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Alabamians can now carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The act is being referred to throughout the state as the “constitutional carry” bill.

Under the new law, the only reason that anyone in the state would have to have a permit is so that they can conceal carry across state lines. The new legislation also states that drivers who have been pulled over and have a firearm in their vehicle are required to inform the police of it. They are also not allowed to touch the weapon when the officer or officers are present. An officer can temporarily take a weapon away in certain conditions. One such condition is if the officer has reasonable suspicion that a crime has taken place.

Gov. Kay Ivey, as provided for in the legislation, will now establish a database that will help police across the state determine if people should own weapons.

“Really what this does, this database gives us the ability to figure out who are the people that need to have the guns, and then who are the individuals that shouldn’t have them,” ALEA Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said.

The new law has been met with mixed reviews.

Ivey believes the new law is a win for gun rights and responsible gun owners in Alabama.

“Unlike states who are doing everything in their power to make it harder for law-abiding citizens, Alabama is reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights,” she said. “I have always stood up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners, and I am proud to do that again today.”

State Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) opposes the law.

He posted a tweet at the end of December that said, “Law enforcement pleaded with the legislature and governor not to enact it as they worry it will put officers at greater risk and lead to even more loss of innocent lives.”

“Our community is already heartbroken and traumatized from gun deaths — especially of our precious children. But some politicians put politics over the safety and lives of our children and officers.”

Alabama is one of 25 states with similar legislation.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

Rep. Rogers’ threats make a mark 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.

After four votes in the Congress over who will be the next Speaker of the House, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has still been unable to pick up enough to be elected to the leadership position.

Every member of Alabama’s GOP Congressional delegation voted in support of McCarthy, including U.S. Rep.-elect Dale Strong (R-Huntsville). Strong spoke out in favor of the California congressman Wednesday during an appearance on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show.”

“Well the thing that I look at is there hasn’t been a credible or serious alternative than McCarthy,” Strong said. “He’s the only one who’s got a game plan.”

The newly elected lawmaker believes McCarthy has been more than willing to make compromises with his fellow Republicans.

“(Y)ou look at these rules, you’ve got the most conservatives rules package probably in the history of Congress,” he said. “That’s the one thing that was presented today, saying ‘we want the power to go back to the committees in original order,’ and here’s the thing, he gave in on all that … when he relented and gave all that power back to the committees, I said ‘here we go, this ought to go good.'”

Strong thinks this fight is about more than what’s being presented to the public.

“I think what we’ve done is we’ve walked into a spit wad fight of a couple years that’s gone by of hard feelings and things of this nature,” he said. “But I’m optimistic that hopefully today we’ll get going in the right direction.”

He also said some of those who oppose McCarthy are being “disingenuous.”

“In conference that morning before we went to the House floor,” he continued, “McCarthy stood up and said ‘ok what else do you want?’ And whenever he said that, they looked at each other! They didn’t even respond. They couldn’t even answer the question. That’s whenever I know that it appears to be a little more disingenuous than people probably see.”

Strong is still hopeful that the party will be able to unify and start accomplishing things for the American people.

“We’ve got to come together,” he said. “You can’t go in here and solve problems if you’ve got people that just want to throw bricks at each other. You’ve got to find commonality, and that’s kind of what we’re looking for. I guess this is welcome to the United States Congress, this is not the Madison Country Commission anymore.”

Jarrett Stidham, former quarterback for the Auburn Tigers, had an impressive showing Sunday in his first NFL start.

He passed for 365 yards – the most by a Raiders’ quarterback in their first start. He also is one of only six players in the league’s history with at least 365 passing yards in their first start. Former Auburn Tiger and Heisman winner Cam Newton holds the record with 422 yards.

Stidham, replacing Derek Carr – the Raiders’ starter since 2014, also threw for three touchdowns in Sunday’s 37-34 overtime loss to San Francisco. He was 23-of-34 passing and had two interceptions.

Stidham tried to shoulder responsibility for the loss in the post-game press conference. His teammates, however, were extremely happy with his performance despite the defeat.

Las Vegas receiver Davante Adams said Stidham was being too hard on himself.

“I think every single person on the team said, ‘Man, get out of here with that. You balled out and you did your thing,’” he said.

Adams believes that Stidham could use some assistance on the field.

“We’ve got to find a way to help him,” Adams said. “Protect a little longer, catch a few more balls and get a few more first downs, a few more points, and it could have been a dream situation for him, too.”

Stidham was drafted by New England in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Patriots traded him to the Raiders in May.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

A fire that has been burning for more than a month at a landfill close to Moody, has caused the St. Clair County Commission to issue a State of Emergency declaration.

Commission Chairman Stan Batemon told reporters the declaration gives the county more authority to fight the fire.

“That resolution (state of emergency declaration) literally opens the door for St. Clair County to legally get on that property, to legally put the fire out, and to legally expend government money on that property,” Bateman said.

The fire was originally reported Nov. 25. Officials say the inferno is burning around 25 to 50 acres and in certain places more than 100 feet below the surface. It has caused a large portion of Birmingham to be exposed to smoke with unknown contaminates.

The executive director of the Birmingham area air quality group GASP, Michael Hansen, was critical of the state’s response.

“It’s absolutely unacceptable that state agencies are not doing more to protect the people from this dangerous air pollution event,” Hansen said. “We need a multi-agency state and local response to this situation.

“ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) has not been doing its job. They’ve been asleep at the wheel, and it’s really unfortunate.”

ADEM officials said putting out the fire will not be easy because of its location.

They said there will be an investigation into what may have caused the fire. Officials have also advised people who have “breathing-related health conditions,” to consider “temporarily locating.”

The Jefferson County Department of Health, which is in charge of regulating pollution throughout Birmingham, cannot act because the fire is out of its jurisdiction.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

The other night, my wife and I joined about 30 million of our closest friends and watched “Monday Night Football.” The Cincinnati Bengals were hosting the Buffalo Bills in a clash between two of the finest teams in the league. The matchup promised to be high scoring and full of aerial attacks from both teams.

With just over half of the first quarter played, a Bills player stopped a Bengals runner, got to his feet then collapsed. Damar Hamlin lie motionless as his team surrounded him and medical help rushed to his fallen body.

The scene is common on the NFL gridiron. A player is injured, medical help rushes out, they carry him off or cart him off, and play resumes.

This was different.

Minutes passed and Hamlin remained motionless. Teammates began to shed tears. Some crumbled to their knees, bowed their heads, and moved lips in unheard prayers. The packed stadium, filled with Bengals and Bills fans and the entire NFL world fell silent.

Officials met with coaches and the game was suspended for a period for the teams to regroup. An ambulance slowly drove off the field gingerly carrying the lifeless body of a man who, merely minutes before was a physical specimen, a model of health.

Ultimately the NFL made the decision to cancel the game. Neither team cared much about
football anymore.

During the drama, announcers grasped for words that could not be found. Desperate to fill air time with content, the directors shifted camera shots from desk to desk to field to any shot that was screen-worthy.

In the midst of the emotion, an announcer said, “Football is important. Then it
isn’t.”

I call it: perspective.

For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, announcers begged for the prayers of all those watching. Cameras zoomed in on massive men in numbered jerseys as they knelt, wept and prayed. Suddenly, calling on God was all that was left.

I think God gets it.

Faith is singularly the most important thing in my life. In fact, faith informs my opinion, philosophy, and world view on every topic. Faith is central to me and my life. Not everyone is like me. And I believe God understands us.

 

Some people pray almost continually in a variety of ways. Others treat prayer like a spare tire. It stays locked away in the trunk until needed.

I tend to think prayer needs to be practiced long before it is needed.

On Sept.19, 2011, our 22-year-old son fell from a scissor lift from the height of 36 feet, onto a tennis court. In moments like this, prayer is all you have. In that moment the only solace was my prayer life.

Through almost three months of nightmarish surgeries, and rehab at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, our son lived, he walks, and we are grateful. We are grateful for every prayer prayed for us during those dark days of uncertainty.

Even the spare tire prayers.

7. Tuberville says the injury to Hamlin shows how brutal football can be

6. Musk thought Shelby was an enemy of commercial space flights

5. Who will run for governor in 2026?

4. Morons continue to put themselves and others at risk in Birmingham

3. Alabama GOP delegation is all in for McCarthy

2. Rogers says McCarthy should punish his foes

1. McCarthy can’t close the deal, but the fight goes on 

In front of dozens of supporters and family Tuesday, Sen. Katie Britt took her oath of office on the Senate floor in Washington.

Around 500 Alabamians traveled to the city to celebrate the occasion; some watched from the gallery.

Britt expressed her gratitude and her hope for the future after the ceremony.

“It was a humbling moment to take the oath of office today on the Senate floor,” she said. “I am truly grateful to the people of Alabama for their trust, confidence, and prayers.”

Britt said Alabama’s “brightest days are ahead.” In her remarks, she addressed what her focus would be from the beginning.

“It will be my mission everyday in the Senate to be a leader who looks to identify and implement tangible, meaningful solutions to the serious challenges and opportunities facing both Alabama and America, so hardworking families can thrive in strong communities,” Britt said.

Britt also spoke about how she hopes to help preserve “the American dream for generations to come.”

Recently, Britt was selected to be a member of the Republican Party Advisory Committee which will help with the 2024 election process.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.

The process of electing the speaker for the U.S. House of Representatives unfolded in historic fashion today.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the favorite to attain the position, failed on three ballots to gain the 218 votes needed to be elected.

On today’s third ballot, 20 Republicans had thrown their support behind Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio with 202 voting for McCarthy. All 212 Democrats voted for Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

It was the first time in 100 years the vote went to multiple ballots. The last time was in 1923, when Frederick Gillett, R-Mass., won re-election on the ninth ballot.

Meanwhile, some Republicans are mulling consequences for those who voted against McCarthy. One such Republican was Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers of Saks.

According to one news source, Rogers “promised” to remove Republican representatives from their respective committees if they voted against McCarthy.

Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), and Rep.-elect Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) voted for McCarthy in all three votes.

Moore was the only congressman out of the group who was open to the idea of the possibility of another candidate for speaker, at the beginning of the process.

Strong, at one time, also seemed open to another candidate if one was presented.

“I share the concerns of North Alabamians about how the House has been run in recent years, but at this time there is no other alternative,” he said.

However, in all three votes, Alabama’s Republican congressmen voted for McCarthy.

The House moved to adjourn until noon EST Wednesday. It will begin the voting process for speaker because House rules require lawmakers to keep holding votes for speaker until someone secures 218 votes or a simple majority of members voting.

No other House business can occur until a speaker is selected, which means floor votes, committee hearings and other congressional work – including swearing in new members, including Strong – cannot be held until the GOP elects its leader.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

An Alabama congressman reportedly expressed his frustration with fellow Republicans who aren’t supporting Rep. Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House.

According to Politico, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, suggested during a closed door meeting with the conference that any Republican who opposes McCarthy should be removed from their committee assignments.

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives went to a third round of voting for Speaker of the House. It was the first time since 1923 a speaker was not chosen on the first ballot.

McCarthy (R-Calif.) failed to get the needed 218 votes to become the next speaker in the three rounds of balloting. The House voted to adjourn until noon EST Wednesday.

NBC News also confirmed that Rogers had “promised” those planning to vote against McCarthy would lose their committee seats.

Rogers, Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) and Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) publicly supported McCarthy before the vote. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) originally didn’t rule out backing someone else for the position, but ended up voting for McCarthy.

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

Alabama sending new leaders to Congress.

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.

Alabama’s junior senator said she was humbled in taking the oath of office Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt is the youngest Republican woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate and the second youngest woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate – Blanche Lambert Lincoln, a Democrat from Arkansas, was the youngest female senator when she assumed office in 1999 at the age of 38.

“Taking the oath of office is incredibly humbling,” Britt said. “As people across America approach this time of year with a sense of renewal and optimism while undertaking New Year’s resolutions, I want Alabamians to hear this commitment directly from me: I am firmly resolved to never be outworked and to always make Alabama proud in the United States Senate.”

In keeping with traditional protocol, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, as Alabama’s new senior senator, escorted Britt to the floor where Vice President Kamala Harris, as the Senate’s presiding officer, administered the oath.

“Being entrusted to serve as Alabama’s U.S. senator is a tremendous honor and responsibility,” Britt said. “I am ready to hit the ground running to fight for hardworking families in every corner of our great state and to preserve the American Dream for generations to come.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

Last night, during the Monday Night Football game, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter. The game with the Cincinnati Bengals was suspended.

This morning, the Bills said Hamlin had cardiac arrest on the field and is hospitalized in critical condition.

Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023

Tuesday, former Auburn University football coach Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) reacted to the situation during an appearance on WVNN’s “The Yaffee Program.”

“We’re praying for him and hopefully he fights through this,” Tuberville said. “When you’re watching this in a very important professional football game, millions of people watching, then you got everybody looking at this one person on the field. It just really opens your eyes to how brutal this sport is to be honest with you.”

The former coach said he’s seen a lot of bad injuries during his career, but none similar to what happened on the field Monday night.

“I’ve been around devastating injuries before, but this obviously was life threatening,” he said. “I’ve been around broken ankles, Carnell Williams snapped his ankle right in front of me when we were playing in Florida one year.

“But I’ve never been through one quite like this where a player goes down because of cardiac arrest.”

Tuberville said things have to happen at just the right time for something like that happens to a player.

“It’s unfortunate that the player was high and the running back just runs over him with his helmet and hits him right in the chest and his heart quits beating,” he said. “It’s just very unfortunate. All the stars had to be lined up to make something like this happen.”

The senator also sided with the NFL’s decision to suspend the game.

“[W]hen you’ve got somebody’s life on the line,” he said, “you’ve got all those players on both sides that are affected with this, and everybody watching the game, it shows you that, hey, that’s just a game they’re playing, and what this young man’s fighting for is for his life. You can play this game anytime.

“They can play it the week after the season’s over with, play it three or four days after another game, but I think that definitely it was the right thing to do.”

Tuberville said he doesn’t have the answer on how to prevent an injury like that from happening again.

“It’s a contact sport, and you’re going to have unfortunately things like this happen,” he said. “Again, you’re going to have devastating knee, arm, shoulder, you’re going to have concussions, things like that, but very seldom do you have anything happen to your heart, where you have the collision.

“Unfortunately, it’s a contact sport, it’s very tough, and it’s just the blunt force to the heart, where the heart stops beating, you don’t know whether he had heart problems to begin with, but that makes no difference, it happened, and obviously they’ll look at things to try and correct something like that, but I don’t know what you do to prevent something like that from happening again. It just happened in an inopportune time.”

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

In less than two weeks, Gov. Kay Ivey will be sworn in to serve her second full term to the highest office in the state. When Ivey concludes that term in early 2027, she will have occupied the Alabama governor’s office for nearly a decade.

That firm grip on the office for such an extended period of time reserves for her a special place in Alabama political history.

It also creates a backlog of aspiring candidates who want to hear the marble floors of the Alabama State Capitol under their feet when they arrive at work every day.

The maneuvering to fill Ivey’s seat will begin soon after she takes the oath of office Jan. 16. So, it is never too soon to assess who might run.

Yellowhammer News has handicapped the likelihood of individuals qualifying to run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2026.

These are not odds to win the seat or the nomination. These odds merely represent our assessment of the likelihood an individual will submit the necessary paperwork with the Alabama Republican Party to qualify as a candidate.

The list is divided into several groupings which reflect the individuals’ collective chances of running.

Here’s how the board currently looks:

Gimme the pen and paperwork

Will Ainsworth at 2:7 – Alabama’s lieutenant governor has been building for a governor’s race for quite some time. He has assembled an extensive and well-funded campaign machine. Ainsworth receives counsel from some of the most respected consultants and pollsters in the country. On the issues, he was a leading voice against lockdowns in 2020, a strong pro-life advocate and a national leader for aerospace and defense states. He has a knack for knowing what Alabamians care about in their day-to-day lives which likely explains why he has led the field as the top vote getter in the state over the last two election cycles. Ainsworth will be ready to roll in 2026.

Steve Marshall at 2:1 – Entering his second full term as Alabama’s chief law enforcement officer, Marshall has created significant momentum for his candidacy. He has employed the perfect strategy for establishing one’s conservative credentials among Alabama voters: when in doubt, sue Joe Biden. He has fought for Alabama values in the federal courts on everything from abortion to immigration to energy freedom. Next for Marshall will be proving he can connect on a more personal level with voters.

This would be an interesting opportunity

Barry Moore at 6:1 – Moore will likely be finishing out his third term in 2026. That’s a comfortable length of time to serve in Congress and then make a move to higher office. And he is someone who has never shied away from a political battle. Having served a previous stint in state government, Moore and his wife, Heather, continue to survey the political landscape.

Jeff Coleman at 7:1 – Coleman showed in 2022 that he just can’t shake the political bug. He unsuccessfully attempted a rematch with Barry Moore in the second congressional district. Qualifying snafus aside, some around Coleman say that he has always been positioning himself for a very high state office.

Greg Reed at 8:1 – Reed has the presence of a governor. He simply carries himself differently than most others, and he has a ton of political potential. However, in his current job leading the Alabama Senate, he is the most powerful person in the state for 30 days out of the year. How much more would it mean to him the other 335 days a year? We’ll find out in 2026.

Tommy Tuberville at 10:1 – Tuberville speaks Alabamian about as well as anyone else on this list. There are also those in his sphere who believe he would entertain a campaign for governor. It will be a costly endeavor for those above him on this list to obtain the kind of name ID Tuberville currently possesses. We’ve noted in this space before that United States senator is one of the best 100 jobs in the world so one would think that would be tough to give up.

Moderate value plays

Clay Scofield at 14:1 – Some people are just good at politics. That’s Scofield. He has ascended quickly to the position of majority leader in the Alabama Senate. Whether leading a Cabinet or serving in one, big things are ahead for Scofield.

Nathaniel Ledbetter at 20:1 – Anyone who has won a nearly 18-month speaker’s race wire to wire deserves some respect on his name. The odds of Ledbetter running in his first term as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives are probably far lower. His place on this list is more of a sign of his political muscle.

Bill Poole at 22:1 – A good rule of thumb in today’s world of Alabama politics: bet on Bill Poole. He is so well-liked among influential people, that it is hard to envision him not having a future in higher office, and his service as the state’s finance director has only continued that trend. Maybe his first statewide campaign is for attorney general. Poole and his wife, Nicole, are dynamic campaigners, so look out.

Don’t forget about these guys

Tommy Battle at 25:1 – Battle proved in 2018 that he has the chops to be competitive in a statewide campaign. North Alabama seems to be in its golden era for political power. That also means it is getting tougher and more competitive among potential statewide candidates from the region. As mayor of Huntsville, Battle may be just as happy as a kingmaker.

Rob Riley at 29:1 – Despite his family’s success in Alabama politics, Riley continues to be cautious about his own political future. He has looked closely at high office in the recent past and decided against it. So the political synapses are still snapping. When he will sign up to run is anyone’s guess.

Trip Pittman at 30:1 – The former state senator from Baldwin County continues to take part in the state’s political discourse. In addition to running his business, Pittman has reentered the fray as an outspoken opponent of Obamacare expansion in Alabama. Implementing more conservative fiscal policy for the state and the nation is something about which Pittman cares deeply. Never say never with him.

High value plays

Twinkle Cavanaugh at 40:1 – Discerning readers will understand the significance of Cavanaugh’s position on this list. Nevertheless, she has to be included based on her standing in conservative Republican circles and the extensive grassroots network she has built.

Wes Allen at 42:1 – The newly-elected Secretary of State is just getting started in Alabama politics. The safe bet is for him to get re-elected to his current office. Yet, the former Crimson Tide wide receiver has 5-star potential.

Frank Brocato at 44:1 – The city of Hoover is flying high right now. As its mayor, Brocato has been at the forefront of so much of its growth. The story of his leadership is the kind which would be attractive to Alabama voters.

Danny Garrett at 45:1 – Garrett has been successful at everything he has ever tried – first the world of business, then the world of politics. He is currently in charge of the $8 billion education budget in the Alabama House of Representatives. That’s a job with a lot of juice so running for governor would force a tough choice.

Jerry Carl at 50:1 – The congressman from Mobile has quickly gained a stellar reputation entering his second term in the office. By all accounts, he is perfectly comfortable in his current position. Still, the Gulf Coast is adept at rallying around one cause or candidate to improve its standing statewide. Carl’s conservative credentials and high likeability would seem to make him the perfect fit should the region want to send one of its own to Montgomery.

Tony Kennon at 53:1 – Kennon has become quite a political force along the Gulf Coast, and much of his work is done by force of personality. One gets the sense that his service as mayor of Orange Beach is not his last elective office.

Brandon Shoupe at 55:1 – Shoupe is a Republican through and through. He won the race for chairman of the Houston County Commission in 2022, so it’s probably a bit premature to be thinking of his prospects in a governor’s race. But it’s coming. Shoupe is the Republican Party’s next political star from the Wiregrass.

Dale Strong at 57:1 – This is not the first time Strong has been on a Yellowhammer News list, and it will not be the last time, either. Eight years from now – or even just four years from now – the likelihood of him running for governor will be much higher. After winning Alabama’s 5th Congressional District seat in 2022, look for Strong to make waves in Washington for a few years before reassessing his statewide prospects. His mode of operation is usually giving three options: work with him, get out of the way or get run over. He’ll be fun to watch in Congress.

Jason Reeves at 65:1 – If one were searching for a candidate to pull a surprise in a high-profile race, they might land on Reeves, the mayor of Troy. He is an outsider with a record of economic development success and down-home values. It just might work.

Long shots to run

Matt Fridy at 85:1 – Modern Alabama politics has not seen too many judges make the leap to the governor’s office. Fridy is a little different, though. A long-time Republican party activist in Shelby County, he served in the Alabama Legislature before his current tenure on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. With an unimpeachable conservative record and excellent political skills, keep an eye on Fridy.

John Merrill at 100:1 – Merrill will be entering the private sector within days. Don’t think for a second he will not continue moving about in Alabama political circles. We can’t help but think he makes a move back toward public office, and he has never been afraid to dream big.

7. Trump says “it wasn’t me”

6. Two of the Crimson Tide’s greatest go pro

5. Details of Montgomery airport worker killed are tragic

4. Candidates referred to AG for campaign finance violations

3. It was gang violence on New Year’s Eve in Mobile

2. Brooks out, Strong in

1. Shelby out, Britt in

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.

Birmingham, already the murder capital of Alabama, has joined a list of cities throughout the U.S. that have the highest homicide rate per capita. The city, over the last few years, has repeatedly landed in the top five of this group.

Law enforcement officials in these cities and throughout the state believe that there has been a nationwide uptick in homicides and that the trend is not specific to one area, but is happening throughout the country.

Everett Johnson, president of the Fraternal Order of Police in Alabama,  is one such official.

“I think … you can see a trend increased across our country as a whole,” he said. “Birmingham, just based off the the per capita (murders), I think that falls in line with what’s going on with the rest of our country for the past two or three years.”

Everett also questioned the bond process in the city.

“Based on my knowledge of Birmingham and similar cities, they have a very lenient bond process and pretty much a signature bond that let(s) you back out regardless of the crime,” he said. “When violent offenders aren’t locked away violence increases.”

A 12-year-old girl became one of the most recent victims of the violence taking place in the city. She was killed after 17 bullets were fired into the house she was sleeping in. The child was only a few days away from her 13th birthday.

In 2022, Birmingham experienced 144 homicides – the city’s most in decades. The weapons that were typically used in these murders were overwhelmingly firearms.

The record high for Birmingham was set in 1933 with 148 killings. The city’s lowest number of murders came in 1956, with a total of 56 cases.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

Since its discovery in the Mobile River in 2019, the Clotilda, the sunken schooner often known as the “last American slave ship,” has gained worldwide attention. But Darron Patterson said the story is not about the ship.

“The Clotilda was nothing but a floating dungeon,” said Patterson, president of the Clotilda Descendants Association. “The story is about the people in the cargo hold who endured a journey of two months. They were chained together; they were buck naked; they ate and slept where they went to the bathroom. Their captors tried to break them, but they didn’t break, and that’s the real story.”

Patterson’s great-great-grandfather, Pollee Allen, was among the 110 West Africans who were forcibly captured from their homes and taken aboard that ship as slaves to a strange land an ocean away. Despite enduring untold miseries, these people survived and later founded Africatown, a community that continues to exist in Mobile. It’s there that the Africans handed down their native language, customs and cultural traditions to their children and grandchildren.

The once-nearly forgotten story of these survivors and the ship that delivered them to America will be the centerpiece of a new interactive exhibit housed in the Africatown Heritage House, which is expected to open in the spring. The History Museum of Mobile, in partnership with the Alabama Historical Commission, has been working for three years to develop, create and construct “Clotilda: the Exhibition.”

Meg Fowler with the Mobile History Museum. (Dan Anderson)

“The exhibition will be a central, physical location for locals and tourists alike to learn about the important details of this story,” said Meg Fowler, director of the History Museum of Mobile. “Although the exhibit space is not large, it is a rich, densely packed space that will tell the story from the beginning, focusing on the origins of the West African people and their culture, and continuing through the last voyage of the Clotilda.”’

The final journey

In 1860, two co-conspirators, Tim Meaher and Capt. William Foster, bet that they could bring African captives into the United States, although the importing of enslaved people had been outlawed for more than 50 years.

Under cover of night, the Clotilda slipped into Mobile Bay with 110 kidnapped Africans, becoming the nation’s last known slave ship. Meaher and Foster then burned and scuttled the ship in an effort to dispose of the evidence.

It was a “gut-wrenching” story, Fowler said.

“When they were captured, the people had no idea what was happening to them,” she said. “They were taken to this port city and sold indiscriminately without regard to family groups. They didn’t speak the same language; they didn’t practice the same religion; and they came from a different culture.”

Yet, those Clotilda captives survived slavery and the Civil War. When they received their freedom at the end of the war five years later, they brought a piece of their homeland to Mobile, with the establishment of Africatown. Many Africatown residents today can trace their ancestry directly to those Clotilda survivors.

“Through the exhibit, we will be highlighting the people from the Clotilda and telling as many of their individual stories as we possibly can,” Fowler said. “We want to let their voices shine through as they tell their own stories.”

Long-buried ship comes to light

The old story of the Clotilda rose out of the water once again in 2019 when a shipwreck was discovered in the Mobile River. Then, in early 2020, Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood launched a joint effort between Mobile County and the city of Mobile to build the Africatown Heritage House as a permanent home for artifacts from the Clotilda and the community.

When it opens, the 5,000-square-foot building will include an entrance porch, lobby, exhibit hall, conference room and offices. Its exterior will be finished with lap siding painted in colors selected to honor the strength and perseverance of the Clotilda occupants and their descendants.

Mary N. Elliott, a curator at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, speaks to the Africatown community during a celebration of the discovery of the Clotilda. (National Museum of African American History and Culture)

The exhibition will highlight the people and their stories through interpretative text panels, documents and artifacts that represent West African culture and customs. There will be recorded oral histories that have been produced from the written documentation.

Fragments of the Clotilda that scientists used to confirm its authenticity will be housed underwater in specially designed tanks, Fowler said.

“These fragments of wood and iron have been underwater for so many years that if they are removed, they would dissolve very quickly,” Fowler said. “By keeping the pieces underwater and monitoring the pH levels, we are able to ensure that the fragments remain stable.”

Visitors will also enjoy an outdoor memorial garden. The centerpiece will be a sculpture conceived and designed by renowned potter Charles Smith, in collaboration with metal artist Frank Ledbetter. The statue will pay homage to the captives on the Clotilda.

“The Heritage House will be a vessel that will house remnants of the ship, Clotilda, but more significantly, it will allow us to share an American story that is uniquely documented within the Africatown community,” Ludgood said. “Many people spent lifetimes keeping the Africatown story alive, with much of that work done in difficult times when their history was diminished or even treated like a myth. It is important because it is emblematic of the thousands of unnamed ships that traversed the middle passage with human cargo intended for enslavement, and the millions of resulting stories that remain untold.”

Patterson, who lived in Africatown as a child, takes great pride in the community his great-great-grandfather helped create and is thrilled that its founders’ stories are finally being told. He attributes his success today to the determination passed down from those long-ago ancestors. Patterson is a technical writer at Airbus and was the first African American sportswriter for the Mobile Press-Register.

“I love that place,” Patterson said of Africatown. “It’s what got me to where I am and who I am today.”

Construction of the Heritage House is nearly complete. (Dan Anderson)

Ludgood said the Heritage House has been a collaborative effort. Mobile County is building the facility and will cover operational costs for a limited time, while the History Museum will oversee the day-to-day management of the exhibition. Other partners include the Alabama Historical Commission, the city of Mobile and organizations within the Africatown community, along with the Clotilda Descendants Association.

“There is tremendous worldwide interest in the Africatown story, and the community is rallying to be prepared,” Ludgood said. “The Heritage House will be a keystone for Africatown. It will help preserve Africatown’s unique story, revitalize the community and share its rich cultural heritage with people across the globe who recognize its special place in our nation’s history.”

(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has announced $1.1 million in grants to restore and enhance aquatic habitats and improve populations of imperiled native freshwater aquatic species in watersheds in the Southeast, including Alabama.

The grants will leverage $1.1 million in matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of nearly $2.2 million.

The grants were awarded through the Southeast Aquatics Fund, a competitive grant program and public-private partnership. Support for the fund comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southern Company and the Altria Group.

The habitat of the rough shiner, also native to Alabama rivers, will benefit from NFWF funding. (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation)

“This year’s grant slate represents a major step forward in conserving the incredible aquatic biodiversity of Southeastern rivers and streams,” Jeff Trandahl, NFWF executive director and CEO, said in a news release. “Once implemented, this array of projects will improve and restore habitats to aid numerous species and provide critical information to help guide future investments to support ongoing voluntary conservation efforts.”

Projects will take place within priority watersheds of the Alabama, Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint and Mobile-Tombigbee river basins in Alabama and Georgia, and the Pee Dee river basin in North Carolina. Guided by NFWF’s Longleaf Forest and Rivers Business Plan, the projects will address key threats affecting the freshwater habitats and species in these watersheds, supporting the tremendous aquatic biodiversity of the Southeastern region.

In Alabama, grants from Southern Company will support two projects: One is a partnership with Auburn University for a study in the Uchee Creek watershed of Russell County to support future restoration and habitat improvement. The second grant, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, will support research and restoration work in the watershed of the Upper Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River.

“The Southeast Aquatic Fund grants will directly benefit Alabama communities by helping support aquatic species and habitat conservation in priority watersheds,” said Susan Comensky, vice president of Environmental Affairs at Alabama Power. “Support for key partners like The Nature Conservancy and Auburn University is critical to protecting Alabama’s natural resources.”

The trispot darter is another Alabama species that will benefit from NFWF funds. (Alan Cressler / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

“Supporting the Southeast Aquatics Fund is one way we do our part to restore critical watersheds,” said Jesalyn McCurry, Southern Company environmental stewardship manager. “Focusing on freshwater conservation produces work that is good for species, water and communities.”

Overall, the NFWF grants in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina will improve more than 2,600 acres of working lands and riparian habitat and benefit a host of aquatic species, including the Black Warrior waterdog, flattened musk turtle, bridled darter, trispot darter, blue shiner, Alabama rainbow and Coosa creekshell.

“The Forest Service is proud to support the Southeast Aquatics Fund. This ongoing partnership benefits the region’s remarkable aquatic biodiversity,” said Ken Arney, Forest Service regional forester for the Southern Region. “Partnering with private landowners is key to habitat restoration, which results in greater strides toward species recovery.”

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proud to support aquatic conservation efforts in the species-rich region of the Southeast,” said Leopoldo Miranda-Castro, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s regional director for the South Atlantic-Gulf and Mississippi Basin regions.

Alabama Power is among the organizations working to protect the flattened musk turtle. (Sarin Tiatragul / Auburn University)

“Restoration efforts in these focal areas will help recover several listed species and conserve many at-risk species that can only be found in this region. These efforts also help to keep forests and other lands working for our partners in conservation.”

Launched in 2017, the Southeast Aquatics Fund supports voluntary watershed-based restoration and management to improve the health of aquatic systems and secure populations of native freshwater aquatic species. Including this year’s grants, the program has awarded $8 million to 38 conservation projects expected to benefit nearly 500,000 acres of working lands and riparian areas and over 60 miles of stream habitat.

A complete list of the 2022 grants made through the Southeast Aquatics Fund is available here.

(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)

7. Alabama rolls on, Troy claims most football wins in the state

6. Pressure builds for lying congressman-elect to quit before being seated

5. Suspect nabbed in murder of 4 college students, he denies it

4. A lot of really bad takes floated around a potential Trump/DeSantis fight

3. 1 dead, 9 shot at New Years’ celebration in Mobile

2. Fretting over new gun law is silly theater

1. Birmingham’s mayor sets record

A fiasco involving tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has renewed calls to break up Ticketmaster through anti-trust.  While many commentators have weighed in on the website crash, I will discuss Ticketmaster’s alleged monopoly.

Is Ticketmaster responsible for high priced concert tickets?

The demand to break up Ticketmaster relates to its 2010 merger with concert promoter Live Nation.  The economics model of monopoly holds under three conditions: the existence of a single seller of a product with no close substitutes and with barriers to entry by other sellers.

Ticketmaster meets the single seller and barrier conditions, with exclusive booking rights for over 300 venues, including 47 of the 52 Eras Tour shows.  (This is for the primary market; many ticket brokers resell in the secondary market.)  Preferences for music vary widely, but for the legions of Swifties there is no close substitute for the one and only Taylor Swift.

The monopoly model predicts higher prices than with competition, suggesting Ticketmaster’s responsibility for high prices.  And musicians since Pearl Jam in the 1990s have raged against Ticketmaster.

Yet Ms. Swift reportedly set the prices of Eras Tour tickets to ensure affordability for her fans (the average price is $215).  Ticketmaster makes money off fees for purchase, not the face price, which passes through to the artist, team, or venue.

Furthermore, Ms. Swift wanted all tickets sold in the primary market; Ticketmaster normally directs upwards of 90 percent of tickets to the secondary market.  Codes for her loyal fans for the presale tried to prevent purchases by ticket brokers.  Nonetheless, many bots allegedly helped crash Ticketmaster’s site.

Nor are the high prices on the secondary market (up to seven times face value) Ticketmaster’s fault.  The secondary market reflects demand and supply, and Eras Tour tickets are ultimately worth however much people will pay.  And the fewer tickets reaching the secondary market, the higher the prices.  The forces of demand and supply are beyond the control of Ticketmaster or even Taylor Swift.

Ticketmaster’s monopoly might have other effects though.  Ticket revenue for the Eras Tour is estimated at $590 million; Ticketmaster will reportedly make $13 million from its fees on sales.  Although modest relative to the gate, these fees may be higher than necessary.

Judging costs from outside an industry is virtually impossible, but we can gauge profit.  Ticketmaster boasts a very healthy 37 percent adjusted operating margin.

Monopoly can also lower quality.  Poor service hurts a company more when customers can go elsewhere.  Fans trying to buy Eras tickets had to deal with Ticketmaster.  The company has notoriously poor service, with a Customer Service Scoreboard rating of 25 out of 200, in the “Terrible” category.  Customers complain about a lack of transparency regarding fees.

Ticketmaster’s monopoly has effects, but its position is due to the exclusive booking contracts granted by venue operators.  Economics helps explain this.  Suppose you owned a stadium and need to sell tickets.  While hiring ticket sellers is an option, even a busy stadium hosts a relatively small number of events each year with high demand when new events go on sale.  This is a good spot for the expertise of a company specializing in selling tickets.

When you negotiate with ticket sellers, you will get a better deal from granting exclusive booking rights.  Why?  Because monopolists can charge higher fees!  Profits likely get shared with the venue operators.  Breaking up Live Nation Entertainment would not change the dynamic leading to exclusive contracts.

Ticketmaster’s monopoly position likely produces excessive fees and poor customer service.  I can offer one option going forward.  Most of the stadiums hosting Eras Tour events were built with at least some tax dollars.  Instead of going after Ticketmaster, taxpayers could try to limit exclusive booking deals for publicly funded stadiums.

Daniel Sutter is the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics with the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University and host of Econversations on TrojanVision.  The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Troy University.

Radio talk show host Dale Jackson and 256 Today CEO Mecca Musick take you through Alabama’s biggest political stories.

Mecca Musick is the CEO of Today, “Smart News for Smart People“. Sign up for the 256 Today newsletter 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.

The Festival of the Cranes is an annual three-day event that takes place in January at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur to celebrate the winter migration of over 14,000 Sandhill cranes, as well as endangered Whooping cranes. 

Per the refuge’s mission statement “to conserve the natural and cultural resources of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and Satellite Refuges of North Alabama,” it was established in 1998 in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its purpose is “to promote conservation, awareness, and appreciation of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and to provide assistance to environmental education programs and other conservation efforts on the Refuge.”

The free event begins Friday, January 13 and goes through Sunday, January 15. The festival offers many activities for experienced birders as well as for those who would like to learn more about these elegant cranes, including storytelling, photography workshops, music, live raptors, children’s activities and films, in addition to thousands of Sandhill cranes and the endangered Whooping cranes, along with ducks, geese, bald eagles, and so many other forms of wildlife that call the refuge home.

Below is a list of events and activities during The 2023 Festival of the Cranes:

(Decatur Morgan County Tourism/Contributed)

WNWR Visitor Center

Saturday, Jan. 14

8:00 a.m.

Join former Refuge Manager Dwight Cooley on a morning bird walk.

9:00 a.m.

Learn the basics of birding on a bird walk around the visitor center with Christopher Joe for Birding 101.

Sunday, Jan. 15

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Periodic art demos with artist Timothy M. Joe, who will be painting various nature scenes around the visitor center

Saturday + Sunday

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Visit the Observation Building to view thousands of Sandhill cranes, waterfowl, geese, raptors and maybe even a bald eagle from the comfort of a heated building (limited capacity). 

Princess Theatre

Friday, Jan. 13

7:00 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment with the musical group Three on a String.

Saturday, Jan. 14

9:00 a.m.

Operation Migration with Canadian naturalist Joe Duff

11:00 a.m. 

View a selection of live raptors with Wings to Soar.

1:00 p.m.

Enjoy photographs of the California Condor from photographer Andrew Orr.

2:30 p.m.

View a selection of live raptors with Wings to Soar.

6:00 p.m.

Totally Rockin’ Environmental Science Show with Steve Trash; a children’s program

Sunday, Jan. 15

11:00 a.m.

Operation Migration with Canadian naturalist Joe Duff

12:30 p.m.

View a selection of live raptors with Wings to Soar.

2:00 p.m.

Enjoy a journey of photographs from the Arctic to Antarctica with photographer Andrew Orr.

3:30 p.m.

View a selection of live raptors with Wings to Soar.

Alabama Center for the Arts

Saturday, Jan. 14

11:00 a.m.

Connecting with Birds and Nature with Canadian naturalist Joe Duff

11:00 a.m.

Christopher Joe presents Connecting with Birds and Nature

1:00 p.m.

A one-and-a-half-hour Junior Duck Stamp Workshop with Tammie Clark; supplies and contest entry guidelines provided

3:00 p.m.

Learn about the history of the International Crane Foundation with George Archibald and Richard Beilfuss.

Sunday, Jan. 15

11:00 a.m.

A hands-on reptile and amphibian experience with Herpetologist and nature lover Jimmy Stiles

1:00 p.m.

Learn about the history of the International Crane Foundation with George Archibald and Richard Beilfuss.

3:00 p.m.

A hands-on reptile and amphibian experience with Herpetologist and nature lover Jimmy Stiles

Saturday + Sunday

11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

The International Crane Foundation Booth and  the North Alabama Zoological Society Booth will be set up in the Performing Arts Building Lobby.

Cook Museum of Natural Science

Friday, Jan. 13

10:30 a.m.

Meet and Greet “Hope” the Whooping Crane Mascot

Saturday, Jan. 14

10:00 a.m.

Wild about Whoopers

10:00 a.m.-1:00 pm., on the hour

Cool Cranes, Science on the Spot

10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Whooping Crane selfie station

Craft: Coloring activity

All Day

Crane Dance Party

The Whoopers of Wheeler Video

Decatur Public Library

Friday, Jan. 13

2:00 p.m.

Story Time at Delano Park with Ms. Mary from DPL and Jessie from the International Crane Foundation; includes an appearance from Hope the IFC mascot

Saturday, Jan. 14

12:30 p.m.

Free meet and greet photo opportunity with Hope the IFC mascot

Sunday, Jan. 15

2:30 p.m.

Story time with Zellie the Zoologist from Magical Memories, AL

Saturday + Sunday

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Assorted kids’ crane activities in the library

The Old State Bank

Friday, Jan. 13

9:30-11:30 a.m.

Open for tours and Student Art Show

Saturday, Jan. 14

9:30-11:30 a.m.

Student Art Show

Carnegie Visual Arts Center

Saturday, Jan. 14

9:00-11:00 a.m.

Watercolor Workshop with Sophie McVicar; cost TBD

1:00-3:00 p.m.

Watercolor/Gouache Workshop with Huntsville artist Timothy Joe

Sunday, Jan. 15

12:00-3:00 p.m.

Gallery Art Show by wildlife artist, Sophie McVicar; $35, limited availability

Plan your next adventure to Decatur / Morgan County by visiting VisitDecaturAL.org.

(Courtesy of SoulGrown)

After the indulgence of the holiday season, you may never want to see another Christmas cookie or glass of eggnog again. And though you enjoyed your time off, you may even be tired of lounging on the couch.

If you’re hoping to get the new year started with a little extra pep in your step, a new workout routine might be the way to go. Instead of hitting up your usual treadmill at the gym, shake things up with a fun fitness class in 2023. Whether you want to pedal to the beat, take a swing at a punching bag, or get your adrenaline going on a rock wall, here are six fun workout trends to check out.    

(AERO JOE/Facebook)

Aerial Yoga

Warrior 2 certainly looks different from this angle. If you’ve gotten in a rut watching the same YouTube yoga videos or practicing the same poses over and over, take your practice airborne with aerial yoga. Aerial yoga combines traditional asana and yoga philosophies with the aerial arts, using silk fabrics and hammocks attached from above to help yogis more gently stretch their bodies and achieve poses. During a class, you may be fully suspended by your silks, or keep hands or feet anchored on the ground. Either way, you’re guaranteed to leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the year.  

Try it here:

Aero Joe Pilates (Birmingham)

Light on Yoga Fitness (Huntsville)

Core Reaction Pilates (Huntsville)

Rock Climbing

Flex some new muscles and get your heart pumping at a rock-climbing gym. While it’s too cold to tackle mountain faces, get the next best thing in one of the state’s many climbing and bouldering gyms. You’ll be so distracted figuring out new ways to solve the wall’s set problems and discovering new routes, that you’ll hardly realize how great a workout you’re getting out of the experience. As a bonus, many gyms have additional weights and fitness equipment so you can get your climb on and have access to more traditional workout options too. 

Try it here:

Birmingham Boulders (Birmingham)

High Point Climbing and Fitness (Birmingham)

High Point Climbing and Fitness (Huntsville)

Gadrock (Gadsden)

(Zoom Indoor Cycling HSV/Facebook)

Cycling

A spin class may seem old hat when it comes to exercising, but you’ve probably never gone to a cycle class like one of these. You can expect fabulous light effects, the best playlists, and incredible sound systems to pump the jams. Ride to the beat, get your sweat on, and have a blast while doing it.

Try it here:

Ignite Cycle (Birmingham)

Three15 (Birmingham)

Zoom Indoor Cycling (Huntsville)

CycleBar (Huntsville)

One Ride Cycle (Muscle Shoals)

Bungee Fitness

Low-impact workouts used to consist of nothing more than water aerobics, but thanks to bungee fitness there’s a whole new way to get a workout with worrying about your knees aching after. Hook up to a harness and bungee cord for a low-impact workout that incorporates lunges, squats, jumping for cardio and strength training. 

So Fly Bungee Fitness (Ozark)

Fly By Bungee Fitness (Dothan)

Defying Gravity Bungee Training (Huntsville)

(Battle Republic/Facebook)

Boxing / Kickboxing

For a full-body workout that incorporates elements of several mixed martial arts styles, plus plenty of cardio, sign up for a boxing or kickboxing class. Get out some aggression with a combination of kicks, punches, elbows, and knees on a punching bag. While each class is a little different, some combining HIIT circuits and others focusing on fun music, the high points are the same. You get to kick, you get to punch, and you get a great workout. 

Try it here:

Battle Republic (Birmingham)

Gauntlet Fitness (Birmingham)

The Garage Fitness (Alabaster and Calera)

9Round Fitness (Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Mobile, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores)

RockBox Fitness (Huntsville)

Dance Fitness

Let the music flow through your body and feel the beat at a dance fitness studio. You’ll probably never smile or sweat as much at one time, and your mood will skyrocket from the moment you hear the very first count of “5, 6, 7, 8”. Some studios even offer pole dancing classes for an added bit of flirty fun. 

Allegro (Muscle Shoals)

Her Moves Dance Fitness (Montgomery)

Moxie Krew Dance Fitness Studio (Dothan)

(Courtesy of SoulGrown)