States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
Okla. A.G. Drummond Works to Protect Oklahoma Donors From GoFundMe's Deceptive Practices
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 4 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Drummond works to protect Oklahoma donors from GoFundMe's deceptive practices
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is putting GoFundMe on notice after reports that the crowdfunding giant created unauthorized donation pages representing more than 1.4 million charities without their knowledge or consent. Drummond and a coalition of 21 attorneys general and charitable regulators sent a letter to GoFundMe today outlining the platform's misconduct and demanding immediate
... Show Full Article
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 4 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Drummond works to protect Oklahoma donors from GoFundMe's deceptive practices
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is putting GoFundMe on notice after reports that the crowdfunding giant created unauthorized donation pages representing more than 1.4 million charities without their knowledge or consent. Drummond and a coalition of 21 attorneys general and charitable regulators sent a letter to GoFundMe today outlining the platform's misconduct and demanding immediatecorrective action.
"Oklahomans who give to charitable causes through GoFundMe deserve to know their money is actually reaching the organizations they intend to support," said Drummond. "GoFundMe exploited the goodwill of donors and the reputations of legitimate charities seemingly for its own financial gain. We are demanding full accountability and transparency, and we expect GoFundMe to comply quickly."
Without notifying the charities, GoFundMe used public IRS data to build these pages, some of which contained inaccurate information that misled donors about the organizations they believed they were supporting. According to reports, many charities were only notified of the pages when donors brought it to their attention.
In the letter, the coalition raises potential violations by GoFundMe under numerous state charitable solicitation and consumer protection laws and demands that GoFundMe take the following actions immediately:
* Provide proof that GoFundMe has removed all unauthorized donation web pages.
* Disclose all information that affects a person's decision to donate, such as who donations were made to in cases where donors believed they were giving directly to a charity.
* Explain how GoFundMe ensured its donation web pages did not display in internet search results above a charity's official websites or fundraising campaigns.
Drummond and the coalition have given GoFundMe 14 days to remove all unauthorized donation pages.
Read the Letter (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/march/03-03-26%20GoFundMe%20Multistate%20Letter.pdf)
* * *
INFODOC: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/march/03-03-26%20GoFundMe%20Multistate%20Letter.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/march/drummond-works-to-protect-oklahoma-donors-from-gofundmes-deceptive-practices.html
N.H. A.G. Formella Demands GoFundMe Prove Removal of All Plagiarized Web Pages Using Charities' Information
CONCORD, New Hampshire, March 4 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Formella Demands GoFundMe Prove Removal of All Plagiarized Web Pages Using Charities' Information
ttorney General John M. Formella announces that the New Hampshire Department of Justice's Charitable Trusts Unit has joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general and charitable regulators in sending a letter to GoFundMe, after reports that GoFundMe plagiarized donation web pages for charities nationwide without their prior knowledge or consent.
... Show Full Article
CONCORD, New Hampshire, March 4 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Formella Demands GoFundMe Prove Removal of All Plagiarized Web Pages Using Charities' Information
ttorney General John M. Formella announces that the New Hampshire Department of Justice's Charitable Trusts Unit has joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general and charitable regulators in sending a letter to GoFundMe, after reports that GoFundMe plagiarized donation web pages for charities nationwide without their prior knowledge or consent.In the letter, the coalition shares their concerns about GoFundMe's misconduct and call for immediate remedial measures, including providing proof that GoFundMe has removed all unauthorized donation web pages, in the next 14 days.
"New Hampshire charities and donors deserve transparency and accuracy in charitable solicitations," said Attorney General Formella. "Our Charitable Trusts Unit is responsible for ensuring that organizations soliciting donations in this State comply with New Hampshire law. We are seeking clear information from GoFundMe regarding the scope of these activities and the steps taken to remedy them."
GoFundMe provides an internet platform for people to fundraise and solicit donations, including for charities. GoFundMe is a for-profit Delaware corporation headquartered in California and is registered with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers as a charitable fundraising platform. Without prior consent or knowledge of charities, GoFundMe plagiarized donation web pages for over 1.4 million charities. The donation pages contained inaccurate information about charities and GoFundMe's solicitations contained deceptive and misleading acts.
In the letter, the coalition raises potential violations by GoFundMe under numerous state charitable solicitation and consumer protection laws and demands that GoFundMe take the following actions immediately:
* Provide proof that GoFundMe has removed all unauthorized donation web pages.
* Disclose all information that affects a person's decision to donate, such as who donations were made to in lieu of the charities GoFundMe plagiarized.
* Explain how GoFundMe ensured its donation web pages did not display in internet search results above a charity's official web sites or fundraising campaigns.
The Charitable Trusts Unit of the New Hampshire Department of Justice oversees the registration and regulation of charitable organizations operating in the State. In 1943, New Hampshire became the first state to create an office dedicated to the oversight of charitable trusts and organizations. Today the mission of the Charitable Trusts Unit is to protect the public's interest in the organizations and assets committed to charitable purposes in New Hampshire through effective registration, education and enforcement.
The Unit will continue to review the company's response and take any action deemed appropriate under New Hampshire law. This matter remains under review.
Letter: 03-03-26-gofundme-multistate-letter.pdf
* * *
INFODOC: https://www.doj.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt721/files/inline-documents/sonh/03-03-26-gofundme-multistate-letter.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/attorney-general-formella-demands-gofundme-prove-removal-all-plagiarized-web-pages
Md. A.G. Brown Announces That No Charges Will Be Filed in the October 8, 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Baltimore County
BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 4 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Brown Announces That No Charges Will Be Filed in the October 8, 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Baltimore County
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Wednesday, October 8, 2025 fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in Dundalk, Baltimore County, Maryland.
On October 8, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Baltimore County 911 Communications Center received three emergency calls
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 4 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Brown Announces That No Charges Will Be Filed in the October 8, 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Baltimore County
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Wednesday, October 8, 2025 fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in Dundalk, Baltimore County, Maryland.
On October 8, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Baltimore County 911 Communications Center received three emergency callsreporting that an adult male, later identified as Robert Adams, was discharging a shotgun outside a residence in the 2100 block of Larkhall Road. Multiple officers with the Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) responded to the scene and established a perimeter around the residence. Officers verbally identified themselves as police. Officers observed Adams standing at a second-floor window with a shotgun. Adams began pointing the shotgun toward the responding officers. Six officers then fired their department-issued firearms. Officers requested a BCoPD tactical team, who then established a barricade and attempted to communicate with Adams. After approximately two hours without contact from Adams, the tactical team entered the residence and found Adams on the first floor unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel responded and pronounced Adams dead at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident. Two shotguns were recovered from the second-floor room where Adams had initially been observed.
The Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal police-involved shooting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and concluded its investigation on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officers in this case.
A copy of the IID's detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report (https://us4.unblock-websites.com/index.php?q=zqjWpaRtYpCmlMiToMSmrNKWoZVgyKfYkaud2KbXqsjLp4-en5mikHuixNqgyKKn2WSjlZjUZ6urfWeXbI-BrqphkmZoWGWRZFiTlXfIl5_Po5Slm9Cmh5Rpisqn0arZi2aSYlZlY6eAgaKxWJVkYItnY2Jij3CQlGlqmlyUaLXVoMuYllhlkYCh19Sf2ZmXi2djhJrQp9bLp5-KaZJ6xtKoy6KgpZiGaWOk1KjRqKyLZ2NWZJl5pqOGi4ppm2bVypo).
* * *
Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-That-No-Charges-Will-Be-Filed-in-the-October-8,-2025-Fatal-Police-Involved-Shootingin-Bal.aspx
Gov. Kemp: Power Grid Technology Leader Breaks Ground in West Georgia
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 4 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Gov. Kemp: Power Grid Technology Leader Breaks Ground in West Georgia
Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that PFIFFNER Group, an international leader in technology solutions for energy, is investing an estimated $18.5 million in a new manufacturing facility in Franklin, Georgia, creating up to 60 new full-time jobs in Heard County over the next 10 years. Joined by local leadership, company executives broke ground on the facility today.
"PFIFFNER Group joins a growing list
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 4 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Gov. Kemp: Power Grid Technology Leader Breaks Ground in West Georgia
Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that PFIFFNER Group, an international leader in technology solutions for energy, is investing an estimated $18.5 million in a new manufacturing facility in Franklin, Georgia, creating up to 60 new full-time jobs in Heard County over the next 10 years. Joined by local leadership, company executives broke ground on the facility today.
"PFIFFNER Group joins a growing listof international business partners who choose to create jobs in Georgia because they know it is a good bet," said Governor Brian Kemp. "This particular project will not only add to our strong manufacturing sector, it will also produce critical infrastructure for power generation, ensuring our state has a reliable energy grid for years to come."
Switzerland-based PFIFFNER Group develops, produces, and designs solutions for transmission and distribution systems, power generation, and railway electrification. PFIFFNER solutions and services are used by utility companies, power equipment industries, and energy facilities to measure, switch, test, and reliably transfer electricity up to 550kV.
"PFIFFNER Group has chosen now to expand in the United States as a result of modernizations and innovation across the electricity grid technology industry," said Marcel Rufenacht, CEO of PFIFFNER Group. "Georgia stood out to our team for its proximity to customers, strong infrastructure, supportive business environment, a quality education system, and an ideal, available site fitting our company's needs. We look forward to continuing to work with the State of Georgia, Heard County, and the many other partners who have supported the location of our new production facility."
PFIFFNER Group's new facility will be located at Franklin Industrial Park East on Highway 34 in Franklin. The facility will supply instrument transformers for high-voltage substations and transformer bushings for manufacturers and utilities. Operations are expected to begin in 2027.
PFIFFNER Group will be hiring for roles in electromechanical assembly, machinists, and machine operators, in addition to electrical and mechanical engineers, over the next few years. Interested individuals can learn more about PFIFFNER Group at www.pfiffner-group.com.
"On behalf of the City of Franklin, I am excited to welcome our newest industry partner, PFIFFNER Moser-Glaser. This partnership means more than new buildings or new jobs. It represents opportunity for our residents to work close to home and for our young people to build a future for themselves here," said Franklin Mayor Kevin Hayes. "What makes this moment especially meaningful is that PFIFFNER Moser-Glaser has chosen not just a location, but a community. We are a small town built on hard work, trust, and a shared dedication to success. We are excited about what we will accomplish together and are grateful for your commitment to our community."
"We are proud to welcome PFIFFNER Moser-Glaser to Franklin and grateful for their decision to locate here. Their investment reflects their commitment to our mutual priorities of sustainable growth and positive community impact, making them a perfect fit for our long-term vision," said Kathy Knowles, executive director of the Development Authority of Heard County. "We especially appreciate the partnerships formed early on between PFIFFNER, our school system, and West Georgia Technical College to create apprenticeship opportunities that prepare local students for high-quality jobs right here at home. Their commitment to responsibility, innovation, and community aligns seamlessly with the values we work to uphold."
"With this exciting news, PFIFFNER Group joins an active international business community in metro Atlanta," said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. "Locating in Heard County positions them to take full advantage of the global connectivity offered by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. We are pleased to welcome PFIFFNER Group as part of our dynamic and growing cleantech ecosystem."
Senior Project Manager Mellissa Takeuchi represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this project in partnership with the Development Authority of Heard County, Electric Cities of Georgia, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the State of Georgia Europe Office.
"Georgia's relationships in Europe continue to attract world-class companies such as PFIFFNER Group that are advancing our energy and e-mobility technology," said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. "We are excited to welcome PFIFFNER Group to Georgia, and congratulations to Heard County, the City of Franklin, and their partners for the opportunities this will create."
* * *
About PFIFFNER Group
PFIFFNER is a family-owned group of companies headquartered in Hirschthal, Switzerland. As a leading provider of technology solutions in the electrical power industry, PFIFFNER supplies first-class products with high reliability and excellent services. With its brands PFIFFNER, MOSER GLASER, HAEFELY and HAVECO, PFIFFNER Group has approximately 1,200 employees and eight production sites around the world. Learn more about PFIFFNER Group at pfiffner-group.com.
* * *
Original text here: https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-03-03/gov-kemp-power-grid-technology-leader-breaks-ground-west-georgia
Ga. Lt. Gov. Jones Issues Statement in Support of AFY26 Budget Being Signed Into Law
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 4 -- Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, R-Georgia, issued the following statement on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Lt. Governor Burt Jones Issues Statement in Support of AFY26 Budget Being Signed into Law
Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones issued a statement in support of Governor Brian Kemp signing House Bill 973, the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, into law.
"I want to thank Governor Kemp for his leadership and steadfast commitment to ensuring Georgia remains fiscally sound," said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. "Because of his leadership, along with the work of Chairman Blake Tillery, the subcommittee
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 4 -- Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, R-Georgia, issued the following statement on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Lt. Governor Burt Jones Issues Statement in Support of AFY26 Budget Being Signed into Law
Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones issued a statement in support of Governor Brian Kemp signing House Bill 973, the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, into law.
"I want to thank Governor Kemp for his leadership and steadfast commitment to ensuring Georgia remains fiscally sound," said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. "Because of his leadership, along with the work of Chairman Blake Tillery, the subcommitteeChairs, and all members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, this budget includes critical investments in middle class families, mental health services, healthcare workforce development, transportation, and Georgia's Veterans community. This budget furthers our commitment to putting more than $2 billion in tax dollars back in Georgians' pockets and investing in our education system, namely by increasing resources and pay for our school personnel. Our support for our law enforcement heroes remains unwavering and support for mental health services historic. I want to thank everyone for their work to ensure that Georgia remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family."
Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Highlights:
* The Senate version of the budget supported middle class families by providing for both the Governor's income tax rebate and the House homeowner's property tax relief grant, and the House agreed to this appropriation.
* The Senate doubled the House's proposed contribution to Employees' Retirement System of Georgia by $50M, bringing the total to $100M in the final version of the budget.
* The Senate championed the support of mental health services and law enforcement by appropriating $409M for the construction of a 300-bed mental health services hospital, and the House agreed to this appropriation.
* $325M was appropriated for the Needs Based Scholarship Program - DREAMS - under the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
* The amended budget provided $45M for homelessness grants and $5M directed at eliminating homelessness in Georgia's Veterans community.
* Furthering the Lt. Governor's commitment to veterans, the Senate appropriated $500,000 to the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Hinesville, GA, and the House agreed to this appropriation.
* The amended budget provided over $17M for new graduate medical education programs, specifically in Savannah, Brunswick, Augusta and Thomasville.
* Furthering the Lt. Governor's commitment to childcare, the Senate added $2.5M to the BOOST program, which provides after school care for children across the state, and the House agreed to this appropriation.
For more information on the AFY26 Budget, please follow this link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate/budget-and-evaluation-office
* * *
Original text here: https://ltgov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-03-03/lt-governor-burt-jones-issues-statement-support-afy26-budget-being-signed
Ga. A.G. Carr Secures Over $50 Million for Consumers and Taxpayers in 2025
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 4 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Carr Secures Over $50 Million for Consumers and Taxpayers in 2025
Attorney General Chris Carr's Consumer Protection Division secured over $50 million in savings and restitution for consumers and taxpayers last year alone. Altogether, Carr's office has secured over $1.6 billion for Georgians since 2016.
The funds were obtained through several enforcement actions, such as legal settlements, mediation, and administration of the Georgia Lemon Law. This includes terminating
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 4 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Carr Secures Over $50 Million for Consumers and Taxpayers in 2025
Attorney General Chris Carr's Consumer Protection Division secured over $50 million in savings and restitution for consumers and taxpayers last year alone. Altogether, Carr's office has secured over $1.6 billion for Georgians since 2016.
The funds were obtained through several enforcement actions, such as legal settlements, mediation, and administration of the Georgia Lemon Law. This includes terminatingall of MV Realty's predatory contracts with more than 3,300 Georgia homeowners, shutting down a deceptive cancer charity scheme that took over $900,000 from Georgia donors, and penalizing companies that engaged in price gouging during Hurricane Helene.
From the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, to date, settlements with the Attorney General's Office have resulted in payments to the State Treasury in the amount of $19,303,087.63. Additional information can be found here (https://law.georgia.gov/fy-2026-settlements).
"Last year, our Consumer Protection Division put millions of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking Georgians by fighting back against scammers and dishonest business practices," said Carr. "We're committed to protecting your personal and financial information, but education is key. This week, during National Consumer Protection Week, we're encouraging all Georgians to take advantage of the many resources we offer to make sure you know how to spot and avoid a scam, and call our office if you ever need help."
National Consumer Protection Week, which runs from March 1-7, 2026, is an annual campaign dedicated to equipping the public with the knowledge and tools need to stay safe, informed, and connected. As part of this effort, Carr's Consumer Protection Division is highlighting critical tips and resources to help consumers protect their personal and financial information by staying ahead of scams and potential fraud.
Consumer Education and Outreach
In 2025, Carr's Consumer Protection Division reached more than 715,600 individuals through its consumer education and outreach efforts, including live webinars and speaking engagements across the state, distribution of educational literature, and two websites:
* Consumer.ga.gov, where consumers can file a complaint, find information on a wide variety of consumer topics and read the office's latest press releases.
* ConsumerEd.ga.gov, where consumers can access valuable information to help them make wise decisions about their homes, cars, credit and finances. Georgians can also view and subscribe to "Ask Consumer Ed," the bi-weekly blog that includes Consumer Protection Division responses to consumer-submitted questions.
If you want someone from the Consumer Protection Division to speak to your group, you can fill out a speaker request form here (https://consumer.georgia.gov/contact-us/speaker-requests).
The Consumer Protection Division also provides three consumer-dedicated guides:
* The Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults includes an array of topics of importance to seniors, such as scams, identity theft, credit and debt, reverse mortgages, charitable giving, home repairs, funerals, advance directives, long-term care, elder abuse and more. The guide is available in English, Spanish and Korean. Download your free copy here (https://consumer.georgia.gov/consumer-topics/older-adults-guide).
* The Military Consumer Protection Guideoffers information for active servicemembers, veterans, and their families regarding identity theft, credit and debt, housing, buying a car, continuing your education under the GI bill, assistance with veteran's benefits, and scams. Download your free copy here (https://consumer.georgia.gov/military-consumer-protection-guide).
* Cybersecurity in Georgia: A Guide for Small Businesses, Non-Profits and Places of Worship includes critical tips and information on the different types of cyber threats, protecting your data and network, training employees about cybersecurity, planning for and responding to a security breach, cyber insurance and more. Download your free copy here (https://consumer.georgia.gov/consumer-topics/cybersecurity-georgia).
Red Flags of a Scam
While criminals are constantly looking for new ways to steal your money or sensitive information, there are some common characteristics that can help you to recognize and avoid a scam:
* Being asked to provide sensitive information, such as your financial information, usernames, passwords, PINs, Social Security number, or insurance ID number.
* Insistence that you pay via gift cards, wire transfer, mobile payment apps (such as Venmo, Zelle, and CashApp), prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers love these payment methods because they're virtually impossible to trace.
* Scare tactics or pressure to act immediately (e.g., your computer has been hacked, your loved one is in danger, you're going to be arrested if you don't send money now, or this amazing deal is only good for today).
* Being asked to pay money for any reason in order to receive a prize.
* Promises that sound too good to be true (e.g., an investment deal with zero risk and a guaranteed high pay-off).
Additional Tips to Avoid a Scam
* Technology, including AI, can make it very easy for a scammer to impersonate a business, financial institution, utility provider, religious institution, or government entity. Consumers should follow these guidelines to protect themselves:
* Never click on links or download attachments from unknown senders.
* If you receive an unsolicited call, text, or email asking you to pay money or provide sensitive information, do not respond. Instead, look up the actual contact information for the organization and use it to verify whether the request or offer you received is legitimate.
* Even if a text or email requesting money or sensitive information appears to come from a trusted source, such as a coworker, friend or religious leader, do not respond to the message. Instead, call that person via a number you know to be real to verify the legitimacy of the request.
Resources and Reporting Contacts
* It may be difficult to get your money back once it's in the hands of a scammer, but there are some steps you can take to boost your chances of recovering your funds. Visit our website here to learn more about what to do if you have lost money in a scam.
* To learn more about scams, visit the Scams page on our website.
* To file a complaint about a business or report an alleged scam, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by calling 404-651-8600 or visit our website here.
* Receive consumer information direct to your email by subscribing to the "Ask Consumer Ed" blog at ConsumerEd.ga.gov.
* Follow the Office of the Attorney General's official X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn accounts to stay up-to-date on the latest news, including important and timely consumer alerts.
* * *
Original text here: https://law.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-03-03/carr-secures-over-50-million-consumers-and-taxpayers-2025
Alabama Department of Public Health: Alabama's Hospitals Continue to Improve Quality by Reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, March 4 (TNSrep) -- The Alabama Department of Public Health issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Alabama's hospitals continue to improve quality by reducing healthcare-associated infections
For the fourteenth year in a row, Alabama's Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI) program has been committed to protecting patients from adverse healthcare events, while promoting safety, quality and value in Alabama's healthcare delivery.
"We publish an annual report that provides information on the number of infections per category and whether the hospital performs
... Show Full Article
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, March 4 (TNSrep) -- The Alabama Department of Public Health issued the following news release on March 3, 2026:
* * *
Alabama's hospitals continue to improve quality by reducing healthcare-associated infections
For the fourteenth year in a row, Alabama's Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI) program has been committed to protecting patients from adverse healthcare events, while promoting safety, quality and value in Alabama's healthcare delivery.
"We publish an annual report that provides information on the number of infections per category and whether the hospital performsbetter than the national average, similar to it, or worse than," said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. "In addition to the report, our staff members work with hospitals to improve the accuracy of the reporting, education that not only helps with public reporting, but more importantly helps hospitals collect data that is valuable in their efforts to improve care."
Alabama's hospitals performed better than the national performance level in three of the four important infection-related categories, according to the latest report by the Alabama Department of Public Health, which is for calendar year 2024. The annual report reveals state- and hospital-specific infection rates on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs), and two surgical site infection measures (abdominal hysterectomies and colon surgeries). Statewide, Alabama's hospitals performed better than the national performance level in the CAUTI, CLABSI, and colon surgery categories, while performing similarly in the abdominal hysterectomy category.
"Providing quality care and patient safety remain at the heart of everything Alabama's hospitals do," said Danne Howard, President of the Alabama Hospital Association. "These results reflect the dedication of frontline caregivers and hospital leaders, as well as the ongoing work of the Association's quality and infection prevention efforts that provide education, hands-on training through infection prevention bootcamps, sharing of best practices, and direct support to hospitals across the state. By working together and continually investing in improvement, our hospitals are advancing safer quality care for the patients and communities they serve."
Dr. Harris stresses the importance of infection prevention, as delays in recovery and the worsening of the condition caused by infections can lead to a higher economic burden. Several studies report that a simple and straightforward process, taking only a few seconds to clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub helps to prevent HAIs and save lives, reduce morbidity, and minimize healthcare costs.
The annual report is one of several tools patients can use to learn more about a hospital's quality of care. Other measures are reported on Hospital Compare, a website operated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "While these online resources can be helpful, they are just part of the picture," added Dr. Harris. "Individuals should always talk with their healthcare provider about the care needed and the best place to receive that care."
To view the report, visit the ADPH Healthcare Associated Infections (https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/hai/index.html).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/blog/2026/03/nr-03.html
