UA professor returns from deep sea ocean explorations
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 10
A University of Alabama assistant professor just returned from two weeks of deep ocean exploration and he may have even discovered a new species. Kevin Kocot and 24 other early career scientists recently went on a training cruise. While there, they collected coral and other invertebrates including what Kocot describes as a strange worm-like mollusk. They believe it’s a new species, and Kocot says this trip was a life-changing experience.
Understanding the risk of lightning at outdoor football stadiums
WHNT 19 (Huntsville) – Aug. 10
22 people have been killed by lightning strikes in the U.S. in 2016. One of the most recent deaths occurred along the coast of North Carolina. A 5-year-old was killed while seeking shelter from lightning with his family. Sadly, the National Weather Service reports that a majority of lightning deaths occur while people are moving to shelter. This suggests either people wait too long to decide to seek shelter, or their shelter is too far away. Dr. Laura Myers, a social scientist and director for the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama, explains that some people may wait to take action because they are not sure whether or not a storm will actually affect them or be that bad.
UA Law Professor to moderate Law Enforcement Forum
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Aug. 10
Recent police involved shootings across the country have fueled conversations about violence, law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. A forum to be held next week will aim at strengthening trust and communication between police and the citizen they serve. It’s open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend. The forum will be moderated by University of Alabama School of Law professor Bryan Fair.
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 10
Attica Locke to receive UA’s School of Law Harper Lee Prize
KRIV-Fox (Houston) – Aug. 10
You may know here work from Empire, as writer and producer of the hit Fox TV show, Houson native Attica Locke is getting even more praise now. The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal have announced that Attica Locke, author of Pleasantville, will receive the 2016 Harpe Lee Prize for legal fiction. Locke is the sixth winner of the prize. The award is given out annually.
Weaver teen gets national recognition for computer networking
Anniston Star – Aug. 10
The 50 feet of cable stretching from Garrett Dothard’s room and across his parents’ house to the family’s Internet modem isn’t optimal, the 18-year-old said recently. It’s necessary for the “plethora of computers” he’s got in his room. The equipment spills from that space and into the bottom shelves of a hallway closet. Getting computers to talk to each other is Dothard’s thing. He’s good enough at it that he placed fifth nationally in this year’s Future Business Leaders of America annual competition and conference. The Weaver High School graduate, who’ll start on a computer engineering degree at the University of Alabama this month, placed first in the school group’s state-level competition the last two years in a row.