Jan 15, 2025

On the podcast today, we're taking a peek inside some of the challenged faced by newsroom social-media teams. It's a fast-evolving -- and often tricky -- part of the news business.

Any consumer of news should find that interesting.

The rest of today's report follows. Thanks for reading,

Ike

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

It's been a long time coming, but we are just a few months away from the STAR ID deadline for those who want to use it to fly on a plane, reports AL.com's Heather Gann.

The REAL ID Act requires that your state identification meet higher security requirements if it's being used for official federal purposes, such as taking domestic flights. While there are other forms of ID you can use that already meet the requirements, such as a U.S. passport, the STAR ID, as it's known in Alabama, is an upgrade on state-issued identification. On your driver license you can tell it's compliant by a gold star in the upper-left corner.

When you apply you'll need four documents to prove your date of birth, Social Security number and address. There is a long list of acceptable documents on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's web site. To give you an idea of what might work: a certified birth certificate, social security card, voter registration card with your current address and mortgage contract with your current address should satisfy the folks down at the license office.

You'll need the STAR ID to get on a flight beginning May 7.

The new president of the National Baptist Convention USA grew up in Phenix City, reports AL.com's Greg Garrison.

The Rev. Boise Kimber has been at First Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven, Conn., since 1986. He was in Birmingham Monday night to be officially given his new title at 16th Street Baptist Church.

The National Baptist Convention USA is the largest Black denomination in the U.S. Kimber said he wants to focus on missions and evangelism during his term.

Former University of Alabama and NFL defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, remembered by Alabama fans for starring in the Tide's victory in the 2010 national-championship game, has been arrested and charged with domestic-violence in Hoover, reports AL.com's Carol Robinson.

Police said a woman, identifying Dareus as her boyfriend, said that during an argument he shoved her to the ground and used a metal object to strike her car, shattering the windshield.

Dareus turned himself in to the Jefferson County Jail.

Before you lose all faith in the federal government, at least note that it appears to be pro-smoked sausage.

It is not a secret that we do put away some smoked sausage. A grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will assure that we're going to be making more of it, too.

AL.com's Heather Gann reports that the $400,000 is going toward Conecuh Sausage's second manufacturing plant, which is expected to bring 50 jobs to Andalusia Industrial Park. The City of Andalusia is putting $80,000 toward the project.

Conecuh Sausage is based in Evergreen.

$750,000

That was the settlement in a lawsuit filed after a 2019 Birmingham Police Department shooting.

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. 

Today we have AL.com Director of Audience Katie Brumbeloe on the show to talk about the changing landscape of social media and how that affects the business of getting you the news.

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.)