>> JEFF SANDERS: HELLO AND WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

I'M JEFF SANDERS IN FOR TODD STACY.

THANKS FOR JOIN US.

ALL EYES IN THE POLITICAL WORLD WERE ON CHICAGO THIS WEEK FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, AN EVENT THAT SAW SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE PAST MONTH.

UNDER MOUNTING PRESSURE TO WITHDRAW, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION AND ENDORSED HIS VICE PRESIDENT, KAMALA HARRIS, AS HIS SUCCESSOR.

HARRIS THEN SELECTED MINNESOTA VICE-PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE.

IN HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE DNC, HARRIS EMPHASIZED FAMILIAR THEMES OF UNITY AND BRINING TOGETHER A DIVIDED COUNTRY.

>> I ACCEPT YOUR NOMINATION TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PRESIDENT WHO UNITES US AROUND OUR HIGHEST ASPIRATIONS, A PRESIDENT WHO LEADS AND LISTENS, WHO IS REALISTIC, PRACTICAL, AND HAS COMMON SENSE AND ALWAYS FIGHTS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

OUR NATION WITH THIS ELECTION HAS A PRECIOUS, FLEETING OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE PAST THE BITTERNESS, CYNICISM AND DIVISIVE BATTLES OF THE PAST, A CHANCE TO CHART A NEW WAY FORWARD.

SO LET'S GET OUT THERE, LET'S FIGHT FOR IT, LET'S GET OUT THERE, LET'S VOTE FOR IT, AND TOGETHER LET US WRITE THE NEXT GREAT CHAPTER IN THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY STORY EVER TOLD!

THANK YOU!

GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> JEFF SANDERS: AMONG THE DOZENS OF SPEAKERS AT THIS WEEK'S DNC WAS SHOMARI FIGURES, WHO IS RUNNING AGAINST REPUBLICAN CAROLEENE DOBSON FOR ALABAMA'S NEWLY DRAWN 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

YOU MAY RECALL THAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED 5 TO 4 LAST YEAR THAT THE PROPOSED ALABAMA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAP WAS GERRYMANDERED, DISCRIMINATING AGAINST BLACK VOTERS IN VIOLATION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THE NEWLY DRAWN DISTRICT NOW GIVES DEMOCRATS A STRONGER CHANCE TO WIN A SECOND SEAT IN CONGRESS FROM ALABAMA.

THAT COULD GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING THEM REGAIN CONTROL OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> SWEET HOME ALABAMA!

[CHEERING] I AM RUNNING FOR ALABAMA'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THIS IS THE DISTRICT THAT GAVE AMERICA THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, ROSA PARKS, FRED GREY, AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN MONTGOMERY ALABAMA.

MY PATHWAY WAS PAVED BY A LEGACY OF FIGHTERS INCLUDING MY MOTHER, VIVIAN FIGURES HER 11TH DNC, AND INCLUDES MY LATE FATHER MICHAEL FIGURES WHO IS A STATE SENATOR AND SUED THE KLAN INTO BANKRUPTCY.

LISTEN, ALL OF AMERICA, ALL OF US, ALL OF US OWE A DEBT TO COURAGEOUS FREEDOM FIGHTERS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, A DEBT THAT CAN NEVER BE REPAID.

BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS ENSURE THE WORK OF THE FIGHTERS WHO CAME BEFORE US CONTINUES AND THAT OUR SANCTUARY STATE RIGHT TO VOTE IS ALWAYS PROTECTED.

>> JEFF SANDERS: DESPITE ALABAMA BEING A STRONG REPUBLICAN STATE, MANY OF ITS LEADING DEMOCRATS MADE THE TRIP TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHICAGO THIS WEEK, EITHER AS DELEGATES OR PARTY REPRESENTATIVES.

AMONG THEM WAS FORMER U.S.

SENATOR DOUG JONES.

I SPOKE WITH HIM DURING THE CONVENTION TO HEAR HIS THOUGHTS ON WHY VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS THE DEMOCRATS' BEST CHANCE TO DEFEAT FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> I HAVE BEEN TO CONVENTIONS NOW SINCE PROBABLY 1988.

THE BARACK OBAMA 2008 WAS REALLY, REALLY EXCITING, BUT I THINK THIS REALLY TAKES ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN.

IT'S THE MOST EXCITING, ENERGIZED DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION I'VE EVER BEEN TO FROM START TO FINISH.

>> JEFF SANDERS: TALK ABOUT HOW THE PARTY COALESCED AROUND THE VICE PRESIDENT AND HER NOMINATION.

>> I THINK A LOT OF IT IS THE PARTY WAS REFLECTIVE OF AMERICA, THAT PEOPLE WERE NOT REALLY HAPPY WITH EITHER OF THE CANDIDATES OF THE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LOVED JOE BIDEN, STILL LOVE JOE BIDEN.

HE GOT AN INCREDIBLE RECEPTION TONIGHT.

THERE WERE QUESTIONS, EVERYBODY KNEW THAT, GOING INTO THIS.

BUT THE WAY EVERYONE COALESCED AROUND KAMALA HARRIS SO QUICKLY TO MAKE SURE THE GENERATIONAL TORCH WAS PASSED TO A YOUNGER GENERATION, SOMEBODY THAT CAN REALLY HELP UNIFY THE PARTY, HAS BEEN REALLY EXCITING TO WATCH.

>> JEFF SANDERS: THERE'S A GOOD CHUNK THAT'S GOING TO VOTE DEMOCRAT AND A GOOD CHUNK THAT'S GOING TO VOTE REPUBLICAN, SO A NARROW MARGIN.

YOU KNOW THE REPUBLICANS WILL COME AFTER HER.

DONALD TRUMP SAYS SHE'S NOT A SMART WOMAN, HAS A LOW I.Q.

>> KAMALA HARRIS HAS BEEN A LOCAL PROSECUTOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE MOST POPULAR STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

CALIFORNIA HAS AS MANY PEOPLE AS A LOT OF COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

SHE'S BEEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE U.S.

SENATOR, SHE HAS BEEN THE VICE PRESIDENT.

YOU DON'T GET TO THOSE PLACE IFS YOU'RE NOT VERY SMART.

BUT THIS IS ABOUT THE SOUL OF AMERICA.

THIS IS ABOUT WHO WE ARE IN THIS COUNTRY, WHO WE'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR TO REPRESENT US NOT ONLY DOMESTICALLY BUT AROUND THE WORLD, AND YOU CONTRAST KAMALA HARRIS WITH SOMEONE LIKE DONALD TRUMP WHO IS BASICALLY, AT THIS POINT, SOMEWHAT INCOHERENT, DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE, AND IS LOOKING AT NOTHING BUT WHAT'S IN IT FOR HIM AND RETRIBUTION.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THAT.

IT'S OLD SCHOOL AND NOBODY LIKES THAT ANYMORE.

SO, YES, ALABAMA, WE'RE NOT GOING TO WIN ALABAMA BUT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING FOR.

AND I CAN TELL YOU, YOU HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, SO MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING, INCLUDING ALABAMA, ARE LOOKING FOR FOLKS THAT WILL WORK TOGETHER, THAT WILL TREAT EACH OTHER WITH DIGNITY, RESPECT AND CIVILITY, AND YOU DON'T SEE THAT COMING FROM DONALD TRUMP AND J.D.

VANCE, AND THAT'S WHY I THINK KAMALA HARRIS IS GOING TO DO VERY WELL IN ALABAMA, IT IS GOING TO HELP IN THAT SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND GIVE SHOW MARI FIGURES ANOTHER ONE TO PUT ANOTHER DEMOCRAT IN THE HALL ALSO OF CONGRESS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> JEFF SANDERS: IN ADDITION TO FORMER SENATOR DOUG JONES, SEVERAL OTHER PROMINENT DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS WERE PRESENT AT THE DNC THIS WEEK, INCLUDING STATE SENATORS KIRK HATCHER AND BOBBY SINGLETON, AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP ENSLER.

I SPOKE WITH ALL THREE VIA ZOOM DURING THE CONVENTION.

THEIR MESSAGE?

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS GAINING STRENGTH, AND THEY BELIEVE THIS NATIONAL MOMENTUM WILL EVENTUALLY IMPACT DOWN-BALLOT RACES IN ALABAMA.

>> SUPER EXCITED TO BE HERE IN CHICAGO FOR THIS CONVENTION.

THIS IS MY FIFTH CONVENTION SINCE I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN POLICY 204.

AND I MUST SAY THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE EXCITING CONVENTIONS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN OUTSIDE OF OBAMA'S FIRST CONVENTION IN DENVER.

THIS CONVENTION HAS THAT SAME ELECTRIC FEELING TO IT.

>> AMAZING ENERGY, A LOT OF OPTIMISM.

LOOK, PEOPLE ARE HERE, YOU KNOW, TO CONTINUE TO DO THE JOB FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND WHAT'S BETTER THAN HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THIS PROCESS OF ELECTING THE LEADER OF OUR COUNTRY.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN HAPPENING MAYBE FOUR WEEKS AGO, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE'S A WHOLE RESURRECTION GOING ON IN THIS PLACE NOW.

>> IT'S MORE THAN JUST A GOOD TIME.

IT MEANS PEOPLE ARE HOPEFUL.

IT MEANS THEY ARE FIRED UP TO HAVE A MORE FORWARD-THINKING AND MORE INCLUSIVE VISION FOR AMERICA.

SO ANYONE WATCHING ON TV, IT'S NOT JUST SOME BIG PARTY AND THAT'S IT, IT'S THAT PEOPLE REALLY FEEL ENERGIZED TO FIGHT FOR OUR DEMOCRACY, EQUAL RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND THEY WANT TO KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE AN INCLUSIVE VISION THAT REALLY INCLUDES ALL AMERICANS IN THAT FUTURE.

>> I STAND FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNDECIDED OUT THERE, THOSE WHO ARE FOR KAMALA HARRIS.

YOU CAN FALL UNDER THIS TENT.

WE BELIEVE IN AMERICA AND WHAT AMERICA IS DOING.

THAT'S WHY I THINK THIS WEEK HAS BEEN ABOUT FREEDOM, THE ABILITY TO THINK, THE FREEDOM TO SAY WHAT YOU FEEL AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES AS YOU FEEL.

WE FEEL REALLY, REALLY GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE, AND I THINK THE STATE OF ALABAMA -- THERE ARE AREAS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT ARE BURNING PURPLE.

HUNTSVILLE, THERE ARE SOME AREAS AND DISTRICTS UP THERE TURNING PURPLE.

IT'S SIMPLY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MOVING AND PEOPLE ARE NOT JUST TRYING TO BE ABOUT THIS PARTY, BUT PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO VOTE THEIR POCKETBOOKS AND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.

>> WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL IMPACTS THE EVERYDAY RIGHTS OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE FROM REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS TO IVF AND INVESTMENTS IN SMALL BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

ALL THOSE THINGS MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WHO CONTROLS CONGRESS HAS AN IMPACT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE TAKING CREDIT FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES BEING BUILT IN IMPROVEMENT ALABAMA.

THAT'S BECAUSE THERE WAS A CONGRESS ELECTED THAT PASSED THE POLICY PRIORITIES AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC, KEEP THE HOUSE, SENATE DEMOCRAT AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: ELECTION DAY IN NOVEMBER ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS AWAY.

AS THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS, TEACHERS WILL HAVE MORE CLARITY AND AUTHORITY OVER CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE, THANKS TO THE RECENT APPROVAL OF "THE TEACHER'S BILL OF RIGHTS" BY STATE LAWMAKERS.

THE NEW LAW REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST STUDENTS WHO CAUSE DISRUPTIONS SERIOUS ENOUGH FOR TEACHERS TO REMOVE THEM FROM CLASS.

BEFORE A STUDENT CAN RETURN, THE PRINCIPAL MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OUTLINING THE DISCIPLINARY MEASURES TAKEN.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY RECENTLY SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW, MARKING A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE WIN FOR THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

>> SO, THIS LEGISLATION, NOW LAW, ENABLES TEACHERS TO HAVE MORE EMPOWERMENT IN THEIR CLASSROOM IN DEALING WITH STUDENT DISCIPLINE CHALLENGES.

CREATES MORE OF A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE PRINCIPALS AND THE TEACHERS TO FURTHER ENABLE CHILDREN TO HELP THEM WITH THE DISCIPLINE CHALLENGES THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE FACING.

WE'VE SEEN AN UPTICK IN CHILDREN'S DISCIPLINE CHALLENGES IN SCHOOLS FOR VARIOUS REASONS AND THIS HELPS OUR TEACHERS TO HAVE ADDITIONAL TOOLS IN THEIR TOOLBOX TO DEAL WITH THOSE THINGS AND CREATE A CONSISTENT DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION, TEACHER, PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS AND CORRECT THEM WHERE THEY ARE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM IS RECEIVING MORE FUNDING TO GET HIGH TECH IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.

THE CITY IS RECEIVING $4.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THE FUNDING WAS SECURED BY U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT.

IT WILL BE USED BY THE CITY'S REAL TIME CRIME CENTER TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL CAMERAS AND INSTALL THEM IN HIGH-CRIME AREAS.

THE CENTER SUPPORTS LOCAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THEIR ABILITY TO RESPOND MORE QUICKLY TO CRIMES IN PROGRESS OR TO THOSE THAT HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN PLACE.

AS WE SAID EARLIER, THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR HAS KICKED OFF ACROSS ALABAMA, WITH STUDENTS RETURNING TO THEIR CLASSROOMS.

TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE THEM, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IS TRAVELING THE STATE AS PART OF HER BACK-TO-SCHOOL TOUR.

THIS TOUR FOLLOWS RECENT NEWS THAT APPROXIMATELY 1,800 ALABAMA PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL REPEAT THE THIRD GRADE DUE TO LOW READING SCORES.

THE 2019 ALABAMA LITERACY ACT REQUIRES THIRD GRADERS TO MEET SPECIFIC READING BENCHMARKS TO ADVANCE TO FOURTH GRADE.

TO ALLOW STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS TIME TO RECOVER FROM PANDEMIC-RELATED LEARNING DISRUPTIONS, STATE LAWMAKERS POSTPONED THE LAW'S IMPLEMENTATION UNTIL THIS YEAR.

DURING HER TOUR, GOVERNOR IVEY VISITED HER HOMETOWN OF CAMDEN AND SPOKE TO STUDENTS AT J.E.

HOBBS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD SCHOOL IN WILCOX COUNTY WE HAVE BEEN TODAY, AND MY MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE OUR STUDENTS TO READ AND READ A LOT.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET THEM TO UNDERSTAND, IF THEY LEARN TO READ, THEY CAN READ TO LEARN.

AND THAT'S SO IMPORTANT HERE AT SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO LEARN AND READ WELL.

SO IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO GET TO WORK WITH THESE TEACHERS AND THESE STUDENTS.

I'M PROUD TO BE FROM WILCOX COUNTY.

IN 2024 IN MY STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, I INVITED THE FOURTH GRADE FROM THIS SCHOOL TO JOIN ME THAT NIGHT, AND I POINTED OUT THAT, THEY'RE IN THE FOURTH GRADE, NOW THE FIRTH GRADE, THOSE STUDENTS HAD THE HIGHEST READING GAIN OF ALL THE TURNAROUND SCHOOLS.

SO IT'S WORKING.

THE TEACHERS ARE WORKING HARD, AND OUR STUDENTS ARE LEARNING TO READ, AND THAT IS SO, SO IMPORTANT.

>> JEFF SANDERS: AS WE MENTIONED, THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS UNDERWAY, AND WHILE STUDENTS AND STAFF PREPARE FOR THE MONTHS AHEAD, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ALSO GEARING UP TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL ISSUES RELATED TO VIOLENCE OR TROUBLED STUDENTS.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT HAS THE STORY.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS ARE TAKING A SEMINAR AT THE ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ON HOW TO FIGHT CRIME AT LOCAL SCHOOLS.

THE PREVENT SCHOOL VIOLENCE PROGRAM ALONG WITH MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN'T JUST FOCUSING ON WEAPONS BUT SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

>> WE'RE DEALING WITH SO MANY OTHER SOCIETAL ISSUES, WE'RE DEALING WITH SOCIAL INJUSTICE, WE'RE DEALING WITH PROPERTY, TRAUMA, MENTAL ILLNESSES, WE'RE DEALING WITH SO MANY THINGS, WHAT WE CALL THE INVISIBLE BACKPACK THE KIDS CARRY.

IF WE DON'T BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S INSIDE OF THE BOOK BACK.

>> CHARLES SAYS HIS COMPANY HELPS AGENCIES RESTORE PRACTICES OR CHARACTER BUILDING WITH STAFF.

IN THIS CASE, SOME OF THAT STAFF HAPPENS TO BE STUDENTS.

>> EVERYONE HAS A VOICE, AND A LOT OF TIMES STUDENTS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ALOUD TO SPEAK, BUT IN RESTORATIVE PRACTICE IS PART OF THE PROCESS THAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

>> CLASSES ARE THE GENESIS BEHIND THE COURSE.

THEY WILL LOOK AT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND PEER PRESSURE.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO HELP THE SCHOOL HOLISTICALLY, SO, ALTHOUGH THE PROGRAM IS NAMED PREVENT SCHOOL VIOLENCE, STRESS MANAGEMENT HELPS WITH THAT, TOO, RIGHT?

ALSO, MENTAL HEALTH HAS BECOME A BIG THING, RIGHT?

SO WE WANT TO TREAT THE WHOLE SYSTEM, THE WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

>> ALSO TAKING PART IS DR. DAY, THE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF SECURITY FOR MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> WE WANT TO KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL.

WE DON'T WANT TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN DISCIPLINE WHERE WE ARE PUTTING THEM BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND ELEMENTS CONTRIBUTING TO THEM MAKING BAD DECISIONS.

SO REFERRING BACK TO THIS PROGRAM, IT'S TEACHING THEM TO EMPLOY THE RESTORATIVE CIRCLE ALSO SO THEY CAN RESOLVE THE CONFLICT AND HELP THE KIDS TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

>> THE PROGRAM GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE STAFF AND STUDENTS GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> WHEN YOU GIVE THE POLICE OFFICERS AND SECURITY GUARDS RESOURCES AND TOOLS TO USE, WHEN THEY CAN HELP IDENTIFY A PERSON THAT MIGHT BE GOING THROUGH A CRISIS, HELP IDENTIFY A PERSON THAT MIGHT BE ON THE EDGE OF DOING SOMETHING BAD OR IS BEING VICTIMIZED BY SOMEONE ELSE.

SO WHEN YOU GIVE RESOURCES AND TOOLS TO PEOPLE IN POSITIONS THAT'S ABLE TO MAKE A CHANGE, YOU SEE POSITIVE RESULTS.

>> IN MONTGOMERY, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> JEFF SANDERS: MEANWHILE WHILE, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS APPOINTED A BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE UPCOMING HEALTH CARE-FOCUSED HIGH SCHOOL IN DEMOPOLIS.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE EIGHT BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED.

THE SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE A DIVERSE CURRICULUM FEATURING STEM COURSES--COVERING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS--ALONGSIDE HEALTH CARE-RELATED CLASSES.

IT WILL COLLABORATE WITH WHITFIELD REGIONAL HOSPITAL TO ENHANCE ITS OFFERINGS.

THIS YEAR, IVEY AND LAWMAKERS ALLOCATED $15 MILLION TO THE PROJECT.

ADDITIONALLY, BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES HAS COMMITTED $26.4 MILLION, CONTINGENT ON THE STATE COVERING THE REMAINING EXPENSES.

AS THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND, MASCOTS FROM ALABAMA'S 14 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES GATHERED AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK TO CELEBRATE COLLEGE COLORS DAY.

SPONSORED BY THE HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP, THIS ANNUAL EVENT SHOWCASES THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

TO JOIN THE CELEBRATION, EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO WEAR YOUR FAVORITE COLLEGE APPAREL ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 30TH.

GORDON STONE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP SAYS COLLEGE COLORS DAY IS A GREAT WAY TO REMIND ALABAMIANS OF THE VITAL ROLE FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES PLAY IN THE STATE.

>> WELL, HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP IS VERY PLEADS EVERY YEAR TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND GOVERNOR IVEY HAS BEEN SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIS TO ANNOUNCE WE WILL PICK A DAY AND CALL IT COLLEGE COLORS DAY SO THAT THE FOLKS WHO LOVE OUR UNIVERSITIES CAN CELEBRATE IN UNISON ACROSS THE STATE.

WHY?

BECAUSE ALABAMA'S UNIVERSITIES HAVE A $120 BILLION ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT.

WE HAVE LOCATIONS ALONG EVERY MAJOR ARTERIAL, IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE, IN 67 COUNTIES WITH OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS.

ALABAMA'S UNIVERSITIES ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THIS ECONOMY AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR, AND WHAT A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.

WE ASK EVERYBODY ON THE 30TH OF AUGUST TO CELEBRATE WITH US, WEAR YOUR COLORS, SUPPORT YOUR TEAM OR SCHOOL THAT YOU GRADUATED FROM, AND LET EVERYBODY KNOW HOW IMPORTANT YOUR UNIVERSITIES ARE.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO THINK BIG, EDUCATE BIG AND DO BIG.

>> THE STRENGTH OF OUR SCHOOLS COMES FROM THE STRENGTH OF OUR STUDENTS.

IT'S THE KNOWLEDGE AND DEDICATION OF STUDENTS LIKE THE ONES HERE TODAY THAT WILL LEAD US INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE.

WHETHER YOU'RE STUDYING ENGINEERING, FINANCE, EDUCATION, OR ANY OF THE COUNTLESS FIELDS AVAILABLE AT OUR INSTITUTIONS, YOUR SUCCESS HELPS BUILD A STRONGER ALABAMA.

>> JEFF SANDERS: A LANDMARK OF ALABAMA'S COAST IS NOW OFFICIALLY BACK OPEN TO VISITORS, JUST IN TIME TO FINISH OUT THE SUMMER TOURISM SEASON.

THE RENOVATED GULF STATE PARK PIER RE-OPENED ON MONDAY WELCOMING PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NINE MONTHS.

THE PIER CLOSED IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR FOR A $13.6 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT.

HURRICANE SALLY DESTROYED A 200-FOOT SECTION OF THE PIER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020.

HOWEVER, DESPITE THE REOPENING, THE PIER'S ELEVATED OBSERVATION DECK, LOCATED AT THE OCTAGON ON THE PIER'S SOUTH END, REMAINS CLOSED AND WON'T BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL A NEW ELEVATOR IS INSTALLED.

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, WE SPEAK WITH STATE PARKS DIRECTOR GREG LINE ABOUT THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RENOVATIONS HAPPENING ACROSS ALABAMA'S STATE PARKS, INCLUDING THE NEW PIER AT GULF STATE PARK.

WE'LL ALSO HEAR FROM ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT QUINTON ROSS ABOUT THE UPCOMING YEAR AT ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST RENOWNED HBCUS.

BUT FIRST, AFTER THE BREAK, DR. ALLISON KING FROM THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS THE NEW TEACHER'S BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE AEA'S GOALS FOR EDUCATORS IN THE STATE THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JEFF SANDERS: AND WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

I'M JOINED NOW BY DR. ALLISON KING WITH THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION WHICH MEANS IT'S AN EXCITING TIME OF YEAR FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND THE AEA ALWAYS ADVOCATES FOR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT ALABAMA.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

I WOULD IMAGINE THE MISSION IS THE BASIC MISSION IT'S ALWAYS BEEN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION IS A TRIED AND TRUE ORGANIZATION THAT SERVED OUR STATE FOR OVER 250 YEARS AND WE WORK TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOU YOURSELF WERE A TEACHER ONCE.

I IMAGINE IT'S NICE HAVING THAT BACKGROUND, BRINGING IT TO YOUR ROLE IN GOVERNMENT RELATIONS.

>> I TAUGHT FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS AND SCHOOL LEADERSHIP BEFORE MOVING TO AEA.

I WORKED AS A DISTRICT DIRECTOR WHERE I SERVICED 60 SCHOOLS IN THE REGION AND WORKED DIRECTLY WITH THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR PROFESSION.

JUST RECENTLY MOVED TO THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WORLD THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOU MENTIONED THE BETTERMENT OF YOUR PROFESSION.

TEACHING IS A NOBLE CALLING BUT A VERY CHALLENGING CALLING AND NOT EVERYONE IS CALLED OUT TO DO IT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS FAR AS THE TEACHERS WE'RE PUTTING OUT THERE TODAY, THOUSAND ARE THEY HANDLING THE CHANGING WORLD WE'RE LIVING IN?

>> OUR WORLD IS DEFINITELY EVER CHANGING.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE THERE IS NO GREATER WORK THAN THAT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THAT FIELD.

EVEN BEING IN THE WORK I DO NOW, I STILL TELL PEOPLE EVERY DAY IT'S THE HARDEST JOB I EVER HAD WAS BEING A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER.

THEY ARE SOME OF THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST FOLKS WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

I'M SO THANKFUL TO BE ABLE TO GELT UP AND WORK ON BEHALF OF THEM.

WE AT AEA SERVE 90,000 MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE LOCAL ADVOCACY, SERVE DIRECTORS, SPECIALIZED ATTORNEYS, INTO THE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION OF WHAT I DO WITH OUR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WORK AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH OUR EDUCATION POLICY DIVISION.

WE ARE HAPPY TO SERVICE THE EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS IN ALL OUR SCHOOLS IN EVERY DISTRICT ACROSS THE STATE.

IT IS TRULY A JOB WHERE I FEEL LIKE I GET TO SERVE THE BEST PROFESSION IN THE WORLD AND ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF BECAUSE THEY ARE BUSY IN OUR CLASSROOM SERVING OUR KIDS AND CAN'T ALWAYS BE HERE TO SPEAK ON THEIR OWN BEHALF.

WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

WE SERVE AS A CHAMPION FOR THEIR CAUSES AND CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY MAKE TO THE COMMUNITY AND STUDENTS.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOU MENTIONED 90,000 MEMBERS IN AEA.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

WE HAD IT EARLIER IN THE SHOW TALKING ABOUT THE "THE TEACHER'S BILL OF RIGHTS" LAW THE GOVERNOR SIGNED INTO LAW.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

IT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT THIS LAST SESSION.

TELL US ABOUT THAT AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> WE WERE PROUD TO CHAMPION THE "THE TEACHER'S BILL OF RIGHTS" THIS SESSION.

IT WAS A MUCH NEEDED PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND YES IT WAS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, NOT ONE VOTE AGAINST IT IN COMMITTEE OR ON THE FLOOR.

SO WE WERE THANKFUL FOR THAT.

IT JUST WENT TO SHOW HOW NEEDED THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION WAS AND THE LAW IS NOW FOR OUR EDUCATORS.

ESSENTIALLY, IT IS A BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO PLACE TO HELP OUR CLASSROOMS BE MORE SECURE AND ALSO MORE FRUITFUL FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FOSTER A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM.

IT ALLOWS OUR TEACHERS TO HAVE MORE SAY, INCLUDING STUDENTS THAT ARE DISRUPTIVE AND WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO MAKE SURE THE STUDENTS NEED ARE MET AND ADDRESSING THE DISCIPLINE CHALLENGES.

>> JEFF SANDERS: SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE NATION AND STATES HAVE STARTED TO BAN ELECTRONICS, WHETHER AN APPLE WATCH OR A CELL PHONE.

A TEACHER ONE DAY SAID HIS CLASS WAS OVER AND HE HEARD IN THE HALLWAY A STUDENT GOES, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

HE SAID, I WALKED OUTSIDE AND REALIZED STUDENTS WERE TALKING TO EACH OTHER.

HE SAID IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WHEN STUDENTS LEFT THE CLASSROOM, IT WAS VERY QUIET, THEY WERE ON THEIR PHONES.

HE SAID IT REMINDED HIM OF WHEN HE WAS A CHILD IN SCHOOL.

LET'S DELVE INTO THE CHANGING ROLE ESPECIALLY WITH TECHNOLOGY.

IS IT MORE DIFFICULT NOW TO BE A TEACHER THAN WHEN YOU STARTED?

>> I DEFINITELY WOULD SAY YES AND NOT JUST BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGY, JUST LOTS OF DIFFERENT FACETS THAT GO INTO THE WORK OF EDUCATION, SPECIFICALLY PUBLIC EDUCATION.

YEAH, I THINK THE WORK AND THE WORLD IS MORE CHALLENGING THAN EVER FOR OUR FOLKS THAT SERVE IN THIS PROFESSION.

BUT TECHNOLOGY, TO SPEAK TO TECHNOLOGY, IT'S A TOOL, AND A TOOL CAN BE A GOOD AND A BAD THING, DEPENDING ON HOW IT'S USED, AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS LEARN TO NAVIGATE THOSE CHALLENGES IN A WAY OF INTEGRITY THAT HELPS THEM TO GROW AS STUDENTS.

IT CAN BE A POSITIVE OR A NEGATIVE TOOL DEPENDING ON HOW IT'S USED.

SO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE STRUCTURES WITHIN THE SCHOOLS AND OUR TEACHERS IS A CHALLENGE AND OUR TEACHERS ARE HAVING TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST IN THE DISTRICT AS TO HOW MUCH THE STUDENTS CAN ACCESS THE DEVICES.

>> JEFF SANDERS: TALK ABOUT THE PAY RAISES.

>> WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO CHAMPION PAY RAISES.

WE SUPPORT THOSE.

I THINK OUR TEACHERS ARE INCREDIBLY UNDERPAID BUT WE'VE DONE A LOT OF THINGS TO MOVE THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THEM IN RECENT YEARS, I THINK 18% OVER THE LAST DECADE.

IT'S BEEN REALLY FANTASTIC AND WE ARE SO THANKFUL WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LEADERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE INITIATIVES WITH US TO HELP FURTHER OUR PROFESSION AND OUR STARTING TEACHERS ARE NOW AT $47,600.

WE'RE SOMEWHAT COMPETITIVE IN THE SOUTHEAST.

WE'RE NOT THE HIGHEST.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE SOUTHEAST LEAD IN THE AREA.

BUT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE PAY RAISE AND FULLY FUNDING THEIR BENEFITS.

THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE WHO SERVE IN LICK SERVICE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WHAT WOULD SAY TO SOMEONE WHO IS A PARENT OF SOMEONE IN SCHOOL AND THEIR CHILD IS THINKING ABOUT A PUBLIC EDUCATOR.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO PURSUE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

I THINK BEING A TEACHER IS, AS YOU SAID, A CALLING AND IT IS HARD WORK BUT IT IS SUCH REWARDING WORK, TOO.

I MEAN, THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU FORM AND THE BENEFITS YOU GAIN ARE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL TO YOU AND THE STUDENT.

IT'S STILL A VERY NOBLE PROFESSION.

IT IS HARD, BUT IT IS VERY MUCH WORTH IT, AND VERY REWARDING.

>> JEFF SANDERS: REWARDING.

YOU HAD A GOOD SESSION THIS PAST YEAR HERE IN 2024.

2025 WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

>> YES.

>> JEFF SANDERS: AND THE HALLS IN THE STATE HOUSE WILL BE BUSY AGAIN.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PRIORITIES YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SESSION?

>> WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 2025 SESSION.

2024 WAS CHALLENGING TO EVERYONE.

WE ARE LOOKING TO BRING BACK THE ON THE JOB -- INJURY BILL, SB1.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS DO NOT HAVE WORKERS' COMPENSATION IF THEY ARE INJURED ON THE JOB.

SO WE HAVE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR DEVELOPING A PROGRAM THAT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL BENEFIT TO OUR EDUCATION EMPLOYEES IF AND WHEN THINK ARE INJURED ON THE JOB.

IT WAS CLOSE TO FINAL PASSAGE LAST YEAR, GOT CAUGHT UP AT THE END OF THE SESSION AND DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE HOUSE.

SO WE'RE HOPEFUL TO SEE THAT CROSS THE FINISH LINE THIS YEAR.

WE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE EFFORTS BROUGHT BY.

WE'RE THANKFUL FOR LEADERSHIP ON THOSE THINGS.

THOSE ARE PROGRAMS WE WILL BE LOOKING AT SUPPORTING AS WELL.

>> JEFF SANDERS: PRESENTING LEAVE IS SOMETHING, I REMEMBER COVERING THIS BECAUSE I COVERED THE SENATE FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," AND I THINK PEOPLE FORGET SOMETIMES MANEUVERING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE CAN BE TRICKY.

WHAT WAS SOME OF THE PUSHBACK LAST YEAR AND HOW DO YOU ALLEVIATE THE CONCERNS GOING AHEAD?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY NECESSARILY THERE WAS PUSHBACK IN A SENSE.

THERE WERE BILLS THAT MOVED FOR STATE AND ALSO SOME EDUCATION EMPLOYEES, AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE NARRATIVES BETWEEN BOTH OF THOSE, WHICH BENEFITS ARE NEEDED, ARE THE NEEDS SIMILAR, SHOULD THE BILLS MIRROR EACH OTHER, SHOULD THEY NOT.

ONE STARTED IN THE HOUSE, ONE IN THE SENATE, THERE WAS CONVERSATION ABOUT JOINING BOTH GROUPS INTO ONE BILL AND KEEPING THEM SEPARATE.

>> GETTING INTO THE WEEDS.

>> NAVIGATING HOW MANY WEEKS AND WHAT EVENTS WERE COVERED AND THINGS LIKE THAT SO WE'LL CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS BUT ULTIMATELY OVERALL SUPPORTING AN INITIATIVE LIKE THAT WE'RE ONE OF A FEW I THINK SOUTHEASTERN STATES THAT DON'T OFFER THAT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

>> AND MOVING THAT FORWARD TO GET BETTER BENEFITS FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF.

OR ALL WHEN YOU LOOK AT EDUCATION IN THE STATE AND WE LOOK AT PUBLIC EDUCATION, HOW DO YOU LOOK AT ALABAMA?

HOW DO YOU SEE US MOVING FORWARD?

WHERE ARE WE GOING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

OFTEN YOU GET A NEGATIVE NARRATIVE NOT JUST IN PUBLIC EDUCATION BUT ALSO THE MEDIA.

I DON'T THINK WE FOCUS ON OUR SUCCESSES.

I AM IN SCHOOLS WEEKLY ALL OVER THE STATE AND THERE ARE AMAZING PEOPLE WORKING IN OUR SCHOOL, THERE ARE AMAZING STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS, THERE ARE WONDERFUL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SUPPORTING THEIR SCHOOLS, AND THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC STRIDES MADE THROUGH THE LITERACY ACT, THE NUMERACY ACT AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BEING GIVE ON THE SCHOOLS FOR CURRICULUM PROGRAMS.

OUR KIDS ARE MOVING AND MOVING FORWARD AND OUR SCHOOLS ARE MOVING FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THEIR SCHOOLS ARE SUCCESSFUL.

>> JEFF SANDERS: HOPE THEY HAVE A GREAT YEAR.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> JEFF SANDERS: HAVE A GOOD YEAR.

>> YOU AS WELL.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JEFF SANDERS: AND WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

I'M JOINED BY ASU PRESIDENT QUINTON ROSS, ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN, SUMMER IS COMING TO AN END, BUT IT'S AN EXCITING TIME FOR STUDENTS ON CAMPUSES IN MONTGOMERY, THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE NATION.

PRESIDENT ROSS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOU HAVE BEEN ON BOARD SINCE 2017.

>> SEVEN YEARS.

>> JEFF SANDERS: I WAS THINKING IT'S BEEN TWO OR THREE YEARS, BUT, NO, IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE A HORNET, AS YOU SAID.

WE'RE KICKING OFF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THINGS ARE GOING WELL AT ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY.

I'M SURROUNDED BY A GREAT GROUP OF INDIVIDUAL THAT LOVE, LIVE AND WORK THERE, A GREAT BOARD OF SUPPORT.

WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

WHEN I STARTED IN 2017, THE MANTRA WAS A.S.U.

MOVING FORWARD 150 YEARS, AND, SO, WE HAVE REALLY BEEN ON AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY AT ALABAMA STATE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: A.S.U.

HAD GONE THROUGH SOME TURBULENCE WITH THE PRESIDENCY, AND YOU BROUGHT A LOT OF STABILITY.

WHAT ARE THE MESSAGE TO THE STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE FRESHMEN?

>> ALL OUR STUDENTS, THE STUDENT LEADER, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE DO A GREAT JOB OF HELPING OUR FRESHMEN COME IN AND GET ACCLIMATED.

THE MESSAGE TO THEM IS TO COME INTO A PLACE WHERE HISTORY IS MADE AND TAKE HOLD TO THAT HISTORY AND REALLY IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THEIR STUDY AND IN FINDING THEIR NICHE.

AND, SO, WE'D LIKE TO GIVE THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT THROUGH OUR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, OUR PROGRAMMING THROUGH STUDENT AFFAIRS.

SO, ALL OF THOSE THINGS WE DO TO HELP STUDENTS GET ACCLIMATED.

SO WE'RE EXCITED.

WE HAVE HIT OUR ENROLLMENT MARK THIS YEAR AND, OF COURSE, WITH THE CLIFF -- ENROLLMENT CLIFF THAT HAPPENED NATIONALLY, OF COURSE WE ARE STILL BEING IMPACTED BY THAT, BUT WE'VE TURNED THE CORNER THIS YEAR AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT, HITTING ALL OUR MARKS.

OUR RETENTION RATE HAS GONE UP.

SO THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT BY THE LEGISLATURE IS MET.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOU MENTIONED ENROLLMENT GOALS.

I MEAN, COVID DID A NUMBER TO A LOT OF UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE NATION.

IT'S BEEN A FEW YEARS WE'RE OUT OF THAT, AROUND THE WORLD SEEMS A LILT MORE BACK TO NORMAL.

HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED ANYTHING YOU ALL ARE DOING NOW.

MAYBE YOU DIDN'T DO BEFORE COVID, AS WE KIND OF MOVE INTO THE MIDDLE 2020S HERE.

>> I THINK COVID TAUGHT US A LOT.

IT TAUGHT US RESILIENCE AND WHAT WE COULD DO.

I THINK, AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE JUST WERE TOGETHER, ALL TOGETHER FOR A FACULTY STAFF INSTITUTE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

WE HADN'T DONE THAT PRIOR TO SINCE COVID.

BUT WHAT IT DID WAS ALLOW US TO SHIFT TO ZOOM.

SO WE WOULD HAVE 600 OR 700 PEOPLE ON A ZOOM PLATFORM IN ORDER TO HAVE OUR FACULTY AND STAFF INSTITUTE.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE IN OUR TOOLKIT, LORD FORBID SHOULD SOMETHING ELSE HAPPEN OF THAT NATURE, BUT IT WAS SO GREAT BEING BACK IN PERSON.

AND, SO, I THINK IT ALLOWED US TO KIND OF STEP BACK, COVID DID, AND ANALYZE, YOU KNOW, HOW WE WERE DOING THINGS BUT SHOWED US HOW TO ADJUST.

AND, SO, OF COURSE, ONLINE HAS BECOME EXTREMELY POPULAR FOR THOSE INSTITUTIONS THAT WERE NOT NECESSARILY PREPARED.

I THINK IT GOT US PREPARED.

AND, SO, NOW, IT IS JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REACH MORE STUDENTS.

AND, SO, WE'RE GROWING IN THE ONLINE SPACE.

WE KICKED OFF SEVERAL YEARS AGO OUR ONLINE M.B.A. AND, SO, IT HAS ALLOWED US TO FIND WAYS TO GROW.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOU MENTIONED GROWING ONLINE.

AT THE SAME TIME, REPORTS OF OTHER UNIVERSITIES, SOME IN THE STATE THAT HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT CLOSING SOME SATELLITE CAMPUSES DOWN BECAUSE ENROLLMENT IS DOWN BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE ONLINE.

A.S.U.

A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

DO YOU WORRY ABOUT LACK OF GROWTH ON THE MAIN CAMPUS AND BUILDING PROJECTS COMING UP ON THE FUTURE WITH ONLINE ACCESS BECOMING SUCH A PREVALENT FORCE IN ACADEMICS THESE DAYS?

>> WELL, LISTEN, I BELIEVE IN MEASURED GROWTH.

AND, SO, WITH THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE PUT FORTH, OUR GROWTH IS MEASURED.

WE DON'T WANT TO OUTBUILD OUR ENROLLMENT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE THAT WE HAVE, REALIZING THAT THE ONLINE SECTORED IS OUT THERE -- SECTOR IS OUT THERE.

SO OFFERING THE HYBRID OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE STUDENTS STILL WANT TO COME, TOUCH, FEEL AND HAVE THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S EVER GOING TO GO AWAY.

BUT WE HAVE TO BE SYSTEMATIC IN OUR APPROACH TO THE ENROLLMENT.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE STUDENTS NOW THAT SOME HAVE ONLINE CLASSES BUT THEY'RE ALSO THERE IN PERSON.

AND, SO, I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE THAT BALANCE AS WE GO FORWARD.

SO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN WILL HELP US FULFILL THAT NEED.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES A SCHOOL FACES LIKE AUBURN OR TROY OR SOUTH ALABAMA DOESN'T REALLY FACE AS FAR AS THE SCHOOL YEAR, GETTING READY, FUNDING, ACADEMICS?

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES.

>> NUMBER ONE, YOU TALK ABOUT FINANCE.

OF COURSE, WE BELIEVE MAKING DUE WITH WHAT WE HAVE, BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF APPROPRIATIONS WE RECEIVE FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF OUR STUDENTS WHO COME, WHO NEED SOME TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, IT IS GREAT, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU FIND BEING THE MAJOR BARRIER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO AT OUR INSTITUTION, WE FIND WAYS TO HELP THESE STUDENTS AND HELP THEM STAY IN SCHOOL, WHICH IS OUR MISSION.

OTHER PLACES, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO STAY OR NOT, YOU'RE THERE.

BUT WE HAVE TO REALLY HONE IN ON THOSE EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT ARE IN STUDENTS' LIVES.

SO WE HAVE THE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES THROUGH OUR STUDENT SUPPORT, THROUGH OUR ASIS CENTER, THROUGH OUR BRIDGE PROGRAM FOR FIRST TIME STUDENTS IN THEIR FAMILY.

HAD A YOUNG MAN COME TO MY OFFICE THE OTHER DAY, THE FIRST IN HIS FAMILY TO EVER GO TO COLLEGE, NAVIGATING THAT SYSTEM.

AND, SO, THOSE ARE THE SUPPORTS WE HAVE TO PUT IN PLACE THAT MAYBE SOME OF THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

>> JEFF SANDERS: BUT I THINK IT ALSO GROWS SUCH A LOYALTY.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO YOU MENTIONED THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME ANYONE IN HIS FAMILY HAD GONE TO COLLEGE, BUT CHANCES ARE HIS CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN.

YOU CREATE THE LEGACY THROUGH A.S.U.

YOU GO TO FOOTBALL GAMES AND HOME COMING, ESPECIALLY.

IT IS SO POWERFUL, THE LOVE THAT ALUMNI HAVE FOR A.S.U.

>> IT IS SO ELECTRIC, AND WE ARE EXCITED.

YOU KNOW, LISTEN, ANYTHING WE HAVE -- AND WE FUNCTION UNDER THE UNIVERSITY.

WE ARE AN INSTITUTION WHERE WE PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO LIVE, LOVE AND WORK AT THE INSTITUTION BUT WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO THE GREATER SURROUNDING COMMITMENT.

AT THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL WE HAD THE ANNUAL 5K RUN AND THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATED BECAUSE THEY LOVE -- YOU KNOW, ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY IS A HOME FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME AND BE A PART OF ALL HER RICH HISTORY AND THE THINGS TO COME.

SO IT'S SO ELECTRIFYING AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INSTILL IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: SHIFTING GEARS, I MENTIONED HOME COMING AND FOOTBALL.

AND I REALIZE YOU ARE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY, NOT THE COACH OR THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BUT YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF ALL THAT.

>> YES.

>> JEFF SANDERS: NAME AND LIKENESS, COLLEGE PORTAL.

ATHLETICS IN CHILDREN HAS DRASTICALLY CHANGED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN JUST THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

SEEMS LIKE IT CHANGES MORE EACH MOTH.

>> YES.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR AT THAT SCHOOL LIKE A.S.U.?

YOU MENTIONED FINANCES.

YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE BIG OIL BOOSTERS.

YOU GO TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AND THERE ARE LAMBORGHINIS LINED UP OUTSIDE.

WHAT ARE YOUR CHALLENGES?

>> WE HAVE TO TAKE CHALLENGES AND TURN THEM INTO OPPORTUNITIES.

SO I HAVE A PHENOMENAL VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DR. CABLE.

HE CAME IN.

WE HAD THIS IDEA, DEALING WITH AN I.L., THE THING IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY CAN GET SOMETHING.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE ON CAMPUS INSTITUTING COST OF ATTENDANCE, ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIVIDUALS, MAKING SURE EVERYONE GETS A LILT SOMETHING.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ATHLETES THAT RECEIVE THE NIL DEALS, AND WE WORK WITH THE COLLECTIVE TO MAKE SURE WE MANAGE THAT PROPERLY BUT NO ONE CAN SAY THEY'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF LOOKING AT WHAT THE NEXT MAN GETS AND WHETHER YOUR WORTH IS AS MUCH AS HIS.

WE WANT TO TELL ALL OUR ATHLETES, YOU ARE WORTH EVERY BIT OF BEING HERE AT THIS INSTITUTION, SO WE PROVIDE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY.

NAVIGATING IS -- BECAUSE IT CHANGES FROM ONE PLACE TO THE OTHER.

I HAVE BEEN APPOINTED THE DIVISION ONE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THOSE ARE THE CHALLENGES WE'RE GRAPPLING WITH AT ALABAMA STATE AND ACROSS COUNTRY.

I THINK SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN TO DEAL WITH ISSUES LIKE NIL AND TRANSPORT PORTAL BECAUSE WITH SMALL INSTITUTIONS YOU HAVE STUDENTS HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW.

SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO DEAL GREAT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS THAT WAY.

SO WE HAVE TO DO ALL WE CAN WHICH IS A CHALLENGE TO ENTICE ATHLETES AND THOSE INDIVIDUAL TO STAY WITH US THROUGHOUT THEIR ATHLETIC CAREER.

OF COURSE, ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE LAWSUITS WITH THE NC2A THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN TERMS OF PROVIDING CONTINUOUS ACADEMIC EDUCATION AFTER THEY LEAVE OR THEIR INSURANCE.

SO IT'S A MONSTER.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE'LL COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOUR THOUGHTS ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION PASSED BY CONGRESS UP IN WASHINGTON.

>> I THINK THAT THAT WILL GIVE US THE NECESSARY COVER THAT WE NEED SO THERE CAN BE SOME CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND, SO, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK THAT AND SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT.

>> JEFF SANDERS: OKAY.

OUR REMAINING COUPLE OF MINUTES HERE, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST?

YOU MENTIONED SEVEN YEARS.

EACH YEAR IS A CHALLENGE.

EACH YEAR BRINGS ITS OWN CHALLENGES AND I GUESS FORTUNES.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST THIS YEAR?

>> I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO AND IT'S ALREADY MADE ITS WAY, YOU KNOW, HITTING OUR BENCHMARKS, OUR GOALS, PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

SYSTEMATIC GROWTH AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

BUT I TRULY AM PLEASED, I WORK ALONGSIDE SOME GREAT INDIVIDUALS, FACULTY AND STAFF, HAVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF SECOND TO NONE AND OUR STUDENTS ARE THE MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE, PHENOMENAL.

SO ENSURING THEY HAVE A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL ACADEMIC YEAR, THAT'S WHAT I LOOK FOR.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WE'RE ALWAYS EXCITED WHEN YOU COME ON THE SHOW.

YOU WERE A LAWMAKER HERE 15 YEARS.

>> INDEED.

IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO COME BACK WHERE YOU STARTED.

I APPRECIATE YOU ALL HAVING ME.

>> JEFF SANDERS: ASU PRESIDENT QUINTON ROSS.

DR. ROSS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JEFF SANDERS: BACK WITH MORE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" HERE ON APT.

.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WELCOME BACK.

ALABAMA IS BLESSED TO HAVE A TERRIFIC PARK SYSTEM, 21 PARKS ACROSS THE STATE AND MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS ARE HERE AND COMING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

JOINING ME FROM THE PARK SYSTEM IS GREG LEIN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JEFF SANDERS: 21 PARKS.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE BIG PARKS ALONG THE GULF COAST.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS SOMETHING THAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT OUR PARKS?

>> EVERY STATE TAKES A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE PROGRAM, AND I THINK IN ALABAMA, WHAT SETS US APART IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SUCH A BROAD ARRAY OF AMENITIES IN OUR PARKS.

MOST STATES DON'T HAVE LODGES, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE RESTAURANTS AND CONFERENCE CENTERS AND GOLF COURSES, AND, SO, WE HAVE, I WOULD SAY, A HIGHER END PRODUCT IN OUR PARK SYSTEM.

WHILE WE MAY BE SMALL BUT WE OFFER DIVERSITY IN TERMS OF WHAT THE PUBLIC CAN DO THERE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: IN TERMS OF GROWING AND HIGHER IN PRODUCTS, WE HAD IT IN THE SHOW EARLIER, THE REOPENING OF THE PEER ALONG GULF STATE PARK.

THAT'S SOMETHING FOLKS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR A LONG TIME.

>> YES.

WE APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC'S PATIENCE IN THAT.

WE HAD BEEN GOING THROUGH A RENOVATION PROJECT OF THE PIER, NEW DECKING, RAILS, LIGHTING, BACK IN 2019, AND WE WERE RIGHT ON THE VERGE OF REOPENING THE PIER, AND HURRICANE SALLY CAME ALONG AND CAUSED A LITTLE PROBLEM FOR US THERE.

SO IT DAMAGED THE PIER, IT KIND OF SEPARATED THE END FROM THE MAIN SECTION OF THE PIER.

AND, SO, THE PUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE ENTIRE PIER SINCE THEN.

YOU KNOW, THAT KIND OF WORK, WHEN YOU'RE WORKING OVER THE WATER AND YOU'RE DEALING WITH THINGS LIKE TURTLE SEAS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS, IT JUST TAKES TIME TO DO THAT.

THERE ISN'T THAT MANY -- THERE AREN'T THAT MANY CONSTRUCTION FIRMS THAT DO THAT KIND OF SPECIALIZED WORK.

IT'S TAKEN TIME TO GET IT DONE.

BUT WE'VE HAT GREAT LEADERSHIP THROUGH OUR COMMISSIONER AND THE STAFF AND, AGAIN, THE CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT.

WE'RE THRILLED TO HAVE IT REOPEN AND AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC USE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: THE REACTION HAS BEEN -- THE FOLKS LOVE THE PIER.

>> OVER THE TOP.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YEAH.

>> IRONICALLY, FISH LOVE STRUCTURE.

IT'S BEEN A MAGNET TO FISH ALONG THE WATER AND THE COAST DURING THIS WHOLE PROCESS, AND NOBODY'S BEEN FISHING THE FISH.

SO IT'S BEEN LIKE A BONANZA OUT THERE ON THE END OF THE PIER, THAT SECTION THAT HAD BEEN CLOSED OFF FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND PEOPLE ARE CATCHING BIG FISH, SPECIES OF FISH THAT THEY HAVEN'T NORMALLY CAUGHT THERE.

SO IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN TO SEE THE RESPONSE.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE HAD THE SUPER MOON THE OTHER NIGHT, AND THERE'S BEEN SOME PHENOMENAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MOON COMING UP OVER THE PIER, AND IT'S JUST BEEN REALLY GREAT.

>> JEFF SANDERS: IN 2021 VOTERS APPROVED A $85 MILLION BOND ISSUE FOR HISTORICAL PARKS AND SITES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

A LOT OF PROJECTS NEEDED FUNDING IN THE STATE.

I KNOW WE CAN'T GO THROUGH EVERYTHING BUT KIND OF HIT THE HIGHLIGHT.

>> KIND OF FROM THE COAST UP TO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY, YOU KNOW, WE REDID ONE TO HAVE THE PARKING LOTS DOWN THERE THAT PROVIDES BEACH ACCESS AT GULF STATE PARK, REDID THE BATHROOMS AND THE BEACH PAVILION THERE.

WE ARE ABOUT TO BUILD A NEW CAMPGROUND ON THE GOLF COURSE.

MAYOR STATE PARK ON CAUSEWAY BETWEEN SPANISH FORT AND MOBILE, WE'RE ADDING 45 NEW R.V.

SITES TO THE CAMPGROUND THERE, NEW BATH HOUSE, NEW CAMP STORE AND OFFICE, AND SIX ADDITIONAL CAMPER CABINS THERE.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THOSE IMPROVEMENTS.

MOVING NORTH, YOU GO UP TO PLACES LIKE LAKE POINT STATE PARK.

WE HAVE BEEN RENOVATING CABINS THERE, PUTTING NEW ROOFS ON, PAINTING, A LOT OF REFURBISHMENT, NEW FURNITURE, AND NOW DOING HALF THE LODGE THERE AT LAKE POINT.

THAT'S VERY EXCITING.

OUTSIDE AUBURN, WE HAVE CHEWACLA STATE PARK.

>> JEFF SANDERS: I'VE STRUGGLED WITH THAT NAME FOR YEARS.

>> YES.

WE'RE DOING WORK IN THE CAMPGROUND, ADDING A NEW BATHROOM AND REFURBISHING R.V.

SITES.

WE'RE ADDING A PLAYGROUND.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE BARNDOMINIUM WHICH WILL BE BUILT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WIND CREEK STATE PARK, A LARGE PORTION OF THE CAMPGROUND IS GETTING REFURBISHED.

IN THE PAST, WE DIDN'T HAVE 50-AMP SERVICE, SO THAT MEANT WE COULDN'T SERVE THE BIG R.V.S AND MOTOR HOMES.

WE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THEM BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ELECTRICAL CAPACITY.

SO RENOVATING ABOUT 20% OF THE SITES TO HAVE THAT NEW ELECTRICAL CAPACITY, WATER, SEWER, WI-FI, NEW BATHROOMS, WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND ALSO ADDING FIVE NEW THREE-BEDROOM THREE BATHROOM COTTAGES.

THE PARK IS A BEAUTIFUL LAKE.

ACCESSIBLE FROM PEOPLE IN AUBREY, MONTGOMERY, BIRMINGHAM.

>> JEFF SANDERS: A LOT OF FOLKS COME DOWN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE NEW CAMPGROUND AT OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK OPEN BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY.

THAT'S BEEN A HUGE HIT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE DIFFERENTLY, PEOPLE WILL FORGIVE YOU FOR A LOT OF THINGS BUT IF YOU HAVE A BAD BATHROOM, THEY WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU FOR THAT.

WE'VE PUT IN NEW FAMILY-STYLE BATHROOMS SO EVERYONE CAN HAVE THEIR OWN BATHROOM.

THERE'S A SHOWER, SINK, TOILET IN THERE.

THAT'S MORE CONVENIENT FOR FAMILIES.

IF MOM AND DAD NEED TO TAKE A SMALL CHILD IN THERE, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN BATHROOM.

SO THAT'S BEEN A BIG HIT.

WE'RE GLAD TO SEE IT'S REALLY POPULAR.

THERE'S A NICE PAVILION, A NEW PLAYGROUND, CAMP STORE.

THAT HAS BEEN A BIG DEAL FOR US AND HOOK MOUNTAIN IS SO HEAVILY USED WITH THE BIG BIRMINGHAM METRO POPULATIONS THAT'S THERE AT THE HUB OF SEVERAL INTERSTATE CONNECTORS.

SO THAT HAS BEEN VERY POPULAR AND WE'VE DONE SIMILAR WORK IN OTHER LOCATIONS.

BUT OVER AT LAKE LURLEEN, WE WILL BE REFURBISHING THE WHOLE PARK AND THAT WILL BE BID LATER THIS FALL.

WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO DO ALL THAT WORK.

THEN THE CAVE PARKS, THEY'RE GETTING WORK.

CATHEDRAL, GOT A NEW CAMPGROUND RECENTLY.

WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDING A PLAYGROUND AND ADDITIONAL BATHROOMS UP THERE.

RICKWOOD CAVERNS IS GETTING A NEW POOL HOUSE AND PLAYGROUND AND MAYBE OTHER FEATURES AS WELL.

DESOTO STATE PARK IS GETTING A NEW POOL HOUSE FOR ITS SWIMMING POOL AND, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE POOLS ARE LIKE COMMUNITY POOLS, THEY ARE USED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, NOT JUST THE PEOPLE STAYING IN THE CAMPGROUND.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, THOSE SUMMER FEATURES ARE A BIG DEAL TO THOSE COMMUNITIES, AND WE'RE PROUD TO SERVE THEM.

MONTE SANO IS GETTING THEIR CABINS REFURBISHED.

THE CAMPGROUND GOT NEW ELECTRICAL AND R.V.

PAD IMPROVEMENTS.

WE'RE PUTTING IN NEW BATHROOMS IN THE DAY USE AREA THERE, POURING SIDEWALKS TO MAKE THE PASSAGE OF THE GUESTS A LOT EASIER THERE.

AND THEN OVER AT JOE WHEELER STATE PARK, WE'VE RENOVATED PART OF THE CAMPGROUND.

WE'VE PUT IN A NEW PAVILION IN THE DAY USE AREA.

WE'RE RENOVATING THE LODGE, THE ROOMS, THE DOORS, THE RAILS, THINGS LIKE THAT ARE ALL GETTING RENOVATED, AS ARE THE WINDOWS IN THE RESTAURANT THAT FACE THAT BEAUTIFUL MARINA.

>> JEFF SANDERS: CHI HA STATE PARK, HUGE CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL CHANGE THE ENTIRE FEEL AND LOOK OF THAT PARK.

>> I LEFT THAT ONE OUT BECAUSE IT IS SPECIAL.

THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROJECTS.

THE OLD HOTEL THERE WAS BUILT IN THE '70S, AND, OVER TIME, YOU JUST GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND I APPLAUD OUR COMMISSIONERS' DECISION TO DEMOLISH THE OLD HOTEL AND BUILD A NEW ONE BUT BUILD IT IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT LOCATION THERE IN THE PARK.

SO THE NEW HOTEL WILL BE RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE BLUFF NEXT TO THE OLD RESTAURANT, CLIFF SIDE RESTAURANT, AND IT WILL ACTUALLY ADJOIN THAT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 32 ROOMS.

THERE WILL BE A LOUNGE ON THE ROOF OF THE HOTEL WITH A SKY DECK THAT WILL HAVE VIEWS UNLIKE ANY OTHER PLACE IN ALABAMA.

>> JEFF SANDERS: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS IN THE WHOLE STATE.

>> THE OLD HOTEL DIDN'T REALLY HAVE THOSE VIEWS.

HALF THE ROOMS OVERLOOKED A PARKING LOT.

ALL 32 OF THESE ROOMS WILL HAVE THIS MAGNIFICENT VISTA OVER THE VALLEY, CHEAHA LAKE AND LOOKING TOWARD TALLADEGA.

>> JEFF SANDERS: YOU'RE REQUIRING COMING UP IN OCTOBER.

>> I AM.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WHAT A GREAT WAY TO CAP OFF THE CAREER.

>> YES.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS HERE.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF MAYBE IN YOUR TENURE?

>> I REALLY AM.

PARKS ARE ABOUT PEOPLE, AND, YOU KNOW, THE STEWARDSHIP OF THOSE PUBLIC LANDS AND THE PEOPLE WE TOUCH, THE MEMORIES WE CREATE, IT'S A VERY SPECIAL MISSION, AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF GETTING TO WORK WITH SUCH DEDICATED STAFF AND BE A PART OF OUR STATE'S TOURISM INDUSTRY AND PROVIDE FANTASTIC HOSPITALITY TO NOT JUST ALABAMIANS BUT THE PEOPLE THAT COME HERE, THE TOURISTS THAT COME HERE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: AND NOW YOU CAN BE A TOURIST.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> JEFF SANDERS: GREG LEIN, APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH AND WISH YOU THE BEST IN YOUR RETIREMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

MY PLEASURE.

>> JEFF SANDERS: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JEFF SANDERS: AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN AGAIN NEXT WEEK WHEN TODD STACY WILL BE BACK IN THIS CHAIR.

AS WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, SOME OF THE SIGHTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON THE NEW STATEHOUSE THAT WILL REPLACE THE BUILDING WE ARE CURRENTLY IN.

CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO BE COMPLETED SOMETIME IN 2026, WITH LAWMAKERS HOLDING THEIR FIRST SESSION IN THE NEW STATEHOUSE IN 2027.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, I'M JEFF SANDERS.