Presented by
The Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure
Good morning! Here’s your Daily News for Tuesday, February 19
1. States sue over national emergency.
- California and 15 other states, including Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to fund a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
- California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (pictured above) released a statement Monday saying the suit alleges the Trump administration’s action violates the Constitution.
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Attorney General Phil Weiser, both Democrats, said in a statement that the wall project could divert tens of millions of dollars from military construction projects in Colorado.
- Trump’s emergency proclamation calls the border “a major entry point for criminals, gang members, and illicit narcotics.”
- Illegal border crossings have declined from a high of 1.6 million a year in 2000. But 50,000 families are now entering illegally each month, straining the U.S. asylum system and border facilities.
- Read more HERE.
2. Police video bill filed.
- n the wake of the Riverchase Galleria shooting last year, a Birmingham lawmaker says Alabama needs a process for families to try to obtain body camera and dash camera videos from law enforcement.
- Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, is sponsoring House Bill 36, which would establish that process, including a way to contest a refusal by law enforcement to release a police recording. The bill says recordings are not considered public record.
- Givan told Alabama Daily News’ Caroline Beck that her bill is a result of Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr.’s Thanksgiving Day death at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover.
- Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall earlier this month said the officer who killed Bradford will not face charges because he acted reasonably under the circumstances. Police were responding to multiple shots fired and two victims. Bradford was not the assailant, but was confused for such when police saw him come toward one of the victims with a firearm in his hand.
- The shooting resulted in weeks of unrest and several elected officials called for the released of related video.
- State investigators did allow attorneys for Bradford’s family to view the video early on and Marshall’s office eventually publicly released video from the mall – two 10-second clips that showed the incident from different angles.
- Givan’s bill is likely to get some attention in the upcoming legislative session. Read more about it from Caroline Beck HERE.
A message from
the Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure
“Now is the time for us to invest in our transportation infrastructure in the state of Alabama.
“It’s essential for our public safety, it’s essential for economic development and it’s essential for us to be able to maintain our high quality of life.”
- Jim Page, president and CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, lays out the key reasons why investing in Alabama’s roads and bridges is critical to Alabama’s future in “Our Future,” the first of a series of testimonial videos to be released by the Alliance.
- For more information on this initiative visit the AAI website.
3. Alabama ISIS bride wants to return.
- Hoda Muthana wants to come home.
- She is the Hoover native who fled the United States against the will of her parents back in 2014 to join the Islamic State and become an “ISIS Bride.”
- Muthana was radicalized by those she met online and became a vocal proponent of the terrorist group.
- Now, with the Islamic State on the verge of total collapse and after being captured by Kurdish forces, Muthana says she wants to come home to Alabama.
- The Guardian has audio of Muthana saying she “deeply regrets” joining ISIS.
- “I thought I was doing things correctly for the sake of God,” she said.
- “I look back now and I think I was very arrogant. Now I’m worried about my son’s future. In the end I didn’t have many friends left, because the more I talked about the oppression of Isis the more I lost friends. I was brainwashed once and my friends are still brainwashed.”
- Read that full story HERE.
- Also watch ABC News’ in-depth report HERE.
- And see follow up reports from AL.com and YellowHammer.
4. Matthew Stokes: On walls and national emergencies.
- Matthew Stokes doesn’t mind telling you he’s a hard-liner on illegal immigration.
- Though, unlike most political pundits, he aims much of the blame on companies who illegally and irresponsibly employ undocumented workers and keep the “magnet” for border crossings turned on.
- Stokes says he was “relieved” at the budget deal that Sen. Richard Shelby negotiated, but then left with “despair” by President Donald Trump following through on his threat to declare a national emergency to fund border wall construction.
- Here’s an excerpt:
“The declaration itself is something that Republicans would have never tolerated from a Democratic administration, and quite possibly any other Republican one. The emergency powers of the executive were never intended to circumvent the legislative branch when it failed to appropriate money for a particular concern of the president’s. This is a policy matter, and if the Trump administration is unable to convince Congress to appropriate the funds – a task the Constitution delegates to Congress alone – then it should return to the drawing board and keep trying.
“A number of Republican leaders and conservative voices have expressed grave concerns about the declaration. Noah Rothman argued that Republicans would regret this moment, and I believe he is right. David French made the legal argument against this measure, calling it contemptuous. Republicans who back this move are opening Pandora’s Box, and when a future Democratic President declares an emergency over guns or climate change, there will be no recourse.”
- Read Matthew Stokes’ full column HERE
5. Some news.
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- Alabama Daily News continues to grow!
- ADN has acquired a majority stake in Inside Alabama Politics, the original T.J. Potts / Bessie Ford tip sheet that has been a staple in Montgomery circles for 34 years.
- IAP has a loyal subscriber base, and we are working to marry the two platforms to provide more political news content, insider information and water cooler gossip for the public officials, politicos, and news junkies who subscribe.
- IAP Publisher Jeff Martin will remain a shareholder and contributor. Jeff is a contract lobbyist and publisher of The Montgomery Independent who purchased IAP in 2011 and moved the publication online five years ago to keep up with the demand of fast-breaking news.
- What does this all mean?
- Don’t worry, nothing is changing about your Daily News email. It will still be free and full of all the news you need to know to start your day.
- Over time, you’ll see some exclusive stories linked inside the paid subscriber portal at IAP. Much like a PoliticoPro or a Rivals, this will grow to be a premium subscription service that is well worth the money.
- For instance, today’s IAP issue has some scoop on the 2020 Senate race, a new Solicitor General for Alabama, what the BCA staff hires might mean, State Senate organizational changes, and more.
- There’s no better time to subscribe.
Headlines.
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – 16 states sue to block Trump’s emergency declaration
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Birmingham lawmaker proposes way for families to obtain police videos
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – White House indicates Trump would veto Congressional termination of national emergency
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Matthew Stokes: On walls and emergencies
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Daily News Digest: February 18, 2019
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – PODCAST: In the Weeds: Prisons, Pre-filed bills and Gov. Kay Ivey
Inside Alabama Politics: Big Senate 2020 news; Changes in the State House; A new Solicitor General; What the BCA hires might mean; More political moves and shakes; An IAP announcement .
AL.COM – Lawmakers not surprised at editorial calling for Klan’s return
AL.COM – Alabama woman who joined ISIS ‘ready to face the consequences’
AL.COM – Space & Rocket Center starts fundraiser for Saturn V
AL.COM – Auburn University to build $94.5 million culinary education center, hotel
AL.COM – Mackey calls ideas to remove Baldwin superintendent ‘bizarre’
AL.COM – Columnist Roy Johnson: Inter-generational coalition that brought Angela Davis home is what city needs now
AL.COM – Columnist Dana McCain: A Southern Baptist’s lament
Montgomery Advertiser – Alabama newspaper editor calls for Klan return to ‘clean out D.C.’
Montgomery Advertiser – Teen charged in December robbery, car thefts
Montgomery Advertiser – Grand Canyon tourists exposed for years to radiation in museum building, safety manager says
YellowHammer News – Doug Jones on border security: ‘I don’t think it rises to the level of a national emergency’ (VIDEO)
YellowHammer News – Concerns continue in south Alabama for ‘dangerous’ Highway 98
YellowHammer News – Del Marsh opposes Joug Jones’ continued calls for Medicaid expansion
YellowHammer News – Byrne: Staying focused in a crazy Washington
Dothan Eagle – Bond hearing scheduled for mother charged with her infant child’s death
Dothan Eagle – Samson Police Chief on fatal shooting: Pray for families involved
Dothan Eagle – Bond hearing scheduled for mother charged with her infant child’s death
Tuscaloosa News – Police: More than a dozen people trapped on SeaWorld ride
Tuscaloosa News – MICHELLE SINGLETARY: Were you kicked out of the 401(k) millionaire’s club?
Tuscaloosa News – Northport seeks grant to expand recycling program
Decatur Daily – Council OKs first phase of downtown Wi-Fi
Decatur Daily – Calhoun nursing graduates excel on licensure tests
Decatur Daily – Athens police investigating Sunday night traffic fatality
Times Daily – Rain delays long-awaited Sheffield walking trail project
Times Daily – Disputes between lawmakers begin over gas tax funds
Times Daily – Bill would limit police control to boundaries of a city
Gadsden Times – Deputy car explodes behind detention center
Gadsden Times – Shots fired call leads to chase, crash, discovery of drugs
Gadsden Times – Man charged with attempted murder after firing on Albertville officer
Anniston Star – Sales tax holiday caps Severe Weather Awareness Week this weekend
Anniston Star – Judge denies murder defendant’s bond request
Anniston Star – Lawmakers: More detail needed on gas tax, prisons
Troy Messenger – PREMIERE: Hydock performs story of Audrey Sheppard Williams
Troy Messenger – Public hearing on jail today in Brundidge
Troy Messenger – Dr. Bill Denison leaves legacy in Troy community
Andalusia Star News – Students almost ready for ‘Shrek’ [with gallery]
Andalusia Star News – Cooper predicted she’d work here
Andalusia Star News – Movie, message to feature Abernathy
Opelika-Auburn News – Murder-suicide probable cause of death for couple linked to Auburn officer shot
Opelika-Auburn News – Auburn man killed in motorcycle crash
Opelika-Auburn News – Forestry and wildlife research in ‘Spotlight on Agriculture’
Daily Mountain Eagle – Smith: Foster families can be helped in special ways
Daily Mountain Eagle – Walker County Schools deemed ‘Heart Safe’
Daily Mountain Eagle – State, county litter cleanups set for April
Trussville Tribune – Flood watch issued for Jefferson, St. Clair and Blount County
Trussville Tribune – Leeds PD requests help in identifying suspects
Trussville Tribune – Vehicle accident on Chalkville Mountain Road near the fire station
Athens News Courier – ONE BRIGHT FUTURE: Forrest Street, drainage improvements top list
Athens News Courier – Athens police seek witnesses to Sunday fatal wreck
Athens News Courier – Arrest Reports for 2/19/19
Sand Mountain Reporter – LeCroy talks about special American flag
Sand Mountain Reporter – Larue Kohl honored by CAC
Sand Mountain Reporter – NACC speakers forum to focus on fiction to film
WSFA Montgomery – Woman reflects on car accident that changed her life
WSFA Montgomery – WSFA 12 News to hold Jobs Action Line Tuesday
WSFA Montgomery – State representative holds town hall meeting in Dallas County
Fox 6 Birmingham – FIRST ALERT: A brief rain/sleet mix possible overnight, then a cold rain for Tuesday
Fox 6 Birmingham – Audience complains on social media after The Wiz Live! performance at BJCC
Fox 6 Birmingham – Etowah County patrol car bursts into flames
WAFF Huntsville – FIRST ALERT: Flood Watch in effect as we expect several inches of rain
WAFF Huntsville – Huntsville Area Association of Realtors forecasts healthy outlook for real estate in 2019
WAFF Huntsville – Crews across north Alabama prep for flooding
WKRG Mobile – News 5 Investigates: Guns stolen from unlocked vehicles is still a problem
WKRG Mobile – FHP to help raise awareness on hit and run crashes
WKRG Mobile – Meetings for parking and public transit in NWFL Tuesday
WTVY Dothan – Police officer may have been trying return to prior home when he committed suicide
WTVY Dothan – High school brings special gifts for active military members to Hits for Heroes
WTVY Dothan – Ways you can prepare for power outages in severe weather
WASHINGTON POST – Coalition of states sues Trump over national emergency to build border wall
WASHINGTON POST – Japan’s Abe won’t confirm Trump Nobel Prize nomination, but media reports say he made it
NEW YORK TIMES – Exclusive: Air Force to Push Congress for Military Housing Tenant Bill of Rights
NEW YORK TIMES – Elizabeth Warren Wants a Wealth Tax. How Would That Even Work?