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Daily News Digest – January 18, 2021

Good morning!

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and in the spirit of remembering his legacy, I’ll share one of my favorite Dr. King quotes, apropos for our time:

“And there comes a time when we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but we must take it because it is right.”

Here’s your Daily News for Monday, January 18.

 

 

1. State capital cities prepare for protests

  • The entire Capitol complex in downtown Montgomery has been barricaded off with multiple layers of security, as a combination of city and state police prepare for protests associated with Inauguration Day on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
  • The FBI has warned that armed protests could target all 50 state capitals in the wake of the riot at the U.S. Capitol building.
  • In Montgomery, no organized protests have taken place so far.
  • However, other capital cities are starting to see them.
  • Small groups of right-wing protesters and left-wing counter protesters— some of them carrying rifles — gathered outside heavily fortified state houses around the country Sunday, outnumbered by National Guard troops and police brought in to prevent violence.
  • Michigan, Ohio, Washington state, Oregon, Texas, and Nevada have seen groups gather by the dozens in recent days.
  • There are no reports of clashes as of yet.
  • Read more about the gatherings nationwide HERE.
  • See more photos of the Alabama Capitol from Caroline Beck HERE.

 

 

 

2. FBI vetting Guard troops in DC

  • U.S. defense officials say they are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, prompting the FBI to vet all of the 25,000 National Guard troops coming into Washington for the event.
  • The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have gripped Washington following the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters.
  • Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said that officials are conscious of the potential threat, and he warned commanders to be on the lookout for any problems within their ranks as the inauguration approaches. So far, however, he and other leaders say they have seen no evidence of any threats, and officials said the vetting hadn’t flagged any issues that they were aware of.
  • “We’re continually going through the process, and taking second, third looks at every one of the individuals assigned to this operation,” McCarthy said in an interview after he and other military leaders went through an exhaustive, three-hour security drill in preparation for Wednesday’s inauguration. He said Guard members are also getting training on how to identify potential insider threats.
  • Full story HERE.

 

 

3. What will a 50-50 Senate look like?

  • At the moment, Republicans hold a majority in the U.S. Senate, but that will change this week.
  • The certification and seating of newly-elected Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock could take place as soon as Tuesday. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is expected to resign her Senate seat today and be quickly replaced by Democrat Alex Padilla, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s choice for the seat.
  • So, by Inauguration Day, the Senate will be divided 50-50, effectively giving Democrats control since the vice president casts the deciding vote on ties.
  • But what will this mean in practical terms? What gets passed and what doesn’t as a new presidential administration meets the 118th Congress?
  • Cabinet confirmations, COVID relief legislation, health care policy changes, gun control – what gets passed and what gets blocked?
  • Full story from Andrew Taylor HERE.

 

 

4. Alabama funeral homes strained

  • Funeral home industry leaders say establishments across the state have been reaching out for advice on how to handle the large volume of recent deaths due to COVID-19 and other causes.
  • “Funeral homes don’t always operate on regular business hours,” Charles Perine, director of the Alabama Board of Funeral Service. “However, to the point that you are having to run the crematorium around the clock, that is unique.”
  • Some funeral businesses report adding extra cremation shifts to handle the work.
  • There is no precise count yet on how many people in Alabama died from the virus. But hospitalizations have set new highs throughout the month. And Alabama in January watched the total deaths from the pandemic cross 5,000 and then keep climbing to pass 6,000.
  • Homicides and drug overdoses also surged last year.
  • Read more HERE.

 

5. Latest Tuberville ‘gaffe’ wasn’t one at all

  • Last week, Twitter blew up with the news of yet another embarrassing misstatement from Alabama’s newly installed U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville.
  • This time, based on an interview with Birmingham’s CBS42, Tuberville was said to have wanted to postpone the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden for several months until the pandemic has calmed down.
  • “We probably could have had the swearing-in and inauguration a little later on after we got this virus behind us a little bit,” Tuberville said, according to the article.
  • What a buffoon, many in media scoffed, either he doesn’t know that the inauguration date is set by the U.S. Constitution or he is calling for an unconstitutional extension of President Donald Trump’s term!
  • The predictable mockery fit a narrative of gaffe proneness, most of which has been created by Tuberville himself. Reporters and commentators love when that happens because it makes our jobs easier.
  • The only problem is, in this case, that didn’t actually happen at all.
  • Read more from me HERE.

 

 

 

A message from

Alabama Daily News

 

  • Don’t get left out!
  • The legislative session is only 15 days away and, while we don’t yet know what exactly the schedule will look like, we know 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!

 

 

 

 

 

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Heavily fortified statehouses around US see small protests

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Photos: Alabama Capitol complex barricaded in anticipation of protests

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – FBI vetting the 25,000 National Guard troops in DC

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – What will a 50-50 Senate mean for Biden agenda?

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Latest Tuberville ‘gaffe’ wasn’t one at all

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Virus, homicides, drugs put strains on funeral homes

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Frustration, confusion mark early vaccine rollout

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Statehouses, US capital brace for potentially violent week

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Judge: Alabama transgender license policy unconstitutional

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Some in the GOP parrot far-right talk of a coming civil war

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – LeFleur: Despite Criticisms, Alabama’s Environment Is Best It’s Been Since Standards Were First Measured

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – January 17, 2021

 

AL.COM – Alabama Capitol streets blocked off as security precaution

 

AL.COM – Where are the snowbirds? Coronavirus, hurricane make difficult winter season for Alabama beaches

 

AL.COM – Alabama crematoriums running ‘around the clock’ as deaths from COVID-19 mount

 

AL.COM – If we can’t believe the people we elect, what can we trust?

 

AL.COM – Columnist Amanda Walker: Should Congress be good stewards of our country, or creators of a new one?

 

AL.COM – Contributor Rev. Dexter Strong: Are Christians finally ready for Rev. King’s Christianity?

 

Montgomery Advertiser – More police than onlookers around Alabama’s Capitol amid possibility of protests

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Martin Luther King Jr. inspired Stevie Wonder’s ‘Happy Birthday.’ The hit helped create a national holiday

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Road closures, office closures expected in downtown Montgomery ahead of Inauguration Day

 

Tuscaloosa News – Tuscaloosa leaders vote to bailout YMCA, save Barnes branch

 

Tuscaloosa News – Martin Luther King Jr. inspired Stevie Wonder’s ‘Happy Birthday.’ The hit helped create a national holiday

 

Tuscaloosa News – 2020 recap: 22 homicides reported in Tuscaloosa County

 

Decatur Daily – Limestone indictments include human trafficking, capital murder cases

 

Decatur Daily – Decatur family: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. began the slow march to racial justice

 

Decatur Daily – After transplant, county investigator ‘blessed’ to be back

 

Times Daily – COVID claims life of third Shoals health care worker

 

Times Daily – Convicted murderer up for parole this week

 

Times Daily – Empty Table Fund collects record $60,145

 

YellowHammer News – NASA successfully ignites engines on Huntsville-managed SLS core stage, collects valuable data

 

YellowHammer News – USDA, Alabama sign historic agreement to improve forests on public, private lands

 

YellowHammer News – Veronica Crock joins Commerce team as senior project manager

 

Gadsden Times – Martin Luther King Jr. inspired Stevie Wonder’s ‘Happy Birthday.’ The hit helped create a national holiday

 

Gadsden Times – Turkey Leg Shack in Gadsden offers unique, intriguing new food experience

 

Dothan Eagle – Bay County Republican Party won’t acknowledge Biden win

 

Dothan Eagle – First time buyers for Disney World annual passes out of luck

 

Dothan Eagle – Tennis legend Bollettieri brings sport to inner city kids

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Coronavirus spurs students to seek public health degrees

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Covid-19 ‘superspreader’ in northeast China linked to 102 infections

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Asian shares mostly lower, China gains on GDP rebound

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – B’ham group holds MLK Day of service gas giveaway and voter registration event

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – JeffCo Health Dept. to activate vaccination sites Monday

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Birmingham man shot, found dead in abandoned vehicle at Shell gas station

 

WSFA Montgomery – Freedom Rides Museum looking to bounce back from challenges due to the pandemic

 

WSFA Montgomery – Single-vehicle crash on I-85 leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

 

WSFA Montgomery – ASU closes campus as precaution ahead of possible protests

 

WAFF Huntsville – Local residents express what they would like to see with the new administration

 

WAFF Huntsville – One dead after boating accident in Cane Creek

 

WAFF Huntsville – Brooks High School math teacher is placed on administrative leave

 

WKRG Mobile – Fake “COVID Response Team” spotted at Mobile Walmart

 

WKRG Mobile – Mobile Public Library adapts to pandemic

 

WKRG Mobile – Man shot at Checkers drive-thru in Mobile

 

WTVY Dothan – Representative Barry Moore discusses new experiences, Capitol riots

 

WTVY Dothan – Some downtown Montgomery streets closing for possible protests

 

WTVY Dothan – State Superintendent concerned about winter months for in-person learning

 

The Atlantic – The coming Republican amnesia

 

WASHINGTON POST – FBI moves on alleged members of extremist groups Oath Keepers, Three Percenters

 

WASHINGTON POST – With no ‘armed march’ by extremists, D.C. residents navigate a fortress and fear

 

WASHINGTON POST – Pence is helping Biden make the transition more normal. But their cooperation has risks for each.

 

NEW YORK TIMES – ‘I Answered the Call of My President’: Rioters Say Trump Urged Them On

 

NEW YORK TIMES – N.S.A. Installs Trump Loyalist as Top Lawyer Days Before Biden Takes Office

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Prospect of Pardons in Final Days Fuels Market to Buy Access to Trump

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Keystone XL Oil Project Pledges Zero Carbon Emissions

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – After Stock Surge, Investors Ask Companies What’s Ahead

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Troops, Blockades and Eerie Quiet Pervade a Locked-Down Washington

 

 

 

 

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

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