7. College athletes are getting that bag
- It started with Auburn QB Bo Nix, who received an endorsement deal with Milo’s Tea Co. shortly after midnight when college athletes could profit from their image and likeness. The world is pretending that Alabama fans are mad about it.
- It did not end with him, as prominent college QBs from Miami and Florida State University helped co-found a company that will connect athletes with brands. Most Alabama and Auburn players signed deals with Yoke, a company that allows them to play games with fans. Others signed with a company that sells personalized videos. Auburn gymnast Derrian Gobourne signed with a company that makes leotards.
6. Threats made against officers won’t be tolerated
- Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon has released a statement where he said “it has become common practice to vilify Law Enforcement and praise the lawbreakers,” but he added that dealing with some of this comes with the profession.
- Moon added, though, that he “will absolutely not tolerate threats toward my deputies and their families. Rest assured if you threaten one of mine or their families you will answer for it.” He also stated, “We may be crowded in the jail but we will make room for you.” These remarks came just before Moon said that there was a juvenile that had been arrested for making “terroristic threats” against one of his deputies.
5. Ivey, Ainsworth are bringing in big campaign money
- Since Governor Kay Ivey announced that she’s running for reelection, her campaign has raised $1.2 million. These funds have been coming in since May 24, when candidates became eligible to start receiving donations. Ivey has received large contributions from Tuscaloosa businessman Stan Pate, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Great Southern Wood, Regions Bank, Drummond Company and Volkert Inc. Ivey said she “could not be more grateful” for the support she’s already received.
- Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth has already raised $911,370 in June alone for his reelection campaign, which is the most ever donated to a lieutenant governor campaign in a month. Ainsworth has also been endorsed by U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt, Manufacture Alabama, Alabama Forestry Association, Business Council of Alabama’s ProgressPAC, Professional Fire Fighters Association of Alabama, and Petroleum and Convenience Marketers Association.
4. January 6 committee announced, Liz Cheney ends her career
- The members of Congress that will investigate the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol have been announced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will influence the picks of five members, while Pelosi has announced the eight members already picked by Democrats.
- The picks by Pelosi were U.S. Representatives Liz Cheney (R-WY), securing her defeat in 2022, Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Elaine Luria (D-VA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
3. ALGOP head thinks USS Alabama Memorial commission didn’t want Trump event
- Former President Donald Trump is going to hold a rally in Mobile “later in the summer or early fall,” according to a Trump aide. The original plan of holding a Fourth of July celebration at the USS Alabama was blocked, but the aide has claimed that holding the rally in Mobile later this year was decided on “some weeks back” since they have another event planned for Sarasota, Florida, on July 3.
- Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl, who was part of the organizing of the failed event believes something was afoot. He believes the commission overseeing the site never wanted a Trump event and delayed asking the attorney general for an opinion on the matter to ensure the event wouldn’t take place.
2. Voting integrity efforts upheld in Arizona
- The U.S. Supreme Court has voted in a 6-3 decision to uphold voting restrictions put in place in Arizona over not counting ballots cast in the incorrect precincts and regulating who is allowed to return early ballots.
- Justice Elena Kagan wrote in dissent, “What is tragic is that the Court has damaged a statute designed to bring about ‘the end of discrimination in voting.’” The majority court opinion also denies the accusation that these restrictions disproportionately impact minority voters.
1. Some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country are in Alabama
- The most recent national unemployment rate was at 5.5%; Alabama’s was at 3.4%. Six metro areas in the state are ranked in the top 20 areas in the country with a low jobless rate.
- The metro areas listed were Decatur at 2.2%, Huntsville 2.2%, Auburn/Opelika 2.4%, Daphne/Fairhope/Foley 2.4%, Birmingham/Hoover 2.6% and Dothan 2.7%.
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