Ivey: Alabama state offices to close for Juneteenth holiday

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced that state offices will be closed Friday to commemorate Juneteenth — the new federal holiday recognizing the end of slavery in America in 1865. Ivey issued a proclamation Thursday after President Joe Biden signed a bill making June 19 a federal holiday celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day. The Republican governor is hopeful it will become a permanent state holiday.  Ivey’s communications director said the Legislature wouild need to pass legislation for it to be a recurring holiday. If lawmakers don't take that step, Ivey would need to issue another memo for the next state observation