Where aerospace engineering and NCAA soccer meet
ESPN.com – Oct. 16
The first flight was a short one. A plane bound for Madrid from Seville spends less than an hour in the air. But for Celia Jimenez Delgado, who was 14 years old and on her way to play soccer with a Spanish national team, it was her first flight. A mundane commute for others gave her a lasting memory … She found the right fit at Alabama, one of several good aerospace programs in a state with a strong connection to the field through NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
Blue Cross to remain in ACA next year despite federal subsidies cuts
Anniston Star – Oct. 15
Alabama’s top private health insurer is set to still offer health care coverage for low-income people in 2018, despite a White House announcement Thursday to scrap the subsidies that make such plans cheaper … David Becker, an associate professor who teaches health care policy at the University of Alabama, said insurers that decide to stay in the marketplaces are required by law to provide plans with lower deductions and co-pays, with or without the subsidies. “So what ends up happening, of course, is that instead of providing cost sharing subsidies, insurers end up providing higher premiums,” Becker said.
Alabama Researcher Plots Anti-Vaccination Tweets
U.S. News – Oct. 14
An autism researcher at the University of Alabama is helping track social media use by people who publicly advocate against the use of vaccines. Assistant psychology professor Theodore S. Tomeny and colleagues have used a computer algorithm to analyze almost 500,000 tweets over a five-year period that included the words “autism” and “vaccines.” Their work found that such messages typically are associated with areas where people have annual incomes of $200,000 or more. They also are linked to places where there is a higher percentage of new mothers.
Houston Chronicle (Texas) – Oct. 14
Washington Times – Oct. 14
Belleville News Democrat (Illinois) – Oct. 14
Athens News-Courier – Oct. 14
Greenville Sun (Tennessee) – Oct. 14
NBC 3 (Chattanooga, Tennessee) – Oct. 14
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Oct. 14
WAFF 48 (Huntsville) – Oct. 14
NBC 12 (Montgomery) – Oct. 14
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Oct. 14
WLOX (Biloxi, Mississippi) – Oct. 14
Fox 10 (Mobile) – Oct. 14
Stamford Advocate (Connecticut) – Oct. 14
New Haven Register (Connecticut) – Oct. 14
San Francisco Gate – Oct. 14
Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Oct. 14
CT Post – Oct. 14
Biloxi Sun-Herald (Mississippi) – Oct. 14
Lexington Herald-Leader (Kentucky) – Oct. 14
Charlotte Observer (North Carolina) – Oct. 14
Idaho Statesman – Oct. 14
OA Now – Oct. 14
Decatur Daily – Oct. 14
Moulton Advertiser – Oct. 14
Bradenton Herald (Florida) – Oct. 14
(Our view) An open door for creativity, job growth
Cullman Times – Oct. 14
Starting a new business with a good idea can be a daunting task. Just finding an affordable location to get started and qualified advice or expertise are often hurdles that can end a dream. Those obstacles are about to be jumped with the implementation of Cullman Technology Village. The announcement came Wednesday that the City of Cullman, Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, Wallace State Community College and the University of Alabama are joining forces to provide a service where businesses can get off the ground, from hands-on consultation to seed money.
Why big business is not backing Roy Moore
Al.com – Oct. 14
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is joining other powerhouse campaign contributors and pro-business interest groups in backing out of the U.S. Senate race in Alabama … William Stewart, a professor emeritus of political sciences at the University of Alabama, said he’s been surprised not to see the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of Alabama taking a more active role in getting more electable candidates who back their positions.
South Carolina trucking industry hoping for smooth transition to new safety measure
Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina) – Oct. 15
While some economists and transportation industry experts are warning of supply chain disruptions when a federal rule requiring electronic logging devices on most long-haul trucks takes effect on Dec. 18, state officials hope the safety measure will pose few problems … “The implementation of electronic driver logs is the black swan event that could really bite us in the butt at the end of the year,” said Conway, a former SunTrust analyst who now is director of the Culverhouse College of Commerce at the University of Alabama. “I think we could really face a cluster in terms of e-commerce and retail.”
Hellenic Shipping News – Oct. 15
Proposed Tax Targeting Global Affiliate Reinsurance to Raise Costs for Americans
Morning Consult – Oct. 15
First, research shows this new tax will increase costs and risks for American businesses and families, especially in high-risk geographies. A recent study by the Brattle Group and the University of Alabama professor Lawrence Powell found that consumers would have to pay $5 billion more to obtain the same level of coverage they currently enjoy.
Alabamians work to solve the state’s opioid epidemic
Crimson White – Oct. 15
For David Albright, it was his military service that sparked his interest in substance abuse and mental health disorders. The subject hits close to home for the associate professor, who had a female veteran friend that turned to opiates and alcohol following her return from Afghanistan. She ultimately died by suicide. “I have known multiple other veterans who have turned to opiates to manage some of the physical pain,” said Albright, Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health in The University of Alabama School of Social Work. “Unfortunately, I’ve watched that lead to addiction and some other problems.”
COLLEGE NEWS: October 15
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 14
University of Alabama – Close to 300 University of Alabama students are receiving a hands-on educational experience at more than 60 companies and organizations through UA’s Cooperative Education Program during fall 2017. The following students are among those participating.
Honors College Town Hall to explore fake news
Crimson White – Oct. 15
What: Honors College Town Hall. The Town Hall will feature a panel discussion about the concept of “fake news.” After the panel’s discussion, student questions will be solicited. Unlike previous Honors College Town Halls, all town halls in the 2017 to 2018 school year will be broadcasted by the Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio on 16 television stations throughout the state of Alabama.
Steve Chapman: Killing for attention
Ohio.com – Oct. 13
CHICAGO: On Oct. 1, a 64-year-old Nevada man opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers from a high-rise hotel in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds. If you don’t know his name, you can easily find it online, in print or on TV. But you won’t learn it from this column … University of Alabama criminologist Adam Lankford has explained the repetition of such incidents as a product of hunger for status. “Some mass shooters succumb to terrible delusions of grandeur, and seek fame and glory through killing,” he wrote.
Ogden Standard-Examiner (Utah) – Oct. 14
Kirsti Curry Rogers brings dinosaurs to life for students
Crimson White – Oct. 15
A renowned vertebrate paleontologist addressed a full audience of University of Alabama students and faculty members on Thursday, speaking about her work studying dinosaurs. It was the second lecture in the ALLELE seminar series, which focuses on teaching the Alabama public about evolutionary sciences. “I am always happy to talk to people interested in science,” said speaker Kirsti Curry Rogers.
Why Is This Jewish Politician First In Line For Money From ‘Alt-Right’ Conspiracy Theorists? Forward.com – Oct. 15
Josh Mandel, a U.S. Senate candidate from Ohio, has agreed to accept the first endorsement from a new political fundraising group put together by conspiracy theorists, a move that deepens an unlikely relationship between a Jewish politician and the “alt-right,” an amorphous political movement that has anti-Semitic elements … But associating with Cernovich and Posobiec is not expected to create any political liability for Mandel, said University of Alabama assistant professor George Hawley, author of the recently published “Making Sense of the Alt-Right.”
Department of Homeland Security hosts training summit for flood preparation
Homeland Preparedness – Oct. 16
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) gathered together first responders and public safety professionals earlier this month for a summit focused on flood resiliency … It was the third annual gathering of the National Geospatial Preparedness Summit (NGPS). It was held at the University of Alabama and engaged capacity building training.
See Alabama’s 2017 Homecoming Parade
Al.com – Oct. 14
The University of Alabama homecoming parade ran along University Boulevard from downtown Tuscaloosa to UA campus on Saturday, featuring a terrific array of floats, student organizations and more, including the Alabama cheerleaders and the Million Dollar Band.
Meet Alabama’s 2017 Homecoming Queen
Al.com – Oct. 14
Abigail Greenberg was crowned the University of Alabama’s 2017 Homecoming Queen at Friday night’s pep rally on the Quad. A Montgomery native, Greenberg is a senior majoring in nursing. She was sponsored by the UA Panhellenic sorority Delta Delta Delta. Her philanthropy is the The Andrew McDonough Be Positive Foundation.
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – Oct. 14
Montgomery Advertiser – Oct. 16
Alabama Homecoming 2017: See the bonfire blaze on UA’s Quad
Al.com – Oct. 14
The University of Alabama’s annual homecoming bonfire heated things up on the Quad following the pep rally Friday night. See the blaze for yourself in the photos below.
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 14
Rural Hospital Crisis
WDFX-Fox (Dothan) – Oct. 14
Efforts are being made to help small-town hospitals address crisis situations. Yesterday panelists at the University of Alabama talked about how rural communities need to find out their biggest medical needs and address those issues. For example, research shows most rural hospitals want to be full service facilities when offering emergency services and prenatal care might be the only needs driving numbers. Panelists also suggested more partnerships need to be made across county lines -that can include businesses or universities that train medical students and expose them to rural life.
CAN A RED STATE BLUSH?
Anniston Star – Oct. 15
He thinks “homosexual conduct” should be illegal. He says Islam is a “false religion.” He was a birther, as recently as December … It’s unlikely any of that publicity will move the needle much in Alabama’s polls, political science experts in Alabama say. “Does anybody hear that and feel surprised?” said George Hawley, who teaches political science at the University of Alabama. “I think most people in Alabama think, ‘That sounds like something Roy Moore would say.’”
Decatur tax abatement board may have conflict
Decatur Daily – Oct. 15
A University of Alabama law professor said the Decatur Industrial Development Board’s policy of allowing industries that seek tax abatements to pay the legal fees of the board’s attorney constitutes a conflict of interest. . . . “It’s a classic conflict of interest,” said Susan Pace Hamill, a UA law professor whose specialties include ethics and tax law. “Look, the only person I see paying him is the client that wants to get out of paying taxes.”
Homecoming parade included family-friendly tailgate area
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Oct. 15
Homecoming week at the University of Alabama wrapped up last night with a big win over Arkansas, but it wouldn’t be complete without the annual parade. There was a special change to the route to year – the parade also included the new family-friendly tailgate area located on the Bryce campus. Families and children were also able to join in on the parade fun. This year’s theme is, “Sweet home capstone.”
Homecoming festivities held at UA
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Oct. 13
It’s the Friday of Homecoming week, and Tuscaloosa is buzzing with different events and excitement surrounding tomorrow’s game. Homecoming weekend is in full swing here at the Capstone. This year’s homecoming theme is “Sweet Home Capstone.”
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 13
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Oct. 13
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Oct. 13
Homecoming wraps up at UA
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 14
Today wraps up an exciting homecoming week full of festivities. Student organizations all across campus competed for the coveted Spirit Cup this week, but there can only be one winner. Ten total events over the course of six days. That’s what student organizations at The University of Alabama are up against as they compete for the Spirit Cup.
Alabama State University’s Theater Department and UA’s Dance Department come together for dance concert
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – Oct. 13
Alabama State University’s theater department and the University of Alabama’s dance program are coming together to put on a fall concert this weekend. It’s happening tonight and tomorrow tonight at seven, at Leila Barlow Theater. The concert will celebrate Alabama’s 200th anniversary as a state.