Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama
Sine Die
Alabama lawmakers brought the 2024 state session to a close Thursday. In 93 actual days, they completed 30 legislative days work on policy issues ranging from workforce and economic development to capping property taxes and cutting red tape to increasing penalties for violent criminals and strengthening election security. Hundreds of bills, acts and resolutions were filed; a few hundred were passed by both chambers and most of those will be signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. Members of the House and Senate have a lot of wins to reflect (and campaign) on from the past three months.
But …
Gambling was the topic that towered most over the session. The Alabama House set the table right out of the gate in February, passing the necessary proposed change to the constitution, and an ambitious, comprehensive plan that included seven proposed casino sites, an education lottery, a commission to regulate legal operations and eliminate the illegal ones, a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, as well as sports gambling and online gambling. The Alabama Senate carved up the proposal after some delay. Once the session was all said and done, that became the case for good. After weeks of deliberations behind the scenes, the Senate fell one vote short of passing its proposed compromise. A tip of our trucker’s cap to the House members for their hard work.
Power and influence, North Alabama edition
Announcements from Alabama’s annual Power and Influence list begin Monday. Compiled by Yellowhammer Multimedia, the list features “50 of Alabama’s most powerful and influential political leaders.” You might have noticed as North Alabama’s profile has grown over recent years so has our political might. We hear four of the biggest names will be from our own backyard.
Not-so eager Beavers?
Word circulated on social media for a couple of days before 256 Today confirmed through sources that the Alabama Beavers, an entrant in the new International Football Alliance professional league featuring American football teams from Mexico and the U.S., would be located in Huntsville and play home games at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium. The league’s website, however, lists the Beavers hometown as TBD. Whether or not the IFA’s inaugural season kicks off next summer as planned remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, Chad Emerson, the managing director of Huntsville FC whose owners also operate the stadium’s business, told 256 Today he has a “signed contract” to host Beavers home games next year.
New Huntsville City Hall
As Huntsville gets ready to officially open the new city hall with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening May 21, perhaps we should reflect on all our fond memories of the old city hall. I shall miss the half floor that featured a barely accessible bathroom on the generously referred to “mezzanine level” and the lovely water feature in the lobby next to the entrance of City Council Chambers that delighted visitors every time it rained. Ah, so many sweet, soggy memories.
Northern Lights over Bama?
USA Today is reporting the Northern lights could be seen as far as south as Alabama this weekend. The article “Northern lights this weekend? Auroras could be visible as far south as Alabama” reports NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said heightened solar activity could make the aurora borealis visible over a large portion of the United States tonight, Saturday, or Sunday nights. If only the also-predicted cloudy skies over North Alabama would cooperate.
Sledgefest is back!
Leighton, also known as Alabama’s favorite tiny town, is set to host Sledgefest next month. The popular music festival is named after award-winning R&B, soul, and gospel singer, Percy Sledge, a native of Leighton. The Colbert County town is about one square mile in size with a population of 665, according to the 2020 census. Despite its diminutive size, Leighton has quickly gained recognition for the music celebration that is free to attend and features food vendors as well as children’s activities. Look for the stage in the middle of main street.
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