Presented by the

Alabama Department of Public Health

1. Devastation in Kentucky

• Rescuers in an increasingly bleak search picked through the tornado-splintered ruins of homes and businesses Sunday, including a candle factory that was bustling with night-shift employees when it was flattened, as Kentucky’s governor warned the state’s death toll from the outbreak could top 100.
• A nursing home and an Amazon distribution center also were smashed in other states in the unusual mid-December swarm of twisters.
• The tornado that carved the path of destruction in Kentucky touched down for more than 200 miles in the state.
• If early reports are confirmed, the twister “will likely go down perhaps as one of the longest track violent tornadoes in United States history,” said Victor Gensini, a researcher on extreme weather at Northern Illinois University.
• The storm was all the more remarkable because it came in December, when normally colder weather limits tornadoes.
• Read more and see more photos HERE.

2. Texas-like abortion bill filed in Alabama

• A group of Alabama lawmakers have proposed legislation similar to a Texas law that would ban most abortions and allow anyone to file civil lawsuits against violators and collect damages.
• The bill titled the “Alabama Heartbeat Act” was filed ahead of the 2022 legislative session. It would prohibit medical providers from performing an abortion once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks and before some women know they are even pregnant.
• The measure would allow private citizens to file civil lawsuits against anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion and to collect at least $10,000 in damages for each performed abortion.
• Republican Rep. Jamie Kiel of Russellville, the primary sponsor of the legislation, said the bill mirrors the Texas law, noting that it has not been struck down yet.
• Providers in Texas say abortions have become virtually inaccessible since the law was signed.
• Read more from Kim Chandler and see the bill for yourself HERE.

A message from the

Alabama Department of Public Health

• COVID won’t have the last word. We will.

• Protect yourself and those around you. Please get vaccinated today!

• And if you have symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, make sure to get tested.

• Find a vaccine and testing center near you at AlabamaUnites.com.

3. Doctors see signs omicron is milder than delta

• As the omicron variant sweeps through South Africa, Dr. Unben Pillay is seeing dozens of sick patients a day. Yet he hasn’t had to send anyone to the hospital.
• That’s one of the reasons why he, along with other doctors and medical experts, suspect that the omicron version really is causing milder COVID-19 than delta, even if it seems to be spreading faster.
• “They are able to manage the disease at home,” Pillay said of his patients. “Most have recovered within the 10 to 14-day isolation period.” said Pillay.
• And that includes older patients and those with health problems that can make them more vulnerable to becoming severely ill from a coronavirus infection, he said.
• In the two weeks since omicron first was reported in Southern Africa, other doctors have shared similar stories. All caution that it will take many more weeks to collect enough data to be sure, their observations and the early evidence offer some clues.
• Read more HERE.

4. Inflation remains at historic high, but why?

• Inflation is starting to look like that unexpected — and unwanted — houseguest who just won’t leave.
• For months, many economists had sounded a reassuring message that a spike in consumer prices, something that had been missing in action in the U.S. for a generation, wouldn’t stay long. It would prove “transitory,’’ in the soothing words of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and White House officials, as the economy shifted from virus-related chaos to something closer to normalcy.
• Yet as any American who has bought a carton of milk, a gallon of gas or a used car could tell you, inflation has settled in. And economists are now voicing a more discouraging message: Higher prices will likely last well into next year, if not beyond.
• On Friday, the government reinforced that message with its report that the consumer price index soared 6.8% last month from a year earlier — the biggest 12-month jump since 1982.
• And the sticker shock is hitting where families tend to feel it most. At the breakfast table, for instance: Bacon prices are up 21% over the past year, egg prices 8%. Gasoline has surged 58%. Furnishing your living room, dining room or kitchen will set you back 14% more than it would have a year ago. Used cars? Up 31%.
• The price squeeze is escalating pressure on the Fed to shift more quickly away from years of easy-money policies. And it poses a threat to President Joe Biden, congressional Democrats and their ambitious spending plans.
• Read more HERE.

5. Back-to-back: Young gives Alabama consecutive Heisman wins

• Bryce Young didn’t just meet the standard set by the star quarterbacks who preceded him at Alabama, he exceeded it and gave the Crimson Tide a rare Heisman back-to-back.
• Young became the first Tide quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, making Alabama the fifth school with consecutive winners of college football’s most prestigious player of the year award.
• “This is amazing,” said Young, dressed in all black with a sparkling diamond chain around his neck, as he started his acceptance speech.
• He thanked his father, Craig, for being his “best friend,” his mother, Julie, for “always having my back,” and his offensive line for “protecting me.”
• Read more HERE.

A message from the

Stacy Financial Group

• Investment opportunities abound in today’s market, but finding the right financial partner can be a challenge.

• Our job is to listen to our clients’ needs and goals, and to provide solutions that complement both risk tolerance and expectations.

• Learn more from Chad Stacy and the Stacy Financial Group HERE.

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Crews search for the missing after devastating tornadoes

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Texas-like abortion bill filed in Alabama

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – South African doctors see signs omicron is milder than delta

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – EXPLAINER: Why US inflation is so high, and when it may ease

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Back-to-back: Young gives Alabama consecutive Heisman wins

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – New highly detailed broadband map shows where unserved areas

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – State BOE: Masking requirement decisions should be made at local level

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Academy of Honor recognizes accomplished Alabamians

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Senate passes bill easing way for debt limit increase

AL.COM – Mike Hubbard on hopes for early Alabama prison release: ‘This is just a political hit job’

AL.COM – Nakita Blocton, judge accused of mental instability and forcing staff to take diet pills, removed from bench

AL.COM – Alabama schools report increase in ‘very serious’ discipline issues, gun threats

AL.COM – FedEx driver distraught over family death charged with dumping of hundreds of packages in ravine

AL.COM – New Wind Creek casino close to final approval for Chicago area

DECATUR DAILY – State BOE: Masking requirement decisions should be made at local level

DECATUR DAILY – Decatur schools answer staff shortage with career fair

DECATUR DAILY – Career Academies students assembling, designing green-energy cars

TIMES DAILY – UNA commencements go mask-optional for first time in 2 years.

TIMES DAILY – Hospital officials still wary of holiday COVID case increases.

TIMES DAILY – Detailed broadband map shows unserved areas

GADSDEN TIMES – Suit alleges Gadsden Airport Authority in violation of Open Meetings Law

GADSDEN TIMES – Gadsden Police Department using social media as a positive tool

DOTHAN EAGLE – Child care creates challenges on all sides

YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – HData announces business intelligence partnership with Alabama Power, relocation to Birmingham

YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – Britt, Brooks campaigns trade barbs over NDAA vote

YELLOWHAMMER NEWS – Fmr U.S. Attorney Jay Town: Allow retired law enforcement to work in Alabama prisons to overcome staffing crunch

WASHINGTON POST – Deadly tornadoes leave path of destruction across six states: ‘It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen’

WASHINGTON POST – Hundreds of people are fired, online learning set to return amid vaccine resistance at nation’s second-largest school district

WASHINGTON POST – More colleges rethink student loans as debate over debt cancellation rages on

NEW YORK TIMES – Contributor Abigail Susik: Could the Great Resignation Help Workers? Take a Look at History

NEW YORK TIMES – Newsom Calls for Gun Legislation Modeled on the Texas Abortion Law

NEW YORK TIMES – Doctors and Hospitals Make Late Bid to Change Surprise Billing Ban

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