Alabama top stories in brief

• The Rubberized Asphalt Foundation — a non-profit that promotes research, training and communication regarding the benefits of mixing recycled tires into asphalt — presented an award to three Alabama agencies. Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Alabama State Parks and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources were jointly awarded the Leadership in Conservation and Sustainability Award. The award was given in recognition of the organizations’ work to install rubber modified asphalt made from old tires to pave roads in Lake Guntersville, DeSoto and Joe Wheeler State Parks. Funding for those projects was provided mostly through grants given by ADEM and Alabama State Parks own funding. 

• Seven health centers across Alabama have received $4 million in grants from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to expand treatment for mental health. The funding is being given to health centers to be specifically used to expand the treatment for those experiencing substance abuse disorders. Substance abuse coupled with mental health in Alabama has been categorized as the “first health indicator in the state,” which prioritized the direction of the funding. Between 2017-19, 41% of Alabama’s adult population attempted to find mental health treatment, and nationally, the majority of individuals needing treatment for a substance use disorder did not receive care. Across the United States, 10% of the adult population diagnosed with a mental illness disorder do not have insurance. The health centers receiving funding serve those “who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in Medicaid.” As to the importance of the funding, Carole Johnson, who is an administrator for HSS, said, “Mental health and substance use disorder treatment are essential elements of primary care, and there should be no wrong door for families to get the behavioral health care they need…”

• Priscilla Dunn, who formerly served as an Alabama state senator, passed away at the age of 80 on Sept. 17. Dunn served as a member of the Democratic party within the Alabama House from 1998 to 2009 and the Senate from 2009 to 2022. She was reelected to the Senate three times, but did not run in another election in 2022 due to illness. Originally from Bessemer, Dunn held both an undergraduate and master’s degree in education from Alabama State University and the University of Montevallo, respectively. When she entered politics, she inspired other Black women to follow her lead and is recognized for her compassion, kindness and commitment to those around her. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, remarked, “I and many other women stand on the shoulders of Senator Priscilla Dunn.” Coleman acknowledged her as a “champion for women, children, the homeless and public education whose impact will be felt for generations.” 

• The chair of the Alabama Republican Party, John Wahl, is now also the chair of the Alabama Public Library Service. During the recent conflicts between activists over what books are and are not appropriate for the children’s section of public libraries, Wahl has been a supporter of stricter policies supported by activist groups like Clean Up Alabama and Mom’s for Liberty. Wahl has been a driving force behind recent policies that now require libraries to implement selection policies regarding books in the children and teen sections to remove sexually explicit material. Those policies have been criticized by opposing activist groups, such as Read Freely Alabama, who say that they are equating sexually explicit books to books with LGBTQ+ themes. Wahl has denied that was the intent of the policies. Read Freely Alabama referred to Wahl as an “anti-library extremist.” For his part, Wahl has said that his role serving as both Alabama GOP chair and APLS chair will make it easier for the APLS to work with the state legislature to secure funding.

• Another lawsuit has been filed against the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Filed by Alabama Always, LLC, the lawsuit alleges that the AMCC has violated the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act numerous times. The lawsuit further argues that awards made by the AMCC on June 12, Aug. 10 and Dec. 12 in 2023 were illegal under the AAPA. The motion ultimately requests that the court voids all awards and denials and that there be a complete overhaul and redesign of the processes put in place. 

Our articles you might have missed

• “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” In last month’s edition of The Breathing Room, Hannah Irvin echoes Mary Oliver’s famous poem, “The Summer Day,” as she invites readers to consider what to do with their own wild and precious lives.

• Alabama isn’t known for its mountains, but the ones it has are beautiful. In the latest edition of The Longleaf Hiker, Xander Swain travels to Cheaha State Park, and explores Alabama’s highest point.

Announcements

• There will be no early release for The Breathing Room this month; our apologies to Ko-Fi members. The Breathing Room will still release on Wednesday on our website for all readers.

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