SCIENCE BEHIND THE FICTION: HOW COULD ZOMBIES ACTUALLY RISE UP?
SyFy Wire – Feb. 6
It’s rare that a creator comes along and makes something so special, so influential, that it changes the landscape of popular culture forever. That’s precisely what happened in the autumn of 1968 with the release of Night of the Living Dead … Sean Hoade taught the first ever for-credit university class on zombies at the University of Alabama, wrote the book Zombie School Confidential and has spent more time than most considering how exactly zombies might make their break from the fiction into the real world. We spoke with him about how to bring about the end of the world.
NBC’s Tirico set to fill Costas’ shoes in Korea
Associated Press – Feb. 5
The biggest change for Americans watching the Winter Olympics on television this month will likely be the first face they see on the screen. Mike Tirico is replacing Bob Costas as host of NBC’s prime-time Olympics coverage, which starts Thursday from Pyeongchang, South Korea. . . . Costas adeptly bridged these worlds, said Andrew Billings, a University of Alabama professor and author of “Olympic Television: Broadcasting the Biggest Show on Earth.” The former host knew sports and also hosted a general-interest talk show for many years, and spoke out on issues like the dangers of football. While most sports fans know Tirico from his years at ESPN, he’s less visible among the casual viewers who determine whether or not the Olympics are a success. “Whoever goes in there is going to have to prove themselves, or reinvent what the job of Olympic host is,” Billings said.
New jobs come into tight labor market
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 5
Toyota-Mazda and Bocar plan new plants in north Alabama as jobless rates hover at 3.5 percent statewide and even lower in some places, but the state’s top labor official believes recruiting should be successful for these high-paying, high-demand jobs … When estimating available labor force, you have to look at both unemployed and underemployed workers in the area, said Ahmad Ijaz, the executive director and director of economic forecasting in the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research.
U.S. News – Feb. 5
Washington Times – Feb. 5
Houston Chronicle (Texas) – Feb. 5
The Island Packet (South Carolina) – Feb. 5
Kansas City Star – Feb. 5
San Luis Obispo Tribune (California) – Feb. 5
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Georgia) – Feb. 5
Centre Daily Times (Pennsylvania) – Feb. 5
Moulton Advertiser – Feb. 5
Seattle Times – Feb. 5
Florence Times Daily – Feb. 5
Auburn-Opelika News – Feb. 5
Biloxi Sun Herald – Feb. 5
Fresno Bee (California) – Feb. 5
Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Washington) – Feb. 5
Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Feb. 5
Register Citizen (Connecticut) – Feb. 5
San Francisco Gate – Feb. 5
My San Antonio – Feb. 5
LMT Online (Texas) – Feb. 5
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – Feb. 5
The State (South Carolina) – Feb. 5
North Haven residents earn college honors
My Record Journal (Meriden, Connecticut)– Feb. 6
Dean’s list … The University of Alabama – Alyssa Ajello of North Haven.
Summerville Journal Scene (South Carolina) – Feb. 6
Bothell Kenmore Reporter (Kirkland, Washington) – Feb. 5
Courier-Online News (Russellville, Arkansas) – Feb. 5
Daily Dispatch (Henderson, North Carolina) – Feb. 5
Courier Traveler (Arkansas City, Kansas) – Feb. 5
Daily Mountain Eagle – Feb. 6
Santa Rose Press-Gazette (Florida) – Feb. 5
Inter-Mountain (Elkins, West Virginia) – Feb. 5
Daily Journal Online (Park Hills, Missouri) – Feb. 5
Doug Jones’ budget vote gets mixed reactions among Democrats
Crimson White – Feb. 5
Two weeks after Alabama Sen. Doug Jones (D) voted with House Republicans on a short-term spending bill, he still has to walk a bipartisan line since the bill expires this Thursday, putting the government at risk of shutting down again if both parties don’t reach a more permanent deal. “The challenge for Doug Jones is going to be voting with the Republicans enough to keep independent swing voters happy, while at the same time voting often enough with Democrats to keep his base happy,” said Richard Fording, a political science professor at The University of Alabama.
Dance Alabama! Film Festival makes an encore
Crimson White – Feb. 5
The second annual Dance Alabama! Film Festival will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7 in the Ferguson Theater at 7 p.m. The festival will serve as the premiere for 10 short films of dance produced by students working across multiple mediums. Each piece featured on screen is choreographed, performed, filmed, edited and produced by University of Alabama students in collaboration with one another.
UA Theatre and Dance Department to put on Vinegar Tom (Live Interview)
ABC 33/40 Talk of Alabama (Birmingham) – Feb. 5
The fabulous actors who have worked so hard to bring these strong women to life. When does the show run? February 13-18 in the Marian Gallaway Theatre on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa.