ELECTION 2020-ALABAMA-SESSIONS

In defeat, Sessions still says Trump right for the nation

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has lost the Republican nomination for his old Senate seat in Alabama to former college football coach Tommy Tuberville. The defeat likely ends Sessions’ long political career, a bitter loss egged on by President Donald Trump. Tuberville is familiar to Alabamians from his decade as Auburn University’s head football coach. He won about 60% of the vote, according to unofficial returns. Tuberville is now positioned for a robust challenge to the incumbent, Democratic Sen. Doug Jones. With Alabama’s strong Republican tilt, the seat is likely the GOP’s best chance for a pickup as it tries to maintain its thin Senate majority.

ELECTION 2020-ALABAMA NEWSGUIDE

Tuberville takes GOP Senate nomination; House also decided

Football-coach-turned politican Tommy Tuberville scored the big win in Tuesday’s runoff election in Alabama, but other races also were on the ballot. Democratic and Republican nominations in two U.S. House districts also were decided, along with nominations for two state offices. Tuberville’s defeat of former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Senate race sets up a headline race for November. The one-time Auburn University coach will try to unseat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones. Tuberville narrowly led Sessions in the March primary, which included five other candidates.

ELECTION 2020-ALABAMA-SENATE

Tuberville defeats Sessions, wins Alabama Senate GOP primary

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has lost the Republican nomination for his old Senate seat in Alabama to former college football coach Tommy Tuberville. The defeat likely ends Sessions’ long political career, a bitter loss egged on by President Donald Trump. Tuberville is familiar to Alabamians from his decade as Auburn University’s head football coach. He won about 60% of the vote, according to unofficial returns. Tuberville is now positioned for a robust challenge to the incumbent, Democratic Sen. Doug Jones. With Alabama’s strong Republican tilt, the seat is likely the GOP’s best chance for a pickup as it tries to maintain its thin Senate majority.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ALABAMA

Alabama virus deaths rise as hospital group sounds warning

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has recorded its highest one-day death count from the new coronavirus as the head of a state hospital group sounds a warning about the pandemic. A site that tracks COVID-19 deaths in the state reported 40 new deaths Tuesday, the most in a single day since the pandemic took hold in March. The illness has killed more than 1,130 people statewide, and more than 56,400 cases have been confirmed. The head of the Alabama Hospital Association, Dr. Donald Williamson, says the state is on a dangerous path with increasing daily case counts and fewer empty beds in hospitals.

BIRMINGHAM POLICE-CHOKEHOLDS

Birmingham bans use of chokeholds by police

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The mayor of Alabama’s largest city is banning the use of chokeholds by police following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the ban on Tuesday during a continuing review of city policies. He also issued new guidelines that say city police now have a duty to intervene anytime they see a fellow officer using excessive force. Members of a task force that includes a co-founder of Birmingham’s Black Lives Matter chapter and a former detective are continuing a review of police practices in the city.

SHERIFF KILLED

18-year-old charged in slaying of Alabama sheriff seeks bond

HAYNEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — The attorneys for an 18-year-old charged with capital murder in the slaying of an Alabama sheriff are requesting his release on bond as court proceedings remain delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Montgomery Advertiser reports lawyers for William Chase Johnson filed a motion last week to free Johnson from the Elmore County Jail, where he’s been held since November on allegations he fatally shot Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams Sr. at a Hayneville gas station. News outlets report court proceedings have been on hold because of the pandemic and July’s grand jury session was canceled, so jurors have yet to take up the case.