Alabama top stories in brief

• On Monday, Dec. 4, the Alabama Forestry Commission lifted burn bans for all 11 counties that were previously still under a No Burn order. The counties are still under a fuel advisory, requiring additional safety measures when burning. According to Rick Oates, the state forester, these precautions include but are not limited to: raking or plowing around the area that will be burned, watering the surrounding area to prevent fire spread, ensuring some form of water supply is nearby and remaining with your fire until it is fully out.

• Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, has filed a bill, HB 9, that would prevent the Alabama Department of Public Health from enacting and enforcing mask mandates in response to COVID-19, or any future potential disease. The bill also prevents any other state entity from enacting or enforcing mask policies. The only exceptions to the bill are medical facilities under the ADPH, and Alabama detention centers. Regardless, if a state entity or the ADPH were to pass a mask mandate, there are currently no enforcement policies or sanctions included in the bill. Colvin claims that the bill is not about the science of masks, but about personal freedom and that the government has no right to enforce a mask mandate on Alabamians. According to the Alabama Reflector, Alabama State Health Officer, Dr. Scott Harris Harris stated that ADPH did not want to restrict Alabamians individual freedom, but had a mission to keep them safe. “ADPH has an obligation and a duty to the citizens of Alabama to promote, protect, and improve Alabama’s health,” said Harris.

• A name, image, likeness (NIL) bill, HB 25, for high school athletes has been filed by Alabama Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika. The bill is for specific individual athletes and restricts promoting the school of the athlete. Other restrictions include payments cannot be based on athletic performance or act as an incentive for enrollment. Alabama is not the first to consider a high school NIL bill, as 30 states and D.C. already have passed NIL bills for high school athletes. Gray says that the bill aims to help student athletes prepare for the NIL era of the NCAA, and to make Alabama on the same page as other states with a NIL program.

• Alabama Sen. Chris Elliott introduced SB5, which would alter the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s Board of Trustees selection process. Currently, the board selects its members, which then must be confirmed by the senate. The bill proposes a shift from a self-perpetuating board to one where members are appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, House speaker and Senate president pro tempore. These appointees would still require senate confirmation. Elliott’s bill would also shrink the size of the board. Currently, the board has two trustees from each congressional district and two additional at large members, plus the governor or their designee. SB5 would change the board composition to eight members at large, plus the governor or their designee. This bill follows prior criticism by Elliott of the Archives decision to host an LGBTQ+ history presentation. Previously, Elliott attempted to strip the Archives of $5 million in funding during the summer’s special session, but the bill failed to pass. Georgia Ann Hudson, a spokesperson for the Archives, said that the current model has allowed the archives to operate with limited political pressure. If approved during the legislative session in February, the bill would remove all current members of the board and replace them on June 1, 2024.

• Sen. Tommy Tuberville ended his hold on military promotions last week, allowing 425 promotions to go forward. Tuberville does continue to maintain a hold on 11 high-ranking officers. Tuberville’s hold has been a protest to a Pentagon policy that provides travel funds to service members stationed in a state without abortion access that choose to travel out of state to obtain an abortion. Pressure from both sides of the aisle pushed Tuberville to release most holds but maintained blocks on 11 high-ranking officers. Critics argued the hold unfairly affected unrelated officers who had no power to make the changes Tuberville wanted, creating uncertainty for military families. 

• U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama has endorsed former President Donald Trump for president in the 2024 presidential race. Trump was previously endorsed by Alabama’s other senator, Tommy Tuberville in August. 

• A federal lawsuit filed against the Alabama Department of Corrections by a former inmate’s family alleges that Brandon Clay Dotson’s body was returned to his family missing his heart. Dotson was found dead at Ventress Correctional Facility. His family claims in their suit they encountered delays in obtaining his body, and that the body was very decomposed upon release, leading to a closed casket funeral. Pathologist Dr. Boris Datnow, hired by the family, discovered the absence of Dotson’s heart during an autopsy. ADOC has declined to comment, citing pending litigation. 

Announcements

• We have decided to stop producing From Dusk to Dawn for the time being. We’ve enjoyed our work there, but after giving it some time and listening to feedback from our audience, we’ve decided to explore other options for the podcast. We’re going to take some time, but stay tuned for future podcasting announcements! You can still listen to all of our episodes of From Dusk to Dawn on Spotify or read the transcripts on our website. 

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Our articles you might have missed

• In the latest edition of The Alabama Ramble, Wesley Miller visits Sylacauga, Alabama, a small Alabama city famous worldwide for its marble. While there, he gets a tour from Sylacauga’s sculptor in residence, Craigger Browne, examines stunning sculptures, learns about local businesses and gets to dig into some delicious ice cream. 

• “Hope isn’t a subconscious decision. At least, not at first.” In last month’s edition of The Breathing Room, Hannah Irvin explores how hope is a habit that must be intentionally developed and why it’s so important that we prioritize it, now more than ever. 

Events this week

• Alabama Invitational: An exhibition featuring work created by current and former Alabama artists in the mediums of sculpture, glass, photography, painting and textiles produced by artists originally from or currently based in Alabama. View more details about this event on The Sunrise News event calendar. 

• If you’re interested in having your event advertised on our calendar, you can submit events here.