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Good morning!
I’m a little hop’d up on cough medicine today, so please forgive any typos.
Here’s your Daily News for Tuesday, December 3.
1. State launches Born Ready ‘movement’
- Alabama’s Department of Early Childhood Education has experienced extraordinary success over the last decade, building the state’s First Class Pre-K program into the best in the nation for quality.
- Now, the department will take the lead on a new movement designed to encourage parents of young children to practice healthy and instructive techniques that will help their children become better learners.
- Dubbed “Born Ready,” the multi-media campaign uses brain development research and focus group data to get specific messages and information to parents. The goal, according to Gov. Kay Ivey and Early Childhood Education Secretary Jeana Ross, is to offer parents much-needed support for raising healthy, ready-to-learn kids.
- “What we learned from the research was that many parents felt like they couldn’t do enough on their own, and then also might feel too ashamed to ask,” Ross said. “We want to reach those parents with a message of, ‘Yes, you can do this! You were born to raise children, and we can help.'”
- Billboards, television and radio spots, and a variety of digital advertising will direct parents to a new website full of helpful information color-coordinated to a child’s age.
- It’s a colorful, eye-catching initiative full of messages intended to reach a diverse range of parents.
- Read and see more HERE.
2. Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams mourned
- More than 2,000 people filled Montgomery’s Garrett Coliseum Monday to mourn the death of Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams, who was shot and killed at a gas station on Nov. 23.
- Known as “Big John” for his towering frame, the 62-year-old sheriff was remembered as a selfless law enforcement officer who showed respect to everyone.
- “He didn’t care if you were rich or poor. He didn’t care if you were black, white, green, purple…. John was going to treat you like family. John was going to do everything in his power to help you,” said Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor, who serves as head of the state sheriffs association.
- Read more from Kim Chandler HERE.
A message from
The Boeing Company
NASA Photo
A Boeing-led team has completed installation of four Rocketdyne engines on the first Space Launch System, a major milestone for NASA’s Artemis I mission that will take humankind back to the Moon and, eventually, Mars.
Boeing is the primary contractor for designing, developing and producing the SLS, as well as development of the flight avionics suite, which is managed out of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
The core stage (pictured above) is the largest rocket stage ever built for NASA and it’s manufactured in the same factory where the Apollo-era Saturn V rocket stages were built.
Read more and see more photos HERE.
3. Death penalty sought in Aniah Blanchard case
- Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against a man being charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Aniah Blanchard, the 19-year-old college student who was missing for more than a month before authorities found her body last week.
- Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes said at a news conference that the capital murder charge is being filed against 29-year-old Ibraheem Yazeed.
- The medical examiner determined Blanchard died from a gunshot wound. Prosecutors said they believe Yazeed acted alone in the the abduction and killing of Blanchard, which is an important distinction. Others are charged with hindering prosecution and disposing of evidence.
- Read more HERE.
4. Byrne releases first TV ad
- Congressman Bradley Byrne is up on the air with his first television ad in his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
- The spot highlights Byrne’s record of voting in favor of President Trump’s favored positions as well as his family roots in Alabama.
- “I won’t allow the Left to remove our President. I’ve spent my life righting wrongs, and Washington is next,” Byrne says in the ad.
- The Byrne campaign would not say which media markets the ad is running in or how much is being spent on the buy, only that it is a “major and sustained buy across the state.”
- See the ad and read the full story HERE.
5. Impeachment presses on amid partisan environment
- Earlier this year, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was reluctant to support the full on impeachment of President Donald Trump, warning that such an action would require bipartisan support.
- That has not materialized, as Republicans in the House and Senate remain staunchly opposed to formally charging the president and removing him from office.
- Yet, House Democrats will push forward with the impeachment process this week. The House Intelligence Committee today will release and vote on a report that is expected to make the case for impeachable “wrongdoing and misconduct” by Trump over the Ukraine ordeal.
- Republicans on the committee released a preemptive report of their own Monday, rebutting the Democrats’ claims and calling the proceedings a “hoax.”
- On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee plans to hold its first hearing on the matter with testimony from a handful of law professors and other legal experts.
- Read more about all that HERE.
News Briefs
Former officer arrested in estranged wife’s death
- MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. (AP) — A former Alabama police officer with a history of domestic violence arrests has surrendered to authorities hours after his estranged wife was found dead in a parking lot.
- Mountain Brook police Lt. Chuck Clark said officers discovered 31-year-old Megan Montgomery’s body early Sunday on the property of a school. Police named her husband, Jason McIntosh, a suspect. McIntosh’s attorney confirmed he coordinated the surrender of his client. Formal charges are pending.
- McIntosh resigned from his post as a Hoover officer in March amid a state investigation into a fight between he and Montgomery in which she was shot and wounded.
- Records obtained by news outlets show McIntosh was charged with domestic violence in May following another fight with Montgomery. They were married then but had since filed for divorce.
- Full story from AL.com’s Carol Robinson HERE.
Police: Man shot, wounded in fight for Alabama officer’s gun
- FOLEY, Ala. (AP) — Authorities say a man was shot and wounded by an Alabama police officer in a fight over the officer’s gun.
- Citing a Foley police statement, news outlets report an officer pulled over a vehicle early Sunday because a car passenger was acting suspicious. The statement says that passenger, 33-year-old James Walker Stewart, then fled on foot. The officer and Stewart then got into a fight, during which police say Stewart tried to take the officer’s gun.
- It says the officer shot Stewart, who was hospitalized and has undergone surgery. Details are unclear, though the statement says Stewart’s expected to live. He’s charged with several offenses including possession of a controlled substance. It’s unclear if he has a lawyer.
- The officer is on paid leave pending an investigation.
SEC fines Auburn $250,000 after fans rush field vs Alabama
- BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference has fined Auburn $250,000 after fans stormed the field celebrating an Iron Bowl victory.
- It’s the school’s fourth violation of the league’s policy prohibiting fan access to the field or court. The SEC announced the fine Monday, two days after fans almost completely covered the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium following the 11th-ranked Tigers’ 48-45 win over No. 9 Alabama.
- Auburn was fined for celebrations after the 2013 Iron Bowl that ended with the “Kick-Six” and after the 2017 upset of No. 1 Alabama that clinched the Southeastern Conference Western Division title.
- Fans also stormed the basketball court at Auburn Arena after an upset of Kentucky in 2016.
- The SEC fines start at $50,000 for a first offense and go up to $250,000 for a third and subsequent violations.
- Story link.
Youth pastor pleads guilty to child sex charges
- GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama youth evangelist faces decades in prison after pleading guilty multiple child-sex charges.
- Paul Edward Acton Bowen pleaded guilty Monday in Etowah County to 28 counts involving six boys between the ages of 13 and 16.
- The 39-year-old Bowen faced charges that include sexual abuse, sodomy, enticing a child for sex and traveling to meet a child for sexual abuse. He still faces charges in the Birmingham area and in Florida.
- Bowen was arrested on sex abuse charges last year and authorities say additional victims came forward after he was in jail.
- Bowen was a Christian minister who wrote books, ran his own youth ministry and traveled to speak at youth events.
- No sentencing date is set. Bowen pleaded guilty as his first trial was set to begin.
Alabama corrections executive picked as Nevada prisons chief
- CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — A former Alabama prisons administrator with executive experience at several federal prisons has been picked to head the Nevada Department of Corrections.
- Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Monday that Charles Daniels is taking the job James Dzurenda (zur-EHN’-dah) held for three years before resigning in July.
- Sisolak says he expects Daniels to bring what the governor calls “needed structure, accountability and reform.”
- Daniels retired in 2016 as federal prison warden in Terre Haute, Indiana, after 28 years working his way up from guard in California with stints as administrator at prisons in Beaumont, Texas, Illinois, Oregon and Colorado.
- Daniels was most recently deputy operations commissioner for the Alabama Department of Corrections.
- Nevada has nine correctional centers, 11 conservation camps and two transitional housing facilities.
- Former prison warden and deputy Nevada corrections chief Harold Wickham served as interim director since July.
Headlines
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – State launches Born Ready ‘movement’ to encourage constructive parenting
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams mourned
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – New Byrne ad highlights Trump support, Alabama roots
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Death penalty sought in Aniah Blanchard case
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – SEC fines Auburn $250,000 after fans rush field vs Alabama
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Effort to end cash prescriptions of opioid treatment drug concerns some providers
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – John Merrill exits Senate race citing Sessions
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Statue of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks unveiled in Capital City
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Heisman winner, former coach Pat Sullivan dies at 69
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – AP Top 25 Reality Check: Examining Bama’s drop from Top 5
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Iron Bowl win a perfect salve for Auburn team, fans
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Weekend Digest – December 1, 2019
AL.COM – Lowndes County Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams remembered as ‘true peacemaker’
AL.COM – Native American tribes take part in ceremonial flag swap for Alabama Bicentennial
AL.COM – President Trump’s daughter Tiffany, ex-wife Marla Maples, spend Thanksgiving in Alabama
AL.COM – Alabama hacker arrested after cryptocurrency talk in North Korea
AL.COM – Columnist John Archibald: Why honesty in government is doomed in Alabama
AL.COM – New Roy Moore ad: ‘Alabama voters won’t be fooled again’
Montgomery Advertiser – Ibraheem Yazeed allegedly shot Aniah Blanchard, will face the death penalty, DA says
Montgomery Advertiser – ‘We have lost a great man’: Thousands bid farewell to Lowndes County Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams
Montgomery Advertiser – Montgomery man with history of domestic violence charged with kidnapping ex-girlfriend
YellowHammer News – New Roy Moore ad plays his greatest hits
YellowHammer News – Ivey awards $1 million to aid census in Alabama
YellowHammer News – Auburn Mayor Ron Anders addresses K-12 education, quality of life as reasons for explosive population growth
Dothan Eagle – Parole hearing scheduled for Houston County man with extensive criminal history
Dothan Eagle – Man wanted for assaulting Dothan police officers arrested in Troy
Dothan Eagle – Investigation continues in Ashford shooting that left one dead
Tuscaloosa News – Former evangelist pleads guilty in sex abuse case
Tuscaloosa News – Dickens Downtown to be held Tuesday in Northport
Tuscaloosa News – Alabama teenager rescues 83-year-old man from house fire
Decatur Daily – Bell house for Limestone Courthouse’s 1871 bell dedicated
Decatur Daily – Accused murderer on probation at time of Thanksgiving shooting
Decatur Daily – Applications from prospective hemp growers, processors in Alabama grows
Times Daily – McFarland Heights focus of next Florence preservation series
Times Daily – Florence arts, museums to have book sale
Times Daily – Santa senior trees on display through Dec. 12
Gadsden Times – Acton Bowen pleads guilty to 28 charges in sex abuse case
Gadsden Times – Prosecution thanks victims in Bowen case for courage in coming forward
Gadsden Times – Two women charged with drug offenses after search
Anniston Star – Cleburne commission gets update on landfill
Anniston Star – Audit: JSU may have violated bid laws in post-tornado construction work
Troy Messenger – Thousands mourn slain Lowndes County Sherrff
Troy Messenger – Artists’ reception Thursday at Johnson Center for the Arts
Troy Messenger – Commission approves change to District 4 polling place
Opelika-Auburn News – UPDATED 4:20 P.M. MONDAY: Ibraheem Yazeed charged with capital murder of Aniah Blanchard, death penalty sought
Opelika-Auburn News – SEC fines Auburn $250,000 after fans rush field vs Alabama
Opelika-Auburn News – America braces for possible french fry shortage after poor potato harvest
Daily Mountain Eagle – Charles Baker, innovative DA, dies at 72
Daily Mountain Eagle – Former Jasper fire chief Marion Cooner dies at 88
Trussville Tribune – Grayson Valley man charged with attempted murder after firing at deputies
Trussville Tribune – Former Pinson Valley star Zach Cunningham mastermind behind SWAT team ensemble
Trussville Tribune – Trussville Police Department arrests 2 people charged with shoplifting
Athens News Courier – Elkmont man charged with SORNA violation
Athens News Courier – Murder charge announced in death of Aniah Blanchard
Athens News Courier – California Rep. Hunter to plead guilty to corruption charge
Sand Mountain Reporter – Albertville BOE evaluates superintendent | English’s contract extended through 2022 with 4% raise
Sand Mountain Reporter – Boaz Zoning Board to host hearings | City council appoints, reappoints 4 to board
Sand Mountain Reporter – Radio tower approved for 911 Board
WSFA Montgomery – Suspects wanted after shooting into vehicle
WSFA Montgomery – One person injured in shooting on Meadow Ave. in Opelika; police investigate
WSFA Montgomery – Tide fans call social media criticism against Alabama kicker unfair
Fox 6 Birmingham – Pat Sullivan meant the world to Birmingham, AL sports figures
Fox 6 Birmingham – VIA ride-share launches in Birmingham
Fox 6 Birmingham – How to protect yourself from your “Smart” TV
WAFF Huntsville – 1 killed in likely domestic shooting in Falkville
WAFF Huntsville – Huntsville City Schools making push for December tax language vote
WAFF Huntsville – Democratic party not fielding candidates in 2020 District 5 congressional race
WKRG Mobile – 24 domestic violence arrests in Mobile County over holiday weekend
WKRG Mobile – Vehicle strikes horse in Baldwin County
WKRG Mobile – Former ECSD employee arrested for having alleged sexual relationship with Tate High student
WTVY Dothan – Abbeville gets $350,000 to improve homes in Steagall Heights
WTVY Dothan – Dothan bar shuts doors as city prepared to close it down
WTVY Dothan – Ozark shooting leaves neighborhood on edge
WASHINGTON POST – Democrats quietly debate expanding impeachment articles beyond Ukraine
WASHINGTON POST – White House opens new fronts in trade war, targeting Brazil, Argentina and France
WASHINGTON POST – Justice Dept. asks Supreme Court to let federal executions proceed after appeals court denial
NEW YORK TIMES – Trump Begins NATO Summit by Targeting Macron’s ‘Brain Death’ Comment
NEW YORK TIMES – Trump Warns Trade Talks With China May Last Past 2020 Election