Birmingham Mask Order Expires; New AHSAA Head: The Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL — While the statewide face covering mandate expired more than a month ago, the citywide mask order in Birmingham ended Monday, leaving businesses, schools and other venues to decide for themselves whether or not to enforce a mask order.

Also in the news this past week, the Alabama High School Athletic Association appointed a new director, as Alvin Briggs became the first Black director in the organization's history.

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

Alabama High School Athletic Association Names New Director

Alvin Briggs, who has been on the executive staff of the AHSAA since 2011, will take over for Steve Savarese, who served as Executive Director for the 15 years before announcing his retirement in April.

Birmingham's Mask Order Expires

Birmingham's citywide mask mandate expired Monday, as the Birmingham City Council opted not to extend the order at its last meeting Tuesday.

Birmingham Promise Adds $8 Million In Donations

The Birmingham Promise, a fund to support college scholarships for Birmingham City Schools graduates, recently received $8 million in corporate gifts.

Birmingham Police Chief Responds To 'No-Confidence' Vote

A prominent police lobbying body has placed a "vote of no confidence" in Birmingham's police chief. The Fraternal Order of Police board Wednesday unanimously approved the "no-confidence" vote for Chief Patrick Smith.

Bribery Convictions Affirmed For Balch Lawyer, Drummond Executive

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Thursday affirmed the convictions of a Birmingham lawyer and an Alabama coal company executive in a scheme to bribe a state legislator to use his office to oppose Environmental Protection Agency actions in north Birmingham.