Alabama Department of Public Health officials say a new law allows people and businesses to keep epinephrine injectors on hand in case of an allergic reaction.
A new state law allows people and organizations including camps, child care centers, restaurants and others to keep single-dose epinephrine auto-injectors on hand. It’s in case someone has an allergic reaction because of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is often caused by insect stings, foods and medication.
The ADPH is offering online training for anyone who wants to learn how to administer epinephrine.
Officials say a physician's prescription is required to purchase the epi pens and those who may need injections should inform others of where to find the devices in case of an emergency.
New data shows Alabama is falling short in national rankings when it comes to the overall well-being of its children.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation is out with its annual Kids Count Book. The study ranks child welfare across the country based on indicators in four areas including economics, education, health and family. This is the second year in a row that Alabama has seen its ranking drop. The state now ranks forty sixth out of the fifty states nationally.
Rhonda Mann is the Policy and Research Director at VOICES for Alabama’s Children. She says even though there’s a lot of ground to cover, the report gives the state something to build on.
“We feel like the data gives us a road map on what needs to be addressed. And it helps us to see whether or not where we are putting our money into programs, and programs addressing children’s issues, if indeed it’s making an impact and turning the numbers around and showing improvement.”
Alabama lawmakers plan to use this data in a new initiative called Plan 2020. That effort seeks to improve public education statewide, especially in the state’s preschools.
A play written here in Alabama is going to the city that never sleeps. Preview performances are underway in New York City for the show titled “Here I sit, Brokenhearted.” The playwright is University of Alabama theatre professor
Seth Panitch and the cast is from Tuscaloosa. The plot is based on graffiti on a men’s room wall. Panitch says this show was originally going to be a book. But, he says it ended up turning into a play that requires lots of patience by the actors.
“Once you start working on it you forget how shocking and profane some of this stuff can be. I think that’s what it’s been; we’ve had to drop a lot of walls between us even though we’re friends to work on this type of material together.”
The play will run for three weeks at the Samuel Beckett Theatre off 42nd street.