• As of Sunday morning, Ford has agreed to come and testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
• A report from the New York Times on Saturday states that a woman and two men who Ford said was at the party have said they have no recollection of the party.
• This will make any kind of attempt of corroboration effort to confirm Ford’s story very difficult.
• There have been some viral rumors that have surfaced about Ford that have tried too depict her as a part of the deep state that is only there too take Kavanaugh out of the Supreme court nomination. Here is a full look at those rumors.
• Some GOP senators and Trump allies have spoken up about the accusation as well: Lindsay Graham, Trey Gowdy, Bob Goodlatte, UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Mitch McConnell.

• The Wall Street Journal – The Presumption of Guilt.
• New York Times– How Strong Does the Evidence Against Kavanaugh Need to Be?
• New York Times– This I Believe About Blasey v. Kavanaugh
• New York Times– Sick to Your Stomach? #MeToo
• Fox News– I Stand With Brett Kavanaugh
• The Washington Post– I was sexually assaulted. Here’s why I don’t remember many of the details.(By Patti Davis, Ronald Reagan’s daughter)
• The Washington Post– Have we learned nothing since Anita Hill?
• The Washington Post– The Supreme Court was America’s least damaged institution — until now
• The Daily Caller– Dealing With the Accusation Against Judge Kvanaugh- A Modest Proposal
• The Washington Examiner– For Democrats in Ford-Kavanaugh fight, believing is enough
• Vox– I’ve studied false rape claims. The accusation against Kavanaugh doesn’t fit the profile.
• Slate– Christine Blasey Ford’s Request for an FBI Investigation Makes Perfect Sense
• Fox News– Ford vs. Kavanaugh — How much evidence do we need to destroy someone?

A message from the Alabama Coal Association

• 80% of the coal produced in Alabama is high-quality metallurgical (met) coal, an essential ingredient in the production of steel.
• 50% of the revenue generated by the Alabama State Port Authority at the Port of Mobile comes from coal. This year, 11 million tons of Alabama met coal will be exported to steel makers around the world.
• 20% of coal mined in Alabama is thermal coal used for local power generation, which provides our state with greater energy security.

• $85,000 is the average starting salary for an underground coal miner.

3. In case you missed it: Profiles on Close Races

• This week as a part of ADN’s coverage close/ interesting races this election year, I take a closer look at the race for House District 65.
• District 65 is within portions of Choctaw, Washington, Marengo and Clark Counties.
• It’s a race against incumbent Democrat Rep. Elaine Beech and first-time Republican candidate Brett Easterbrook.
• Beech is banking on moderate approach and history of being able to work across the aisle.
• Over the years she has beaten Republicans and Independents but she’s never ran a race during the Trump era.
• Easterbrook is running on his proven experience of being a job creator and believes his background as a businessman will help grow the district and state.
• Read my full report on the race here and stay tuned for more of these profiles to come!
• (also, if you have tips on interesting races, email me or Will)

4. The Week in Good News

Here’s some happy and hopeful reads to bring in the new week:

Sen. Shelby announced $3.2 million grant for Troy

• Alabama’s own Senator Richard Shelby and Troy University are working to help preserve the environment.
• Shelby announced on Friday that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded a $3,200,000 grant to Troy University
• The grant is to build a new facility that will research the process of recycling plastics.
• The new facility will give students the opportunity to learn about the issues and solutions related to plastics recycling.
• This work will no doubt improve the process of recycling plastic materials and will there for help the environment and reduce the effects of climate change.
• Here is Shelby’s comment on the grant:

• You can read more about the grant here.

POWS and MIA Soldiers Honored at Fort Rucker

• At the annual POW/MIA (Prisoners of War, Missing in Action) recognition ceremony at Fort Rucker, soldiers from wars past were brought home to finally be laid to rest in the country they fought so bravely to protect.
• This is a somber story, but a good reminder of how brave our soldiers are fighting for our country and how we can still repay them even in death.
• Staff Sgt. Dan Stamaris who was a prisoner of war for eight days during Desert Storm in Iraq after the Blackhawk he was crew chief of at the time was shot down.
• He was there to honor the POWs and MIAs and I think said it best when he said:

• You can read more about the event from the Dothan Eagle here.

Christmas Comes Early for a Child Suffering with Cancer

• I know…this one is a sad one too…but I was so moved by this touching story of a family and a community bonding together to bring some joy into the last days of their dying child that we can all see the good in that.
• Brody Allen’s parents were told that their 2-year-old had two months to live. Brody has brain cancer, and his treatment was stopped last month.
• So his family decided to bring an early Christmas to their son. They put up the tree and decorations in September.
• Their Ohio community has followed suit. The neighborhood now twinkles with lights, Santas and snowmen. People have sent Brody gifts, snacks and cards. The community is also planning a Christmas parade.
• I highly recommend that you read this heart warming story from the New York Times here.

Headlines