Personnel Update: Tommy Tuberville names Mary Blanche Hankey as new chief of staff
Today, Senator Tommy Tuberville announced he has named Mary Blanche Hankey as his next chief of staff. Hankey is currently Tuberville’s chief counsel and policy advisor. Senator Tuberville also thanked outgoing Chief of Staff Stephen Boyd for his dedicated service to the U.S. Senate, the country, and the people of Alabama. Boyd announced earlier this week that he would be leaving the office later this month to pursue opportunities outside of government. “Stephen Boyd exemplifies the values Alabamians hold dear,” Tuberville said.“His service to his country, loyalty to his beliefs, and pursuit of excellence have made him an invaluable part of my team. When I was elected, my first order of business was building a staff with the knowledge and skills required to deliver for my constituents. As a lifelong Alabamian with years of experience on Capitol Hill and at the Department of Justice, Stephen was the first person I asked to serve in our office. His leadership has been the foundation of a team I am very proud to see working for the people of Alabama every day. I am thankful for his service, and I look forward to seeing what he achieves in the future.” Boyd has served as Senator Tuberville’s chief of staff since the Senator assumed office in 2021. The Birmingham native served as the Senate-confirmed assistant attorney general for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice. He previously worked as chief of staff to former U.S. Representative Martha Roby and in various roles for former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions. Boyd is an alumnus of the University of Alabama College of Communications and School of Law. “Mary Blanche Hankey is the model of leadership with integrity, and I am proud to have her assume the role of chief of staff,” said Tuberville.“Mary Blanche’s experience and work ethic have made her a valuable member of our team since the beginning, and I am confident she will continue to serve her state and country at the highest possible level. In just two years, our office has accomplished much on behalf of the state, but it takes a dedicated team of public servants in Washington and across the state to represent Alabamians in the U.S. Senate. Mary Blanche will be the steadfast leader that team needs to continue to deliver.” Hankey is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. Hankey has served in several roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, including deputy assistant attorney general and chief of staff and counselor in the Office of Legislative Affairs, as well as the White House liaison in the Office of the Attorney General. Hankey was also legislative counsel to former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions.
Wes Allen announces new senior staff for Secretary of State’s office
On Tuesday, the voters of Alabama elected Republican Wes Allen as Alabama’s next Secretary of State. Allen announced on Wednesday the appointments that he will make once he is sworn in as Alabama’s next Secretary of State on January 16, 2023. Clay Helms will serve as Chief of Staff. Helms has served in the Office of the Secretary of State under the last three Secretaries and has served as an Assistant Director of Elections, Director of Elections, and Deputy Chief of Staff. He is a graduate of Auburn University and is a native of Troy. “I am excited to appoint Clay Helms to serve as my Chief of Staff,” Allen said. “He has the experience, dedication, and temperament that I was looking for to help me lead the office and to ensure that we create a culture of hard work, dedication, and respect for the taxpayers who interact with the Office of the Secretary of State.” State Rep. Mike Jones will serve as General Counsel. Jones served with Allen in the Alabama House of Representatives, where he respectively chaired the Judiciary and Rules Committees. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law and has been a practicing attorney for more than two decades. “Mike is an excellent attorney, and he knows the laws of this state as well as anyone,” Allen said. “His knowledge of the law and of the inner operations of government will make him an invaluable asset to me, the staff, and to the people of Alabama.” Jonathan Hester will serve as Director of Government Relations. Hester mostly recently served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Governor Kay Ivey. Hester previously worked closely with the Legislature in his previous role as a Policy Advisor. He is a graduate of Auburn University. “Jonathan understands the legislative process well, and his relationships with the legislators in both chambers make him a great fit for this position,” Allen explained. “He is a hard worker who understands the goals of this office and the importance of the legislative process in our day-to-day operations.” Jeff Elrod will serve as Director of Elections. Elrod has worked both in the Elections office and on the field side of elections and has been involved with elections administration on several levels. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama. “Jeff brings a wealth of experience to the Elections Division, but he also brings a respect for the people who do the job of administering our elections in each of Alabama’s 67 counties,” Allen said. “Building positive relationships with members of Boards of Registrars, Probate Judges, Circuit Clerks, and Sheriffs is essential to a successful Elections Division, and he is invested in ensuring that he builds cooperative relationships with elections officials and personnel across the state.” Laney Kelley will serve as the Director of Scheduling and Executive Administrative Assistant. Kelley will join the Office of the Secretary of State after serving as a consultant and scheduler for Allen’s Secretary of State Campaign. “I am confident that Laney will be an asset to the Office of the Secretary of State. She understands the intricacies of the scheduling process and balancing a multitude of requests simultaneously,” Allen said. “Her intelligence and experience will be very beneficial to the Office of the Secretary of State.” The appointments will take effect after Allen is inaugurated on January 16, 2023. Republican John Merrill is the current Secretary of State, but he is term-limited from running for a third consecutive term. Allen is the son of State Sen. Gerald Allen, who was reelected on Tuesday. Wes Allen grew up in Tuscaloosa and attended the University of Alabama, where he played football while getting his bachelor’s degree. Allen has a master’s degree from Troy University. He was appointed probate judge of Pike County, where he served for ten years. In 2018 was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, representing Pike and Dale Counties. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Congressman Robert Aderholt wins 14th term
Congressman Robert Aderholt on Wednesday released a statement thanking the voters of Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District for electing him to a 14th term representing them in the U.S. House of Representatives. Despite facing both a Democratic and a Libertarian opponent, Aderholt was elected in a landslide in Tuesday’s general election. “It is my honor to have been chosen by the voters of Alabama’s 4th Congressional District to serve another term in Congress,” Aderholt stated. “I am truly humbled by the overwhelming support I have received. When the new Congress begins January 3rd, I’m confident Republicans will have a majority in the U.S. House. Our focus will be on the economy, fuel prices, securing the border, strengthening our military, and holding the Biden Administration accountable.” Aderholt received over 84.1% of the votes cast on Tuesday (164,371). Democratic challenger Rick Neighbors received 13.6% of the votes (26,628 votes). Libertarian candidate Johnny Cochran only received 2.2% (4,294 votes). Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District has a reputation as being the most Republican district in the entire country. The landslide victory is a testament to Aderholt’s popularity as well as CD4’s staunch support of the Republican Party and its principles. While the state of Alabama is able to count all of its election results within four hours of the polls closing, other states struggle to accomplish the task, and it may be days or even weeks for some states to complete the project. As of press time, Democrats have won 184 House seats and Republicans 207. The votes are still being counted in 44 congressional districts. Republicans are still optimistic that they can win the 11 seats necessary to take control of the House of Representatives in January. Congress will meet again this year. One important issue the current Congress has to address is passing a continuing resolution to fund the government into the new year. “While I’m looking forward to the new Congress, we still have a lot left to do in this current session that resumes next week,” Aderholt said. “Democrats will still be in power until January, and we will have to fight against any radical policy they try and push through Congress in the time before Republicans take over. “ If Republicans take control of the House of Representatives, Aderholt is expected to assume a top role – possibly as Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Aderholt is currently the ranking Republican member on the Committee. With the pending retirement of Sen. Richard Shelby at the end of this term, Aderholt will be the senior member of Alabama’s congressional delegation. Aderholt was an attorney who served as assistant legal advisor for Alabama Gov. Fob James prior to his election to Congress for the open seat. He is a native of Haleyville, where he once served as the municipal judge. He has a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham Southern University and a law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Jim Zeigler: Veterans Day started in Alabama by an Alabama vet 75 years ago
75 years ago, it all started in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1947, the first Veterans Day was celebrated only in Alabama, but the idea was so good and so needed that it spread nationally. Raymond Weeks was a Birmingham native and veteran of World War II. He came up with the idea to take “Armistice Day” – which commemorated the November 11 end of fighting in World War I – and expand it to “Veterans Day” to honor all Americans who had served their country and their people. He led a national campaign for the idea of Veterans Day with General Dwight Eisenhower, President Harry Truman, and Congress. By November 11, 1982, the idea had become so popular that President Ronald Reagan awarded the Presidential Citizenship Medal to Weeks, who lived in Alabama until his death at age 76 in 1985. The meaning of Veterans Day is sometimes confused with Memorial Day in May. While Memorial Day honors those who died in the service of their county, Veterans Day honors all who served. Many Veterans look back at their years of service as the most meaningful time of their lives. Some people live their entire lifetimes and wonder if they ever made a difference for others. Veterans don’t have that problem. Jim Zeigler has been the State Auditor of Alabama since 2015.
GOP nudges closer to House win; Senate could hinge on runoff
Republicans inched closer to a narrow House majority Wednesday, while control of the Senate hinged on a few tight races in a midterm election that defied expectations of sweeping conservative victories driven by frustration over inflation and President Joe Biden’s leadership. Either party could secure a Senate majority with wins in both Nevada and Arizona — where the races were too early to call. But there was a strong possibility that, for the second time in two years, the Senate majority could come down to a runoff in Georgia next month, with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker failing to earn enough votes to win outright. In the House, Republicans on Wednesday night were within a dozen seats of the 218 needed to take control, while Democrats kept seats in districts from Virginia to Pennsylvania to Kansas, and many West Coast contests were still too early to call. In a particularly symbolic victory for the GOP, Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, the House Democratic campaign chief, lost his bid for a sixth term. Control of Congress will decide how the next two years of Biden’s term play out and whether he is able to achieve more of his agenda or will see it blocked by a new GOP majority. Republicans are likely to launch a spate of investigations into Biden, his family, and his administration if they take power, while a GOP takeover of the Senate would hobble the president’s ability to appoint judges. “Regardless of what the final tally of these elections show, and there’s still some counting going on, I’m prepared to work with my Republican colleagues,” Biden said Wednesday in his first public remarks since the polls closed. “The American people have made clear, I think, that they expect Republicans to be prepared to work with me as well.” Democrats did better than history suggested they would. The party in power almost always suffers losses in the president’s first midterm elections, though even if the GOP ultimately wins the House, it won’t be by a margin as large as during other midterm cycles. Democrats gained a net of 41 House seats under then-President Donald Trump in 2018, President Barack Obama saw the GOP gain 63 in 2010, and Republicans gained 54 seats during President Bill Clinton’s first midterm. A small majority in the House would pose a great challenge for the GOP and especially California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who is in line to be House speaker and would have little room for error in navigating a chamber of members eager to leverage their votes to advance their own agenda. In the fight for Senate control, Pennsylvania was a bright spot for Democrats. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who suffered a stroke five months ago, flipped a Republican-controlled Senate seat, topping Trump-endorsed Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz. Georgia, meanwhile, was set for yet another runoff on December 6. In 2021, Warnock used a runoff to win his seat, as did Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff — which gave Democrats control of the Senate. Both Warnock and Walker were already fundraising off the race, stretching into a second round. Both Republican and Democratic incumbents maintained key Senate seats. In Wisconsin, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson prevailed over Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, while in New Hampshire, Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan beat Don Bolduc, a retired Army general who had initially promoted Trump’s lies about the 2020 election but tried to shift away those views closer to Election Day. AP VoteCast, a broad survey of the national electorate, showed that high inflation and concerns about the fragility of democracy were heavily influencing voters. Half of voters said inflation factored significantly, with groceries, gasoline, housing, and other costs that have shot up in the past year. Slightly fewer — 44% — said the future of democracy was their primary consideration. Biden didn’t entirely shoulder the blame for inflation, with close to half of voters saying the higher-than-usual prices were more because of factors outside of his control. And despite the president bearing criticism from a pessimistic electorate, some of those voters backed Democratic candidates. Democrats counted on a midterm boost from the Supreme Court’s decision to gut abortion rights, which they thought might energize their voters, and the bet paid off. In four states where the issue was on the ballot, voters backed abortion rights. VoteCast showed that 7 in 10 national voters said overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was an important factor in their midterm decisions. It also showed the reversal was broadly unpopular. And roughly 6 in 10 said they favor a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide. In the first national election since the January 6 insurrection, some who participated in or were in the vicinity of the attack on the U.S. Capitol were poised to win elected office. One of those Republican candidates, Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin — who was outside the Capitol during the deadly riot — won a House seat. Another, J.R. Majewski, lost to Ohio Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Republicans had sought to make inroads in liberal New England but were shut out of House contests, with one Maine race still set to be determined by ranked-choice voting. Governors’ races took on outsized significance this year, particularly in battleground states that could help decide the results of the 2024 presidential election. Democrats held on to governors’ mansions in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, defeating Republicans who promoted Trump’s lies about a stolen 2020 election. Republicans held on to governors’ mansions in Florida, Texas, and Georgia, another battleground state Biden narrowly won two years ago. Trump found some success as well. He lifted Republican Senate candidates to victory in Ohio and North Carolina. JD Vance, the bestselling author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” defeated 10-term congressman Tim Ryan, while Rep. Ted Budd beat Cheri Beasley, the former chief justice of the state Supreme Court. Trump had endorsed more than 300 candidates across the country, hoping the night would end in a red wave he could ride to the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. After summoning reporters
Alabama Big 10 Mayors say state will be safer thanks to Aniah’s Law
On Tuesday, Alabama voters went to the polls and overwhelmingly voted to ratify Amendment One -Aniah’s Law. The Big 10 Mayors had endorsed ratification of the bill to allow judges to deny mail to dangerous felons. After Tuesday’s victory, the Mayors said they will continue to collectively advocate for policy goals that make the state a better place for all Alabamians “We were proud to support this constitutional amendment and to have fought for its approval by Alabama voters,” the Mayors said. “This is a big win for public safety in Alabama and will honor Aniah’s memory for generations to come.” They thanked voters for making Alabama safer by showing up at the polls and voting for Aniah’s Law. “As mayors of Alabama’s ten largest cities, we understand the great responsibility we have to promote public safety in our communities,” the Mayors said. Early on, we identified Aniah’s Law as an issue in which we could use our collective influence to advocate for and make Alabamians safer. This amendment will give Alabama judges and District Attorneys the tools they need to keep violent criminals off the streets.” Under current Alabama law, judges have limited authority to deny bail to violent offenders unless the suspect is charged with a capital offense or poses a flight risk. Proponents say that means that dangerous criminals are often released back onto the streets, even when it is likely they will commit more violent crimes as soon as they make bail. Aniah Blanchard was a Southern Union student who was kidnapped off of the streets of Auburn at a gas station by a known violent kidnapper who was out on bond. She was brutalized, raped, and murdered by her attacker. Her parents were instrumental in Aniah’s law being passed by the Alabama Legislature. Now, after a majority of Alabama voters voted to pass Aniah’s Law, judges will be able to deny bail to dangerous offenders who are likely to re-offend when charged with serious felonies like murder, kidnapping, rape, sexual torture, domestic violence, human trafficking, burglary, arson, robbery, terrorism, or aggravated child abuse. “Far too often, these offenders – who are often charged with crimes such as murder, rape, and kidnapping – are released to re-commit more heinous crimes while they await trial. That flawed system led to the kidnapping and murder of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard in October of 2019. Simply put, Aniah’s accused killer should have been in jail, and Aniah should still be alive. We were honored to help get this constitutional amendment across the finish line to protect Alabamians from suffering the same tragedy that befell Aniah and her family. We were proud to support this constitutional amendment and to have fought for its approval by Alabama voters. This is a big win for public safety in Alabama and will honor Aniah’s memory for generations to come.” Amendment one was also endorsed by Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Secretary of State John Merrill, and unanimous votes by both Houses of the Alabama Legislature, where it was sponsored by State Rep. Chip Brown. “We will continue to collectively advocate for policy goals that make our state a better place for all Alabamians,” said the Mayors. The Alabama Big 10 Mayors include Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox. All ten statewide constitutional amendments and the 2022 recompiled state constitution were ratified by voters on Tuesday. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Will Sellers: A Veterans Day to remember
America’s Veterans Day is recognized in other English-speaking countries as Remembrance Day. With the 80th anniversary this month of both the Battle of El Alamein and the North Africa “Torch” Landings, the observance has an added meaning. Eighty years ago, for all intents and purposes, the outcome of World War II hung in the balance. On all fronts, the Axis forces were advancing while the Allies suffered setbacks in almost every theater of combat. But momentum began to shift; if November 1942 began with pessimism and despair, it ended in a cautious optimism that the Allied cause had commanders who could win. In an amazing feat of coordination and cooperation, the Allied forces, under the command of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, made five surprise amphibious landings on North African beaches hundreds of miles apart. This would be America’s initial entrance into the European phase of the war. Most of the American troops boarded vessels in the United States and steamed away without being detected. The North Africa landings would raise the profile of Gen. George Patton and set in motion the liberation of the Vichy French colonies. While the initial resistance to the landings came from French troops, they were persuaded to surrender and join the Allied cause. This disrupted the French chain of command and caused the Nazis to realize the fickle commitment of Vichy France. Even more significantly, to prevent the repurposing of the French Fleet as Nazi vessels, the entire French Navy was scuttled. The landings in French North Africa were the beginning of the gradual pacification of Axis hegemony. Prior to the landings, the Italians, and later the Nazis, were doing their best to prevent the British from controlling North Africa from Libya to Egypt. When the Italians were within a whisper of losing their toehold, Adolf Hitler sent reinforcements in the form of Erwin Rommel. His active duty in the desert would earn him the sobriquet “Desert Fox.” So even before the Torch landings, the British were directly engaged with Rommel and his Afrika Korps. And, for the most part, the Nazis were on the offense, pushing the British almost to Cairo. Tired of organized retreats, Winston Churchill sacked one commanding officer and, through circumstances, identified Gen. Bernard Montgomery to lead the British 8th Army. Montgomery, too, would make his mark in the desert. While the desert war was frustratingly slow, Montgomery took his time to build up his troops, making sure he had the necessary supplies and, by surprise, took the offensive. Rommel, on the other hand, was having a hard time acquiring the supplies necessary to keep his troops fed and his equipment serviceable. The British enjoyed significant naval resources to limit shipping in the Mediterranean, and the Royal Air Force had almost complete air superiority. Waiting for the best time to engage allowed Montgomery to build up his resources and served to diminish Nazi supplies and troop morale. Eighty years ago, when Montgomery did attack, he caught the enemy by surprise. Rommel had returned to Germany to fully recover from an illness, but his forces were no match for the well-supplied British joint operations. Superiority in tanks, aircraft, and armor-piercing artillery, ground the Nazi war machine down into a full retreat. Having to fight a defensive battle, Rommel turned to land mines to prevent British tanks and troops from attacking his flanks. As a countermeasure, Polish engineers developed an electronic mine detector that allowed minefields to be cleared in record time. This Polish invention allowed Allied troops to surreptitiously cut paths through minefields, which further surprised the Afrika Korps. Montgomery’s victory at El Alamein caused Churchill to famously remark that while the battle was not the beginning of the end, it was “the end of the beginning.” From this point on, the British would win battle after battle, pursuing the Nazis from North Africa to Sicily and, eventually, to Rome. As we celebrate our Veterans Day, the British will honor their war dead on Remembrance Day. At El Alamein, there will be a remembrance, as well, for it was 80 years ago that the might of the British Empire asserted itself and started the roll-up of Nazi forces in Europe. There is a cemetery at El Alamein for all the Commonwealth soldiers who died there. It is beautiful in its simplicity, and the symmetry of the marble headstones is a stark reminder of the cost of war. To walk through the graves and read the short phrases on each marker is a moving and somber experience. There is a quiet reverence to be on hallowed ground. There are countless markers of teenagers who died for their country, but the most sobering headstones of all simply read, “Known but to God.” In past years, families of the dead would gather to remember their sons, brothers, and husbands who made the ultimate sacrifice. Like so many other war cemeteries, it is the last touchstone many families have, and their trek to El Alamein is a pilgrimage to remember. Years ago, a father asked that his family spread his ashes at the tomb of his only son. While frowned upon, I am told this was not an infrequent occurrence. At the Commonwealth cemetery, there is an old Egyptian warden who keeps watch over the graves. His English is slight, but he takes his job seriously and guides families to the graves of their relatives in a most reverent and respectful manner. Of all the times in the Middle East when a tip or baksheesh might be in order, he refuses all gratuities and, completely against type, acts insulted at the offer. Remembering veterans this month is a good time to remember that 80 years ago in North Africa, American troops first engaged the enemy, and the British soundly defeated the Desert Fox while paving the way for ultimate victory. The cemetery at El Alamein reminds us of sacrifice and provides an object lesson in the cost of freedom. Will Sellers is a graduate of Hillsdale College
Attorneys seek information about halted execution of Alan Miller
Attorneys for an Alabama inmate, who had his lethal injection called off because of intravenous line difficulties, said they want to see information, such as the names and qualifications of execution team members, to understand what went awry. Judge R. Austin Huffaker, Jr. held a hearing Wednesday on the request for information regarding the attempted execution of Alan Miller in September. “We’re trying to understand what went wrong and why,” Mara Klebaner, an attorney representing Miller, told the judge. The Alabama attorney general’s office has asked to keep some of the information secret, or under a protective seal, citing security concerns. Miller had his lethal injection aborted in September after officials tried for more than an hour to connect an intravenous line. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm told reporters the execution was halted because “accessing the veins was taking a little bit longer than we anticipated,” and the state did not have sufficient time to get the execution underway by a midnight deadline. The state is now seeking a second execution date for Miller. Miller’s attorneys are trying to block the state from attempting a second lethal injection. Huffaker did not issue an immediate ruling but said he was inclined to require the state to turn over the names to Miller’s lawyers. A state attorney argued it was a security risk because of the possibility the names might be leaked. She suggested the people only be identified only by pseudonyms as they are questioned by Miller’s attorneys. “There is a genuine safety concern for these individuals,” Assistant Attorney General Audrey Jordan said. Huffaker said pseudonyms would make it difficult for Miller’s attorneys to research their backgrounds or determine whether the people were being truthful during depositions. He agreed with the state that the names didn’t need to be shared with Miller, noting he had little ability to punish the death row inmate if he violated a confidentiality order. Huffaker also appeared skeptical of a statement in a court filing by the attorney general’s office claiming the execution hadn’t gotten underway. Deputy Attorney General James Houts said it was the state’s contention that the execution doesn’t get underway until the death warrant is read in the execution chamber and the drugs begin flowing. Klebaner said that claim “defies reality.” Klebaner said they have gotten little substantive information from the state, while Houts said they are working as quickly as they can. Huffaker cautioned the state to act in good faith with the information requests. “If I see stonewalling… we are going to be back here having a talk,” Huffaker told attorneys for the state. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Death of Alabama student at school likely linked to fentanyl
One student who died at an Alabama high school and four others who were taken to a hospital probably were sickened by something that had been laced with fentanyl, a prosecutor said Wednesday. Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson said investigators were awaiting results from an autopsy and toxicology tests before making a final determination, but the powerful painkiller likely was to blame. “It doesn’t take much to kill you,” he said. Authorities were called to Selma High School around noon Tuesday after the students began showing signs of health problems, authorities said. One student, identified only as a 16-year-old male sophomore, died, and four others taken to a hospital for evaluation are expected to recover, Jackson said. School Superintendent Zickeyous Byrd said students who decided not to attend classes on Wednesday wouldn’t be counted as absent. “When an event of this magnitude touches one family, it affects us all,” Byrd said in a statement. In a statement, Mayor James Perkins Jr. cautioned against jumping to conclusions about what had occurred and said he knew the victim well. “Because the deceased is a juvenile, I will not mention him by name. Just know that his death is very close to me,” Perkins said. “I considered him a son.” Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are driving the nation’s deadliest overdose crisis ever. Overdoses from all drugs claimed more than 100,000 lives for the first time in 2021, and the deaths this year have remained at almost the same level, which is more than gun and auto deaths combined. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
