Good morning and Happy Friday!

Here’s your Daily News for September 25.

1. Birx visits Auburn, praises SEC virus work

 

 

2. Pre-filed bill cleans up CARES Act tax issue

• The first of several expected bills related to the coronavirus has been filed in the Alabama Legislature for its 2021 session.
• Senate Bill 7, by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Daphne, would ensure that no money that flowed to Alabamians or businesses through the federal CARES Act is subject to state income tax. As of now, that’s not the case.
• Alabama Daily News reported in August that if lawmakers don’t act, some Alabamians and businesses would be taxed on CARES Act funds.
• According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, stimulus payments to individuals and families could potentially affect the calculation of Alabama taxable income because they could change the federal tax deduction. Depending on income level and deductions, some taxpayers would see a change in their Alabama taxable income. A similar situation exists for thousands of businesses that received the Paycheck Protection Program loans.
• “I’m just trying to make sure that the individual stimulus payments that were made to the individuals are not taxable at the state level, which they currently are according to the Alabama Department of Revenue,” Elliott said.
• Full story from ADN’s Mary Sell HERE.

 

3. Beaches remain closed

• Alabama’s coastal towns are delaying the reopening of their beaches because the cleanup from Hurricane Sally is taking longer than expected.
• Officials in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach said the beaches won’t reopen until Oct. 2 rather than this Saturday as originally planned. Residents and visitors with rental agreements are still allowed in, but with limitations.
• Some beaches were badly eroded when the storm made landfall at Gulf Shores last week, and others are still being cleaned. Fallen trees and other debris also are still being removed from neighborhoods and roads away from the beachfront, Gulf Shores city spokesman Grant Brown said Thursday.
• Read more HERE.

 

 

4. Biden’s low-key campaign style worries some Democrats

• The final stretch of a presidential campaign is typically a nonstop mix of travel, caffeine and adrenaline. But as the worst pandemic in a century bears down on the United States, Joe Biden is taking a lower key approach.
• Since his Aug. 11 selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, Biden has had 22 days where he either didn’t make public appearances, held only virtual fundraisers or ventured from his Delaware home solely for church. He made 12 visits outside of Delaware during that period, including a trip to Washington scheduled for today to pay respects to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
• During the same time, President Donald Trump had 24 trips that took him to 17 different states, not counting a personal visit to New York to see his ailing brother in the hospital or weekend golf outings.
• Biden’s aides insist his approach is intentional, showcasing his respect for public health guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus and presenting a responsible contrast with Trump, who has resumed large-scale campaign rallies — sometimes over the objections of local officials. Still, some Democrats say it’s critical that Biden infuse his campaign with more energy.
• The race between Biden and Trump has been generally consistent for months. Biden has maintained a comfortable lead in most national polls and has an advantage, though narrower, in many of the battleground states that will decide the election.
• But polls that showed competitive races or even Democratic advantages in traditionally Republican states proved to be false indicators for Democrats in 2016.
• Full story from Alexandra Jaffe and Alan Fram HERE.

 

 

5. Sports Ball!

• It was pretty cool last night to see the UAB Blazers and South Alabama Jags play in a primetime ESPN game at USA’s brand new stadium (Coach Bill Clark’s Blazers won).
• Now it’s time for SEC football, including Auburn and Alabama.
• First up Saturday is Auburn, hosting Kentucky in the conference’s only Top 25 matchup of the weekend.
• Both teams have little margin for error if they’re going to contend in their respective divisions, especially in a season where games could be postponed or canceled. It’s a chance for both to establish themselves as for real.
• More on that game HERE.
• Later in the evening, Alabama plays at Missouri, who has a new head coach and several players missing due to COVID-19 protocols.
• Alabama has won 26 straight games against SEC East opponents dating to a loss to South Carolina in 2010.
• More on that game HERE.

 

 

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Birx visits Auburn, praises SEC virus work

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Pre-filed bill cleans up CARES Act tax issue

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama coastal towns delay beach reopening after Sally

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Biden’s low-key campaign style worries some Democrats

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – No. 2 Alabama visits Missouri to begin SEC-only campaign

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – No. 8 Auburn hosts No. 23 Kentucky on opening SEC weekend

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – One week left in census counting, Alabama response rate still last in country

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Initial numbers show decreases in community college, undergrad enrollments

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Fauci: ‘no cutting corners’ as vaccine tests expand

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Media picks Alabama to top Florida in SEC championship game

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Auburn to football fans: No TP rolling on replanted oaks

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Games go on, but many traditions on hold in college football

 

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest – September 24, 2020

 

AL.COM – Alabama adds almost 1,000 new COVID cases, Jefferson reports 133 since yesterday

 

AL.COM – Gov. Kay Ivey, Public Health Officer Scott Harris sued over mask order, other coronavirus measures

 

AL.COM – Ivey awards $35 million from CARES Act for health care, emergency response providers

 

AL.COM – Port Authority: Sally did $12 million in damage, affected navigation

 

AL.COM – Alabama inmate being removed from death row

 

AL.COM – Which Alabama schools received National Blue Ribbon honor?

 

AL.COM – Bradley Byrne: National media ignores natural disasters in red states like Alabama

 

AL.COM – Unity, inclusion key to future of Birmingham Civil Rights District

 

AL.COM – Columnist Roy Johnson: Respect and protect Breonna Taylor’s name from those who neglected her

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Chief Master Sgt. JoAnne S. Bass visits Air Force First Sergeant Academy

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Montgomery residents rally to clean up Oakwood Cemetery

 

Montgomery Advertiser – Defense seeks lower bond in case where Prattville father charged with murder of newborn

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Alabama Gulf Coast beaches will reopen Oct. 10 and welcome visitors

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – On Halloween, a costume mask is not enough protection from COVID 19

 

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Local small business owner says city PPP loan helped her stay in business during the pandemic

 

Tuscaloosa News – Ticket limits jeopardize Alabama fan’s 605-game attendance streak

 

Tuscaloosa News – VIDEO: Big Sandy Earns PLC Designation

 

Decatur Daily – COVID-19 case numbers likely underreported to ADPH

 

Decatur Daily – New Decatur High principal: ‘We’re not going to love them into poverty’

 

Decatur Daily – With one week left in census counting, Alabama response rate still last in country

 

Times Daily – Beta’s remnants could cause local flooding

 

Times Daily – Parole denied for local robbery, extortion offender

 

Times Daily – Run 2 the Cross 5K event set for Oct.1

 

Anniston Star – Local experts: Second COVID wave possible, flu shots a good idea

 

Anniston Star – Cleburne County Elementary named a National Blue Ribbon school

 

Anniston Star – Calhoun County presents balanced budget despite pandemic

 

YellowHammer News – South Alabama, UAB to face off in nationally televised Thursday night game

 

YellowHammer News – Palmer introduces bill allowing flexibility for how states spend leftover CARES Act money

 

YellowHammer News – House of A.D. King added to African American Civil Rights Network by Sec. of Interior David Bernhardt

 

Gadsden Times – Attalla area woman’s death under investigation; body found in burned van

 

Gadsden Times – After reconfiguring for COVID-19, Mountain Lakes Tourist Association meets in Gadsden

 

Gadsden Times – Rainbow City’s challenged council vote to go before judge Oct. 28

 

Dothan Eagle – Sunset Memorial hosts shred event, pet supply drive

 

Dothan Eagle – Eagle crime reporter Forehand dies unexpectedly

 

Dothan Eagle – Michael Cline named to the Champlain College Dean’s List

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Alabama police: 2-year-old found gun, shot cousin, 12

 

Opelika-Auburn News – The Latest: Louisville police arrest at least 24 in protest

 

Opelika-Auburn News – Biden’s low-key campaign style worries some Democrats

 

WSFA Montgomery – Opelika sexual assault, robbery suspect in custody

 

WSFA Montgomery – Doctors urge flu shot to reduce strain on hospitals battling COVID-19

 

WSFA Montgomery – FEMA can help with hurricane-damaged homes

 

WAFF Huntsville – Power Outage in Gurley

 

WAFF Huntsville – Persistent rainfall continues across north Alabama

 

WAFF Huntsville – All traditional students at Arab City Schools to return to the classroom

 

WKRG Mobile – Pensacola City Council votes no on repealing mask mandate

 

WKRG Mobile – How people feel about Baldwin’s beaches staying closed

 

WKRG Mobile – Coast Guard rescues father, 4-year-old son offshore Destin

 

WTVY Dothan – GOP chair: Don’t believe polls that doom Trump’s election chances

 

WTVY Dothan – ABC Board plans to end the 11 p.m. alcohol restrictions

 

WTVY Dothan – Dothan teen indicted on less serious murder charge

 

WASHINGTON POST – Trump’s escalating attacks on election prompt fears of a constitutional crisis

 

WASHINGTON POST – GOP senators reject Trump’s assertion about transfer of power — with no direct criticism of the president

 

WASHINGTON POST – Barbara Lagoa refused to recuse herself from Florida felons’ voting case, creating controversy

 

NEW YORK TIMES – As Virus Cases Surge in Europe, Hospitalizations Lag. But for How Long?

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Trump Again Sows Doubt About Election as G.O.P. Scrambles to Assure Voters

 

NEW YORK TIMES – Battles Over Voting Rules Fuel Concern About Postelection Fights

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – U.S. Coronavirus Cases Near Seven Million

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Stocks Finish Higher in Another Volatile Session

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL – President Again Declines to Say He Will Accept Election Result, Questions Reliability of Ballots

 

 

 

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