Feb 21, 2024

Glad to have y'all back. The session rolls on, and the momentum seemingly has changed on the gambling legislation championed by the governor and Republican leaders. I realize we've stayed on that story pretty hard this time around. If that's not your bag, there's plenty of other stuff below.

Thanks,

Ike Morgan

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

When the great Don Schlitz wrote "You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em," he wasn't thinking only literally about gambling.

It can apply to relationships or careers. It also works as great advice when you're trying to pass laws in Alabama to expand and regulate gambling when you've clung to losing hands year after year.

Some lawmakers went in hard this legislative session, including the governor, hoping to see an option for a regulated lottery, casinos and sports betting on the ballot this fall. The effort seemed to have momentum as it breezed through the House of Representatives.

Then came the flop.

And right now, the cards show that the Senate would come up short of the 21 votes needed, reports AL.com's Mike Cason.

State Sen. Greg Albritton, an Atmore Republican, said he believes a majority of the Senate is behind the plan, but for the required proposed constitutional amendment to pass, it'll take three-fifths of the Senate's approval.

But supporters aren't folding yet. We're still fairly early in the session, and the next step in the process for this legislation is to be taken up in the Senate Tourism Committee.

The Northport City Council approved an agreement with a Texas developer on a $350 million water park development plan, reports AL.com's William Thornton.

Not everybody at the council meeting was thrilled about the two-phase project. "University Beach" would bring a lake with a sand beach, a waterfall, slides, paddleboard and kayak rentals to just under 12 acres currently owned by the city. That would be followed by an 85-acre purchase for hotels, restaurants, retail and homes.

Concerns and complaints at the meeting included environmental effects, drainage, traffic, property values, noise pollution and the size of the project.

Here's a wealth-building plan that's probably worse than playing the lottery, and certainly less ethical.

AL.com's Carol Robinson reports that authorities in Birmingham and Jefferson County are looking for help after an ATM was stolen earlier this month.

According to law enforcement, the ATM was stolen with the aid of a stolen Birmingham garbage truck.

According to Birmingham police, during the wee hours of Feb. 12, two suspects wearing masks and dressed in all black are shown on camera connecting a chain with a tow hook to the ATM. Investigators say they hooked it to the garbage truck and pulled up the ATM.

The ATM wasn't missing for long. Deputies just followed a trail of debris until they found it. The truck was found later. No money was taken from the ATM during what was NOT the finest hour for local criminal masterminds.

If you know anything, you're asked to call sheriff's investigators at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

The 12-team College Football Playoffs rules have been revised to include the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams (according to the CFP selection committee, reports AL.com's Mark Heim.

And with that tweak, finally, nobody will have any more complaints about college football playoff pairings.

Right?

“Every pastor I know is scared to death of mishandling this issue. But here is the truth. This issue isn’t going away. It’s a sin problem, and it runs deep."

Josh Wester, chair of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force, an independent non-profit organization launched by the Southern Baptist Convention to help churches and entities prevent and respond to sexual abuse.

In 1940, the late civil-rights leader and politician John Lewis of Troy.

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: