Digital Alabama News

Auburn Vs. Ole Miss By The Numbers https://digitalalabamanews.com/auburn-vs-ole-miss-by-the-numbers/ Auburn (3-3, 1-2) at No. 9 Ole Miss (6-0, 2-0) 11 a.m. CDT Saturday (ESPN) Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi 1 7-0 record for Ole Miss during the SEC era, a mark the Rebels would own again if they defeat Auburn. Ole Miss won its first seven games in 2014. The Rebels later had to vacate those victories because of violations of NCAA rules. 1 Higher-ranked Ole Miss team has played Auburn. On Nov. 1, 2014, the No. 4 Tigers defeated the No. 7 Rebels 35-31. Ole Miss has played Auburn eight previous times as a ranked team when the Tigers were unranked. Auburn has won five of those games, although Saturday’s game is the first one in which Ole Miss is ranked better than 15th. MORE SEC FOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS: · TOP 10 FOR WEEK 7 · TOP 10 FROM WEEK 6 2 Consecutive 100-yard rushing games for Auburn RB Tank Bigsby against Ole Miss. Bigsby ran for 129 yards in a 35-28 victory in 2020 and 140 in a 31-20 victory in 2021. Three Auburn players have rushed for 100 or more yards against the same opponent in at least three consecutive seasons. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams had 100-yard games against Mississippi State in 2002, 2003 and 2004, Bo Jackson had 100-yard games against Alabama in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985 and James Brooks had 100-yard games against Tennessee in 1977, 1978 and 1979. Auburn has had a 100-yard rusher in five of its past six games against Ole Miss. 2 Of the 10 players in the nation with two receptions of at least 60 yards are in Saturday’s game. Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter has receptions of 61 yards against LSU on Oct. 1 and 62 yards for a TD against Georgia on Oct. 8 from QB Robby Ashford. Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo had TD receptions of 71 and 72 yards from QB Jaxson Dart in last week’s victory over Vanderbilt. 2 TD passes have been yielded by the Auburn defense this season, tied with Illinois for the fewest in the nation. Ole Miss has scored TDs on 10 passes in 2022. 2 Points are needed by Anders Carlson to lift the Auburn kicker into sixth place on the SEC’s career list. Currently, Leigh Tiffin holds that spot with 385 points for Alabama from 2006 through 2009. Carlson ranks second in scoring in Auburn history to Daniel Carlson, who holds the SEC record with 480 points for the Tigers from 2014 through 2017. 3 Teams have a worse turnover margin than Auburn this season. With 13 turnovers and four takeaways, the Tigers are at minus-9. New Mexico State and Temple are at minus-10, and Stanford is at minus-11. No other SEC team is worse than minus-6 in turnover margin, including South Carolina, which has lost 15 turnovers this season. 6 Consecutive victories for Auburn over Ole Miss, with the Tigers leading the series 35-11. Auburn has a 13-3 record in Oxford with victories on the past four visits. 8 Consecutive seasons have included at least four losses for Auburn. The Tigers have had only one longer streak of at least four losses per season. From 1938 through 1952, Auburn lost at least four games in every season. Since posting a 12-2 record in 2013, Auburn has gone 8-5 in 2014, 7-6 in 2015, 8-5 in 2016, 10-4 in 2017, 8-5 in 2018, 9-4 in 2019, 6-5 in 2020 and 6-7 in 2021. The Tigers enter Saturday’s game with a 3-3 record in 2022. 10 Years since Auburn had fewer points and fewer rushing yards six games into a season than it does in 2022. The Tigers have scored 122 points and run for 889 yards this season. Those are the lowest six-game totals since 2012, when Auburn had 97 points and 753 rushing yards in a 1-5 start. 13 Consecutive victories in home games for Ole Miss, which hasn’t lost at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium since a 35-28 setback against Auburn on Oct. 24, 2020. It’s the Rebels’ longest winning streak in Oxford since a 21-game streak ended with a 7-3 loss to LSU on Oct. 31, 1959, when the Tigers’ Billy Cannon made his famous 89-yard punt return. Auburn has won its past four games in Oxford. 14 Third downs have been converted into first downs in the first quarter and 13 third downs have been converted into first downs in the remainder of the game by Auburn’s offense this season. The Tigers are 14-for-27 (52 percent) on third downs in the first quarter and 13-of-55 (24 percent) on third downs from the second quarter on. Auburn’s conversion rate gets worse as the game goes on – 6-for-18 in the second quarter, 5-for-20 in the third quarter, 2-for-16 in the fourth quarter and 0-for-1 in overtime. Auburn has outscored its opponents 38-7 in the first quarter and been outscored 143-84 in the remainder of its 2022 games. 16 Of the 22 Auburn-Ole Miss games this century have featured a Tigers ball-carrier with at least 100 rushing yards. Auburn has a 15-1 record in those games. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams rushed for 103 yards against the Rebels in 2003, but Auburn lost 24-20. In the six games this century without a 100-yard rusher, the Tigers have gone 3-3 against Ole Miss. Since the turn of the century, three Auburn RBs have had 200-yard games against Ole Miss – Ronnie Brown with 224 in 2002, Kamryn Pettway with 236 in 2016 and Kerryon Johnson with 204 in 2017. Auburn’s other 100-yard rushers against Ole Miss in the 2000s have been Rudi Johnson with 165 in 2000, Brown with 100 in 2004, Kenny Irons with 101 in 2005 and 106 in 2006, Ben Tate with 144 with 2009, Michael Dyer with 180 in 2010 and 177 in 2011, Nick Marshall with 140 in 2013, Cameron Artis-Payne with 138 in 2014, JaTarvious “Boobee” Whitlow with 170 in 2018 and Tank Bigsby with 129 in 2020 and 140 in 2021. 21 Rushing TDs have been scored by Ole Miss in 2022, tied with Georgia for the most in the nation. The Auburn defense has yielded 16 rushing TDs in 2022, the most in the SEC. Only four teams in the nation have allowed more rushing TDs than the Tigers this season. 65 Receptions for John Samuel Shenker, the most for a tight end in Auburn history. Shenker set the school career mark with five receptions against Georgia last week. Shenker surpassed the record of 63 established by Cooper Wallace from 2002 through 2005. Wallace remains the record-holder for receiving yards by an Auburn tight end with 829. Shenker has 750 receiving yards in his career. 123 Consecutive games without being shut out for Auburn, the second-longest streak in school history. Auburn’s most recent shutout loss came 49-0 to Alabama on Nov. 17, 2012. Auburn’s record scoring streak lasted 149 games, starting with a 55-16 victory over Richmond on Oct. 4, 1980, and ending with a 17-0 loss to Alabama on Nov. 26, 1992. 247 Yards and two TDs on nine receptions for Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo in a 52-28 victory over Vanderbilt last week to set a school single-game record. Mingo broke the mark of 238 yards that Elijah Moore had set when he had a school-record 14 receptions against Vanderbilt in 2020. Mingo had TD receptions of 71 and 72 yards from QB Jaxson Dart in the second half against the Commodores. 581 Yards and eight TDs on 96 rushing attempts for Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins, the most rushing yards in the nation for a freshman in 2022. FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE SEC, GO TO OUR SEC PAGE Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read More…

Pakistan Hits Back At Biden 'over Dangerous Nation' Remark; 'trying To Distract From…' https://digitalalabamanews.com/pakistan-hits-back-at-biden-over-dangerous-nation-remark-trying-to-distract-from/ Claiming that Joe Biden “should worry about his own seat instead of uttering careless words”, Pakistan has strongly reacted to the US President’s critical statement describing Pakistan as “one of the most dangerous nations”. US President Joe Biden described Pakistan as “one of the most dangerous nations” in the world which holds “nuclear weapons without any cohesion.” With his approval ratings going down , Biden should worry about his own seat instead of uttering careless words like these. Pakistan nuclear assets are much safer than US itself. pic.twitter.com/xflL5MUfkO — Dr Arslan Khalid (@arslankhalid_m) October 15, 2022 In response to Biden’s remarks, Pakistan’s former Minister of Information Technology and Ex Focal Person (Digital Media) to Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dr Arslan Khalid, tweeted, “With his approval ratings going down, Biden should worry about his own seat instead of uttering careless words like these. Pakistan nuclear assets are much safer than US itself.” In his criticism, Khalid while referring to previous statements from former US President Donald Trump, stressed, “Trump had made 3 tweets against Pakistan, on which then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan showed a mirror to Trump through 4 tweets. After that, Trump never spoke against Pakistan. Pakistan’s response to Biden’s anti-Pakistan statement today has not yet come.” US statement prompts criticism from Pakistan Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry, a senior member of Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf and the country’s former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting also took a dig at Biden on Twitter. Chaudhry tweeted, “A few days ago, the revelation about Saudi Arabia and now the irresponsible statement about Pakistan seems like President Biden wants to distract from his declining reputation among the American people. The leadership may be weak but the people are not.”   The former Information and Broadcasting Minister also rounded up Biden’s previous statement regarding Saudi Arabia following the decision by OPEC+ to cut the oil production quota by 2 million barrels per day, as November’s congressional elections approach in the US.   Following the development, the US made its discontent with the decision clear revealing that it was reviewing a “number of response options” available against Saudi Arabia.   Meanwhile, the drama unfolded following the statement by Biden at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Reception in Los Angeles, where he labelled Pakistan “one of the most dangerous nations in the world”. The US President additionally berated both Russia and China during his address.   Islamabad’s history of nuclear threats Pakistan has had an extensive history of issuing careless nuclear threats to its neighbours, especially India. Pakistan’s former Railway Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad in August 2020 claimed that the country was capable of targeting India with a precision nuclear bomb in a war-like scenario.   Moreover, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan made similar remarks in August 2019 while addressing the ‘Kashmir Hour’ rally, “The world should know that when two nuclear countries face off, the whole world will be harmed.”    Khan reiterated his claims of a nuclear war with India in September 2019, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA.  Read More…

Forum: Before Nov. 8, Hone Your Skills For Detecting Crap | HeraldNet.com https://digitalalabamanews.com/forum-before-nov-8-hone-your-skills-for-detecting-crap-heraldnet-com/ By Ken W. White / Herald Forum On Nov. 8, there will be nearly 300 election deniers on ballots nationwide who claim that Trump was robbed of victory in 2020. Some are up for key jobs in at least five states that could likely determine the outcome of the next presidential race. Bloomberg.com reports that sycophants of former president Donald Trump are set up for critical positions that could throw the 2024 election into chaos. So more than two years after Joe Biden won the election, Trump still pushes — without evidence — that the election was counterfeit. Despite Trump’s lies, the Associated Press found fewer than 475 potential instances of election fraud out of more than 25 million votes. Why, then, the racket? Eugene Kiely of FactCheck.org suggests that false molehills can become disinformation mountains because of voter apathy, a growing number of social media users pay little attention to the national election. Apathy does help spread lies, but the problem is not just indifference. There are radical Trump voters who are willingly open to being misled and who keep the “big lie” alive. People generally are disposed to accepting what they agree with, but MAGA extremists choose to believe proven lies. They follow Trump no matter what. They are lost. More moderate people voted for Trump because he is “Republican,” or a “rich television celebrity” or a “man of action” who would bring some sort of change. They follow Trump conditionally and are not lost. They are teachable. One attitude most Trump voters share — lost or conditional — and as expressed by one former supporter, is that they are “tired of all the crap.” Thus the main challenge is giving all voters, but especially moderate Trump voters who are confused or unclear about what crap actually is, a means for distinguishing real information from crap. The late Neil Postman, American author, educator, media theorist and cultural critic, offered a means. He argued for crap-detecting to be a part of critical thinking. For Postman, such skills would promote basic literacy for decoding social and traditional media, and confront technology’s growing capacity to spread false information. Crap-detecting gives thinking a means for critically judging and identifying messages (and messengers) — on social media, television or streaming, radio or internet, and in print — that dishonestly manipulate information. One approach points out four fraudulent characteristics of CRAP: CRAP is Cunning: Like a Fox. Fox News promotes crap and only reports awkward facts when forced. In 2020, Fox paid a settlement of millions to the family of a murdered Democratic National Committee staff member and admitted that the network repeatedly hyped false talking points that the young man leaked Democratic Party emails during the 2016 presidential campaign. In fact, Russia hacked and leaked the emails. But Fox didn’t report the settlement or Russian hacking, and viewers were left with the lie. Most importantly, cunning is not about “left” or “right” bias (that can be transparent) but about surreptitiously dictating what is newsworthy. CRAP is Reactive: When not delivered in a calm and thoughtful response, but in an emotive, unthinking, and knee-jerk reaction. The technique heightens strong emotions about minor issues in order to deflect away from more important matters. CRAP is often more worked up over transient topics like imaginary “immigrant caravans” or “The Little Mermaid” being a Black character than about indispensable concerns like an ex-president hoarding classified information or the dismantling of democracy. CRAP is Angry: When it fumes with over-the-top ranting and raving. The best example, of course, is Alex Jones who unleashes homophobic rants against Democratic congressmen, throws tantrums about the next lawsuit he’s facing and whines about an order to pay nearly $1 billion in defamation trials. He relentlessly deflects and distracts from the lies he’s told about the Sandy Hook shooting being a hoax,and hoping that people confuse anger with honesty, ignoring that anger is not honest when it is a pretense. CRAP is Predatory: When it pounces on opponents with extreme name-calling, threats and insults. For example, while even some Republican leaders stepped up to defend Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman against personal attacks by Trump and his allies, Fox pundit Laura Ingraham derided the patriotism and personal integrity of Vindman — a decorated U.S. veteran — when she made the insulting innuendo: “Here we have a U.S. national security official who is advising Ukraine while working inside the White House, apparently against the president’s interest, and usually they spoke in English. Isn’t that kind of an interesting angle to this story?” CRAP attacks the person with predatory ad hominem charges rather than addressing the issue. Trump has conned America for over 30 years. Today, we continue to deal with his election deniers and insurrection, but reason and the rule of law may be catching up. Yet many ask: Why did it take so long? Well, maybe it’s been a failure of crap-detecting. But maybe some, as The Seattle Times reports, like moderate Cary Condotta, chair of the Chelan County Republican Party, are calling out claims of widespread election fraud as “a bunch of crap.” And maybe some deniers who don’t trust the vote-counting could visit a county auditor’s office and take a tour of the ballot verification and counting process. Maybe then, actual research and crap-detecting could still save democracy on Nov. 8. Ken W. White lives in Marysville. Read More…

Mine Explosion In Northern Turkey Kills 28 https://digitalalabamanews.com/mine-explosion-in-northern-turkey-kills-28/ Eight others critically injured after a blast hundreds of metres below ground tore through a mine in Amasya. Published On 14 Oct 202214 Oct 2022 An explosion inside a coal mine in northern Turkey killed at least 28 people, Turkish officials said, while rescuers were trying to bring dozens of others trapped inside the mine to the surface. The blast occurred on Friday at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter on Friday that 28 people had lost their lives in the incident. Eleven of the 58 rescued miners were still getting treatment in hospitals, Koca also said, adding that it was not clear how many people were still trapped due to the blast that occurred as 110 people were working inside. Energy Minister Fatih Donmez, who went to Amasra after the blast, said a preliminary assessment indicated the explosion was likely caused by firedamp – a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu also travelled to Amasra to coordinate the rescue operation. Soylu also would not provide a number for those still trapped. Several rescue teams were dispatched to the area, including from neighbouring provinces, Turkey’s disaster management agency, AFAD, said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would cancel all his other arrangements and fly to the scene of the accident on Saturday. “Our hope is that the loss of life will not increase further, that our miners will be found alive,” Erdogan said in a tweet. “All of our efforts are aimed in this direction.” The explosion occurred 300 metres (985 feet) below the entrance of the mine at around 15:15 GMT, the Bartin governor’s office said. Television images showed hundreds of people, some with tears in their eyes, congregating around a damaged white building near the entrance to the pit. Earlier, Turkey’s Maden-Is mining workers’ union attributed the blast to a build-up of methane gas, but other officials said it was premature to draw conclusions about the cause of the accident. In Turkey’s worst mine disaster, a total of 301 people died in 2014 in a fire inside a coal mine in the town of Soma, western Turkey. Read More…

Paul Ryan Predicts Trump Will Not Be 2024 Republican Nominee https://digitalalabamanews.com/paul-ryan-predicts-trump-will-not-be-2024-republican-nominee/ Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., said he does not expect former President Donald Trump to win the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024. Ryan, the 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate, made the comments during a discussion with Teneo, a global company that advises CEOs, for the company’s “Insight Series.” Ryan is the vice chairman of Teneo. “I think Trump’s un-electability will be palpable by then,” Ryan said. “We all know he will lose, or let me put it this way: we all know he’s much more likely to lose the White House than anybody else running for president on our side of the aisle. So why would we want to go with that?” The former congressman explained that the only reason Trump “stays where he is, is because everybody is afraid of him,” referring to Republicans. “They’re afraid of him going after them, hurting their own ambition.” DR. OZ SUPPORTS BIDEN’S FEDERAL MARIJUANA PARDONS, SAYS SENDING PEOPLE TO JAIL FOR POT IS ‘NOT A WISE MOVE’ Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., said he does not expect former President Donald Trump to win the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024. (AP/Reuters) Ryan predicted that any Republican electing to challenge Trump in the GOP primary is likely to be patient in announcing a bid for the White House. “I think people will delay their decisions, and they’ll wait for somebody else to take the first plunge to take the ire of Trump, to have him go after that person and try and hurt them with MAGA voters, so then they can follow behind,” Ryan said.  “So, it’s kind of a prisoner’s dilemma,” he continued. “But the person who gets in the race earlier can organize earlier, can sign up supporters earlier, can sign up donors earlier, can get a better jump on it, so it really is a total prisoner’s dilemma.” BIDEN SAYS INFLATION ‘WILL GO UP’ IF REPUBLICANS TAKE CONTROL OF CONGRESS Ryan, the 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate, made the comments during a discussion with Teneo, a global company that advises CEOs, for the company’s “Insight Series.” The Wisconsin native said he expects the Republican primary to be crowded in 2024 as some members of the party are currently riding on high favorability.  “There’s a handful of people that are going to run, because it’s the only cycle they can run in. They can’t wait until 2028,” he said. “They’ve got to go now, if they’re ever going to go. And they don’t want to die without ever trying.” Republicans viewed as potential candidates for president in 2024 include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, former Vice President Mike Pence, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Ryan said he expects the Republican primary to be crowded in 2024 as some members of the party are currently riding on high favorability.  (AP) Ryan said if too many candidates run in the Republican primary, the non-Trump vote could be diluted and the former president would be left with amble support. But the former Speaker predicted that the Republican Party would consolidate behind a non-Trump candidate during the primary. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Highlighting recent polling showing Trump fairing poorly compared to other Republicans in a presidential matchup against Democrats, Ryan said he believes the GOP will choose someone other than the former president. “Whether he runs or not, I don’t really know if it matters,” Ryan said. “He’s not going to be the nominee, I don’t think.” Read More…

This Is The Absolute Best Town In Alabama To Visit During The Halloween Season https://digitalalabamanews.com/this-is-the-absolute-best-town-in-alabama-to-visit-during-the-halloween-season/ When it comes to Halloween in Alabama, no other town celebrates it quite like Huntsville. This time of year offers a variety of “spooktacular” activities for anyone who enjoys all things scary. If you’re not a fan of being “scared,” no worries. Huntsville also offers a great selection of fall activities that are great for all ages. Listed below are just a few of the many activities “The Rocket City” offers this time of year, making it the best Halloween town in Alabama. Huntsville is located within the North Alabama region and is a wonderful town to visit, especially this time of year. It offers many great things to see and do. Huntsville, AL, USA For example, you can always take a stroll along the Scarecrow Trail during the Festifall at Huntsville Botanical Garden. It features some of the most unique scarecrows you’ll ever see. Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA Scarecrow Trail during the Festifall at Huntsville Botanical Garden. It features some of the most unique scarecrows you’ll ever see.” data-pin-url=”https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/best-halloween-town-al/” data-src=”https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/huntsvilletown3.jpg” height=”3024″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/themes/oiys-2017-08/images/img-lazy-load.jpg” width=”4032″ If you’re feeling extra spooky, you’ll want to visit Dead Children’s Playground, which is attached to the city’s Maple Hill Cemetery. During the late night hours, children are said to come out and play. If you love trains and enjoy being scared, you’ll want to visit the Huntsville Depot Museum. This historic depot, according to many, is believed to be haunted by Civil War soldiers. Huntsville Depot Museum, 320 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA To experience the beautiful fall colors of Huntsville, you’ll want to board the Mercury & Chase Railroad at the North Alabama Railroad Museum for an unforgettable train ride. North Alabama Railroad Museum, 694 Chase Rd NE, Huntsville, AL 35811, USA train ride.” data-pin-url=”https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/best-halloween-town-al/” data-src=”https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/huntsvilletown81.jpg” height=”525″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/themes/oiys-2017-08/images/img-lazy-load.jpg” width=”700″ Huntsville also offers a series of ghost walks during the Halloween season. Sign up for one if you dare! Harrison Brothers Hardware, 124 Southside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA ghost walks during the Halloween season. Sign up for one if you dare!” data-pin-url=”https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/best-halloween-town-al/” data-src=”https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/huntsvilletown1.jpg” height=”1152″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/themes/oiys-2017-08/images/img-lazy-load.jpg” width=”2048″ To experience the beauty of nature, a visit to Huntsville’s Monte Sano State Park just might be the ticket. While here you’ll also experience some pretty amazing views. Monte Sano State Park, 5105 Nolen Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA Monte Sano State Park just might be the ticket. While here you’ll also experience some pretty amazing views.” data-pin-url=”https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alabama/best-halloween-town-al/” data-src=”https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/monte-sano-state-park.jpg” height=”800″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/www.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/themes/oiys-2017-08/images/img-lazy-load.jpg” width=”1200″ And of course, no trip to Huntsville during the Halloween season is complete without stopping by to see the town’s very own Salem Witch House on Waverly Avenue. It’s not scary. However, it’s such a neat place to see. 133 Walker Ave NE, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA Have you ever been to Huntsville, Alabama during the Halloween season? If so, please share your experience with us in the comments below. For more information about the Huntsville Depot Museum, be sure to take a look at the following article: There’s Only One Remaining Train Station Like This In All Of Alabama And It’s Magnificent. Note: Make sure to call ahead for updated business hours. Address: Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA Address: Huntsville Depot Museum, 320 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA Address: Harrison Brothers Hardware, 124 Southside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA Address: 133 Walker Ave NE, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA Address: North Alabama Railroad Museum, 694 Chase Rd NE, Huntsville, AL 35811, USA Address: Monte Sano State Park, 5105 Nolen Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801, USA Address: Huntsville, AL, USA Read More…

AP News Summary At 3:50 A.m. EDT https://digitalalabamanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-350-a-m-edt/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Putin calls his actions in Ukraine ‘correct and timely’ KYIV, UKRAINE (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin expects his troop mobilization for combat in Ukraine to end in about two weeks. That would allow him to end the unpopular and chaotic call-up meant to counter Ukrainian battlefield gains and solidify his illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. Putin faces domestic discontent and military setbacks in a neighboring country increasingly armed with advanced Western weapons. He told reporters Friday he “did not set out to destroy Ukraine” and doesn’t regret starting the conflict. Russia’s difficulties in achieving its war aims are becoming apparent in the illegally annexed Kherson region. Anticipating an advance by Ukrainian forces, Moscow-installed authorities there urged residents to flee Friday. Ukrainian deminers remove deadly threats to civilians HRAKOVE, Ukraine (AP) — A group of Ukrainian deminers with the country’s territorial defense forces is working to clear an area in the Kharkiv region of dozens of deadly mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. The brigade is pushing to restore a semblance of safety to the cities, towns and countryside in a region that spent months under Russian occupation. The deminers swept a remote area with metal detectors, searching for mines left behind by Russian forces that retreated from the region at the beginning of September. While many settlements in the region have finally achieved some measure of safety after fierce battles reduced many of them to rubble, Russian land mines remain an ever-present threat in both urban and rural environments. Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. Is Alex Jones verdict the death of disinformation? Unlikely NEW YORK (AP) — The award of nearly $1 billion to parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims to compensate for harmful lies spread by fabulist Alex Jones isn’t likely to do much to curb disinformation, experts say. Conspiracy theories have roots too deep in American history and, as Jones proved, there’s a lot of money to be made now in spreading them. Because the ruling involved private citizens and not public figures, many purveyors of disinformation will be able to get around it. Media experts are next looking to a potential trial or settlement in the lawsuit by the Dominion voting system against Fox News for spreading disinformation about the 2020 election. Trump’s subpoena and what’s next for the Jan. 6 panel WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary step, the House Jan. 6 committee has voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump – a final effort to get the full story of the Capitol insurrection as the panel wraps up its work by the end of the year. Trump has been relentlessly hostile to the investigation, calling it a “charade and a witch hunt” in a letter to the committee on Friday. But he has not said whether he will comply with the demand for his appearance.  Even if he does, there’s no guarantee the committee would get anything different from the broadsides Trump sends out periodically. Parkland shooter’s life sentence could bring changes to law FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The life sentence about to be imposed on Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz could bring changes to the state’s death penalty law. Until recently, Florida law allowed the imposition of a death sentence if a majority of the jury agreed. But after the U.S. and state supreme courts rejected those laws, the Florida Legislature in 2017 voted to require jury unanimity for a death sentence to be imposed. That’s why Cruz will get life without parole, even though his jury voted 9-3 Thursday to support his execution. Relatives of Cruz’s victims and others say the law should now be changed. Cruz murdered 17 people at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Death toll rises to 28 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — Officials say the death toll from a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey has risen to at least 28 people and rescue efforts continue as a fire burns in the mine. There were 110 miners working in the shaft when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 58 people had been rescued and efforts to reach 15 others continue. The majority of them are in the mine’s gallery where a fire is still burning. Mel Gibson can testify at Harvey Weinstein trial, judge says LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has ruled that Mel Gibson can testify about what he learned from one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers. The 66-year-old actor and director Gibson was one of many trial witnesses whose identities were revealed in court Friday. Weinstein is accused of sexual battery against the woman, who is a masseuse and friend of Gibson’s. The judge and lawyers took a break from jury selection to argue over which witnesses and evidence will be allowed during the eight-week trial. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More…

AP News Summary At 3:50 A.m. EDT https://digitalalabamanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-350-a-m-edt-2/ Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Putin calls his actions in Ukraine ‘correct and timely’ KYIV, UKRAINE (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin expects his troop mobilization for combat in Ukraine to end in about two weeks. That would allow him to end the unpopular and chaotic call-up meant to counter Ukrainian battlefield gains and solidify his illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. Putin faces domestic discontent and military setbacks in a neighboring country increasingly armed with advanced Western weapons. He told reporters Friday he “did not set out to destroy Ukraine” and doesn’t regret starting the conflict. Russia’s difficulties in achieving its war aims are becoming apparent in the illegally annexed Kherson region. Anticipating an advance by Ukrainian forces, Moscow-installed authorities there urged residents to flee Friday. Ukrainian deminers remove deadly threats to civilians HRAKOVE, Ukraine (AP) — A group of Ukrainian deminers with the country’s territorial defense forces is working to clear an area in the Kharkiv region of dozens of deadly mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. The brigade is pushing to restore a semblance of safety to the cities, towns and countryside in a region that spent months under Russian occupation. The deminers swept a remote area with metal detectors, searching for mines left behind by Russian forces that retreated from the region at the beginning of September. While many settlements in the region have finally achieved some measure of safety after fierce battles reduced many of them to rubble, Russian land mines remain an ever-present threat in both urban and rural environments. Kemp vs. Abrams II: Republican has incumbent advantage now ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia governor’s race is a rematch of 2018, when Republican Brian Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams. But circumstances have changed. This time, it is Kemp who holds a lot of advantages as he seeks reelection. Abrams is trying to rekindle the star power that had people talking about her being president one day. Kemp became the target of Donald Trump’s wrath when the defeated president threatened retribution after Kemp certified Democrat Joe Biden’s slate of presidential electors in Georgia. But not only did Kemp maintain support among most Republican voters while defying Trump, he seems to have only grown stronger heading into his rematch with Abrams. US shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration’s policy shift on Venezuelan migrants may pose an enormous challenge to overstretched Mexican shelters. The U.S. has coupled plans to let up to 24,000 Venezuelans apply online to fly to the U.S. for temporary stays with a pledge to immediately turn back Venezuelans who cross the border illegally from Mexico. The rapid expulsions expand a Trump-era policy that denies rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Venezuelans have suddenly become the second-largest nationality at the U.S. border after Mexicans, a growing challenge to President Joe Biden and neighboring allies. Is Alex Jones verdict the death of disinformation? Unlikely NEW YORK (AP) — The award of nearly $1 billion to parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims to compensate for harmful lies spread by fabulist Alex Jones isn’t likely to do much to curb disinformation, experts say. Conspiracy theories have roots too deep in American history and, as Jones proved, there’s a lot of money to be made now in spreading them. Because the ruling involved private citizens and not public figures, many purveyors of disinformation will be able to get around it. Media experts are next looking to a potential trial or settlement in the lawsuit by the Dominion voting system against Fox News for spreading disinformation about the 2020 election. Trump’s subpoena and what’s next for the Jan. 6 panel WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary step, the House Jan. 6 committee has voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump – a final effort to get the full story of the Capitol insurrection as the panel wraps up its work by the end of the year. Trump has been relentlessly hostile to the investigation, calling it a “charade and a witch hunt” in a letter to the committee on Friday. But he has not said whether he will comply with the demand for his appearance.  Even if he does, there’s no guarantee the committee would get anything different from the broadsides Trump sends out periodically. Parkland shooter’s life sentence could bring changes to law FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The life sentence about to be imposed on Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz could bring changes to the state’s death penalty law. Until recently, Florida law allowed the imposition of a death sentence if a majority of the jury agreed. But after the U.S. and state supreme courts rejected those laws, the Florida Legislature in 2017 voted to require jury unanimity for a death sentence to be imposed. That’s why Cruz will get life without parole, even though his jury voted 9-3 Thursday to support his execution. Relatives of Cruz’s victims and others say the law should now be changed. Cruz murdered 17 people at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Death toll rises to 28 in Turkey coal mine explosion AMASRA, Turkey (AP) — Officials say the death toll from a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey has risen to at least 28 people and rescue efforts continue as a fire burns in the mine. There were 110 miners working in the shaft when the explosion occurred Friday evening at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Officials said 58 people had been rescued and efforts to reach 15 others continue. The majority of them are in the mine’s gallery where a fire is still burning. Mel Gibson can testify at Harvey Weinstein trial, judge says LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has ruled that Mel Gibson can testify about what he learned from one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers. The 66-year-old actor and director Gibson was one of many trial witnesses whose identities were revealed in court Friday. Weinstein is accused of sexual battery against the woman, who is a masseuse and friend of Gibson’s. The judge and lawyers took a break from jury selection to argue over which witnesses and evidence will be allowed during the eight-week trial. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More…

Justice Dept. Seeks End To Arbiter's Review Of Trump Docs https://digitalalabamanews.com/justice-dept-seeks-end-to-arbiters-review-of-trump-docs/ By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department asked a federal appeals court on Friday to shut down the work of an independent arbiter who was appointed last month to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master, who was assigned to inspect the records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. The special master process has caused some delays to the Justice Department’s investigation into the holding of top-secret documents at the home. But a major hurdle was cleared last month when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit lifted a temporary bar on the department’s ability to use the seized classified documents as part of its criminal probe. The move permitted a core aspect of the probe to resume, greatly reducing the odds that the process could have a significant impact on the investigation. Even so, department lawyers returned to the court Friday to ask for the entire special master review to be shut down, saying the judge who made the appointment had no basis for doing so and that Trump was not entitled to an independent review of the seized records or to claim privilege over them. “Plaintiff has no plausible claim of executive privilege as to any of the seized materials and no plausible claim of personal attorney-client privilege as to the seized government records — including all records bearing classification markings,” according to the department’s brief. “Accordingly,” they added, ”the special-master review process is unwarranted.” The Justice Department says it seized about 13,000 records, including roughly 100 with classification markings, during its court-authorized search in August. The department is conducting a criminal investigation into the retention of those records as well as into whether anyone obstructed its probe. As part of the investigation, the FBI has interviewed multiple Trump aides, including a lawyer for him who served as a custodian of the records and who in June presented investigators with a signed letter asserting that all the classified records the Justice Department had asked for in a subpoena had been located and turned over. Agents believed more records remained at the house, returned in August with a search warrant and removed 33 boxes of documents, including material classified at the top-secret level. Weeks later, the Trump team asked a judge in Florida, Aileen Cannon, to appoint a special master to do an independent review of the records. Cannon agreed, naming a veteran Brooklyn judge, Raymond Dearie, to inspect the records and segregate from the rest of the investigation any documents that could possibly be covered by claims of executive privilege or attorney-client privilege. The 11th Circuit subsequently lifted Cannon’s prohibition on the department’s use of the classified documents for its investigation pending Dearie’s review, as well as a requirement that the Justice Department provide those specific records to Dearie for his review. The Supreme Court on Thursday declined a request from Trump’s lawyers to intervene in the dispute. The Justice Department has repeatedly rejected the idea that a special master review was needed, and though it has been able to resume its review of the classified records, it said its investigation remains slowed by its inability to use the much larger set of non-classified documents as part of its probe. “The district court’s injunction barring review and use of the other seized records harms the government and the public as well,” the department said. “A magistrate judge has already found probable cause to believe that those records may constitute evidence of crimes, and the government has demonstrated a clear need for them.” _____ Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Read More…

Central-Phenix City Knocks Off No. 1 Auburn In 7A https://digitalalabamanews.com/central-phenix-city-knocks-off-no-1-auburn-in-7a/ No. 1-ranked Auburn withered under a swirl of mistakes Friday night but those only served to make it easier for a Central-Phenix City offense that didn’t need any extra help. The No. 4-ranked Red Devils took advantage of three turnovers to score three touchdowns — including defensive back Quintavious Billingsley’s 88-yard interception return in the fourth quarter — and quarterback Jaylen Epps pulled the levers for 432 yards of total offense in a 38-17 rout of the previously unbeaten Tigers on Trawick Field at Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City. “It was the most complete game we’ve played this year,” Central coach Patrick Nix said after his Red Devils (7-2, 6-1) scored on five of their first six series and took control of the 7A Region 2 race. “Anytime you don’t have to punt, you’ve had a good night. We played really good, obviously, when you beat a team like that. We didn’t win the state championship tonight, but we put ourselves in a good position.” Epps, Central’s senior quarterback, scored on a 50-yard run off a masterful fake three plays into the second half to quell any hopes of an Auburn comeback, distributed the ball to seven receivers in a 13-of-18 passing night for 181 yards and led the Red Devils on scoring drives of 49, 71, 90, 80 and 61 yards. “Jaylen was very efficient,” Nix said, and when his offensive line wasn’t opening holes for 251 yards rushing, Epps kept plays alive by dodging blitzing defenders. “Our offensive line did a great job,” Nix said. “Blocking and tackling is still the name of the game.” The Tigers (7-1, 5-1) — who suffered their worst loss since Central won 34-7 in 2019 — fell behind 21-3 at halftime and couldn’t recover, although quarterback Clyde Pittman was 21-of-32 passing for 277 yards and a touchdown. “We turned the ball over early and it killed us,” Auburn coach Keith Etheredge said. “It’s the first time we’ve done that this year and you can’t do that against a good team.” Big mistakes: The Tigers lost fumbles at their 49 on their first series and at the Red Devils’ 10 in the second quarter when it appeared they were on the way to making it a one-score game. Zack Simmons scored from a yard out after the first fumble and Central drove 90 yards in 15 plays after the second one to take a 21-0 lead on Epps’ 18-yard TD pass to four-star receiver Karmello English, who made a post-corner move and caught the ball over a defender in the end zone. Auburn kept that drive alive by roughing Epps on a third-and-22 play. Billingsley stepped in front of a pass a scrambling Pittman threw across his body and raced 88 yards for a 38-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. “We were pressing,” Etheredge said. Star of the game: Epps, who now has 2,247 yards of total offense this season after passing for 181 yards and adding 76 yards on 12 carries. Key sequence: In the second quarter, the Tigers’ Jaden Walker intercepted Epps at the Red Devils’ 20 but Auburn fumbled it back two plays later just after the Tigers’ Towns McGough had missed a 45-yard field goal. Two scores there and it would have been 14-10 instead of 14-0. Stat sheet: Not only did English lead seven receivers with five catches for 92 yards but Central had three running backs with 67 or more yards. Romello Green had 108 yards on 14 carries, including a 40-yard TD run in the first quarter; Epps had 76 yards on 12 carries; and Simmons had 67 yards on 18 carries … Auburn managed only 91 yards rushing … the Red Devils ran 61 plays to the Tigers’ 49 and dominated time of possession (31:03 to 16:57) … Tyler Flakes scored on a 27-yard run and Marcellus Josephson grabbed a 14-yard TD pass from Pittman for Auburn … Ethan Paul kicked a 36-yard field goal for Central and the Tigers’ Will Best kicked a 42-yarder at the end of the first half. Play of the game: Epps’ 50-yard TD run three plays into the second half to give the Red Devils a 28-3 lead. Auburn’s interior defenders crashed on Epps’ long ball fake to Simmons, then Epps pulled it out and used good downfield blocking to score. By the numbers: 3, times Central has been in the Super 7 in the last four years. It won the 7A state championship in 2018 … 42-16-3, the Red Devils’ record against Auburn, including winning 11 of the last 13 … 22, straight years the Tigers have been in the playoffs … 148-7, Central’s record since 2000 when scoring more than 30 points. He said it: “We’ve grown up and matured. Some guys have learned. We had some growing pains with some young, inexperienced players.” — Nix. He said it too: “We’ve got to get our mistakes fixed and get ready for Prattville. Our guys will respond. They’re champions.” — Etheredge. What’s next? Central is off next week and visits Prattville on Oct. 28 needing a win in the regular-season finale to secure the region championship. Auburn plays at Prattville on Oct. 21. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read More…

The ‘Independence’ Of Cara Mund https://digitalalabamanews.com/the-independence-of-cara-mund/ If you aren’t interested or entrenched in the realm of politics, the next few weeks are probably going to be rather annoying. When I was in the coffee shop recently, the radio was blasting a Hoeven ad. When I glanced down at my phone while I waited in line, the articles were often interrupted by campaign blurbs for the celebrated but staunchly independent House candidate Cara Mund. If nothing else these candidates know their target demographics. With election day fast approaching, Mund and the incumbent Rep. Kelly Armstrong of Dickinson met in the Anishinaabe Theater at the Memorial Union at NDSU on Oct. 11 for a rare debate between a major party candidate and an outsider, though she hardly looks or sounds like one. The former Miss America is the hippest and most exciting individual to enter the North Dakota political field in quite some time. I grant you that’s not saying too much considering how aged and beige our state’s politics tend to be, but her decision to run has completely shaken up what was shaping up to be a rather by-the-numbers midterm election, Rick Becker’s renegade run at Hoeven notwithstanding. Look no further for evidence of this than one of the two major parties bending over backwards to take their own candidate out of the equation to make way for her, leaving voters trapped in yet another binary choice. But that question regarding Mund’s “Independence” continues to be a niggling one, especially for a marginal pundit like myself who would love nothing more than for anyone without an R or D next to their name to hold office. Her performance in this debate did nothing to give me hope that we are on the precipice of such a non-partisan moment. While she did echo Armstrong on a number of issues related to agriculture and the energy industry, the Harvard Law graduate spent a majority of her time slagging Armstrong with rhetoric practically identical to what I’ve come to expect from the hectoring scolds on cable news over the last decade. I get it, he’s the “Beast” and she’s playing the “Smiler,” but in a state like North Dakota, at least a smidgen of authenticity is required. While Armstrong gamely answered questions regarding his campaign’s finances and the support he has received from PACs, Mund trumpeted her own meager fundraising from individual donors as a sign that she wasn’t beholden to anyone. For some reason Rep. Armstrong had within him the restraint to take the high road and not point out who has been hosting the fundraisers that a not insignificant chunk of her cash has come from. Those ads on Forum Communications websites surely aren’t cheap after all. But to be fair to Mund, I can’t begrudge her working the “abortion” angle as much as she has; after all, that wrinkle is the only reason she was compelled to run in the first place. By the time the Dobb’s ruling was leaked, the NDGOP had already had their convention, leaving the independent route the only path available to her. It’s not Mund’s fault that most of the people in North Dakota who agree with her on abortion probably vote Democrat, or that the NDGOP would burn the bridge by installing rules that prevent her from running as Republican in the near future. But it’s hard to take all of her righteous fury from being associated with the Dem-NPL very seriously when her rhetoric and policies so closely mirror theirs. Mund’s rollout and reception by North Dakota’s more left-leaning media was fawning, reminiscent of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s rise to national prominence at the beginning of the Trump years. Ocasio-Cortez was the right candidate for the right moment, propelled by an urgency felt by a political party and an electorate to right course of the nation. That same urgency and frustration is deeply felt amongst the constituency of the Dem-NPL over the issue of abortion, which no doubt is why she has had the way cleared for her to be their DeFacto candidate. It probably serves both the Dem-NPL and Mund better for their association to not be official, as moribund as that brand is outside the Red River Valley. However, it was Mund who stridently drove home during the debate that she is an unbound and uncompromised candidate seeking only what is best for the state. I don’t doubt her sincerity on the last part. By all accounts she is accomplished, and took the steps few do to mount a serious run, and for that I applaud her. But to act as though she doesn’t have the support of a party is a tad disingenuous, especially when they’re paying for polling data, and hosting fundraisers on her behalf. As long as Mund is going to hound her opponent over who has been cutting him checks, it would do her well to own who has been cutting hers. She can criticize Armstrong over the constraints that national parties can employ, but based on her support for ruinous policies like the Paris Climate Accord and the Inflation Reduction Act, North Dakota voters can just about guess who will be constraining Mund in the future should she win. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox Read More…

China's Xi Looks To 3rd 5-Year Term As Communist Party Meets https://digitalalabamanews.com/chinas-xi-looks-to-3rd-5-year-term-as-communist-party-meets/ FILE – New Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping waves in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Nov. 15, 2012. When Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, it wasn’t clear what kind of leader he would be. His low-key persona during a steady rise through the ranks of the Communist Party gave no hint that he would evolve into one of modern China’s most dominant leaders, or that he would put the economically and militarily ascendant country on a collision course with the U.S.-led international order. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File) The Associated Press By KEN MORITSUGU, Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — On the eve of the opening of a key Chinese Communist Party congress, party leader, head of state and commander of the armed forces Xi Jinping seems more in charge than ever, having given no indication of stepping away from power or anointing a successor. Xi had given few signs during his steady rise through the ranks of the party that he would develop into one of modern China’s most dominant leaders, or that he would put the economically and militarily ascendant country on a collision course with the U.S.-led international order. Those illusions have been all but swept away, however, ahead of the century-old party’s opening of its 20th congress Sunday. What’s not clear is how long he will remain in power, and what that means for China and the world. “Xi Jinping is certainly a polarizing individual,” said Joseph Torigian, a Chinese politics expert at at American University in Washington, D.C. Political Cartoons on World Leaders Political Cartoons While some have resented XI’s trampling on what few freedoms Chinese citizens still enjoyed under the one party state, others say China’s various and acute challenges require that a “strong leader is needed to keep at bay the recipes for chaos and dysfunction,” Torigian said. Xi’s third term is a break with an unofficial two-term limit that other recent leaders had followed. What’s not clear is how long he will remain in power, and what that means for China and the world. “I see Xi having his way at the 20th congress, mostly. It is a question of how much more powerful he will be coming out of it,” said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the London University School of Oriental and African Studies. “He is not coming out looking weaker.” One of Xi’s signature policies has been an anti-corruption campaign that has been popular with the public and conveniently enabled him to sideline potential rivals. A former justice minister and a former deputy public security minister received suspended death sentences last month. The continuing anti-corruption campaign, Tsang said, shows that “anyone who stands in his way will be crushed.” Xi, 69, had the right pedigree to climb to the top. He enjoyed a privileged early youth in Beijing as the son of Xi Zhongxun, a former vice premier and guerrilla commander in the civil war that brought Mao’s communists to power in 1949. His family, though, fell afoul of the capriciousness of Mao’s rule during the anarchy of the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, which banished intellectuals to the countryside and subjected many to public humiliation and brutal beatings in the name of class struggle. His father was jailed and Xi, at the age of 15, was sent to live in a poor rural village in Shaanxi province in 1969 as part of Mao’s campaign to have educated urban young people learn from peasants. He lived as villagers did in a hut carved into the area’s cliffs. The experience is said to have toughened Xi and given him an understanding of the struggles of the rural population. He stayed in the village for six years, until receiving a coveted scholarship to prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing. “Knives are sharpened on the stone. People are refined through hardship,” Xi told a Chinese magazine in 2001. “Whenever I later encountered trouble, I’d just think of how hard it had been to get things done back then and nothing would then seem difficult.” Alfred Wu, who covered Xi for Chinese state media in Fujian, remembers him as quiet and low-profile, saying he wasn’t as assertive as he has become as national leader. “Nowadays, Xi Jinping is totally different from Xi Jinping as a governor,” said Wu, now an associate professor of public policy at the National University of Singapore. Xi was moved to neighboring Zhejiang province in 2002, where he was party leader for more than four years, the top position outranking the governor. He then briefly was made party secretary in nearby Shanghai in 2007, after his predecessor fell in a corruption scandal. Over his time in Fujian, Zhejiang and Shanghai, Xi was seen mainly as a pragmatist who didn’t originate bold proposals but generally backed the economic reforms that Deng had initiated and benefited in particular coastal areas such as those three jurisdictions. He also spoke out against corruption as governor in Fujian after a major smuggling scandal, a hint perhaps of the national crackdown that came after his rise to the top. Xi was thrust into the national leadership in 2007. That’s when he joined the all-powerful Standing Committee of the Communist Party’s Politburo, a prelude to being named to the top position at the next congress in 2012. Xi has taken control of economic and military matters and had his name enshrined in the party constitution alongside Mao by adding a reference to his ideology — Xi Jinping Thought. The ideology is vague but emphasizes reviving the party’s mission as China’s political, economic, social and cultural leader and its central role in achieving the goal of “national rejuvenation,” the restoration of the country to a position of prominence in the world. His government has increased the role of state industry while launching anti-monopoly and data security crackdowns on high-flying private sector firms including e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and Tencent Holding, the owner of the popular WeChat messaging service. Xi has also revived a 1950’s propaganda slogan “common prosperity” in a nod to a burgeoning gap between the rich and the poor, though it’s unclear if the government plans any major initiatives to address that. With the economy sagging from pandemic-era restrictions and a government crackdown on spiraling real estate debt, concern is rising that Xi is engineering a shift away from Deng’s strategy of “reform and opening up” that delivered four decades of growth. Wu views Xi as a disciple of Mao rebelling against Deng, who allowed the private sector to flourish and sought positive relations with the West. “He’s really anti-U.S. and anti-West,” Wu said. Xi’s more confrontational approach stems from a belief that now is the time for a stronger China to play a larger role in international affairs and stand up to outside pressure. Xi has antagonized Japan, India and other Asian neighbors by pressing claims to disputed islands in the South and East China Seas, and territory high up in the Himalayas. He has also ramped up military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, the island democracy that the Communist Party says belongs to China. Relations with the U.S. have tumbled to their lowest level since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979, with the Biden administration maintaining tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump and blocking Chinese access to important American technologies. Within China, the Communist Party under Xi has increased surveillance, tightened already strict control over speech and media and cracked down further on dissent, censoring even mildly critical views and jailing those it believes went too far. Authorities have detained an estimated million or more members of predominantly Muslim ethnic groups in China’s Xinjiang region in a harsh anti-extremism campaign that has been labeled genocide by the U.S. In Hong Kong, Xi’s government responded to massive protests with a tough national security law that has eliminated political opposition and altered the once-freewheeling nature of the city. Xi is facing a challenge to his government’s harsh “zero-COVID” policies, which have taken an economic and human toll. Small groups of residents staged protests during a two-month lockdown in Shanghai earlier this year. In a rare political protest, someone hung banners from an elevated highway in Beijing this week calling for freedom, not lockdowns, and worker and student strikes to force Xi out. They were quickly removed, police deployed and any mention of the incident speedily wiped from the internet. The government has stuck with the policy, which earlier was seen as a success as COVID-19 ravaged other parts of the world. Although there is simmering dissatisfaction, particularly as life returns to normal in other parts of the world, most people don’t dare to speak out. ___ Associated Press journalists Dake Kang and Joe McDonald contributed to this story. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More…

Dr. Oz Supports Biden's Federal Marijuana Pardons, Says Sending People To Jail For Pot Is 'not A Wise Move' https://digitalalabamanews.com/dr-oz-supports-bidens-federal-marijuana-pardons-says-sending-people-to-jail-for-pot-is-not-a-wise-move/ GOP Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz said President Biden’s decision to pardon people convicted federally for simple marijuana possession was a “rational move,” just weeks ahead of the election. Oz’s comments mirror the stance held by his Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman. A Fox News poll conducted last month has Fetterman leading 45% to 41%. “Going to jail for marijuana is not a wise move for the country. I think folks who have used marijuana, and that’s the only reason they’re in jail, should not have those criminal — those rulings held against them,” Oz said in a TV interview on Thursday. Biden announced last week he would pardon people in federal prison for simple marijuana possession and called on governors to pardon those convicted of the same at the state level. The move by Biden clears the records of roughly 6,500 people convicted in federal court of simple marijuana possession. FOX NEWS POLL: PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RACE NARROWS GOP Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz said President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon people convicted federally for simple marijuana possession was a “rational move,” just weeks ahead of the election. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Oz also said in the interview that he opposes federal mandatory minimum prison sentences, a contrast to Fetterman’s remarks from earlier this month in which the Democrat expressed support for applying the mandatory minimums when it comes to fentanyl dealers. Oz has criticized his opponent for being too soft on crime. “I really think judges should be empowered to make the difficult decisions, and they generally do it well,” Oz said. “When we tie their hands by making laws at the federal level, it hinders their ability to do what needs to be done.” The Trump-endorsed Republican was also asked about his stance on the death penalty for drug dealers, which the former president has pushed for. “I think an appropriate — potentially death penalty, but an appropriate harsh penalty for people especially bringing fentanyl into this country — it might be the death penalty,” Oz said. LIBERALS RUSH TO DEFEND FETTERMAN AS REPORTERS QUESTION HIS MENTAL FITNESS FOLLOWING NBC INTERVIEW Biden announced last week he would pardon people in federal prison for simple marijuana possession and called on governors to pardon those convicted of the same at the state level.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May and has since struggled with auditory processing issues and speaking clearly, has used closed captioning during interviews to be able to understand a reporter’s questions. Oz has repeatedly called out Fetterman for not being transparent about his health and has pressured his opponent to release his medical records. Oz, a former heart surgeon and talk show host, recently released his medical records in which Dr. Rebecca Kurth in New York City wrote a four-page letter saying he is in “excellent health.” The Republican said he has “tremendous compassion” for what Fetterman has experienced and that he believes people with disabilities can and should serve. FETTERMAN STILL HAS ‘A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING’ CONVERSATIONS, NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT REPORTS Pennsylvania Senate Democratic nominee John Fetterman and Pennsylvania Senate GOP nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz. (Mark Makela, Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “The issue for me is the voters of Pennsylvania deserve transparency,” Oz said. “When you were asking questions of John Fetterman about his medical records, I was watching his responses and thinking he probably does want to release his records. But he’s not. So why not?” Fetterman said earlier this month when pressed on why he has failed to release his medical records that he is not aware of any undisclosed symptoms and that he has been open with the public about his health and recovery. The two candidates are scheduled to participate in their one and only debate on Oct. 25. Oz has requested for more than one debate. Read More…

Friday’s High School Football Finals – WEIS | Local & Area News, Sports, & Weather https://digitalalabamanews.com/fridays-high-school-football-finals-weis-local-area-news-sports-weather-2/ Compiled by the Alabama Sports Writers Association Addison 20, Falkville 7 Alabama Chr. 56, Greensboro 6 Alexandria 54, Southside-Gadsden 47 Aliceville 34, Winston Co. 31 American Chr. 28, Sipsey Valley 3 Andalusia 36, BTW-Tuskegee 14 Anniston 62, Talladega 0 Arab 34, Guntersville 20 Ariton 49, Wicksburg 35 Ashford 42, New Brockton 13 Athens 49, Columbia 6 Austin 28, Bob Jones 26 B.B. Comer 48, Central-Coosa 8 Bayside Aca. 66, Escambia Co. 48 Benjamin Russell 16, Briarwood 14 Bibb Co. 56, Dallas Co. 0 Billingsley 28, Notasulga 14 Boaz 51, Sardis 16 Brantley 55, Pleasant Home 13 Brooks 38, Wilson 13 Calera 52, Helena 51 (4OT) Carroll-Ozark 41, Greenville 0 Carver-Montgomery 23, Sidney Lanier 20 Catholic-Montgomery 52, Dale Co. 0 Central-Clay Co. 28, Beauregard 3 Central-Florence 35, West Limestone 28 Central-Hayneville 60, Calhoun 20 Central-Phenix City 38, Auburn 17 Central-Tuscaloosa 27, Bessemer City 20 Chambers Aca. 56, Macon-East 20 Charles Henderson 31, Headland 13 Cherokee Co. 45, Etowah 42 Chickasaw 42, Washington Co. 28 Clarke Co. 13, St Luke’s 7 Clarke Prep 35, Pickens Aca. 12 Clay-Chalkville 25, Oxford 20 Cleveland 48, West End-Walnut Grove 25 Colbert Co. 75, Clements 38 Cold Springs 30, Greene Co. 26 Collinsville 44, Whitesburg Chr. 42 Coosa Chr. 42, Appalachian 6 Cordova 42, Oak Grove 22 Corner 69, Curry 0 Cottage Hill 45, Monroe Co. 14 Crenshaw Chr. 41, Southern Aca. 14 Dadeville 53, Childersburg 0 Demopolis 60, Holtville 14 Deshler 35, Rogers 13 Dora 33, Northside 13 East Limestone 35, West Point 20 Edgewood 20, Hooper 0 Elba 55, Florala 27 Elmore Co. 17, Valley 13 Enterprise 22, Opelika 14 Eufaula 35, Rehobeth 28 Excel 35, Hillcrest-Evergreen 14 Fairfield 26, Wenonah 0 Fairhope 37, Alma Bryant 7 Fairview 51, Lawrence Co. 30 Faith-Mobile 26, Williamson 0 Fayetteville 33, Woodland 14 Foley 43, Davidson 41 Fort Dale Aca. 26, Bessemer Aca. 14 Fort Payne 14, Buckhorn 7 Fyffe 40, Pisgah 6 G.W. Long 35, Abbeville 15 Gadsden City 55, Lee-Huntsville 0 Gardendale 37, Woodlawn 20 Gaylesville 24, Decatur Heritage 14 Geneva 46, Bullock Co. 0 Geneva Co. 52, Samson 19 Glenwood 49, Autauga Aca. 13 Good Hope 40, Fultondale 7 Gordo 56, Oakman 12 Hackleburg 50, Shoals Chr. 20 Haleyville 52, Hamilton 12 Handley 46, Cleburne Co. 14 Hartselle 41, Decatur 14 Hazel Green 54, Jemison-Huntsville 0 Hewitt-Trussville 35, Spain Park 10 Highland Home 41, LaFayette 14 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 56, Paul Bryant 13 Holy Spirit 56, Brilliant 0 Homewood 28, Pelham 0 Hoover 38, Chelsea 0 Horseshoe Bend 57, Barbour Co. 8 Houston Aca. 42, Opp 7 Hueytown 41, Northridge 23 Huffman 27, Pell City 15 J.B. Pennington 48, Susan Moore 10 Jackson Aca. 22, Banks 6 James Clemens 49, Albertville 7 Jasper 48, John Carroll 7 Lanett 30, Goshen 25 Leeds 14, Moody 13 Lee-Scott 42, Valiant Cross 7 Leroy 51, Fruitdale 14 Lexington 48, Hatton 14 Liberty Co. (Fla.) 14, Pike Liberal Arts 7 Lincoln 21, St. Clair Co. 0 Linden 60, University Charter 8 Locust Fork 35, Gaston 14 Lowndes Aca. 38, Lakeside 8 Lynn 49, Berry 0 Madison Aca. 57, Brindlee Mountain 0 Madison Co. 22, North Jackson 14 Maplesville 38, Loachapoka 8 Marbury 35, Shelby Co. 14 Marion Co. 38, South Lamar 13 Mars Hill Bible 38, Lauderdale Co. 0 Mary Montgomery 14, Daphne 9 McAdory 56, Brookwood 0 McKenzie 38, Kinston 22 Meek 54, Vina 0 Midfield 30, Carbon Hill 14 Millry 56, Mclntosh 6 Mobile Chr. 29, Flomaton 14 Monroe Aca. 28, Morgan Aca. 8 Montevallo 42, Holt 0 Montgomery Aca. 34, Slocomb 0 Mountain Brook 56, Mortimer Jordan 14 Munford 42, White Plains 19 Murphy 22, Baldwin Co. 18 Muscle Shoals 23, Cullman 16 North Sand Mountain 40, Section 14 Ohatchee 49, Glencoe 6 Oneonta 34, Ashville 14 Orange Beach 48, Wilcox Central 0 Parker 37, Minor 7 Pataula Charter (Ga.) 46, Abbeville Chr. 6 Patrician 52, Escambia Aca. 13 Phil Campbell 36, Colbert Heights 0 Phillips-Bear Creek 56, Waterloo 26 Pickens Co. 34, Hubbertville 28 Piedmont 42, Geraldine 16 Pinson Valley 23, Shades Valley 6 Plainview 31, Westbrook Chr. 28 Pleasant Grove 42, Carver-Birmingham 0 Priceville 72, Westminster-Huntsville 45 Providence Chr. 37, Daleville 18 Ragland 50, Talladega Co. Central 0 Randolph 52, New Hope 12 Randolph Co. 47, Beulah 7 R.C. Hatch 38, A.L. Johnson 18 Red Bay 54, Tanner 14 Red Level 13, Georgiana 12 Russell Co. 48, Park Crossing 22 Russellville 49, Ardmore 7 Sand Rock 40, Ider 20 Scottsboro 28, Douglas 14 Selma 40, Jemison 17 South Choctaw Aca. 39, Sparta 0 Southeastern-Blount 7, Pleasant Valley 0 Southern Choctaw 44, J.F. Shields 8 Southside-Selma 64, Francis Marion 40 Spanish Fort 42, Robertsdale 13 Spring Garden 43, Donoho 14 St. James beat Sumter Central, forfeit St. John Paul II 21, DAR 13 St. Paul’s 22, Blount 14 Stanhope Elmore 14, Pike Road 13 Sweet Water 52, Marengo 0 Sylvania 28, Hokes Bluff 0 T.R. Miller 41, Satsuma 13 Tallassee 47, Sylacauga 17 Tarrant 35, Sumiton Chr. 30 Theodore 37, McGill-Toolen 10 Thomasville 21, W.S. Neal 6 Thompson 49, Tuscaloosa Co. 7 Thorsby 28, Ranburne 21 Trinity 48, Prattville Chr. 7 Tuscaloosa Aca. 23, Sulligent 20 UMS-Wright 50, Citronelle 6 Valley Head 60, Woodville 8 Verbena 36, Autaugaville 0 Vestavia Hills 42, Oak Mountain 21 Vigor 42, Elberta 0 Vincent 49, Isabella 42 Vinemont 48, Danville 14 Wadley 36, Winterboro 16 Walter Wellborn 22, Weaver 12 West Blocton 26, Hale Co. 7 West Morgan 69, East Lawrence 0 Wilcox Aca. 61, Snook 30 Winfield 25, Fayette Co. 13 Read More…

Austin Blocks 2 Bob Jones Extra Points In Close Win https://digitalalabamanews.com/austin-blocks-2-bob-jones-extra-points-in-close-win/ High School Sports Updated: Oct. 15, 2022, 12:28 a.m.| Published: Oct. 15, 2022, 12:07 a.m. Bob Jones Patriot’s (12) Quenton Hubbard wrapped up by Austin Black Bear’s (10) Bryson Claiborne and (1) Easton Palmer at Madison City Stadium, Friday Oct. 14, 2022. (Kevin Farrell | preps@al.com) By R. Sirvell Carter | preps@al.com Bob Jones missed an opportunity to secure a spot in the Class 7A playoffs by falling to Region 4 leader Austin 28-26 on Friday. Both teams tallied four touchdowns, but Austin blocked two Bob Jones extra points to stay undefeated in region play and secure the region title. Rayshawn Hardy led the Patriots (4-4, 3-3) with two touchdown passes and a rushing score. Tyren Washington also reached the end zone on the ground. Austin (7-2, 6-0) claimed the region championship, finishing one game ahead of second-place Florence. “The next game is the most important game we have on our schedule,” Austin coach Jeremy Perkins said as he looks to keep the Black Bears focused on the postseason. “We want to play well and have momentum going into the open week for us and getting prepared for the playoffs.” Austin will host Huntsville next week in a region matchup to close out its regular season schedule. Austin’s De’Air Young threw touchdown passes to Nicholas Crayton, Maurice Jones and LaNarion Wynn. Gavin Fuqua had a touchdown run. “I thought both teams played hard,” Bob Jones coach Kelvis White said. “We made some plays, but at the end (Austin) made the plays they had to win the game. We’ve got to work on winning some close games. We’ve lost three games by a total of nine points. At the end of the day, we’ve just got to move on to Albertville (next week) and we’ve still got a chance to make the playoffs.” Bob Jones is in a four-way tie with Sparkman, Huntsville and James Clemens for the final two of four playoff spots from the region. The Patriots beat Sparkman last week, defeated James Clemens in September and lost to Huntsville in September. Sparkman will host Florence next week while Huntsville will travel to Austin and James Clemens will host Grissom. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read More…

Crimson Tide Roll Call: Saturday, October 15, 2022 https://digitalalabamanews.com/crimson-tide-roll-call-saturday-october-15-2022/ Your daily briefing on what’s going on with Alabama athletics, and how to watch the Crimson Tide. Today is … National Cheese Curd Day Check out and subscribe for free to our new: Newsletter YouTube channel There’s also the Bama Central Forums. Facebook: @AlabamaonSI or BamaCentral: For All Things Crimson Tide Today’s Crimson Tide Schedule Men’s Tennis: ITA Fall Regional Championships, Tuscaloosa, AL, All Day Women’s Tennis: ITA Southern Regional Championships, Baton Rouge, LA, All Day Swimming & Diving: Alabama vs South Carolina, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 10 a.m. CT Scroll to Continue Softball: Alabama vs Georgia Tech (Fall Ball), Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1:30 p.m. CT Football: No. 3 Alabama at No. 6 Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., 2:30 p.m. CT, Live Video, Live Audio Crimson Tide Results Cross County: The Alabama men’s and women’s cross country teams swept the top spots in both the team and individual races at the 2022 Crimson Classic, held on the Harry Pritchett Running Course Friday. Victor Kiprop stayed undefeated on the season, notching his third individual win with a time 23:16.9 over the 8-kilometer course, to lead the men’s team to its third victory of 2022 with 31 points, 60 points ahead of second place North Florida. On the women’s side of the slate, Amaris Tyynismaa clocked a 19:39.8 over the 6-kilometer race to lead a 1-2-3 sweep of the top spots, pacing UA to the win with 26 points. Did you notice? Alabama running back Shaun Alexander was inducted into the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor: Tua Tagovailoa was a full participant in practice for the first time since his concussion, although he is still listed as out for this weekend’s game: And North Greenville University is honoring Davis Heller following his passing: On This Date In Crimson Tide History: October 15, 1966: Sportswriters called Alabama’s 11-10 heart-stopping victory at Tennessee “a miracle win in Knoxville” and “one of the greatest games ever played in the SEC.” Kenny Stabler, 0-for-7 in the first half, rallied the Crimson Tide to 11 points in the final quarter. Stabler sneaked in for a touchdown, passed a two-point conversion to Wayne Cook, and drove Alabama to the 1-yard line to set up a 17-yard field goal by Steve Davis with 3:23 remaining. – Bryant Museum Crimson Tide Quote of the Day: “You never know what a football player is made of until he plays against Alabama.” – Tennessee coach Gen. Robert Neyland  We’ll leave you with this… Need tickets to this weekend’s game? Check out Alabama football on SI Tickets. In This Article (1) Read More…

Sound Off! https://digitalalabamanews.com/sound-off-2/ Ms. Griner and her wife are at it again … bemoaning their belief that the US doesn’t care about Ms. Griner and her superstar status. Let us remind them that she chose to go to Russia, that she chose to take a substance that was banned in Russia, and that she chose to have that banned substance in her luggage. She even admitted to having it! Whatever happened to accepting responsibility for one’s actions? Warren After listening to many political ads and several debates, I get the feeling that most Ohio voters do not understand that Republicans have had control of Ohio State politics for the past 30 years. Republicans are exploiting this lack of political knowledge by Ohio voters by implying that Democrats have been in charge. Cortland Before voting, ask yourself: Do you like paying for high gas or $4 for a dozen eggs? Do you like the influx of migrants at our southern border or that fentanyl kills our children? Do you like the woke agenda allowing drag queens to perform in schools? Do you like that Putin and Xi Jinping laugh at us? If you watch main stream media, you are not aware. They protect this administration. Democrat or Republican, I want a strong America. Newton Falls Political candidate debates need to be re-named. They should be called “Trash the opponent” or “Degrading the opposition.” After all, that is what these candidates do to each other. It turns a lot of people off from voting. Cortland Since the 1980s supply-side Reaganomics was embraced by GOP, American society has been transformed into oligarchy with middle class shrinking. This deregulation scam opened the corporate world to corruption of Democrats too. This is the source of inflation, national debt and annual deficits. This was the impetus for outsourcing middle class jobs and skyrocketing costs of medical care, pharmaceuticals, real estate and college. Reaganomics even seduced many leaders into endless wars and high energy costs. Unregulated growth always triggers destruction. Warren Mitch McConnell finally admitted Republican strategy. Back any Republican, no matter how unqualified, so he can manipulate them into voting his way. You think Herschel Walker will really research what he’s voting on? Of course, McConnell used the same strategy in the 2016 presidential election and it blew up in his face. Who is he really serving, his constituents or himself? Hubbard If Donald Trump thinks he has been unfairly treated by the Jan. 6 committee, he has a clear solution available to him now. He can accept the invitation from the committee to testify. Since he will surely be the smartest person in the room, he can show all the others, including Liz Cheney, how wrong they are. Or maybe he doesn’t have the guts to face his critics. Warren Have something to say? Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers. “Sound off!” publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day — all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include local election issues. Selected “Sound off!” submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is. Limit “Sound off!” comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as “Letters to the Editor,” a separate forum that publishes Sundays. Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.tribtoday.com and clicking “Submit News” and then “Sound off.” Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox Read More…

Justice Dept. Seeks End To Arbiter’s Review Of Trump Documents https://digitalalabamanews.com/justice-dept-seeks-end-to-arbiters-review-of-trump-documents/ WASHINGTON — The Justice Department asked a federal appeals court on Friday to shut down the work of an independent arbiter who was appointed last month to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master, who was assigned to inspect the records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. The special master process has caused some delays to the Justice Department’s investigation into the holding of top-secret documents at the home. But a major hurdle was cleared last month when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit lifted a temporary bar on the department’s ability to use the seized classified documents as part of its criminal probe. The move permitted a core aspect of the probe to resume, greatly reducing the odds that the process could have a significant impact on the investigation. Even so, department lawyers returned to the court Friday to ask for the entire special master review to be shut down, saying the judge who made the appointment had no basis for doing so and that Trump was not entitled to an independent review of the seized records or to claim privilege over them. “Plaintiff has no plausible claim of executive privilege as to any of the seized materials and no plausible claim of personal attorney-client privilege as to the seized government records –including all records bearing classification markings,” according to the department’s brief. “Accordingly,” they added, “the special-master review process is unwarranted.” The Justice Department says it seized about 13,000 records, including roughly 100 with classification markings, during its court-authorized search in August. The department is conducting a criminal investigation into the retention of those records as well as into whether anyone obstructed its probe. As part of the investigation, the FBI has interviewed multiple Trump aides, including a lawyer for him who served as a custodian of the records and who in June presented investigators with a signed letter asserting that all the classified records the Justice Department had asked for in a subpoena had been located and turned over. Agents believed more records remained at the house, returned in August with a search warrant and removed 33 boxes of documents, including material classified at the top-secret level. Weeks later, the Trump team asked a judge in Florida, Aileen Cannon, to appoint a special master to do an independent review of the records. Cannon agreed, naming a veteran Brooklyn judge, Raymond Dearie, to inspect the records and segregate from the rest of the investigation any documents that could possibly be covered by claims of executive privilege or attorney-client privilege. The 11th Circuit subsequently lifted Cannon’s prohibition on the department’s use of the classified documents for its investigation pending Dearie’s review, as well as a requirement that the Justice Department provide those specific records to Dearie for his review. The Supreme Court on Thursday declined a request from Trump’s lawyers to intervene in the dispute. The Justice Department has repeatedly rejected the idea that a special master review was needed, and though it has been able to resume its review of the classified records, it said its investigation remains slowed by its inability to use the much larger set of non-classified documents as part of its probe. “The district court’s injunction barring review and use of the other seized records harms the government and the public as well,” the department said. “A magistrate judge has already found probable cause to believe that those records may constitute evidence of crimes, and the government has demonstrated a clear need for them.” Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox Read More…

AP News Summary At 11:57 P.m. EDT https://digitalalabamanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-1157-p-m-edt/ Trump’s subpoena and what’s next for the Jan. 6 panel WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary step, the House Jan. 6 committee has voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump – a final effort to get the full story of the Capitol insurrection as the panel wraps up its work by the end of the year. Trump has been relentlessly hostile to the investigation, calling it a “charade and a witch hunt” in a letter to the committee on Friday. But he has not said whether he will comply with the demand for his appearance.  Even if he does, there’s no guarantee the committee would get anything different from the broadsides Trump sends out periodically. EXPLAINER: What to expect from China’s party congress BEIJING (AP) — China’s ruling Communist Party is holding its twice-a-decade national congress starting Sunday. That’s where President Xi Jinping is expected to receive a third five-year term as the uncontested head of the party, government and military of the world’s second-largest economy. The event proceedings are shrouded in secrecy, as is typical in China’s authoritarian one-party state. But the congress, the 20th in its more than 100-year history, is expected to produce a new set of leaders handpicked by Xi. Xi faces no term limits and has yet to indicate a successor after a decade in the top spot. The 96 million-member party is led by a Central Committee and Politburo. Their top cadres, who now number seven, form the powerful Politburo Standing Committee. Los Angeles mystery: Who taped meeting with racist rants? LOS ANGELES (AP) — An anonymously leaked recording of crude, racist remarks and political scheming that led to the resignation of the Los Angeles City Council president and a powerful labor leader left behind a mystery: Who made the tape and why? Five days after the disclosure of the year-old tape, it remains unknown who recorded it and posted it to the website Reddit, or even how many people are involved. The recording of the racist language led to the resignations of then-Council President Nury Martinez and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera, and two other Council members who attended are facing pressure to resign. Putin calls his actions in Ukraine ‘correct and timely’ KYIV, UKRAINE (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin expects his troop mobilization for combat in Ukraine to end in about two weeks. That would allow him to end the unpopular and chaotic call-up meant to counter Ukrainian battlefield gains and solidify his illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. Putin faces domestic discontent and military setbacks in a neighboring country increasingly armed with advanced Western weapons. He told reporters Friday he “did not set out to destroy Ukraine” and doesn’t regret starting the conflict. Russia’s difficulties in achieving its war aims are becoming apparent in the illegally annexed Kherson region. Anticipating an advance by Ukrainian forces, Moscow-installed authorities there urged residents to flee Friday. Police: 15-year-old boy kills 5 in Raleigh shooting rampage RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Police say a 15-year-old boy fatally shot five people in an attack that stretched from the streets of a Raleigh neighborhood to a nearby walking trail. Two others were also injured in the Thursday evening attack, which led police on an hours-long manhunt before the teen was arrested. Raleigh police Chief Estella Patterson said Friday that the teen is hospitalized in critical condition. The motive for the shooting is still not known. Some of the victims were going about their daily routines when they died. They ranged in age from 16 to their late 50s. The dead include off-duty Raleigh police Officer Gabriel Torres, who was on his way to work. Mel Gibson can testify at Harvey Weinstein trial, judge says LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has ruled that Mel Gibson can testify about what he learned from one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers. The 66-year-old actor and director Gibson was one of many trial witnesses whose identities were revealed in court Friday. Weinstein is accused of sexual battery against the woman, who is a masseuse and friend of Gibson’s. The judge and lawyers took a break from jury selection to argue over which witnesses and evidence will be allowed during the eight-week trial. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty. Officials: 25 dead, many trapped in Turkish coal mine blast ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish officials say an explosion inside a coal mine in northern Turkey has killed at least 25 people and dozens remain trapped underground. The explosion occurred Friday at a state-owned mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. The country’s energy minister says a preliminary assessment indicates the blast was caused by firedamp — a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines. There were 110 people in the mine at the time of the explosion. Most were able to evacuate the mine following the blast, but the interior minister says 49 people were caught in a higher risk area of the mine. Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter’s review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. At debate, Walker denies past support for US abortion ban SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Georgia’s Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker is denying his previous support for an outright national ban on abortion, though he has insisted at various points throughout the campaign that it was a proposal he endorsed. Walker, a staunch anti-abortion politician, was recently accused by a former girlfriend of encouraging and paying for her 2009 abortion. He was asked during a debate Friday with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock about his support for “a complete ban on a national level.” He said the moderator had misstated his position. Walker’s claim contradicted statements he had made repeatedly on the campaign trail. In July he said it’s “a problem” that there is no national ban. 5 years on, key #MeToo voices take stock of the movement Once again, disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein sits in a courtroom, on trial in Los Angeles while the reckoning the accusations against him launched marks a significant milestone this month. It’s been five years since a brief hashtag galvanized a broad social movement. It’s been five years of #MeToo. The Associated Press went back to Weinstein accuser Louisette Geiss, Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand, and “Me Too” founder Tarana Burke about how their lives have changed, how hopeful they feel and the challenges ahead. Both Geiss and Constand said that coming forward was the right things to do. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Read More…

Bay Area Ballot Measures Seek Tax Increases On Hotels, Vacation Rentals https://digitalalabamanews.com/bay-area-ballot-measures-seek-tax-increases-on-hotels-vacation-rentals/ The Archer Hotel in Napa, one of four Napa County cities where ballot measures to increase transient occupancy taxes passed in the November 2018 election. Nick Otto, Register KATY ST. CLAIR Bay City News Foundation Several Bay Area cities have bed taxes on the Nov. 8 ballot in an attempt to collect more revenue from hotels, motels, inns and share-rental sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Proponents argue that their municipalities need to generate more revenue in the wake of economic impacts from COVID-19, but opponents question whether now is the time to raise rates on an industry also hit hard by the pandemic — hospitality. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register.  One thing is certain: People are ready to spend their tourist dollars in California. According to the nonprofit Visit California, in 2021, travel-related spending in the state increased 43% over 2020, with tax revenues increasing by 23%. Total travel-related spending in 2021 in the state was a little over $100 billion. Measures to increase transient occupancy taxes are on the ballot in unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, the city of Alameda, and some cities of San Mateo County, including Belmont and Millbrae. Brisbane is asking voters to approve a tax on hospitality business owners, not on guests like the other Bay Area cities. In Healdsburg, Measure L wouldn’t increase the 14% tax already collected, but earmarks for the money generated by the TOT would specifically go to capital improvements. Proponents of the TOT increases say that the money is needed for essential services such as police, fire and infrastructure, though COVID-19 American Rescue Plan funds were specifically designated for such things and injected millions into local coffers. In most cities, if passed, money from the measures increasing room taxes would go into each municipality’s general fund. Alameda is asking voters to approve Measure F, a jump of its current 10% rate up to 14%, to keep it in line with Oakland and San Leandro’s TOT rates. Alameda City Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer opposes the measure, questioning its timing after the pandemic. But the city’s TOT hasn’t been raised since 1990 and Alameda predicts that the additional money will amount to between $700,000 and $900,000 per year that could go toward essential services like 911, fire and police, fixing potholes and maintaining parks. In unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, supervisors put Measure B on the ballot. Though the money would go into the general fund, the board said it would apply the funding toward affordable housing, mental health services and wildfire prevention. Supervisors want to increase the current rate of 10% to 12% for hotels, motels and inns, and 14 percent for in-home vacation rentals, generating as much as $2.3 million annually. The argument in favor of the measure in the county voting guide says that the measure would increase needed county revenues without taxing residents. San Mateo County cities Belmont and Millbrae are proposing measures K and N respectively, which would raise their TOTs from 12% to 14%, raising an estimated $660,000 annually for Belmont and $1.5 million for Millbrae. Brisbane is taking a different approach — raising taxes on hospitality business owners instead of increasing its 14% bed tax. Measure O would impose a tax on hospitality business owners of $2.50 per day per stay, generating an estimated $250,000 per year. According to the city, the current tax structure on the businesses is paid from gross receipts and only generates less than $2,000 per year. This guide from the Napa Valley Register will guide you to the nearest ballot drop sites and voting centers, and includes important dates leading to Election Day, information on registering to vote, and contact information for the Napa County Election Division. The submitted ballot arguments for and against the measure in Brisbane are colorful. The Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association wrote the opposition and calls the move “theft.” “Basically, our public servants want a free ride, to stick out-of-towners with the bill and to compel esteemed local businesses to serve as tax collector,” reads the argument. “Would you do that to your friends or coworkers? No! That would be immoral, as a form of theft.” In the ballot argument in support of the tax measure, penned by the City Council, the body describes the tax as “reasonable” and a way for businesses to “pay their share” in supporting essential services. The council also refers to the tax as “a modest proposal,” perhaps unaware of the allusion to Jonathan Swift’s 1729 satirical essay that suggested impoverished Irish sell their children to wealthy noblemen for food. In the Sonoma County city of Healdsburg, voters will be asked to decide on Measure L, which keeps the TOT rate the same — 14% — but specifies that the money goes toward affordable housing and the issuing of bonds. Voters across Napa County faced a similar decision in 2018, when ballot measures in the unincorporated county and all five cities proposed an increase in room taxes from 12% to 13%, which each local government able to use fresh revenues as it saw fit. All of the measures passed except for American Canyon’s, which fell just short of the required two-thirds of yes votes needed for approval. Napa Valley Register city editor Howard Yune contributed to this report. ‘Newsweek’ recently reported on all of the top issues for Americans heading into the upcoming midterm elections. Week in review: Top photos of the week from AP Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Charles Omenihu and defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. during the second half an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones) Rusty Jones Utah State quarterback Cooper Legas (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Air Force during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP) Eli Lucero Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett breaks away for a 60-plus yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper against Auburn during the second half of an during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Curtis Compton Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, center, celebrates with supporters after hearing first results of the Austrian Presidential election in Vienna, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Theresa Wey) Theresa Wey Supporters of Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen react after hearing first results of the Austrian Presidential election in Vienna, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) Markus Schreiber Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) scores on a 5-yard touchdown run ahead of Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Jones (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Bruce Kluckhohn Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) misses a reception ahead of Chicago Bears cornerback Kindle Vildor (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Bruce Kluckhohn Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson takes the field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker celebrates with teammates after they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals at an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Catholic pilgrims rest as they crawl on the ground to pay their promise during the celebration of the Cirio de Nazare, the procession of the image of Our Lady of Nazare, considered the largest Catholic procession in the country, in Belem, Para state, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Paulo Santos) Paulo Santos New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) breaks away from Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage (26) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Alastair Grant Timothee Chalamet poses for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film ‘Bones and All’ during the 2022 BFI London Film Festival in London, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (Photo by Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP) Scott Garfitt Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) Rui Vieira Manchester United’s Antony, right, celebrates with Bruno Fernandes after scoring their side’s first goal during the Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, England, Sunday Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super) Jon Super Everton’s Conor Coady tries to tackle Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo during the Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, England, Sunday Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super) Jon Super Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) makes a catch for a touchdown against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) John Locher An Iranian national raises their hand with a message that reads in Farsi, “Liberty,” during a protest against the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini, in front of the Universidad de Chile building in Santiago, Chile, Friday, Oct. 7...

AP News Summary At 11:35 P.m. EDT https://digitalalabamanews.com/ap-news-summary-at-1135-p-m-edt/ Trump’s subpoena and what’s next for the Jan. 6 panel WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary step, the House Jan. 6 committee has voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump – a final effort to get the full story of the Capitol insurrection as the panel wraps up its work by the end of the year. Trump has been relentlessly hostile to the investigation, calling it a “charade and a witch hunt” in a letter to the committee on Friday. But he has not said whether he will comply with the demand for his appearance.  Even if he does, there’s no guarantee the committee would get anything different from the broadsides Trump sends out periodically. EXPLAINER: What to expect from China’s party congress BEIJING (AP) — China’s ruling Communist Party is holding its twice-a-decade national congress starting Sunday. That’s where President Xi Jinping is expected to receive a third five-year term as the uncontested head of the party, government and military of the world’s second-largest economy. The event proceedings are shrouded in secrecy, as is typical in China’s authoritarian one-party state. But the congress, the 20th in its more than 100-year history, is expected to produce a new set of leaders handpicked by Xi. Xi faces no term limits and has yet to indicate a successor after a decade in the top spot. The 96 million-member party is led by a Central Committee and Politburo. Their top cadres, who now number seven, form the powerful Politburo Standing Committee. Los Angeles mystery: Who taped meeting with racist rants? LOS ANGELES (AP) — An anonymously leaked recording of crude, racist remarks and political scheming that led to the resignation of the Los Angeles City Council president and a powerful labor leader left behind a mystery: Who made the tape and why? Five days after the disclosure of the year-old tape, it remains unknown who recorded it and posted it to the website Reddit, or even how many people are involved. The recording of the racist language led to the resignations of then-Council President Nury Martinez and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera, and two other Council members who attended are facing pressure to resign. Putin calls his actions in Ukraine ‘correct and timely’ Read More…

CPD Decides Not To Fire Officer With Ties To The Proud Boys https://digitalalabamanews.com/cpd-decides-not-to-fire-officer-with-ties-to-the-proud-boys/ The Hill Five takeaways from the Warnock-Walker debate in Georgia SAVANNAH, Ga. – Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) and his Republican opponent, former football star Herschel Walker, faced off on Friday night for their first and likely only debate, using the face-to-face meeting to make their cases to voters just a few weeks before Election Day. The debate came amid a hectic final push by the… The Daily Beast British Government Close to Collapse as Chancellor Fired After 38 Disastrous Days in Office HANNAH MCKAY/ReutersOn Thursday, just 37 days after being appointed British finance minister, Kwasi Kwarteng was asked if, in a month’s time, he would still be in his job and Liz Truss would still be prime minister. “Absolutely, 100 percent,” Kwarteng answered. “I’m not going anywhere.”Less than a day later, he was gone. Truss’ Friday removal of Kwarteng—her closest ideological ally—from the second most powerful role in government so soon after choosing him to run the British economy is easily t The Daily Beast Trump Is Going to Create Yet Another Constitutional Crisis Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/GettyThe Jan. 6 Committee’s issuing a subpoena to former President Donald Trump makes clear that our country is not on the brink of a Constitutional crisis—it’s already in a Constitutional crisis.The definition of just what is a Constitutional crisis may be debated, but in plain English it’s where the structure of our Constitution is stressed or broken.The Justice Department Needs to Get Out of Its Own Way in the Trump InvestigationsPresident Associated Press Rams RB Akers not with team; McVay: ‘uncharted territory’ Running back Cam Akers will not play for the Los Angeles Rams against Carolina on Sunday after missing two days of practice this week for what coach Sean McVay called personal reasons. McVay would not give further details Friday when asked about Akers’ circumstances, though he did say the Rams’ leading rusher was not away from the team for the past two days because he was injured. When asked whether Akers would be part of the Rams going forward, McVay replied: “We’re working through some different things right now, so hopefully you guys understand and respect that.” Read More…

Friday Roundup: Clay-Chalkville, Thompson, Spanish Fort Cruise https://digitalalabamanews.com/friday-roundup-clay-chalkville-thompson-spanish-fort-cruise/ Clay-Chalkville took another step toward winning the Class 6A, Region 6 title outright with Friday’s 25-20 road victory over Oxford at Lamar Field. The Cougars scored 25 straight points in second and third quarters and held on after the Yellow Jackets scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Clay-Chalkville has won two in a row since falling to three-time defending 7A champ Thompson. Clay-Chalkville (7-1 overall, 5-0 in region) can secure the region title outright by beating Shades Valley next week. Oxford took an early lead when Mason Mims threw a 11-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Wynn for a 7-0 lead. Clay-Chalkville responded with a 9-yard TD pass from 2024 Alabama commit Jaylen Mbakwe to Marlon Compton to tie the game at 7-all. Rodreckus Johnson’s 3-yard TD run push the lead to a 13-7 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Courgars’ Aaron Osley scored on a 66-yard run and Kamari McClellan threw a 23-yard TD pass to Mario Craver to push the lead to 25-7. Oxford rallied in the fourth quarter, as Wynn scored on a 9-yard run. Damious Williams’ 2-yard run with 1:52 to play made it 25-20. The Cougars play Shades Valley next week, and Oxford (4-4, 3-2) play at Center Point. Mbakwe left the game with an injury, but the severity of his injury is not known. Thompson 49, Tuscaloosa County 7 To Mark Freeman, the gameplan Friday night at Tuscaloosa County was simple. “Anytime you go out on the road you want play fast early,” the Thompson coach said. The Class 7A’s second-ranked Warriors did that to perfection, pouring on four first-quarter touchdowns to roll to a 49-7 win, their seventh in a row after opening the season with a pair of losses to out-of-state competition. With offensive line play Freeman noted was “getting better,” the Warriors paved the way to the four early scores, all of which came on the ground. AJ Green accounted for the first two, a 15-yarder and then a 19-yarder that featured a beautiful spin move and was set up by a fumble deep in Tuscaloosa County territory. Michael Dujon accounted for the next two on runs of 48 and 5 yards. The one-two punch led the Warriors’ rushing game. Dujon, a sophomore, had 65 yards on five carries. Green, a junior, had 64 yards and added an 11-yard touchdown to make it 49-0 with 8:35 left in the third quarter. Thompson used two quarterbacks, Trent Seaborn and Junior Zach Sims. Seaborn was 8-for-10 passing for 129 yards and touchdown passes of 37 and 11 yards. Sims was 3-for-7 for 107 yards. Thompson tallied 409 total yards of offense and held Tuscaloosa County to 137 and forced a pair of turnovers. Tuscaloosa County senior quarterback Sawyer Deerman was 7-for-12 passing for 72 yards. Backup sophomore Braden Smith was 3-for-6 for 58 yards and a score. His 36-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Jordan Chambers-Smith with 7:32 left was the Wildcats’ only score. Thompson (7-2, 6-0) hosts Class 7A No. 3 Hoover in a showdown of Class 7A, Region 3 undefeated teams on Friday. Tuscaloosa County (5-3, 3-3), meanwhile, visits Vestavia Hills. — Nick Robbins Hewitt-Trussville 35, Spain Park 16 Hewitt-Trussville clinched its third straight playoff berth and ninth in the last 10 seasons with Friday’s 35-16 victory over Spain Park. The Huskies (6-3 overall, 4-2 in Class 7A, Region 3) led 28-0 at halftime. Peyton Floyd threw TD passes of 8 and 62 yards in the first half and added a 31-yarder in the fourth quarter. For Spain Park, Derick Shanks scored on a 19-yard run, Alex Lloyd kicked a 35-yard field goal and Mitchell Frazier caught an 81-yard touchdown pass form Brock Bradley. The Huskies play Chelsea at home next week, while Spain Park (2-6, 1-5) plays Oak Mountain at home. Gardendale 37, Woodlawn 20 The No. 10 Rockets did it almost all on the ground Friday night to stay perfect in Class 6A, Region 5 play setting up next week’s showdown at fifth-ranked Mountain Brook for the region championship. Gardendale (6-2, 5-0) rushed for 274 yards, led by Jonathan Harris, and held Woodlawn to only 1 yard. Harris had 117 yards and the Rockets’ first rushing touchdown, a 4-yarder that came with 4:58 left in the first quarter to put the Rockets up 14-0. The Rockets another rushing touchdown and a safety to take a 23-14 lead into the half. Nelson and Story added touchdown runs of 43 and 10 yards, respectively, as the Rockets pulled away in the second half. Despite the three-score advantage, Woodlawn (4-4, 1-4) was close statistically led by a 331-yard passing effort. That said, the Colonels fumbled four times, losing two, and was 2-for-9 on third-down conversion attempts. Gardendale’s Tyler Nelson was 6-for-13 passing for 117 yards with a passing and a rushing touchdown. Woodlawn’s Jaylen Murray had 10 catches for 262 yards and a touchdown. Montevallo 42, Holt 0 Montevallo sprinted to 28 points in the first quarter and scored all its points in the first half in the Class 4A, Region 3 victory. The Bulldogs (2-5, 3-3) got two rushing touchdowns from Anthony Martin, who ran eight times for 156 yards. Kam Goins added eight runs for 92 yards and a score. Braxton King completed all four pass attempts for 121 yards and a score, while Javon Rogers caught two passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Rogers also had an interception as did Spencer Adams. Kemp Swords had five tackles. MOBILE Spanish Fort 42, Robertsdale 13 The Toros won their fourth straight game and improved to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in Class 6A, Region 1 play. Sawyer Wilson ran for 119 yards and 2 TDs on 13 carries. Nemo Hixon added 51 yards and a TD on 6 carries. UAB commit Jacob Godfrey caught 7 passes for 88 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 51 yards on 6 carries. Spanish Fort QB Brayden Walker was 11-of-13 for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also scored a rushing TD. The Toros host Murphy in the California Dreaming Bowl next week in their final regular-season game. Robertsdale (0-8, 0-7) host surging Mary G. Montgomery next week. Mobile Christian 29, Flomaton 14 Landon Snow and Aaron Rogers connected on a pair of TD strikes as Mobile Christian downed Flomaton. Snow hit Rogers on passes of 40 and 12 yards. He finished 3-of-5 for 58 yards and the two scores. Devin Harris rushed for 106 yards and a TD on 14 carries. Ben Brewer added a 15-yard TD run. Flomaton’s TD passes came on a pair of Will Smith passes – 27 yards to Jaxson Fillmore and 28 yards to Quinton Odom. Mobile Christian outgained Flomaton 321-188. The Leopards improved to 2-7. They forfeited four victories due to an eligibility issue. They finish the season at Thomasville next week. The Hurricanes fell to 1-7, 0-6. Vigor 42, Elberta 0 Jacori Barnes rushed for 236 yards and 4 touchdowns on 17 carries for Vigor. The Wolves improved to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in Class 5A, Region 1. They will host Gulf Shores next week. Elberta fell to 1-7, 1-5. The Warriors host B.C. Rain next week. This game was played at Theodore High School. Barnes was playing after his uncle, Brandon Barnes, died on Thursday. Sweet Water 52, Marengo 0 Sweet Water pitched its second straight shutout with Friday’s 52-0 victory over Marengo in Dixons Mill. Sweet Water led 39-0 at the end of the first quarter. Jonathan Morris led the Bulldogs (5-2 overall, 5-1 in Class 1A, Region 3) with 114 yards on five carries, including TD runs of 42 and 2 yards. Timothy Kelley threw touchdown passes of 11 yards to Deshanard Blanks and 14 yards to Lashon Young. Kelly also scored on a 9-yard run, Caleb Dixon scored on a 1-yard plunge, and Deion Blanks scored when he recovered a teammate’s fumble in the end zone. Sweet Water plays St. Luke’s at home next week, while Marengo (3-5, 1-4) is at home against University Charter. STATE Montgomery Catholic 52, Dale County 0 Auburn commit Jeremiah Cobb ran 10 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense pitched its fifth shutout to the season in Friday’s 52-0 victory over Dale County, which suffered its third straight loss. Caleb McCreary completed 4-of-10 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns and added 47 yards rushing on four runs for the Knights (9-0 overall, 6-0 in Region 2). Luke Harkless caught two passes – both TDs – for 49 yards, and Josh Palmer had two catches for 78 yards and a TD. E.J. Babies also scored a rushing touchdown. Jaden Jones led the defense with eight tackles, including two for a loss, while Kamden Miller had seven tackles, two for a loss and a sack. Zach Underwood had two sacks and three tackles for a loss, and Keltric Washington added four tackles and a sack. The Knights at Andalusia next week in a showdown of undefeated teams. Dale County (2-7, 1-5) play Booker T. Washington-Tuskegee next week at home. Montgomery Academy 34, Slocomb 0 Jashawn Cooper had 94 rushing yards and 2 TDs while Thomas Woodward added 110 rushing yards and 46 receiving yards. Parker Cook threw for 152 yards and a TD. Arch Lee had 12 tackles and an interception while Will Hardin had 7 tackles. Oneonta 34, Ashville 21 Oneonta scored all its points on the way to a 34-0 halftime lead. Fluff Bothwell led the attack with 17 carries for 180 yards and 3 TDs and 4 receptions for 83 yards, all in the first half. This post will be updated If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read More…

In Previously Unaired Footage From Jan. 6, Nancy Pelosi And Mike Pence Discuss Their Safety And A Contingency Plan To Certify The Election: 'I Worry About You Being In The Capitol' https://digitalalabamanews.com/in-previously-unaired-footage-from-jan-6-nancy-pelosi-and-mike-pence-discuss-their-safety-and-a-contingency-plan-to-certify-the-election-i-worry-about-you-being-in-the-capitol/ U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence (L) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) talk to reporters following their meeting in her offices at the U.S. Capt iol November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Previously unaired footage released by CNN shows a Jan. 6 phone call between Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence. The politicians, second and third in line to the presidency, discussed their safety and a plan to certify the election. “I worry about you being in the Capitol,” Pelosi can be heard telling the then-Vice President. In previously unaired footage from January 6, 2021, Nancy Pelosi can be seen discussing safety and a plan to certify the election on a call with Mike Pence while the siege on the Capitol was underway. CNN on Friday released the footage, captured by the Speaker of the House’s filmmaker daughter, Alexandra Pelosi. The politicians, who were second and third in the line of succession to the presidency at the time, talk through a plan to certify the presidential election during the call, despite the Capitol grounds being filled with violent protesters who sought to interrupt the proceedings and install Donald Trump as president for a second term. “Well, definitely we are still not safe enough for us to go back,” Pelosi says to Pence in the clip. “They’re even still trying to penetrate the building and it’s not a safe thing, because we’re trying to figure out how we can get this job done today.” Pelosi mentions Fort McNair, an Army base in Washington, DC, as a potential “backup plan” location for the House and Senate to meet to complete the certification process. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer can be heard telling Pelosi that security forces indicated it would take several days to clear out and clean the Capitol enough for it to be used. Pence’s responses cannot be heard in the footage, but Pelosi can be heard saying the politicians present were “unified,” with “no partisanship, no anything,” with the then-Vice President and stressed the importance of completing the certification the same day. “I worry about you being in the Capitol,” Pelosi says to Pence at the end of the clip. In additional videos of previously unreleased footage, Pelosi told Pence not to let anybody know where he was hiding and told an aide she would punch Donald Trump if he arrived on the Capitol grounds. Representatives for Pelosi and Pence did not immediately respond to Insider’s requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Read More…

FNFF Play Of The Week (Week 9) https://digitalalabamanews.com/fnff-play-of-the-week-week-9/ by: Brett Greenberg Posted: Oct 14, 2022 / 10:38 PM CDT Updated: Oct 14, 2022 / 10:41 PM CDT MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — Voting is open for the FNFF Play of the Week for Week 9! Cast your vote and the winner will be announced Sunday night on Sports Overtime on News 5! To vote from social media and the WKRG News 5 app: Click here. Stay ahead of the biggest stories, breaking news and weather in Mobile, Pensacola and across the Gulf Coast and Alabama. Download the WKRG News 5 news app and be sure to turn on push alerts. Close Subscribe Now Download the WKRG Weather APP for iOS Download the WKRG Weather APP for Android Download the WKRG News APP for iOS Download the WKRG News APP for Android Latest Videos FNFF Play of the Week (Week 9) FNFF Fan Cam: Vigor Wolves New haunted house terrifies guests in downtown Mobile Mobile Greek Festival 2022: Behind-the-scenes of … DeSantis gives first $5K LEO recruitment checks View All Video More Local News Mobile County Baldwin County Northwest Florida New Mobile police officers get their first patrol … Semmes swears in the city’s first police officers Man charged for allegedly stabbing 2 people in 1 … Boyfriend allegedly stabs, strangles girlfriend: … Mobile Greek Festival 2022: Behind-the-scenes of … City plans to expand McGregor Avenue to help congested … 20 new businesses expected to open in Downtown Mobile … Prichard police looking for teen runaway, possibly … Halloween events happening in Mobile County Person arrives at Fire Station with stab wound: Mobile … Jubilee Festival of Arts returns for 34th year Baldwin Co. 105th birthday Baldwin County Public Schools System hosts job fair … Vigil for Daphne HS soccer coach Crossroads family loses everything in house fire Pedestrian hit and killed in Foley: Police 3 fires under investigation in Fairhope Orange Beach Police looking for man suspected of … Former Camp Baldwin director remembered for years … Jubilee Festival Arts: What you need to know 3rd Annual Hunger Games in Pensacola raises money … 16-year-old student with razor blade arrested, planned … Man sentenced to life for stabbing, killing teen … What’s new on the Destin Fishing Rodeo leaderboard? Spanevelo could face new charges once moved to Alabama Man stopped and beaten inside his car, Okaloosa Co. … Teen reports man offered her ride, followed her from … PAWS in Fort Walton Beach needs to clear 92 dogs … Pensacola adds more officers at youth football games … Jury selection for Pensacola dentist accused of sexually … Read More…

Suspect In Deadly Carjacking, Police Chase Also Linked To Fatal Shooting In Reseda https://digitalalabamanews.com/suspect-in-deadly-carjacking-police-chase-also-linked-to-fatal-shooting-in-reseda/ LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A suspect who allegedly dragged a carjacking victim to death during a police chase in Los Angeles Thursday night is also linked to a fatal shooting and robbery in Reseda this summer, police say. Joshua Reneau, 31, of Los Angeles was arrested after a violent police chase through the Hyde Park and Inglewood areas that involved several crashes and a deadly carjacking. The first chase started when police were following Reneau as the passenger in a vehicle for his suspected involvement in a robbery and shooting of three people in Reseda that happened three months ago. Earlier Thursday morning, officers had arrested two other suspects in connection with the Reseda incident and obtained a murder arrest warrant for Reneau. Detectives were watching his home in the 5900 block of 7th Avenue when they saw him get into the back of a car that then drove away. A marked LAPD unit tried to pull the car over, but it fled. During that first chase, the fleeing car soon collided with another vehicle. Reneau then allegedly jumped out from the passenger side and carjacked an SUV but the driver became entangled in his seatbelt and was dragged alongside his own vehicle for nearly two miles as Reneau continued to flee, police say. Inglewood resident Ron Holloway saw the end of the chase unfold near his home. He heard sirens and helicopters and then saw a large SUV driving off Florence Avenue and onto his own street, dragging a body “like a rag doll.” “And I’m seeing he’s dragging a body” Holloway recalled. “The body kind of just bounces over the curb there and he shoots full speed down the street.” The SUV drove down the street, but hit a dead end and had to turn around. That’s when the carjacking victim’s body was dislodged and left on the ground. Paramedics later pronounced him dead at the scene. The SUV tried to drive past police units, but crashed and flipped over onto its side. Police say the suspect refused to get out of the vehicle for about two hours. A standoff ensued and the SWAT team and K9 units were brought in but he was eventually taken into custody. The suspect was being treated for injuries afterward. The deceased victim of the carjacking has not been identified, pending notification of his family. 1 person killed, 2 others wounded in multiple potentially related shootings in Reseda The driver of the vehicle in the initial chase was arrested and has been identified as Jamal Sutherland, 34, of Los Angeles. He was booked for felony evading with no bail. A passenger in the vehicle, Neosha Reneau, 33, was booked on a misdemeanor warrant with her bail set at $1,000. The Reseda incident involved a robbery and the shooting of three people on July 29. Two people were reported shot and wounded in the 18500 block of Sherman Way just after midnight as part of a street robbery, targeting the victim for his jewelry. A short time later, officers found a third shooting victim in the 18300 block of Saticoy Street. Paramedics brought that victim to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later identified as Earl Hunter, 32. Police say the incident involved three men – two of them armed with handguns – committing a street robbery, grabbing two necklaces from a victim. Police later identified the suspects. Early Thursday of this week officers arrested Derek Hall, 28, of West Covina and Miracole Brown, 20, of South Los Angeles for murder and robbery, with bail set at $2 million. Police obtained a warrant for Reneau, and their attempts to arrest him ended with the chase and carjacking. Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved. Read More…

Pleasant Grove Knocks Off Carver-Birmingham https://digitalalabamanews.com/pleasant-grove-knocks-off-carver-birmingham/ High School Sports Published: Oct. 14, 2022, 10:15 p.m. Pleasant Grove’s Eric Handley looks to throw during the first half of the Pleasant Grove at Parker high school football game in Birmingham, Ala., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt By Anton Williams | preps@al.com Pleasant Grove scored on every possession of the first half in Friday’s Class 5A, Region 5 victory over Carver-Birmingham. Not to be outdone, the Spartans’ defense forced a three-and-out on every Rams possession and allowed only 23 first-half yards en route to the 42-0 home victory. The 5A, No. 4-ranked Spartans won their fifth straight game. “We definitely wanted to come out and play a clean game of football in all phases of the game,” Pleasant Grove coach Darrell LeBeaux said. “The defense has been playing lights-out all season. We just have to prepare to play good football on both sides (of the ball) to have a chance to extend our season.” Star of the game: Pleasant Grove quarterback Eric Handley capped the first two drives with touchdown passes of 39 yards to Clarence Taylor and 26 yards to Rashad Sager. He finished 9-of-11 passing for 148 yards. More scores: The next three possessions ended in touchdown runs – a 4-yarder by Collin Moore, a 33-yarder by Derrick Davis Jr. and a 3-yarder by Aiden Hall – for a 35-0 halftime lead. Brian Hardwick scored on a 4-yard yard in the third quarter. Coachspeak: “Eric managed the game really well and made a lot of on-sight adjustments tonight. He really is growing into a complete quarterback.” – LeBeaux He said it: “It was a really good team win. Great execution in the first half. We did what we were supposed to do. We just have to keep growing and just make sure we put everything together.” – Handley Key stat: Carver had just three first downs, with two because of Pleasant Grove penalties. Stat sheet: Pleasant Grove ran for 162 yards on 23 carries and threw for 148 yards. … Carver finished with 48 yards of total offense – 6 passing and 42 rushing. … Carver had 55 yards in penalties. What’s next?: The Spartans play at Jasper next week and a win will secure a home playoff game in the first round. Carver plays Ramsay at home next week. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read More…

SEC Football By The Numbers: Top 10 For Week 7 https://digitalalabamanews.com/sec-football-by-the-numbers-top-10-for-week-7/ The seventh Saturday of the SEC’s 90th season features five conference contests, one non-conference game and three teams – Missouri, South Carolina and Texas A&M – with open dates. Here are 10 numbers, along with the schedule, TV times and betting lines, to get ready for the SEC’s seventh week of 2022: 1 Of the 50 games between Kentucky and Mississippi State has featured two ranked teams – the one on Saturday night. Previously, the Bulldogs were ranked for nine games against Kentucky, and the Wildcats were ranked for six games against MSU, but this will be the first game in which both teams are ranked. Mississippi State is No. 16 and Kentucky is No. 22 in this week’s AP Poll. 1 7-0 record for Ole Miss during the SEC era, a mark the Rebels would own again if they defeat Auburn on Saturday. Ole Miss won its first seven games in 2014. The Rebels later had to vacate those victories because of violations of NCAA rules. 1 LSU offensive lineman has started every game this season – Miles Frazier, but he has started at three positions. Frazier has been the starting left guard in three games, right guard in two games and right tackle in one game. 2 Consecutive 100-yard rushing games for Auburn RB Tank Bigsby against Ole Miss. Bigsby ran for 129 yards in a 35-28 victory in 2020 and 140 in a 31-20 victory in 2021, and he faces the Rebels again on Saturday. Three Auburn players have rushed for 100 or more yards against the same opponent in at least three consecutive seasons. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams had 100-yard games against Mississippi State in 2002, 2003 and 2004, Bo Jackson had 100-yard games against Alabama in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985 and James Brooks had 100-yard games against Tennessee in 1977, 1978 and 1979. Auburn has had a 100-yard rusher in five of its past six games against Ole Miss. 9 Is the combined rank in the AP Poll of Alabama and Tennessee, the lowest of their 22 meetings as ranked teams. Entering Saturday’s game, the Crimson Tide is No. 3 and the Volunteers are No. 6 in this week’s poll. Alabama leads the series 12-8-1 when both teams are ranked, and the Crimson Tide has a 9-2-1 record when it is the higher-ranked team in those matchups. Tennessee’s most recent victory over Alabama as the lower-ranked team in those games came in 1967, when the No. 7 Vols took a 24-13 victory over No. 6 Alabama. SEC FOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS: TOP 10 FROM WEEK 6 13 Consecutive victories in home games for Ole Miss, which hasn’t lost at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium since a 35-28 setback against Auburn on Oct. 24, 2020. It’s the Rebels’ longest winning streak in Oxford since a 21-game streak ended with a 7-3 loss to LSU on Oct. 31, 1959, when the Tigers’ Billy Cannon made his famous 89-yard punt return. Auburn has won its past four games in Oxford and has a 13-3 record on the Rebels’ campus field heading into the Tigers’ Saturday visit. 17 Consecutive Tennessee games have featured at least one TD pass by QB Hendon Hooker, the second-longest streak in school history. Heath Shuler had an 18-game streak that started in the 1992 season and ended in the 1994 campaign. In the only game he’s played at Tennessee without a TD pass, Hooker threw only once. In the past eight games, Hooker has thrown at least two TD passes in each. Alabama, the Volunteers’ Saturday opponent, has yielded three TD passes this season. 25 Homecoming games for Georgia have featured Vanderbilt as the opponent, including Saturday’s contest. The Bulldogs are 20-4 against the Commodores on homecoming. Georgia has an 80-18-2 record in homecoming games. 30 Games against Saturday opponent Florida for LSU without reaching 300 passing yards. LSU hasn’t passed for 300 yards in a game against Florida since throwing for 339 in a 28-21 loss on Oct. 10, 1992. The Tigers have passed for at least 300 yards in three games this season, including last week against Tennessee. Since the start of the 2021 season, Florida has allowed two opponents to reach 300 passing yards – Samford last season and Tennessee this sason. 34 Consecutive Alabama teams with 6-0 records won their seventh game. The most recent Crimson Tide team to win its first six games in a season and lose in Game No. 7 was the 1916 squad, which started 6-0 but lost to Georgia Tech 13-0 on Nov. 11 (then was shut out by Tulane and Georgia in its remaining two games). Alabama takes a 6-0 record into Saturday’s game against Tennessee. FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE SEC, GO TO OUR SEC PAGE This week’s SEC schedule includes (all times are CDT with point spreads from vegasinsider.com): Saturday · Auburn at No. 9 Ole Miss, 11 a.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi (ESPN). Line: Ole Miss by 15. · No. 3 Alabama at No. 6 Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee (CBS). Line: Alabama by 8.5. · Arkansas at BYU, 2:30 p.m. at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah (ESPN). Line: Pick’em. · Vanderbilt at No. 1 Georgia, 2:30 p.m. at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia (SEC Network). Line: Georgia by 38. · LSU at Florida, 6 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida (ESPN). Line: Florida by 2.5. · No. 16 Mississippi State at No. 22 Kentucky, 6:30 p.m. at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky (SEC Network). Line: Mississippi State by 4. Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1. 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Arizona AG Seeks Probe Of Election Integrity Group https://digitalalabamanews.com/arizona-ag-seeks-probe-of-election-integrity-group/ JONATHAN J. COOPER, Associated Press Oct. 14, 2022Updated: Oct. 14, 2022 8:50 p.m. FILE – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich gestures and smiles during his visit to the Yuma Sun in Yuma, Ariz., Thursday morning, June 2, 2022. Arizona’s Republican attorney general, Mark Brnovich, on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 asked the FBI and IRS to look into an election integrity group that claimed to have uncovered widespread fraud in the 2020 election but never provided evidence. (Randy Hoeft/The Yuma Sun via AP, File)Randy Hoeft/AP PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s Republican attorney general, Mark Brnovich, on Friday asked the FBI and IRS to look into an election integrity group that claimed to have uncovered widespread fraud in the 2020 election but never provided evidence. True the Vote, a nonprofit organization, has raised “considerable sums of money” on its claim that it had evidence of widespread fraud and may have broken federal tax laws, Reggie Grigsby, a criminal investigator in Brnovich’s office, wrote to federal authorities. Leaders from True The Vote promised repeatedly over the course of a year to provide data supporting their claim that people illegally collected ballots and delivered them to drop boxes during the 2020 election, Grigsby wrote. The claim was at the center of “2,000 Mules,” a debunked film that was aggressively promoted by former President Donald Trump to back up his claim he lost the presidency because of fraud. But True the Vote Founder Catherine Engelbrecht and contractor Gregg Phillips never provided the data they promised to the attorney general’s office despite claiming publicly that they had, Grigsby wrote. In June, they told state investigators they had given their data to the FBI while telling the FBI that the materials were given to the attorney general’s office. Representatives from the organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday evening. Promises to investigate and expose fraud are a big fundraising draw among Trump supporters who believe the former president’s lies about the 2020 election. Several groups, for example, raised more than $5 million for a discredited audit of the 2020 election in Maricopa County, Arizona. That audit was conducted by Trump supporters on behalf of state Senate Republicans. Federal and state election officials and Trump’s own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence the 2020 election was tainted. Trump’s allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by courts, including by judges he appointed. The referral to federal investigators is notable from Brnovich, who put his election investigations at the center of his unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate. Brnovich’s campaign struggled after Trump assailed him for failing to arrest people based on discredited claims from the Maricopa County audit and the “2,000 Mules” film. Read More…

White House Says Jan. 6 Committee Hearing https://digitalalabamanews.com/white-house-says-jan-6-committee-hearing/ October 14, 2022 09:45 PM The White House said Friday night that President Joe Biden has “followed the coverage” of the most recent Jan. 6 committee hearing and remains vigilant about protecting democracy. Biden has made the threat to democracy he says is posed by former President Donald Trump and “MAGA Republicans,” a central part of his midterm election campaign messaging. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters during a gaggle aboard Air Force One that the hearings were a “somber reminder” that democracy remains at risk. BEN SASSE AND THE BATTLE OVER WHAT KIND OF CONSERVATIVE LEADS THE GOP Committee leaders have framed their efforts as an investigation into the 2021 Capitol riot that delayed the congressional certification of Biden’s win and a broader conspiracy to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Critics argue that it is a relitigation of Trump geared toward the midterm elections, conducted by Democrats and two anti-Trump Republicans who have largely turned on the party and will not be in Congress next year. Thursday’s hearing was widely expected to be the last, but the committee voted to subpoena Trump. It will be the last public hearing before November’s elections. Trump has repeated claims of widespread election fraud stealing the presidency from him, unproven allegations believed by those who stormed the Capitol. He has blasted the committee as “highly partisan.” Republicans, who are seeking to dethrone narrow Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress in next month’s elections, can expect to be asked about the Trump subpoena on the campaign trail. The White House has praised the committee’s investigative work. Jean-Pierre said Friday that Biden “watches it closely” and “believes that work is important and should continue to move forward.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE IN THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The exchange occurred as Biden was flying from California to Oregon as part of a four-day campaign swing. Read More…