Presented by
The Boeing Company
Good morning!
Here’s your Daily News for Monday, November 18.
1. Hearings enter 2nd week
- We all got a much-needed breather from impeachment business over the weekend. Or, at least I hope you did.
- It’s starting back up this week as House impeachment hearings are entering a crucial time. Democrats are set to call eight additional witnesses before the House Intelligence Committee to testify about President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
- Among them will be Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council official who said he raised concerns in the White House about Trump’s push for investigations; Gordon Sondland, Trump’s European Union ambassador, who spoke to the president about the Ukraine policy; and Fiona Hill, a former Russia adviser to the White House who told lawmakers about former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s concerns about Ukraine.
- Up to now, the hearings have been predictably partisan. Republicans have repeatedly pressed the narrative that because military aid eventually flowed from the Trump administration to Ukraine, there was no quid pro quo. Democrats have countered that even attempting to withhold aid for a political favor amounts to bribery or extortion.
- House Intel is expected to try to wrap up its work by Thanksgiving, and then send its finding to the House Judiciary Committee to deal with during the month of December.
- Read more about what comes next HERE.
2. GOP Senate candidates in Huntsville
- Speaking of impeachment, that issue was one of many on the minds of members of the Madison County Men’s Republican Breakfast Club this weekend.
- The massive GOP group hosted a candidate forum that saw three GOP Senate hopefuls attend: Jeff Sessions, Roy Moore and Arnold Mooney.
- On the issue of impeachment, each of the candidates made it quite clear they were opposed to the impeachment effort and would vote against convicting President Donald Trump based on the evidence so far.
- That’s not much of a surprise. But, each had an interesting perspective on the matter, and Dana Beyerle was there to capture their reactions for Alabama Daily News.
- His full story HERE.
A message from
The Boeing Company
- Fifteen years ago, the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system became operational and for the first time in U.S. history, the nation possessed the ability to defend against an incoming long-range ballistic missile.
- As the GMD prime contractor, Boeing designs, produces, integrates, tests and sustains all GMD components deployed across 15 time zones.
- Recognizing the importance of this mission, Boeing’s GMD team — managed out of Huntsville — continues to work tirelessly to meet this milestone under a presidential directive to detect, intercept and destroy a target aimed at our homeland.
- Boeing stands ready to use its expertise to keep the GMD system modernized and help protect the nation 24/7.
- Engage with us on social @BoeingDefense.
3. More mental health support sought for firefighters
- A new effort is underway to improve mental health services for firefighters, including by changing how care is covered and by increasing access to peer support for those impacted by trauma.
- A 2018 law allows emergency responders, including firefighters, police officers, paramedic and emergency dispatchers, to be certified by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency as “peer support members.”
- State Rep. Tommy Hanes, R-Bryant, would like firefighters’ certification to be allowed at the Alabama Fire College and regional campuses around the state. He plans to sponsor legislation in the 2020 session to make that change.
- “Firefighters right now can go through ALEA to get covered but what we want to do is make it a little bit easier,” Hanes told Alabama Daily News. “So if you have someone who is in the north, or in a corner of the state, they don’t have to drive all the way to Montgomery to get the certification.”
- Read the full story from ADN’s Caroline Beck HERE.
4. White House ramps up prescription drug effort
- The White House is ramping up its push to get a bill through Congress that curbs prescription drug costs.
- Finding a way to address the rising costs of prescription drugs has been a stated priority for both parties in Washington, and the White House had been negotiating with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a Medicare price fix until talks broke down recently.
- Complicating matters is the ongoing impeachment inquiry, which has consumed most of the oxygen on Capitol Hill lately, particularly on the House side.
- Now, the White House is leaning into a bi-partisan Senate bill co-sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
- Joe Grogan, President Trump’s top domestic policy adviser, said the push to get a bill done will be beyond anything seen in years.
- “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to confront these issues in a non-ideological fashion,” Grogan said. “Unfortunately, there are some current complications.”
- Other than the impeachment effort, one complication is that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, has blocked a vote on the Senate bill citing the need for more comprehensive health reform.
- It’s hard to get big things like this done in an election year because both sides want a win while denying one to the other side.
- Read more HERE.
5. Tua to have hip surgery in Houston
- Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is scheduled to have hip surgery in Houston Monday, according to team surgeon Dr. Lyle Cain.
- Cain says the medical team “consulted with multiple orthopedic experts across the country, who specialize in hip injuries and surgeries.” He reiterated that they expect Tagovailoa to make a full recovery.
- Tua himself appeared to be in good spirits Sunday, as an instagram video posted showed him dancing, playing a ukulele and eating a McFlurry from his hospital bed.
- Full story and that awesome video HERE.
A Message from
Alabama’s Rural Electric Cooperatives
- Alabama’s rural electric cooperatives are grateful that Rep. Terri Sewell is the lead sponsor of a bill which would ensure that co-ops don’t lose their tax-exempt status if they accept government grants to restore power after natural disasters or provide broadband service to rural communities.
- A majority of House members are now co-sponsoring the RURAL Act, which would fix the problem.
Headlines
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Tua Tagovailoa set for hip surgery in Houston
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – More mental health support sought for firefighters
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – What’s next: Impeachment hearings enter 2nd week
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Senate Candidates talk impeachment in Madison County
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – White House urgently ramps up push for drug cost legislation
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – 2 men arrested in underage sex sting set up by Alabama teens
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Ivey appoints J C Love III Montgomery County Probate Judge
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Poarch Creeks offers $225 million for gaming exclusivity
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Stacy Column: Jeff Sessions and the Audience of One
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Weekend Digest – November 17, 2019
AL.COM – Worley faction of Alabama Democratic Party vows to continue legal fight against ‘splinter group’
AL.COM – Grants to help fund water wells in 10 Alabama counties
AL.COM – Alabama prison commissioner honored despite troubles
AL.COM – Legislators, activists to meet about prison reform tomorrow.
AL.COM – Columnist Roy Johnson: Aniah Blanchard’s parents: ‘How do you move forward?’
AL.COM – Thousands moving to Alabama from Illinois every year
Montgomery Advertiser – Greg Gunn murder trial: Case against Montgomery police officer Aaron Cody Smith
Montgomery Advertiser – New visitor check-in policies at Baptist Health begin Tuesday
Montgomery Advertiser – Democrats loyal to Nancy Worley promise to continue battle over state party
YellowHammer News – Jeff Sessions takes aim at Doug Jones in Huntsville early campaign stump speech
YellowHammer News – Flight Works Alabama partners with university students to provide tours of Airbus final assembly
YellowHammer News – UAB doctor advises how to keep flu germs from spreading at home
Dothan Eagle – Is Dothan ready for a major arts movement? Leaders ponder the question.
Dothan Eagle – Mya Kretzer fought for girls high school wrestling in Kansas. After four years, she won.
Dothan Eagle – Goree family hoping for big turnout at 10th annual CAC Boston Butt fundraiser
Tuscaloosa News – Photographer hit in Georgia-Auburn game out of hospital
Tuscaloosa News – Tagovailoa to have surgery in Houston
Tuscaloosa News – Widow of Pat Conroy to discuss memoir
Decatur Daily – Police: Weapons, ammo found at home of capital murder defendant
Decatur Daily – Jail fees hurt inmates’ loved ones, help county budgets
Decatur Daily – Council president says she’s ready to enforce ambulance ordinance
Times Daily – Teen steals cars, dies in crash during chase
Times Daily – TimesDaily’s Empty Table Fund Kicks off Year 45 of Collections
Times Daily – Crossroads will ‘press on’ without city’s $60K
Gadsden Times – White House urgently ramps up push for drug cost legislation
Gadsden Times – Holiday exhibits return to Imagination Place with reception on Tuesday
Gadsden Times – Arts groups ask city council for dedicated performing arts center
Anniston Star – How fast is too fast? Anniston’s city court hears hundreds of cases each week.
Anniston Star – Feeding Cleburne brings food to the less fortunate
Anniston Star – City’s plans for Satcher institute would require $18.9 million
Troy Messenger – Two-vehicle wreck injures five on U.S. Highway 231 in Brundidge
Troy Messenger – PRICELESS POSTCARDS: Pioneer Museum puts Hall’s collection on display
Troy Messenger – Garden clubs host ‘Petals from the Past’ Wednesday
Andalusia Star News – County unemployment falls to 2.7%
Andalusia Star News – Car crashes into local boutique
Andalusia Star News – Mister Rogers’ life of prayer for his neighborhood
Opelika-Auburn News – Airport growing thanks to university business
Opelika-Auburn News – Old dogs, new tricks: 10,000 pets needed for science
Opelika-Auburn News – Mya Kretzer fought for girls high school wrestling in Kansas. After four years, she won.
Daily Mountain Eagle – James Spann visits Parrish Elementary School
Daily Mountain Eagle – 3 honored at Top Women in Alabama Media awards
Daily Mountain Eagle – WCCT flight students tour Sanders Aviation
Trussville Tribune – 2 taken to hospital with gunshot wounds after east Birmingham shooting
Trussville Tribune – Reports of loud boom heard from Springville to Clay
Trussville Tribune – Man accused in deadly Trussville Cracker Barrel parking lot shooting ordered back to jail
Athens News Courier – Weihnachten! German Christmas pyramid rises in Cullman
Athens News Courier – Grants to help fund water wells in 10 counties
Athens News Courier – Remote clinic seeks volunteers for March event
Sand Mountain Reporter – 18-year-old charged with sodomy in Boaz
Sand Mountain Reporter – Jones recognized by North Alabama Works!
Sand Mountain Reporter – School News: Crossville students become Microsoft Office Specialists
WSFA Montgomery – 2 Montgomery police officers injured after vehicle overturns in crash
WSFA Montgomery – Funeral service was held for murdered Clark-Atlanta student, Alexis Crawford, on November 16th
WSFA Montgomery – Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed to announce transition team
Fox 6 Birmingham – 2 people found dead in Shelby County apartment complex after possible hostage situation
Fox 6 Birmingham – Pedestrian struck, killed by vehicle on Hwy 280
Fox 6 Birmingham – Former Auburn, NBA player Marquis Daniels in auto accident
WAFF Huntsville – Veteran memorial stolen from homeowners front yard in Madison
WAFF Huntsville – Florence man accused of trying to sexually abuse a child
WAFF Huntsville – Worley holds another election despite new chair already being elected
WKRG Mobile – Shooting at California home leaves four dead, six injured
WKRG Mobile – Man who may be in need of medical attention missing in Escambia County, Fla.
WKRG Mobile – Five Below starts selling products for more than $5
WTVY Dothan – Texas Equusearch returning to Alabama to search for Aniah Blanchard
WTVY Dothan – Worley holds another election despite new chair already being elected
WTVY Dothan – An investigation underway in Dale County after a man was shot in the stomach
WASHINGTON POST – Trump backs off flavored vape ban he once touted
WASHINGTON POST – The Washington Post: Pelosi hints that a USMCA deal might be near. It’s a wise move for Democrats.
NEW YORK TIMES – The White Nationalist Websites Cited by Stephen Miller
NEW YORK TIMES – Republicans Shift Defense of Trump While He Attacks Another Witness