Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in Alabama
A passing of the torch… err… shovel
The President of the United States and U.S. Department of Transportation secretary are in state today to claim years worth of wins and collaborations alongside Alabama’s republican officials. Sources tell OTR the president is rallying in a big way tonight for State Rep. Rhett Marques, who faces a tight battle in Alabama’s redrawn (then re-re-drawn) 2nd Congressional District against incumbent U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures.
But it wasn’t lost on OTR when Governor Kay Ivey and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville made a blockbuster public appearance today to break ground on the new Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project. With the election for governor being held one month from today, it sure looked like Governor Ivey was passing the shovel – fitting for her administration’s extensive economic development track record – to Coach for the next generation.
Midnight snack
Wesley Britt is back on social media after three years of silence, and he came with a meme. The former Alabama and New England Patriots tackle took the viral “Shocked Katie Britt” image from Tuesday’s Jack Smith hearing and added a caption: “My wife watching me sleepwalking and crushing leftovers.” The clip, which started when Sen. Eric Schmitt mixed up the Atlanta Hawks and the Iowa Hawkeyes, has racked up millions of views. One post alone topped 11 million. OTR can confirm that the senator’s husband has now done what the entire internet couldn’t, which is make the joke at his own expense. Welcome back, Wesley.
Badge check
OTR is hearing whispers out of UAB about a hospital-wide email sent Friday, asking staff to keep an eye out for someone who may not have the credentials they claim to. Details are thin and nothing is confirmed. Still, if you work there, it might be a good week to look twice at badges.
Out of the woods
Braggs is hosting Alabama’s first-ever Bigfoot town hall Saturday at Cornwallis 1828, and OTR got the media invite. The organizers are rolling out the red carpet for television, newspaper, radio, magazine and podcast media, which is more press than Bigfoot has agreed to in about seventy years. The main event is at 4 p.m., when a life-size metal Bigfoot made from reclaimed steel will be unveiled on stage by Alabama sculptor Ray Bellew. No word on whether the guest of honor has RSVP’d, but OTR notes this will be the first Bigfoot sighting anyone has ever been able to put on a schedule.
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