Good morning!

Here’s your Daily News for Wednesday, July 21.

 

1. Alabama sees COVID-19 uptick

• Alabama is seeing another uptick in the COVID-19 pandemic, with hospitals again filling up as the state trails the nation in vaccinations and precautions like face masks and social distancing are all but forgotten.
• Only 166 people statewide were hospitalized with COVID-19 a month ago after many were vaccinated and before a new variant took hold. But that low point has been followed by a rapid rise, and 554 people are now hospitalized with the virus, according to the latest numbers from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
• That’s a more than 200% jump in a month.
• Hospitals are far from the critical point they reached in January, when some 3,000 people were being treated at one time, but the fast-spreading Delta variant threatens to worsen the situation barring a rapid increase in vaccinations, said Dr. Donald Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association.
• “There’s just a sense of frustration,” said Williamson, who used to head the Alabama Department of Public Health. “The fact that cases are rising is a self-inflicted injury.”
• Statistics show that only 50 people would currently be hospitalized if everyone who is eligible for a shot had gotten one, Williamson said, and chances are their illnesses wouldn’t be as severe.
• Read more HERE.

 

2. Tuberville, Fauci discuss crediting Trump to encourage vaccines

• U.S. Sen Tommy Tuberville on Tuesday discussed Alabama’s low vaccination rate with Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, and advised that publicly giving more credit to former President Donald Trump for the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine would encourage more conservative skeptics to take it.
• The exchange came during a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.. Alabama’s junior senator questioned the federal government’s top health officials on a range of pandemic issues and urged them to adopt a message that appeals to Trump supporters who are skeptical of the Biden administration.
• Fauci told Tuberville that the Trump administration “deserves a considerable amount of credit” for the development of the vaccine.
• Tuberville has consistently encouraged Alabamians to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Last month, his video calling on residents to get vaccinated went viral and made national headlines amid some right-wing politicians and commentators spreading doubts about the vaccine’s effectiveness and side effects.
• Read more and see the full exchange HERE.

 

3. Rusty Glover enters State Auditor race

• Don’t look now but the race for State Auditor is becoming among the most competitive statewide contests for 2022.
• Former State Sen. Rusty Glover announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for State Auditor on Tuesday, making him the third candidate to enter the race.
• Glover, a Mobile native, previously served one term in the Alabama House of Representatives and served in the Alabama Senate from 2006-2018.
• Glover is joining current state Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, and Kimberly pastor Stan Cooke in the Republican primary.
• Current state auditor Jim Ziegler is term-limited and cannot run for the office again.
• Read more from Caroline Beck HERE.

 

4. Infrastructure bill in doubt; GOP threatens filibuster

• The bipartisan infrastructure deal senators brokered with President Joe Biden is hanging precariously ahead of a crucial test vote as senators struggle over how to pay for nearly $1 trillion in public works spending.
• Tensions were rising Tuesday as Republicans prepared to mount a filibuster over what they see as a rushed and misguided process. With Biden preparing to hit the road to rally support for his big infrastructure ideas — including some $3.5 trillion in a follow up bill — restless Democrats say it’s time to at least start debate on this first phase of his proposals.
• Biden calls it a “blue-collar blueprint for building an American economy back.” He asserted Tuesday that Americans are overwhelmingly in support of his plan and “that’s the part that a lot of our friends on the other team kind of miss.”
• The other team begs to differ.
• Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and some outside groups decry what they call Biden’s “spending spree,” and McConnell has said big spending is “the last thing American families need.”
• A core group of Republicans are interested in pursuing a more modest package of traditional highway and public works projects, about $600 billion in new funds, and say they just need more time to negotiate with the White House.
• Ten Republicans would be needed in the evenly split Senate to join all 50 Democrats in reaching the 60-vote threshold required to advance the bill past a filibuster to formal consideration.
• Republicans are reluctant to open debate as the bipartisan bill remains a work in progress.
• Read more HERE.

 

5. SEC Media Days: Alabama, Georgia score in transfer portal

• Southeastern Conference front-runners Alabama and Georgia upgraded their depth and talent, adding key players when the transfer floodgates opened wide.
• Alabama landed inside linebacker Henry To’o To’o from Tennessee and ex-Ohio State wide receiver Jameson Williams. Georgia’s bounty included former LSU tight end Arik Gilbert and some much-needed defensive back help.
• The two division front-runners were hardly the only SEC teams to land key pieces during the offseason with intraconference transfers now allowed to play immediately. The transfers have been a hot topic at this week’s SEC media days.
• Auburn landed onetime LSU starting quarterback T.J. Finley, ex-Georgia wide receiver Demetris Robertson and former West Virginia defensive back Dreshun Miller. The Tigers also lost several players.
• Alabama’s Nick Saban takes the podium at 10:00 this morning in Hoover, an event that rarely disappoints.
• Read more HERE.

 

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama sees COVID-19 uptick

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Tuberville, Fauci discuss crediting Trump to encourage vaccines

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Rusty Glover enters State Auditor race

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Infrastructure bill in doubt; GOP threatens filibuster

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – SEC Media Days: Alabama, Georgia among SEC powers scoring in transfer portal

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Sen. Priscilla Dunn won’t seek reelection; candidates line up to run

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Pre-filed bill would require pregnant worker accommodations

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – State advises against eating fish from some waterways

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Sankey joins call for change in college athletics oversight

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – July 20, 2021

 

AL.COM – Delta variant found in 85% of COVID-19 samples at Alabama lab

 

AL.COM – Columnist John Archibald: What do you do when scolding, science and Nick Saban don’t work?

 

AL.COM – Sheriff took $29,000 in loans from inmate cash, Alabama argues in corruption trial

 

AL.COM – Commission seeks clear data on prison recidivism in Alabama

 

AL.COM – Alabama community college using stimulus funds to offer students up to $1,500

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Prattville police investigate apparent murder-suicide

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Ed Grimes sworn in as new Montgomery City Councilman

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Montgomery police consider Tuesday shooting of man as homicide

 

Decatur Daily – Witnesses: Limestone sheriff borrowed thousands from safe holding inmate funds

 

Decatur Daily – Calhoun to divide $7.8 million in COVID-19 relief funds among students

 

Decatur Daily – Morgan schools planning after-school, summer programs

 

Decatur Daily – Tuberville, Fauci discuss crediting Trump to encourage vaccines

 

Times Daily – Pre-filed bill would require pregnant worker accommodations

 

Times Daily – Bids for flooding fix to be opened Thursday

 

Times Daily – Colbert County has solicited bids for COVID-19 vaccination trailer

 

Anniston Star – City could spend $5 million on City Hall

 

Anniston Star – Season’s extra rain hurts produce growers’ harvest

 

Anniston Star – JSU trustees approve new stadium housing, dining hall

 

Anniston Star – Rusty Glover enters State Auditor race

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Truck fire causing traffic delay on I-65 NB

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – ‘Living miracle’: Mom shares message after near drowning of 3-year-old daughter

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Gadsden offering residents $100 for COVID vaccines

 

Tuscaloosa News – University of Alabama System plans return to in-person classes this fall

 

Tuscaloosa News – The ACT’s ‘Bright Star’ to shine again, for one free show, in the Bama Theatre

 

YellowHammer News – Business consultant Ford Taylor shares lessons learned from life’s struggles

 

YellowHammer News – Beasley Allen’s Gibson Vance installed as president-elect of the Alabama State Bar

 

YellowHammer News – Dual enrollment student’s drug delivery research is third at international science fair

 

Gadsden Times – Council approves hearing on Olive Garden tax rebate, site would be old Logan’s location

 

Gadsden Times – Not vaccinated against COVID-19? City offering $100 incentive to take shot

 

Gadsden Times – Noccalula Falls engagement couple found, feel ‘blessed’ to have photos

 

Dothan Eagle – Shootings during Milwaukee NBA Finals celebrations wound 3

 

Dothan Eagle – Antetokounmpo caps extraordinary postseason as Finals MVP

 

Dothan Eagle – Biden’s 3rd trip to reddish Ohio pushes his economic agenda

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Hong Kong police arrest former Apple Daily senior editor

 

WSFA Montgomery – WSFA 12 News welcomes Jasmine Williams to Today in Alabama

 

WSFA Montgomery – Ozark Police Chief Marlos Walker terminated

 

WSFA Montgomery – 1 dead, 1 injured in Lee County car crash

 

WAFF Huntsville – Alabama COVID-19 hospitalizations more than double in a week; over 500

 

WAFF Huntsville – New discoveries on day two of testimony for Sheriff Blakely trial

 

WAFF Huntsville – Catch and release: Fish on Alabama’s do not eat list

 

WKRG Mobile – Mobile police investigate overnight homicide

 

WKRG Mobile – MCSO: Corrections officer arrested, charged with promoting prison contraband

 

WKRG Mobile – July 20: A closer look at the sign war in Pensacola, and what NOT to do with a magic eraser

 

WTVY Dothan – Two children missing from Jackson County

 

WTVY Dothan – Dothan won’t nix Marjorie Taylor Greene’s appearance

 

WTVY Dothan – Alabama advises against eating fish from some waterways

 

WASHINGTON POST – Driven by covid deaths, U.S. life expectancy dropped by 1.5 years in 2020

 

WASHINGTON POST – Key federal aid programs are running out of time — and cash — as new coronavirus variant spreads

 

WASHINGTON POST – Growing number of Republicans urge vaccinations amid delta surge

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Is the U.S. Economy Too Hot or Too Cold? Yes.

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Covid Live Updates: Pfizer Will Bottle Vaccine in Africa, Leaving Know-How in Europe

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Sweden Stuns U.S. Soccer Team in Olympic Opener

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Stock Futures Point to Tepid Gains for Dow, S&P 500

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Johnson & Johnson Posts Higher Profit as Healthcare Demand Returns

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – JPMorgan Awards Jamie Dimon Surprise Retention Bonus

 

 

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