7. Classless pundits of all stripes use the death of President George H. W. Bush to rip President Trump
—America’s media and political pundits from the right and the left are using the events surrounding former President George H.W Bush’s death as a jumping off point to pound away on Trump in an effort to score lazy political points.
— The Washington Post’s David Nakumara, The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro and other pundits took turns picking apart different things Trump and others did, including where they sat and how they reacted during the Apostle’s Creed.
6. Former U.S. Senator and Attorney General Jeff Sessions might be done with politics
— In an interview with Politico where Jeff Sessions raised doubts about new efforts for criminal justice reform and defended acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, the former Alabama senator did not seem ready to make any decisions about his political future.
— When asked if he was “itching” to get back into politics, Sessions said, “No. I mean, no. I could go back and spend time in the woods. I’ve got 10 grandchildren, oldest is 11.”
5. A total and complete ban on cellphones and driving may be coming to Alabama
— Alabama State Senator Jim McClendon thinks the current law is too hard for police to enforce because the user could be making a phone call and that is currently illegal.
— McClendon said it is time to pass a bill that goes further, arguing, “The bill prohibits touching a cellphone. You can’t have a cell phone in your hand, you can’t have a cell phone in your lap, you can make phone calls with it if you have a Bluetooth device.”
4. Gas tax and other attempts to increase revenue for the state of Alabama are coming
— Alabama State House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter spoke to the Association of County Commissions of Alabama while imploring them to “[g]o back to your district, let the people know why we need to have infrastructure improved in Alabama.” He advised them to “tell people we’re doing this to keep our kids safe”.
— Alabama has not changed the gas tax calculation since 1992. Gas tax proponents argue cars like hybrids and electric cars get higher gas mileage because higher gas mileage means less gas and less gas tax.
3. Judge orders video of shooting must be handed over to the attorney for the Riverchase Galleria shooting suspect
— While the release of police body camera footage has been the topic of protest and consternation in Hoover, a judge says those videos and surveillance footage showing the shooting at the Riverchase Galleria must be turned over to Erron Brown’s attorney.
— Much has been made about the police involvement in this shooting, but little is known about the interaction that caused the initial shooting police were responding to, but Brown’s attorney says EJ Bradford and Brown knew each other before the altercation that left Bradford dead.
2. Governor Kay Ivey voices support for law enforcement and Hoover PD implies they will not allow a repeat of protesters on roadways
— Ivey told Yellowhammer News, “This is a homicide investigation,” and, “Law enforcement must be supported. The State Bureau of Investigation is in charge. And I trust them, and I wait for their report.”
— Protests over the police shooting, not the initial shooting, at the Riverchase Galleria has spilled on to Highway 31, I-459, and I-65 without arrest, but the Hoover PD says they will “ensure the free flow of traffic” and keep the protests off of school campuses.
1. The funeral for President George H. W. Bush feature touching tributes from his son and friends
— Former President George W. Bush broke down and sobbed at the end of his eulogy for his father closing with, “Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have.”
— Former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson reiterated a piece of advice President Bush gave him in trying times, saying, “[Bush] often said when the really tough choices come, it’s the country, not me. It’s not about Democrats or Republicans, it’s for our country that I fought for.”
