Apr 10, 2024

Welcome back to all cat owners, dog owners, Democrats, Republicans, Tide and Tigers from Lookout Mountain to Mobile Bay and the Shoals to the Wiregrass.

(Here's a reminder to keep an eye on the weather today -- we recorded a preview for the podcast.)

Ike Morgan

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Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen sent a letter to state Democratic Party Chair Randy Kelley, copied to DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, to let them know that Alabama's deadline to submit a certification of nomination for president and vice president is four days before the Democratic National Convention begins, reports AL.com's Mike Cason.

The party nominates its presidential candidate at the convention, which begins Aug. 19. And Allen is saying if he doesn't have the nomination by Aug. 15, by state law, he cannot put Joe Biden's name on the ballot in Alabama. A similar issue came up in Ohio earlier this week.

In Alabama, this isn't a new law. But set aside for a moment that somebody, somewhere doesn't know how to work his or her Outlook calendar.

Wes Allen is a Republican, just like the previous Alabama secretary of state during the last presidential election. And in 2020, both parties had late conventions but the Republicans had one even later than this year's Democratic convention. And in order to accommodate it, the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature passed a bill that moved back the deadline for just that one election.

Now, nobody's predicting a competitive race for Alabama's presidential delegates. President Biden is as long a shot as ever -- at least in our state. But his absence could affect turnout, which in turn can change the numbers in the down-ballot races, notable the newly redrawn and potentially competitive race in Alabama's Second Congressional District.

You may recall the workplace shooting 10 years ago at a UPS facility in Birmingham. A man who had been fired from his job killed two supervisors and then himself.

On Tuesday, at that same location, a UPS driver was walking across the parking lot to leave for the day when he was shot and killed in what police say was a targeted killing, reports AL.com's Carol Robinson.

I mention these together because of the oddity of it happening at the same workplace location and taking the lives of employees. It's important to note that this recent killing, according to police, is not at this time considered a workplace shooting but a targeted crime.

Anthony Lamar Love Jr. was a 44-year-old husband and father who had worked at UPS for about 20 years.

For the second time in two days we're reporting that a police chief in Alabama is on administrative leave.

Previously we mentioned that Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert was on leave. City officials gave no reason.

Now, A City of Mobile spokeswoman said Police Chief Paul Prine is on administrative leave during an investigation into the department, reports AL.com's John Sharp.

A report on that investigation is expected in the coming weeks. Last year the department was involved in multiple instances where the deaths of Black men led to protests and at least one lawsuit. But Prine told Fox 10 News he's being punished for filing grievances over unethical behavior by city officials.

Dogs are better than cats in Alabama.

Don't argue with me. I've read it on a study so I know it's true.

Actually, Forbes and the American Veterinary Medical Association studied folks' canine appreciation and found that in Alabama we own more dogs and have to pay less to own dogs than most other states, reports AL.com's Warren Kulo.

We're 11th in the U.S. in dog ownership with a whopping 46.9% of households owning at least one. We're fourth in dogs per home at 1.9. And we're 9th lowest in acquiring a canine with an average cost of $262.50. (That includes your typical supplies and accessories).

Now why did I start this segment with a little cat slander? Because only 26.1% of households own a cat. That ranks 29th nationally.

In 1968, actor and comedian Orlando Jones of Mobile.

Weather reporter Leigh Morgan joins us to talk about today's forecast warnings for possible severe weather. Alabama is coming off a six-tornado event last week.

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

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