7. Some relief for South Alabama

• Those who were impacted by Hurricane Sally in South Alabama can now apply for disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• Small Business Administration administrator Jovita Carranza said in a statement, “SBA is strongly committed to providing Alabama residents with the most effective response possible to assist businesses, homeowners, and renters with federal disaster loans.”

6. Roy Moore is suing Alabama over masks

• Roy Moore’s organization, The Foundation for Moral Law, has filed a longshot lawsuit against Governor Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris arguing that the state’s COVID-19 health orders are unconstitutional and exceed her authority. A similar case on this matter has been tossed the judge saying the Emergency Management Act of 1955 grants her the authority.
• Moore also argues that the orders violate the First Amendment, stating, “Unconstitutional restriction of church assembly and worship, discriminatory closing of businesses, stay at home orders, social distancing, wearing of masks, and restriction on travel are simply against our rights secured by the Constitution of the United States.”

5. Mail-in ballots found discarded

• At least nine ballots in Pennsylvania were found discarded. The ballots came from military votes and raised concerns about how mail-in ballots could be tampered with. The Department of Justice has announced that they are investigating the ballots. U.S. Attorney David Freed said an investigation uncovered “troubling” findings that included the fact that the county had illegally opened ballot envelopes.
• CNN took this story and used it to attack the Department of Justice for highlighting the issue and accused them of attempting to provide Trump with facts to back up his concern over voting. The report wrote, “The statement was highly unusual because it highlighted the fact that the ballots were marked for Trump — which immediately raised suspicions that the Justice Department was trying to furnish material that Trump could promote for political gain. Indeed, Trump and other White House aides used the information, even before it was made public, to attack mail-in voting.”

4. Saban is looking into mask options

• Coaches in the NFL have already been fined for not wearing masks on the sidelines during games, and now as the beginning of the college football season for the SEC approaches this weekend, University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has said that he’s looking into mask options since “[i]t is a bit difficult to speak with this kind of mask.”
• Saban’s statements came after he was asked how he plans to talk into his headset with a mask on, but of course, he added that “it will be a challenge, but I do think it is important for everyone to respect what we’re trying to do so we can play safely.”

3. Dr. Birx visits Auburn, advocates for longer mask mandate

• White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Deborah Birx visited Auburn University and praised the efforts of the university to contain and manage the virus. She highlighted that “students are being very compliant about their mask wearing and physical distancing.”
• Birx also voiced support for the statewide mask mandate, adding that she thinks the mandate will have to be extended after the current October 2 deadline. She said that these efforts have to at least continue “through the fall.”

2. Barry Moore and Jerry Carl endorsed by Trump

• During a visit to the White House, Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl and former State Representative Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) both met with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, and both Republican congressional candidates received endorsements from Trump.
• Carl is a candidate for Alabama’s First Congressional District, and Trump said that Carl “Loves our Veterans, Stands for Law & Order, and is Strong on Jobs and the Second Amendment.” Moore is a candidate for Alabama’s Second Congressional District, and Trump said Moore is “Strong on Jobs, Life, the Wall, Law & Order and the Second Amendment.”

1. Jones doesn’t think his vote will count

• U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) has remained firm that he’ll oppose a U.S. Supreme Court nominee put out by President Donald Trump, and now he’s said that he may not even meet with whoever Trump nominates.
• Jones interviewed with Politico where he advised, “I don’t think my vote’s going to count, so I doubt they’ll even want to” meet with him. He added that “we’ll see,” and while this seems odd, this “no” vote was always going to be cast against anyone Trump nominated.