Alabama professor to direct episode of Oprah-produced show ‘Queen Sugar’
Al.com – June 20
A University of Alabama professor will soon direct an episode of the popular drama series “Queen Sugar.” Rachel Raimist, a professor of journalism and creative media at UA, will shoot the episode in New Orleans this month.
WDHN (Dothan) – June 20
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – June 20
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – June 20
There is virtually no evidence to support the assumption that increases in immigration lead to more crime
Business Insider – June 20
In his first week in office, President Donald Trump showed he intends to follow through on his immigration promises. A major focus of his campaign was on removing immigrants who, he said, were increasing crime in American communities … Robert Adelman, University at Buffalo, and Lesley Reid, University of Alabama: Research has shown virtually no support for the enduring assumption that increases in immigration are associated with increases in crime.
Is crime in Tuscaloosa a culture issue?
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – June 20
Jacob Wakeham, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Alabama says there’s a bigger question? “The police … how do other officials support communities to develop this capacity for collective efficacy so they can police themselves and not rely so much on the police to keep their communities safe, they can keep their own communities safe.”
Apple Watch Replaces Alabama Student ID Cards
Security Magazine – June 20
The University of Alabama announced that students can use Apple Watch to access dorms, buy dinner, enter the library, and more. According to the Tuscaloosa News, University of Alabama President Stewart Bell reportedly said that the institute has been working on wearable student ID support for a while, but kept the plans under wraps until it was ready to launch.
Goal: Not just jobs, but good-paying jobs
Anniston Star – June 20
Oxford leaders in 2016 gave the flooring manufacturer Kronospan a tax abatement for a $300 million expansion that the company estimated would create 160 jobs. Earlier this month, the Oxford City Council amended that abatement — it turns out the expansion grew to $400 million and will likely create more than 300 jobs … And that is the aspect economic developers should be most concerned with, according to Ahmad Ijaz, economist for the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama.
Att.net – June 20
Madison County native completes Capitol Hill internship for Sen. Shelby
Madison County Journal – June 20
.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) recently announced that Mason Joyner, daughter of Walley and Kelly Joyner of Madison, Mississippi, completed an internship in his Washington office this summer … Joyner is a rising sophomore at the University of Alabama (UA), pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering. She is also a part of the STEM Path to MBA program at UA.
Reaching to God: Believe that God knows what He’s doing
Pensacola News Journal – June 20
She stood on the stage and wept. Melanie Dickerson didn’t realize when she agreed to speak at the Southern Christian Writers Conference that her words would be so painful … Benson earned a PhD in technology, teaches at the University of Alabama, and is an award-winning, bestselling author of romance novels. We talked after dinner.
Three VHHS students selected for 76th session of Alabama Girls State
Vestavia Voice – June 20
Three outstanding girls were selected to represent Vestavia Hills High School at the 76th session of Alabama Girls State — Caroline Bass, Claire Kankirawatana and Kaitlyn Young. Alabama Girls State is a week-long, fun-filled, hands-on learning opportunity for some of the best and brightest young women in the State of Alabama … The 76th Session of ALA Alabama Girls State was held on the campus of The University of Alabama June 10-15.
On this day in Alabama history: Spain declared war on Britain
Alabama News Center – June 21
Spain declared war on Britain on June 21, 1779, and Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana, wasted no time invading West Florida as soon as he could. At the time, West Florida included more than half of present-day Alabama and had just two towns of significant size: Pensacola and Mobile, its ports on the Gulf of Mexico … A 1763 map entitled “A New and Accurate Map of East and West Florida.” It was published by R. Baldwin of London. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of University of Alabama W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library)
Heath Matters: Electronic Devices
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – June 20
These cell phones are a remarkable invention that have really changed our lives tremendously. The benefits are really incredible, the way information and communications are available to us. But they can have their downsides.