Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama
A new wrinkle in the Toyota Field discussions
The Madison City Council is still working through three possible options for the stadium alterations that must be made per Major League Baseball. For many months, they have been discussing two possible options – a one-story structure in left field or a four-story building that would add suites and group meeting areas to the stadium. Over the last six weeks, a third option has emerged – a renovation of the current maintenance area within the stadium and construction of a building to house maintenance outside the fence. The four-story structure was the choice of four City Council members at a work session last month, which would be enough votes to approve the measure. However, at a work session this week, Mayor Paul Finley let it be known that he would veto the four-story structure if it were to pass a Council vote. It would take five votes to override his veto. Current plans are to wait on more pricing information on the new maintenance room option and for the Council to vote after it is received.
Soon for Sorrell Â
The game of Montgomery musical chairs is well underway. State Auditor Andrew Sorrell is expected to officially announce his candidacy for secretary of state next week. This comes after Tuesday’s announcement from Alabama’s current Secretary of State Wes Allen that he will be running for lieutenant governor in 2026. Current Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is term-limited and has reportedly had his eyes on Alabama’s top job for quite some time. Ainsworth has yet to officially announce a run for governor; one observer believes he’s waiting to see if those Tuberville rumors are true.
Next up for state auditorÂ
And if Sorrell is seeking SOS, then what of the state auditor’s office? We hear Birmingham attorney Derek Chen has been urged to run for the office that supervises the accounting and financial functions of the state. Chen is well-regarded by those in the know, having clerked for the Alabama secretary of state as well as the Tuscaloosa District Attorney’s Office. Meanwhile, State Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley) is also reportedly eyeing the position. Wood was elected to the Statehouse in 2018 and was the first woman to serve as chair of the Chambers County Commission. Â
NIL showdowns
A duo of smart operators in the Alabama House filed and promoted a bill last week proposing to eliminate state income tax for college athletes through NIL earnings. The idea itself was received by most as another alarming development from the nightmare of NIL and the awkward dance the new landscape is having with policymakers. But State Reps. Joe Lovvorn and Chris Blackshear were playing a different kind of ball. According to sources, in doing so, they actually triggered a ceasefire with members of the Georgia Legislature who proposed to do the exact same thing. If passed by either, universities in the state might have a flashy selling point to promising college recruits. As it currently stands, neither are prepared to escalate the conflict after their direct negotiations across state lines. But that doesn’t mean they won’t have to light the fuse again when another SEC state Legislature gets a bright idea.
Airfest returns!
The North Alabama Airfest is set for September. The airshow spectacular features aerobatic teams, fighter jets, historic warbirds and more. The family friendly event is Sept. 13-14 at Pryor Field Regional Airport, just behind Calhoun Community on U.S. 31 outside of Decatur and south of Athens in beautiful Limestone County. You can find more information about the North Alabama Airfest here.
