Dec 20, 2023

Today's report follows. It includes some sad news, some bad news, and some weird news courtesy of New York.

I'm out the next couple days (the staff will again handle this newsletter) but will be at it again all next week. There will be a Christmas edition, but take your time. We'll still be in your inbox whenever you get back to it.

Ike Morgan

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

In just over a week, two Army drill sergeants from Alabama have been found dead at Fort Jackson, S.C., reports AL.com's Warren Kulo.

Staff Sgt. Allen Burtram of Cleveland, Ala., was found on base the week before last after he didn't report for work. Invetigators said no foul play is suspected but that they're still investigating. Burtram was 34 years old.

Then this past weekend, Staff Sgt. Zachary L. Melton of Huntsville was found in his vehicle. Again, no cause of death has been released and the investigation is ongoing.

Melton was 30 years old.

The U.S. Senate put a period on the end of Tommy Tuberville's stand against a Defense Department abortion policy Tuesday when it unanimously confirmed the last 11 high-ranking military promotions that had been previously blocked by the Alabama senator, according to the Associated Press.

This was a blockade that once held up more than 400 nominees for promotion. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the confirmations "good news."

The mayor of Hanceville resigned and apologized after pleading guilty to 15 counts of using employees and inmates to do private work for him, reports AL.com's Carol Robinson.

Kenneth Nail was elected mayor in 2008. The crimes related to the charges began in 2019. The indictment included accusations that he would have the on-duty police chief and three jail inmates come over and do work on his house, and another city employee drive to Georgia to work on a trailer he owned.

Felony charges were filed to begin with, but the mayor had entered a plea deal that reduced them to misdemeanors and included the apology and resignation.

State legislatures are a treasure trove of outrage stories for all political types. But when they could affect fast-food traditions, we're not above bringing it up here.

Fast food, after all, is near and dear to many hearts.

AL.com's Mark Heim reports that, in New York state, a bill has been introduced that would require some Chick-fil-A locations along travel routes to be open on Sunday. Which would be weirder here than Friday night college football.

Of course, the first reaction you have is, God forbid -- or at least God-of-their-choice forbid -- that employees get a weekend day off. The explanation here is that New York's publically owned travel plazas should be maximizing public service all seven days of the week.

Southern-based Chick-fil-A has locations in 10 of New York's new plazas, and a Thruway Authority spokesperson said there are always other dining options. He wasn't clear on whether those options had waffle fries on the menu.

In 1899, Congressman and Sen. John Sparkman of Hartselle.

In 1901, engineer and physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff of Tuscaloosa.

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.)

The “Down in Alabama” podcast is short and free. Listen to it by clicking on the player above or subscribe by looking for “Down in Alabama” on the device of your choosing.

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