Oct 30, 2024

We're one day away from Halloween and six days away from the presidential election. Good thing we don't spook easily.

Thanks for reading,

Ike

Looking for the podcast? Click here or check other options below.

If there's an area on our election ballots that requires extra and intentional examination, it has to be the statewide constitutional amendments.

On most of the rest of the ballot you recognize the names and certainly the parties, and you've had months or years to develop your impressions of the candidates. But the constitutional amendments don't come with name recognition, they're not exactly light reading, and they are often so local to somebody else's backyard that you wonder why they even let you weigh in on the decision.

But when provisions in Alabama's considerable constitution restrict a locality from creating a local law, you have to amend the constitution to override the restriction. Merely passing state statute or a local ordinance wouldn't change the constitution.

That's the case with the only amendment on the ballot this coming Tuesday.

AL.com's John Sharp reports that the proposed amendment would allow the Franklin County School System to sell a big piece of land for development. That land is in Walker and Fayette counties. State Rep. Jamie Kiel, a Russellville Republican, said that proceeds from selling the land or revenue from leasing it will go to the Franklin County School System, and sales tax and property tax revenue, of course, would go to Walker and Fayette Counties.

The most recent state report card indicates that 71% of Franklin County students are considered economically disadvantaged, meaning they either participate in the free or reduced meal program or their parents don't have a high school diploma.

The land is along I-22. Kiel wasn't afraid to makes a real-estate pitch: “If Buc-ee’s was looking for a West Alabama location, this would be that location.”

A renowned ocean liner's final destination will be on the Gulf of Mexico floor off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast.

But first, reports AL.com's Heather Gann, the S.S. United States will spend time docked in Mobile.

It's in Philadelphia now, and plans were for it to dock in Norfolk, Va., but officials in Okaloosa County, Fla., which bought the ship, changed that to Mobile over space, cost and access to the big boat while it's docked.

It will be put to use as an artificial reef -- believed to be the world's largest.

The ship started its life as a secret Cold War troop transporter.

According to the ship's conservancy, on its maiden voyage the 990-foot vessel crossed the Atlantic in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes -- which is still the transatlantic speed record.

The ship was retired in 1969. Heather reported that among its passengers over the years were Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Clinton (obviously not all while they were in office), Marlon Brando, Coco Chanel, Sean Connery, Duke Ellington, Salvador Dali, Walt Disney, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, and John Wayne.

A couple of Alabama natives have seen the pinnacle of their professional sports this month.

Last night, Clay Holmes of Slocumb picked up a pitching win in relief in the New York Yankees' 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, reports AL.com's Mark Inabinett.

It helped the Yankees avoid elimination in the best-of-7 World Series. The Dodgers are up, three games to one. Game 5 is at 7:08 Alabama time tonight.

Also, WBRC reports that Birmingham's Ramsey High School held a jersey-retirement ceremony for Jaylyn Sherrod, a reserve guard for the New York Liberty, who won the WNBA championship on Oct. 20.

“We are not trying to criminalize the homeless,” Young said. “That is not what this is about. It creates us an opportunity to engage those individuals who are not receptive to receiving service from our outreach team.”

Mobile Homeless Outreach Coordinator Kendall Young, on three ordinances proposed by Mayor Sandy Stimpson regarding solicitation, loitering in parks or playgrounds after dark and obstructing public sidewalks.

In 1917, baseball player, manager and executive Bobby Bragan 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.

You can find “Down in Alabama” wherever you get your podcasts, including these places:

We appreciate you for taking the time to read today. Hope you're able to check back soon. Meantime, reply to this email with any suggestions you might have.

If you're so inclined, we'd love it if you'd forward to friends who might be interested in reading. (And if you're someone who's been forwarded this newsletter, we encourage you to subscribe and get this in your inbox every day.)