Capitol Journal

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris joins us to discuss what he calls the "cautionary tale" for everyone in the wake of the White House coronavirus outbreak; Sen. Chris Elliott of Fairhope will be with us to talk about continued hurricane clean-up along our Gulf coast, even as a new hurricane hits Louisiana this weekend; And Dr. David Hughes with AUM joins us to discuss the school’s new independent poll on the closely-watched Alabama U.S. Senate race.

We’re joined by former governor Robert Bentley, who talks with us about his contention that Governor Kay Ivey’s setting a special U.S. Senate election in 2017 could have consequences in the upcoming Supreme Court confirmation process. We’re also joined by Alabama Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who discusses this week’s extension of the statewide masking mandate. And Rep Wes Allen of Troy is with us to talk about his bringing back a bill that would ban puberty blocking drugs and transgender surgeries for minors.

Gov. Kay Ivey joins us to discuss hurricane relief, prisons, the census deadline, another gas tax increase next week, and the looming expiration of her mask mandate. We’re also joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who says he’s consulting with the governor on the possible masking extension. He contends the mandate probably prevented a virus spike on Labor Day. And Sen. Jim McClendon is with us to talk about legislative preparations to tackle reapportionment next year.

We report on the aftermath of Hurricane Sally along the Alabama coast. We’re joined by Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon, whose city was among those hard hit. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris is also with us to discuss both hurricane zone health and safety and the latest pandemic developments. And Alabama Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn joins us to analyze proposed new prison construction details.

Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey joins us to discuss how the back to school season is faring in the midst of the pandemic.  State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris is with us to talk about how virus-related hospitalizations are down significantly, and about a possible fall spike.  Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Jackie Smith joins us for a ground-level view of this week's start of absentee voting in the state. And Linden Mayor-elect Gwendolyn Rogers joins us to discuss being among a handful of first-time African-American  mayors elected in Alabama in August.

We're joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who warns that large Labor Day gatherings could cause our virus numbers to spike again. We report on Governor Kay Ivey announcing proposed sites for three new prisons and the developers who will negotiate to build them. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels will be with us to say that he doesn’t think the state can "build it’s way out of our prison problems." And Alabama League of Municipalities Executive Director Greg Cochran will join us to discuss how cities and towns have fared during the pandemic.

Alabama Democratic Party Chair Chris England joins us to analyze this week’s Democratic National Convention and to discuss his belief that Alabama will support Joe Biden for President. We’ll also be joined by GOP 2nd district congressional nominee Barry Moore, who will talk about the dysfunction in congress and how he believes he is ready for that challenge. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will be with us to discuss how coronavirus cases in Alabama are continuing to trend down, and Judge David Money and Merceria Ludgood with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama will join us to discuss how counties have fared during the pandemic.

Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon of Monrovia joins us to discuss the state possibly chipping in to help fund President Trump’s extended federal unemployment benefits; Alabama Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington will be with us to talk about jobless rate declines and a shrinking state unemployment fund; Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed of Jasper will join us to discuss the college football debate; And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will be with us to talk about a continued downward trend in daily Alabama virus numbers.

We will report on the arrest of Rep. Will Dismukes of Prattville on a felony theft charge. We will be joined by U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, who will discuss his hopes for a new federal virus aid package. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will also be with us to discuss an overall downward trend in Alabama virus numbers. And ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell and Business Council of Alabama President and CEO Katie Britt will join us to talk about an upcoming event to encourage state residents to take part in the census while at work.

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris joins us to discuss Gov. Kay Ivey extending for another month the statewide masking ordinance and the coronavirus health orders. We’re also be joined by Clint Reid, the chair of the College Republican Federation of Alabama. He will talk about his group being among those calling for the resignation of Rep. Will Dismukes of Prattville over his Confederate associations. And Rep. Juandalynn Givan of Birmingham is with us to discuss her pre-filed bills dealing with moving Confederate monuments and requiring black history courses in state schools.