Tommy Tuberville to hold informational session on service academies in Homewood today
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, along with Sen. Katie Britt, Congressman Jerry Carl, and Congresswoman Terri Sewell, will be hosting an informational session about attending one of the four service academies in Homewood on Tuesday night. Sen. Tuberville wrote on Twitter: “Interested in applying to a U.S. Service Academy? This week my office will be hosting three info sessions across the state. August 22 – Homewood August 24 – Troy August 27 – Montgomery Sen. Tuberville has been hosting service academy informational sessions throughout the month of August. Some of the dates have changed since the publication of an earlier press release. The events have already been held in Madison and Mobile. Congressman Jerry Carl (R-AL01) wrote on Twitter, “My team and I joined staff from the offices of @SenTuberville & @SenKatieBritt to host a U.S. Service Academy info session at the Battleship. We had a great turnout, and I’m so encouraged for the future of our country!” The Homewood event will be at the Homewood Public Library—Round Auditorium at 6 pm on Tuesday, August 22. Both U.S. Senators and all seven Alabama Congress members can make appointments to the nation’s service academies: Army (Westpoint), Navy (Annapolis), Air Force (Colorado Springs), and Merchant Marine. Acceptance to a service academy means four years of the highest quality college instruction without debts and a career serving the nation in the armed forces. With increasing threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, recruiting the best and the brightest to serve as officers in America’s armed forces. To be eligible to receive a service academy appointment, applicants must: · Be a United States Citizen at the time they enter the Service Academy and a legal resident of Alabama; · Be at least 17 years of age but not yet 23 by July 1 of the year they are admitted to the Service Academy (the upper age limit is 25 for Merchant Marine Academy); · Meet the minimum requirements of the Academy to which they are applying. The last date to submit the application is Monday, October 16, 2023. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Marshall applauds court victory in vulnerable child protection and compassion act
On Monday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement applauding a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to vacate a preliminary injunction that had been entered by a district court last year in Eknes-Tucker v. Marshall. The federal appeals court decision will soon enable the state to enforce the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, which prohibits administering sex-modification procedures to minors. “The Eleventh Circuit reinforced that the State has the authority to safeguard the physical and psychological wellbeing of minors, even if the United States Attorney General and radical interest groups disapprove,” said AG Marshall. “Alabama takes this responsibility seriously by forbidding doctors from prescribing minors sex-modification procedures that have permanent and often irreversible effects. This is a significant victory for our country, for children, and for common sense.” Alabama’s Vulnerable Child Protection and Compassion Act was sponsored by State Senator Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) and then State Representative Wes Allen (R-Troy) – Allen was elected Secretary of State last year. Marshall has defended this and similar laws to protect children from sterilizing medical interventions. Marshall says that these procedures are being pushed by medical interest groups that are driven by the pursuit of profit and radical ideology. In August, Marshall led a multistate brief in Missouri highlighting what he calls the dishonesty of advocacy groups like the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Similarly, in July, General Marshall filed a brief on behalf of 21 states in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals supporting Tennessee’s and Kentucky’s laws protecting minors from chemical and surgical sex-modification procedures for kids. The Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act was signed into law in April 2022. On May 13, 2022, the federal district court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining the law from being enforced. Monday’s ruling lifts that preliminary injunction. The case will still proceed through the federal court system. Advocates for these controversial procedures vow to continue their court fight. In lifting the injunction, the judges wrote that states have “a compelling interest in protecting children from drugs, particularly those for which there is uncertainty regarding benefits, recent surges in use, and irreversible effects.” Steve Marshall was appointed Alabama Attorney General in 2017. He was elected in his own right in 2018 and then re-elected for his second full term in 2022. Before he served as AG, Marshall was the district attorney for Marshall County. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Katie Britt and Roger Wicker introduce resolution to designate August as National Catfish Month
U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville recently joined Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and 10 colleagues in introducing a resolution to designate August 2023 as National Catfish Month. This resolution recognizes the importance of the U.S. catfish to our economy and praises catfish farmers and industry workers for their contributions. “Nearly 33% of all catfish produced in the United States comes from right here in sweet home Alabama,” said Sen. Britt. “Catfish is a vital part of our state’s economy, and I will always support our hardworking farmers and processors. I’m proud to join my colleagues in bringing forward this resolution to recognize the catfish industry’s contributions to our state and country.” “Mississippi is recognized across the country for our farm-raised catfish production, which helps provide American families with a fresh, local, and delicious source of fish,” Wicker said. “Designating the month of August as National Catfish Month would recognize catfish producers for their work to support this industry that contributes almost $2 billion to our national economy.” Sens. Britt, Tuberville, and Wicker were joined on the resolution by Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi). The full text of the resolution states: “Whereas the Catfish Institute recognizes August to be National Catfish Month; Whereas the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas recognize August to be National Catfish Month; Whereas the States of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tennessee embody the Channel Catfish as their State Fish; Whereas the farm-raised catfish industry in the United States employs over 9,000 people and contributes almost $2,000,000,000 to the economy of the United States; Whereas the United States has 55,855 surface water acres used for catfish production in 2023, and catfish growers in the United States had $447,039,000 in sales during 2022; Whereas the average catfish farmer produces 6,800 pounds of catfish per acre; Whereas 99 percent of all United States farm-raised catfish are grown in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas; Whereas catfish is the largest farm-raised seafood product, by weight, in the United States, representing more than 50 percent of the food fish produced by the United States aquaculture industry; Whereas United States farm-raised catfish are consistently high quality and, unlike ocean-caught fish, are available all year long; Whereas United States farm-raised catfish are a sustainable and environmentally friendly seafood product; Whereas catfish is a lean fish and an excellent source of protein; and Whereas catfish is a versatile fish in cuisine of the United States, with a myriad of regional and national recipes to be enjoyed by all people of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) designates August 2023 as ‘‘National Catfish Month’’; (2) recognizes the contributions of all workers, past and present, that produce, process, and provide catfish for the people of the United States; and (3) recognizes that purchasing United States farm-raised catfish supports farmers, jobs, and the economy of the United States.” Over the last 25 years, American catfish farmers have faced increasing pressures from foreign competitors as imports of foreign catfish and catfish-like products have increased exponentially in the U.S. Katie Britt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
State unemployment drops to a record low of 2.1%
Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced on Friday that state unemployment set a new all-time record low of just 2.1% in July. More troubling for state leaders is that Alabama’s Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained unchanged in July 2023 at 57.0%. This rate is also unchanged from July 2022. There has been no improvement in the labor force participation rate in the last year. “Alabama continues to set economic records,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “Not only did we maintain our streak of setting new employment records, we also saw yet another decrease in our unemployment rate, bringing us to a new record low of 2.1%.” The “prime-age” participation rate, which measures the labor force participation for individuals aged 25-54, is 77.8% in Alabama. By age 25, most college education should be complete. 54 is really too young to be retired. Some of that 22.2% of prime-age non-workers are mothers staying at home to take care of their children or a chronically ill parent. A few are disabled and can’t work, and a few are independently wealthy and living off of their investments. A large number, however, are apparently making the decision to not participate in the economy. The White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) released a report examining the declining workforce participation rate. The CEA reported several possible explanations, including “increasing rates of women in the workforce, rising disability insurance claims, falling demand for less-skilled workers, and barriers to employment for those with criminal records.” Governor Kay Ivey and state officials are concerned because businesses can’t recruit workers if they come to the state or try to expand unless they get into a bidding war with existing workers. The state’s unemployment rate keeps dropping, but businesses are increasingly troubled by the lack of prime-age workers in the state, and the state’s inability to raise that labor participation rate (which trails the national average) means that employers who the state would like to recruit here can’t find workers – even with competitive pay. There were only 48,834 unemployed people, a new record low, compared to 50,377 in June and 59,409 in July 2022. The number of people counted as employed increased by 28,382 over the year to a new record high of 2,258,166. The civilian labor force also reached a new record high of 2,307,000, with 17,807 more people joining the labor force over the year. Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 38,600 to 2,151,200, with gains in the leisure and hospitality sector (+9,800), the private education and health services sector (+7,800), and the government sector (+6,700), among others. “Another bright spot to note this month is the recovery of the leisure and hospitality sector, which was hit especially hard by the pandemic,” continued Washington. “In July, this sector came within 300 workers of reaching its previous (and pre-pandemic) record high of 213,700 workers. That’s certainly an amazing turnaround in that industry!” The leisure and hospitality industry recorded 213,400 workers in July 2023, which is very near its all-time record high was 213,700 in June 2019 – before the global pandemic. All 67 counties experienced a stable or decrease in their unemployment rate both over the month and over the year. The Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby County at 1.7%, Morgan County at 1.8%, and Madison, Limestone, and Cullman Counties at 1.9%. The Alabama Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Wilcox County at 6.7%, Dallas County at 5.5%, and Perry County at 5.4%. The major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are Trussville and Vestavia Hills at 1.5%, Homewood and Madison at 1.6%, and Alabaster and Hoover at 1.7%. The major cities with the highest unemployment rates are Selma at 6.4%, Prichard at 4.6%, and Bessemer at 3.5%. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Donald Trump confirms he will skip Republican debate
Former President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that he will skip the Republican presidential primary debate this week. In a post on TruthSocial, Trump’s social media site, he touted a recent CBS poll showing a 46-point lead on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump announced he will “not be doing the debates,” saying he is already well-known enough. “New CBS POLL, just out, has me leading the field by ‘legendary’ numbers. TRUMP 62%, 46 Points above DeSanctimonious (who is crashing like an ailing bird!), Ramaswamy 7%, Pence 5%, Scott 3%, Haley 2%, Sloppy Chris Christie 2%, “Aida” Hutchinson 1%,” Trump wrote. “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more. I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!” The CBS poll of 2,061 adults was conducted Wednesday through Friday and has a ±3% margin of error. It began two days after Trump’s fourth indictment, this time from a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia. The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll of 2,500 registered voters, was conducted July 31-Aug. 3, in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights, found that in a potential general election matchup, Biden and Trump are nearly tied. That survey found Trump has 41% support compared to Joe Biden’s 44% support, while 15% remain unsure. The poll also found DeSantis doing a tick better than Trump against Biden. DeSantis also had 41% support, but Biden against him was 43%, with 16% unsure. The first Republican debate hosted by the Republican National Committee and the Fox News Channel is Wednesday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, site of next July’s national party convention. The only other debate thus far on the schedule is Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California. The New York Times was first on Friday to report Trump would skip the debate and instead do an interview with Tucker Carlson, the former show host fired by Fox in April. Carlson does interviews now on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter and considered something of a rival to Trump’s TruthSocial. The platform to broadcast the interview has not been announced. The Washington Post, citing the Times, reported Saturday the interview would be released about the same time as the debate and that it already had been recorded. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Republicans investigate alleged political interference in Hunter Biden case
Two key House Committees issued subpoenas for Biden administration officials as part of an investigation into allegations of political interference on behalf of Hunter Biden, who faces an array of legal issues. Republican leadership on the House Committee on Ways and Means and House Committee on the Judiciary issued the subpoenas for IRS employees and two FBI agents. Whistleblower testimony about U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David Weiss, who is now special counsel in the Hunter Biden case, is what sparked the lawmakers’ inquiry. In particular, whistleblowers say Weiss told personnel from the IRS and DOJ that he had tried to bring charges against Hunter Biden multiple times and in multiple jurisdictions but was denied. House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a joint statement that the whistleblower allegations point to “political interference in the investigation into Hunter Biden’s foreign influence peddling and tax evasion.” “Unfortunately, the Biden Administration has consistently stonewalled Congress,” the lawmakers said. “Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they may lead, and our subpoenas compelling testimony from Biden Administration officials are crucial to understanding how the President’s son received special treatment from federal prosecutors and who was the ultimate decision maker in the case.” The whistleblower testimony contradicts both Weiss and Attorney General Merrick Garland, who recently led Congress to believe that Weiss was the final decision-maker in the case. Hunter Biden is currently expected to face trial after his plea deal over tax and gun-related charges fell apart over questions of whether he would be immune to future prosecution for other alleged crimes. The subpoenas come after two IRS whistleblowers testified before the House Oversight Committee in July, saying that the DOJ acted improperly in the Hunter Biden investigation. As The Center Square previously reported, the testimony came from Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler, both IRS employees with a total 27 years of experience at the agency. They said that Hunter Biden’s preferential treatment was unlike than other cases in their decades of experience. Notably, they testified that Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf helped prevent investigators from conducting an interview with President Joe Biden along with a search warrant of the Biden residence in Delaware. The pair also testified that they tried to report the alleged abuse of power using the standard channels but ultimately felt compelled to blow the whistle. Ziegler said in his testimony that there was abuse of authority, ethical violations and “gross mismanagement” in the Hunter Biden case and called for a special counsel to investigate. Shapley testified that in the Hunter Biden case, evidence was kept hidden from investigators and that decisions were repeatedly made that benefited Hunter Biden and the president. Shapley called it an “undeniable pattern of preferential treatment and obstruction of the normal investigative process.” Smith and Jordan said they tried normal interview requests with the IRS and FBI employees but were denied. How the federal employees will respond to the subpoenas remains to be seen. In the past, Trump administration officials ignored Congressional subpoenas. “Americans deserve to know the truth, especially now that Attorney General Garland has appointed as special counsel the same U.S. Attorney who oversaw Hunter Biden’s sweetheart plea deal and botched the investigation into his alleged tax crimes,” Smith and Jordan said. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Judge blocks Georgia ban on hormone replacement therapy for transgender minors
A federal judge has blocked the state of Georgia from enforcing part of a new law that bans doctors from starting hormone therapy for transgender people under the age of 18. In a ruling issued Sunday, U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Geraghty granted a preliminary injunction sought by several transgender children, parents, and a community organization in a lawsuit challenging the ban. “The imminent risks of irreparable harm to Plaintiffs flowing from the ban — including risks of depression, anxiety, disordered eating, self-harm, and suicidal ideation — outweigh any harm the State will experience from the injunction,” the judge wrote. Geraghty said her ruling will block enforcement of the ban on hormone replacement therapy until a further court order or a trial. “We are disappointed in the judge’s decision and plan to immediately appeal to protect the health and well-being of Georgia’s children,” said Kara Richardson, a spokeswoman for Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. The Georgia law, Senate Bill 140, allows doctors to prescribe puberty-blocking medications, and it allows minors who are already receiving hormone therapy to continue. But it bans any new patients under 18 from starting hormone therapy. It also bans most gender-affirming surgeries for transgender people under 18. It took effect on July 1. Geraghty’s ruling was an “incredible victory for Georgia families,” attorneys for the plaintiffs said in a statement. The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and the law firm O’Melveny & Myers are representing the plaintiffs. “This law unapologetically targets transgender minors and denies them essential health care,” they said. “The ruling restores parents’ rights to make medical decisions that are in their child’s best interest, including hormone therapy for their transgender children when needed for them to thrive and be healthy.” At least 22 states have now enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, and most of those states face lawsuits. A federal judge struck down Arkansas’ ban as unconstitutional, and federal judges have temporarily blocked bans in Alabama and Indiana as well. The plaintiffs in the Georgia lawsuit did not ask to immediately block the surgery ban, which remains in effect. Doctors typically guide kids toward therapy or voice coaching long before medical intervention. At that point, puberty blockers and other hormone treatments are far more common than surgery. They have been available in the U.S. for more than a decade and are standard treatments backed by major doctors’ organizations including the American Medical Association. During two days of hearings earlier this month, Geraghty heard conflicting testimony about the safety and benefits of hormone therapy to treat adolescents with gender dysphoria — the distress felt when people’s gender expression does not match their gender identity. Experts for the families said the benefits of gender-affirming care for adolescents are well-established and profound. State government experts raised concerns about the risks of hormone treatment and the quality of studies establishing its effectiveness. In her ruling, Geraghty said witnesses for state health officials set a very high bar for evidence of hormone therapy’s benefit and a low bar for evidence of its risks. She noted that experts agreed that prolonged use of puberty blockers was harmful to a person’s health and inadvisable. For the transgender children in the suit, “time is of the essence,” she wrote, and SB 140 could cause them to suffer heightened gender dysphoria and unwanted and irreversible puberty. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
