7 Things: Mass release of inmates coming soon, Alabama Sheriffs denounce Memphis cops, and more …

7. Author cancels trip to Hoover library after school cancels him first

• Author Derrick Barnes had his visits to multiple Hoover schools canceled over unexplained concerns about his social media posts and activism. Now he will not be making an appearance at a local public library, possibly clearing the room for another Drag Queen Story Hour that libraries seem to be so keen on. A visit to Alabaster’s Meadow View Elementary was also canceled.
• Hoover City Schools Superintendent Dee Fowler says, and aldotcom confirmed, the issue was that Barnes did not produce a contract after multiple requests, but it appears the social media posts were an issue as well. The lack of a fight by the author seems odd as this would be the perfect promotional effort as the media is very sensitive to made-up bans.

6. People working at illegal gambling facilities have lost their jobs

• Much like drug dealers and prostitutes, those illegally running gambling facilities in the state of Alabama can’t legally employ people to operate their businesses. Now that the law is being enforced layoffs have become a reality.
• Victoryland Casino in Macon County is now closed after the Alabama Supreme Court FINALLY shutdown “electronic bingo,” which is really slot machines with extra steps. Casino president Dr. Lewis Benefield says he hopes the legislature will legalize gambling in the state soon but it would seem the illegal operators are seeking a quasi-monopoly from what is now a position of weakness.

5. Divisive concepts ban to be discussed in Alabama

• Alabama lawmakers are not done dealing with divisive classroom issues, as educators have made it clear that they feel like it is their job to bring those issues into the classroom. Bill co-sponsor State Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley) explained her reasoning, “Focusing on sex, religion or national origin should not be topics when our children will have to compete with brilliant minds from all over the world to gain employment.”
• Last session, Alabama lawmakers took this issue on but were unable to get it passed for K-12 students and the readdressing of this ban was inevitable as long as teachers continue bringing their racial and sexual hangups into the classroom against the wishes of parents and taxpayers.

4. Alabama’s economy is about the shrink

• Researchers at the University of Alabama predicted that the Alabama economy will, in fact, shrink in the year 2023. They cite issues ranging from inflation, labor shortages, supply chain, and the war in Ukraine that will slow the national economy and impact Alabama.
• Ahmad Ijaz, Center for Business and Economic Research executive director and director of economic forecasting, says it is coming, “The economy, at some point, will slow down. Even if we go into a recession, it is only expected to be a mild one, hopefully, but that can change.”

3. Alabama Sheriffs Association slam Memphis cops

• Police officers all over the country, and world, have reacted with outrage over the murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of 5 police officers in Memphis, Tennessee. The Alabama Sheriffs Association called the situation a “personal affront.”
• The statement is pretty clear, “We are united in our unyielding stand against the actions and images presented recently in Memphis, Tennessee. We consider it a personal affront not just to us but the vast majority of peace officers in our nation who place service above self in every action they take.”

2. Mass prison release for Alabama prisoners

• Prison overcrowding has been referenced regularly in the state of Alabama’s political battles over the Alabama Department of Corrections and now one of the threats may be coming true, the mass release of prisoners. These 369 prisoners will be released after committing crimes ranging from possession of marijuana to theft to robbery and murder.
• When released, “many released inmates will be picked up by friends or family at the facilities while others will be transported to the local bus stations,” according to a ADOC memo. Former State Senator and director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Cam Ward says he didn’t want this to happen but it is what the law requires.

1. Not so fast, my prisoner friends

• Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says that the release of close to 400 prisoners is not going to happen if he has any say on what goes down. Marshall sued the Director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Cam Ward and Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm to try and stop the release of the prisoners scheduled for today.
• But that was swiftly dismissed on Monday and now the inmates are able to be released under a 2021 passed law that required early release and monitoring of the inmates. Marshall and the ADOC are now squabbling over whether or not victims and family members have been notified and a judge has worked an agreement between the AG and ADOC blocking most of their releases.. for now.