Presented by the

Alabama Association of REALTORS®

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you are able to spend the day with people you love. There’s no question this has been a devil of a year, but we still have so much to be thankful for. I’m ever thankful for my supportive family and awesome friends, and in particular right now for God’s blessings of provision in my life.

I’m also grateful for you, Dear Reader, for you time and attention in a world full of news choices.

Here’s your Daily News for Thursday, November 26.

1. Saban tests positive for COVID-19, will miss Iron Bowl

• Alabama head football coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, just three days before the Iron Bowl. Since he was experiencing mild symptoms, it appears there won’t be a false positive reprieve for Saban like there was last month before another huge game against Georgia.
• Team physician Dr. Jimmy Robinson and head trainer Jeff Allen said in a joint statement that the positive test came Wednesday.
• “He has very mild symptoms, so this test will not be categorized as a potential false positive,” the statement said. “He will follow all appropriate guidelines and isolate at home.”
• The Crimson Tide is set to face its biggest rival Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium without the 69-year-old, six-time national champion coach. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, a former head coach at USC and Washington, will oversee preparations within the football building and lead the team on game day.
• Full story from John Zenor HERE.

2. Tuberville names Stephen Boyd chief of staff

• U.S. Senator-elect Tommy Tuberville has hired Stephen Boyd as his chief of staff, the transition team confirmed to Alabama Daily News Wednesday.
• Boyd, a Birmingham native, is a well-travelled politico in the nation’s capital, having served in senior roles in the Senate, House and Department of Justice.
• Boyd began his Capitol Hill career in the office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, eventually working his way up to communications director and senior adviser. In the House, Boyd worked as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Martha Roby for six years before being tapped by Sessions to work at Main Justice. In 2017, Boyd was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs, a position in which he acts as the department’s top liaison to Congress.
• Boyd, who has degrees in communications and law from the University of Alabama, will officially step down as Assistant Attorney General effective Dec. 11, 2020.
• Boyd’s hiring will no doubt be well-received by the Alabama political world, both in D.C. and in state. He has long standing relationships with the various Alabama political interests, particularly in the defense, agriculture and legal realms.
• Boyd’s, and to a lesser degree, Tuberville’s job now becomes filling out that staff. As the only Republican to flip a Senate seat, Tuberville’s office will certainly be flooded by resumes, and already has been according to sources close to the situation.
• Full story HERE.

A message from the

Alabama Association of REALTORS®

• Happy Thanksgiving from Alabama REALTORS®!

• Home never means more than it does around the holidays. As REALTORS®, we know a home is more than just brick and mortar. Families gather around the dining table, prep dinners in the kitchen, make up guest rooms for relatives coming to stay, and throw the football in the backyard.

• Your home is where you make memories, and we want to help you find the perfect space to do just that. REALTORS® are the experts on all things real estate.

• Find yours today.

3. Trump pardons Flynn

• President Donald Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Wednesday despite Flynn’s guilty plea to lying to the FBI about his Russia contacts.
• The pardon, coming in the waning days of the Trump administration, takes direct aim at a Russia investigation that he has long insisted was motivated by political bias.
• “It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon,” Trump tweeted. “Congratulations to @GenFlynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!”
• Flynn is the second Trump associate convicted in the Russia probe to be granted clemency by the president. Trump commuted the sentence of longtime confidant Roger Stone just days before he was to report to prison. It is part of a broader effort to undo the results of an investigation that for years has shadowed his administration and yielded criminal charges against a half dozen associates.
• Full story HERE.

4. Judge reduces Hubbard’s sentence

• A judge on Wednesday slashed former House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s prison sentence from four years to 28 months, significantly reducing the time the once-powerful Republican will spend behind bars for an ethics conviction.
• Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker reduced Hubbard’s sentence at the request of defense attorneys after part of his conviction was overturned earlier this year. In his order, Walker noted that Hubbard was convicted of 12 felonies when he handed down the four-year sentence, but that six counts were reversed on appeal.
• The action was met with swift criticism from Alabama’s attorney general and praise from Hubbard’s attorney who had argued a four-year sentence was too harsh for the reduced conviction.
• “While we were hoping for a more substantial reduction of sentence, we welcome this decision. We are grateful for Judge Walker’s recognition of the issues that prompted his action today,” attorney Lance Bell said in a statement.
• Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed disappointment in the sentence reduction.
• “Mr. Hubbard was convicted of the intentional violation of Alabama’s ethics laws, the same laws he championed in the legislature only later to brazenly disregard for his personal enrichment,” Marshall said in a statement.
• Full story from Kim Chandler HERE.

5. Will Whatley: Even during tough times, give thanks

• Will Whatley offers some perspective this Thanksgiving Day about being grateful for our many blessings even during a tumultuous and challenging year.
• He uses the example of NFL quarterback Alex Smith, who recently came back from what many thought was a career-ending injury to win his first game in more than two years.
• Smith went through hell and kept on going, Will writes, which is an apt metaphor for 2020.
• Here’s an excerpt:

• Read the full column HERE.

A message from

the Business Council of Alabama

• The Business Council of Alabama has launched Keep Alabama Open, working to unite hardworking Alabamians in the earnest pursuit of protecting jobs and safeguarding self governance.

• Businesses, while following state health orders to keep customers and themselves safe, should be able to continue to earn a living and support their families.

• To join the initiative, visit keepalabamaopen.com and sign on.

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Saban tests positive for virus, will miss Iron Bowl

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Tuberville names Stephen Boyd chief of staff

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Trump pardons former national security adviser Michael Flynn

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Judge reduces Hubbard’s prison sentence

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Will Whatley: Even during tough times, give thanks

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Marsh stepping down from pro tem role; new leaders look at COVID-19 recovery in 2021

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Biden moves to fill out cabinet

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Texts: US census manager told counters to use fake answers

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Keep the mask: Vaccines won’t end the crisis right away

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – November 25, 2020

AL.COM – Alabama adds almost 2,500 new COVID cases; recoveries updated to 161,946

AL.COM – EJ Bradford: Lawsuit identifies Hoover police officer who killed man in Galleria shooting

AL.COM – NASA gives big moon mission to Alabama company

AL.COM – Sperm whale in Mobile Bay dies

AL.COM – ‘60 Minutes’ to feature Clotilda descendants in Mobile’s Africatown

AL.COM – Alabama congressman in quarantine after family member tests positive for COVID-19

AL.COM – Safer online: Alabama adapts to a different Black Friday

AL.COM – Contributor John Christy: We don’t ‘attack science’

Montgomery Advertiser – Despite 2020’s horrors, there are still things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

Montgomery Advertiser – Mayor Steven Reed: Montgomery’s resounding resolve ‘inspires me daily’

Montgomery Advertiser – ‘Now is the time to take responsibility’: Rising COVID-19 trends in Alabama continue

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Black Friday 2020 could be more online than ever

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Driving during the pandemic is dangerous for different reasons

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Nursing home residents, families urged to take extra precautions if gathering for Thanksgiving

Tuscaloosa News – Alabama-Auburn athletic rivalry fuels annual food drive

Tuscaloosa News – Local, state retailers predict strong, safe holiday sales despite coronavirus threat

Tuscaloosa News – Juvenile charged as an adult in an attempted murder stabbing case

Decatur Daily – COVID changing the Black Friday business strategy

Decatur Daily – Talucah Road first in county to get safety groove

Decatur Daily – Sidewalk, pedestrian bridge planned for Elm Street in Athens

Times Daily – Government offices in the Shoals will be closed Thursday, Friday

Times Daily – Free COVID-19 testing resumes Monday at Colbert County Office Complex

Times Daily – AG speaks out against monument removal

Anniston Star – Holiday pay approved for Heflin city workers

Anniston Star – Heflin residents welcome Christmas with their high-tech tree

Anniston Star – Oxford council hears plans for apartments, park in downtown

YellowHammer News – Judge reduces Hubbard’s prison sentence to reflect overturned convictions

YellowHammer News – U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: Timeframe on I-10 Mobile Bay Bridge ‘not unlimited’ — State, local leaders ‘need to do it in the next several months to a year’

YellowHammer News – This month marks 20 years since all humans were on Earth at the same time

Gadsden Times – Community helps Sleep in Heavenly Peace ensure kids have beds

Gadsden Times – Months of work invested in 2020’s Christmas at the Falls

Gadsden Times – Old venue, new life: Mort Glosser Amphitheatre sees increased usage due to pandemic

Dothan Eagle – COVID-19 survivors giving extra thanks

Dothan Eagle – Movies in a Minute: ‘The Croods: A New Age’ & ‘Buddy Games’

Dothan Eagle – COVID-19 survivors giving extra thanks

Opelika-Auburn News – Body discovered in Notasulga identified, suspect in custody

Opelika-Auburn News – Two men arrested in connection to Gay Street shooting

Opelika-Auburn News – Local health officials offer guidance ahead of Thanksgiving holiday

WSFA Montgomery – Families make last-minute preparations for Thanksgiving

WSFA Montgomery – Suspects sought in multiple business burglaries

WSFA Montgomery – Historic church’s first family wins Families of the Year Award

WAFF Huntsville – Retired physician part of COVID vaccine trial says it’s worth it

WAFF Huntsville – Albertville City Schools full-time employees receive $400 appreciation bonus

WAFF Huntsville – Local agencies receive $13 million to assist low-income families

WKRG Mobile – Record number of foster care adoptions in Alabama for 2020

WKRG Mobile – Spanish Fort family holding local food drive for holidays

WKRG Mobile – Mobile man arrested again for 1999 cold case murder

WTVY Dothan – City of Tuscaloosa prepares for major events happening this week in light of COVID-19.

WTVY Dothan – Alabama adds 2,453 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday

WTVY Dothan – Judge reduces former Ala. House speaker’s sentence by half

WASHINGTON POST – Supreme Court relieves religious organizations from some covid-related restrictions

WASHINGTON POST – Trump, Carson tout covid-19 treatments as lifesavers. But regular people find them harder to get.

WASHINGTON POST – As Americans prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, the world watches with dread and disbelief

NEW YORK TIMES – Trump Pardons Michael Flynn, Ending Case His Justice Dept. Sought to Shut Down

NEW YORK TIMES – Trump’s Pardon of Flynn Signals Prospect of a Wave in His Final Weeks in Office

NEW YORK TIMES – Virus Surge, Once in the Nation’s Middle, Gains Steam All Around

WALL STREET JOURNAL – With Covid-19 Pandemic Surging, Millions Travel for Thanksgiving

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Covid-19 Deaths Top 100,000 in U.S. Long-Term Care Facilities

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Split-Ticket Voters Helped Biden, Republicans in Nebraska, Maine

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