7. An Alabama legislator steps down over campaign finance violations
- In a story that seems to happen to0 often in Alabama, State Senator David Burkette (D-Montgomery) has resigned his seat in the Alabama Senate citing health concerns, but it is reported that this also involves prosecutors who are investigating potential ethics violations tied to his campaign for his seat.
- Burkett resigned in a letter to Governor Kay Ivey and State Senator Del Marsh (R-Anniston), saying, “I’m just weary and it is time for me to step away and think about my health.” But when asked about the discussion with prosecutors, he claimed he is bound by a confidentiality agreement.
6. D.C. committee recommends changes to federal monuments
- A committee has suggested to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser that a list of monuments there, including the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial, be removed, relocated or contextualized.
- The recommendation also includes renaming some buildings and schools. The main focus for renaming, relocating, contextualizing or removing structures is due to the history of racism or slavery.
5. Trump didn’t have a series of mini-strokes
- A new book from New York Times correspondents Michael Schmidt didn’t specifically state President Donald Trump suffered mini-strokes, but there were conclusions drawn as the book claims that Vice President Mike Pence was on standby if Trump became incapacitated, which has been completely denied but is treated as confirmation.
- Trump has since denied it, saying, “It never ends! Now they are trying to say that your favorite President, me, went to Walter Reed Medical Center, having suffered a series of mini-strokes. Never happened to THIS candidate – FAKE NEWS. Perhaps they are referring to another candidate from another Party!”
4. This is a great idea to get the 2020 Census on people’s minds
- There are some areas of Alabama that still need to increase their 2020 U.S. Census response, so the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs under Director Kenneth Boswell has announced the Census Bowl initiative to get citizens involved.
- In a March Madness-style bracket, 32 counties have been selected to compete for money that can go to their public school systems. The “Elite Eight” will be given $20,000 each, “Final Four” will be awarded $30,000, “Second Place will receive $45,000, and the overall Census Bowl Champion will receive a total of $65,000 to benefit its public-school systems.”
3. AL AFL/CIO rescinds endorsement of Barry Moore
- The fallout from Republican nominee in Alabama’s Second Congressional District Barry Moore’s accurate Facebook meme about Kyle Rittenhouse and violent rioters has cost him an endorsement from the Alabama labor union because they believe the post somehow affects his position on issues they care about.
- Proving that acquiescing to the mob will get you nowhere, the AL AFL/CIO even cited his removal of the meme in its statement, saying, “After considering the recent post on social media Mr. Moore posted then removed, the E-Board of the Alabama AFL/CIO has voted to rescind the co-endorsement of Barry Moore. Organized Labor condemns this type divisive rhetoric and fights everyday for racial and social justice.”
2. Trump promises to help Kenosha
- During his visit to Kenosha, Wisconsin, President Donald Trump made plans to help the area by providing $1 million to law enforcement, saying it’s so they “have extra money to go out and do what you have to do,” but the Joe Biden campaign (which called it a day at 9:00 a.m.) sneered at these plans by inaccurately saying, “We didn’t hear a word about a plan to finally control this crisis, which has taken the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across the country and throughout the state of Wisconsin.”
- Trump’s plan included $4 million to local businesses that were impacted by rioting and $42 million for public safety support across the state. Trump said that they’re “going to get it fixed up, we’re going to help people rebuild their businesses in Kenosha…we’re getting it straightened out.”
1. Riots are now a major concern for voters, rivaling the coronavirus
- If you are wondering why we are now seeing Democrats declaring they do not approve of rioting and violence after openly supporting them and even raising money to bail them out of jail, the reading is simple. The polling on the rioting is so bad that it is rivaling the coronavirus in voters’ minds.
- Violent crime now ranks a few points behind the coronavirus, and as that story rises in people’s minds, support for Black Lives Matter is cratering from 61% to 38% favorable-unfavorable in June to a 48% to 48% split now.
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