOVATION LAB, AND PRINCIPAL BRYAN CUTTER SAY IT'S AN IMPORTANT ASSET.

WE WANTED TO BE INTENTIONAL.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT.

SO WE HAD A VISION TO EXPOSE THEM IN THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL TO ALL STUDENTS.

THEY NEED TO LEARN ABOUT SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND SCIENCE AND MATH.

WE WANTED TO HAVE A LAB WHERE EACH KID THROUGH 1 THROUGH 5.

AND EVERY CHILD DOESN'T WANT TO BE A MUSICIAN.

WE WANT TO TACKLE THEIR PASSION.

DR. CUTTER ADDS THE STUDENTS THINK THIS PROGRAM IS BOTH ENGAGING AND EXCITING.

IF YOU YOU HAD ASKED IF WE'RE PLAYING A GAME.

THEY'RE NOT LEARNING THEY'RE LEARNING SECONDARY AS WELL.

IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY FELT SAFE THROUGH AN FUN ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT.

WE WANTED THEM TO LEARN COLLABORATION.

TEAMWORK.

SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITHIN THE WORKFORCE WHEN THEY LEAVE HERE.

WE SEE THAT THEY'RE USED TO WORKING IN ISOLATION THROUGH COVID.

WE WANTED TO SHOW THEM THROUGH TEAMWORK THEY CAN PROBLEM SOLVE AND THEY CAN BE INTENTIONAL WITH EACH OTHER AS THEY'RE LEARNING.

THIS WEEK'S APPEARANCE AT DALARAIDA ELEMENTARY MARKED THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL DAYS SHE'S BEEN SEEN BEFORE REPORTERS.

QUESTIONS DID COME UP ABOUT HEALTH CONCERNS AND GOVERNOR IVEY HAD THIS TO SAY.

BETWEEN THE RUMOR MILLS AND SOME OF YOU GUYS IN THE MEDIA, IT SEEMS LIKE SOME OF YOU WANT TO WILL THESE RUMORS INTO REALITY AND INTO EXISTENCE.

BUT I ASSURE I AM FINE.

I THANK THANKS TO GOD OF DAY FORGIVING ME A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH.

I ENJOY BEING GOVERNOR.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD.

SOME 320,000 STUDENTS RIDE SCHOOL BUSES TO SCHOOLS DAILY.

THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE STUDENTS WHO TAKE THE BUS ON FIELD TRIPS AND TO SPORTING EVENTS.

AS CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS CAUTION AROUND THESE BUSES MUST BE A PRIORITY.

THE BUS IS A VERY SAFE VEHICLE.

WHERE WE RUN INTO PROBLEMS IS LOADING AND UNLOADING.

THAT'S THE MOST VULNERABLE TIME FOR STUDENTS WHEN THEY'RE GETTING ON AND OFF A BUS.

EVERYONE PLAYS A ROLE ON KEEPING KIDS ON SCHOOL BUSES SAFE.

A LOT OF THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS ON THE BUS DRIVERS.

BEFORE END YEAR BUS DRIVERS ARE TRAINED IN MULTIPLE SCENARIOS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S TYPICALLY FIVE CHILDREN AT THAT STOP AND ONLY FOUR THERE.

WE TRY TO TEACH THAT ANOTHER KID MAY COME UP LATE TO SEARCH THEIR SURROUNDINGS BEFORE THEY MOVE THAT BUS.

WE ALSO DO THE SAME THING AT THE END OF THE DAY.

HAVE THE DRIVER CHECK THE MIRRORS.

MAKE SURE THAT THE TRAFFIC IS SAME.

COUNT THREE KIDS BEFORE THEY MOVE THAT BUS.

AND THIS IS WHERE MOTORIST SAFETY COMES IN.

A LOT OF THE DISTRACTIONS.

WE HAVE THINGS GOING ON OUR MIND AND THEN YOU THROW CELL PHONES.

RADIOS YOU CANS EATING BREAKFAST ON THE WAY TO WORK.

ALL OF THOSE COMPOUND THE SITUATION.

MY MESSAGE TO MOTORISTS WOULD SIMPLY WHEN YOU SEE A SCHOOL BUS KNOW THERE ARE STUDENTS ON THE GROUND IF THEY ARE STOPPED.

MOTORISTS NEED TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE BUSES.

AND ALLOW FOR THE KIDS TO GET ON AND OFF THE SCHOOL BUS AND TO THE STREET.

WE'LL RUN A BUS STOP SIGN.

HEY THE BUS IS STOPPED IN FRONT OF THEM.

WE HAVE SOME THAT HAVE BLATANTLY.

WE'VE GOT VIDEOS THAT CARS GETTING UP ON THE SIDEWALK GOING AROUND THE BUS KNOWING KIDS ARE ON THE GROUND.

THAT HAVE THEIR STOP SIGNS OUT AND LIGHTS FLASHING.

AND FOR KIDS THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE RESOURCES TO TEACH BUS SAFETY.

BUT CARPENTER LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE THE BEST RESOURCE.

FOR EXAMPLE SHELBY COUNTY THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEM DEVELOPED A GREAT VIDEO.

AND THEY TALKED ABOUT BUS SAFETY AND HOW THEY USE THE MASCOTS AS CHILDREN IN THE VIDEO.

BASICALLY GAVE THEM VISUALS HOW TO LOAD AND UNLOAD SAFELY.

RECENTLY WE SHOWED YOU AN EFFORT FROM MONTGOMERY CITY LEADERS TO BRING ECONOMIC AND RESIDENTIAL PROGRESS TO THE ENTIRE CITY BY REVITALIZING SOME AREAS ON THE WEST AND SOUTH SIDE OF THE CAPITOL CITY.

MAYOR STEVEN REED THE BALL IS STARTING TO ROLL WITH 2 HISTORIC AREAS, THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE HOTEL AND NORMANDALE MALL, SEEING PLANS FOR MAJOR CHANGES.

GOVERNOR'S HOTEL FOR $100 TO PURCHASE THEIR PROPERTY.

AND AS SOON AS THE TITLE AND EVERYTHING IS CLEAR ON THAT WE'LL MOVE TO START CLEARING THAT HISTORIC PROPERTY AND DEMOLISHING IT SO WE CAN PUT IT ON THE MARKET FOR DEVELOPMENT OF.

IT'S BEEN AN EYESORE TO THOSE LIVING IN SOUTH MONTGOMERY.

STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS WELL AS BAPTIST HEALTH AND ALPHA THAT WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE PROPERTY DEVELOPED INTO SOMETHING THAT FITS THE SOUTHERN CORRIDOR OF THE CITY TO GO AS WELL.

>> NORMANDALE CAME UP.

>> IT WAS RECENTLY SOLD TO ANOTHER OWNER AND WE LOOKING FORWARD TO INITIATING THIS OWNER OUT OF FLORIDA.

WE HAD SOME PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH THE OWNER PRIOR TO THE SALE WHICH WE WERE MADE AWARE OF TODAY.

STAY WITH US.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL CONTINUE IN A MOMENT.

>> THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN HELPING STUDENTS FROM BEING A STUDENT TO THE WORKFORCE.

JOINING US NOW IS THE HEAD OF THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM JIMMY BAKER.

CHANCELLOR.

SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE ACCS IS.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

NOT EXACTLY.

IT WORKS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BUT IT HAS A HUGE ROLE IN HELPING STUDENTS TRANSFER FROM BEING A STUDENT INTO THE WORKFORCE WORLD AND AMONG OTHER THINGS.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT WHAT THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM DOES.

ACTUALLY THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM THAT'S APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR CONFIRMED BY THE STATE SENATE AND WE FUNCTION SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE STATE BOARD AND/OR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

BUT OUR MAIN MISSION IS TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS SO THAT THEY CAN EITHER COMPLETE A COURSE OF STUDY WITH US OR FOR A 2-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME.

AND THEN TRANSFER TO A FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL AT A VERY ECONOMICAL COST.

BUT MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE COMING TO US FOR TRAINING.

SO THAT IF YOU RECEIVED TRAINING AS A WELDER IT MAY BE IF THAT'S THE CASE THEN YOU GET A CERTIFICATE THEN YOU CAN GO TO ANOTHER STATE OR ANOTHER PART OF THE STATE AND PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THAT CERTIFICATION.

SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY NOT NOTICEABLE BECAUSE WE'RE SCATTERED ALL OVER THE STATE.

WE HAVE 24 COLLEGES.

WE HAVE 88 DIFFERENT INSTRUCTIONAL SITES.

OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR WE WILL TOUCH 145,000 STUDENTS.

BUT OUT OF THAT IS PART-TIME.

A LOT OF IS FOR SHORT COURSES.

WE HAVE COURSES THAT'S IN SOME CASES ONLY THREE WEEKS.

BUT WE OFFER A FULL SELECTION OF COURSES IF YOU WANT TO PURSUE A DEGREE, AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE.

IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING PROCESS.

>> I'M GUESSING LIKE SO MANY OTHER ENTITIES AROUND THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY HERE IN THIS COUNTRY, IN ALABAMA, YOUR JOB, YOUR TASK, HAS HAD SOME CHANGES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

IN MAKING PEOPLE CAN GET WHAT THEY NEED TO GET WHERE THEY WANT TO GET FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT.

A LOT OF THINGS FROM THIS POINT FORWARD HAVE CHANGED FOR A LACK OF BETTER WORDS.

AND WELL, THAT IS TRUE.

IT HAS CHANGED EDUCATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

NOT JUST IN ALABAMA BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY ALTHOUGH I PRETTY MUCH BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION IS A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.

YOU LEARN NOT JUST FROM THE INSTRUCTOR YOU LEARN FROM OTHER STUDENTS THAT YOU'RE STUDYING WITH, YOU'RE PART OF A GROUP WITH.

WE CAN'T TOTALLY COMPENSATE FOR ALL OF THAT.

BUT WE ARE ABLE AND HAVE BEEN PROVED TREMENDOUSLY IN DELIVERING OVER THE INTERNET ACCESS TO AN EDUCATION FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HERETOFORE WOULD NOT NEVER THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> YOU MENTIONED SO MANY PEOPLE.

SO MANY LOCATIONS, SO MANY PROGRAMS.

YOU'VE HAD THE BENEFIT OF HAVING MORE MEMBERS PRESIDENTIAL CHANCELLOR TO HELP BALANCE THINGS OUT.

>> WELL I'VE BEEN IN THIS OFFICE FOR A LITTLE OVER FIVE YEARS.

WHEN I TOOK OFFICE THERE WERE NINE INTERIM PRESIDENTS.

IN MANY CASES THEY WERE IN SCHOOLS THAT HAD AN INTERIM PRESIDENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS EIGHT OR 10 YEARS.

TODAY WE HAVE 24 COLLEGES AND 24 PRESIDENTS.

THEY'RE PRESIDENTS LOOKING TO MAKE A CAREER OF RUNNING THAT COLLEGE.

AND WE'VE A MIX OF BOTH.

BUT THEY'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING THAT COLLEGE A COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

AND I STRESS COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE REALLY COUNT ON THEIR COMMITMENT TO MAKING THAT COLLEGE SERVE THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY'RE IN.

WHETHER IT BE FOR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS OR WORKFORCE TRAINING SKILLS.

>> I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU REACH OUT TO MANY AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA MANY STUDENTS, MANY WHO'RE LOOKING FOR AN ADVANCEMENT IN WHAT THEY'RE DOING EDUCATION FLUL WISE OR MAYBE A CHANGE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT THE ACCS HAS BEEN WORKING TO HELP WITH THAT.

SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS.

THEY'VE SPROUTED OTHER PROGRAMS.

>> THEY HAVE WE'VE EXPANDED A LOT OF ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS.

FOR EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW IN MOBILE, ALABAMA WE HAVE AN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CENTER THAT'S OPEN READY TO OPEN.

IT WILL BE A SLOW PLACE FOR THE NATION.

WE HAVE 26 CHEMICAL COMPANIES BETWEEN MOBILE AND JACKSONVILLE THEY NEED SERVICE.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE WHO'RE TRAINED IN THE PROCESS OF CREATING THE CHEMICALS THAT ARE NEEDED.

AND WE'RE STANDING UP A MODEL THAT IS NOT BEEN REPLICATED ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

BUT THAT'S JUST ONE.

WE ARE ADDING CAREER PROGRAMS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE IT READILY AVAILABLE WITHIN FAIRLY EASY REACH.

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES AND THEIR NEEDS SO THAT WE ARE TRAINING EVERYONE THAT IS NEEDED IN THE SKILLS THAT ARE USED IN THAT AREA.

AND WE'RE A LONG WAY FROM BEING THERE BUT WE HAVE TODAY WE HAVE ABOUT 18 CENTERS THAT ARE BEING DEVELOPED AT THE COLLEGES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDING MORE TRAINING AND MORE SKILLS PROGRAMS.

>> IS THE GOAL TO TO HAVE 24 COLLEGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE 24 OF THOSE CENTERS.

>> SOME WE HAVE THE CENTERS ALREADY THERE.

ULTIMATELY WE WILL HAVE AT EVERY SCHOOL AND THEN WE ALSO JOIN HANDS WITH A LOT OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS, THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

AND WE'LL BE TEACHING IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

SOME OF THE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMS.

SO WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIND WAYS SO THAT EVERY CITIZEN OF ALABAMA WHO NEEDS HELP CAN FIND A WAY TO GET THAT HELP.

AT A REASONABLE COST.

>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG THAT REACHING BACK INTO HIGH SCHOOLS IN MANY WAYS WILL GIVE STUDENTS AN EXTRA BOOST AND BE THEM MORE PREPARED SO BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL THEY HAVE CREDIT AND EXPERIENCED BY THE TIME THEY GET TO COLLEGE.

IT'S INTERESTING.

WE HAVE MANY TIMES A STUDENT WILL THAT COST IS A HUGE ASSIST BY THE STATE TO FUND A STUDENT'S EDUCATION.

JUST THINK OF ONLY HAVING TO PAY FOR TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE BECAUSE YOU HAVE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE THAT WAS FUNDED THROUGH THE STATE APPROPRIATIONS.

IT'S A BIG PLUS.

BECAUSE OF OUR ENROLLMENT.

OUR PANDEMIC DECREASE THE ENROLLMENT IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

WE DIDN'T HAVE AN A DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT.

THE NATIONAL DECLINE WAS 3%.

I EXPECT A LARGER INCREASE BASED ON WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH ENROLLMENT.

AND WE'RE DOING IT BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP IN EVERY SCHOOL OF A PRESIDENT WHO HAS COMMITTED TO SERVING THAT COMMUNITY.

>> AND WOULD YOU SAY MAKING THESE PROGRAMS AND THOSE COLLEGES YOUR FACILITIES I SHOULD SAY MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE FOR STUDENTS A BIG DRAW.

>> OH IT'S A BIG DRAW.

IT'S A HUGE PLUS.

LOOK, WHAT HAPPENS IN THE STATE AND IT'S A GOOD THING.

IT'S NOT A CRITICISM.

I HOPE IT'S NOT SEEN THAT WAY.

WE BRING IN MAJOR INDUSTRY.

TOYOTA MAZDA FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY HIRE A LOT OF PEOPLE.

OFTENTIMES WHO SHOWS UP AND IS HIRED BY THOSE COMPANIES BECAUSE OF THE PAY SCALE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAD JOBS WITH SMALLER BUSINESSES.

WHERE DO THEY TURN.

THAT'S A REAL ISSUE.

WE'RE TRYING TO FILL THAT GAP AND WE WORK WITH THOSE ASSOCIATIONS NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES.

MOST OF THE EXECS.

AND SO WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ASSOCIATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE ESTABLISHED A CDL PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE.

WE ARE FOR THE FIRST TIME TEACHING PROGRAMS IN HEAVILY EQUIPMENT OPERATION THAT IS NEEDED FOR PEOPLE TO BUILD AND BEHAVE ROADS.

WE'RE LOOKING AT CONSTRUCTION.

WE'RE WORKING WITH CONTRACTORS AND TRUCKING ASSOCIATION.

WE'RE TRYING TO COLLECT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> CHANCELLOR JIMMY BAKER OF THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

IF PEOPLE WANT MORE INFORMATION THEY CAN SEEK YOU OUT AND LOOK AT THESE PROGRAMS YOU'RE OFFERING.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL RETURN.

ONE AGENCY HAS HAD THE TASK OF MAKING SURE PEOPLE FIND WORK AND GO BACK TO WORK.

THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT THE ALABAMA DEPENDED OF LABOR IS MR. FITZGERALD WASHINGTON SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

MR. WASHINGTON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT JOBS.

OF COURSE WHAT YOUR AGENCY HAS BEEN TASKED WITH, AND FINDING PEOPLE TO FIND WORK HAS BEEN A JOB AND A HALF HAS IT NOT BEEN.

>> WITH ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DATA.

AS YOU KNOW JUST RECENTLY WE WERE PRODUCED ANNOUNCED THE UNEMPLOYMENT AT 2.6% WHICH IS A HISTORIC LOW FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

ALABAMA IS CERTAINLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

>> THAT'S A NUMBER THAT GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS IN ALABAMA OUR LEADERS.

LEADERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE NOTICED AND SAID ALABAMA IS A DOING A GOOD JOB.

>> IF YOU THINK THAT THE IMPACT THAT THE COVID NOT ONLY ON ALABAMA BUT IN ALL STATES IN THE NATION IT'S COMFORTING TO KNOW HOW ALABAMA HAS ROUBTED.

ALABAMA FOR 21 MONTHS IN A ROW HAS HAD THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AROUND THE SOUTH.

OUR NEIGHBORS ARE ALL TRYING TO DO WHAT THEY CAN CAN.

YOU THINK OF GEORGIA TO THE EAST.

TENNESSEE TO THE NORTH.

AND MISSISSIPPI TO THE WEST THAT'S SOME STIFF COMPETITION TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

>> I'M IN OUR ADMINISTRATION IN TERMS HOW WE PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO'RE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE NUMBERS.

THE NUMBERS ITSELF 2.6% IN JULY OFFICIALS RELEASED.

IT'S A VERY LOW, LOW.

>> AGAIN 30 ABOUT IT.

ALL STATES STRUGGLED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND FOR ALABAMA TO HAVE MAINTAINED THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR 21 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS SPEAKS TO THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

THIS IS KIND OF A JOB SEEKERS MARKET.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S TWO JOBS FOR EVERY PERSON THAT IS UNEMPLOYED.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR WORK.

ALSO THE REPORTS WE'VE BEEN READING RIGHT AROUND RIGHT THERE UNDER 59 THROUGH PEOPLE WITHOUT JOBS.

MORE THAN 2.2 MILLION WERE WORKING IN THE STATE WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF 65,000 OVER A YEAR EARLY FROM WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

GREAT NUMBERS.

>> IF YOU THINK OF RECORDED 80,000 SOME PEOPLE THAT WERE UNEMPLOYED.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE JOBS.

>> TALK ABOUT PROVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ONE AREA SHELBY COUNTY AS 2.1%.

KULLMAN AND MARSHALL COUNTIES BOTH AT 2.4%.

AND RURAL ALABAMA WENDALL HORNE ALABAMA WILCOX HAD THE STATE'S HIGHEST AT 11.3% FLEER THE BLACK BELT REGION.

EVERYBODY IS PLAY KING STRIDES TO FIND WORK FOR PEOPLE AND GET THEM BACK TO WORK NO MATTER WHETHER IT'S NORTH, SOUTH, EAST OR WEST.

>> AND ALL OTHER COUNTIES ARE IN BETWEEN.

SO I REALLY STRONGLY THAT WE'VE GOT THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS TO CONTINUE THAT TREND MOVING FORWARD.

>> WHAT IS YOUR DEPARTMENT DONE TO HELP PEOPLE IN TERMS OF HELPING THEM FIND WORK BUT TO REASSURE PEOPLE THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE.

THERE'S WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

GET BACK TO WORK.

WHAT IS YOUR DEPARTMENT DOING TO HELP PEOPLE REALIZE THAT.

>> WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR JOB FAIR INITIATIVE.

WE'VE HAD TWO REALLY STRONG JOB FARES WHERE WE RECRUIT A NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS TO MEET WITH JOB SEEKERS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY AND GET INTO THE WORKFORCE.

WE'VE BEEN REAL EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

A 160 EMPLOYERS.

SO HUNDREDS OF JOB SEEKERS CAME THROUGH.

AT THE END OF THE DAY ALL OF THE EMPLOYERS WERE ALL SATISFIED WITH THE PEOPLE THEY HIRED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HIRED ON THE SPOT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MANY THINGS OUR AGENCIES DOING RIGHT NOW.

AND ALSO HELPING THEM TO REALIZE HOW THEY COULD PUT THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD.

THEIR POTENTIAL THEY COULD BRING TO SOME EMPLOYERS.

THAT HAS TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS OF GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK >> WE MANAGE 56 CAREER CENTERS.

IF YOU'RE A JOB SEEKER.

AND YOU CAN COME TO TALK TO ONE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFFERS IN OUR ONE OF OUR STATEWIDE CAREER CENTERS TO GET THAT JOB THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> AND WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT ALABAMA AND THE PEOPLE WHO'RE AVAILABLE TO GO BACK TO WORK.

THAT IS ALSO DRIVING PEOPLE TO GO BACK TO WORK.

THERE ARE STILL SOME FOLKS HERE IN THIS CITY OF MONTGOMERY.

YOU STILL SEE HELP WANTED SIGNS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO STEP OUT AND APPLY FOR JOB.

THAT HAS TO BE ENCOURAGING AS WELL.

>> WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S SOME SECTORS THAT WHERE THE EMPLOYERS ARE STILL HAVING CHALLENGES HIRING SKILLED LABOR.

I REALLY ENCOURAGE THOSE BUSINESSES TO REACH OUT TO OUR CAREER CENTERS, AND THEN WE CAN MAKE THE REFERRAL TO THOSE EMPLOYERS FILL THOSE OPEN POSITIONS.

HOW IS YOUR DEPARTMENT DOING.

AS WE SAID BEFORE IT WAS NO SECRET YOUR DEPARTMENT HAD A LOT OF WORK ON ITS HANDS OVER THE LAST TWO, ALMOST THREE YEARS AND HELPING PEOPLE FIND JOBS, AND GET BACK TO WORK.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME PLAY KING SURE THAT YOUR STAFF WANTS TAKEN CARE OF AND STAYING HEALTHY.

HOW IS EVERYTHING OVER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

>> MAKE NO MISTAKE OUR STAFF HAS BEEN CHALLENGED OVER THE PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PARTICULAR TIME.

THAT'S OUR CHARGE.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT UNTIL ANYBODY THAT'S READY FOR AN OPPORTUNITY GETS THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> SOME OTHER PEOPLE LOU LIKE WHAT YOU DO LAWMAKERS.

I'M QUITE SURE THEY'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON AND HAVE REACHED TO HELP OUT IF NEED BE BECAUSE GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK IS WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE IN ALABAMA.

>> PART OF OUR STRATEGY TO FOCUS ON CERTAIN GROUPS THAT ARE CURRENTLY DISCONNECTED WITH THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED, AND VETERANS.

TO MAKE SURE WE CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE INTO THE WORKFORCE.

>> SPEAKING OF THOSE CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE YOU WERE JUST MENTIONING ANY PROGRAMS YOU HAVE COMING OUT OF THE PIPELINE OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO HELP WITH THAT ISSUE.

>> OUR JOB FARES PLAYING A HUGE ROLE IN THOSE.

WE LET THE EMPLOYERS KNOW THAT IN A VERY CHALLENGING WORKFORCE RIGHT NOW IN THIS THE POST PANDEMIC ARENA THEY NEED TO LOOK AT THESE GROUPS THAT CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM.

WE JUST MOVED INTO THE FALL ALTHOUGH THE WEATHER WOULD INDICATE OTHERWISE.

WE PASSED THROUGH THE SUMMER.

A LOT OF THE KIDS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

NOW WE'RE IN THE FALL.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO MARKETING STRATEGY.

WE KNOW PEOPLE RECEIVE THEIR NEWS AND INFORMATION IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND LET PEOPLE THERE ARE AVAILABLE JOBS OUT THERE.

THE JOB AS THERE'S 23% JOBS OVER THE MONTHS BASED ON EMPLOYER NEEDS.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO MARKET THOSE, AND LET PEOPLE THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY OUT THERE, AND UNDER REPLY OPINION IT'S WORKING.

WHICH ALSO HAS A DIRECT PARALLEL INTO OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS AT A HISTORIC RATE OF 2.6%.

>> IT'S NEVER BEEN THAT LOW IS IT SIR.

>> NO.

>> ANY IDEA IF IT COULD PROCEED.

DO YOU THINK THAT COULD HAPPEN.

>> WE REPORTED [INAUDIBLE].

SOME OF THOSE FOLKS MAY BE FACING SOME BARRIERS TO GET INTO THE WORKFORCE.

THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR ADMINISTRATION TO RAISE THE AWARENESS TO LET PEOPLE FLOW THESE OPPORTUNITIES EXIST.

THEY NEED SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR A PARTICULAR JOB.

AND THEY CAN COME TO OUR CAREER CENTERS.

MR. WASHINGTON I AWESOME ARTICLES AND SOME PUBLICATIONS A LOT OF COMPANIES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT GIVE ALABAMA SOME THUMBS UP BEING A PRIME PLACE THEY WANT TO RELOCATE AND TAKE PART OF THE WORKFORCE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT ALABAMA HAS TO OFFER.

THAT'S A REALLY GOOD SIGN.

WE MENTIONED SOME CHALLENGES THAT SOME EMPLOYERS ARE FACING RIGHT NOW TO FIND SKILLED LABOR.

OUR DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS DOING A WONDERFUL JOB WITH RECRUITING COMPANIES TO COME TO ALABAMA.

SO IN MY OPINION THESE COMPANIES WOULD LOOK TO EXPAND OR COME TO ALABAMA TO INVEST THEIR MILLIONS OR SOMETIMES BILLIONS WITH THEIR OPERATIONS.

RIGHT ALABAMA IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE.

AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS MAKING SURE OF THAT.

>> YEP.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT BEING PART OF THE WORKFORCE FOR ALABAMA.

>> FITZGERALD WASHINGTON THE EXECUTIVE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL RETURN.

>> WELCOME BACK.

WHEN MANY PEOPLE THINK OF ALEA IT'S JUST A HEADQUARTERS FOR THE ALABAMA STATE TROOPERS DIVISION.

IT'S MORE THAN THAT.

JOINING US SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS AND DOING ITS IS THE SECRETARY OF ALEA MR. TAYLOR.

>> THANK YOU ANDY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

WHEN WE SAY ALEA.

STATE TROOPERS WHICH IS A BIG PORTION OF WHAT ALEA.

>> YOU'RE CORRECT.

SO A LITTLE LISE HOW IT GOT HERE.

THERE WAS A BILL PASSED IN 2013 CONSOLIDATING 12 AGENCIES WHICH IS MOST STATE POLICE AGENCY AND IT WENT INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1 OF 2015.

IT'S TROOPERS, ABI, ABC, SBI AG AND INDUSTRY.

THERE WAS 12 AGENCIES PUSHED TOGETHER.

THAT'S HOW WE BECAME ALEA.

THERE'S SO MUCH PLORN THE TROOPERS ON THE ROAD.

I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE SAID NOT JUST TROOPERS.

WHERE YOU MAY GO TO GET YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

>> CORRECT.

DRIVER'S LICENSE.

SPEAKING OF DRIVER'S LICENSE WE HAVE JUST -- WELL IT WENT ONLINE A NEW DRIVER'S LICENSE SYSTEM WE WORKED ON FOR THREE YEARS AND IT WENT UP LIVE APRIL 26th.

AND WE HAVE HAD A HUGE SUCCESS WITH THAT.

THE ONE BEFORE WILL BE THERE SO LONG WE PUT BAND-AIDS ON IT FOR YEARS.

AND I.T.

AND DRIVER'S LICENSE DECISION SAID NO LONGER.

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A FLEW SYSTEM.

SOME OF THE LARD WEAR AND THE INFORMATION WAS THERE BACK UNDER THE 70s.

I WANT TO THANK THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE AND THE MONEY AND TIME AND EFFORT THEY DID FOR US TO GET THE NEW DRIVER'S LICENSE SYSTEM.

SO IT'S UP AND RUNNING.

WHAT IT DOES IS KEEP THEIR -- THERE'S SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO ONLINE THAT IN THE PAST YOU COULDN'T.

YOU HAD YOU HAD TO GO INTO THE OFFICE.

POSSIBLY TAKE A DAY OFF.

SIT ON REINSTATEMENT OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS.

RENEWING YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

YOU CAN DO THAT ONLINE NOW.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS CDL DRIVERS CAN DO ONLINE.

SPLITTING PHYSICAL FORMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THEY CAN DO NOW THAT THEY DO ONLINE AND DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE OFFICE.

IT'S BEEN A HUGE HELP FOR US.

AND IT'S WORKING REALLY WELL.

>> THERE'S THE STAR COMPONENT THAT YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT DEAL WITH WHEN IT COMES TO LICENSES AND I.D.s.

WHAT DOES SAFE TRUSTED AND RELIABLE.

HOMELAND SECURITY WANTS SOME TO HAVE A STAR ON THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

THERE'S SEVERAL THINGS THAT GOES DOCUMENTS YOU MUST HAVE.

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

IT TAKES THE PLACE OF THE PASSPORT.

IF YOU HAVE A PASSPORT YOU CAN STILL USE THE PASSPORT TO FLY.

YOU CAN USE THAT AS INSTEAD.

GAINING ACCESS TO FEDERAL BUILDINGS.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE FOR AS WELL.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR OFFICE.

YOU CAN GO TO AN OUR OFFICE BRING THE DOCUMENTS UNDER, AND OBTAIN THE STAR I.D.

ONCE YOU GET IT THEN YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND RENEW IT.

AND BUT YOU HAVE TO COME TO OUR OFFICE FIRST.

>> ALEA IS A VERY, VERY BUSY AGENCY FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AS WE START OFF SAYING NOT JUST TROUPERS OR DRIVER'S LICENSES.

AND IT'S JUST A CONGLOMERATE OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE IN DOING.

I WAS SURPRISED WHEN THEY HEAR THAT YOUR AGENCY DOES.

YOU'RE CORRECT RANDY.

SO THIS YEAR WE HAD THE START OF SUMMER WE DID A 101 DAYS STARTING WITH MEMORIAL DAY AND LEADING THROUGH FOURTH OF JULY AND IT IT WILL END ON SEPTEMBER 5TH, LABOR DAY.

WE HAVE MARINE PATROL ON ALL OF THE LAKES UNDER THE STATE.

WE PARTNERED WITH GULF SHORES AND THE BEACH.

WE FLEW UP AND DOWN THE BEACH DURING THE PEAK TIMES WITH THESE HOLIDAYS FOURTH OF JULY, MEMORIAL DAY, AND WE HAD A RESCUE SWIMMER DIVER UNDER THE HELICOPTER WITH US.

WE DO THE DIVERS WOULD JUMP OUT WITH BUOYS AND LIFE JACKETS AND HELP THEM GET BACK TO THE SHORELINE.

THIS YEAR WE HAD ABOUT 16 CALLS.

AND PROBABLY SAVED SEVERAL LIVES OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THEY'RE DON'T THINK ABOUT THE UNDERTOW AND IT HOW QUICK THEY CAN GET OUT.

AND THEY TIRE.

THEY GET TIRED REAL QUICK.

LIFE JACKET OR NOT.

SOMETIMES THE WAVE TAKES THEM UNDER.

THAT WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENT AND PROJECT THAT WE DID WITH GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH AND WE APPRECIATE THEM HELPING US WITH THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED A FEW HOLIDAYS.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE COMING THE LABOR DAY.

THE OFFICIAL END OF SUMMER.

ALEAs JOB IS DONE.

LOUS THE TRAFFIC I'M QUITE SLUR THAT YOUR STAFF STAYS BUSY WITH THAT TOO.

YES YOU'RE CORRECT.

WE WILL TRANSITION WE'LL HAVE MARINE TROOPERS ON THE WATERWAYS BUT WE YOU HAVE KIDS ALL OF YOUR CROSSWALKS.

KIDS CROSSING IN FRONTS OF SCHOOLS THAT ARE BACK OUT THERE.

SO WE ASK PEOPLE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T PASS THE SCHOOL BUS.

STAY BACK.

20 FEET OR FURTHER SO YOU CAN SEE THE KIDS OFF-LOAD AND BEFORE -- ONCE THE BUS BEFORE YOU MOVE MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE THE KIDS ARE.

IF THEY'RE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE YOU MOVE.

BECAUSE THEY'RE LITTLE KIDS AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T SEE THEM.

THEY MIGHT BE BLOCKED BY SOMETHING.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THAT.

AND THE CROSSINGS WHERE THEY'RE WALK ACROSS.

THE SPEED ZONES AND IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL.

JUST BE AWARE OF THAT.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THE COLLEGE TEAMS THAT ARE ATTENDED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE ON SATURDAYS.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING TO FOOTBALL GAMES AND BE RESPONSIBLE AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO DRINK AND DRIVE THEN HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVER.

SO JUST TRANSITION TO FOOTBALL AND SCHOOL AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'RE OUT THERE AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP AND IN ANY WAY WE CAN.

>> REAL QUICKLY WE HAVE A FEW MOMENTS LEFT.

SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED WITH ALEA IS A DONATION OR A GRANT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO HELP THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TAKE CARE OF THEIR WORKERS BY PROVIDING THEM SOME HARDWARE TO KEEP THEM BEING IN DANGER.

I WANT TO THANK THE GOVERNOR.

SHE GAVE US $20,000 FOR BULLETPROOF VESTS.

AND THAT'S 30 VESTS.

AND ALSO DIRECTOR BOSWELL FROM AD ECA.

AND I APPRECIATE THEM HELPING US WITH THAT.

WE NEED ALL OF THE SAFETY TOOLS WHEN WE'RE OUT THERE WORKING.

A BULLETPROOF VEST IS ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE THINGS WE FLEED.

>> ALEA SECRETARY HAL TAYLOR.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL CONTINUE.

WELCOME BACK.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS THE TASK OF PLAY KING STATE OF ALABAMA STAYS LEGAL THEY ASSURE THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA STAY HEALTHY.

WE SORT HAD SOME TIME THIS SUMMER TO PAUSE AND GET SOME PERSPECTIVE AND TRY TO RECOVER A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WE'RE STILL NOT OUT OF THE WOODS WITH COVID.

SO OUR STAFF CONTINUES TO WORK REALLY HARD.

WE WENT A LOT OF LOT OF MEN AND WOMEN THAT DIDN'T DO IT TO BE RICH AND FAMOUS.

THEY'RE WORKING REALLY HARD AND THEY'RE CONTINUING TO DO THAT.

>> YOU HIT THE FLAIL ON THE HEAD IT OVER THE THREE YEARS IT SEEMS THAT THE WORLD LAB TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT LAB DIFFICULT FOR EVERYONE EVERYWHERE.

WE DID HAVE SOME PRETTY PLACE OF BUSINESS IF NOT UNIQUE CHALLENGES.

WE CAME INTO THERE PANDEMIC WITH A BARE BONES HEALTH SYSTEM.

WHETHER THE PANDEMIC STARTED WE HAD A COUNTY WITHOUT A COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN IT.

AND SO THAT WAS REALLY NOT THE SITUATION WE WANTED TO BE IN WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

THAT SAID YOU KNOW OUR TEAM REALLY PULLED TOGETHER AND WORKED REALLY LARD REALLY WELL.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOME TERRIBLE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN ALABAMA.

WE LOST 20 THROUGH ALABAMIANS TO THE PANDEMIC.

OUR HOSPITALS ARE STILL FUNCTIONING.

SOCIETY IS STILL STANDING AND SCHOOLS ARE RUNNING AGAIN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS.

I GUESS THE SPANISH FLU PANDEMIC UNDER 1918 AND 1919.

I DON'T REMEMBER THAT.

I DON'T THINK YOU REMEMBER THAT.

>> NO.

>> THERE'S LIKE THAT WE'VE EVER SEEN.

FOR TWO STRAIGHT YEARS UNDER 2020 AND 2021 ALABAMA HAS HAD MORE DEATHS IN OUR STATE THAN WE HAVE HAD BIRTHS AND THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT TOTAL FLUM OF DEATHS IT'S MORE DEADLY THAN THE SPANISH FLU PANDEMIC.

BUT THE DEATH RATES ARE ABOUT THE DEATH RATES ARE THE SAME.

IT'S BEEN A TERRIBLE TIME.

SO HERE WE ARE SPEAKING OF TIME.

WE ARE AT AUGUST GOING INTO SEPTEMBER 2022.

A NEW SCHOOL SEASON IS STARTING.

SOME COVID ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN LESSENED.

PEOPLE SHREWD KEEP THEIR EYES AND EARS OPEN.

EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE GIVEN THE OKAY TO BACK OFF SOME THINGS.

YOU SHREWD STILL PRACTICE SAFETY FIRST.

WHAT'S YOUR AGE.

WHAT ARE YOUR MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

WHAT'S YOUR VACCINATION STATUS.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE TO GO INTO THE DECISIONS.

WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY.

BUT IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE IT'S GONE A WAY, AND IT'S NOT A PROBLEM ANYMORE.

I KNOW I SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD: THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND TO PROTECT PEOPLE AROUND YOU IS TO GET VACCINATED.

WE KNOW FROM THE OMICRON THE SURGE THAT HAPPENED BACK IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY THAT STRAIN WAS NOT AS DEADLY.

YET PEOPLE WHO WERE UNVACCINATED WERE 22 TIMES MORE TIMES LIKELY TO DIE.

BUT THAT'S THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING PEOPLE CAN DO.

>> ONE THING THAT HAVE BEEN ADVISED FROM THE GET GO.

THE MASK THEY STILL HELP.

>> SURE.

I THINK WE MOVED AWAY FROM REQUIRING PEOPLE TO WEAR MASK.

I WOULD SAY FOR MOST ALABAMIANS IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN WEARING A MASK.

LET'S NOT STIGMATIZE PEOPLE WHO DO.

WE'VE MOVED INTO THE NEW SEASON OF THE WHERE WE'RE UNDER THE EARLY STAGES OF THE FALL.

THE FLU AND FLEW POLONIA.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COVID THE FLU, AND THE FLEW POLONIA OTHER THAN THE FACT WE NEED TO BE PREPARED AND CAREFUL OF ANY OF THOSE THINGS I JUST MENTIONED.

THEY DO HAVE SOME SIMILARITIES.

THERE ARE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFERENCES.

FIRST OF ALL WITH COVID THERE IS A FLU VIRUS HAD NEVER EXISTED BEFORE.

THE FLU IS DIFFERENT WE HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCED WITH THE FLU.

WE CAN ANTICIPATE EACH YEAR USUALLY PRETTY WELL WHAT TYPE OF FLU STRAINS WE'RE GOING TO SEE UNDER ADVANCE.

THE FLU TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD.

SO THE FLU VIRUSES THAT ARE GOING IN THE SUMMERTIME ARE THE ONES WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE CAN PREPARE FOR THAT.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCED UNDER TREATING THE FLU WITH SOME MEDICATIONS OR ANTIVIRAL.

SO IN A LOT OF WAYS EVEN THOUGH THE FLU IS A SIMILAR TYPE OF ILL FLUS IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE MUCH BETTER PREPARED FOR.

SO EVEN THROW THE FLU CAN MAKE PEOPLE PRETTY SICK AND FILL UP HOSPITAL BEDS IT DOESN'T CAUSE AS SEVERE DISEASE WE'VE SEEN WITH COVID.

PNEUMONIA IS ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS THAT CAN.

FLEW MONEY YEAH IS MORE OF A DIAGNOSIS.

THERE IS A SO-CALLED PNEUMONIA VACCINE.

ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS IF YOU FEEL SICK STAY AT HOME UNTIL YOU FEEL BETTER.

>> THAT'S SO SIMPLE.

WE'VE HAD A REALLY HARD TIME COMMUNICATING THAT.

WE'RE GETTING 2 THROUGH OR 3 THROUGH CASES OF COVID JUST THAT WE KNOW OF.

IF YOU HAVE ANY TYPE OF ILLNESS IF YOU'RE CONCERNED AT ALL PLEASE DO A QUICK COVID TEST AT HOME.

MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE COVID.

IF YOU HAVE FEVER WE ALL LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN YOU FLEED TO STAY HOME UNTIL IT GOES AWAY.

>> UNDER THE REMAINING TIME THE RISE OF MONKEYPOX.

THAT HAS TAKEN THE NATION.

OKAY COVID.

WE CAN BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF.

MONKEYPOX IS THE LAST THING WE EXPECTED TO BE TALKING ABOUT IN 2022.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE DISEASES WE LEARNED IN SCHOOL AND NEVER HEARD ABOUT AGAIN.

IN ALABAMA WE'VE ONLY SO FAR IDENTIFIED BETWEEN 30 AND 40 CASES TO THERE POINT BUT STATES LIKE GEORGIA AND FLORIDA ARE IN THE TOP FIVE NATIONALLY FOR CASES.

BETH OF THOSE CASES ARE WELL OVER 1,000 CASES.

BUT >> THERE IS WE HOPE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WHILE THIS IS THE GROUP THAT'S AT-RISK RIGHT NOW THESE DISEASES DON'T REALLY CHECK YOUR I.D.

BEFORE THEY INFECT SOMEBODY.

THEY CAN END UP ANYWHERE.

TO THIS POINT WE'VE HAD ONE PREGNANT WOMAN HERE IN ALABAMA WHO'S BEEN INFECTED.

WE'VE HAD CHILDREN CLOSE CONTACTS TO CASES.

WE'RE NOT SEEING DEATHS FROM THIS.

BUT THIS CAN BE A DISEASE THAT CAUSES A LOT OF PAIN AND DISCOMFORT AND TENDS YOU TO TAKE YOU OUT OF CIRCULATION FOR A FEW WEEKS.

BUT JUST AWARE.

TRY TO LEARN ABOUT THERE.

TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE RISK FACTORS ARE AND MAKE A DETERMINATION WHETHER YOU NEED TO BE VACCINATED.

THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR TIME.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL CONTINUE.

THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF CAPITOL JOURNAL.

JOIN US AGAIN NEXT WEEK FOR THE LATEST IN STATEWIDE NEWS.

TODD STACY WILL BE BACK IN THIS CHAIR NEXT WEEK.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND