Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in Alabama
Strong’s telephone town hall: Mail mishaps take center stage
Congressman Dale Strong’s latest telephone town hall covered everything from federal spending to national security, but judging by the questions, North Alabama residents have one issue that always delivers: the Postal Service.
One caller wondered why an invitation to a neighbor has to take a sightseeing trip to Birmingham before finding its way back home. Strong, who has repeatedly blasted what he calls unacceptable mail service, told the caller he’s prepared to haul the Postmaster General before Congress to answer for the continuing problems.
CMMC heartburn
Some Huntsville defense contractors are discovering that being an early adopter can feel a lot like buying front-row concert tickets only to find out the venue moved everyone to general admission. After spending years and, in many cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing for CMMC third-party certification, the Pentagon hit pause on that requirement just months before it was set to take effect.
The cybersecurity rules themselves haven’t gone anywhere. Contractors still have to comply with NIST standards and protect sensitive data. It’s only the outside certification that’s on hold while the Department of War reviews the program. As one frustrated industry executive put it, “We did exactly what the government told us to do, on time and at great expense.”
Welcome to government contracting, where sometimes doing your homework just means you get to watch everyone else copy your answers.
Wash, wash, wash and wash again
If your weekend plans involve staying close to home, you can blame more than just the Alabama heat. Cyclosporiasis has officially shown up in the state, with more than 10 cases reported so far, most of them in North Alabama. The parasitic illness is best known for causing what can politely be described as an extended and very urgent relationship with your bathroom. Health officials say there’s no confirmed source yet, so your best defense is washing your hands, scrubbing your produce and maybe passing on anything that looks like it lost a fight with a farm. As always, hydration is your friend. So is knowing where the nearest restroom is.
New sheriff at the visitor’s center
After 20-plus years running Alabama tourism, Lee Sentell’s retiring on a high note — he grew the state’s revenue from $6 billion to nearly $25 billion, so the man’s earned his victory lap. Governor Ivey’s handing the reins to Deputy State Treasurer Glenda Allred. Timing’s a little rich, though: this comes weeks after a state rep publicly torched Alabama’s National Mall pavilion as “among the weakest” in the country — foam golf balls, a five-song playlist on loop, while Florida’s out here handing out plush alligators. Welcome to the job, Glenda. First order of business: buy a speaker that plays more than one CD.
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