Five Things to Know For Your Week in Tuscaloosa
1) One day before voters go to the polls, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox will join the mayors of Birmingham and Hoover this morning to voice support for state constitutional Amendment 1, otherwise known as “Aniah’s Law.”
The constitutional amendment would allow judges to deny bond to those who are charged with committing violent crimes.
Alabama DA’s Association Executive Director Barry Matson tells news partner ABC 33/40 there is not much prosecutors can do now, "We just have to shake our heads and do what we can to charge the suspect with a higher crime to keep them from being released and preying on other innocent people while out on bond."
The amendment is named for Aniah Blanchard, who went missing in 2019 and was later found murdered by a man on bond from previous violent arrest. There are nine other amendments on the ballot.
2) Violence, particularly gun violence, was the center of a community meeting over the weekend.
It involved churches, civic groups and community outreach organizations. Clayborn May is pastor of Friendship Baptist Church. He says community dynamics have changed allowing violent reactions to be acceptable to some. The event was conducted on the Stillman College campus.
3) Election integrity will be a key issue when voters head to the polls for tomorrow’s midterm elections.
Despite criticism from most voting rights groups, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill says there are no major concerns in our state, "Three respected national organizations have declared Alabama among the best when it comes to election integrity and transparency."
UCLA research and two conservative groups are the national organizations that ranked Alabama among the best in election management. Polls open at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning and close and 7 p.m.
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4) Alabama’s shot at its first SEC women’s soccer tournament title came up short yesterday in Pensacola in a 1-0 loss to South Carolina in the title game. The shutout ended Bama’s 15 game winning streak.
The Tide will find out this afternoon about where they will go in the NCAA National Championship Tournament.
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5) It’s time for "round ball."
Alabama opens the hardwood season tonight at Coleman against the Longwood Lancers. Tip is 7 p.m. and listeners can find it on 95.3 The Bear as well as Tide 100.9.
The Tide hoops will host Liberty Friday night.
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6) Tomorrow's election will mark a couple of "first time' events.
The race between incumbent Republican Gov. Kay Ivey and Democrat challenger Yolanda Flowers marks the first time ever for two female nominees from the state's two dominant political parties to face-off in a general election. Also in the gubernatorial race are Libertarian James Blake and Independent candidate Jared Budlong.
Flowers is also the first black female to carry her party's banner in a governor's race.