UAH researchers win $457,000 to study astrophysical phenomena that might lead to propulsion breakthroughs
On Tuesday, the University of Alabama in Huntsville announced that two researchers in their College of Engineering have won a grant totaling $457,963 to study 3D magnetic reconnection. Magnetic reconnection refers to the breaking and reconnecting of oppositely directed magnetic field lines. This is a phenomenon at the heart of many solar events, such as solar flares, where magnetic field energy is converted to kinetic and thermal energy. The project seeks to examine this celestial process in the laboratory, with hopes that, in the future, it could lead to significant advances in space propulsion. Jean Paul Allain is the Department of Energy’s Associate Director of Science for Fusion Energy Sciences. “Basic and low-temperature plasma science is an important area with many scientific and technological impacts,” said Director Allain. “The research funded under this FOA will enable the U.S research community to address many fundamental and technological science challenges helping to ensure continued American leadership in this critical field.” The award is part of a $9.96 million Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) sponsored by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences to support one- to three-year projects in plasma science and engineering at universities, private industry facilities, and national laboratories across the nation. Dr. Gabe Xu is an associate professor at UAH. Dr. Jason Cassibry is a full professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UAH. Xu and Cassibry won the award with a proposal titled Laboratory Study of 3D Torsional Magnetic Reconnection to Understand Energy Conversion and Ion Acceleration. The goal of the collaborative project is to study 3D torsional magnetic reconnection (TMR) in the laboratory through the use of plasma jets accelerated along open magnetic field lines. The professors explained that magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process where magnetic energy is converted into heat, kinetic energy, and fast particle energy. Magnetic field lines converge, separate, and join together again, accelerating a plasma to high velocities, which, in theory, could be applied to a thruster for advanced space travel. Theoretically, a magnetic reconnection thruster concept could potentially generate exhausts with velocities of hundreds of kilometers per second, well beyond the capability of any existing thruster technologies. “Being a propulsion person, the fact that magnetic reconnection could be the next step in space propulsion got me interested in this research,” Dr. Xu said. “Studying the fundamental physics and behaviors of 3D TMR, and in particular how energy is transferred from the magnetic field to the plasma in order to accelerate the plasma jet, is important. The energy conversion to produce high velocity plasma jets has applications to space propulsion.” The UAH researchers will collaborate with SpaceWave LLC to develop a TMR experiment consisting of a coaxial plasma gun and an external null field coil at UAH. This project will run through July 2026. “This research will advance basic plasma science and engineering by demonstrating a first major experiment to study 3D TMR in the laboratory,” Dr. Xu continued. “To generate 3D TMR requires two sets of magnetic fields. We need a high-current plasma jet to generate a strong azimuthal magnetic field, which is where the plasma gun comes in. The plasma gun, which kind of looks like a railgun, can generate a plasma jet with high currents and azimuthal magnetic field. The experimental effort will be supported by computational modeling. Magnetic reconnection can produce extremely high-velocity plasmas, which would translate into high-efficiency propulsion.” UAH is part of the University of Alabama System. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Taxpayer rebates coming in 30 days
On Wednesday, Governor Kay Ivey announced that Alabama taxpayers will receive their one-time tax rebates beginning on December 1. Ivey first announced her plan to utilize Alabama’s historic budget surplus to provide a tax rebate to working Alabama families during her 2023 State of the State Address. “This is the people’s money, and it’s only right, while acknowledging we are recording revenues far exceeding normal and sustainable levels, we give a fair share of this money directly back to the people of Alabama,” Gov. Ivey said. The Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR) will issue the rebates beginning December 1, 2023. “From the very beginning, it has been my belief that it is the responsibility of government to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while actively looking for ways to support citizens through tough times,” said Gov. Ivey. “Our country is in the midst of tough times, and Alabama families from all walks of life are unfortunately seeing that their paychecks aren’t going as far as they once did. Thanks to our unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility, one-time tax rebates will be with our hard-working Alabamians in time for the holidays.” To qualify for the rebates, taxpayers must have filed a 2021 Individual Income Tax return, which ALDOR received on or before October 17, 2022. Non-residents, estates or trusts, or anyone who was claimed as a dependent during the 2021 tax year do not qualify. State Senator Greg Reed (R-Jasper) is the Senate President Pro Tempore. “The resilience of hardworking Alabamians and conservative fiscal policies passed by the Legislature have made our state economy strong,” said President Pro Tem. Reed. “With a strong state economy built on investment in Alabama’s future, we are equipped to be in a healthy economic position as a state for years to come. Because we are in such a strong economic position as a state, it is our job as responsible stewards of taxpayer money to return money to the people of Alabama through this rebate during the holiday season.” The amount of each rebate is based on the qualified taxpayer’s filing status: Single and married people who file separately can expect a $150 one-time rebate. Married couples who file jointly can expect to receive $300. “Inflation has hit our state hard in recent years,” said Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro). “These rebates will return some dollars back to the taxpayers and provide relief to help ease that inflationary burden.” Qualified taxpayers can expect to receive their rebate based on how they received their 2021 tax year refund, by direct deposit or paper check. For qualified taxpayers who did not receive a 2021 tax year refund, the rebate can be expected by paper check. Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) is the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. “In recent years, we’ve witnessed federal spending spiraling out of control, resulting in some of the highest inflation rates in decades,” said Speaker Ledbetter. “This has had a tangible impact on families in our state. The Alabama House worked hand-in-glove with the governor to help ease that burden.” “The Alabama Legislature worked hard with the governor this year to put money back in people’s pockets,” said House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (R-Huntsville). These tax rebates are just in time for the holidays and can help make the season a little brighter for Alabama families.” The rebates will not be taxable for Alabama income tax purposes. Ivey had originally wanted a more significant rebate. The version of the budget that passed out of the Senate included no rebate but did include tax cuts. The Alabama House of Representatives restored the rebate, and the 2024 budget that went into effect on October 1 includes tax rebates and tax cuts. For many families, this rebate could pay for their Christmas. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey says ‘steady progress’ being made on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program
On Tuesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey provided an update on the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL). The Governor announced that the program that provides books to children continues to grow steadily. Since Governor Ivey kicked off the statewide expansion in August, the program has grown to serve more than 49,000 children. “I am excited to see the rapid growth and response from communities across the state that are now serving children and families by providing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alabama,” said Gov. Ivey. “The enrollment numbers are encouraging, but our work isn’t done. We still have thirteen counties where the program is not available, and it is my goal for all children age five and younger in our state to be provided coverage.” Ivey said that her number one priority is ensuring that every child is a successful reader by the 3rd grade. Ivey believes that by providing opportunities for every child in our state to interact with books, we prepare infants and young children across Alabama for future success. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library allows parents and families to open a book and read to their children, laying that critical foundation. “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a grassroots, community-based program,” said Gov. Ivey. “Our goal of serving nearly 200,000 children is within reach, and bringing these final counties on board will require strong partnerships and support on the local level. We can’t miss this opportunity to inspire a love for reading and learning in our next generation of Alabamians.” Kahla Williams is the Dollywood Foundation Regional Director. “We have seen not only steady enrollment growth (almost 10,000 more children enrolled in Alabama since August) but a rapid growth of awareness and interest from local organizations across the state looking to get involved,” said Director Williams. “We thank all the local communities and partners who have stepped forward to help pursue DPIL’s mission, and Governor Ivey for the personal approach her administration has taken to grow the program across the state.” Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was created to inspire a love of reading by gifting free books each month to children from birth to age five. The program works with local partners to help fund and sustain the program. The state’s investment in the Imagination Library allows local partners to quickly launch book deliveries to as many children as possible across the state. The books delivered monthly are free to all children and families who sign up for the program. Jan Hume is the acting Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. “We are continuing to collaborate with communities across the state to provide full coverage in the partially covered counties and to find local community partners in counties where the program is not available,” said Secretary Hume. “To help bring these final counties on board, funding has been made available to cover the local cost for the first two years of the program that will allow the opportunity for the local community partner to fundraise and kickstart enrollment.” New Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) said, “Several years ago, one of my constituents, Debbie Barclay, approached me asking for the resources necessary to start the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. When Governor Ivey announced she was introducing the Imagination Library statewide, all of Jackson County, especially Debbie, was excited. For our students to have a lifetime of success, we must put books in their hands during their formative years, and Governor Ivey understands that. I thank her for her continued leadership to champion programs that will make a difference for our children.” Ivey declared her intent to participate in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library during her 2023 Inaugural Address and followed through on her promise with Executive Order 729. Governor Ivey continues to encourage parents to register their children and take advantage of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alabama. To learn more about becoming a community partner, contact Kahla Williams at kwilliams@imaginationlibrary.com. Parents can enroll their children in this program and learn more as it is expanded across the state by visiting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library website. Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. Research results suggest that there are positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics from participation in the program. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tommy Tuberville opposes aid for Gaza while it is under Hamas control
U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) joined their colleagues in sending a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) urging him to reject President Joe Biden’s request for up to $9 billion in humanitarian assistance to Hamas-controlled Gaza. “We are writing to demand that, during Israel’s existential war against Iran’s terrorist proxies, you reject the billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance requested for Gaza as part of President Biden’s $106 billion aid package,” Tuberville and Blackburn wrote. “As you know, sending aid to the Palestinians in Gaza is akin to funneling aid directly to Hamas. The President’s decision to allocate additional funding, in addition to the $100 million in aid previously announced, will inevitably end up in the hands of a genocidal Palestinian terrorist organization that has evidenced its desire to destroy the Jewish state.” “Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East,” the Senators wrote. “As such, it is perplexing why the President would ask Congress to enable the United States to inadvertently fund Hamas’ terror campaign against Israel. As we’ve seen in the past, this so-called “humanitarian aid” will likely be channeled through international organizations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This is not speculation — just last week, we saw reports that Hamas stole fuel and medical equipment from UNRWA, which the organization initially admitted but then subsequently denied. UNICEF medical kits were even found on the bodies of Hamas terrorists from the horrific October 7th attack. For over a decade, Hamas has stolen aid from UNRWA intended for the Palestinian people, and the organization has a well-documented history of antisemitism. For example, UNRWA distributes educational materials that teach Palestinian children to hate Jews and which glorify acts of terrorism.” “Sending aid to the Palestinians would be a gift to Hamas, the same group that slaughtered over 1,400 Israelis and abducted over 200 hostages, including Americans,” the Senators wrote. “We implore you to ensure the U.S. does not send aid that will only strengthen Hamas’ ability to murder more Jews. This is the time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our closest ally in the Middle East as they fight for their very existence.” The letter was also signed by Senators Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Mike Braun (R-Indiana). Tuberville has announced his support for Israel in their war against Hamas. Last week, Coach Tuberville joined legislation to provide $14.3 billion in aid to Israel. “Hamas needs to be totally wiped out,” Tuberville said recently on a television appearance on Fox Business Channel’s Larry Kudlow program. Tuberville and the other Senators argue that while Hamas occupies and rules Gaza, any aid to Gaza will be used by Hamas to feed its fighters and equip them for their war effort against Israel. There are 2.3 million Palestinians in the 140 square mile Gaza Strip, and their entire economy is based on receiving foreign aid from the outside world. Thousands of Gaza residents have already been killed in the fighting between Israel and Hamas. A refugee camp was bombed on Tuesday, killing Hamas fighters but also civilians who are casualties of the war between Israel and Hamas. In October, the White House said in a press release, “Civilians are not to blame and should not suffer for Hamas’s horrific terrorism. Civilian lives must be protected, and assistance must urgently reach those in need. We will continue to work closely with partners in the region to stress the importance of upholding the law of war, supporting those who are trying to get to safety or provide assistance, and facilitating access to food, water, medical care, and shelter.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the U.S. can track the aid. “The overwhelming majority of assistance so far is getting to people who need it, and we need more,” he said. “The needs are desperate.” Tuberville has represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate since his election in 2020. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Flowers: Dr. Furnie Johnston, Pioneer Doctor
In recent years, healthcare has eclipsed agriculture as Dothan’s major industry. Dothan is the medical mecca for the entire Wiregrass, as well as rural northwest Florida and southwest Georgia. It has premier medical professionals, only matched by Birmingham in Alabama. Dothan doctors dominate the economy in the world’s largest peanut-producing locale. One of the pioneers of this medical revolution was Dothan’s Dr. Furnie Johnston, who passed away a few weeks ago at 94 years old. Dr. Johnston brought specialized medicine to Dothan. He had just finished his residency at UAB and was practicing in Birmingham when the legendary Dr. Paul Flowers called Furnie to come home to the Wiregrass and practice with him. Furnie came home and became the first orthopedic surgeon in Dothan. Furnie Johnston was born and raised in Brundidge in Pike County, a few miles north of Dothan. His father was the town pharmacist and a successful businessman. Coincidentally, in the neighboring Wiregrass City of Ozark, the most prominent pharmacist in the city had a beautiful daughter by the name of Jo Kirkland. Furnie of Brundidge and Jo of Ozark became sweethearts and married. They married and remained sweethearts for life. At the time of Furnie’s death on October 9, they had been married for 75 years. In September, Furnie knew he was close to passing away. He had gone to the hospital with terminal problems. He told the attending physician he wanted to go home to be with his sweetheart. Furnie and Jo Johnston had five children, two sons, and three daughters. One of their sons, Jim Johnston, died in an automobile accident as a college student. His son, David Johnston, is a prominent attorney in Dothan. David is generally considered the premier tax attorney in South Alabama. David and his father, Furnie, were very close. They each considered the other to be their best friend besides being father and son. David, like his father, married an Ozark girl, Maurine Matthews. The three daughters, Carole, Linda, and Laura, are all beautiful and successful with children and grandchildren. All three girls were with Furnie when he passed away peacefully at home. They all called him “Papa.” His family affectionally referred to him as “the great white bear.” He loved his family fiercely and was a devout Christian father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Little did his family in Brundidge know that when Furnie was born in their small town on June 17, 1929, in the heart of the Depression, he would help transform medicine in their Wiregrass region. At that time, southeast Alabama was totally a peanut-growing agricultural area. Dr. Furnie Johnston, being a child of the Depression, was empathetic towards the life of rural Wiregrass folks. He began his practice before Medicare and Medicaid. Doctors were often not paid for their care and services. It was not unusual for Alabama doctors to be paid with vegetables from farmer’s gardens or chickens. However, the Wiregrass people have always been known as hard-working and very honest and believed in paying their debts. So Furnie might find vegetables left on his doorstep for years on end by a farm family paying off Furnie for fixing their broken arm. He treated many a Wiregrass family without charge. He was especially generous and benevolent towards his native Pike County patients. Everyone from Ozark, Brundidge, and Troy who had a fractured leg, arm, or hip would journey down Highway 231 to Dothan to see Dr. Furnie Johnston. They would arrive with their broken limb and say, “I’m here to see Furnie Jr.” Furnie’s father was also named Furnie. So, the Brundidge patients would simply say, “I’m here to see Furnie Jr.,” while the Dothan patients would say, “I’m here to see Dr. Johnston.” Therefore, when the office manager heard “Furnie, Jr.,” they would say, “You are from Pike County, aren’t you?” The patient would nod, and they would go on back to see the regions bone specialist. Furnie would generally know their family and their roots. He instinctively knew whether they could pay, and he would simply and quietly let his nurse know that they were not to be charged for their treatment. He treated all of his patients the same. The passing of Dr. Furnie Johnston at age 94 marks the passing of an era. The days of two neighboring Wiregrass town pharmacists’ son and daughter marrying and having a large and prosperous family may be over. However, the legacy of Dr. Furnie Johnston, the first orthopedic surgeon in Dothan, remains. He will be remembered as the pioneer who transformed Dothan from a peanut city to a medical city. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Birmingham Rep. John Rogers arrested for violating witness contact order
Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, was taken into custody Monday for contacting another person connected to his indictment on obstruction of justice charges. Magistrate Judge Staci G. Cornelius told Rogers, that she “very plainly” and “very clearly” told Rogers that he could not contact anyone associated with the case. She said that when she asked Rogers if he understood her, he “without hesitation,” said yes. Rogers remained quiet throughout the hearing. Rogers pleaded not guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice on allegations that he diverted public money from a youth baseball league to an assistant. Rogers, the longest-serving member of the Alabama House, was released on a $5,000 bond. One of the conditions for being released was that Rogers were not to contact or attempt to contact anyone involved in the case. Carlos Chaverst, a spokesperson Rogers retained during the legal proceedings, said after the hearing that Rogers’ call to Individual #1 was “an honest mistake.” Chaverst identified Individual #1 as George Stewart and said Rogers meant to call his accountant when he asked his phone to call, whose last name is also Stewart. “He called his phone and said, ‘Hey, Facetime Stewart, or call Steward, and the first Stewart that popped up was, unfortunately, one of the witnesses in the case,” Chaverst said. He also said there are four Stewarts in Rogers’ phone but declined to identify the accountant by first name. According to U.S. Assistant Attorney George Martin, Rogers made two Facetime calls that Individual #1, or George Stewart, did not pick up. Individual #1 then notified the FBI that Rogers attempted to contact them. “He’s 82 years old, and we can’t expect an 82-year-old — or I don’t expect an 82-year-old man or woman or anyone to be able to use their cell phone at ease or without issues all the time,” he said. It is not immediately clear where Rogers would be held. Chaverst said there are two places where federal inmates are held in Jefferson County, either the Jefferson County Jail or the Birmingham City Jail. The indictment accuses Rogers, who has served in the Alabama House for over 40 years, of directing hundreds of thousands of dollars for public projects in Jefferson County to a youth baseball league, with a portion of the money being kicked back to Varrie Johnson Kindall, an administrative assistant the indictment accuses Rogers of having a romantic relationship with. Prosecutors also accused Rogers of attempting to convince a person identified as “Individual #1” to give false information to criminal investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) looking into the transactions. Rogers’ indictment came months after former Rep. Fred Plump, D-Fairfield, the director of the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League, pleaded guilty to similar charges over the use of public money. In late May, the Department of Justice (DOJ) accused Plump, a freshman representative, of taking money from the Jefferson County fund under the direction of another Jefferson County legislator identified as “Legislator #1” and kicking back a portion of it to a legislator’s assistant. Rogers said at the time he was “probably” the unnamed “Legislator #1,” but maintained his innocence. According to the indictment, between fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2022, Rogers received $500,000 from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund for Jefferson County programs. Prosecutors accuse Rogers of moving approximately $400,000 of that discretionary funds to the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League. In turn, Plump gave approximately $200,000 to Kindall. Kindall was previously identified as “Individual #1” in Plump’s DOJ charges. Rogers also moved money from the fund to “Organization #1.” The organization founder, “Individual #1,” then gave a portion of that money to Kindall. Rogers has served in the Alabama House since 1982. He ran unopposed in the previous two elections. In 2014, he was challenged by Republican Phillip Bahakel but won with almost 77% of the vote. Rogers is the third representative to face criminal charges this year. Rep. David Cole, R-Huntsville, pleaded guilty to a voting fraud charge and resigned in August after acknowledging he did not live in House district at the time he was elected. The hearing will continue Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
Donald Trump commuted fraud sentence of exec who now owes $74 million in restitution
By Tom Joyce | The Center Square contributor The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that the former CEO of Sunwest Management and associated companies must pay over $74 million to over 1,400 victims. John Michael Harder, 58, of Canyonville, Oregon, pleaded guilty to one of the largest financial fraud schemes in state history in 2015. He pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. When Harder conducted this fraud, he controlled a network of companies that bought, constructed, and managed assisted living facilities. At its peak, Sunwest Management and its related companies owned about 300 assisted living facilities that served more than 15,000 residents. Between 2006 and 2008, he defrauded over 1,400 investors out of about $120 million. The scheme made false promises to investors, including that they would be investing money in specific assisted living facilities and that Sunwest was a successful company. Instead, Harder laundered the money and took large portions of it to support his expensive lifestyle. A federal grand jury in Portland returned a 56-count indictment charging Harder with mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in 2012. Three years later, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. However, Harder only served just over five years of his 15-year prison sentence after then-President Donald Trump commuted his prison sentence on January 13, 2021. The IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the Justice Department’s U.S. Trustee Program investigated the case. Claire M. Fay, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, litigated the restitution in this case. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Tommy Tuberville to seek floor vote on No. 2 Marine leader after commandant hospitalized
Ashley Murray, Alabama Reflector WASHINGTON — Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who for months has been blocking hundreds of military promotions in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy, plans to call a floor vote on the nominee for second-in-command of the U.S. Marines Corps after its top leader Gen. Eric M. Smith suffered a health emergency Sunday. Tuberville, an Alabama Republican, gathered the required petition signatures to bring an individual vote to the floor on Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney, nominee for the Corps’ assistant commandant. President Joe Biden nominated Mahoney in July. “The vote could be as soon as Thursday,” said Steven Stafford, spokesperson for Tuberville’s office. Stafford said Tuberville collected the 16 signatures he needed in roughly 30 minutes during the Senate’s weekly lunch on Tuesday. Stafford would not disclose names but said all signees are Republicans. Tuberville’s list of blocked nominees grew to 378 as of Friday but could balloon to 650 by year’s end, according to the Pentagon. Sens. Jack Reed, chair of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, and Kyrsten Sinema are mulling a proposal to bypass Tuberville’s holds and allow promotions to reach the floor en bloc rather than individually. Text of the proposal is not yet available, according to a spokesperson for Sinema, an independent who represents Arizona. Smith remains hospitalized, but further details about his condition and what happened Sunday were not released. “Due to the expressed wishes of his family, we are respecting their privacy at this difficult time. The Marine Corps will provide more information once it becomes available,” a Pentagon spokesperson said Tuesday. Reed issued a statement on Smith just after 4:30 p.m. Eastern Monday. “I am wishing General Smith a speedy recovery. He is one of our nation’s finest and toughest leaders, and I hope he will return to full strength soon. My thoughts are with General Smith and his family,” the Rhode Island Democrat said. Tuberville also sits on the Armed Services Committee. Smith was confirmed in September after Tuberville pursued a similar effort to force individual votes for top military nominees. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York set up the votes to confirm Gen. Charles Q. Brown as the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Randy George to Army chief of staff, and Smith. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has warned the delayed promotions are a threat to national security. Defense abortion policy In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to strike down the federal right to abortion, the Pentagon announced that service members could receive leave and travel allowances when seeking abortions in areas of the country where it remains legal. The court’s decision triggered a patchwork of state-by-state abortion laws. About 80,000 active-duty female troops are based in states where legislatures enacted full or partial bans, according to a September 2022 analysis by the RAND Corporation, a think tank that has long produced defense research. Tuberville maintains the department’s policy is illegal. The Pentagon and Biden administration refute that claim. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
