7. Zeigler lays out potential gubernatorial bid
- It’s already been known that State Auditor Jim Zeigler is considering running for governor against Governor Kay Ivey in 2022, but it’s becoming more likely that he will launch a campaign after statements he made recently at a Common Sense Campaign meeting.
- Zeigler has deemed his campaign as “Jim Zeigler and The Taxpayers vs. Kay Ivey and Insiders,” and he went on to discuss road conditions that remain an issue across the state. Later, Zeigler said that Alabama needs “a governor who is more like Kristi Noem and Ron DeSantis.” He added, “I don’t know everything they do. But they’ve taken a real leadership role…If that’s good in Florida, I want to do it in Alabama.”
6. Cuomosexuals hardest hit by governor’s scandal
- New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, some he worked with and some he didn’t, and now, President Joe Biden has joined those calling for Cuomo to resign.
- Cuomo defended himself, saying, “[T]he facts are much different than what has been portrayed,” and added that he’s “never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.” He even thought it would be a good idea to show a video of him touching people.
5. Vote to block union by Amazon employee could be nullified
- A new vote for the Amazon workers in Bessemer could be held after it was recommended by National Labor Relations Board official Kerstin Meyer, who has alleged that there were anti-union tactics used by Amazon that violate labor laws.
- Meyer said that one of these tactics was having the U.S. Postal Service “install a generic labeled box less than 50 feet from the main entrance to its facility,” which she claimed essentially created “an onsite collection box for NLRB ballots” and “destroyed the laboratory conditions and justifies a second election.” New York-based union president for RWDSU Stuart Applebaum said, “Amazon cheated, they got caught and they are being held accountable.”
4. New eviction moratorium by Biden as he knows he is committing an unconstitutional act
- President Joe Biden announced an extension on an eviction moratorium for at least 60 days, and this one will be slightly different than the moratorium that just expired since it’s going to cover areas that are seeing a significant increase in coronavirus cases.
- It’s expected that the moratorium will impact where 90-95% of people live. Calls for an extension started after the original eviction moratorium neared expiration and some have deemed the issue as a necessity.
3. More vaccine mandates for Alabama hospitals
- The St. Vincent Hospitals in Birmingham and the Providence Hospital in Mobile are owned by Ascension, and both hospitals will require the full hospital staff to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus no later than November 12. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall reaffirmed that private businesses can require vaccines from employees.
- The deadline for the coronavirus vaccine is the same as Ascension’s deadline for staff to be vaccinated for the flu. A statement from the company said, “[W]e must do more to overcome this pandemic as we provide safe environments for those we serve.”
2. Schools are starting with a patchwork of mask orders
- As school is now starting for private and public schools across the state, the difference in mask policy from district to district is a truly local decision. The decision to call for masking has drawn the ire of all four candidates for U.S. Senate calling the mandates unnecessary and wrong.
- In Madison County, the cities of Huntsville and Madison both require masks while Madison County Schools says masks will not be needed. Jefferson County has a similar divide with Birmingham, Homewood, Bessemer and more, calling for masks while Jefferson County Schools say no masks. Baldwin County Schools are also requiring everyone in grades two and up to wear face masks while indoors.
1. The Alabama Attorney General weighs in on Birmingham-Southern’s gambit
- Attorney General Steve Marshall has been referenced regularly during discussions about COVID-19 rules and who may be running afoul of recently passed laws, and he has released a statement on some of the issues. Marshall stated that Birmingham-Southern College’s attempt at a vaccine mandate is against the state’s rules and “may expose educational institutions and their administrators to litigation from students denied their rights under the Act.”
- What Birmingham-Southern is doing is clearly a violation of the law. They are attempting to fine non-vaccinated students. The AG warned that the school imposes costs and restrictions on students tied to vaccination status, which violates the law.
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