Good morning!

Here’s your Daily News for Monday, June 27.

 

1. The latest on SD 27

• Okay, where we left this saga Sunday was the Alabama Republican Party had declared a tie in the Senate District 27 race where challenger Jay Hovey originally defeated State Sen. Tom Whatley by one vote.
• The party’s rationale was that one provisional ballot from a woman attempting to vote for Whatley was improperly excluded from the final count. That woman claimed that she attempted to register upon applying for an Alabama driver license but was not sent the proper documentation.
• In declaring a tie, the ALGOP Candidate Committee voted Saturday to have Chairman John Wahl resolve the tie “by lot,” as per Alabama law on such election disputes. So, a coin flip.
• However, there is new information as of this morning.
• Late last night, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued a statement disputing the attempted registration story.
• After reviewing its records, the agency found that the woman in question did visit a driver license in Opelika, but did not complete the “issuance transaction and was never issued an Alabama Driver License.”
• The statement further explained, “Voter registration information from ALEA’s Driver License Division is only sent after the credential is issued and the customer signs the required voter declaration, which did not occur in this specific incident.”
• Elections. Boy, I don’t know.
• Read the full update from Mary Sell HERE.

 

 

2. Capitol Journal

• In case you missed it, we had an interesting and informative episode of Capitol Journal this week.
• State Sen. Greg Albritton discussed the state’s financial situation given the strain of inflation on agencies.
• Dr. Julia Booth of the Medical Association of Alabama discussed the prospects of Alabama expanding Medicaid. (Today is actually the 10th anniversary of the NFIB vs. Sebelius case that upheld the Affordable Care Act, but also allowed states to opt out of Medicaid expansion.)
• And well-travelled state government reporter Brian Lyman of the Montgomery Advertiser joined me to discuss the results of the recent primary runoffs, from Katie Britt’s big win down to what’s happening in Senate District 27. (Granted, our conversation took place before the most recent events)
• Watch and share the full episode HERE.

 

3. More than 1 million voters switch to GOP in warning for Dems

• A political shift is beginning to take hold across the U.S. as tens of thousands of suburban swing voters who helped fuel the Democratic Party’s gains in recent years are becoming Republicans.
• More than 1 million voters across 43 states have switched to the Republican Party over the last year, according to voter registration data analyzed by The Associated Press. The previously unreported number reflects a phenomenon that is playing out in virtually every region of the country — Democratic and Republican states along with cities and small towns — in the period since President Joe Biden replaced former President Donald Trump.
• But nowhere is the shift more pronounced — and dangerous for Democrats — than in the suburbs, where well-educated swing voters who turned against Trump’s Republican Party in recent years appear to be swinging back. Over the last year, far more people are switching to the GOP across suburban counties from Denver to Atlanta and Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Republicans also gained ground in counties around medium-size cities such as Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Raleigh, North Carolina; Augusta, Georgia; and Des Moines, Iowa.
• Read the full story from Steve Peoples and Aaron Kessler HERE.

 

 

4. Legendary Shoals recording region now offering incentives

• Economic developers have launched the Shoals Music Makers Recording Incentive, which will offer recipients up to a 30% reimbursement on projects recorded in the Shoals.
• With a goal of continuing the legendary hit-recording tradition of the area, the Shoals Economic Development Authority board is embracing a cultural economy that views music and film as viable economic drivers.
• Shoals EDA President Kevin Jackson said the plan for music and film incentives has been in the works since 2019. Funding for the incentives came through the Shoals Industrial Development Committee, which adopted the plan in 2021.
• “Music and film recruitment has been one of our targets,” Jackson said. “At this stage we’re focusing on the music, but the film aspect is right there ready to be tapped as well.”
• “Everyone’s ready to really amp this thing up,” he said.
• The incentives are based on reimbursement receipts presented and are ranked in four tiers, from a Tier 1 of $5,000 to $10,000 to Tier 4 at $75,000 to $200,000.
• Read the full story from the Times Daily’s Lisa Singleton-Rickman HERE.

 

 

5. G-7 leaders confer with Zelenskyy, prep new aid for Ukraine

• Leading economic powers conferred by video link with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday as they underscored their commitment to Ukraine for “as long as it takes” with plans to pursue a price cap on Russian oil, raise tariffs on Russian goods and impose other new sanctions.
• In addition, the U.S. was preparing to announce the purchase of an advanced surface-to-air missile system for Kyiv to help Ukraine fight back against Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
• The new aid and efforts by the Group of Seven leaders to punish Moscow come as Zelenskyy has openly worried that the West has become fatigued by the cost of a war that is contributing to soaring energy costs and price hikes on essential goods around the globe.
• After hearing from Zelenskyy, the leaders pledged in a statement to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” They underlined their “unwavering commitment to support the government and people of Ukraine” in the battle for their country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• They said it is up to Ukraine to decide on a future peace settlement.
• Read more HERE.

 

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – ALEA: Senate District 27 voter was not issued license, registered to vote

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – More than 1 million voters switch to GOP in warning for Dems

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Capitol Journal: June 24, 2022

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Legendary Shoals recording region now offering incentives

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – G-7 leaders confer with Zelenskyy, prep new aid for Ukraine

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – State Senate contest comes down to coin flip

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Elective abortions now illegal in Alabama

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Price of planned Mobile River bridge swells to $2.7B

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama judge cited for remarks against governor, cursing

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Biden signs landmark gun measure, says ‘lives will be saved’

 

AL.COM – “Solidarity forever”; Alabamians continue protests in support of abortion rights

 

AL.COM – ‘Mad about our rights’: In Mobile, abortion rights rally stirs emotions

 

AL.COM – Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox: Expand Medicaid for Alabama in wake of Roe v. Wade decision

 

AL.COM – STDs surge in Alabama following pandemic dip; these counties saw the highest STD rates in 2021

 

AL.COM – Columnist John Archibald: Roe v. Wade is down; what’s next for America?

 

AL.COM – Columnist Cameron Smith: SCOTUS Dobbs opinion demands wisdom and humility from lawmakers

 

AL.COM – Alabama runoff winners could bring ‘generational shift’

 

Montgomery Advertiser – ALEA disputes story of provisional ballot in Auburn-area GOP Senate primary

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Cotton+Creek brings new fashions, gifts to The Waters in Pike Road

 

Montgomery Advertiser – SummerFest brings food, fun and fireworks to Pike Road on Thursday

 

Decatur Daily – Decatur officials consider ending near-ban on Airbnb-type rentals

 

Decatur Daily – Two Limestone County businesses now operating on solar power

 

Decatur Daily – GPS ping locates Ohio murder suspect’s body in Falkville

 

Times Daily – Kids Fest 2022 set for Thursday

 

Times Daily – Cullman: Fill your spirit for adventure

 

Times Daily – GPS ping locates Ohio murder suspect’s body in Falkville

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Birmingham Police investigating homicide in Ensley

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – GBHS pushing for Birmingham pet licensing program

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Local broker says it’s better to buy a house now than to wait

 

Tuscaloosa News – Alabama GOP rejects primary challenges in two Etowah County House districts

 

Tuscaloosa News – $2.1 million USDA grant returns to Lowndes County to solve the sewage crisis

 

YellowHammer News – Guest: Swipe fees hurt Alabama consumers and businesses, Congress must act

 

Gadsden Times – Gadsden-area home prices rise 18% in May, with houses for sale in high demand

 

Gadsden Times – Alabama GOP rejects primary challenges in two Etowah County House districts

 

Gadsden Times – $2.1 million USDA grant returns to Lowndes County to solve the sewage crisis

 

Dothan Eagle – US to announce new weapon system for Kyiv; Colorado Avalanche win Stanley Cup; BET Awards recap

 

Dothan Eagle – Will he go or not? Hong Kong awaits word on Xi Jinping visit

 

Dothan Eagle – Seoul urges China, Russia to prevent North Korean nuke test

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Seoul urges China, Russia to prevent North Korean nuke test

 

Opelika-Auburn News – G-7 leaders confer with Zelenskyy, prep new aid for Ukraine

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Will he go or not? Hong Kong awaits word on Xi Jinping visit

 

WSFA Montgomery – Gunman shoots two Popeyes employees at drive-thru window in Prichard

 

WSFA Montgomery – Inmate sentenced in Coffee County escapes

 

WSFA Montgomery – Union Springs mayor cleared by Alabama Ethics Commission

 

WAFF Huntsville – Man killed in apartment fire in Hanceville

 

WAFF Huntsville – Ala. GOP committee declares tie in state Senate race; to be decided ‘by lot’

 

WAFF Huntsville – SCOTUS decision may impact adoptions

 

WKRG Mobile – Will he go or not? Hong Kong awaits word on Xi Jinping visit

 

WKRG Mobile – Death toll of children in Afghanistan quake rises to 155

 

WKRG Mobile – Clarke County Sheriff’s Office investigating death of 2-year-old

 

WTVY Dothan – “Kam’s Car Care” takes off through community support

 

WTVY Dothan – Houston County jail inmate collapses, dies

 

WTVY Dothan – 1 dead, several others injured in Blakely shooting

 

WASHINGTON POST – Democrats seize on abortion ruling in midterms as Republicans tread carefully

 

WASHINGTON POST – How the Roe v. Wade ruling evolved: A behind-the-scenes visual tour

 

WASHINGTON POST – The Supreme Court turns the U.S. into a cautionary tale

 

NEW YORK TIMES – In Florida, California and Beyond: Both Sides Mobilize Over Abortion

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Ukraine Live Updates: G7 Oil Plan Aims to Punish Russia and Limit Economic Havoc

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Violent Threats to Election Workers Are Common. Prosecutions are Not.

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Abortion Providers Confront New Landscape After Roe

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Rising Rates, Tech Pullback Pummel Convertible Bonds

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Consumer-Staples Stocks Are Bright Spot in Bleak Market

 

 

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