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Daily News Digest – May 30, 2018

Good morning! This is your Daily News for Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

1. School Safety.

  • Today, Gov. Kay Ivey will announce the results of her SAFE Council recommendations. SAFE stands for Securing Alabama’s Facilities of Education.
  • What will they include?
  • That’s anyone’s guess, but I’m told Ivey’s team has been working with the education community (superintendents, principals, teachers) and the law enforcement community (Attorney General, District Attorneys, Sheriffs) to develop a plan that allows schools to immediately begin preparing to respond to violent threats without the need for legislation.
  • One key question has been whether the school safety issue is reason enough to call lawmakers back to Montgomery for a special session.
  • Those are costly and unpredictable, and it seems Ivey’s team thinks a lot of the work can be done without legislation.
  • Stay tuned for an announcement from the Governor’s Office later today.

2. Let’s get you in a Hyundai.

  • Hyundai is expanding its presence in Alabama.
  • The company announced it will build a new $350 million engine-making facility in Montgomery that will employ 50 people at an average salary of $52,000.
  • This is great because I’m about ready for a new one.
  • Hyundai employs 3,000 people in the River Region, not including the thousands working at supplier companies.
  • Read more from the Associated Press HERE and from The Montgomery Advertiser HERE.

3. Ad Front: Twinkle Responds

  • Twinkle Cavanaugh didn’t take well to being called all those names and is punching back in an attack ad of her own.
  • It’s a “man on the street” ad, which basically means other people delivering the message points.
  • “Ainsworth is the politician,” one lady says. “I bet Trump would call him ‘little lyin’ Will.”
  • Hoo boy. If this Lt. Governor’s race goes to a runoff, which it might, it will be every bit as hard hitting as the Attorney General’s race.
  • Watch Twinkle’s ad in the updated rundown HERE.

4. A Supreme Court rarity.

  • It isn’t often that Supreme Court justices endorse candidates for office.
  • It’s weird enough that we have this elected judiciary, and many wearing the robe find their own politics to be plenty to deal with.
  • Still, several current and former Supreme Court justices are set to endorse Chief Justice Lyn Stuart in her bid to win a term in her own right.
  • It probably has as much to do with Stuart’s opponent, Tom Parker, as it does with Stuart.
  • Chief Justice Stuart is well-liked and respected in her role as the judiciary’s top administrator.
  • Parker is – well, how can I put this – not loved in judicial circles. It’s not just the Roy Moore thing. Parker has been known to slow roll rulings and cause consternation in the Court.
  • The race is close, and I bet a lot of folks wearing robes are starting to wake up to the idea of Parker actually being in the top job.
  • Anyway, several current and former Supreme Court justices are supposed to endorse Stuart on the steps of the judicial building tomorrow, so stay tuned.

5. Profiles.

Chief Justice 

  • Speaking of Chief Justice, AP’s Kim Chandler takes a look at the race between Tom Parker and Lyn Stuart today. Read her piece HERE.

Treasurer

  • Not a lot has been written about the race to replace State Treasurer Young Boozer. Brad Harper of the Montgomery Advertiser has now, and you should read his story HERE.

Lt. Governor

  • Greg Garrison of AL.com has an interesting profile story on the Lt. Governor’s race that is worth your time this morning. Read that HERE.

BOE

  • Trisha Powell Crain takes a look at the races to fill the two open seats on the Alabama State School Board. These are such important roles, but don’t often get a lot of attention. Read her story HERE.

Bonus: Skip Tucker

  • Alabama Daily News contributor Skip Tucker has some reasons you should make it out to vote in six days, and you should probably listen to him.
  • Read Skip’s latest piece HERE.

Headlines.

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Updated: Candidates air TV ads.

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Hyundai investing $388M to update Alabama plant.

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Stuart, Parker compete for Chief Justice.

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Auburn’s Brown, Wiley and Harper are returning for next season.  

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alberto leaves downed trees and flooding in its wake.

AL.COM – Three Republicans vie for empty lieutenant governor office.

AL.COM – Columnist Cameron Smith:  Reasons to vote for and against each GOP gubernatorial candidate.

AL.COM – Grieving mothers pushed for Alabama schools’ bullying rules.

AL.COM – GOP primary: 6 up for 2 Alabama Board of Education seats.

AL.COM – House candidates agree: Arming teachers an option.

AL.COM – Hyundai announces $388 million upgrade to Montgomery plant, 50 new jobs.

AL.COM – Alberto could cost Gulf Coast $1 billion.

DECATUR DAILY – Area must tap civil rights history.

DECATUR DAILY – Stuart, Parker compete in chief justice primary.

DECATUR DAILY – Two Dems compete to challenge Aderholt in November.

FLORENCE TIMES DAILY – 2 compete for House GOP nomination.

ANNISTON STAR – New industry to bring 70 jobs to Gadsden.

ANNISTON STAR – Misleading claims in an Alabama election.

DOTHAN EAGLE – Columnist Steve Flowers’ Inside the Statehouse:  Alabama benefits from U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby’s appropriations.

WASHINGTON POST – The four GOP-held seats that could decide control of the Senate.

NEW YORK TIMES – An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time

NEW YORK TIMES – Trump Asked Sessions to Retain Control of Russia Inquiry After His Recusal.

NEW YORK TIMES – Contributor Roxanne Gay:  ‘Roseanne’ Is Gone, but the Culture That Gave Her a Show Isn’t

NEW YORK TIMES – Columnist Ross Douthat:  The Baptist Apocalypse

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