Presented by the

Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition

1. Senate rejects vote on Trump’s push for $2K checks

 

 

2. Mo finds his huckleberry: Hawley will join election challenge

• Congressman Mo Brooks has been looking for a senator to join his election challenge and it looks like he’s found one.
• Under House rules, Brooks’ objection to certifying state election results wouldn’t amount to more than a momentary ruling of the chair unless a senator also filed a written objection alongside him.
• U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, stepped up to the plate Wednesday saying he will join Brooks in challenging certain states’ election results in a formal objection as Congress certifies the vote.
• Hawley said he would object because “some states, including notably Pennsylvania” did not follow their own election laws. Lawsuits challenging Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania have been unsuccessful.
• When Congress convenes to certify the Electoral College results, any lawmaker can object to a state’s votes on any grounds. But the objection is not taken up unless it is in writing and signed by both a member of the House and a member of the Senate.
• When there is such a request, then the joint session suspends and the House and Senate go into separate sessions to consider it. For the objection to be sustained, both chambers must agree to it by a simple majority vote. If they disagree, the original electoral votes are counted.
• The last time such an objection was considered was 2005, when Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio and Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, both Democrats, objected to Ohio’s electoral votes by claiming there were voting irregularities. Both chambers debated the objection and rejected it. It was only the second time such a vote had occurred.
• Just like in 2005, this effort will almost certainly fail. However, it will force Republicans to take uncomfortable votes on the veracity of election results from certain states with Trump looking on, his Twitter at the ready.
• Read more HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

A message from the

Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition

• The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted Alabama’s digital divide and the significant need for the expansion of rural broadband all across our state.

• High-speed broadband is a basic personal necessity in today’s society and will bring an array of benefits related to education, telemedicine, economic development and agriculture.

• Currently, Alabama ranks 38^th in the nation in terms of broadband access, but for Alabama to thrive in a 21st century economy every Alabamian should have access to a reliable internet connection.

• Click here to learn more about the ABRC, join the coalition and contact your legislator in support of expanding rural broadband.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Jones in quarantine after wife tests positive for COVID-19

• U.S. Sen. Doug Jones will spend the final days of his term in quarantine after his wife tested positive for COVID-19.
• Jones made the announcement Wednesday night on Twitter. Jones said he is disappointed that he will be unable to be on the Senate floor to vote to overridePresident Donald Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, also known as NDAA.
• “I worked really hard on the NDAA & I was hoping that my last vote in the Senate would be to override Trump’s veto. But my wonderful running mate Louise tested positive so I am quarantining & taking care of her. She’s not feeling too good but is ok,” Jones wrote in a tweet.
• Jones said he hopes the Senate would override the veto of the bill that he said is crucially important for the nation’s defense.
• Read more HERE.

 

 

 

4. The stories that defined 2020

• A biological threat that once seemed far removed from Alabama dominated both state news and everyday life like nothing else in 2020. The coronavirus pandemic was the state’s top news story of the year, and its effects will linger into the New Year and beyond.
• But there were plenty of other big stories in the state. We had two major hurricanes and several tornadoes. Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville won election to the U.S. Senate. The national social justice movement swept into Alabama and toppled statues. The Trump Justice Department sued the state for its dangerous prison conditions.
• Read more about those and other top news stories of the year from Jay Reeves HERE.

 

 

5. Will Whatley: To better days ahead

• Will Whatley contributes a column today focused on this year that is coming to a close.
• Reflecting on the good and bad of a very memorable year, he talks about what makes him hopeful for for the future.
• Here’s an excerpt:

• Read Will’s full column HERE.

 

 

 

A message from

Alabama Daily News

• Don’t get left out!

• The legislative session is only 34 days away and, while we don’t yet know what exactly the schedule will look like, it’s a good bet that access to the State House will be limited due to the ongoing pandemic.

• Not to worry. You can still reach lawmakers by advertising with Alabama Daily News! In fact, there is no better way to put your company or organization’s message directly in front of the Legislature, constitutional officers, congressional delegation and associated staff than through a promotion in the Daily News Digest.

• Reserve your space today!

• Email Todd Stacy at [email protected] for updated rates and packages.

 

 

 

Headlines

INSIDE ALABAMA POLITICS – December 30, 2020

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Trump push on $2K checks flops as GOP-led Senate won’t vote

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Missouri senator to join Brooks in contesting Biden’s Electoral College win

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Jones in quarantine after wife tests positive for COVID-19

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Pandemic, economic fallout, elections: the stories that defined 2020 in Alabama

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Will Whatley: To Better Days Ahead

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – ‘Like a bathtub filling up’: Alabama is slammed by the virus

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Trump’s $2,000 checks stall in Senate as GOP blocks vote

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Trump lashes out at GOP after override vote on defense bill

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Nashville man’s girlfriend warned he was building bombs

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – In the Weeds: Exit interview with Bradley Byrne

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – December 30, 2020

 

AL.COM – 5,000 new COVID cases in Alabama since yesterday

 

AL.COM – North Alabama hospitals brace for staffing shortages ahead of holiday COVID surge

 

AL.COM – New arrivals keep Alabama’s largest county from shrinking

 

AL.COM  – 44 inmates at Bullock County prison test positive for COVID-19

 

AL.COM – Mo Brooks says fight ‘IS ON!’ after senator pledges election challenge

 

AL.COM – Mayor Woodfin faced critical decisions in 2020

 

AL.COM – Flood of donations may keep Alabama’s only all-women’s college open

 

AL.COM – New Alabama parole system head is a reformer: Q&A with Cam Ward

 

AL.COM – What will Alabama’s economy look like in 2021?

 

Montgomery Advertiser – 4-year-old Wetumpka child dies in car accident

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Memorial for fallen Sheriffs unveiled in Montgomery

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Legal Services Alabama plans Montgomery headquarters to offer free help as need surges

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Community activists react to Birmingham crime news conference

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Driving on New Year’s Eve could be extra dangerous this year

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – New COVID-19 strain reported in the U.S.

 

Tuscaloosa News – Tuscaloosa woman faces murder, child abuse charges

 

Tuscaloosa News – Bond set at $1 million for Pickens County man in child porn case

 

Tuscaloosa News – Tuscaloosa officials cancel Holidays on the River for rest of season

 

Decatur Daily – Limestone property tax deadline extended to Jan. 8; Morgan, Lawrence deadline is Thursday

 

Decatur Daily – ‘Like a bathtub filling up’: Alabama is slammed by the virus

 

Decatur Daily – ALDOT: Expect delays on I-565 eastbound on Wednesday

 

Times Daily – Counties continuing purge of voter rolls

 

Times Daily – Some garbage collection routes to run a day late

 

Times Daily – Demand has driven land prices up 10%

 

Anniston Star – RMC halts non-emergency surgeries to make space for COVID surge

 

Anniston Star – Anniston City Hall closes early for deep cleaning

 

Anniston Star – Phillip Tutor: A pastor’s final Christmas message

 

YellowHammer News – Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin tests positive for COVID-19, reports ‘mild’ symptoms

 

YellowHammer News – Sen. Doug Jones quarantining, has taken final vote as Alabama’s junior senator

 

YellowHammer News – Alabama groups launching month-long film festival focused on early childhood education

 

Gadsden Times – Doorbell camera assists in DeKalb arrest

 

Gadsden Times – Risk of thunderstorms predicted in Alabama on New Year’s Eve. See the latest forecast

 

Gadsden Times – Gadsden Fire Chief Carroll to retire after more than 21 years in role

 

Dothan Eagle – Gov. Ivey awards House of Ruth $90K grant to assist victims

 

Dothan Eagle – Dothan man arrested for assaulting ex with handgun

 

Dothan Eagle – UPDATE: Record high COVID-19 hospitalizations forces SE Health to implement immediate operational changes

 

Opelika-Auburn News – CNN correspondent: Here’s why the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is exciting

 

Opelika-Auburn News – After a year like this, expect a strange New Year’s Eve

 

Opelika-Auburn News – British lawmakers approve post-Brexit trade deal with EU

 

WSFA Montgomery – Alabamians encouraged to stay home on New Year’s Eve as hospitalizations reach record high

 

WSFA Montgomery – Suspect arrested, charged with murder in shooting of Montgomery man

 

WSFA Montgomery – $500 rewards offered to combat celebratory gunfire in Montgomery

 

WAFF Huntsville – Madison City Schools superintendent says he has plans for student population growth

 

WAFF Huntsville – Nurse in quarantine says her online grocery order never came

 

WAFF Huntsville – Business owner says stimulus check, PPP loan can help local business

 

WKRG Mobile – Pensacola man killed on I-10 near Pine Forest Road

 

WKRG Mobile – Summerdale police locate missing man

 

WKRG Mobile – Mobile police need help finding missing man

 

WTVY Dothan – Holmes County Health Dept. administers vaccine to those 65 years and older, along with health care workers

 

WTVY Dothan – Which Alabamians are able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during phase one?

 

WTVY Dothan – Legal Services Alabama offers help to low income Alabamians with tax audits

 

POLITICO – The big worry hanging over vaccination: Getting people to the clinics

 

 

WASHINGTON POST – McConnell says push by Democrats, Trump for $2,000 stimulus checks has ‘no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate’

 

WASHINGTON POST – Shots are slow to reach arms as Trump administration leaves final steps of mass vaccination to beleaguered states

 

WASHINGTON POST – California, Colorado confirm infections with U.K. coronavirus variant

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Discovery of Virus Variant in Colorado and California Alarms Scientists

 

NEW YORK TIMES – As U.S. Vaccine Drive Lags, Fast-Moving Coronavirus Variant Is Making Inroads

 

NEW YORK TIMES – ‘No Realistic Path’ for Quick Vote on $2,000 Stimulus Checks, McConnell Says

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Push for Bigger Stimulus Checks Is Running Out of Time

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Alden Global Seeks to Buy Tribune Publishing

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Global Digital-Tax Detente Ends, as U.S. and France Exchange Blows

 

 

 

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