‘Unfair tax’ or ‘fair share’? New fees for electric and hybrid vehicles prompt debate in Alabama
Al.com – March 8
Alex Moss doesn’t oppose paying “my fair share” of taxes to support Alabama roads and bridges, but he doesn’t believe electric and hybrid vehicle owners should shoulder an unfair burden … Steve Polunsky, director of the Alabama Transportation Policy Research Center at the University of Alabama, said the overall legislation represents the first time that the state is bringing electric and hybrid vehicles into the state’s infrastructure finance system and “does so in a way that gives back.”
These women are changing the landscape of Antarctic research
National Geographic – March 8
Up on the helicopter deck Meghan Spoth and Victoria Fitzgerald practice setting up camp. Just over Spoth’s shoulder a mile-wide tabular iceberg slides past, revealing the piercing cobalt at the berg’s cold center. Spoth pulls at the brim of her condor-embroidered ballcap and tosses a roll of duct tape to Fitzgerald … “That retreat, when the grounding line moves all the way to the inner shelf around 10,000 years ago, that is nowhere near as rapid as what we are witnessing now,” says Rebecca Totten Minzoni, assistant professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama.
MSN – March 7
People have a lot to say about Paul Manafort’s 47-month prison sentence on tax and bank-fraud charges
Markets Insider – March 7
President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison on Thursday … “Have faith, folks,” the current University of Alabama School of Law professor tweeted. “As a prosecutor, I didn’t like every ruling I got from a judge. It’s easy to be disappointed in the system when something like this happens. But the rule of law is still strong and we will get justice.
This Insider – March 7
Business Insider – March 7
Alabama’s deadly tornado ripped through homes — and exposed vulnerabilities
Washington Post – March 7
Connie Moman thought these would be her last moments: huddling in her bedroom closet with her husband and her dog, feeling the wind rattle their double-wide trailer, listening to the towering trees in her yard splinter in the tornado’s grip … While praising the initiative, Laura Myers, director of the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama, expressed some skepticism over whether residents would follow through. There was a similar effort after the 2011 tornadoes, she said, but retrofitting a home can be difficult.
Savannah Morning News (Georgia) – March 7
Alton Telegraph (Illinois) – March 7
San Francisco Gate – March 7
The Bryan Eagle (Texas) – March 7
US Army-funded research studying mako shark skin to build faster aircraft
Daily Heralds – March 8
The US Army has funded research to study the skin of the shortfin mako shark as part of efforts to construct faster aircraft and helicopters … The research is being carried out by aeronautical engineer Amy Lang of the University of Alabama.
Army Technology – March 8
ABC 7 (Washington, DC) – March 7
Plough Gallery to host double exhibit March 9
The Tifton Gazette (Georgia) – March 8
Plough Gallery is hosting a double show on March 9. “Remember Me a Story” and “Low-Poly Echos” brings together the sentimental work of Abigail Heuss and the unifying work of Matt Mitros, according to a press release … Mitros is a Philadelphia born artist who currently works as an assistant professor of art at The University of Alabama as well as maintaining a studio in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, according to the release.
‘Rebuild Alabama’ will solidify state’s economic development gains, Canfield says
Alabama News Center – March 7
Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said infrastructure improvements financed by Gov. Kay Ivey’s “Rebuild Alabama” plan would help the state’s economic development team sustain momentum as it seeks to recruit high-caliber jobs and companies … Experts from the Alabama Transportation Institute at the University of Alabama noted in a January 2019 report that inflation, greater fuel efficiency and rising road construction costs have eroded the purchasing power of the fuel tax over time.
UA students from Lee County collect supplies for Beauregard
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – March 7
University of Alabama students from Lee County are helping with the donation efforts. Two students from the area will be taking items down to churches this weekend. And president Donald Trump will visit Lee County Friday.
UA students elect new SGA president
Tuscaloosa News – March 7
University of Alabama students elected a junior from Selma as the new Student Government Association president on Thursday. Harrison Adams, who is studying economics and finance, defeated Marquis Hollingsworth, a junior from Homewood studying general business, in the SGA presidential race.
Moundville to hold 19th Annual Knap-In
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – March 7
The event will feature some of the best flint knappers from around the nation demonstrating the ancient art of making tools out of stone, bone or antler using only rocks.
Great Day Tuscaloosa – March 6
Are you ready to ditch your physical wallet for the smartphone?
The Star Online – March 8
You grab your keys, smartphone and wallet when you leave the house. Would it be such a disaster if you left that last one behind? In the not too distant future, it may not be. Your physical wallet is on borrowed time … Students at Duke, University of Alabama, University of Oklahoma, Temple, Johns Hopkins and Santa Clara can or will soon be able to use the Wallet app inside iPhones as contactless student IDs. Other US colleges are presumably to follow.
STAN BUCKLEY ON BUT GOD MINISTRIES
Northside Sun – March 8
Stan Buckley is founder and director of But God Ministries in Ridgeland. The Madison resident started the group in 2011, around the time he stepped down as pastor of First Baptist Church of Jackson … We have several businesses we have (helped) create, and the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business comes down once or twice a year with professors and students to help (residents) design and start their businesses. They give them $1,000 seed money to get them started.”
Nine projects receive $18 million to advance technology for natural gas vehicles
Talk Business – March 7
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on Wednesday (March 6) announced it selected nine projects to advance technologies for medium- and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles. The projects will receive $18 million for research to diversify transportation energy use, and the money will come from the Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission and the Southcoast Air Quality Management District … The University of Alabama will develop a natural gas dual fuel heavy-duty engine that will conform to existing and future emissions standards.
Local children’s book author to hold reading, signing
Tuscaloosa News – March 8
A Tuscaloosa author will give a reading of her new children’s book about a biracial girl’s search for the words to describe her skin color. Monique Fields will be at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Midtown Village, 1800 McFarland Blvd. E, at 11 a.m. Saturday. After reading her book, “Honeysmoke: A Story of Finding Your Color,” Fields will be available to sign copies of the book.
See Bryant Museum’s slick $600,000 renovation with interactive video boards
AL.com – March 7
The Paul W. Bryant Museum closed for the entire month of February, but Alabama football fans will soon learn that the wait was well worth it. The museum recently unveiled the results of a near-$600,000 renovation that includes sleek new interactive video boards that will enhance the exploration of Crimson Tide history.