University of Alabama grad lands ‘Star Trek’ role
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 17
Just as you might have once seen Alabama Shakes rockin’ and rollin’ a little dive bar called Egan’s, just a handful of years back you could have seen one of TV’s brightest stars shining on the University of Alabama’s stages. Russellville native and UA grad Sonequa Martin-Green, while also playing Sasha on “The Walking Dead,” has recently been named the lead of 2017’s first new Star Trek series in more than a decade, “Star Trek: Discovery.” She’ll play Lt. Cmdr. Rainsford of the Starship Discovery, making her the first African-American woman to head one of the franchise’s projects, according to Entertainment Weekly, which landed the story.
Interim named full-time provost at Alabama
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 17
The University of Alabama president is recommending the campus’ interim provost to permanently fill the post as chief academic officer. The university announced the selection of Kevin Whitaker as the next executive vice president and provost on Friday. “After an extensive search which brought four strong candidates to our campus, the search committee and I concluded the best person for the job was the one who was already in it,” Bell in a statement released by the university. “Dr. Whitaker’s leadership skills, the experience he has gained during his 20 years at the University of Alabama, and his collaborative approach to decision making will serve us well.”
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Dec. 17
College News
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 18
David L. Grady, vice president for student affairs at The University of Alabama, has been named to a two-year term on the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities Council on Student Affairs Executive Committee.. . . The following area students in the department of geological sciences recently received $5,000 by winning the first University of Alabama Outstanding Research Competition: Rebecca Greenberg and Patrick Hawkins, both of Tuscaloosa. The competition funds theses and dissertations that perform cutting-edge research related to the assessment and treatment of chemical contaminants in soil and groundwater. . . .Jamie Campbell Naidoo, associate and Foster- EBSCO Endowed Professor at The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies, has received the first Arne Nixon Center Research Fellowship in Children’s Literature from California State University, Fresno, for his research project “More Rainbow Families in Children’s Literature.” . . . Two professors in The University of Alabama College of Engineering who teach metallurgical and materials engineering will be honored by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society for their contributions to education and their profession. Ramana Reddy, ACIPCO Endowed Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, was selected for the TMS 2017 Educator Award. Gregory B. Thompson, professor, will be the TMS 2017 Brimacombe Medalist.
Parrish hosting cleanup at Old Town Hall
Jasper Mountain Eagle – Dec. 17
The town of Parrish will be hosting a special cleanup this weekend at the Old Town Hall on Main Street in downtown Parrish, and everyone in the community is encouraged to participate. Parrish Mayor Heather Hall said the students from the University of Alabama’s GBA 300 Class, who have been working with her on Old Parrish Town Hall project, will be in town this weekend to cleanup on the inside of the building, and she’s hoping the citizens of Parrish will get involved as well. “I’m really excited to have the students in town for the weekend because I know this is a really busy time of the year, for everyone,” Hall said. “But I believe if we all spare time to help with the cleanup, we’ll get it done a lot quicker. And then we can move on to the next step in the project, which is renovating the building and returning it to its former glory.”
Alabama’s November unemployment rate is 5.9 percent; Most employed all year, wage & salary Unemployment nearing two million
Cherokee County Herald – Dec. 17
Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate is 5.9 percent, up from October’s rate of 5.7 percent, and below November 2015’s rate of 6.2 percent. November’s rate represents 2,065,967 employed persons, up from October’s count of 2,058,443, and significantly higher than November 2015’s count of 2,011,267. The number of people counted as unemployed in November was 128,787, compared to 123,750 in October and 132,779 in November 2015. . . . “While the unemployment rate is a popular economic metric for the economy and its labor market, better and more important measures include wage and salary employment growth and wage growth,” said Sam Addy, Associate Dean for Economic Development Outreach for the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Senior Research Economist of the University’s Center for Business and Economic Research. “Alabama’s wage and salary growth has so far been progressing ahead of estimates, indicating employer confidence and steady hiring patterns.”
Alex City Outlook – Dec. 17
Tuscaloosa home sales through November rise 18 percent over same period in 2015
Alabama News Center – Dec. 18
Sales: According to the Tuscaloosa MLS, Tuscaloosa-area residential sales totaled 181 units during November, up 41.4 percent from the same period last year. Year-to-date sales of 2,156 units represent a 17.6 percent rise from the same period last year. Two more resources to review: Quarterly Report and Annual Report. Forecast: November results were 32 units or 21 percent below the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s monthly forecast. ACRE’s year-to-date sales forecast through November projected 2,114 closed transactions, while the actual sales were 2,275 units, a favorable difference of 7.6 percent.
Trounced by Trump, Alabama Democrats search for identity and direction
AL.com – Dec. 17
The defeats and infighting haven’t gone unnoticed by political observers. “The Democratic Party of Alabama is an embarrassment to people around the nation who identify with the oldest political party,” said William Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama. “I admire Dr. Reed for all he has done and consider Ms. Worley a good friend. However, I don’t think either is capable of making the it once again a contender in state politics.”
Donald Trump, as president-elect, returns to Mobile where campaign success began
AL.com – Dec. 17
And on Saturday, he returns to say “Thank You.” Mobile is the last stop of a tour through swing states, though Alabama can hardly be considered a toss up: Voters here overwhelmingly supported Trump in the general election, and he amassed the highest winning percentage of any presidential candidate since Richard Nixon. “The president-elect certainly owes Mobile a ‘Thank You’ visit,” said William Stewart, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama. “This is one of the first places where he showed what great crowds he could draw to his speaking engagements.”
Tuscaloosa County traffic deaths increase in 2016
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 18
Wrecks in Tuscaloosa County claimed the lives of six people during a five-day period earlier this month. That brought the total number of fatal accidents investigated by Alabama State Troopers to 35 for the year, surpassing the 27 in Tuscaloosa County last year. Overall, law enforcement agencies have investigated 45 fatal crashes throughout the county so far this year, a 15.4 percent increase over 39 during the same time last year, according to the Center for Advanced Public Safety, a research center based at the University of Alabama. The spike in fatalities mirrors a nationwide trend.
Some fear police reform will stall under Trump
Santa Fe New Mexican – Dec. 18
A statute in a federal 1994 crime bill gives the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division the authority to investigate law enforcement agencies and demand reforms under consent decrees, which have to be approved by a federal judge. The provision came as a result of the 1991 beating of Rodney King at the hands of four Los Angeles Police Department officers. “In the last eight years, we’ve seen a rampant enforcement of this statute,” said Stephen Rushin, an assistant law professor at the University of Alabama.
UA’s Nick Saban sends hats to kids at children’s hospital in Jackson, Mississippi
WTOK-ABC 11 (Meridian) – Dec. 16
Meet Anna Kaye Bennett. She’s a fifth grader at Philadelphia Elementary School, who has Alopecia. After many months of questioning and wondering, “Why me?” Anna Kaye and her family accepted the change and are now reaching out to help other children. She started caps for kids. The Bennett family reached out to surrounding SEC schools in hopes they would donate team hats to the cause. The first to respond, Head Coach Nick Saban. He responded within just a few minutes, and within a few days had sent a whole box of hats.
College of Continuing Studies gives gifts to veterans
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Dec. 16
The College of Continuing Studies at The University of Alabama made donations to veterans in need today. Donations included clothing and personal care items for the residents who live at the VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Donation organizers say they strive to take care of Alabama’s men and women who served.
Bill Battle Academic Center helps students in the classroom
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Dec. 16
The Bill Battle Academic Center is helping Alabama’s student-athletes thrive off of the field. The center help students meet NCAA benchmarks and provides tutoring and other students services when needed. The center has helped senior Tight End O.J. Howard and countless other UA athletes obtain both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Preview of short documentary on Marty Lyons: Marty Lyons: One Man’s Promise
Jet Life – Dec. 16
A week ago Jets radio commentator returned to The University of Alabama to fulfill a promise to legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Here’s a first look at our feature that will air on JetLife next week.
Academic Achievers
Times Daily (Florence) – Dec. 18
Lauren Pitt, Russellville, was inducted into XI Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, on Dec. 1. Individuals are invited on the basis of high academic achievement, worthy ideals and evidence of leadership attributes. She is the daughter of Suzanne Pitt and Greg and Tina Pitt.