PRESENTED BY the Stop The HIT Coalition

Good morning! Here’s your Daily News for Monday, December 3.

1. More tributes pour in for Bush.

• Innate decency, generosity and kindness. Those are some of the common themes in the outpouring of tributes and memories for George H.W. Bush, as the nation continues to mourn the late president.
• This morning his casket is being flown to Washington on Air Force One (officially Special Air Mission 41) for observances in the nation’s capital.
• President Bush will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda beginning today and through Wednesday, where mourners can walk through and pay their respects.
• President Trump has ordered the federal government closed Wednesday for a national day of mourning.
• Read more about the schedule of observances and funeral arrangements HERE.
• In case you missed it, read this collection of reactions, tributes and memories from Alabama leaders and those with special connections to President Bush HERE.
• I enjoyed Maureen Dowd’s piece about the unique love-hate relationship she had with the former president.
• I also loved this 1979 Face the Nation appearance in which Bush addressed questions about his toughness and was basically asked to call Ronald Reagan names.
• Also, make sure to check out Matthew Stokes’ column below.
• What are some of the better tributes and memories you’ve seen? I’d be interested to know so I can share them with ADN readers.

 

2. Pardons & Paroles: Ivey, Marshall not satisfied with plan.

• This was actually important news on Friday but got overshadowed a bit by other breaking stories.
• Gov. Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall are dissatisfied with the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles’ improvement plan.
• You may remember the Board submitted a plan for improvement at the request of Ivey & Marshall after issues over early paroles and errant victim notifications came to a head in October.
• Ivey put a 75-day moratorium on early paroles, changed the Board’s leadership, and asked the agency to develop a “corrective action plan.”
• But Ivey and Marshall say that plan has “too many unanswered questions” about how the board will make good on its promises.
• “We recognize answering many of these questions will be difficult. But the people of this state deserve answers to them. How you respond — both in word and in deed — will undoubtedly determine the next steps we take as a state in this vital area.”
• A handful of lawmakers have told me they expect the ongoing drama at Pardons and Paroles could spill over into the legislative session.
• Read that full story and the letter from Ivey and Marshall itself HERE.

 

A Message from the  Stop The HIT Coalition

• The Stop The HIT Coalition thanks Senator Doug Jones for protecting Alabama small businesses, middle-class families and seniors from the 2020 Health Insurance Tax.
• This costly, unfair and hidden tax increases the cost of health insurance in the small business market, needlessly stifles economic growth and should be repealed.
• Senator Jones joined a bipartisan group in urging Senate leadership to prioritize urgent cost savings for hardworking Alabamians before the tax returns.
• Thank Senator Jones for working for Alabama small businesses and families by supporting efforts to stop the 2020 Health Insurance Tax.

 

3. Everybody seems to like this U.S. – China detente.

• The 90-day “ceasefire” in the U.S.-Chinese trade war is expected to benefit the American economy through the end of the year and beyond.
• It should also bode well for Alabama, especially considering the agreement included a commitment for the Chinese to buy a “very substantial amount of agriculture, energy, and industrial products.
• Let’s hope that means soybeans, peanuts, and ag bi-products.
• Our issues with China have not been resolved. Their reputation for steel dumping and intellectual theft remain. Still, some see reason for optimism.
• “The prospects for real progress on substantive issues with China are now better than at any point in the Trump administration,” said Andy Rothman, investment strategist at Matthews Asia.
• President Trump himself seems pumped, tweeting about how “very good things will happen” this morning.
• Many think President Trump will take a modest “win” on China, something substantial enough to call back tariffs and move on to using strategic partnerships to force the Chinese to act right.
• Sounds a lot like that whole TPP thing.
• Read more HERE.

 

4. The French, they’ve taken to the streets.

• For the third straight week, protestors known as Gilets Jaunes – or Yellow Jackets – are rioting in France.
• The demonstrations have escalated each week reaching a pretty dangerous level over the weekend, with 133 people injured, including 23 police officers, and more than 100 vehicles torched. And, get this, the rioters are constructing makeshift barricades. BARRICADES.
• What are they protesting? French President Emanuel Macron’s plan to raise taxes on fossil fuels in order to reduce pollution, curb emissions, and meet carbon footprint goals of the Paris Accord.
• The”yellow jackets” donned by protesters are required for motorists when changing a tire or whatnot. The jacket uniform represents commuters from the countryside or suburbs who rely on diesel-powered cars to get to work or as other forms of carbon-based energy like natural gas to heat their homes.
• It’s a test for Macron, specifically, and more generally for how the policies resulting from the Paris Accord are received by real people all over the world.
• President Trump has said the United States will not adhere to the commitments made by President Obama in the Paris Accord.
• Read the basic story on the riots from AP HERE.
• Read a more in-depth piece on how people are reacting to Macron’s carbon push HERE.
• Or read an even deeper dive into the grievances of the French from The Daily Beast HERE and a more human-driven one from the New York Times HERE.

5. Matthew Stokes: A great country elected George H. W Bush.

• In putting down his thoughts about the passing of George H.W. Bush, ADN Columnist Matthew Stokes discovers there are deeper lessons within the frequent recollections of decency and heroism.
• In our current age that castigates elites, we can forget the good that used to come from elites like the Bushes and Kennedys recognizing their responsibility to serve and to lead.
• I really enjoyed his column today.
• Here’s an excerpt:

• Read Matthew’s full column HERE.

News Briefs.

• The developer trying to buy an unfinished nuclear power plant in Alabama has sued the Tennessee Valley Authority, accusing the federal utility of illegally blocking the sale.
• Attorneys for developer Franklin L. Haney accused TVA on Friday of breach of contract for not completing a previously agreed to sale of the Bellefonte nuclear plant. Haney submitted the winning $111 million purchase offer in a 2016 auction and was scheduled to close the sale Friday.
• TVA said the sale could not be completed because Haney had not gained approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to transfer the construction permits for Bellefonte from TVA.
• But in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Huntsville, Alabama, Haney’s attorneys argued that TVA’s application of the Atomic Energy Act to the Bellefonte sale “is erroneous.”
• Read more HERE.

• Student enrollment in Alabama public schools is down for the fifth straight year.
• Overall there are almost 20,000 fewer students enrolled now than there were in 2010 when the school population peaked.
• Hispanic student enrollment is growing, though.
• That’s the story from AL.com’s Trish Crain, who dived into state department numbers for an in-depth look at student enrollment trends. Her story is worth a read this morning.

• It’s no secret House Republicans took it on the chin this year. Losing 40 seats would be bad in any election, but the way the GOP saw erosion from the once-solid suburbs was especially jarring.
• To win back the majority, Republicans will have to win back many of those very same seats. But will they change the rhetoric and policy focus that voters objected to?
• They haven’t yet, observes Jonathan Martin of the New York Times. His piece is worth a read for those following Congress and thinking ahead.

• ADN’s Caroline Beck included several interesting articles in her Weekend Digest (note: if you’re not getting those on Sundays around 1:00 p.m., be sure to ad “[email protected]” to your contacts or “safe senders” list).
• Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will be giving the keynote address at the Alabama Farmers Federation Annual Meeting on tonight.
• Alabama marked its first official Rosa Parks Day over the weekend.
• Read Caroline’s full Weekend Digest HERE.

Headlines.

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Ivey, Marshall dissatisfied with parole board plan

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Developer says TVA illegally blocking nuclear plant sale

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Matthew Stokes: A great country elected George H.W. Bus

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Washington to pay respects, bid farewell to George H.W. Bush

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – US-China trade truce seen boosting US stock market

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – ‘Gilets Jaune’ mount worst Parisian riots in a decade over fuel taxes

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Ivey names former Congressman Jo Bonner as Senior Adviser

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Ivey names Kelly Butler Finance Director

 

AL.COM – Alabama public school enrollment down, Hispanic student population growing

 

AL.COM – Sea level rise: Gulf Coast scientists encouraged to reach out

 

AL.COM – Hoover mall shooting: protest at theater ends ticket sales for the night

 

AL.COM – Police investigating fatal crash in Calera

 

AL.COM – How George Bush has become one of my favorite presidents

 

AL.COM – Weekend box office: Disney’s ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ clicks once again

 

MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER – Inaugural Rosa Parks Day passes down history

 

MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER – Jesse Ventura Interested In Presidential Run For 2020

 

MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER – Looking for your roots? For Asians, blacks and Latinos, DNA tests don’t tell whole story

 

MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER – Tide’s Hurts secures legendary status, but it will be sad to see him in another uniform

 

DOTHAN EAGLE – No. 1 Alabama to play No. 4 Oklahoma in Orange Bowl; expects QB Tagovailoa to miss 2 weeks with ankle sprain

 

DOTHAN EAGLE – Government Oversight: Hurricane Michael causes Houston County to close 11 roads

 

DOTHAN EAGLE – Answer Man: What’s the story behind the pig sculpture?

 

YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – Listen: State Auditor Jim Zeigler sizes up possible 2020 U.S. Senate opponents Bradley Byrne, Del Marsh

 

YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – VIDEO: Cohen pleads guilty, shooting at an Alabama mall, Byrne makes moves against Doug Jones and more on Guerrilla Politics …

 

YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – Lavish Boutique flourishes, expands in Alabama

 

TUSCALOOSA NEWS – Contributor Walt Maddox: Moving forward together

 

TUSCALOOSA NEWS – New Northport shopping center to uproot some longtime businesses

 

TUSCALOOSA NEWS – Alabama, Oklahoma have a few weeks for injured players to get healthy before CFP showdown

 

DECATUR DAILY – DARC doesn’t repeat as regional champ, but earns 1st in notebook competition

 

DECATUR DAILY – Officials want to know if city’s homeless population is growing

 

DECATUR DAILY – Decatur schools most diverse in state, data suggests

 

TIMES DAILY – Editorial: Student journalists right to defend free press

 

TIMES DAILY – University’s actions pose ‘chilling effect’ to First Amendment freedoms

 

TIMES DAILY – Tickets on sale for ‘Breakfast With Santa’

 

TIMES DAILY – Large crowd visits Belle Mont open house

 

ANDALUSIA STAR NEWS – STORYBOOK SEASON ENDS [with gallery]

 

ANDALUSIA STAR NEWS – Severe weather possible

 

ANDALUSIA STAR NEWS – Benson featured in ‘Field and Stream’

 

TROY MESSENGER – Troy going bowling for the third straight season

 

TROY MESSENGER – Outdoors with Friends and Southside Baptist Church hosting annual hunt

 

TROY MESSENGER – Early test: Lady Trojans pull away from Eufaula

 

THE ANNISTON STAR – Talladega Walmart shooting deaths leaves families with painful questions

 

THE ANNISTON STAR -Editorial: Animal shelter needs bigger, statewide fix

 

THE ANNISTON STAR – Saloon hosts small-business sales event

 

THE ANNISTON STAR – Heroes new owner plans new fixtures, same popular food

 

GADSDEN TIMES – Politics, civil rights boost Alabama tourism

 

GADSDEN TIMES – Woman rebuilds life year since accusing Moore of harassment

 

 

OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS – Kelly Bryant to commit Tuesday after final visit to Auburn: ‘This is a lifetime decision’

 

OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS – Auburn will play Purdue in the Music City Bowl

 

OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS – Hobby Town owner bids farewell as shop prepares to close its doors

 

SELMA TIMES JOURNAL – Columnist Will Whaley: Bicentennial is nearly here – Celebrate the state’s birthday

 

CULLMAN TIMES – Cullman County Schools gain major recognition for achievement

 

CULLMAN TIMES – Shining bright on a rainy night

 

CULLMAN TIMES – Wallace State, Mercedes form partnership

 

SHELBY COUNTY REPORTER – Predicting Thompson’s first state championship game in 36 years

 

SHELBY COUNTY REPORTER – Helena police offers tips for holiday package deliveries

 

SHELBY COUNTY REPORTER – Alabaster Christmas parade canceled due to weather concerns

 

THE MADISON RECORD – American Legion invites students to enter oratorical contest

 

THE MADISON RECORD – Maehlmann Tackles The Effort Of Running Marathon In All 50 States

 

THE MADISON RECORD – Officials break ground on new Redstone Federal Credit Union branch in downtown Huntsville

 

DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE – Eldridge Toy Run a success, despite rain

 

DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE – Edwards off board until Supreme Court makes final decision

 

DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE – Carbon Hill plans for the Christmas holiday

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Columnist Ross Douthat: Under Trump, the Swamp Is Draining

 

NEW YORK TIMES – U.S.-China Trade Truce Gives Both Sides Political Breathing Room

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Markets Cheer, Tentatively, After U.S.-China Trade Truce

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Qatar Says It Will Leave OPEC and Focus on Natural Gas

 

WASHINGTON POST – Despite pause in trade war, U.S. and China’s economic relationship is forever changed

 

WASHINGTON POST – ‘Just a lot of alarmism’: Trump’s skepticism of climate science is echoed across GOP

 

WASHINGTON POST – ‘Honorable, gracious and decent’: In death, Bush becomes a yardstick for President Trump

 

USA TODAY – US-led coalition strikes ISIS figure involved in killing American Peter Kassig

 

USA TODAY – Egyptian actress Rania Youssef could face up to 5 years in prison for revealing dress

 

USA TODAY – Here’s a look at Michael Cohen’s allegations about President Donald Trump

 

POLITICO – ‘Nothing’s invisible now’: How the 2020 contenders are trampling the old rules

 

POLITICO – Trump announces Chinese rollback of auto tariffs

 

POLITICO – ‘He’s going through a pretty rough time’: Avenatti crashes and burns

 

Front Pages (images link to newspaper websites, which you should visit and patronize)