David King announces candidacy for Etowah County District Judge
David King, an attorney who has practiced in Etowah County’s courts for over a decade, officially qualified last week to run for district judge. King said that over his career he had developed a reputation for fairness, commitment, and profound legal knowledge, which he hopes will further serve his community in this new role. While his primary focus has been on family and child welfare, King says his legal expertise doesn’t stop there. He has represented clients in diverse civil and criminal matters across all levels of the Alabama State Courts. King is also licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court. King graduated from Middle Tennessee State University. Following college, he embarked on his legal career with a stint at the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. This experience gave him practical experience working closely with departmental attorneys. King then pursued advanced legal studies at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, a decision that further solidified his commitment to law. King began practicing law in 2012. By November of that year, he had integrated into the esteemed firm of Williams, Driskill, Huffstutler, & King, LLC. For over a decade, King’s primary legal concentration has been in the Etowah County District Court, dedicating the majority of his time and expertise to the families and children of Etowah County. His five-year tenure representing parents and children culminated in his appointment as a Deputy Attorney General for the Etowah County Department of Human Resources. The subsequent six years have seen King actively representing the Department, striving to deliver services to families and children in critical need. King and his wife, Courtney, have two children. In addition to his familial duties, King actively serves his spiritual community, taking on roles as a deacon and the Associate Pastor of Family Services at their local church. Alabama’s District Courts generally have original jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors, hold preliminary hearings in felony prosecutions, and can receive guilty pleas in felony cases not punishable by death. The two District Judges exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Courts in juvenile matters and in civil actions where the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000; furthermore, the District Judges have exclusive jurisdiction over all civil actions where the amount in controversy, exclusive of interest and costs, does not exceed $6,000, which are considered “small claims” cases under Alabama law. The major party primaries are on March 5. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Gerrick Wilkins announces congressional bid
Last week, businessman Gerrick Wilkins announced he is running for Congress representing Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. Wilkins is challenging incumbent Congressman Gary Palmer in the Republican primary. “It is with deep humility and responsibility that I enter the race for Alabama’s 6th District,” said Wilkins. “In 1964, Ronald Reagan said that our nation had reached a time of choosing; if that was true, then it is especially true today. Daily, we see the dysfunction in Washington, D.C., where career politicians have made the halls of Congress a lobbyist’s paradise. This must end. That is why I am supporting term limits for Congress and will work tirelessly to see that is enacted. Only with term limits will we be able to drain the swamp. Wilkins pledged if elected, he would be a true conservative and bring Alabama solutions and values to the U.S. House. “America is at a crossroads, and a strong conservative vision is needed to change the nation’s current trajectory and that he will be able to bring that vision to the House,” Wilkins said in a statement. Wilkins says that he is running as a strong fiscal conservative and supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Wilkins claimed that for too many, including Palmer, serving in Congress has become a way to make money and gain influence, not the citizen politician that the founding fathers envisioned and President Ronald Reagan advocated. Wilkins says he supports abolishing the federal Department of Education and returning its duties to the states and local communities, where education belongs. He also pledged to fight against “the woke indoctrination” and to be a staunch advocate for parental rights and school choice. “Education is supposed to unlock the potential of every child and put them on the path for a great future,” Wilkins said. “Sadly, our education system has become an indoctrination center for the far left and its woke agenda. That is why we must abolish the federal Department of Education, return education to the states and local communities, and allow parental choice in education decisions.” “Economically, the failed policies of Joe Biden and career politicians are bankrupting our nation and future,” Wilkins said. “This must end. That is why I am supporting a Balanced Budget Amendment. If families must balance their budget, so must the federal government.” Wilkins vowed to combat the leftist, woke agenda attacking our religious freedoms and trying to break down our families. “Together, we can bring commonsense Alabama values and solutions to Congress,” concluded Wilkins. “I pledge in Congress to be the representative of the 6th District and not D.C. insiders.” Wilkins is involved in his local church, serving as a deacon and lay leader, engaging in mission work locally and globally, and working with Gideons International. Wilkins says that he is a Christian who loves the Lord. Over the years, he has committed significant time and personal resources to missions and philanthropic work locally to help his community in Alabama and worldwide. Gerrick also serves on several local advisory boards, including one for Mission Increase and Samford University’s Brock School of Business. Wilkins and his wife, Carol, have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to churches, various charities, mission organizations, and educational programs. Wilkins and Carol have been married for 24 years. They have one daughter, Hanna. They have lived in Alabama since 2006 and in Vestavia Hills since 2014. Wilkins has a bachelor’s degree from Pensacola Christian College. He also has a degree in theology from Liberty University and a master’s in business administration from Samford University. Wilkins has worked for over 24 years in the automotive industry. His experience includes managing large-scale dealerships and helping other community-based dealers grow. While managing car dealerships in Alabama, he has learned firsthand the constant heartaches small businesses must contend with from overregulation and excessive taxes. Ken McFeeters is also challenging Palmer in CD6. Palmer has served the people of Alabama in Congress for five terms. The primary will be on March 5. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Palmer withdraws from Speaker’s race: lists five commitments for the next Speaker of the House
On Tuesday, Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL06) released a statement announcing that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for Speaker of the House. “Congress and the American people needed a Republican Speaker three weeks ago,” Palmer said in a statement. “If withdrawing my name can help expedite that process even a little, then I will gladly step aside. The candidate forum and individual conversations have given me great hope for the future of the 118th Congress. All the candidates are committed to ideas similar to the principles I laid out last night. We must bring stability back to the House of Representatives, and we do that by passing our spending bills on time, providing real spending cuts, not passing short-term CRs, allowing members time to read legislation, and uniting the conference before going to the House floor. These principles will truly transform how this place works and ensure it works for the benefit of the American people.” “I will work with the next speaker on the ideas I have laid out so Congress can come together and do the job the American people sent us here to do. With this in mind, I am withdrawing my name from consideration for Speaker.” Earlier on Tuesday, Palmer released a list of five commitments he is asking the next speaker to make. Palmer released the policy outline less than an hour before the House Republican Conference went into a closed-door session to vote on who would be the next nominee for Speaker of the House. Palmer was one of nine Republicans to declare their candidacy for the vacant position. The five commitments include a commitment to fund the government with 12 individual spending bills by June 30; forcing “real spending cuts” and not “budget gimmicks;” refusing to pass any more short-term stopgap funding bills; giving members 72 hours to read a bill before it reaches the House floor for an up or down vote; and requiring sure that the GOP conference is on the same page before holding a House-wide vote. “Congress has been kicking the can down the road since before I was elected,” Palmer said. “We don’t need a person or a personality, we need a plan.” Palmer and the other eight candidates presented their cases to the House Republican Conference in a closed-door forum on Monday night. On Tuesday morning, the GOP Congressmembers will vote on their nominee. Once the GOP selects a nominee, a vote of the full House could come as soon as Tuesday afternoon. The difficulty has not been getting the nomination; the problem has been getting 217 Republican Congress members to vote for the Republican nominee. The last GOP nominee, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), never got more than 200 votes in his three House floor votes. A coalition of moderate and more mainstream Republicans opposed the ultra-conservative Jordan because they thought the former Freedom Caucus Chairman was too divisive. The previous nominee, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), got the nomination but could not get the support of Jordan-supporting Freedom Caucus Republicans. On October 3, then Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California) was ousted when eight Republicans who objected to aid for Ukraine led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) voted with Democrats to oust the Speaker. Palmer supported Jim Jordan on all three House floor votes. He also voted in favor of McCarthy. Whoever wins the Speaker’s nomination must somehow get all the squabbling Republican factions to unite. If a third GOP nominee fails, the GOP conference could repeat this process with new candidates next week. Palmer is a native of Hackleburg, where his father was a small farmer and logger. He has some American Indian heritage. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama. He and Tom Parker cofounded the Alabama Policy Institute – a conservative think tank outside Birmingham. Palmer headed the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years until he ran for Congress. Palmer is serving in his fifth term representing Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
Tommy Tuberville objects to combining aid to Israel in spending package with aid for Ukraine
On Monday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) joined Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) in writing a letter to Senate Leadership requesting that any federal assistance to Israel not be leveraged for more Ukraine funding. President Joe Biden recently requested $61.4 billion more for Ukraine paired with $14.3 billion for Israel. Sen. Tuberville said that he stands unequivocally with Israel but does not support one more dime in assistance for Ukraine. “We write today in the wake of over 1,400 Israeli civilians and at least 30 American citizens having been killed over the last week after brutal Hamas terrorists invaded Israel,” the Senators wrote. “In response to these developments, it is critical we give prompt consideration to any request for financial aid or other material support requested by Israel. Based on the breadth of responses from members of Congress, there is a shared urgency to consider such a request.” “That being said, we know there will no doubt be efforts to attach any funding to Israel to more aid to Ukraine, in excess of the already $113 billion Congress has provided to Ukraine,” the Senators continued. “These are two separate and unrelated conflicts, and it would be wrong to leverage support of aid to Israel in attempt to get additional aid for Ukraine across the finish line.” “Furthermore, it would be irresponsible, and we should not risk a government shutdown by bundling these priorities together and thus complicating the process and lessening the likelihood of a funding package,” the Senators wrote. “We urge you to keep separate attempts to provide military aid to Israel from additional funds to Ukraine or other matters.” The letter was also signed by Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Because neither House of Congress has passed a budget, the federal government is operating on a continuing resolution (CR) to give the parties time to finish their work and negotiate a bipartisan budget that can pass both Houses. Little work has been accomplished on that, though, and the current CR will run out on November 14 at midnight. The Hamas attack on Israel, a longtime American ally, has created a need not anticipated in the CR or any budget package. The Ukrainian offensive has broken through some Russian lines, but at significant cost to the Ukrainians, both in men and material costs. Tuberville has long urged a negotiated settlement of the Ukraine war and has not supported past Ukraine aid packages. “The war in Ukraine is a disaster for the United States,” Tuberville told Alabama Today in April. “We jumped in all four feet, knowing that we didn’t have enough munitions to help Ukraine. We don’t want to put boots on the ground. I am all for Ukraine, but you have got to have an opportunity to win, and we don’t have one person that has any insight in terms of diplomacy from this White House or this administration. Secretary [Antony] Blinken has done zero.” In his address to the nation on Thursday, the President tied the two emergency appropriation requests together. “American leadership is what holds the world together,” Biden said. “American alliances are what keep us, America, safe. American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with. To put all that at risk if we walk away from Ukraine, if we turn our backs on Israel, it’s just not worth it. That’s why, tomorrow, I’m going to send to Congress an urgent budget request to fund America’s national security needs, to support our critical partners, including Israel and Ukraine. It’s a smart investment that’s going to pay dividends for American security for generations, help us keep American troops out of harm’s way, help us build a world that is safer, more peaceful, and more prosperous for our children and grandchildren.” U.S. arms stockpiles are low due to 32 months of supplying the Ukrainian army with weapons and munitions. Arms manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the demand. Hamas has started a war with Israel – a U.S. ally- so they will be buying arms and munitions. Iran appears to be behind the Hamas and Hezbollah attacks and appears to be promoting a wider Middle East war – which could potentially lead to U.S. involvement, and the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan means that the U.S. lacks that foothold on the Iran border to threaten Tehran. Meanwhile, Taiwan – which the U.S. has promised to defend – is trying to build up its armed forces due to a heightened risk of a Chinese invasion. A Russian attack on any NATO border, whether that be Romania, Poland, Finland, or the Baltic States, would require an American troop response. Meanwhile, the U.S. is struggling to keep up with the Russians and Chinese in hypersonic missile and anti-satellite warfare technology, China has surpassed the U.S. in naval ships and intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, and the all-volunteer force is not meeting its recruiting goals. And with $33 trillion in debt, the U.S. is not fiscally in a place where it could fight a prolonged war without severe changes to the economy and U.S. entitlement programs. Tuberville is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and HELP Committees. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
2.3 million Americans would gain health care coverage if 10 states, including Alabama, expanded Medicaid eligibility
Ten states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming—have not yet expanded Medicaid eligibility. A new analysis by the Robert Woods Foundation showed that 2.3 million lack health coverage that would have coverage if their state expanded Medicaid. This would cut the number of uninsured nationally by 25%. Expanding Medicaid in those states would cost the federal government. Federal spending on Medicaid in these states would increase by about $24 billion, an increase of 17.5%. Alabama did not expand Medicaid because of the costs to the state general fund (SGF). The authors estimate that Medicaid expansion would cost Alabama and the other nine states $1.5 billion (an increase of 3%). The authors claim, however, that there would also be a variety of additional state savings and new revenue under expansion that researchers did not estimate when they prepared their cost estimates. The authors estimate that Medicaid expansion in Alabama would insure an additional 146,000 people and decrease the number of uninsured Alabamians by 37%. Alabama Today asked the authors for more Alabama-specific information on the cost to the state and federal governments. Matt Buettgens is a senior fellow at the Urban Institute and one of the researchers who prepared the brief. He responded in a written statement. “The difference in federal costs is one of the top-level findings in the summary and is in the press release,” Buettgens wrote. “As far as state costs, there are potential savings and new revenue streams with expansion that would require a detailed analysis of state-specific data that are not public in order to estimate. We note that most states that have conducted such analyses have found that these savings and revenue more than offset state spending on new enrollees.” Alabama Medicaid, as it currently exists, will cost Alabama taxpayers $862,999,999 in the current budget year. That is without expanding it to include another 146,000 people. According to the analysis, the findings include: · Women of reproductive age would see a large reduction in uninsurance (a drop of 31%) compared to older women (a drop of 23.2%) and men (a drop of 22.4%). · Non-Hispanic Black women of reproductive age would see a 51.3% reduction in uninsurance. · Non-Hispanic Black adults would see the largest reduction in the uninsured rate of any racial or ethnic group (43.2% reduction). · Young adults ages 19 to 24, the age group with the highest uninsured rate, with nearly one in five individuals uninsured (19.9%), would see the greatest decrease in the rate of uninsurance (a drop of 32.4%). Katherine Hempstead is the senior policy advisor for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “The coverage gap is perhaps the cruelest loophole in our fragmented coverage system. Expanding Medicaid eligibility in the remaining states would increase health equity and generate health, social, economic, and fiscal benefits throughout the state,” said Hempstead. “We know from studies of other states that expanding Medicaid improves health outcomes for those who gain coverage, disproportionately populations of color, and additionally supports healthcare providers, especially in rural areas, and creates jobs.” “Our analysis shows expanding Medicaid eligibility or implementing Medicaid-like coverage under the president’s budget proposal in the remaining ten non-expansion states would significantly reduce the number of uninsured,” said Buettgens. “Expanding Medicaid eligibility would provide substantial health and economic benefits at little or no cost to state governments.” Originally, the Affordable Care Act required states to expand Medicaid. Alabama and other conservative states challenged that law to the Supreme Court, where the court ruled that the Constitution does not give the federal government the authority to force state governments to expand a program without their consent. States can expand Medicaid eligibility to nonelderly adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have all resisted efforts to expand Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid is already the most expensive single item in the Alabama State General Fund. Any expansion will mean either new sources of revenue for the state or cuts to existing general fund agencies. The federal government has paid for Medicaid expansion almost entirely through deficit spending. Since Medicaid expansion went into effect in 2014. In 2013, the National debt was just $16.7 trillion. The debt has more than doubled since then to $33.7 trillion. Medicare and Medicaid spending is the now most significant contributor to the debt at nearly $1.5 trillion a year. At some point, the federal government will have to reduce spending by over $1.7 trillion a year to balance the federal budget or raise taxes by that amount – current personal federal income tax collections are only $2.1 trillion. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Terri Sewell applauds Gov. Kay Ivey’s approval of controversial West Alabama Highway project
On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey approved the West Alabama Highway project, signing the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) contracts to proceed with the five-laning. Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07), who represents much of the area, applauded the governor’s action. Sewell said on the social media platform known as X, “I applaud @GovernorKayIvey for approving the West Alabama Corridor Project. This project will bring much-needed jobs and economic development to communities in the Black Belt. Allowing it to move forward was the right thing to do.” The contracts to proceed with the project were held up for 45 days by the Legislature’s Contract Review Committee. State Senator Chris Elliott (R-Daphne) held up the contracts because he argued that the expensive projects would slow the timeline on other projects like widening Interstate 65. “They are trying to lock this down while she (Ivey) is still in there,” Elliott said. Elliott was also concerned about the lack of federal support for the project. “They never asked,” Elliott said of ALDOT. “They are not going to ask. They said something about getting those federal grants is too difficult, and they have not had luck in the past.” Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth also opposes the project in a rare public rift with the Governor. The dispute centers around a nearly $75 million contract to design the 83 miles of widening of the road necessary to make it five lanes from Mobile to Florence. The controversial project broke going toward that project, which broke ground in 2021. It aims to widen a two-lane roadway to four lanes and connect Thomasville to Tuscaloosa. Much of the money to build the project will be borrowed by the state. On Thursday, West Alabama leaders held a rally at the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce where they argued that the project was necessary and will both improve the quality of life and economic development for the region. Kyle South is the President and CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. “We stand in support of the investment project known as the West Alabama Highway,” President South said. “We want the West Alabama Highway project to move forward without any further delays.” The Legislature’s Contract Review Committee cannot block a contract. All they can do is draw attention to a contract they find questionable by placing a hold on the signing of the contract. Once 45 days have passed, the Governor can sign the contract anyway, as Gov. Ivey did on Monday. The full committee did not vote to place the hold on the contract. Instead, Committee Chairman Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook) kept in place a committee policy where a single member can hold up a contract, which is what Elliott did. Elliott kept his hold in place for the 45-day maximum period of time. Terri Sewell has represented the Seventh Congressional District since 2011. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
House District 16 Republican runoff is Tuesday
On Tuesday, Republican voters in House District 16 go to the polls to select their next state Representative. The candidates are Bryan Brinyark and Brad Cox. They both advanced from the Republican primary in the House District 16 special primary election last month. The seat became vacant when Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette) resigned to become the President and CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. Both got about 32.5% of the votes in the primary. 1216 votes for Cox and 1201 Brinyark 1201. There were only 3,689 votes cast in the primary. Every vote is likely to matter in the primary runoff. His website says, “Bryan Brinyark was born and raised in Tuscaloosa County and graduated from Central High School in Tuscaloosa in 1986. He then attended the University of Alabama, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1990 and his law degree in 1993. Brinyark has lived in the Samantha/Windham Springs area for 19 years, where he raised his family on a small farm.” “Bryan Brinyark is a devoted family man, a Christian, and a proud member of the Republican Party. He has been a stalwart of the legal profession in Tuscaloosa while also serving his larger community. He is a partner attorney with Brinyark & Frederick, serving clients in West Alabama. As a lawyer, he is passionate about advocating for his clients and upholding the law.” Brad Cox’s website, that he “Is a seasoned leader with a strong background in agricultural education and community development. As an Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Fayette County High School, Brad led one of our state’s top-tier ag programs, earning multiple FFA awards and expanding it to include a student livestock exhibition and a school farm. His role as Area 2 Director at the Alabama Farmers Federation allowed him to develop a valuable network in the agricultural and political spheres. Currently, Brad serves as a Business Development Officer at Alabama One Credit Union, where he helps business, land, and agricultural clients while forming partnerships with local, state, and national organizations. Brad also serves as District One Commissioner for the Fayette County Commission. Brad plays a vital role in budget creation, industry recruitment, and ensuring the county’s well-being.” There was no Democratic primary in HD16, as John Underwood was the only Democrat to qualify. Underwood will face the eventual Republican nominee in the January 9 general election. House District 16 includes Fayette County and portions of northern Tuscaloosa County and western Jefferson County. Polls will be open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Voters will need to bring a valid photo with them to the polls in order to participate and vote only at the polling place where they are assigned. There is no online voting or same-day voter registration in Alabama. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tech company Stella Source plans to add 50 jobs at Birmingham HQ
Stella Source, a software development company whose products help those in the metal distribution and fabrication industry operate more efficiently, announced plans to expand its presence in Birmingham with 50 new full-time employees, more than double its current headcount in the Magic City. To accommodate growth, Stella Source plans to relocate from Birmingham’s Innovation Depot, where it has 21 workers, to space in the nearby Nextec Building. The company plans to expand its software, research, design, finance, and sales staff at the location. As part of the project, Stella Source will establish its headquarters in Birmingham. “We are incredibly proud to build Stella Source here in Alabama and are excited to make Birmingham our official headquarters,” said Sean Hughes, company president. “The collision of the metals and technology industries unique to this area create the acceleration, commitment, and like-minded company that we need to succeed,” Hughes said. Stella Source is revolutionizing the way metal distributors and fabricators do business by providing a digital extension of its current relationships. The platform unites buyers and sellers of materials and services for accurate estimating and sourcing. Moreover, customers can gain additional efficiencies through capabilities like instant pricing for materials and configurable calculators that automate the quoting of fabrication services. “Stella Source represents the kind of innovative technology company that we want to grow and thrive in Alabama,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Stella Source and other companies are finding all the ingredients they need for success in Birmingham’s emerging tech ecosystem, which is growing more dynamic by the day.” Stella Source’s growth plans in Birmingham call for the creation of 50 net new jobs over a three-year period, with an average annual salary of $90,000, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce. Catalyst for growth Stella Source, established in 2023, selected Birmingham for the expansion project over Cincinnati, Ohio, where it has another corporate office. “The successful implementation and adoption of technology is the next critical horizon for the metals industry,” said Wes Spencer, vice president of product and sales. “We are excited about Stella Source’s commitment to deliver innovative and valuable capabilities that will enhance the health of the metals industry overall, while also serving those looking for a low-risk, easy way to start small on their technology journey,” Spencer said. The Birmingham Business Alliance, which was heavily involved in all aspects of the project, estimates the economic impact of Stella Source’s growth plans at $8.5 million over 20 years. Other partners supporting the project include the city of Birmingham, the Jefferson County Commission, Alabama Power, and AIDT, Alabama’s primary workforce development agency, which will provide services to Stella Source. “It is great to see innovative technology companies not only expanding, but deciding to call our community home,” said Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens. “The technology sector in our community is growing at a rapid pace and provides the type of jobs that the next generation is looking for. The county is proud to support this expansion and new corporate headquarters,” Stephens said. Stella Source will join Tquila Automation in the Nextec Building, the former Edwards Motor Co. building at 1531 Third Ave. N., which has been rehabilitated as a centerpiece of the city’s innovation district, called The Switch. Tquila, an automation consultancy, announced plans in May to locate a regional delivery hub with 200 jobs in Birmingham. Cornell Wesley, director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity at the city of Birmingham, said Stella Source’s growth plans represent “a momentous milestone in our city’s journey to becoming a prominent center for groundbreaking technology enterprises. “With our robust pool of talented professionals and a thriving culture of collaboration, Stella Source’s choice to establish roots in Birmingham is a testament to the dynamic and flourishing tech ecosystem we have cultivated,” Wesley said. “We eagerly anticipate the endless possibilities and progress that this expansion will bestow upon our community, propelling us even further into a prosperous future.” This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with the permission of The Alabama NewsCenter.
Nearly 60,000 migrant encounters at Arizona border in September
By Cameron Arcand | The Center Square Customs and Border Protection released their last numbers of fiscal year 2023, which give insight into the border crisis in September. As for Arizona, the Tucson Sector dealt with 51,001 migrant encounters in September, and the Yuma Sector had 5,935 encounters. These numbers were consistent with recent months when it comes to the Tucson Sector being harder hit, but both areas had staggering figures overall. Tucson had 373,625, and Yuma had 174,201 encounters, with a total of 547,826. Along the entire southwest border, there were over 2 million encounters. Jobe Dickinson, President of the Border Security Alliance, told The Center Square in an email statement that the difference between Yuma and Tucson numbers has to do with the strategies of cartels. “Over the last year, the numbers have fluctuated in the different sectors of Border Patrol in Arizona. While Yuma had more encounters during last winter than the Tucson sector, the cartels are ever changing their smuggling habits,” he said. “Yuma had been an open door, and CBP developed a processing protocol that was somewhat efficient. However, with the ending of Title 42, the cartels changed their approach,” he added. “They started leading more illegal immigrants through the Tucson sector in remote locations like Ajo, and Cochise County. In these remote areas, it takes more Border Patrol agents to apprehend and process because the processing centers are smaller. Illegals were having to be bussed around the state in order to be processed, using more time and resources for Border Patrol to process them, instead of their main mission to patrol the border.” The Center Square reported that there were over 33,000 “gotaways” that crossed the southern border in September, which are migrants who “intentionally evade capture.” The figure for gotaways is likely to be much higher because of the nature of the status. Those numbers, not published by CBP, are shared with The Center Square by an official who remains anonymous due to fear of career reprisal. The Tucson Sector topped the list with the most encounters in September, surpassing the extremely busy Del Rio and Rio Grande Valley sectors in Texas. As for gaps at the Arizona border, the federal government has been making some progress in areas. Sasabe, a small community along the border south of Tucson, recently had two gaps filled, even though there are 50 gaps still open, according to The Arizona Republic. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
