7 Things: Hurricane Sally’s damage is unveiled, general public may not have vaccine until late 2021, 16th Street bombing victim wants restitution and more …

7. B1G football will play

• The Big Ten will start their football season on the weekend of October 24, after the conference voted unanimously to start this fall instead of waiting to hold a spring season. This decision was made as they feel more confident in the medical information we have now during the pandemic and how testing capabilities have improved.
• They will play an eight-game season, and the Big Ten championship game will be held on December 19. As the decision to continue with a fall football season was announced, President Donald Trump tweeted, “Great News: BIG TEN FOOTBALL IS BACK. All teams to participate. Thank you to the players, coaches, parents, and all school representatives. Have a FANTASTIC SEASON! It is my great honor to have helped!!!”

6. AG Barr says to go after rioters

• For months, rioters and “peaceful protesters” have wreaked havoc on American cities with almost no fear of consequences, but that may soon be coming to an end if prosecutors around the country listen to the advice of Attorney General William Barr.
• With a goal of ending the lawlessness, Barr told prosecutors to start aggressively pursuing charges that carry actual penalties that will deter criminal activity. This includes charges for taking part in plots to overthrow the federal government.

5. Drop the act and pass a stimulus bill

• After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that she intends to keep members in session until a coronavirus relief package is passed, there are now some moderate Democrats who are putting pressure on Pelosi to actually get something done. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said he believes Pelosi is playing games.
• U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-NY) is one of a few members who supported a plan for $1.5 trillion in coronavirus relief that was backed by 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans. Rose said that this measure “is bipartisan in nature.” He added, “It’s time for you to stop playing games. Let’s stop the charade. Let’s stop this stupidity. Let’s put the country first.”

4. Alabama students are largely asymptomatic

• The media frenzy over the coronavirus cases at the University of Alabama seems to be over as the initial case spike is now over and encouraging trends appear to be setting in. Dr. Ricky Friend, the dean of UA’s College of Community Health Sciences believes there has not been “a measurable increase in cases resulting from Labor Day Weekend.”
• Dr. Friend says the quarantine numbers are low, no students have been hospitalized, and that an overwhelming number of students tested on campus in Tuscaloosa are asymptomatic, which he added “is very much in line with data and trends we are seeing across the country.”

3. 16th Street bombing victim wants restitution

• In a letter to Governor Kay Ivey, Sarah Collins Rudolph places the blame for the bombing on the state of Alabama, saying, “While the State of Alabama did not place the bomb next to the church, its Governor and other leaders at the time played an undisputed role in encouraging its citizens to engage in racial violence.”
• Rudolph, who was 12 at the time and is now 69, is seeking money and a formal apology. She believes that the racial unrest in the country could help her receive what she is looking for from the state. She outlined, “To have my suffering acknowledged and to receive an apology for what happened to me would help bring a sense of closure. I truly hope Governor Ivey will do the right thing.”

2. Coronavirus vaccine available to the general public later next year

• A dishonest debate in the media is raging over whether there will be a vaccine before the end of 2020. President Donald Trump says the vaccine is moving forward this year, possibly before the election. Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr. Robert Redfield attended a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing where he said that it will be “late second quarter, third quarter 2021” before a vaccine for the coronavirus is available to the general public.
• The distinction is obvious. The first vaccinations will be available to some beginning in November or December of this year. Of course, the first vaccines will just be available to health care workers, essential employees, first responders and more vulnerable communities.

1. Some damage reported from Hurricane Sally

• Alabama suffered heavy rain, flash flooding, power outages and at least one death from the onslaught of Hurricane Sally, which is slowly working its way across Alabama and into Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia with severe flooding and high winds expected.
• Cleanup is underway, and search for gas and supplies goes on as the aftermath is revealed. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said, ” I am remaining in constant communication with local officials along our coastal areas, and I have assured them — as well as pledge to all Alabamians — that we will provide every resource possible from the state level in order to help folks recover in the days and weeks ahead. The Alabama National Guard is standing by to assist, as is the Alabama Department of Transportation, ALEA and every other state partner.  We are ready to respond however and wherever needed.”