Woodfin's Pardons; J&J Vaccine News : The Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Mayor Randall Woodfin made headlines this past week when he issued a blanket pardon for those convicted of misdemeanor marijuana charges in Birmingham, part of his Pardons for Progress initiative.

Also in the news this past week, the Centers for Disease Control recommended that the pause of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Alabama and other states announced be lifted after extensive research into the vaccine.

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

Birmingham Mayor Pardons 15,000 People With Marijuana Convictions

Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Wednesday a blanket pardon for more than 15,000 people convicted of misdemeanor marijuana offenses. The pardon is part of Birmingham's Pardons for Progress program.

J&J Vaccine: Feds Lift Recommended Pause In Alabama, Elsewhere

Federal health officials adopted a committee's recommendation that the pause on the Johnson & Johnson single-dose coronavirus vaccine be lifted, effectively putting the vaccine in use again.

Birmingham Fire And Rescue Veteran Donald Jones Dies At 59

Donald Jones, a 26-year veteran of Birmingham Fire and Rescue and fire chief for Midfield Fire Department, died April 21. He was 59.

Man Featured On 'America's Most Wanted' Captured In Birmingham

A man convicted of murder who has been on the run since 2017 was captured in Birmingham Monday by U.S. Marshals.

Union Files Objections In Bessemer Amazon Center Vote

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union filed objections Friday to the conduct of Amazon during the union election with the National Labor Relations Board.