What's going on in Alabama

View in Browser 

Contributor Connection Newsletter

Feb 20, 2024

Welcome back. Today we'll talk about trucks. Specifically, squatted ones.

Also, we have a bit of an out-there poll. And the results of yesterday's quiz.

Thanks for reading,

Ike Morgan

 

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

 

Voting for (or against) squat

If you don't already know, a squatted truck is a pickup or an SUV that's been modified by raising its front end and lowering the rear. The effect is a truck that appears to be leaning back. Looks like if you dropped the tailgate drop a half dozen wine cooler empties might roll out.

(I'm not saying they would. I'm saying it looks like they might.)

Even if you think squatted trucks look a little goofy, that's not against the law in Alabama (thank Goodness). But under a proposed bill, squatted trucks could become restricted for another reason.

AL.com's William Thornton reports that Alabama House Bill 55 would make it illegal to raise the height of the front fender four or more inches higher than the rear fender, as measured from the ground.

The legislation was introduced by Ron Bolton, a Northport Republican. He said he decided to sponsor it after hearing about a Dothan police officer who was nearly hit by a squatted truck, possibly because the front end was lifted so high the driver couldn't see in front of him.

Also, consumer company J.D. Power claims that squatting a truck causes a weight imbalance, wears out the tires and leads to poor braking. The modification is also called the "Carolina squat," but South Carolina has already passed a similar law to put restrictions on it. So has Virginia.

Read more about this story here
 

Historic church renovations

Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham is trying to raise $7.5 million to maintain and renovate its historic buildings, reports AL.com's Greg Garrison.

Of course, that's the church that was bombed by Klansmen in 1963, killing the four little Black girls and bringing nationwide attention to civil-rights efforts in Alabama.

Construction of the current church building was completed in 1911. Planned changes to the property include a new visitors and education center and social-justice programming.

Read more about this story here
 

If Saban ran ...

We generally don't drop too many political poll stories unless they're really important. And, of course, applicable to serious issues and campaigns in the state of Alabama.

With that in mind, I'll share the results of a YouGov poll that said if Nick Saban runs as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in 2026, he'd beat Tommy Tuberville 42 percent to 39 percent (although that's close enough to be within the margin of error), reports AL.com's Howard Koplowitz.

If Saban did beat Tuberville it would make the former college football coaches 4-4 against each other in head-to-head matchups, incidentally.

If the theoretical poll sounds a little like a fantasy for liberal Crimson Tide fans, it probably is, since it assigns Saban to the Democratic party without having him adopt policy positions.

In the same poll, Tuberville was ahead of a "generic Democrat" 49-32 and ahead of former Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in another theoretical matchup, 52-27.

Saban has neither endorsed a political party nor expressed interest in running for office.

And we can appreciate that position.

Read more about this story here
 

Week in Review Quiz

Here's the key to yesterday's quiz, and how we did as a group. Check back next Monday for another Week in Review Quiz.

The first 911 call in the U.S. was made in ...

Haleyville (CORRECT) 60.6%

Dothan 20.6%

Muscle Shoals 16.0%

Bayou La Batre 2.9%

In what Alabama County has there recently been a radio tower reported missing AND a stolen school bus found?

Walker (CORRECT) 70.9%

DeKalb 13.1%

Barbour 10.3%

Choctaw 5.7%

What is the top destination for Alabama-made exported goods?

Germany (CORRECT) 46.3%

Canada 9.7%

China 37.7%

Qatar 6.3%

Garden & Gun listed this Alabama city on its list of four destinations to visit this year.

Auburn (CORRECT) 54.3%

Gulf Shores 30.9%

Madison 8.0%

Opp 6.9%

This non-native species is expected to "be everywhere" soon, according to some researchers.

Joro spider (CORRECT) 89.1%

Periwinkle 3.4%

Burmese Python 6.9%

Absentee landlord 0.6%

 

More Alabama news

  • Alabama bill seeks harsh penalties for shooting into occupied, unoccupied buildings and vehicles
  • Terri Sewell, Hakeem Jeffries talk voting rights at Miles College
  • A discount grocery outlet plans to expand into Alabama after $62 million acquisition
 

Born on this date

In 1942, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Sheffield.

In 1962, Auburn, NBA and Olympic basketball legend Sir Charles Barkley of Leeds.

 

Don't be a stranger

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.)

Subscribe to this newsletter
 

Listen to the podcast

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:

  • Apple podcast page
  • YouTube podcast page
  • Spotify podcast page
  • Alexa skill page on Amazon
  • Amazon Music podcast page
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeTikTok
AL.com

 

AL.com    |    1143 1st Ave. S., Suite 300   |    Birmingham, AL 35233
 
Copyright 2023. Alabama Media Group.
 
UNSUBSCRIBE   |   PRIVACY POLICY    |   CONTACT US