7 Things: Vaccine incentives are working, Huntsville poised to be Alabama’s biggest city, Brooks served with U.S. Capitol civil lawsuit and more …

7. Today is Jefferson Davis Day

• The state of Alabama still recognizes Jefferson Davis’ birthday as a holiday with Jefferson Davis Day in Alabama, so some state offices will be closed Monday. Jefferson Davis was the president of the Confederate states from 1861-1865.
• The holiday usually draws some criticism from different groups across the state. Alabama remains the only state that has a separate holiday on the calendar that’s actually observed by state offices.

6. California woman arrested in Huntsville for riot involvement

• Stephanie Baez of California was arrested in Huntsville over the weekend for her alleged involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6,
• It’s not known why the California woman was in Alabama. In one of the videos from January 6, Baez was seen saying, “I want to find me a Proud Boy.” Baez also admitted to being inside the Capitol during the riot on her Instagram. 

5. Ainsworth has officially launched his campaign

• Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth’s campaign rollout event for his reelection bid drew a crowd of about 3,000 people in Guntersville. Included in those attending were Governor Kay Ivey and State Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville).
• During the event, Ainsworth said the real reason why he’s running for reelection “is for my kids, for your kids, for your grandkids’ future…I want our kids, your kids, everybody in here to always be proud to call Alabama home.”

4. Manchin has been clear that he will not support extreme liberal policies 

• The For the People Act won’t receive support from U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), who said, “It’s the wrong piece of legislation to bring our country together and unite our country.” He added that he thinks the legislation will cause more division.
• Manchin also pointed out how there are details within the bill that don’t apply to voting, and he’s previously expressed that he doesn’t want one political party being the only one to have a say in legislation. Manchin has also made headlines recently for his consistent support of the filibuster.

3. Mo Brooks has been served, claims it was illegal

• U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) for speaking at the rally for President Donald Trump on January 6, and now Brooks has been served the lawsuit. 
• Brooks said that the lawsuit was actually served to his wife. He added, “HORRIBLE Swalwell’s team committed a CRIME by unlawfully sneaking INTO MY HOUSE & accosting my wife!” Swalwell has confirmed that Brooks was served at his home in Alabama. 

2. Birmingham and Montgomery are shrinking

• New Census estimates suggest that Birmingham and Montgomery are two of the fastest shrinking cities in Alabama. From 2019-2020, Birmingham and Montgomery both lost almost 1% of their population.
• The No. 1 fastest shrinking city in the state is Selma, losing 2.7% of their population in the same time frame. Birmingham was listed at No. 8 and Montgomery was No. 10 for fastest shrinking cities.

1. Vaccine incentives working

• Over the course of a month, the number of young people, ages 18-24, receiving the coronavirus vaccine has increased by 10% to 44%. This is after many vaccine incentives have been offered across different states, and President Joe Biden has even mentioned free beer as an incentive.
• Twelve states have announced different ways to encourage people to get the coronavirus vaccine, and it seems to be helping vaccination rates exceed expectations. In February, data from the KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor poll showed that it was unlikely the percentage of young people getting vaccinated would surpass 40% any time soon.