Jul 14, 2023

It was another contentious political week (aren't they all these days?), so fittingly this Friday installment will include a couple items related to Sen. Tommy Tuberville. But we'll also bring you some alligators new to get you in the mood to jump in that summer swimming hole of yours.

Thanks,

Ike Morgan

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After U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reached out to Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama to try to arrange a meeting about his blocking military promotions, CNN reported that Austin, who's a retired general from Mobile, was told the senator didn't have time to meet at any point through the weekend.

But the two did speak over the phone on Thursday after all, the network later reported, and they are planning to speak again next week.

There have been no reports of progress being made toward a resolution. Tuberville has said he'll block high-level military promotions until either the Defense Department ends its policy of paying for service members to travel for out-of-state for abortions, or Congress votes the policy in.

President Biden again criticized Tuberville on Thursday, calling his tactic "totally irresponsible" and accusing the senator of jeopardizing national security.

Also in jeopardy is any chance those two will be exchanging Christmas cards this year.

Alligators keep making a splash in the Huntsville area.

Back in May there was an unconfirmed report of a gator killing a golden retriever.

And now, AL.com's Paul Gattis reports that there's concern over at least three gators that've been hanging out in a south Huntsville neighborhood.

Residents say the reptiles are becoming more bold about moving around their properties.

And that raises a point: Don't feed gators. They're remarkably smart and quickly learn where to expect a meal, and you don't want them to lose their fear of you..

10

Philip Rivers and his wife, Tiffany, have enough young'ns to near-bout field a football team.

Rivers is the former NFL quarterback from North Alabama who now coaches at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope.

Tiffany is due to deliver child No. 10 in October, reports AL.com's Ben Thomas.

Dad said they're expecting a boy. That boy'll plenty of trouble -- I mean company -- at home in the form of siblings ages 4 to 21.

“This is outrageous. If they wanted to find the culprit, they could. Drug test the entire White House staff right now."

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, after the Secret Serviced closed its investigtion into a baggie of cocaine that was found at the White House.

In 1975, country singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson of Montgomery.

Depending on whom you ask, today may be National French Fry Day. In past years it was acknowledged on July 13 -- and many restaurants and media outlets continued to use that date yesterday. But a few, including at least one popular keeper of the days-of-the-year calendar, have switched to the second Friday in July, which would be today.

That seems as if it would work pretty well. After all, it puts Fry Day on Friday. And, this year, it puts it on Bastille Day. Can you get anymore "French" than that?

Vive la deep fryer.

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