Good morning! Here is your Daily News Digest for Wednesday, February 21.
1. In their own words: GOP candidates make their pitch
- Would you like to watch a lot of candidates for statewide office pitch their case in short videos all in one place? I got you.
- The Butler County Republican Party hosted a candidate forum inviting those running for statewide office and Congress to address the local GOP faithful and visit with them one-on-one.
- Not every candidate could make it, but Chairman Cleve Poole succeeded in attracting probably the best showing top-to-bottom for an event of this kind so far this election cycle.
- Each candidate was given two minutes to address the audience, and I was able to capture video of each one.
- Go watch the candidates make their pitch in their own words. While I can’t say the video quality is very impressive, I think you can get a good idea of what each candidate said and how he or she presented themselves.
- Some impressive performances. Some awkward moments. A few good politician jokes.
- Go watch for yourselves! Seriously, I spent FORVEVER embedding these dadgum videos so somebody better watch them.
2. Senate passes General Fund, but no pay raises yet
The State Senate passed the General Fund Budget yesterday evening, but stopped short of adding on the expected 3-percent pay raise for state employees.
If you are a state employee and want your money, don’t worry because they can still pass it when they reconvene on Thursday.
In fact, it is probably good news for you because it sounds like they want to make it a bigger or more meaningful pay increase.
Some good reads if you want to know more about the details:
- Brian Lyman for The Montgomery Advertiser
- Mike Cason for AL.com
- Kim Chandler for the Associated Press
Kim Chandler gets to the point about how the increase in prison funding comes as a federal judge is about to rule on whether or not Alabama will be forced to improve its prison conditions.
3. AG: Hamm deserves his death sentence
Attorney General Steve Marshall is not having it with criticisms over his decision to push forward with the execution of Doyle Hamm.
He says critics are distracting from the heinous crimes Hamm committed to receive the death penalty in the first place.
You can watch AG Marshall address some of the criticisms of the sentence and sympathies toward Doyle, then explain the details of the original crime here.
Background
U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre denied Doyle Lee Hamm’s request to block his scheduled execution Thursday. Hamm has battled lymphoma and hepatitis C and claims his veins that are in good enough shape that the state can execute him by injection this week.
Hamm is scheduled to be executed for the 1987 murder of Cullman motel clerk Patrick Cunningham. Hamm confessed to the murder.
Headlines
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS: In their own words: GOP candidates make their pitch in Butler County
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS: Senate approves budget with prison funding boost.
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS: Judge won’t stop execution of inmate claiming damaged veins
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS: Bills would lower penalties for marijuana possession
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS: Alabama bill proposes arming teachers after Florida shooting.
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS: Alabama officer killed, suspect found dead after standoff.
YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh lands major endorsement from Manufacture Alabama.
YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – Alabama federal judge denies execution stay.
YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – Hoover city council takes steps to add security to Alabama schools.
YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – Alabama ranks in top tier of states with low tax burdens for residents.
MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER – Senate committee OKs bill banning state from paying harassment claims.
MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER – Alabama Democrats see women run for office; GOP struggles.
AL.COM – Airbus, Bombardier describe big growth plans for Mobile.
AL.COM – Foley 8th grader threatens to ‘shoot up school’.
AL.COM – Why Bill Hightower wants to be governor.
AL.COM – Roy Moore’s own words used against him by Leigh Corfman in court filing.
AL.COM – Senate adds more money for prisons, passes General Fund.
AL.COM – FBI growth in Huntsville will be ‘a bonanza,’ Sen. Richard Shelby says.
AL.COM – It’s official: Alabama state schools superintendent job posted for $250k.
AL.COM – ‘I’ll be active’: Doug Jones will weigh in on Alabama’s 2018 elections.
AL.COM – Car lease tax for BJCC stadium approved by Alabama Senate.
AL.COM – Rep. Will Ainsworth rounds up support for bill to arm teachers.
ALABAMA POLITICAL REPORTER – Columnist Josh Moon: Alabama’s civil forfeiture laws aren’t just unfair, they’re un-American.
ALABAMA POLITICAL REPORTER – Bill to allow police to arrest shoplifters in stores is carried over in committee.
DECATUR DAILY – The Decatur Daily: Time to solve jail-food issue.
TUSCALOOSA NEWS – The Tuscaloosa News: Doing nothing on guns should not be an option.
ANNISTON STAR – Freedom Riders monument superintendent sees site as spark for ‘tough conversations’.
ANNISTON STAR – Alabama’s new refugee numbers drop in Trump era.
ANNISTON STAR – The Anniston Star: Another lottery proposal in Alabama.
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS – Bills would lower penalties for marijuana possession.
WASHINGTON POST – Trump, citing ‘evil massacre’ in Florida, starts talking about gun control.
NEW YORK TIMES – Dreamers’ Fate Is Now Tied to Border Wall and Other G.O.P. Immigration Demands
NEW YORK TIMES – An Armed Principal Detained a Campus Gunman. But He’s Against Arming School Staff.
Today’s front pages (images link to newspaper websites, which you should visit and patronize)
