Presented by the

University of South Alabama Health System

 

Good morning!

Today marks one year since the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol as Congress was meeting to certify the 2020 presidential election. I wrote this column in the aftermath and I still stand behind every word. Of the many pieces out there today, I found Karl Rove’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal particularly poignant. What if, indeed.

Here’s your Daily News for Thursday, January 6.

 

1. Alabama hospitals feeling effects of omicron

• With most of Alabama’s population still not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, major hospitals are dealing with an influx of patients and asking people to limit emergency room visits as the highly contagious omicron variant takes hold.
• Its emergency department overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients and normal health problems including trauma injuries and heart attacks, UAB Health in Birmingham issued what it called an “urgent” request late Tuesday for people to go elsewhere for COVID-19 tests or minor symptoms, or to simply stay home for all but true emergencies.
• Two other major medical centers in the state, USA Health in Mobile and Huntsville Hospital, issued similar requests, with the Huntsville facility citing a record number of COVID-19 patients in ER and long waits for treatment.
• Dr. Bobby Lewis, vice chair for clinical operations with UAB’s emergency department, said part of the problem is Alabama’s relatively poor vaccination rate, which is the nation’s second-lowest behind Idaho. Less than 48% of Alabama’s population is fully vaccinated.
• “It’s catching up. No doubt about it.”
• Read more from Jay Reeves HERE.

 

2. House GOP releases ‘Standing Tall’ agenda

• Republicans in the Alabama House of Representatives announced their legislative agenda Wednesday, prioritizing proposals to allow concealed carry of firearms without a permit, ban critical race theory in schools and cut property taxes for small businesses and farmers.
• Dubbed “Standing Tall for Alabama,” the agenda includes a long list of topical issues sure to be discussed on the campaign trail, such as election security and abortion. Every legislative seat is on the ballot this year, with the primaries scheduled for May 24.
• The majority caucus is also promising pay raises for teachers and state employees and bonuses for retirees.
• Read more about the House GOP agenda in my full write up HERE.

 

 

 

 

A message from the

University of South Alabama Health System

• The Mitchell Cancer Institute at USA Health is the Gulf Coast region’s leader in cancer research, education and treatment.

• Here, we combine knowledge, skill and technology with a patient-centered, team-based approach to care.

• We’re committed to providing each patient with a personalized treatment plan in a nurturing environment, conducive to healing.

• In partnership with the USA College of Medicine, we combine the latest in cancer therapies with comprehensive support for the emotional, social and physical challenges that a cancer diagnosis can bring.

• From cancer prevention to early diagnosis, to innovation that leads to new ways to heal, we are transforming cancer care.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Former Books-A-Million CEO announces run for governor

• Former Books-A-Million CEO Lew Burdette, who now heads a nonprofit that provides shelters and group homes for abused women and children, announced Tuesday that he is running for governor of Alabama against fellow Republican Gov. Kay Ivey.
• Burdette joins a growing list of candidates challenging Ivey in the GOP primary in May. Burdette filed qualifying papers Wednesday after making his announcement Tuesday at the main campus of the King’s Home nonprofit in Chelsea, outside Birmingham.
• Burdette, 62, spent 13 years with Books-A-Million — starting when it was a mall chain called Bookland — and served as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
• Burdette is making his first run for political office. Like other challengers to Ivey, he positioned himself as a political outsider and said he would be a “disrupter” in Montgomery.
• Read more from Kim Chandler HERE.

 

 

4. 2-week campaign fundraising ‘blackout’ starts Tuesday

• Tuesday is the start of the legislative session and a short “blackout” window in which candidates for state office can’t raise funds while lawmakers are meeting in Montgomery.
• In theory, the window keeps sitting legislators from accepting money while they’re voting on bills. In practice, the window now only covers about two of the possible 15 weeks of session.
• State law says legislators “may not accept, solicit, or receive contributions during the period when the Legislature is convened in session” except “within 120 days of any primary, runoff, or general election…”
• While primaries for statewide office have previously been in early June, this year’s contest is May 24. That means the blackout will start Tuesday and end Jan. 24.
• The legislative session can last up to 15 weeks, but during election years, incumbent lawmakers often like to get out of Montgomery and on the campaign trail earlier than that.
• “Every time the blackout period comes up, someone says, ‘We need to change this,’” Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said. “But nothing ever happens.”
• Read more from Mary Sell HERE.

 

 

5. ‘I trusted the President’: Jan. 6 rioters in their own words

• Facing prison time, many Jan. 6 rioters admit they were wrong to enter the U.S. Capitol and now disavow political violence.
• Some directly blame former President Donald Trump for misleading them and warn supporters not to trust him. Others remain defiant and allege they are victims of cancel culture.
• At least 170 rioters have pleaded guilty and more than 70 have been sentenced. One case was dismissed and two others closed after the people charged died.
• “Why did I enter the Capitol building? I don’t have a good answer,” wrote retired Special Forces soldier Leonard Gruppo in a letter to the judge sentencing him. “I’ve gone over it a thousand times and I’m still not sure why I didn’t recognize what was happening and take alternative action… The entire experience was surreal. I trusted the President and that was a big mistake.”
• Read more accounts from those who participated in the riot in their own words HERE.

 

 

 

A message from

FastDemocracy

• Your bill tracker needs to be compatible with Alabama’s new website, or you could miss out on important legislative updates.

• FastDemocracy provides the most accurate and up-to-date bill tracking software so you’re always well-informed and on top of everything happening in Montgomery.

• Email [email protected] to get a demo today!

 

 

 

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama hospitals feeling effects of omicron

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – House Republicans prioritize bills on guns, critical race theory in ‘Standing Tall’ agenda

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Former Books-A-Million CEO to run for governor

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – 2-week campaign fundraising ‘blackout’ starts Tuesday

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – ‘I trusted the President’: Jan. 6 rioters in their own words

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Harris: ‘Omicron spreading like wildfire’ in Alabama

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – New legislative site offers better bill tracking, search options

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Taylor drops out of U.S. Senate race, endorses Durant

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Mike Kemp named chairman of Business Council of Alabama

 

AL.COM – Alabama sets new record for COVID cases reported in a day

 

AL.COM – CDC to update school quarantine guidance, Alabama officials ‘frustrated’ by changing recommendations

 

AL.COM – Alabama House GOP supports repeal of pistol permit requirement

 

AL.COM – Alabama chemical plant fined $232,000 after 2 workers exposed to toxins die

 

AL.COM – Birmingham CEO is first Black chairman of Business Council of Alabama

 

AL.COM – ‘I’m staying to help get the union done’: Bessemer Amazon workers waiting for second vote.

 

AL.COM – Birmingham area now seeing highest COVID case rate of the pandemic

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Alabama Department of Public Health backs CDC’s shorter isolation for grades K-12

 

Montgomery Advertiser – 22-year-old charged with felony murder after an alleged drug deal, robbery turns deadly

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Alabama House GOP priorities: Permitless carry, critical race theory, pay raises

 

Decatur Daily – Schools make alternate plans with freezing rain, low temps expected

 

Decatur Daily – New legislative site offers better bill tracking, search options

 

Decatur Daily – ELECTION QUALIFYING: Morgan has newcomer running for top school post, contested commission race

 

Times Daily – Bill would restrict foreign purchases of farm, forest lands

 

Times Daily – House Republicans prioritize “Standing Tall” agenda

 

Times Daily – ‘Aniah’s Law’ should be part of constitution

 

 

Anniston Star – Britt gives fiery speech for Cheaha Republican Women

 

Anniston Star – House Republicans prioritize bills on guns, critical race theory in ‘Standing Tall’ agenda

 

Anniston Star – New legislative site offers better bill tracking, search options

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Where AL Capitol Riot suspect cases stand one year later

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – City of Birmingham to open warming station

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Sylacauga City Schools transitioning to E-Learning January 5-7

 

Tuscaloosa News – Alabama House GOP priorities: Permitless carry, critical race theory, pay raises

 

Tuscaloosa News – Aliceville man, Vernon man killed in separate road accidents, state troopers say

 

YellowHammer News – Alabama House GOP Caucus unveils policy agenda; Priorities include Critical Race Theory ban, passing constitutional carry

 

YellowHammer News – Gov. Kay Ivey announces $231M A-USA Corridor rail system proposal for central, southern Alabama

 

YellowHammer News – AL-5 candidates Paul Sanford, Dale Strong qualify congressional bids with ALGOP

 

Gadsden Times – Gadsden City High School to be virtual rest of the week; mask mandate back for system

 

Gadsden Times – Alabama Department of Public Health backs CDC’s shorter isolation for grades K-12

 

Gadsden Times – Alabama House GOP priorities: Permitless carry, critical race theory, pay raises

 

Dothan Eagle – Media preview of WVa legislative session to be held remotely

 

Dothan Eagle – With salty language, Macron berates France’s unvaccinated

 

Dothan Eagle – German health minister advocates tougher curbs on contacts

 

Opelika-Auburn News – ‘We were trapped’: Trauma of Jan. 6 lingers for lawmakers

 

Opelika-Auburn News – NFL teams providing female fans with clubs of their own

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Virginia officials defend response to snowy gridlock on I-95

 

WSFA Montgomery – ADOL investigating 340,000 unemployment claims for potential fraud

 

WSFA Montgomery – 2nd suspect arrested in December Montgomery homicide

 

WSFA Montgomery – MPD: 26% fewer gunfire calls this New Year’s Eve

 

WAFF Huntsville – Where charges stand for North Alabama men at Capitol Riot

 

WAFF Huntsville – Mask requirements for Huntsville City Schools

 

WAFF Huntsville – ADECA unveils Alabama Broadband Map and Connectivity Plan

 

WKRG Mobile – Dozens of protesters killed in Kazakhstan; 12 police dead

 

WKRG Mobile – EXPLAINER: What’s behind unrest rocking oil-rich Kazakhstan

 

WKRG Mobile – A season of joy — and caution — kicks off in New Orleans

 

WTVY Dothan – Aaron McCreight’s attorney: Good man who made bad choice

 

WTVY Dothan – Man charged with killing former wife released

 

WTVY Dothan – Cottonwood, AL woman nabbed on embezzlement, other charges

 

WASHINGTON POST – How Republicans became the party of Trump’s election lie after Jan. 6

 

WASHINGTON POST – Garland: DOJ will hold those responsible for Jan. 6 riot accountable, whether they were present or committed other crimes

 

WASHINGTON POST – GOP officials in Arizona’s largest county affirm 2020 election was secure in rebuttal to Trump claims

 

NEW YORK TIMES – For C.D.C.’s Walensky, a Steep Learning Curve on Messaging

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Novak Djokovic Is Refused Entry Into Australia Over Vaccine Exemption

 

NEW YORK TIMES – A Long, Hard Year for Republicans Who Voted to Impeach After Jan. 6

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Fed Minutes Point to Possible Rate Increase in March

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – CDC Recommends First Covid-19 Boosters for 12- to 15-Year-Olds

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Inside a Covid-19 School Closing: A Pennsylvania Superintendent Agonizes Over Going Remote

 

 

 

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