Don't miss the quiz this week (see below). Also, check out the podcast if you're a Jimmy Buffett fan. Then go have a great weekend. Thanks for reading, Ike |
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The Retirement Systems of Alabama, which is building the new Alabama State House in Montgomery, updated lawmakers on progress Thursday morning, reports AL.com's Mike Cason. This may sound ironic for a building to house government officials, but RSA Assistant Director of Real Estate Steve Timms said the project is coming in just under the $292 million budget. The RSA is building the State House so it can lease it to the Legislature for an 8% return on investment. The goal is to have it ready to use by November 2026, and the Legislature expects to use it in 2027. The Legislature currently meets in the old Alabama Highway Department building that's been retrofitted for lawmakers to use as a State House. |
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Northrop Grumman Corp. announced a $900 million contract for its air and missile defense system in Poland, reports AL.com's John R. Roby. That system, the Integrated Battle Command System, is primarily built in Huntsville. The company said that Poland became the first ally of the U.S. to use the system in 2018. Northrop Grumman in Huntsville landed a $1.38 billion contract back in 2021 to make the system. |
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More on illegal immigration |
The Alabama Senate has passed a bill that would make it easier for law enforcement to detain crime suspects while determining their immigration status, reports AL.com's Mike Cason. Right now, if local or state authorities make an arrest and want to detain someone for 48 hours, they have to petition the federal government. State Sen. Wes Kitchens, an Arab Republican (the city), said his bill would remove the need for federal authorization. Kitchens likened his bill's purpose to that of U.S. Sen. Katie Britt's Laken Riley Act, which expanded mandatory detention of immigrants who are in the country illegally and are suspects in a crime. Kitchens' bill also would make it a felony for you to bring someone in the state who you know is in the U.S. illegally. The charge of human smuggling could get you up to 10 years in prison. The measure passed 24-7 and now moves to the House. |
From the State Capitol to the Perdido Pass to Paul Finebaum's house, take this week's quiz to see if you're keeping up with all the details. |
In 1913, sportscaster Mel Allen of Birmingham. In 1957, one of MTV's original VJs, Alan Hunter of Birmingham. |
If you miss that feeling of sitting down with in-depth, local reporting, consider subscribing to the Huntsville Times, Birmingham News, or Mobile Press-Register. By subscribing, you’ll get a new daily digital edition in an email link, or you can use an app to download the new edition every day on your smartphone or tablet. You also get exclusive access to stories written for our subscribers. “Down in Alabama” listeners get your first month free by going to al.com/digitalsubscription/exclusive and enter the promo code DIA24. |
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Today we have news on the Coral Reefer Band of Jimmy Buffett fame. Reporter Lawrence Specker is gonna join us to talk about those guys, other Buffett stuff and more. You can find “Down in Alabama” wherever you get your podcasts, including these places: |
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