Multiple Alabama voters got this email this afternoon from AL Democratic Party: “Make a plan and vote tomorrow.”
State party tells me this email was sent yesterday and they’re checking what’s going on. They said 2 new emails were sent today saying today is Election Day. #ALSenpic.twitter.com/MppiIptcoy
This year the Trumpiest of the Trump states gave @realDonaldTrump two losses. First, he backed Strange and Moore won, then he backed Moore and Jones won.
What was once a sleepy December special election to fill a vacant Senate seat in a deep red state has turned into a national referendum on political parties, sexual harassment and the Trump agenda. Merry Christmas, Alabama.
It all started a month ago with a bombshell Washington Post report citing several Gadsden women approached as teenagers for dates while Roy Moore was in his early 30s. One woman accused him of sexual assault. Moore is the twice-elected, twice-removed Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice on the Republican ticket.
National media, pundits, celebrities and at least one late night talk show host have descended on this one-race ballot for 4 weeks. Money has flooded in, turning a surefire Republican victory into a free-for-all, complete with nonstop commercials, flyers, rallies, high-profile interlopers and poll after poll after poll.
Alabama has had an interesting fall.
Oh, and Doug Jones is running for the Democrats. Almost forgot.
At least in 12 hours, this will all be over (save for any voting machine malfunctions, calls for recount or nuclear war).
The polls are open: Voting takes place till 7 p.m. for this one race.
Q: Where do I vote?
A: Call Jefferson County: (205) 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): (205) 481-4105, Shelby County: (205) 669-3913.
Trussville evangelist Karen Schatzline appears on a November episode of “Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural!” From Heaven Visit.
•
Just another Thanksgiving night at the Galleria (our vertical video of the week). From the AIO Entertainment.
•
Highlight reel for Sparkman senior guard Anthony A.J. Horton, filmed in Pelham. From Hoop Brothers.
•
Dashcam footage of the Bessemer Super Highway. From Real Karma.
•
Basketball: Birmingham-Southern at Roanoke in November. From Roanoke Athletics.
•
Football highlights: UAB at Florida in November. From ESPN Gainesville.
•
A glimpse of the Body Worlds Rx 2016 exhibit at McWane Science Center downtown (our other vertical video of the week). From Large Marge.
•
A fun outing in Birmingham, including a meal at Cracker Barrel. From Madeline Hart.
•
A simulation of the Bernards’ back yard. From Platinum Pools Texas.
•
Checking out the sites at Red Mountain Park. From Gowestusa.
Navigating the Hugh Kaul Beanstalk Forest at Red Mountain Park. From Cristiano Fontes.
•
Miss USA Deshauna Barber speaks at the UAB Leadership Conference in October at the Hill Student Center. From Deshauna Barber.
•
Mexican band La Arrolladora Banda el Limón performs “Me va Pesar” in November at El Sol on Valley Avenue. From Cristy Bazan.
•
“Face the Nation” report from Birmingham on Senate candidate Roy Moore. From Face the Nation.
•
Steve Roberts performs “Red Mountain” at King’s Way Church in Irondale. From King’s Way Church.
•
Another virtual Birmingham. From Wise Era Trill TV.
•
A talkative peacock at the Birmingham Zoo. From Wesley Redinger.
•
Rapper Lisa K. performs “Anomaly.” From Lisa K. Music.
•
The gross toilet at Target (our other other vertical video of the week). From Large Marge.
•
Daphne Chamberlain, assistant history professor at Tougaloo College in Mississippi, talks on “The Jackson Movement and Birmingham,” at the 2017 Institute for College and University Teachers in June in Jackson. From Fannie Lou Hamer.
•
Birmingham hip-hop artist Rocki performs in November at WorkPlay in Lakeview (our other other other vertical video of the week). From Deavin Napoleon.
•
A 60m hurdles race at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. From Rashni Walker.
•
Playing at the Thunderbolts Five Star Exposure Tournament in November. From Rik Kinghorn.
•
Members of UAB’s Indian Cultural Association meets world traveler Abhishek Kumar Sharma in November. From Abhi: Around the World.
•
Hiking the Ridge and Valley Trail and Overlook Trail at Ruffner Mountain. From Gowestusa.
Who wins the grand prize at the Sidewalk $10K Party earlier this month at WorkPlay in Lakeview? From Cardboard Titanics.
•
“The Cornerstone Way,” a promotional video for Woodlawn’s Cornerstone Schools of Alabama. From Cornerstone Schools of Alabama.
•
Recap of the 11th weekend of high school football earlier this month at Hoover High’s Buccaneer Stadium. From Starnes Publishing.
Preview of the first weekend of high school football playoffs earlier this month. From Starnes Publishing.
•
A delivery to U.S. Steel in Fairfield. From Lawrence Nicholson Jr.
•
A 100m freestyle race at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. From Elvin Sabanadzovic.
•
The 76th annual Magic City Classic in October at Legion Field, with the Alabama A&M Bulldogs vs. Alabama State Hornets. From Alex Hines.
•
Trains in Irondale. From Carson Bean.
•
Jana May and Taunea Green of Keller Williams Realty explain the Real Estate Consumers Agency and Disclosure Act. From Jana May, Birmingham Real Estate Agent.
•
Birmingham rap group MoMoney Gang performs “Circle K.” From Niles Bryant.
•
Hip-hop soul artist Mary J. Blige performs “Be Happy” in September at Legacy Arena downtown (our vertical video of the week). From C. Marie.
•
Hoops. From Anthony Strickland.
•
Riding two-wheel, three-wheel and four-wheel motorcycles in Woodlawn. From Film Headz.
•
CNN coverage of Senate candidate Roy Moore speaking to the Mid-Alabama Republican Club on Veterans Day at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. Protestors and members of local and national media were on hand. From Lone Wolf Sager.
•
Highlight reel for Homewood junior pitcher/fielder Justin Perreault at October’s Fall Top Prospect National Showcase in Emerson, Ga. From Skill Show Videos.
•
A tour of the Negro Southern League Museum downtown (our vertical video of the week). From Wake up the Black Nation.
•
A model of a piano key at Alabama Piano Gallery in Vestavia Hills. From Dr. Mary Crowell.
•
Bhuvan Unhelkar, associate professor at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, presents on “Big Data Technologies Meet Semantic Web: Illustration of Applications in Managing Urban Crises” earlier this month at the Society for Design and Process Science conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Southside. From Bhuvan Unhelkar.
•
Flamingos at the Birmingham Zoo. From Jeremy Bowling.
•
At the downtown bus station (our vertical video of the week). From Trucker Murray.
•
Gloria Gallardo takes a penalty kick for the Chivas F.C. of Ft. Walton Beach. From Lidia Gallardo.
•
The French family poses downtown. From Angela Blake Photography LLC.
•
In the audience at the Syndicate Lounge on Southside. From Catastruphie.
•
Campaign video for Ashley Peinhardt for the Birmingham Bar Association’s executive committee place No. 1. From Hare Wynn.
•
A bowling tournament at Oak Mountain Lanes in Pelham. From Hung and Ha Nguyen.
•
A look at Birmingham Dance Theatre in Vestavia Hills. From Beyond Technology.
•
Jacksonville blues-rock Tedeschi Trucks Band performs in September at the Alabama Theatre downtown. From Outside in Alabama.
•
New York rock band Living Colour performs “Open Letter (to a Landlord)” earlier this month at Iron City on Southside. From Mike Perry.
•
Commercial for Hawthorne at Lake Heather apartments in Hoover. From Hawthorne Residential Partners.
•
A look at Starnes graphic and Web designer Matt Crawford. From Starnes Digital.
•
Buffalo death metal band Cannibal Corpse performs “Code of the Slashers” earlier this month at Saturn in Avondale. From Blood and Brutality Records.
•
Demo reel for Mountain Brook production company Vulcan Media. From Vulcan Media.
•
Atop the Redmont Hotel downtown with Dan Solomon, co-executive producer of “Bigger” which is filming in Birmingham. From Grace Solomon.
Music video for “Crystalized” by Birmingham electronic duo Halter Kids. Thanks to band member McClain McKinney for the suggestion! From Halter Kids Music.
•
My pal Arik Sokol filmed this “man on the street” segment in Birmingham last week on the allegations against Senate candidate Roy Moore. From the Washington Post.
•
Lawnmower demo. From Quinton Sanders.
•
Road trip to Hoover and Homewood. From Ronny Boyswag.
•
Trains downtown. From Jackson Slater Elevator Rail Alarm Fan.
Train in North Avondale. From CSXfan4589.
More trains in North Avondale. From CSXfan4589.
•
Warming up at Mizu Japanese Steak House in Trussville and then performing at Side Effects in Smithfield. From J.G.
•
Visiting downtown Homewood, Vulcan and Five Points South. From James Harris.
•
Pastor Nathan Carden of the Church at Ross Bridge in Hoover shares his vision. From Nathan Carden.
•
Talking with Ashley Steiner of Ashley Ink and Paperie in Birmingham, winner of a Global Student Entrepreneur Award. From Robert Evans.
•
Vlog from participants at June’s National Speech and Debate Tournament downtown. From Nicole Andraya Costa Rica.
•
Nashville rapper Haystak performs in 2016 at the Nick on Southside. From Undergroundbooking Jimbo.
•
An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. From Marlowobp.
•
Yoga session at Railroad Park downtown. From Michael Northorp.
•
Exploring the Tutwiler Hotel downtown. From Jackson Slater Elevator Rail Alarm Fan.
•
Promo for Alabama Ortho Spine and Sports clinic in Trussville. From Yellow Pages.
•
Rock band Foo Fighters performs “Big Me” in October at Legacy Arena downtown. From Wing Ding.
•
Drone footage shows before and after looks for parking lot paving at Wildwood Parkway. From Wright Construction Birmingham.
•
Interview with Mormon missionaries after working in Birmingham. From Lifey.
•
Highlight reel for Bessemer Academy junior running back Justin Jones. From Street Light Recruiting.
•
The Rock City Performing Arts Ministry performs at Rock City Church in Forestdale. From Rock City TV.
•
Hattiesburg punk band Judy and the Jerks performs in October at the Spring Street Firehouse in Avondale. From Colors of Nights.
Birmingham punk band Black Hole Kids performs at Spring Street Firehouse (our vertical video of the week). From Colors of Nights.
Punk band Small Man performs at Spring Street Firehouse. From Colors of Nights.
Mississippi band Slurp performs at Spring Street Firehouse. From Colors of Nights.
•
•
Visiting the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. From Team Clements.
•
Driving I-20/59 through downtown. From Antonio Salazar.
•
Shooting instructor Ben Stoeger holds class in October at the Brock’s Gap Training Center in Hoover. From Jimmy Owens.
•
Recap of the eighth weekend of high school football in October from Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School. From Starnes Publishing.
Preview of the ninth weekend of high school football in October. From Starnes Publishing.
Recap of the ninth weekend of high school football in October. From Starnes Publishing.
Preview of the 10th weekend of high school football in October. From Starnes Publishing.
•
Alabama football coach Nick Saban speaks in October at the Monday Morning Quarterback Club downtown. From Charlie Potter.
•
The main stage at Fiesta in Linn Park downtown. From Uriel Garcia.
•
The Alabama State Mighty Marching Hornets performs in October at the Magic City Classic Kickoff event at Bill Harris Arena in Five Points West. From Covering All River Region Sports Alabama State.
The Alabama A&M Marching Maroon and White performs. From Covering All River Region Sports Alabama State.
Dancing for the Maroon and White. From Covering All River Region Sports Alabama State.
Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey becomes second female governor of Alabama
Booking page for Robert Bentley at the
Montgomery County Jail
Two-term and two-timing governor Robert Bentley was booked at the Montgomery County Jail this afternoon for campaign finance misdemeanors. He then resigned from office.
This morning, the House had begun impeachment hearings on Bentley, following the release of a committee report detailing numerous alleged incidents around the governor and an affair with his aide Rebekah Mason, one that ended his 50-year marriage to Dianne Bentley in 2015.
Among the cataloged misdeeds were bullying staff members, using the state plane for private getaways, illicit texting, ordering law enforcement officers to cover up the scandal and altering public records.
As part of a deal, Bentley pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 30-day suspended jail sentence, 12 months probation, surrender of $36,912 in campaign funds, about $16,000 in fines and 100 hours of community service. He forfeits all retirement benefits and cannot run for public office again.
Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, pictured above, will now finish out the term. The next gubernatorial election is in 2018.
It’s been a busy 11 months for Montgomery. In May, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore was removed from office for a second time. For this incident, the Alabama Court of the Judiciary suspended him for ethics code violations in regards to enforcing federal rulings on same-sex marriage.
In June, Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard was found guilty of violating state ethics rules — including ones he implemented — and later sentenced to 4 years in prison, 8 years probation and a $210,000 fine.
Soundbite: “I have more experience dealing with state budgets than anyone else running.”
Video: Bentley campaign ad on “no salary” pledge.
Bradley Byrne
Age: 55
Elected to state Senate in 2002.
Before that, state Board of Education, chancellor of Alabama Department of Post-Secondary Education and attorney. Graduated from Duke University and University of Alabama School of Law.
Soundbite: “When I have to educate myself about a particular issue, I like to think I have the ability to do that and then make the best decisions I can.”
Video: Byrne campaign ad on pledge not to raise taxes.
Tim James
Age: 48
Former business owner, including Baldwin Bridge Co. and asphalt and construction firms.
Before that, formed and operated the Escambia County Environmental Corp. with family members. Graduated from Auburn University.
Soundbite: “I’m probably best suited to be governor in tough times.”
Video: James campaign ad on English-only driver’s license tests.
Bill Johnson
Age: 51
Elected Director of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs from 2005 to 2009.
Before that, political consultant, Birmingham city council member, owner of industrial/commercial contracting company. Graduated from Spring Hill College in Mobile.
Soundbite: “As the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, I invested a quarter billion dollars in communities across the state, so I got to know mayors and county commissioners.”
Video: Johnson introductory statement.
Roy Moore
Age: 63
President of the Foundation for Moral Law in Montgomery.
Before that, chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Etowah County circuit judge and deputy district attorney. Graduated from U.S. Military Academy at West Point and University of Alabama School of Law.
Soundbite: “We have beautiful golf courses. We need to take the prisoners, clean up our state parks, create hiking trails, camp sites, make it a haven for recreation.”
Video: Potts answers question asking to reveal
something voters may not know about the candidate.
Charles Taylor
Age: 53
Salesman for Buck Taylor Manufacturer Sales Co. in Daphne.
Soundbite: “Abortion must be stopped. It is unacceptable.”
No video available
Deciding factor: It’s a two-way race between Byrne the politician and James the businessman. James’ late momentum may send it to a runoff, but it’s Byrne’s race to win.
If you’re voting in the Republican primary, who will you vote for and why? Leave a comment.
No great overarching message can — or should — be culled from the results of Tuesday’s state primaries. Certainly not with a turnout of 38 percent.
As 6/6/(0)6 passes into history, Alabama still stands, daring to defend its rights. Losing candidates may be temporarily shaken from their world of denial by landslide defeats, but the future is wide open. Isn’t it?
What’s left to rail against in this election in 2006, 2008 and beyond? Gays are contained, for now. The Ten Commandments and the rule of law still cohabit peacefully, though out of wedlock. And godless neo-Nazis can’t become attorney general. Maybe state treasurer, but definitely not AG.
Have Alabamians managed to avoid once and for all eternal damnation?
The contenders: Tuesday’s state primaries offered few surprises, including the top races for governor. For Republicans, Gov. Bob Riley soundly defeated ousted judge Roy Moore, while for Democrats, Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley knocked out six opponents, including still-on-trial former governor Don Siegelman. Both Riley and Baxley benefitted not only from solid campaigns, but the virtual self-destruction of the their main opponents. Moore seemed to offer little beyond his Ten Commandments bully pulpit, while Siegelman unsuccessfully trotted out the lottery again and blamed Riley for his current courtroom tour on corruption and racketeering charges. Turnout was slightly higher than the 2002 state primaries. Great, Nov. 7 will have a sane and likely boring campaign for governor.
• Primary results [Alabama Live]
A toast: Not surprisingly, the amendment to ban gay marriage in Alabama passed overwhelmingly. Some voters in favor of the amendment cited religion as their reason. Lowndes County, however, did approve liquor sales on Sundays. Tsk tsk. If Jesus died to keep gays from marrying, he certainly didn’t die so you could booze it up on the Sabbath. Straights can drink to victory, gays can drink to better days.
• Gay marriage ban easily approved [Montgomery Advertiser]
The last line of defense: With someone like the mayor of Alabama’s largest city, you’d want only the best protecting him, right? A Birmingham cop assigned to protect Mayor Kincaid has just returned to duty after a month off. Officer William T. Camp Jr. wasn’t on vacation: He was suspended for abandoning a dying man and four victims during a shooting at a restaurant where he provided off-duty security. Camp left to chase the suspect — without calling the paramedics or the cops. Someone please get Mayor Kincaid a panic button and a helmet that says “MAYOR.”
• Officer back on job after 30-day suspension [Birmingham News]
Also:
Losing candidates prepare to make losing endorsements
Bob Riley for governor
1. Not crazy, for a change.
2. When the revolution comes, the revolutionaries will be shot.
3. It’s morning in Alabama.
4. Bow before your new Korean masters.
5. The second term’s the charm.
6. Shriner, I hardly even know her.
7. Robert Renfroe Riley. Renfroe? really??
8. Made Katrina his bitch.
9. Amendment One, Riley 0.
10. Will send O.J. to Aruba to find the real killers. (more…)
The Mérida Report1Last week, I went on a Mexican vacation. It included seeing my married friends Jen Barnett and Brett Andrews, who moved there in 2023. They run a company called Expatsi, which helps Americans move abr …
The death of Twitter logs1I share a lot on Twitter, as I have documented in my weekly Twitter logs for 14 years on this site. But that ends today.
More election coverage in our Vote 2017 special report.
Chart: Voter turnout
