Category: News

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Prevention, therapy may be key to slowing down how we age successfully

It is becoming increasingly clear that the biological rate of aging can be slowed, and Steven Austad, Ph.D., chair of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Biology, believes the geroscience hypothesis holds great promise for dramatic increases in life expectancies – including the eradication of many chronic health problems now and in future generations.

In the paper “Aging as a biological target for prevention and therapy,” Austad and colleagues from The Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine stated their view that addressing the aging process itself is key to alleviating many health-related issues associated with aging.
Continue reading “Prevention, therapy may be key to slowing down how we age successfully”

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AABE Birmingham Chapter brings careers to students

“This is bigger than cool. It’s amazing.”

That was Brianna Desirae Beverly’s reaction to the recent Energy Awareness Fair, hosted by the Birmingham Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. (AABE). The seventh-grader at Wilkerson Middle School already has big plans for her future, and through this fair, she saw firsthand that technology can help her reach those goals.
Continue reading “AABE Birmingham Chapter brings careers to students”

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Fans make Talladega Superspeedway’s fall race weekend a worldwide phenomenon

From sweet home Alabama to the land Down Under, fans will be coming from far and wide to witness some of auto racing’s best drivers battle at 200 mph around Talladega Superspeedway during the venue’s doubleheader NASCAR Playoff this weekend.

Talladega’s race weekend is set to be an international affair, considering 73 percent of fans will be journeying to the 2.66-mile superspeedway from outside the Yellowhammer state and from all over the world, including:
Continue reading “Fans make Talladega Superspeedway’s fall race weekend a worldwide phenomenon”

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College football week 7: A look at the state’s matchups and national lines

With fall weather finally here, Alabama’s favorite college football teams have some cool week seven matchups.

All of the Yellowhammer State’s teams play on Saturday, with nine out of the eleven Alabama teams playing in-state this weekend.

You can find all of the state’s game times and how to watch below, as well as the lines for the nation’s top matchups.

All games below are on Saturday, October 13: Continue reading “College football week 7: A look at the state’s matchups and national lines”

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Aderholt praises Trump administration over release of Pastor Brunson from Turkey

After hearing the news on Friday of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s release from a prison in Turkey, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) released a statement giving thanks to God and praising the Trump administration.

“I’m so thankful for the release of American Pastor Andrew Brunson from prison in Turkey.  He was detained simply for practicing his Christian faith,” Aderholt said. “I’m also thankful that President Trump and his administration took unprecedented action to work for Brunson’s release.  The President made his release a top priority from the moment he took office.  And of course, above all else, I am thankful to God for Dr. Brunson’s release, health and safety.” Continue reading “Aderholt praises Trump administration over release of Pastor Brunson from Turkey”

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Airbnb offers assistance in Alabama after Hurricane Michael

On Friday, Airbnb announced that it would be expanding its Open Homes Program to areas in Alabama impacted by Hurricane Michael through its Disaster Response and Relief Team.

The Open Homes program allows the opportunity for those that have been displaced, as well as those assisting in recovery efforts, to find temporary accommodations with local hosts willing to open their homes free of charge.

The following Alabama communities are eligible to take part in the program homes for free to evacuees and emergency relief workers: Continue reading “Airbnb offers assistance in Alabama after Hurricane Michael”

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D.C.-based pro-abortion organization paying Alabamians to fight pro-life amendment

Washington, D.C.-based Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE) is hiring people in the Montgomery area to fight Amendment Two, which is up for constitutional referendum on the upcoming general election ballot.

In documents posted online, the organization formerly known as Choice USA “seeks committed people in Montgomery who are passionate about reproductive/social justice to help implement [their] voter engagement campaign.”

The pay is listed at $15 per hour, with the position responsibilities including door-to-door canvassing and phone banking. URGE explains that it is “dedicated to the right of each person worldwide to decide when and if they will have sex, when and if they will be pregnant, and when and if they will have a child.”

This comes as part of a massive out-of-state, dark money effort to defeat Alabama’s pro-life constitutional amendment, with Democratic gubernatorial nominee and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) all opposing Amendment Two. Continue reading “D.C.-based pro-abortion organization paying Alabamians to fight pro-life amendment”

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Rep. Mike Rogers: Building the wall ‘absolutely essential’

In separate interviews with NBC 13 posted this week, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) and his Democratic opponent, Mallory Hagan, offered opposing viewpoints on border security.

While Rogers supports building the wall proposed by President Donald Trump, his challenger does not, even going as far as to say, “I don’t really necessarily think that border security is our problem.”

As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security since it was made permanent in 2005, Rogers has first-hand experience and in-depth knowledge of the subject.

“The only way we are going to … be able to stem the flow of bad actors into this country on the southern border is to build a barrier,” Rogers outlined. “You know, the wall is the term used, but it’s not technically a wall [in its entirety]. It’s a series of fences, electronic monitors – aerial and ground – as well as personnel.” Continue reading “Rep. Mike Rogers: Building the wall ‘absolutely essential’”

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Alabama grocery store owner bans Pepsi products featuring NFL logo

A local grocery store in Limestone County has banned Pepsi products featuring the NFL logo on them, as first reported by WAAY.

The owner of S & Z Grocery in Athens, Phillip Stewart, posted on Facebook Wednesday, saying, “I refuse to sell the product until the logo is removed.”

He added, “I will not bow down in order to … make a dollar as long as the athletes are allowed to bow down and disrespect the flag and country that I love.” Continue reading “Alabama grocery store owner bans Pepsi products featuring NFL logo”

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Shelby praises Liles Burke’s confirmation as district judge for Northern District of Alabama

The United States Senate on Thursday confirmed Judge Liles Clifton Burke to serve as a U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Alabama.

Burke is a 49-year-old native of Cullman who currently serves as an associate judge on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. He is an undergraduate alumnus of the University of Alabama and a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law.

In a press release, Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) praised the confirmation, saying Burke is “extremely qualified.” Continue reading “Shelby praises Liles Burke’s confirmation as district judge for Northern District of Alabama”

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Hurricane Michael devastates Wiregrass cotton crop

When Hurricane Michael hammered the southeast corner of Alabama Wednesday, the storm ripped apart what some farmers predicted was the area’s best cotton crop in years, says a release by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

The then-Category 4 hurricane sustained winds of 155 mph as it landed in Mexico Beach, Florida, and packed a powerful punch when it rolled through Fred Helms’ Rehobeth farm about 70 miles from the coastline in Houston County.

“This year yields looked good for peanuts and cotton, probably our best in 10 years,” Helms said. “The cotton would have picked 1,000 pounds an acre before. It might pick 350 pounds now.” Continue reading “Hurricane Michael devastates Wiregrass cotton crop”

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Watch: Mobile Fox 10 news crew picks up American flag ripped down by Hurricane Michael

In the aftermath of tragedy, sometimes the smallest of gestures can bring a world of hope.

As Hurricane Michael tore through the Panama City Beach area, Mobile-based FOX 10 News photojournalist Rodney Rocker and meteorologist Adam Olivier noticed an American flag lying in a parking lot while they were driving around.

The duo returned later when the weather conditions were safe for them to exit their vehicles, and retrieved the flag that had been ripped to the ground by the hurricane’s gusts and will transport it back to the news station in Alabama where it will be cleaned and honored.

Watch: Continue reading “Watch: Mobile Fox 10 news crew picks up American flag ripped down by Hurricane Michael”

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‘Alliance for a Pro-life Alabama’ announces three distinguished state leaders as co-chairs

The Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama (APLA) on Thursday announced that Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, Alabama Republican Party chair Terry Lathan and former state Representative Mary Sue McClurkin have agreed to serve as co-chairs of the group.

Per a press release, these three prominent Republican leaders will lead APLA’s efforts to pass Amendment Two on the upcoming general election ballot.

“Alabama has the chance to lead the nation in protecting unborn life with successful passage of Amendment Two on November 6,” Cavanaugh said. “Amendment Two declares Alabama as a pro-life state and positions us to take action in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned, which seems an increasing possibility with the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.” Continue reading “‘Alliance for a Pro-life Alabama’ announces three distinguished state leaders as co-chairs”

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Shelby praises ‘great news’ for Alabama as ULA is awarded nearly $1 billion to develop new rocket

The U.S. Air Force announced on Wednesday that it is awarding $967 million to United Launch Alliance (ULA) to develop its new Vulcan Centaur rocket.

The funding came as part of the Air Force’s efforts to encourage the development of competing launch system prototypes geared toward launching national security payloads. Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman were also awarded funding, albeit significantly less than ULA, who operates a production facility in Decatur that is tasked with work on the Vulcan rocket.

The Air Force is committing the sizable funding in response to a congressional mandate to transition away from reliance on Russian rocket propulsion systems and the planned retirement of ULA’s Delta 4 rocket. By 2022, the company will no longer be able to use Atlas 5 rockets powered by the Russian RD-180 engine to fly military satellites.

Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) praised the news, which will have a positive impact on Alabama’s skyrocketing aerospace industry. Continue reading “Shelby praises ‘great news’ for Alabama as ULA is awarded nearly $1 billion to develop new rocket”

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Retired green beret in Alabama is helping churches defend against active shooters

As reported by WAAY 31, a retired green beret in the Huntsville area is using his expertise to help Alabama churches come up with plans in the event of an active shooter situation.

Retired Army Special Forces officer and DEA agent Noell Bishop, in the aftermath of shooters killing 27 people in two church shootings in Nashville, Tennessee, and Sutherland Springs, Texas, this past year alone, is leading a team to train worshippers to defend their own churches.

“You have to have the plan together,” Bishop told WAAY. “You have to have the trained individuals to implement that plan. If you have both, then you are far above the power curve. And you can save lives that way.”

The highly trained, highly experienced Bishop considers this his ministry.

“I think that this is what God wants me to do: helping people and churches and businesses be safe,” he said.
Continue reading “Retired green beret in Alabama is helping churches defend against active shooters”

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University of Alabama reinstates ‘Dixieland Delight’ for homecoming game

For nearly four years, Crimson Tide football fans have been calling for the return of “Dixieland Delight” to home football games in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Now, the University of Alabama is bringing the popular song back, albeit for a test run this coming weekend against Missouri. The announcement was made Wednesday in a video featuring UA Athletic Director Greg Byrne, Terry Saban, UA Student Government Association President Price McGiffert and star running back Damien Harris.

Continue reading “University of Alabama reinstates ‘Dixieland Delight’ for homecoming game”

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Robert Aderholt on support for border wall: ‘They’re trying to smuggle drugs,’ ‘do harm to the United States’

In an interview with NBC 13, Congressman Robert Aderholt discussed his strong support for building President Donald Trump’s wall, which Aderholt called “key” for national security.

“I think at the end of the day, the president ran on building a wall, and you cannot have real border security until you get the wall,” Aderholt said.

He explained why this part of comprehensive border security and immigration enforcement is so important and shared his first-hand experience with the issue. Continue reading “Robert Aderholt on support for border wall: ‘They’re trying to smuggle drugs,’ ‘do harm to the United States’”

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Kay Ivey nation’s third most popular governor with 65 percent approval rating

Even during a contested general election cycle and amidst a contentious political climate, Governor Kay Ivey boasts a sky-high approval rating.

According to data released Wednesday by Morning Consult, Ivey remains the third most popular governor in the nation.

The polling, which covered quarter three of 2018 and was conducted July 1 through September 25, showed that 65 percent of registered voters in Alabama approve of Ivey, while only 18 percent disapprove. The poll has a margin of error of only one percent. Continue reading “Kay Ivey nation’s third most popular governor with 65 percent approval rating”

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Trump’s Alabama approval rating back to being highest in the nation

Once again, Alabama boasts President Donald Trump’s highest approval rating in the nation, according to polling released by Morning Consult that reflects data through the end of September.

This comes after West Virginia and Wyoming had moved past the Yellowhammer State in August. Now, Alabama and West Virginia jointly share the highest approval title, with the president’s favorability at 62 percent in each state. Trump currently has a 61 percent approval rating in Wyoming, down from 65 percent at the end of August.

In Alabama, his approval did slip one point, which is also the margin of error in that polling. Trump’s West Virginia favorability came down two points.

In other in-state news, separate polling from the same firm released on Wednesday bodes poorly for Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook).
Continue reading “Trump’s Alabama approval rating back to being highest in the nation”

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Charter Spectrum now offering one gigabit per second internet connection in Birmingham area

Charter Communications on Tuesday announced the launch of “Spectrum Internet Gig” for residential customers and “Spectrum Business Internet Gig” for small and medium-sized business clients in Birmingham and surrounding areas.

These new offerings feature the deployment of DOCSIS 3.1 internet services delivering a one gigabit per second (Gbps) connection to Alabama homes or businesses.

“Spectrum’s state-of-the-art, fiber-rich network allows us to deploy dramatically faster broadband speeds, including gigabit connections, broadly and rapidly,” Tom Rutledge, Charter Communications chairman and CEO, said in a press release. “As consumer demands for bandwidth and capacity grow, our world-class network is best-positioned to meet these demands, today and into the future.” Continue reading “Charter Spectrum now offering one gigabit per second internet connection in Birmingham area”

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FEMA deploys thousands to Alabama and Georgia ahead of Hurricane Michael

FEMA Director Brock Long says his agency has nearly 3,000 people in the field ready to assist with Hurricane Michael.

He says teams and aircraft are ready to support any search and rescue missions in Florida or elsewhere, and that staging areas with commodities needed after storms have been set up in Atlanta and at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. Continue reading “FEMA deploys thousands to Alabama and Georgia ahead of Hurricane Michael”

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Alabama Power, state prepared for Hurricane Michael

Alabama Power is mobilizing internal resources, employees and contractors in preparation for Hurricane Michael, which is expected to strike along the Florida-Alabama border Wednesday.

Between 600 and 700 Alabama Power and contract crews are being deployed to the southeast area of the state to support Alabama Power teams already on the ground. The crews will be staged closer to where the storm is expected to cause damage.

The company also is communicating with sister companies and investor-owned utilities in the region via Alabama Power’s mutual assistance agreements. The agreements provide for utilities to quickly help each other if needed following a natural disaster or other significant disruption.
Continue reading “Alabama Power, state prepared for Hurricane Michael”

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Alabama man stuns judges on ‘The Voice’ with his rendition of ‘God Bless the Broken Road’

An Alabama man impressed the nation with his singing of “God Bless the Broken Road” by Rascall Flatts on Monday night’s episode of NBC’s “The Voice.”

As reported by WSFA, 22-year-old Kirk Jay blew the four judges away, getting them all to turn their chairs around during his performance, indicating that they each wanted Jay on their team in the singing competition. The Bay Minette native, who now lives in Montgomery, eventually chose to be on Blake Shelton’s team.

Jay was introduced with a moving video that reflected on his life, giving background on his struggles, his experiences, his family and his faith that led to his inspiring song selection.

Watch: Continue reading “Alabama man stuns judges on ‘The Voice’ with his rendition of ‘God Bless the Broken Road’”

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Meet ‘Mama B,’ one of Alabama’s biggest hearts

Joann Bashinsky has had one of the biggest hearts in Alabama, but most just know her as “Mama B.”

Her long history of being one of the state’s most generous philanthropists has been documented by Yellowhammer News before, and now she and the folks with the Auxiliary of Big Oak Ranch are at it again.

On September 25, they unveiled a brand new boutique store made to look like a castle, which Bashinsky calls the “granddaddy of them all.” Continue reading “Meet ‘Mama B,’ one of Alabama’s biggest hearts”