The most popular Alabama college for the class of 2016
Al.com – Jan. 8
High school graduation is still a couple of months away but it seems some seniors already have their eyes on the next step. Niche recently polled high school seniors on which in-state school they were most interested in attending. In Alabama, the largest number – about 8,960 students – said they were interested in the University of Alabama.
UA and Clemson Library Deans make friendly bet
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 7
It was only natural for the deans of each university’s libraries to wager a friendly bet. If Bama wins they get Blue Cheese from Clemson, and if Clemson wins they get barbecue sauce from Dreamland. Dr. Donald Gilstrap says he’s confident Alabama will win. “We’re looking forward to a win on Monday, and we’re willing to share our Blue Cheese with Coach Saban on Tuesday.”
Book entries now being taken for Harper Lee Prize
ABA Journal – Jan. 7
The University of Alabama School of Law is now taking entries for the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, which annually honors fiction writing about lawyers’ role in society, and how they can bring about change. Entries must be book-length works of fiction published in 2015. The deadline to submit a book is March 31. A panel will select three finalists for which the public can cast a vote at ABAJournal.com. A prize winner will be announced in May and honored at a September 2016 ceremony. The winner will also receive a 50th anniversary edition of To Kill a Mockingbird signed by author Harper Lee and the right to include the prize logo on their winning book’s cover. Among the previous Harper Lee award winners are The Secret of Magic by Deborah Johnson, Sycamore Row by John Grisham, Havana Requiem by Paul Goldstein and The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly.
NIH funds development of robots to improve health, quality of life
Florida Weekly – Jan. 7
As part of the National Robotics Initiative, the National Institutes of Health announced that it will fund the development of three innovative co-robots — robots that work cooperatively with people. Two of the robots will improve health and quality of life for individuals with disabilities, and the third will serve as a social companion for children that inspires curiosity and teaches the importance of hard work and determination. Funding for the NIH projects will total approximately $2.2 million over the next five years, subject to the availability of funds … A robotic walker could help the elderly move more easily and retain independence. XIANGRONG SHEN / UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA.
Judge to hear Hubbard attorneys’ motion to leave case
Styrk.com – Jan. 8
The reason why Mike Hubbard’s lead counsel in his ethics case wants to withdraw isn’t known. Or is its potential impact on the Alabama House Speaker’s pending trial, with a tentative start date at the end of March. “It’s tricky,” said Jenny Carroll, a former public defender and law professor at the University of Alabama Law School. “Every court is different and every case is different.” Legal experts said the move by Mark White and his co-counsels wasn’t unusual in a criminal case and could reflect any number of reasons, ranging from financial issues to strategy disputes. “If we’re playing the odds, it’s probably either lack of funds or disagreement about direction of the case,” said Jessica Cino, a law professor at Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta.
Alabama probate judges should obey US Supreme Court on gay marriage, federal prosecutors say
Al.com – Jan. 7
Two federal prosecutors in Alabama say that Alabama probate judges are not free to disobey the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage and deny gay couples marriage licenses, despite an order from Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. “The Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court has issued an administrative order, directing probate judges that they may not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year on marriage equality,” according to a statement issued Wednesday night by U.S. Attorneys Joyce White Vance of the Northern District of Alabama and Kenyen Brown of the Southern District of Alabama … University of Alabama Law Professor Ron Krotoszynski, Jr. said the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states must issue the marriage licenses to same-sex couples. “They could not have stated the rule any more clearly,” he said. While the Alabama Supreme Court hasn’t removed its March injunction to the probate judges the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell “overrules both the reasoning and result” of the Alabama order, Krotoszynski said.
Gay Marriage Still Illegal in Alabama, Says State Chief Justice
NYSE Post – Jan. 7
In his order today, Moore said the Alabama Supreme Court continues to deliberate on how the U.S. Supreme Court ruling ultimately affects the state court’s orders. The chief justice of Alabama’s Supreme Court issued an administrative order on Wednesday barring state judges from issuing same-sex marriage licenses, in contravention of the broadly accepted meaning of a June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. A federal trial court in Alabama has ordered all Alabama probate judges to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. He declined to comment on issues regarding marriage licenses and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last summer creating same-sex marriage. Though there is no language in the order suggesting courts stop issuing marriage licenses to heterosexual couples, the probate court in Mobile County has chosen to do so. University of Alabama School of Law professor Ronald Krotoszynski said it’s true as a technical matter the state supreme court has not dissolved the March injunction – but the USA supreme court plainly overruled it, and federal courts would rule against judges who refuse licenses.
Syracuse.com – Jan. 7
WTNH (Conn.) – Jan. 7
Global News (Canada) – Jan. 7
CNSnews.com – Jan. 7
Legal News – Jan. 7
CBSNews.com – Jan. 7
ESPN at The University of Alabama to get ready for Championship Game
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 7
To lead up to the big game on Monday, the Crimson Tide might not be here anymore, but Sports media is crawling all over The University of Alabama campus. ESPN has been here all week shooting promos and even hosting some shows from Tuscaloosa. One big winner thanks to the coverage is Rama Jamas, right next to the stadium.