Good morning and Happy Friday!
First a jobs report: the economy added a solid 128,000 jobs in October, partly held down by the GM strike, and the unemployment rate ticked up one tenth to 3.6%. Hourly wages are up 3% from a year ago.
Full story HERE .
Here’s the rest of your Daily News for November 1.
1. Impeachment resolution passes on mostly party line vote
- By a 232-196 vote, the House of Representatives on Thursday approved the procedures it will follow as weeks of closed-door interviews with witnesses evolve into public committee hearings and — almost certainly — votes on whether the House should impeach President Donald Trump.
- Every voting Republican opposed the resolution. All but two voting Democrats supported it.
- The Alabama delegation was predictably split along party lines, with lone Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell voting for the resolution, and Republican Reps. Bradley Byrne, Martha Roby, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks and Gary Palmer voting against it.
- See their reactions to the vote HERE.
- The rules require the House Intelligence Committee — now leading the investigation — to issue a report and release transcripts of its closed-door interviews.
- Eventually, the House Judiciary Committee would decide whether to recommend articles of impeachment to the full House.
- Republicans could only issue subpoenas for witnesses to appear if the committees holding the hearings approve them — in effect giving Democrats veto power.
- Attorneys for Trump could participate in the Judiciary Committee proceedings. Democrats would retain leverage by empowering panel Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., to deny requests by Trump representatives to call witnesses.
- Read more about all that HERE.
2. Senate passes one spending bill, hits impasse on another
- On the other side of the Capitol, the Senate finally passed a $209 billion package of appropriations bills funding Commerce, Justice & Science (NASA); Agriculture; the FDA; Interior and Environment; Transportation; and Housing and Urban Development.
- However, the Senate then hit an impasse over a much larger spending package that includes the $695 billion Department of Defense budget, and the prospects of getting it through any time soon aren’t great.
- Democrats are filibustering the bill because of President Donald Trump’s plans to again transfer billions of dollars from the Pentagon to his border wall project.
- Sen. Richard Shelby, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, pressed his Senate colleagues to break through the logjam and pass the military spending measure.
- “Our men and women in uniform don’t get to hit the pause button. They don’t get to shirk their duty. And neither should Congress,” Shelby said. “Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues seem more focused on scoring political points than ensuring our military has the certainty and funding it needs to counter our adversaries.”
- Appropriations Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt, countered by saying the filibuster, “is because they insist on including in this bill authority for President Trump to raid American tax dollars from our military — money that is intended for specific military priorities — to pay for his wall, which he promised that Mexico would pay for.”
- Read more HERE.
3. Police: Missing college student was harmed
- Evidence shows a missing college student was harmed and is now considered a victim of foul play, police said Thursday.
- This news comes as her mother and stepfather, who’s an Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight, pleaded for information.
- Speaking in an interview with WBRC-TV, Angela Harris said “there has to be someone who knows” what happened to Aniah Haley Blanchard, 19, of suburban Birmingham.
- “We have to have her back,” she said. A social media message sent by Blanchard to her roommate indicated she might have been with a male before she disappeared, Harris said.
- A statement from Auburn police Thursday said evidence found inside the vehicle indicated the young woman had been harmed and was the victim of foul play.
- Anyone with information is asked to contact Auburn police at 334-501-3140 or the anonymous tip line at 334-246-1391.
- Read more and link to the interview HERE.
4. AlaDems battle in court
- Two factions of the Alabama Democratic Party went to battle in a Montgomery Courtroom Thursday.
- The longtime leaders of the party, including Chairwoman Nancy Worley, filed suit Wednesday and asked the judge to block an upstart faction of the party from meeting Saturday to elect new party leadership.
- But that upstart faction has the backing of the Democratic National Committee, which has long been frustrated with Worley and party Vice Chair Joe Reed’s management of the party.
- “There will be utter chaos,” said attorney Bobby Segall, arguing for Worley and Reed that allowing a vote for new officers could split the party and create confusion over finances. “The Democratic Party itself will be in trouble,” he said.
- Barry Ragsdale, representing the other faction, said Worley had repeatedly missed or ignored DNC deadlines and blocking the meeting “is beyond the power of this court.”
- Expect a ruling today, then a quick appeal to block it no matter which side wins.
- Read more HERE.
- Also read Brian Lyman’s account from the courtroom in The Montgomery Advertiser HERE.
5. Mark Dixon: Remember When We Could Say ‘Thank Goodness for Mississippi?’
- As we reported yesterday, Alabama’s scores on the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress weren’t great.
- Everyone has now had time to pound their fists and say we need to do better. Now, the question becomes what exactly the state needs to do.
- Mark Dixon, President of the A+ Education Partnership, offers some answers to that question in a new piece for Alabama Daily News this morning.
- He notes that, given the two states’ directions, Alabama’s old unofficial motto of “Thank God for Mississippi” isn’t valid anymore.
- Here’s an excerpt:
“This week’s release of the 2019 Nation’s Report Card came with alarming news: Alabama has dropped to last in the nation in math and significantly declined in reading. Meanwhile, our neighbor Mississippi made significant gains, meeting the national average in 4th grade reading and math.The Nation’s Report Card is based on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), a test that is administered nationwide every two years to 4th and 8th grade students in math and reading.
“This drop is part of an eight-year decline for Alabama students, a decline that is, frankly, unacceptable. But our history shows Alabama students can compete nationally. When leaders statewide were unified a decade ago around the common goal of teaching children to read, Alabama made record gains on NAEP—and we can make great progress again. Now, more than ever, we must work together. We must bring transformational change to our education system. Here are some places to start…”
- Read Dixon’s full op-ed HERE.
Headlines.
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – US added a solid 128,000 jobs in October despite GM strike
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama Democratic Party dispute goes to court
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Police say missing college student was harmed
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Sharply divided House approves Democrats’ impeachment rules
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama Congressional delegation reacts to impeachment inquiry vote
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Border wall, impeachment battle imperil budget progress
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Mark Dixon: Remember When We Could Say ‘Thank Goodness for Mississippi?’
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Change to SNAP would impact some Alabama students’ access to free lunch
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Birmingham water board member found guilty on ethics charge
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Shelby would back Sessions, optimistic about his chances
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Dismukes bows out of Congressional race
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – October 31, 2019
AL.COM – Huntsville opioids lawsuit: Alabama ‘citizens are dying by the dozens’
AL.COM – BBVA pledges $15.5 billion to community development
AL.COM – Frontier Spinning Mills shutting down in Wetumpka, laying off 148
AL.COM – Trump to House Republicans: ‘Don’t tell me Sessions’
AL.COM – Officials investigating prison death of state inmate from Birmingham
AL.COM – Congressional Black Caucus to hold town hall meeting at ASU
AL.COM – Trump impeachment inquiry rules set by House: How Alabama delegation voted
AL.COM – Montgomery judge to rule on whether to block Democrats’ meeting
AL.COM – Drought conditions improve in some parts of Alabama but stubbornly hang on for others
AL.COM – Figures gives voice to Senate minority on abortion issue
Montgomery Advertiser – Trial date set in Prattville barbershop massacre
Montgomery Advertiser – Alabama Democratic Party dispute goes to court
Montgomery Advertiser – Dismukes withdraws from congressional race
YellowHammer News – Rand Paul endorses Arnold Mooney for Senate — ‘True freedom-loving conservative’.
YellowHammer News – Tuskegee University selected by NASA for exclusive aerospace manufacturing program.
YellowHammer News – Will Dismukes dropping out of AL-02 race
Dothan Eagle – U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Tuberville believes lack of political experience gives him advantage
Dothan Eagle – Driver injured when car plunges into Bear Creek in western Houston County
Dothan Eagle – Mission on course for Substance Abuse Partnership despite changes
Tuscaloosa News – University of Alabama students take fall break this week
Tuscaloosa News – How to keep your dog safe and calm on Halloween night
Tuscaloosa News – Former Alabama star Jim Farmer arrested in sex trafficking sting
Decatur Daily – Work-based learning: Hartselle students pitch their products to experts
Decatur Daily – Joseph: Decatur-Morgan County needs to be build on entrepreneurial tradition
Decatur Daily – Hartselle, Athens students above state, national averages on ACT
Times Daily – Auburn tree poisoner fails to appear in court for hearing
Times Daily – Killen man faces sexual assault charge involving child
Times Daily – Ritz piano recital set for Sunday
Gadsden Times – Whitworth was ‘innocent bystander’ in shooting; Centre man charged
Gadsden Times – Authorities plan to shut down open house parties
Gadsden Times – Cherokee Sheriff’s Office to form Safe Schools Unit
Anniston Star – Manslaughter trial set for March
Anniston Star – Judge allows friend of 2003 murder victim to testify at trial
Anniston Star – JSU officials address students’ concerns
Troy Messenger – TES students ‘back the blue’
Troy Messenger – Bluegrass Gospel Jam Friday at Burning Bush Cowboy Church
Troy Messenger – Moore, Fridy share platforms at PCRW
Andalusia Star News – OMS earns C on school report card
Andalusia Star News – SMS scores highest report card score for middle schools in county
Andalusia Star News – Veterans to be honored at exhibit
Opelika-Auburn News – State, locals join forces to find Auburn teen missing for a week
Opelika-Auburn News – Auburn public safety toy drive underway
Opelika-Auburn News – AU joins national efforts to combat domestic violence
Daily Mountain Eagle – Tuberville talks on issues during DME interview
Daily Mountain Eagle – Close race in annual beef cook-off
Daily Mountain Eagle – ‘Dog Daze’ returns for second year in Arley
Trussville Tribune – Alabama Democratic Party leaders file lawsuit to block meeting
Trussville Tribune – Birmingham woman sentenced for embezzlement of $680K from employer
Trussville Tribune – Auburn tree poisoner fails to appear in court for hearing
Athens News Courier – Commission may vote Monday to finalize agreement with museum
Athens News Courier – Commissioner voices concern over intersection
Athens News Courier – Discovery of counterfeit bills leads to arrest
Sand Mountain Reporter – Johnny Minick to perform in Geraldine
Sand Mountain Reporter – House Republicans meet in DeKalb
Sand Mountain Reporter – Skinner steps down | Resigns as Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce President
WSFA Montgomery – 1 dead in afternoon crash near Dothan
WSFA Montgomery – Nationwide school bus recall could impact Alabama buses
WSFA Montgomery – Nearly 150 to lose jobs as Wetumpka plant announces closure
Fox 6 Birmingham – Man charged with attempted murder after shots fired at JeffCo deputy vehicle over weekend
Fox 6 Birmingham – UFC president pledges $25,000 reward to help find Aniah Blanchard
Fox 6 Birmingham – Tuscaloosa police continue search for missing 97-year-old man
WAFF Huntsville – Nationwide school bus recall could impact Alabama buses
WAFF Huntsville – Lawrence County teen reported missing
WAFF Huntsville – Ala. Attorney General: Scams continue to grow
WKRG Mobile – BREAKING UPDATE: MPD arrests two teenagers for Halloween threats, school officials confirm
WKRG Mobile – Fairhope Police launch home surveillance database after felony theft arrest
WKRG Mobile – UPDATE: FHP identifies man killed in Wednesday night crash near Holt
WTVY Dothan – One dead in afternoon crash near Dothan
WTVY Dothan – Annalyn’s Law makes DCS consider low-risk sex offender policy
WTVY Dothan – 2020 Census could result in loss of Alabama U.S. Representative
WASHINGTON POST – A divided House backs impeachment probe of Trump
WASHINGTON POST – Is Trump’s base breaking over impeachment? The tale of a congressman’s defiance suggests not
WASHINGTON POST – Contributor Arne Duncan: What we can learn from the state of our nation’s education.
WASHINGTON POST – Indiana backs away from Medicaid work requirements
WASHINGTON POST – ACLU sues FBI, DOJ over facial-recognition technology, criticizing ‘unprecedented’ surveillance and secrecy
NEW YORK TIMES – Trump, Lifelong New Yorker, Declares Himself a Resident of Florida
NEW YORK TIMES – Trump Administration Scaling Back Rules Meant to Stop Corporate Inversions
NEW YORK TIMES – E.P.A. to Roll Back Rules to Control Toxic Ash from Coal Plants
Front Pages (images link to newspaper websites, which you should visit and patronize)
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