Gaming grudges; a Roberts run? and more in this week’s OTR

Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama

Gaming grudges

Don’t expect the hard feelings regarding the failed gaming effort in the Legislature to go away anytime soon. Numerous state representatives are speaking both on and off the record about the upper chamber’s failure to move the bill forward. Rep. Chris Blackshear released a statement that read in part, “The next time someone asks me why they can’t vote on the issue of gaming, I’m going to tell them to ask one of the 15 senators that voted against this legislation.” Meanwhile, off the record, numerous House members are furious and have used some rather choice language to describe what they regard as the Senate’s vast failings. So sore are the feelings on the matter, one rep tells us he doesn’t expect the issue to come up again “for another five or six years.”

A Roberts run?  

A new name is popping up in political circles regarding the State Senate District 2 seat.  Political insiders tell us John Roberts is being heavily urged to run. OTR shared in March that current District 10 State Sen. Tom Butler quietly started telling insiders that he does not plan to run again in 2026. Roberts, a former congressional candidate with years of experience in economic development, is already being tipped as an early favorite – should he make a run. Madison Mayor Paul Finley and State Rep. Phillip Rigsby have also been floated as possible contenders.

VBC unplugged

Patrons at two plays in February and March who sat in the back of the Von Braun Center’s Mark C. Smith Concert Hall had trouble hearing a lot of the dialogue. One rumor being floated claimed workers inadvertently painted over speakers of the new sound system. However, aside from faulty eardrums, the reality is that many traveling shows chose to use their own familiar systems and equipment instead of the “plug and play” upgraded ones at Smith, Propst Arena and Mars Music Hall. Samantha Nielsen, VBC director of Marketing and Public Relations, told 256 Today that this sometimes results in the sound quality not performing at the highest level that it can and that VBC production teams have little control over the sound quality.

Downtown Athens continues to impress

Downtown Athens is making a serious run for the title of the coolest place to be. Last night, Church Street’s Lil Mazzara’s hosted an Italian Wine Night full of savory pastas to succulent mains paired with carefully selected Italian wines curated by expert Sommelier, Carlos Cisneros. We hear the event was a great success and hopefully the first of more to come.

Lost Pizza Co. opening soon

Meanwhile, pizza enthusiasts in Madison have reason to smile. The Lost Pizza Co. is planning on opening next week in Hughes Plaza. Famous for pizzas like the Kujo and Fatboy Burger, the eatery also has a wide variety of other offerings, including fried ravioli, BBQ nachos and even tamales. Madison is the first location in the Huntsville area, joining the Shoals, Mobile and Andalusia as the company’s Alabama outposts.