Good morning! Happy Birthday, Mom!

We had a great time at Faulkner University’s benefit dinner last night, and featured speaker Trey Gowdy’s keynote remarks were on point for this crazy year we are in.

Here’s your Daily News for Friday, October 2.

1. Trump tests positive for COVID-19, will begin ‘quarantine and recovery process’

 

 

2. National unemployment down, hiring slows

• The national unemployment rate fell to 7.9% for September, down from 8.4% in August, the U.S. Labor Department said today.
• With September’s hiring gain, the economy has recovered only slightly more than half the 22 million jobs that were wiped out by the viral pandemic.
• The September jobs report coincides with other data that suggests that while the economic picture may be improving, the gains have slowed since summer. The economy is under pressure from a range of threats. They include the expiration of federal aid programs that had fueled rehiring and sustained the economy — from a $600-a-week benefit for the unemployed to $500 billion in forgivable short-term loans to small businesses.
• It’s also the final jobs report before the Nov. 3 presidential election.
• Alabama’s latest unemployment rate was 5.6%, which is tied with Georgia as the lowest in the Southeast.
• Read more HERE.

 

 

3. Ivey apologizes on behalf of state to ’63 church bombing survivor

• Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has apologized to a survivor of a racist 1963 church bombing that killed four Black girls, calling the blast an “egregious injustice,” but declining Wednesday to pay restitution without legislative involvement.
• Ivey, responding to a request submitted by an attorney for Sarah Collins Rudolph, said the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church caused “untold pain and suffering” through the decades to the victims and their families.
• “For that, they most certainly deserve a sincere, heartfelt apology — an apology that I extend today without hesitation or reservation,” Ivey wrote.
• But Ivey said legislators would have to be involved in talks about Rudolph’s request for restitution. “For that reason, I would propose that our attorneys — as well as attorneys for the Legislature — begin such discussions with you as soon as possible,” she wrote.
• A law firm working for free on Rudolph’s behalf sent a letter to Ivey arguing that the words of state leaders, including Gov. George Wallace, encouraged the bombing. Months earlier, Wallace had vowed “segregation forever” during his 1963 inaugural address, and the bombing occurred as Birmingham’s public schools were being desegregated.
• Full story from Jay Reeves HERE.

 

4. Big football weekend

• This week has just been a lot.
• Thankfully, Week Two of SEC football is upon us and some major matchups await Saturday!
• No. 2 Alabama hosts No. 13 Texas A&M in the newly-renovated Bryant Denny Stadium, though the stands will only be filled to 20% capacity.
• The Tide has won the last seven meetings with the Aggies and is a 16-1/2-point favorite this time.
• Alabama’s No. 2 ranking marks the 200th consecutive week the Tide has been ranked, easily the longest active streak in college football, ahead of Clemson (89). … The Tide has won 18 straight home openers and is 13-0 under head coach Nick Saban, whose personal winning streak in home debuts is at 19 games.
• Read more about that game HERE.
• The marquee game of the weekend is No. 7 Auburn at No. 4 Georgia in the South’s Oldest Rivalry.
• This game was traditionally played near the end of the season, but a revamping of the SEC scheduling format even before the pandemic struck pushed it near the start of the season.
• Auburn’s sophomore quarterback Bo Nix is actually the veteran in this game, as Georgia’s quarterback situation is murky at best due to transfers, opt outs and injuries.
• Read more about that game HERE.
• Read more about the national college football picture HERE.

 

5. Tuscaloosa enforcing bar crowd limits as football returns

• Officials in Tuscaloosa say they will enforce strict limits on bar capacities as University of Alabama football returns to town Saturday for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Police and fire officials will monitor how many people are inside establishments, Mayor Walt Maddox said, and places with too many people inside will get tickets and orders to shut down, The Tuscaloosa News reported.
• Maddox said businesses that violate rules aimed at slowing the spread of the new virus, which causes COVID-19, could risk having their business license revoked for a second offense.
• “We want to demonstrate our seriousness to this,” Maddox said. “None of us want to have to use law enforcement in this matter. Our law enforcement needs to be focused on other things. But we have an obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare … and this is a pandemic.”
• Read more HERE.

 

 

News Briefs

 

Alabama’s Gulf Coast beaches reopen today

• MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Beaches along Alabama’s Gulf Coast are reopening today after Hurricane Sally.
• The cities of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Dauphin Island and Baldwin County announced that all beaches are reopening after Sally slammed into the coast Sept. 16, damaging homes and businesses and sliced the Gulf Shores State Park Pier in half.
• The beaches will open starting at 6 a.m., news outlets reported. However, public access points in Orange Beach, Gulf State Park and Gulf Shores will remain closed until further notice. The affected access points include Gulf Place, Little Lagoon Pass Park and several others.
• The closures are due to safety concerns, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said. The access points should reopen in mid-October, the department said.
• A reopening date for the Gulf Shores State Park has not been set and all trails remain closed.

Alabama doctor sentenced to 30 years in child porn case

• BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A doctor accused of secretly recording girls and other guests in his home for years was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of producing and possessing child pornography, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
• Jurors convicted Ronald Tai Young Moon Jr., 56, of Vestavia Hills in February, and U.S. District Judge Annemarie C. Axon sentenced him on Wednesday, according to a statement by the U.S. attorney’s office in Birmingham.
• Using cameras hidden at his home, Moon secretly recorded neighbors and girls, including some who were changing into bathing suits for pool parties, evidence showed. The taping went on from the mid-1990s until around 2012, authorities said.
• Investigators found videotapes at Moon’s office, where multiple hidden cameras also were found.
• Moon worked at The Industrial Athlete clinic in Birmingham until his medical license was revoked earlier this year, authorities said.

Housing officials retiring after discrimination accusation

• DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — Two longtime officials with the Decatur Housing Authority plan to retire after the agency settled federal claims accusing it of discriminating against Black people, who weren’t allowed to live in its most desirable homes.
• Andy Holloway, chief operating officer of the authority, and housing director Jeff Snead are both departing, the Decatur Daily reported Thursday. Snead worked for the agency for 30 years, and Holloway is in his 28th year.
• A review by Housing and Urban Development sent to the city in March found that the authority let white people live in riverfront towers with scenic views and other amenities while segregating Black people in another apartment development without the frills.
• While City Council member Billy Jackson said many in the Black community were angry over the discrimination allegations, there wasn’t a push for anyone to be fired.
• “People are concerned about the findings,” Jackson said. “They want to know why it happened and to make sure there’s a correction so it doesn’t happen again.”
• The study determined that 94% of the Decatur Housing Authority’s units in two towers with views of the Tennessee River are occupied by white people, while all the units in a housing project farther from the river are occupied by Black people, the reported previously.
• The authority settled the claims for $200,000 and committed to improving conditions at a complex occupied by Black people. Officials said the agency denied liability and agreed to the deal to avoid litigation expenses.

 

 

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Trump says he and first lady tested positive for coronavirus

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Timeline of Trump’s activities in week coronavirus hit home

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – National unemployment down, hiring slows

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Tuscaloosa enforcing bar crowd limits as football returns

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama governor apologizes to ’63 church bombing survivor

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Early showdown in SEC as No. 4 Georgia hosts No. 7 Auburn

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – No. 2 Alabama hosts No. 13 Texas A&M in home opener

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Week 5 Preview: Top-25 matchups in SEC; ACC title rematch

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Mask order extended till after election; visitor policy changed for long-term care facilities

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Federal judge loosens Alabama absentee voting rules

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Shelby meets with Barrett, pledges support to confirm

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Pelosi and Mnuchin have ‘extensive’ talks on COVID relief

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – October 1, 2020

 

AL.COM – Despite pandemic, Alabama tax receipts higher in 2020 fiscal year

 

AL.COM – When police violence is a dog bite

 

AL.COM – We spent a year investigating police dogs: Here are six takeaways

 

AL.COM – Alabama school internet vouchers going unused, second round mailed

 

AL.COM – Freedom From Religion group sues Alabama over ‘So help me God’ voter oath

 

AL.COM – Birmingham company marketing thermal temperature screener

 

AL.COM – Alabama Power customers receiving credit on this month’s bill

 

AL.COM – Protective says it will expand its virtual workforce

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy headlines Faulkner Benefit Dinner

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Despite end to late-night alcohol sales ban, tough times continue for Alabama businesses

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey apologizes to 16th Street Baptist Church bombing victim, offers negotiations

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – President Trump and first lady test positive for COVID-19

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Moderna CEO: COVID-19 vaccine won’t be ready until Spring 2021

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Some in community “cautiously optimistic” about Ramsay McCormack future

 

Tuscaloosa News – Shelton State Community College honors 2020 retirees

 

Tuscaloosa News – The White House mixed up Rhodes College and Rhodes Scholar. Then, came the puns.

 

Tuscaloosa News – Project Unity to assess relationship between police, community

 

Decatur Daily – Bullet casing in alleged murder-for-hire matched to gun used in Madison

 

Decatur Daily – Limestone DA preparing to resume trials, but worried about funding

 

Decatur Daily – Man indicted for allegedly attempting to run over police officer

 

Times Daily – Former employee files suit against Sheffield Utilities, Monsanto

 

Times Daily – Children’s mental health a concern in pandemic, but school helps

 

Times Daily – Area health officials laud governor’s mask mandate extension

 

Anniston Star – RMC loosens visitation policy after COVID order changes

 

Anniston Star – Anniston runoff candidates face off in final forum

 

Anniston Star – Final suspect in August robbery sends case to grand jury

 

YellowHammer News – President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump test positive for coronavirus

 

YellowHammer News – FBI unveils revised cyber security strategies at Auburn virtual event

 

YellowHammer News – Protective Life enhances commitment to Birmingham headquarters location, leading insurance industry in virtual workforce revolution

 

Gadsden Times – The White House mixed up Rhodes College and Rhodes Scholar. Then, came the puns.

 

Gadsden Times – Former Piedmont football player accused of assaulting younger player; two juveniles also charged

 

Gadsden Times – Downtown Gadsden businesses deal with damaged windows

 

Dothan Eagle – Two charged with trafficking in marijuana

 

Dothan Eagle – Bonifay teens charged in motorcycle thefts

 

Dothan Eagle – Gavel swaps hands at Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s 101st annual meeting

 

Opelika-Auburn News – APD makes human trafficking bust; more could be coming

 

Opelika-Auburn News – EAMC to resume patient visitations on limited basis Friday

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Opelika man facing more than 10 child sex charges

 

WSFA Montgomery – Picture perfect Fall weekend expected!

 

WSFA Montgomery – Former mayor faces City Council member in Selma mayoral runoff

 

WSFA Montgomery – UPDATE: Missing 85-year-old Russell Co. woman located in Kentucky, safe

 

WAFF Huntsville – ALDOT: I-59/20 may remain closed in both directions all day Friday for chemical spill cleanup

 

WAFF Huntsville – Leaders warn you about dangerous apps for teens

 

WAFF Huntsville – Decatur City Council president hopes for more transparency from Decatur Housing Authority

 

WKRG Mobile – Stock futures fall on Trump’s announcement of positive COVID-19 test

 

WKRG Mobile – President Trump, first lady Melania Trump test positive for coronavirus

 

WKRG Mobile – Download the WKRG Weather app

 

WTVY Dothan – Man arrested after police chase in Washington County

 

WTVY Dothan – WTVY Hurricane Sally Relief Drive

 

WTVY Dothan – New anti-trafficking hotline created in Georgia

 

WASHINGTON POST – Biden campaign to begin door knocking after criticizing the Trump campaign for doing the same during the pandemic

 

WASHINGTON POST – With students — and covid-19 — on campuses, college towns look on warily

 

WASHINGTON POST – As debate commission considers rule changes, Trump signals he’ll reject them

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Trump’s Positive Coronavirus Test Upends Campaign in Final Stretch

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Trump Tests Positive for Covid-19, and the World Shudders

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Outbreak at Secret Service Training Center Underlines Proximity of Virus to White House

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – U.S. Stock Futures Drop After Trump Tests Positive for Coronavirus

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – U.S. Job Growth Expected to Slow in September

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett Signed Antiabortion Ad in 2006

 

 

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