UA In the News — May 23

UA In the News — May 23

UA Astrobotics team wins NASA Competition for 4th year in a row
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – May 22
The University of Alabama’s Astrobotics team won the NASA robotic mining competition, for the fourth year in a row. UA’s team won bragging rights, and a big check last weekend. Alabama Astrobotics has been fine tuning a robot, that’s good at digging.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – May 22
 
Study shows a quarter of Alabama’s workforce is underemployed
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – May 22
While Alabama’s unemployment rate remains low, some people are not working the jobs they want. A State of Workforce study by the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research says 24 percent of all the state’s workforce falls into the category of underemployment.
NBC 10 (Albany, Georgia) – May 22
NBC 12 (Montgomery) – May 22
WTOC 11 (Savannah, Georgia) – May 22
ABC 9 (Columbus, Georgia) – May 22
WDAM 7 (Moselle, Mississippi) – May 22
NBC 5 (Memphis, Tennessee) – May 22
WAFF 48 (Huntsville) – May 22
 
The Represent Rose: The Royal Wedding
Slate – May 23
On this episode of Represent, Slate producer Veralyn Williams and Robin M. Boylorn, an associate professor at the University of Alabama and member of the Crunk Feminist Collective, unpack the blackness of Harry and Meghan’s wedding, from Doria Ragland’s dreadlocks to Bishop Michael Curry’s sermon.

Terri Sewell, Doug Jones announce Public Health Fair to combat wastewater crisis
Alabama Today – May 22
Alabama’s two Congressional Democrats — 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell and Sen. Doug Jones — are teaming up to raise public awareness about the health consequences associated with failing septic systems and wastewater contamination. Together, they will host a Public Health Fair in Hayneville, Ala … Experts suggest 60 percent of homes in some parts of rural Alabama drain wastewater without treatment from a septic system.1 Researchers from the University of Alabama estimate that more than 500,000 gallons of raw sewage enter rivers and streams in Alabama’s Black Belt each day.

State crash data shows seat belt use critical in saving lives
Phys.org – May 23
Those involved in auto crashes while not wearing seat belts are 40 times more likely to die than those who buckle up, according to an analysis of state crash records from the past five years.  For the study, University of Alabama researchers at the Center for Advanced Public Safety examined crash records from 2013 through 2017 provided by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, or ALEA.
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – May 22
WAFF-NBC (Huntsville) – May 22
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – May 22
 
UA volcanologist comments on new eruption in Hawaii (Live Interview)
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – May 22
Joining us with an analysis of what we are seeing is Kim Genareau, a University of Alabama volcanologist red hot lava continues to erupt in Hawaii and it’s f0streaming down to the sea. Experts say there are two flows heading to the coast. That’s creating large plumes of laze – which is toxic steam and tiny shards of glass.

There’s no need to name, show mass killers
The Manhattan (Kansas) – May 22
I don’t want to know his name. I don’t want to see his face. Those were among the thoughts that ran through my head when I heard Friday that there had been yet another school massacre, this time in Texas near Houston … Research by Adam Lankford at the University of Alabama and Eric Madfis at the University of Washington suggests that reducing the focus on the personal details of the mass killers could deter future mass shootings. It might, in other words, quell the contagion.

The Ohio State takes home the top spot in EcoCAR 3 competition
Street Insider – May 23
The Ohio State University took home first place in the final year of EcoCAR 3, an Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors Co. This is the fourth consecutive win for the team … West Virginia finished with 817 total points taking second place, and the University of Alabama received 784 points in third place.
WAFF 48 (Huntsville) – May 23
WLOX (Biloxi, Mississippi) – May 23
ABC 7 (Tyler, Texas) – May 23
Digital Producer – May 23
Tucson News Now (Arizona) – May 23
NBC 5 (Memphis, Tennessee) – May 23
NBC 14 (Evansville, Indiana) – May 23
 
Michael Cohen’s business partner agrees to cooperate in state or federal investigations as part of plea deal (Live Interview)
MSNBC (The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell) – May 22
Joining our discussion now, Michael Daily, the columnist for the Daily Beast, who has been covering New York City for decades. He is a long-time columnist for The New York Daily News. Also with us, Joyce Vance, former Northern District of Alabama Attorney and a professor after the University of Alabama Law School. She is an MSNBC contributor.
 
Dry Power, Competition Fuel CRE Mega Deals
National Real Estate Investor – May 23
The flurry of investment deals is a notable shift for an industry that appeared to be bracing for a slowdown. The year is not even at the half-way mark and it is already proving to be a big year for billion-dollar transactions. And there are likely more mega-deals on the horizon that could give transaction volume an added lift … Conway also serves as the director of research and corporate engagement at the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama.

Competition sparse in many Alabama legislative districts
Al.com – May 23
The powers of incumbency and district gerrymandering are squeezing out competition for seats in the Alabama Legislature, analysts say. All 140 seats in the Legislature were up for grabs this election year, but voters in many districts won’t see a choice on their ballots when they arrive at the polls on June 5 … “Most people don’t realize how many districts go uncontested and I think that if this received more attention, voters would be concerned,” University of Alabama political science Professor Richard Fording said.

GOP and Dem gov debates set for University of Alabama
Al.com – May 22
Democratic and Republican debates have been scheduled for next week on the campus of the University of Alabama. While the leading candidates in the Democratic debate will be attending, the GOP debate will take place without Gov. Kay Ivey, who has already skipped two other debates leading up to the June 5 primary.

Alabama Boys State begins Sunday on UA campus
Tuscaloosa News – May 23
The 2018 session of Alabama Boys State on the University of Alabama campus will be from Sunday through June 4. The annual weeklong program for rising senior high school boys from across the state offers hands-on learning that emphasizes leadership, citizenship and service. The students participate in mock government and elections, community service projects and get the opportunity explore different areas of interest.