Skip to Content

As Alabama and Auburn prepare for Saturday’s second-round games in the NCAA Tournament, the two teams face different challenges.

The No. 1-seeded Crimson Tide rolled past Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with All-American Brandon Miller failing to score.

It turns out, he may have been hurt.

Meanwhile, the Tigers have to overcome the nation’s No. 1 team – Houston.

Alabama and No. 8 Maryland meet at 8:40 p.m. in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena. The Auburn-Houston matchup is at 6:10 – also in Legacy Arena.

Miller, the Tide star, had a groin injury in Thursday’s win and was held out of today’s practice.

However Head Coach Nate Oats said he should be OK for Saturday.

“I think he’s going to be all right,” Oats said. “He seemed like he was moving all right. It obviously bothered him. He didn’t shoot it particularly well, but he seemed like he was moving decent.

“It obviously wasn’t one of his better games to open, but I think knowing Brandon and how tough he is, physically, mentally, I think he’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”

The Tigers have turned the Birmingham arena into their home away from home. In fact, Head Coach Bruce Pearl admired the crowd in this football-crazed area.

“This is Birmingham, Alabama,” he said. “This is football country, and we dominate and I’m really proud of that.

“But we looked like a basketball state today.”

The Tigers are coming in after an up-and-down last four games but Pearl said the Cougars’ style of play reminds him of the SEC.

“We played really well three of the last four times we played,” he said. “Can we continue to play that well? I just think the biggest thing is Houston’s physicality, their ability to go get the ball, their length and their athleticism.

“That will remind my Auburn team of the most athletic, physical, tough teams in the SEC that we’ve had our hands full with.”

The Business Council of Alabama announced the expansion of its government and public relations teams to include two professionals who are already well acquainted in Montgomery and D.C., alike.

Caroline Franklin will serve as BCA’s director of governmental affairs and executive director of ProgressPAC alongside Paul Shashy with SR Communications as political strategist.

Franklin served as communications director for State Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield before taking a role in Washington, D.C., with Rep. Jodey Arrington, who now chairs the House Budget Committee. She is also an alum of the offices of Sen. Richard Shelby and Rep. Martha Roby.

Shashy, founder of SR Communications, has managed the campaigns of Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt. He also has played an integral role in many of the state’s most impactful political campaigns and public affairs projects of the past decade, including the Rebuild Alabama Act and Connect Alabama initiative. SR Communications handles the public relations for a variety of clients including the Alabama Senate Republican Caucus and McPherson Oil Products.

“BCA is the voice for Alabama businesses, representing nearly one million working Alabamians,” BCA President and CEO Helena Duncan said. “With the hiring of Caroline Franklin and SR Communications, that voice will become even stronger and more influential.”

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. Follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 Legislative Session.

Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tommy Bryan announced Thursday that he is running for re-election.

Bryan, who has been on the state bench since 2013, said he wants to continue to serve the people and the state of Alabama.

“As an Alabama Supreme Court Justice, I treat our citizens fairly, interpret our laws justly, and I seek God’s wisdom and strength to serve with integrity,” he said. “I want to continue to bring leadership and judgment that the people of Alabama can trust. Our great state deserves a judicial system that is fair and balanced, and that is my priority as an Alabama Supreme Court Justice.”

Bryan has the endorsement of the Alabama Trucking Association, Manufacture Alabama, and Alabama FarmPAC, the Alabama Farmers Federation’s political action committee.

Bryan was an assistant attorney general for Alabama, serving as an associate general counsel for Alabama’s environmental department. In 2004, he was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals and was re-elected in 2010. In 2012, Bryan was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court.

He ​and his wife Pamela have two children, a daughter, Thomason, and a son, Tucker. ​They attend Montgomery’s First Baptist Church​ where he serves as a​ deacon and sings in the sanctuary choir. He also teaches a young-married-adult Sunday School class.


Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

School safety is good, but it has to be feasible

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and on Talk 99.5 from 10 a.m. to noon.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) is calling on the Biden administration to take steps that would hinder the cooperation between Russia and China on nuclear technology.

Chairmen @RepMikeRogersAL @RepMcCaul @RepMikeTurner urged the Biden admin to utilize the full application of sanctions, export controls, and diplomacy, to hinder the nuclear cooperation between Russia’s Rosatom and China.

Read the letter ⬇️https://t.co/yojeetVtgc pic.twitter.com/dm1X6rvEUh

— Armed Services GOP (@HASCRepublicans) March 17, 2023

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rogers joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) in a letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan about how the cooperation between the two countries threatens national security.

“Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, is helping the People’s Republic of China (PRC) acquire enough weapons grade plutonium to fuel its strategic nuclear breakout,” Rogers said in the letter. “Beyond fueling the PRC’s strategic nuclear breakout, which in 2021 then-U.S. Strategic Command commander Admiral Charles Richard called ‘breathtaking’, Rosatom helps fuel Putin’s war efforts in Ukraine. We call on the Administration to view this cooperation for what it is, a direct threat to U.S. security and more evidence that Russia and China are working in tandem against the United States. The Administration should use all tools at its disposal to stop Rosatom and the PRC’s dangerous cooperation.”

Rogers said the administration needs to take action immediately on this matter because of the continuing war in Ukraine.

“Despite these malign activities, Rosatom’s position in the global market is only getting stronger,” he added. “The longer we wait to act, the more difficult it will be to address Rosatom’s nefarious and malign dealings. Putin uses these funds to fund his war machine and keep his favorite weapons programs on schedule. In short, every dollar and euro that Rosatom brings in directly finances the death and destruction we see in Ukraine, China’s nuclear weapon expansion, and is a direct threat to the American way of life.”

The members of Congress said they are glad that the administration has already implemented some sanctions, but argued that much more needs to be done.

“To this end, we were heartened to see the Administration take steps to sanction
three Rosatom subsidiaries on February 24, 2023,” said the letter. “Additionally, we implore more senior administration officials to speak out publicly against this behavior, such as Assistant Secretary of Defense Plumb did when he stated “It’s very troubling to see Russia and China cooperating on this…They may have talking points around it, but there’s no getting around the fact that breeder reactors are plutonium, and plutonium is for weapons. So, I think the [Defense] Department is concerned. And of course, it matches our concerns
about China’s increased expansion of its nuclear forces as well, because you need more plutonium for more weapons.

“These actions do not begin to scratch the surface as to what needs to be done,
however. Stronger action is required and it needs a whole-of-government approach. We
ask that you use all the tools at your disposal, such as the full application of sanctions,
export controls, and diplomacy.”

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) also showed his support for his colleagues on this issue.

Our adversaries are trying shake hands with the U.S. while stabbing us in the back. I support leadership’s calls to crack down on nuclear cooperation between Russia and China. https://t.co/0jPQBA7jgO

— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) March 17, 2023

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee

State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) said he’s on board with Gov. Kay Ivey’s call to cut back government regulations that place burdens on the state’s economy.

“During my inaugural address, I promised we would reduce burdens holding back our businesses with the goal of cutting regulations by 25 percent over the next two years,” Ivey said during her State of the State address last week. “I am proud to share with you all that … I will sign an executive order to cut red tape so that our businesses are not held back, but can thrive.

“As I like to say, sometimes the best thing government can do is just get out of the way!”

Thursday on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal,” Elliott discussed how the Legislature could remove red tape from the economy of the Yellowhammer State.

“One of the last vestiges of Democratic control in my mind, this last part of big government, is boards and commissions that are still out there. We have a ton of them,” Elliott said. “And they’re everything from locksmiths to wrestling, some of the most obscure things you would ever think of, and they all have their own little fiefdoms.”

The legislator said there are a lot of inefficiencies when it comes to how these boards and commissions operate.

“What we’re going to try to do is consolidate some of that,” he said. “Not necessarily doing away with the board, but really trying to help them become more efficient. And then, once we do that, make sure they’re serving really a public purpose.”

Elliott noted just how much of an impact these groups have on the overall economy in Alabama.

“Almost 23% of the state’s entire workforce falls under the regulatory authority of one of these boards that really does operate under the authority of the state, but without a lot of oversight of the state,” he said. “Some of whom even have these kind of private firms running them. So my hope is to consolidate that, work with the governor and her commission to do that, so that we’re running that portion of state government as efficiently as possible.”

Elliott believes these reforms will help the overall labor market and encourage young people to find work in more trade jobs.

“With unemployment rates as they are, labor participation rates like they are, we really need to work to get more kids involved in that,” he said, “and those boards can be, don’t know if they necessarily are now without singling anyone out, as involved as they should be as getting more folks out of high school interested in those trades and interested in those particular professions.

“With it being as disparate and spread out as it is right now, it’s really hard to manage that. Hopefully trying to consolidate some of that will get us, not just efficiency there, but will get us some efficiency in some workforce training as well.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee

Growing up in North Alabama, I remember watching movie trailers with excitement. They
always ended with a deep voice that said, “opening soon in select theaters near you.” As it turns out, those openings were never “near me” since my local theater was not one of those “select theaters.”

Those movies always premiered in big cities, often on the coasts. Most movies didn’t trickle to the theaters in Florence, Alabama, for another six or nine months. By then, I had forgotten about the trailer.

While kids (and adults) no longer have to wait for movies based on their ZIP Code (thank you, Netflix), they are waiting for something far more important: the best proven medical treatment. Waiting on a movie is an inconvenience. Waiting on the best medical option could be the difference between life and death.

Most scientific experts estimate that it takes an average of 17 years for proven biomedical
research to be implemented in clinical practice. That means it takes nearly two decades from when there is evidence of a discovery until it actually benefits patients.

For context, 17 years ago, Sen. Tommy Tuberville was still coaching Auburn, and Nick Saban was coaching the Miami Dolphins. And Twitter was a brand-new platform for football fans to complain about coaching decisions and play Monday-morning quarterback.

Closing that 17-year research gap and compressing the related lag time from drug discovery to drug deployment are critical objectives of translational research – the kind of work we do at Southern Research.

Since its founding 81 years ago as an Alabama-based nonprofit, Southern Research has executed every step in the long and winding process between the point when a potential medicine is identified in a test tube and when it becomes a drug that enters the human body. Throughout our history, our process has led to 20 new drugs developed at Southern Research, and we’ve assisted hundreds more of our commercial clients in drug development throughout the world — including 50% of all chemotherapies on the market. In fact, we have 20 drugs in the pipeline of development now, many of which are developed in partnership with UAB researchers.

At Southern Research, we believe it is our duty to make the best research and best medical
treatments available to our friends and neighbors in Alabama and throughout the Deep South — and, we don’t think they should have to wait 17 years for it.

This sense of duty is why we are embarking on an ambitious new project to build a clinical trials hub that will serve as a unique vehicle to support patients with cutting-edge care and give primary care physicians access to the newest tools in medicine.

This is precision medicine, and we know that it works. Aided by genomic information, precision medicine helps doctors identify the right treatment for the right patient at the right time.

This kind of precision medicine is already happening today, but too few Alabamians are enjoying the benefits. Our Community Health Catalyst platform would enable more providers to bring the best medical care to people across Alabama by giving them information about clinical trials that would meet their unique healthcare needs.

As a nonprofit with a proven track record in protecting highly classified data and a long history of biomedical research with hundreds of government and commercial clients, Southern Research is an ideal partner to develop a unique platform that link patients and their doctors to clinical trials.

Motivated to close the 17-year gap, three critical pillars guide the development of the Catalyst platform.

Not only will this Catalyst improve health outcomes for Alabamians, it will grow jobs and attract investment to our state. Clinical trials are a $50 billion industry now, and that number is expected to grow to $80 billion by 2030. Our project would help Alabama secure  clinical trial investments, positioning us as a top 10 state in one of the fastest growing industries in America.

We estimate our new platform by itself could add 1,600 jobs throughout the state, add $145 million in annual economic impact, and support rural healthcare providers who participate with new sources of revenue.

With advances in technology, Alabamians no longer have to wait six to nine months to watch the best new movies. We should not have to wait 17 years to receive the best medical care for our friends and families.

Josh Carpenter is president and CEO of Southern Research, a nonprofit research organization in Birmingham.

Calhoun Community College is doing its part to boost the state’s automotive industry workforce.

The school is offering automotive scholarships to Alabama residents for the fall 2023 semester. Each scholarship is valued at $4,000.

According to Calhoun President Dr. Jimmy Hodges, the scholarships are the result of a partnership between the Alabama Community College System and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association.

“Our automotive business leaders are in desperate need of students with an educational background in automotive, electrical, welding and engineering to serve in their dealerships, automotive plants and facilities across the state,” said Hodges. “One of the main goals of the ACCS is to prepare our students to immediately enter the workforce with hands-on training from an up-to-date curriculum.

“Although the partnership started with our system, we as colleges within the system will honor those scholarships to ensure students are able to get the training and education they need with as little to no out-of-pocket student debt as possible.”

The scholarships are available to Alabama residents who are interested in attending an ACCS college to train for careers in their region’s automotive manufacturing industry.

To receive one of the scholarships, students must be enrolled in a program associated with automotive manufacturing and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Students who are awarded the scholarship may use the funds for tuition, books and fees associated with their approved program of study during the fall 2023 academic year.

“Students who apply do not have to be interested in changing oil, tires and working on engines,” said Lewis Nall, Calhoun automotive instructor. “The broad range of areas to choose will also increase the number of jobs a student would qualify for upon graduation.”

The scholarships are available for training in the following areas:

To be considered for a scholarship, students should submit a complete application packet, including a completed online AAMA application, proof of completion of a new orientation course to the automotive industry, one signed reference letter, an unofficial college or high school transcript and a headshot photo.

Click here to apply for a scholarship and to learn more about the scholarship opportunities.

The deadline for submission is March 31.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings said Thursday its stockholders voted to approve the company’s proposed acquisition by L3Harris Technologies. The vote was 99.7% in favor of the transaction.

“The shareholder vote represents a key milestone in the acquisition process, and integration planning is underway,” said L3Harris Chair and CEO Christopher E. Kubasik. “We continue to respond to Federal Trade Commission inquiries as we move toward an expeditious closing.”

The two companies, which have facilities in Huntsville, announced in December a $4.7 billion all-cash transaction. L3Harris, the nation’s sixth-largest contractor, said it was paying $58 per share in the deal.

“We are pleased with the strong support of our stockholders for this transaction with L3Harris,” said Eileen P. Drake, CEO and president of Aerojet Rocketdyne. “Today’s stockholder approval is another milestone in the process of bringing together our two world-class organizations to accelerate innovation and strengthen competition for national security and space exploration propulsion solutions.

“We remain focused on completing this transaction and delivering the significant expected benefits for our employees, customers, partners and the communities in which we operate.”

On Wednesday, L3Harris Technologies received a request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission as part of the regulatory review process for the acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne.

The second request extends the waiting period imposed by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act until 30 days after L3Harris and Aerojet Rocketdyne have substantially complied with the request, or the waiting period is terminated sooner by the FTC.

The companies expect to close the transaction this year, subject to required regulatory approvals, clearances and other customary closing conditions.

‘Tis a fine day in Alabama and ’twas a fine week in Montgomery.

The Alabama House this week approved a resolution officially recognizing Saint Patrick’s Day and the continuing contributions of Irish-Americans throughout the state.

“Because so many Alabamians have Irish ancestry within their family tree, it is right and proper for the Legislature to recognize the history of Saint Patrick’s Day and the culture that accompanies it,” said State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs), the resolution’s sponsor. “From education to agriculture to art to government and every other facet of our lives, Alabamians of Irish heritage throughout history have made our state a better place to live, and this resolution recognizes their contributions.”

The resolution noted Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is credited with introducing Christianity to that island nation along with literacy and learning.

The first celebration recognizing Saint Patrick, according to the resolution, occurred in the Spanish colony of Florida in 1600 when cannons where fired in his honor with a parade following the next year.

Though it began as a celebration among those of the Catholic faith, St. Patrick’s Day is now celebrated by people of all denominations in countries across the globe.

And while many Irish immigrated to the British colonies of North America and made their homes in the Northeast and Appalachia, Mooney’s resolution states that organized U.S. celebrations of Saint Patrick spread with those who emigrated here to escape the potato famine of the mid-19th century.

Roughly 44 million Americans with Irish ancestry reside in the United States today.

“In honor of the valuable contributions of Irish-American citizens and the rich Irish culture that has wound its way into the great melting pot of America, we recognize Saint Patrick’s Day and encourage all to celebrate the holiday,” the resolution said.

The air is filled with yellow snow, trees are beginning to bud new life, yellow Jonquils are waking after a winter nap. All this means one thing: weddings are around the corner.

Most valuable knowledge has escaped me. However, I know something about weddings. Well, the truth is that was an attempt at humility. The truth is I know everything about weddings. When I say “everything” I really mean it. I quit counting at 435 weddings I have performed. I quit because it was like counting the number of inches of scars you have. Fifty-three inches would be the answer to that question.

I have done weddings in barns, on horseback, in churches, homes, chapels, and every other venue imaginable. Therefore, I feel it incumbent upon me to help the uninitiated as they prepare for the blessed event.

Take a trip to a good book store and pour over the magazine section. You will find a dozen titles for brides and weddings. After 40 years of searching, I have yet to find a single publication called “Groom” magazine. From the start there is a difference in how we view the wedding. When I lead a marriage retreat, I always ask the ladies to raise their hands if they bought a magazine about weddings. They all raise their hands. Then I ask if they bought them before they met their husband. Sheepishly, about half raise their hands.

Another third won’t admit it.

The bride is planning this thing since birth. The groom never sees it coming. To the groom it really doesn’t matter. Tux, jeans, suit, boots, it just doesn’t matter to the groom. However, to the bride every detail is huge.

Once I walked by a bride on my way into the auditorium. She was having a full-blown melt down and we were only minutes away from walking down the aisle. I asked if she was all right. Through bitter tears she sighed, “no!” Then she looked at me and said, “The flowers are the wrong shade of magenta!” I had to look that one up.

After offering comfort I made my way to the room where the groomsmen were waiting. The groomsmen were all eating and talking football. The groom was stretched out with his feet propped up admiring his new cowboy boots. He asked what I thought. I just asked if his bride knew he was wearing snake skin boots. “Nope,” he said with a smirk. “I’m gonna surprise her!”

I don’t think she noticed. Something about the color of the flowers still had her attention.

Every bride has an ideal wedding in mind. Many think an outdoor wedding is a good idea.

Well, it isn’t. Never.

The idea is beautiful weather, bare feet, daisies in the hair, and perfect weather. The groom just thinks of how hot it will be with full battle dress on in the sun in the south.

I don’t do outdoor weddings any more. I sweat. Put a suit on me, cover me with my robe, put me in the sun, and make me stand there. Not a good picture for me.

And you can NEVER count on the weather. This is just another thing to worry about.

I don’t do rehearsals any more. After meeting with the bride & groom, I know what I am supposed to do. They need to rehearse. I quit because of rehearsal conflict.

Frequently, though not always, there are too many brides in the building. Sometimes the mothers of either bride or groom forget that the wedding is for their daughter.

I gave up rehearsals because I got tired of being the bad guy and having to calm “Momzilla.” Mom, you have had your wedding. Let your kid have his or hers.

Here is my advice about your wedding: Get a good director, having it indoors, don’t stress about the little things. And most importantly, prepare more for the marriage than the wedding. A good wedding should last a few minutes.

A good marriage should last a lifetime.

Aaron Johnson is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. He is pastor of Christ Redeemer Church in Guntersville.

Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.

I have been involved in economic development for over two decades, both as a professional in the field and researcher in the academy. Based on my experience, I can guarantee that every day economic developers are competing, both at the state and local level, for jobs and investments to create wealth and improve the quality of life for its citizenry.

For these economic development professionals, state and local incentives are the common “weapons” used in this economic “battle” that ultimately determines success or failure in attracting, growing, and retaining industry. Thus, to be competitive, the passage of the proposed economic development legislation is critical to the economic present and future of the State of Alabama.

Troy University has been and continues to be a valuable resource for applied economic research.

In fact, Troy was on the front line in the ultimate recruitment of Mercedes-Benz to the  Alabama in the early 1990s, which is the most significant economic development win in Alabama history. The Center for Business and Economic Services (CBES), with research by Dr. Mac Holmes, authored the economic impact study used by the state to determine the incentives package offered to Mercedes-Benz.

Though this study proved to be the most impactful piece of economic impact research originating from the CBES, hundreds of research projects have been conducted on behalf of industry and economic development organizations to inform public incentive decisions.

Recently, the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University hosted an economic forum in Birmingham, where various topics concerning Alabama’s economy were presented. In one of the panel discussions, a presenter not employed by Troy University stated there is “no evidence” that economic development incentives work.

As an economist, I disagree with this statement and believe public incentives are important, among many other factors, in location decisions for new and existing industry.

Unfortunately, it was implied in some media outlets, because the Johnson Center hosted the economic forum where this opinion was shared, that Troy University wholly endorses or shares this viewpoint. This is simply not true. As a university, we provided an open environment where various viewpoints can be shared to advance knowledge and understanding — this is why a university should exist, to seek truth.

The passage of new economic development legislation is essential for our State to remain competitive and advance our capability to attract and retain our industrial base. Our state and local economic development organizations must have these tools to win these economic battles.

Without passage of this legislation, you are asking our economic development officials to bring a knife to a gunfight.

Dr. Edwards is Dean of the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University.

7. The Alabama Department of Corrections is increasing the pay for an entry-level correctional officer trainee from $33,381 to a minimum of $50,712. This type of money is life-changing money for a lot of people and a great opportunity to receive good benefits and pay for a very dangerous job.

6. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has joined forces with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and other governors, to fight environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing requirements for retirement funds. A statement from the group reads, “(T)he proliferation of ESG throughout America is a direct threat to the American economy, individual economic freedom and our way of life, putting investment decisions in the hands of the woke mob to bypass the ballot box and inject political ideology into investment decisions, corporate governance, and the everyday economy.”

5. ALGOP Chairman John Wahl wants the Legislature to represent the conservative bent of the people in the state. This is a regular complaint by voters and sometimes you can not blame them as you watch issues like taxation and school choice flounder.

4. An absolutely absurd new shelter to protect students from school shooters and severe weather was unveiled at a Cullman elementary school, it doubles as a whiteboard too. For once, aldotcom’s unserious Kyle Whitmire is not totally wrong when he says, “this is the dumbest thing I’ve seen come from Alabama in some time.”

3. U.S. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) says Americans have been “betrayed” by the Biden administration as it is spending $47 million a year to store border wall panels as illegals, trafficking victims, drugs, and poisons cross our border, seemingly with ease. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) called out Democrats who failed to appear at a hearing at the border, saying, he was “appalled.”

2. The special session of the Alabama Legislature is now over after the $1.06 billion spending plan for American Rescue Plan Act monies has passed, it has been signed by Gov. Kay Ivey.

1. The cost of building a prison in Elmore County has increased more than 50% from when they agreed to the prison last year. The new $975 million cost (up from $623 million) will force new spending to be approved by the Legislature for a second prison in Escambia County. Are these prisons being built out of the school shooting shelters from No. 4?

LISTEN HERE:

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and on Talk 99.5 from 10 a.m. to noon.

This week was a whirlwind of economic failure, particularly in the state of California, where two large-scale banks collapsed within 48 hours of each other. The implosion caused worry throughout the country that more banks and financial institutions would be soon to follow.

Sen. Katie Britt sought to reassure Alabamians that the banking system was safe and Thursday called for a hearing to investigate Silicon Valley Banks’s collapse.

“I’m going to start by leaning into some of what we heard at the very beginning of this hearing, stating the fact that our banking system remains strong,” said Britt (R-Montgomery), a member of the Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. “The banks in the great state of Alabama are strong. SVB is a clear case of regulators refusing to do their job despite … all the signs, all the red flags were there.

“The Fed failed to use the tools in their toolbox to prevent what we saw last week, and I want to know why, I want answers. I join the ranking member in calling for a hearing, and I am hopeful that the chairman will do just that and will give us the opportunity to have the responsible parties sit right in front of us and allow us to do our job.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

The lineup continues to grow for next month’s “Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones” with Randy Travis, Sara Evans, Aaron Lewis and Gretchen Wilson among the latest to join.

Also, the producers announced 300 more tickets will be available for the April 25 show at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The tickets will go on sale on today at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster and the Von Braun Center Box Office. With the recent configuration of the stage and production, the producers of the show were able to release the new tickets.

“I am so thankful to the loyal fans of country music,” said Nancy Jones. “George’s music still lives on and I am so honored that so many of George’s fellow artists and friends have agreed to come celebrate him.

“This special night would not be the same without so many people doing what they do best – from the producers of the show to the artists bringing their voices to the fans buying the tickets.”

Along with Travis, Evans, Lewis and Wilson, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, Dillon Carmichael, and Joe Nichols have joined the show. Already announced to perform are Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt, Michael Ray, Sam Moore, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence, Travis Tritt, and Wynonna.

In addition, the Nancy Jones VIP dinner on April 24 will include appearances by Travis, Jeannie Pruett, Billy Yates, Tony Jackson and others. Tickets are $200 and will include a sit-down meal, as well as a photo opportunity with Nancy Jones.

Appreciating the mutual investment between C Spire and developing fiber infrastructure across the state, the telecommunications company announced CFO Ben Pace is moving to Birmingham.

“We have a long-standing commitment to Alabama, and are expanding our services across the state, bringing ultra-fast fiber to rural communities, encouraging private sector broadband investment and leveraging existing resources to residents and businesses,” said Hu Meena, president and CEO of C Spire.

C Spire’s broadband network provides ultra-fast, all-fiber services to more than 200,000 homes and businesses in Alabama and Mississippi.

Also fueling the company’s expansion in Alabama was the acquisition of Troy Cable. The company has secured eight state grants and a federal grant (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund) worth $40.7 million to deploy fiber across the state, especially in rural areas. 

Pace joined C Spire in 2000 and is responsible for all accounting and financial functions of the company, including capital financing, mergers and acquisitions and strategic planning.

“I am eager to work alongside my colleagues, state and local officials, businesses and residents to advance technologies that will enhance the quality of life across Alabama,” he said. “We are steadfast in our investment in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee to improve the economic future for the next generation.”

Pace was a vice president with Regions Bank worked for an accounting firm. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Mississippi State University and is a certified public accountant and chartered global management accountant. 

Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl believes the culture wars will be front and center during the next election cycle, and wants the Yellowhammer State to take the lead on those issues.

After Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke in Birmingham last week, Wahl said elected leaders should learn from his electoral success in the Sunshine State.

During an appearance Thursday on WVNN’s “The Yaffee Program,” Wahl discussed how Republicans can succeed in 2024 and beyond.

“I think that was a mistake Republicans made across the country in 2022, assuming the economy would be the driver and would be what would win back the House and the Senate for Republicans,” Wahl said. “I think nationally they need to look at the recipe that was created by both Ron DeSantis, but also Glenn Younkin, and it is talking about these social issues.”

The party leader admitted that while the economy is still important, there are other issues that families in America are still very passionate about right now.

“These are the things that are affecting people’s lives,” he said. “Our parents see it everyday. They see the material brought home by their children. Grandparents care about their grandchildren, and they want to see them educated and not indoctrinated. So I think this is an incredibly important thing because it’s important to the people of America. It’s important to that everyday family and we can’t ignore that. These social issues are very much what hits the home first.”

Wahl pointed to school choice as a great example of an issue that affects ordinary families in the state.

“We know there are so many parents out there who want a viable choice,” he said. “And by the way, that viable choice will force our public school system to be better as well. Competition will always provide a better product.”

He also said Alabama needs to take more of a lead when it comes to some of these social issues.

“That’s exactly what I want to see Alabama do, lead,” he said. “And not just lead and not just the Republican party helping Alabama become more visible, but I want to lead on these conservative issues … I want to see Alabama in front of Florida. I don’t want to just see Ron DeSantis coming here to speak, I want to be sending our guys to Florida to speak because of how far Alabama has been advancing and how we’re at the cutting edge on these conservative policies.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee

If you happen to be an owner of a Hyundai or Kia with a key-turn ignition manufactured between 2015-2019, you should stop reading this now and check your driveway because a wayward youth may have stolen your car.

Now don’t jump to conclusions and blame the youthful offender – it’s not his fault – the blame lies with the manufacturer for making them “easier to steal.”

That’s the upside-down world we live in today.

Both car companies are defending class-action lawsuits because apparently the anti-theft technology is not keeping up with the cultural rot plaguing our youth. They have no fear because there are no consequences. Punishment is almost nonexistent.

The absence of fear coupled with a shortage of consequences results in a lack of respect; where there is no respect there is no reverence.

I’ve been a business owner in this county since 1981 and with that comes hiring, training, and firing young people. Arrogance, lack of personal responsibility, and attitude will get them out the door quick.

Over the years, I have provided employment to ex-felons, recovering substance addicts, and most recently foster children who reside in a group home. An article in Automotive News about the class-action litigation directed at Hyundai and Kia was the spark that brought forth this opinion.

As a delinquent teenager in a single parent home in the ’60s, I pretty well did what I wanted to do without fear of consequences. My mother did the best she could do to get me to toe the line.

At school, a different story. At Boaz High School, our Principal Mr. Hayes was a disciplinarian who had quite the reputation of “lighting” you up with his paddle. Amazingly, he never had to paddle me.

Fear. The thought of stealing a car never entered my mind even though people left keys in the ignition back then. My fear was I’d go directly to jail. You see I’d watched the movie
“Cool Hand Luke.” In the movie, he was convicted of a far less offense than stealing a car and I knew I wanted no part of a chain gang.

Fear coupled with consequences.

Quick story: Back a few years ago when corporal punishment was still administered in our city school system I picked my son up at the elementary school and he began telling me how he had been accused of an offense of which he was innocent. It was on a Friday and the principal told him that the paddling would come on Monday. He wanted my son to contemplate the coming punishment.

I listened intently as he explained that a phone call to the principal would get him a much needed reprieve. I explained to him that he needed to take the licks – that sometimes life is just not fair.

Monday came and went and amazingly he lived through it. I could have easily been a lawn mower parent and cleared the path for him. But I wanted him to have to deal with this obstacle and the consequences that came with it. Was he guilty? I don’t know and I didn’t care. It was a paddling, not a life sentence! The seeds of a respect for authority were planted and watered that day through a simple piece of hardwood.

The speeding tickets and boating violations that were to follow were handled in the same manner.

Mind you now, on the ones I knew about, I made him go to court to sit there and listen for his name on the docket so that he would have some “bench time” with the judge.

Fear married to consequences will germinate into that trait that is oh so necessary for youth in a civil society – respect for authority, and that respect will eventually manifest as reverence – which is but the highest degree of respect.

Punishment should begin in the home, be administered in school, and be carried out in our legal system.

Our local judges lament sentencing guidelines that handcuff them in doling out the punishment commensurate to the crimes. Moreover, parole and ‘mandatory release’ undercut the deterring effect prison can have. Our lawmakers should take note.

I know of many business owners that have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars through embezzlement and the offender gets no jail time. What’s fair about that? Will they re-offend? Who knows, but it sends a clear message to the next offender – whether embezzler, burglar, or car thief – it’s worth the risk because chain gangs are a relic of the past.

Paul Claborn is the owner of WholeSaleCars.com based in Albertville, Alabama. 

The special session called by Gov. Kay Ivey to appropriate the final portion of federal pandemic relief funds concluded Thursday with passage by both houses.

The Senate passed the bill 30-3 Thursday morning, after adding two amendments. It was sent back to the House and passed there.

The $1.06 billion package went to Ivey for her signature.

“I commend the Alabama Legislature for, once again, answering the call to invest these one-time funds wisely to make improvements in Alabamians’ quality of life, including water, sewer and broadband expansion projects, as well as health care,” she said. “Alabama can now look to a future of greater promise thanks to the steps we have taken this week to invest these funds wisely.” 

A number of senators highlighted how their priorities differ slightly from the final package. Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) said he wanted to see more money going toward reimbursement for the Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan.

“You know my concerns about this particular bill in that it does not fully fund the PEEHIP expense that was directly related to COVID,” Orr said. “But, other than that, good job.”

The spending measures first outlined by the bill have remained consistent, with the largest portions being shared between healthcare and infrastructure.

All throughout the process, lawmakers have said the funds are an opportunity to double-down on what’s worked for the state in recent years. Broadband is a good example of that, Senate Majority Leader Scofield (R-Guntersville) said.

“We have the infrastructure in place, with the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority, and the broadband division at ADECA, to be able to handle this money and get it out to field to help our providers hook up more people,” Scofield said. “We do not have to reinvent the wheel there.” 

Shortly after, the revised bill landed back on the house floor for concurrence, ultimately leading to a 96-0 vote.

“Spending it on waste water, and mental health and nursing homes and hospitals and veterans homes,” Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said. “I think it’s a big deal for the state.”

The Legislature opens its regular session next week.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are relaunching an ad campaign to tout the benefits of expanding gambling.

Will it work?

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and on Talk 99.5 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Innovate Alabama is hosting a tech brunch to launch its HBCU Innovation Experience.

The new program will “encourage inclusive talent attraction and retention within the state, home to the most Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country.”

“Innovate Alabama is on a mission to help innovators, including our state’s best and brightest students, grow roots here in Alabama,” said Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. “As we continue to prioritize inclusivity and equitability through our various initiatives, including our HBCU engagement strategy, we are thrilled to collaborate with organizations, like The Alabama Collective, who are also passionate about supporting underserved and underrepresented groups within our state.”

HBCU academic leaders will be able to network with peers, founders and program leadership to learn about internship, job and investment opportunities related to digital tech skills and entrepreneurial product development.

“As Alabama looks to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, it is essential we focus on minorities and HBCU engagement to achieve a more diverse and inclusive tech and entrepreneurial landscape,” said Charisse Stokes, founder of The Alabama Collective. “HBCUs are natural hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship, and Alabama is fortunate to be abundant in HBCU talent and intellectual capital, being home to the largest number of HBCUs in the country.”

The brunch will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday during the HBCU Springcoming at Carrigan’s Public House, 2430 Morris Ave., in downtown Birmingham.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

Calling it a “breach of national security,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville and a dozen other Republican senators are seeking answers after learning the government is spending $47 million a year to store unused border wall panels.

The senators, in a letter to Melissa Dalton, assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, asked for Defense Department internal communications on the subject, a list of entities the department is paying to store the panels, and an explanation of the contract process.

“The Department of Defense should not be incurring these daily charges but should be using these funds to bolster national security,” the senators wrote. “In a highly dangerous security environment for the United States, every dollar Congress authorizes for the Department of Defense should be used effectively. This failing program clearly misses that standard.”

Tuberville (R-Auburn) said the issue “undermines the safety” of Americans.

“It is a betrayal of millions of hardworking Americans in this country to deliberately use their taxpayer dollars to undermine their safety,” said Tuberville. “Since taking over, this administration has made securing our southern border its last priority, despite record numbers of deadly drugs pouring across — killing nearly 150 Americans every day.

“The DoD owes the American people an explanation for this outrageous waste of taxpayer funds and breach of national security. I will continue pushing for answers on their behalf.”

The following Senators joined Tuberville in the letter: Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

Law enforcement, elected officials and residents gathered at a Cullman elementary school to talk about an uncomfortable issue facing parents – school shootings. They also got to see a demonstration of new technology that offers a possible solution.

 

Sen. Gudger leads prayer (YHN)

State Sen. Garland Gudger went to kindergarten at West Elementary School and opened by saying today’s threats were never something he had to worry about.

“As a father dropping my two boys off at school, you expect them to be safe,” he said. “I can’t imagine what’s happened at some of these other schools across the nation that weren’t able to pick their children up.”

The device is a deployable, ballistic wall unit in classrooms that can also be used as a multipurpose space. Alabama company KT Solutions said the units can be deployed in less than 10 seconds and offers a level of protection that stops up to a .308- caliber round. 

A teacher who showcased the system in her classroom over the past month demonstrated the rapid deployment.

The room can also be used as shelter during severe weather events and other emergencies. 

Kevin Thomas, CEO of KT Solutions, said his company was creating ballistic equipment for the military last year when he felt called to work on this invention in the days that followed the massacre in Uvalde, Texas. 

“We took something that takes most folks two or three years to do, and we did it in eight months,” Thomas said. “What we do have control over is the ability to make things that are innovative in the meantime while we fix the bigger issues.”

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt commended Thomas on his initiative and said he’d like to see how the system can be implemented in classrooms across the United States.

“It’s great to live in a country where there’s so much ingenuity,” said Aderholt (R-Haleyville). 

State Superintendent Eric Mackey said school safety is the issue that keeps principals up at night.

“From the time they get on the bus until they get home in the afternoon, they are your responsibility,” he said.

Mackey said the device demonstrated is “the one investment in government I can think of that I hope we never use.”

Yet another review over the location of Space Command has been ordered. This time the “additional analysis” will be conducted by the Air Force.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said at a symposium recently the new analysis is to make sure “we got this right.”

“I hoped to make a decision and make an announcement earlier,” he said. “We’re doing some additional analysis; we want to make very sure we got this right and have a well defended decision.”

The new review has worried Alabamians, who think that it could indicate that SPACECOM may not be coming to the state.

Count Sen. Tommy Tuberville among those concerned.

“You never know how to take it because after we’ve gone through two or three of these reviews,” he said. “And we continue to pass all of these reviews, I am meaning the Redstone Arsenal passes all these reviews with flying colors. Then it seems to be almost we want another review.

“We don’t know the direction that they’re going to go in. They might be reaching for straws here. I’ve talked with Secretary Kendall of the Air Force. I know he’ll do the right thing at the end of the day. It just matters when.

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.