Jun 12, 2023

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Ike Morgan

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We mentioned last week the ruling by the United States Supreme Court that Alabama's map of Congressional districts likely violates the Voting Rights Act, and that the state will likely be redrawing that map to have two districts that have a majority or near-majority of Black voters, rather than just one.

The political point here is that Alabama could end up with a second district in play for the Democratic Party, rather than just Alabama District 7, which includes parts of Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and several Black Belt counties.

But could the redrawn map, however it may end up, also make District 7 less of a slam dunk for the Democrats?

AL.com's Mike Cason reports that some political watchers think it might, depending on how many Black voters are moved into another district, possibly District 2, which includes some Wiregrass counties up to Montgomery and has the second-highest concentration of Black potential voters.

Former Athens State political science professor Jess Brown: “Now what Republicans might try to do is trade off here. If we’re having to give up a solid district (District 2), we’re going to try to make the Democrats give up a solid district (District 7).”

China has been operating a spy base right across the Gulf of Mexico in Cuba, the Associated Press reports that an unnamed Biden administration official said  on the condition of anonymity.

The White House claims the report is inaccurate. So does a Cuban deputy foreign minister.

However, the unnamed official told the AP that U.S. intelligence has been aware of Chinese spying from Cuba going back to at least 2019. He or she said the base is part of Beijing's ramping up its foreign intelligence.

This comes after The Wall Street Journal reported that China and Cuba have made a deal to build an electronic eavesdropping station in Cuba.

The next-best thing to a lower price is the same price, at least if you're the one doing the buying. And AL.com's Rebecca Griesbach reports that the University of Alabama System is keeping the cost of in-state tuition for 2023-24 frozen for the sixth time in seven years.

Out-of-state tuition at UA System schools (University of Alabama, UAB, UAH) is going up 3%.

Of course, college tuition is costly enough as it is. The State Higher Education Finance Report said that in 2021 Alabama colleges netted the fourth-highest revenue in the nation on tuition and fees (minus state and institutional financial aid). We're talking $13,685 per full-time student.

And that's just tuition and fees -- never mind books, Taco Casa, Momma G's, parking tickets and poor financial decisions.

Members of Alabama's Congressional delegation on former President Donald Trump's indictment over his alleged mishandling of classified documents:

Matthew McConaughey

The Oscar winner began filming in the Birmingham area last week for "The Rivals of Amziah King." AL.com's Mary Colurso reports that scenes are expected to be shot in around 70 area locations, even though the movie is set in Oklahoma.

McConaughey was seen with the crew on Friday at J&J Grocery & Deli in Bessemer. Hopefully he scouted ahead and was told to try the burger.

(Photo courtesy of Devin Glasgow Carter)

Born in:

Don't forget that Sunday is Father's Day.

Nothing big. A moderate (or extra-moderate) dish of banana pudding and a box of Callaway Supersofts are more than enough. Really.

We asked you for the state's best barbecue (inspired by this series on al.com). We didn't get a huge response (maybe next time we'll keep it a little newsier), but among those who voted, Full Moon Bar-B-Que of Birmingham took first place, followed by Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q of Decatur.

Wherever your favorite pit is located -- from the city street to your own backyard -- here's to a summer full of sweet 'cue.

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