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FROM TODAY'S NEWS:

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Rep. Jay Love addresses GOP National Convention.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Jurors to begin third day of deliberations in trial of Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney).

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – The Birmingham News comments on the prison sentence of former Fire College president’s son in corruption probe.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Alabama GOP members pin hopes on McCain win.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Northrop-Grumman pushing to tanker contract at GOP National Convention.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – State Superintendent says proration is almost a certainty in next year’s budget, urges approval of amendment to expand rainy day fund.

THE DECATUR DAILY - The Decatur Daily  says that trial of Rep. Sue Schmitz shows the power of federal prosecutors and why political issues should not influence prosecution.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Nader gets on Alabama ballot.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – The Tuscaloosa News praises Governor for expansion of distance learning to 85 more high schools.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - The Montgomery Advertiser praises efforts of state officials to crackdown on diploma mills.

THE ANNISTON STAR - The Anniston Star questions whether Alabama Republicans really support GOP platform item that urges end of federal budget earmarks.

THE OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS - The Opelika-Auburn News argues that voters are turned off by negative campaigns, urges candidates to stick to issues.

THE WASHINGTON POST - Wall Street financiers considering Jefferson County’s proposal to end debt crisis.

Thursday 9/4/2008 Digest

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama’s Black GOP delegates commend Obama but prefer McCain.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Eighty-five more high schools will have access to distance learning by January.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Equal Voice for America’s Families national meeting expected to draw 4,000 to Birmingham on Saturday.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Son of former Fire College president sentenced to one month prison time, home confinement, probation and restitution in college corruption case.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – No verdict in trial of Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) in first day of deliberations.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama-produced Pilot, Sonata big sellers in August.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – The Birmingham News praises efforts at crackdown on “diploma mills.”

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Alabama GOP delegates ponder races back home.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Gustav evacuees jam roads heading back home.

THE DECATUR DAILY - The Decatur Daily says that judge’s actions in excluding the public and press from meetings with attorneys involved in trial of Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) “breeds distrust.”

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS - State Rep. Jay Love (R-Montgomery), candidate for 2nd congressional district seat, to address GOP Convention this afternoon.

THE TIMES DAILY – The Times Daily weighs in on northwest Alabama’s high poverty rates.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - State officials work to boost voter registration of veterans.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTSIER - Air Force General pushes Pentagon for quick decision on air tanker contract.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - The Montgomery Advertiser views crackdown on drug-treatment programs as “justified.”

THE ANNISTON STAR - The Anniston Star calls for legislature to alter date of “tax-free weekend” to prevent delay of school year

Wednesday 9/3/2008 Digest

SENATE SKETCHES – Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma) talks about his experiences at the Democratic National Convention in this week’s edition of “Senate Sketches.”

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Huckabee asks Alabama GOP delegates to pledge their vote to McCain.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Education budget to wipe out state’s $440 million statutory rainy day fund; ETF to begin FY09 with $64 million shortfall.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – The Birmingham News praises Governor’s actions in urging carpooling, but calls for him to endorse efforts to fund public transportation.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – The Press-Register says that officials “got it right this time” in preparing for Gustav’s arrival.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Defense rests in trial of Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney), closing arguments to come today.

THE DECATUR DAILY - The Decatur Daily says that BRAC recruiters should look to local workers to fill vacancies caused by federal employees refusing to relocate to Alabama.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – Governor, citing threat of more hurricanes, decides to cancel plans to attend GOP convention.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – The Tuscaloosa News again calls for comprehensive tax reform to reduce burden on low-income families.

THE GADSDEN TIMES - Governor fills two vacancies in his Cabinet.

THE GADSDEN TIMES – The Gadsden Times reviews early potential candidates in 2010 race for governor, concludes “we’re in for a long, long campaign…”

THE TIMES DAILY – University of North Alabama enters agreement to allow more Chinese students to attend Florence school.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Some in Alabama see decision by Palin’s child to continue pregnancy will strengthen support for ticket.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - The Montgomery Advertiser sees surcharge on health insurance premiums for obese public employees as “amply justified.”

REUTERS - Talks resume over Jefferson County debt crisis.

Tuesday 9/2/2008 Digest

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – State officials cracking down on internet colleges in state.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama politicians court union voters at Labor Day event.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – The Birmingham News comments on two recent reports – one that ranked Alabama’s colleges and another that reported the number of high school students taking Advance Placement courses – and asks readers to imagine “how good Alabama schools could be if they had adequate resources.”

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Besides drenching rain, Alabama coastal counties dodge significant damage from Gustav.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Trial of Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) to resume today.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – State’s poverty rate differs depending in Census reports.

THE TIMES DAILY - Organized labor lacks its once-famous political clout.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Congressional candidates launch final leg of fall campaigns.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - The Montgomery Advertiser calls for state to abandon partisan election of judges.

THE ANNISTON STAR - The Anniston Star contends that McCain should have considered Governor Bob Riley for VP slot.

THE ANNISTON STAR - The Anniston Star last week’s annual luncheon celebrating efforts at constitutional reform.

THE WASHINGTON POST - Governors of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana all praise federal efforts at disaster response.

THE JOURNAL-GAZETTE – Alabama GOP delegates get rattled by protester’s actions at National Convention.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS - Governor address GOP Convention on impact of Gustav, government’s response.

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:
Conventional wisdom: Examining Alabama's delegates
By John Fleming
Editor at Large
09-02-2008
What an exhausting August.
First, there was the world's greatest show on earth, ever, in Beijing, then a vice-presidential pick, then non-stop coverage of the Democratic National Convention, then that totally unexpected VP pick, then as the month slipped away, the windblown start to the Republican National Convention.
Of course, sandwiched right in the middle of it was the fiery start of the college football season.
No time to rest, though, the fun is just getting started. From now until Nov. 3, it's going to be politics all the time, save a few hours on Saturdays.
At the end of the year, we'll travel far for postseason play, but in the meantime, some ordinary Alabamians will go just as far as a bowl for politics.
We saw that last week in Denver and we'll see it again this week in St. Paul, Minn., when delegates — including some from Calhoun County — help to nominate their candidate for president.
Alabama sent 60 voting delegates to the Democratic convention and 45 to the Republican convention. Each party also took a couple dozen alternates along.
High-ranking elected officials were well-represented, especially on the Democratic side. They included Congressmen Artur Davis and Bud Cramer, state Agriculture Secretary Ron Sparks, and a host of state senators and representatives.
The Republicans sent 10 elected office holders, including Attorney General Troy King, Congressman Spencer Bachus, as well as Jay Love, candidate for the 2nd Congressional District.
Regular old people, however, made up the core of both groups.
They are preachers, lawyers, teachers, salespeople, doctors, homemakers and students.
On the Democratic side, local delegates included Randy Kelley, the pastor of Rising Star United Methodist Church in Anniston. Reached in Denver last week, the 57-year-old Kelley said the energy level at the convention was "awesome."
"This is just an electrifying convention" he said. "Even the people on the streets of Denver are excited by this."
Kelley, who attended the Democratic convention in Boston in 2004, said the only complaint he had was that it was a long walk from his hotel to the convention center, but that this was more than offset by the increase in enthusiasm from four years ago.
Other delegates from the area included state Rep. Barbara Boyd of Anniston, Doris Stallworth-Barron of Anniston, Jack Floyd of Gadsden and Albert Bell of Talladega.
Thirty-one men and 29 women represented Alabama at the convention in Denver. Thirty-eight of them are black and 22 are white. The median age of the voting delegates is 57. The youngest, Roge Bedford, is 23, (son of state Sen. Roger Bedford) while the oldest is 81-year-old Sen. Fred Horn, according to Democratic Party officials.
The city with the most Democratic delegates is Montgomery, 15, followed by Birmingham, 13, and Bessemer, 5. Besides Anniston, other smaller cities sending delegates include Gadsden, Selma, Athens and Auburn.
The city with the most Republican delegates is Birmingham, 8, followed by Montgomery, 5. But the delegation as a whole has a much wider geographic distribution then the Democrats. About half come from small towns, including such places as Pike Road in Montgomery County, Greenville in Butler County, and Luverne in Crenshaw County.
The closest delegates to our area on the Republican side are from Talladega County.
Julie Laughridge is a 37-year-old consultant from Sylacauga. She and her mother, Allene, 71, left Sunday for St. Paul. She is a self-described political junkie and says this is her second convention, the first being Philadelphia in 2000.
Originally, she was a Huckabee supporter, but she explains there is no question that she is squarely behind John McCain.
"It will be a week to remember," she said. "The first political campaign I worked on, I was 8 years old. So to me conventions are like political Disneylands. You see the characters you know and love up close and personal. Believe me," she went on, "there is going to be a great amount of energy to support our candidate."
The state office of the Republican Party in Montgomery did not have additional information, including age, race and gender, on the 45 voting delegates. Staff there referred those questions to the GOP Convention press office in Minneapolis. A press officer there also said that information was not available on Alabama. Another press officer said, "Unlike the other party, we don't feel compelled to ask our delegates such questions."
However, the Alabama GOP delegate list does use first names and the titles, Mr., or Ms., or Mrs. Using these clues, there appear to be 34 men and 11 women in the delegation.
According to some of the delegates reached by phone last week, Republican delegates range in age from Ben Foster, 21, a senior at the University of Alabama, to 76-year-old Hal Pierce, a retired Navy captain, who is attending his first convention since 1964, when he backed Barry Goldwater in his failed bid to unseat Lyndon Johnson.
So which delegation is more reflective of the state?
It's a bit like looking at football statistics when the game isn't over. It's hard to say without all the data. Still, using U.S. Census Bureau figures on Alabama, we can put together the somewhat complete table accompanying this story.

State Demographics

	Alabama	Dem. delegate makeup	GOP delegate makeup
Female	52 percent	49 percent	24 percent
Male	48 percent	51 percent	76 percent
White	71 percent	37 percent	100 percent*
Black	26 percent	63 percent	0 percent*
Median age	35 years	57 years	NA

* Several Republican delegates queried said they could not recall a black member of the voting delegation.

Monday 9/1/2008 Digest

 THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Declining economy has more seniors delaying retirement or returning to the workforce.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – The Birmingham News reminds us that today is set aside to honor the workers who drive our nation’s economy.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Gustav overshadows GOP National Convention.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Sen. Rusty Glover (R-Semmes) thinks chances of bill to toughen DUI penalties will have a better chance with a new Judiciary Committee chairman.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – “The Political Skinny,” the Press-Register’s weekly roundup from Mobile, Montgomery and Washington.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – The Press-Register says that state’s high poverty rate is rooted in 1901 constitution, calls for reform.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Alabama Huckabee delegates now strong supporters of McCain.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – UA student one of youngest delegates at GOP Convention.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Community colleges serving as shelters for Gustav victims.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Treasurer Kay Ivey considering 2010 race for governor, lt. governor.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER – 2nd  congressional district candidate Jay Love uncertain whether he’ll have opportunity to speak at National Convention.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Second part of the commentary by chair of Alabama Sierra Club urges alternatives to drilling as nation seeks energy independence.

THE ANNISTON STAR - The Anniston Star looks at the relative impact of job losses in small, rural counties.

THE WALL ST. JOURNAL'S MARKET PLACE – HHS Secretary declares public health emergency for Alabama, other states impacted by Gustav.

Sunday 8/31/2008 Digest

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama delegates to GOP convention urge a return to “core values.”

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Experts discuss the long-term impact on Jefferson County, state if county seeks bankruptcy protection to resolve current debt crisis.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama’s business and personal bankruptcy filings show large increase over past year.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – The Birmingham News contends that Jefferson County’s prospects for avoiding bankruptcy are the best in recent months.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Birmingham-Southern student Dana Bryant tells of her experience with Equal Voice for America’s Families town meeting, and plans for upcoming national Equal Voice convention.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – GOP takes center stage as Republic National Convention prepares to open in St. Paul.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Commentary by Postsecondary Chancellor Bradley Byrne on newly-adopted policy that one-third of all community college scholarships must be need-based.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Commentary suggests that Mobile and Baldwin county adopt a process of “scenario planning” to insure that area’s growth provides for economic and environmental prosperity for region's residents.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – The Press-Register says that Hurricane Gustav reminds us of the challenges coastal property owners face in obtaining affordable insurance coverage.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Although still not confirmed, invitations reflect President Bush will visit state in September to campaign for 5th congressional district candidate.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Citing two reports, including Arise’s “State of Working Alabama,” The Huntsville News concludes that many families are suffering despite recent economic growth.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Commentary by Linda Tilly of VOICES for Alabama’s Children urges full-funding of state’s pre-K program as a means to cut future crime.

THE DAILY HOME - The Daily Home comments that Obama, Palin choices both make history.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Two Baptist deacons battle for 2nd congressional district seat.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – “Alabama Exposure,” Dana Beyerle’s weekly political roundup for readers of the NYTimes regional papers.

THE TIMES DAILY – Nearly a third of Shoals area children live in poverty.

THE M ONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Thousands of kids in foster care await a “forever home.”

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Family connection helped define DHR commissioner’s commitment to adoption.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Black Belt grandmother attending first GOP convention after years as a Democrat.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Alabama Sierra Club chair says that increased drilling is not the answer to America’s energy crisis.

THE ANNISTON STAR - Commentary by Kristina Scott of the Alabama Poverty Project discusses Wayne Flynt’s recognition as the recipient of the Bailey Thompson award from constitutional reform advocates.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – Jefferson County debt crisis may be sign of troubles in broader municipal bond market.

WKRG - Governor orders mandatory evacuation of portions of Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Saturday 8/30/2008 Digest

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Trade magazine reports that Mercedes may begin production of C-class vehicles at Vance facility.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – South Alabama officials and residents making preparation for the arrival of Gustav.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Experts see selection of GOP vice-presidential candidate unlikely to be “game changer” in Alabama vote.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – The Huntsville Times says that in spite of recent rate hike, TVA power is still a good deal for area residents.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – Mediating team floats new proposal for Jefferson County to avoid bankruptcy, creditors extend delay in payment to September 30th.

THE GADSDEN TIMES – Attorney General cautions citizens against possible price gouging and fraud in the face of possible hit by Gustav, promises swift prosecution of violators.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Declining economy increases job losses, financial troubles at nation’s newspapers.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Tennessee’s incentives for VW reached $577 million.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Area Republicans think Palin is right choice to boost GOP ticket.

THE WASHSINGTON POST - National creditors mulling latest proposal for Jefferson County debt crisis.

Friday 8/29/2008 Digest

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS  - Governor scheduled to meet today with Jefferson County’s creditors in effort to resolve debt crisis.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama residents travel to Denver to see history made as Obama becomes first African-American nominated for president by major party.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – DHR chief leaves office today, Governor expected to appoint interim commissioner within days.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – ADC’s Joe Reed urges Alabama Democrats to support Obama.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – State Superintendent of Education says schools could be devastated by 2010 if voters reject constitutional amendment.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – The Birmingham News comments on reports that State Department of  Education hasn’t done good job of revoking teaching certificates of convicted sex offenders.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – State ramps up preparation efforts for possible hit by Gustav.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Constitutional reform advocates honor efforts of those working to replace state’s 1901 constitution.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Experts speculate on the impact of a Jefferson County bankruptcy on the rest of the state.

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Attorney General King stumps for McCain during Huntsville visit.

THE DECATUR DAILY - The Decatur Daily sees Obama nomination as “a signal moment in U.S. history.”

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – State Board of Education adopts plan to evaluate performance of community college presidents.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – The Tuscaloosa News again calls for Congress to hold Rove in contempt for refusing to testify.

THE GADSDEN TIMES - Tropic storm Fay’s drenching rains help to ease state’s drought.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Dwindling revenues may threaten education gains of recent years.

THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - The Montgomery Advertiser says that the parole of infirm inmates from state’s prisons “makes sense.”

THE ANNISTON STAR - The Anniston Star consider the irony of budget cuts to successful program to expand access to advanced placement courses for Alabama’s students.

THE WASHINGTON POST - Columnist Eugene Robinson sees Obama’s nomination as “so many miles from Selma.”

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS - Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma) finds Obama nomination emotional.

MARKET WATCH.COM – Alabama payday lender launches “responsible” ad campaign.

Thursday 8/28/2008 Digest

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama delegates to Democratic Convention say Obama’s nomination is a sign that Dr. King’s dream is closer to reality.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Governor says he will oppose efforts to expand electronic bingo in Birmingham.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Gay advocacy group files suit against Birmingham mayor claiming discrimination.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions says energy crisis threatens national security.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – TVA seeks reinstatement of construction permit for two reactors at Bellefonte nuclear power facility.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Former president Carter blasts Bush, FEMA during speech at Democratic Convention event.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – The Press-Register  says that testimony in trial of Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) gives state’s citizens a “glimpse of [the] patronage cesspool.”

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Trial of Rep. Schmitz delayed until Tuesday.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – George Talbot’s commentary sees U.S. Rep. Artur Davis as “rising star” of Democratic convention.

THE GADSDEN TIMES - 2nd congressional district candidate Jay Love to speak at Republican National Convention.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – Text of nominating speech given by U.S. Rep. Artur Davis at yestereday’s Democratic Convention.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – The Tuscaloosa News comments on Alabama’s center stage role in Wednesday’s Democratic Convention.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS – The Tuscaloosa News says that Tuesday’s elections again reflect signs of voter fraud.

Wednesday 8/27/2008 Digest

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama delegates to Democratic Convention say Clinton’s speech pulled the party together.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Alabama Power Company seeks rate increase of almost 15%.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – U.S. Rep. Artur Davis (D) gets all the attention in Denver, but other Alabama delegates don’t complain.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Defense begins presentation of its case in trial of Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney).

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – State Rep. Ron Scott (D-Fairfield) asks Birmingham City Council to research the impact the bankruptcy of Jefferson County might have on city.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – Governor, bankruptcy lawyer authorized to seek resolution to Jefferson County’s debt crisis.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) leads Marshall County forum on immigration issues.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS – The Birmingham News says that Jefferson County’s creditors should listen to proposals to address debt crisis, praises Commission for unity on issue.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Supporters, opponents of liquefied natural gas terminal square off in heated meeting.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – New census figures show Mobile among nation’s poorest large counties.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – Tanker contract draws attention at Democratic Convention.

THE PRESS-REGISTER – The Press-Register notes that Alabama delegates have kept a distance from former Gov. Siegelman during convention.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Governor urges drivers to consider car or van pooling to reduce congestion, save money.

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS  - Alabama’s poverty rate flat for 2007.

THE TIMES DAILY – The Times Daily says that the State Board of Education should be doing more to insure that convicted sexual offenders lose their teaching credentials.

THE GADSDEN TIMES – Number of uninsured dips slightly nationally.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – Jefferson County prepares for bankruptcy filing.

 

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