>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

SOME BREAKING NEWS TODAY FROM THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT.

THE HIGH COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IN A LAWSUIT THAT SOUGHT TO BLOCK THE STATE FROM BUILDING A NEW BRIDGE OVER THE INTERCOSTAL WATERWAY TO GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH.

IN A UNANIMOUS DECISION, THE JUSTICES OVERTURNED A LOWER COURT'S INJUNCTION THAT HAD HALTED CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROJECT ON CLAIMS FROM A LOCAL TOLL BRIDGE COMPANY THAT ALDOT WAS ACTING IN BAD FAITH.

THE RULING WILL NOW ALLOW THE PROJECT TO CONTINUE.

TONY HARRIS, CHIEF SPOKESMAN FOR ALDOT SAID THE NEED FOR A NEW, FREE BRIDGE TO ALABAMA'S BEACHES IS OBVIOUS AND CALLED THE RULING A VICTORY FOR ALABAMA'S COASTAL RESIDENTS AND MILLIONS OF VISITORS TO OUR STATE.

AT THIS POINT ALMOST ALL OF ALABAMA STUDENTS HAVE RETURNED TO THE CLASSROOM, AND GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK HAS BEEN MAKING VISITS TO PRIMARY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON TURNAROUND SCHOOLS - THOSE ARE THE SCHOOLS WITH A HISTORY OF LOW PERFORMANCE SPECIFICALLY SELECTED FOR INTENSIVE ATTENTION AND RAPID IMPROVEMENT.

IVEY VISITED J.E.

HOBBS ELEMENTARY AND ABC ELEMENTARY IN WILCOX COUNTY, JERRY LEE FAINE ELEMENTARY IN DOTHAN AND DOZIER ELEMENTARY IN MONTGOMERY.

SHE ALSO VISITED PRATTVILLE ELEMENTARY IN AUTAUGA COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE ITS STUDENTS FOR THEIR LEADING PARTICIPATION IN HER SUMMER READING CHALLENGE.

IVEY, ALONG WITH STATE SUPERINTEND ERIC MACKEY AND LOCAL EDUCATION OFFICIALS, WELCOMED STUDENTS BACK AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO KEEP READING.

>> PRATTVILLE ELEMENTARY, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL FOR PARTICIPATING IN MY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE.

YOU ALL READ THE MOST BOOKS AND SENT ME THE MOST LETTERS THIS SUMMER.

AND FOR THAT, Y'ALL DESERVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

(APPLAUSE) I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP READING.

TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE BOOKS YOU READ.

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE STORIES.

AND LET YOUR EXCITEMENT FOR READING CONTINUE TO GROW.

I WILL LET YOU IN ON A SECRET.

THE MORE YOU READ, THE BETTER YOU WILL GET.

JUST LIKE PRACTICING A SPORT OR PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT.

READING GETS EASIER AND MORE EXCITING AS YOU GO.

>> THE FOCUS ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IS NO ACCIDENT.

THOSE ARE HOME TO THIRD GRADERS, AND THIS SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE THE FIRST THAT THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISION OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT GOES INTO EFFECT.

THAT LAW SAYS 3RD GRADE STUDENTS MUST READ PROFICIENTLY OR THEY WILL NOT BE PROMOTED TO THE 4TH GRADE.

THIS PROVISION HAD BEEN EXTENDED TWO YEARS BY THE LEGISLATURE ON THE BASIS OF COVID SET BACKS, BUT IN AN OP-ED THIS WEEK, IVEY SAID NO MORE DELAYS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR TO STUDENTS TO PASS THEM ALONG WITHOUT PROPER READING SKILLS.

>> WELL, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN GETTING UP TO READING LEVEL SO WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.

THE LITERACY ACT SAYS YOU HAVE TO READ PROFICIENTLY BY THE THIRD GRADE OR BE HELD BACK >> I THINK IT'S A GOOD TOOL TO HAVE IN PLACE BECAUSE STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN TO READ.

BUT I THINK IT'S PURPOSEFUL IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO READ THE LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY.

>> WE'VE REPORTED EXTENSIVELY ON THE $2.1 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS THE STATE RECEIVED AND DOLLED OUT FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, OR ARPA.

THIS WEEK, STATE LAWMAKERS MET AGAIN HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE TO KEEP TABS ON HOW THOSE DOLLARS ARE BEING ALLOCATED BY AGENCIES.

THE SPENDING DEADLINES THAT ONCE SEEMED FAR AWAY ARE DRAWING CLOSER.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS.

>> THE AMERICANS ARE CREW ACT OR ARPA FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR A NUMBER OF STATE FUNCTIONS.

THERE'S A LIST OF WHAT THE REVENUE CANNOT BE USED FOR >> YOU CAN'T USE IT TO REDUCE OFFSET IN REDUCTION IN TAX REVENUE.

YOU CAN'T MAKE A DEPOSIT IN A PENSION FUND TO SHORE UP UNFUNDED LIABILITY.

YOU CAN'T USE IT TO MATCH MERLE FUNDS.

AND YOU CAN'T DEPOSIT ARPA FUNDS INTO A RAINY DAY ACCOUNT SO THE POINT IS CONGRESS WANTED STATES TO SPEND THESE MONIES NOT TUCK THEM AWAY >> STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE SHARED THAT THE FUNDS MUST BE OBLIGATED BY DECEMBER 21, 200024 AND SPENT BY DECEMBER 21, 200026 >> THOSE TERMINATION DATES WILL BECOME MORE CRITICAL AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS PROCESS SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COMMITTEE THROUGH IT'S WORK TO STAY FOCUSED ON THAT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE WILL BE.

>> THOSE DEADLINES RAISE THE EYEBROWS OF SENATORS CHRIS ELLIOT AND GREG ALBRITTON.

>> ACTUALLY GETTING THAT MONEY OUT THROUGH THE PROCESS AND THEN OBLIGATED AND THEY NEVER EXTENDED CONCERNS ME.

MY QUESTION FROM A 10 THOUSAND-FOOT VIEW FOR YOU IS: WHEN DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE START SAYING WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A DEADLINE IN, AN INTERNAL DEADLINE, THAT IS PRIOR TO DECEMBER OF 2026?

>> OUR FIRST CHALLENGE IS OBLIGATED BY DECEMBER 21, 2024.

I BELIEVE IN OUR MOUS WE REQUIRE A REPORTING FOR ANYTHING UNOBLIGATED BY THE SUMMER OF 2024 SEW WANT TO CAN HAVE JUNE OF 2024 SO WE HAVE ABOUT SIX MONTHS DEADLINE ON THE OBLIGATED FUNDS.

NOW, MOVING TO THE EXPENDED -- BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE RUBBER IS REALLY GOING TO HIT THE ROAD BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT DEADLINES AND THE POTENTIAL OF CLAW-BACK.

THERE'S A LOT OF EFFORT ALL ACROSS THE STATES RIGHT NOW TALKING TO PRESSURE AND OTHERS TO DEFINE WHAT DOES EXPENDED MEAN, WHAT DOESN'T IT MEAN?

THERE'S AMBIGUITY ON THOSE >> THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO HAVE TO REVISIT AND FIGURE OUT IF WE CAN'T USE THE FUNDS FOSTER THIS, IF WE HAVE -- REALLOCATION HAS TO OCCUR AND NOT ONLY HOW DOES THAT GO THERE BUT THE NEXT QUESTION IS DO WE LEAVE THAT PROJECT LEFT HALF DONE?

DO WE LEAVE THE WATER TOWER SITTING THERE EMPTY?

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THAT?

THAT'S THE LAST PLACE WE WANT TO GO BUT I SUGGEST THAT THOSE ARE GOING TO BE CHALLENGES AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN THE FUTURE.

SO THIS GETS MORE DIFFICULTY AS WE GO.

IT DOESN'T GET ANY EASIER >> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> WE SHOULD NOTE THAT THE STATE HAS BEEN COMPLIANT WITH ALL FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE USE OF FUNDS.

BUT WITH PROJECT DELAYS BROUGHT ON BY SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND COMPETITION FOR BUILDING MATERIALS, SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT ASKED HOW THE STATE COULD PIVOT IF THOSE SPENDING DEADLINES AREN'T MET.

>> HERE WE ARE AT DECEMBER 24, AND WE HAVEN'T STARTED AND THIS IS SQUIRRELY.

WE'RE NOT SURE YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE IT.

TO SENATOR ALBRITTON'S POINT WHAT IF WE HAVE HALF OF THE WORK DONE.

FEDS DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR A JOB WITH HALF A DITCH IN IT.

AT WHAT POINT DO WE SAY IT'S TIME TO REALLOCATE THE FUNDS.

NOT BECAUSE YOU WON'T COMPLETE IT BUT WE HAVE TO REALLOCATE IT TO A PROJECT THAT CAN BE -- THAT STANDS A CHANCE OF BEING COMPLETED >> IN JUNE OF '24, AND THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, DIRECTOR POOL'S COMMENT EARLIER THAT THERE'S A CHECKPOINT AT JUNE OF '24 AND AGAIN AT JUNE OF 26.

WE HAVE CONTRACTURAL PROJECTS THAT WE ENTER INTO WITH THESE PROJECTS AND THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO HAVE THESE FUNDS COMMITTED AND EXPANDED WITHIN THE STATUTORY LIMITS.

NOW IF A PROJECT IS UNDERWAY BUT CANNOT MEET THE STATUTORILY.

THE FUNDS THAT CANNOT BE EXPENDED IN THE STATUTORY RETIREMENT WILL BE WITHDRAWN AND APPLIED TO A DIFFERENT PROJECT.

NOW WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE PROJECTS HALF COMPLETED.

OR WHATEVER PERCENT COMPLETE.

OUR BACK-UP POSITION ON THAT IS WE WILL MAKE AVAILABLE TO THEM STATE REVOLVING FUND LOANS IN THE FUTURE YEARS AS NEEDED TO FINISH THEIR PROJECTS OR THEY WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH FUNDING OF SOME SORT >> CHIEF BUDGET OFFICER KIRK FULFORD OFFERED A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN TO LAWMAKERS ABOUT HOW THE FUNDS HAD BEEN APPROPRIATED.

>> THE STATE FISCALLY RECOVERED MONIES, AND I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE PURPOSE THAT COUNTIES GET 952 MILLION DOLLARS THAT WENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR COUNTIES.

METROPOLITAN CITIES GOT 430 MILLION DOLLARS THAT WEPT STRAIGHT TO THE BIG CITIES.

THOSE ARE THE ONES ABOVE 50 THOUSAND GENERALLY.

NOT ENTITLEMENT CITIES, YOUR SMALLER CITIES, 356 MILLION DOLLARS >> HE ALSO BROKE DOWN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT FUNDS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED BY AGENCIES, VERSUS WHAT HAD BEEN SPENT.

AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE GIVEN THE DEADLINES.

ARE >> WATER AND SEWER AND BROADBAND PROJECTS AS THESE THINGS HIT, YOU KNOW, AS SOON AS YOU CAN GET SOMETHING MOVING IT STARTS MOVING AND THE MONEY FLOWING BUT THERE'S A MAIN WORK PROCESS, THERE'S THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE BOUGHT AND YOU HAVE TO GET THE STUFF IN THE GROUND SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A DELAY THERE.

NOTHING HAS BEEN SPENT SO FAR YOU CAN SEE IN TERMS OF ADMINISTRATIVE COST TO THE AGENCIES, THE HOSPITAL NURSING HOME MONIES ARE ALREADY OUT.

BUT THERE IS WHERE EVERYTHING STANDS AND AGAIN TO CHAIRMAN ALBRITTON'S POINT, TO SENATOR ELLIOT'S POINT THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF THAT HAS TO ACTUALLY BE EXPENDED BETWEEN NOW AND 2026.

WHETHER SOME OF THIS STUFF IN IN THE SMALLER ENTITIES CAN BE FACILITATED IN A TIMELY MATTER AND THAT'S SOMETHING THIS COMMITTEE IS GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO LEAVE ENOUGH TIME TO REALLOCATE MONEY AS NECESSARY >> THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED $330 MILLION DOLLARS OF ARPA MONEY TOWARD BROADBAND INTERNET EXPANSION IN RURAL AREAS.

GIVEN THE TIME CONSTRAINTS, SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON ASKED IF WIRELESS CONNECTIONS BUILT OFF OF THE BROADBAND COULD BE UTILIZED TO HELP RURAL AREAS CONNECT TO THE INTERNET.

>> BECAUSE ALL OF OUR MONEY'S BEING FOCUSED ON IN-GROUND FIBER, AND I KNOW WE NEED TO GET FIBER OFF OF A TOWER TO DO IT BUT TO GET TO SOME OF THESE RURAL AREAS WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THERE STRICTLY BY FIBER.

ARE WE CONSIDERING AS A PRODUCT TO USE WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY?

BECAUSE IT'S GETTING BETTER AND BETTER EVERY DAY.

THE STRENGTH IS GETTING OUT THERE MUCH FURTHER AND LESS CONTACT POINTS.

ARE WE CONSIDERING THAT AS A PART OF THE SOLUTION VERSUS JUST ALL WIRE.

BECAUSE WE USE A LOT OF MONEY IN THE GROUND JUST USING FIBER.

BUT I THINK WE CAN COME OFF OF THAT AND PEEL OFF OF THAT FINER AND DO SOME WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY AND GET TO MORE OF THOSE RURAL COMMUNITIES >> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE CONCERNED -- ALL TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN PROVIDE THE SPEEDS THAT ARE REQUIRED, SO THAT'S -- WE'RE GOING TO NEED ALL OF THE PARTNERS TO GET TO ALL OF THE ADDRESSES >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING OF RURAL ALABAMA, THE STATE IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO THE BLACK BELT.

THERE'S A NEW EFFORT TO DO JUST THAT AND IT'S USING RESOURCES THAT GO BACK MILLIONS OF YEARS.

YES, MILLIONS.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> THIS COULD BE THE LARGEST CLASSROOM IN ALABAMA, ALSO A BIG STATION TRACTION.

THIS IS BRAGS ALABAMA AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS.

THAT IS JACK HEAD OF APT.

HE IS DRIVING A PALEONTOLOGY ACROSS TO BELL AND WE'RE HEADED TO A CREEK BED ON THE CORNWALLIS HOMESTEAD >> MY FIRST THOUGHT WHEN I CAME WAS THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE MUCH TO SEE OR DO >> BUT BELL INSISTED HE TAKE ANOTHER LOOK >> EACH TIME I COME I SEE NEW TREASURE HE, NEW FINDS THAT WE'RE MAKING.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF POTENTIAL HERE TO HAVE CERTAIN PLACES FOR KIDS AND EVEN ADULTS TO COME AND LEARN ABOUT PALEONTOLOGY, TO COME AND LEARN ABOUT THE FOSSILS THAT WERE ALIVE DURING THE TIME OF THE DINOSAUR >> BELL AND HIS FAMILY OWN THIS PROPERTY.

THE GRANDFATHER SAYS HE WAS INSPIRED 0 DO SOMETHING WITH IT AFTER SPENDING TIME WITH HIS CHILDREN, FINDING FOSSILS OF ANIMALS SUCH AS CRABS AND PLANTS, UP TO 60 MILLION YEARS OLD >> AFTER I RETIRED THE SECOND TIME, WHICH WAS THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, I WAS IN A MEETING AND SOMEONE AT THE END OF THE MEETING SAID, HEY, WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN LETTING SCHOOLS COME AND DO FIELD TRIPS?

>> DID YOU KNOW OVER 50 MILLION YEARS AGO IN THIS PART OF ALABAMA IN LOWNDES COUNTY DINOSAURS ACTUALLY ROAMED THIS LAND?

THAT'S A TRUE STATEMENT AND THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE HERE WHO WANT FOLKS TO COME TO THIS AREA TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES AND FIND OUT SOME OTHER INTERESTING DISCOVERIES.

>> BELL SAYS HE WANTS TO HELP RENEW INTEREST IN NATURE >> WE'RE OUTSIDE.

WE'RE IN THE WOODS.

WE'RE ON ONE OF THE LAKES EITHER FISHING OR BUILDING SOMETHING OR LEARNING ABOUT NATURE, FOREST -- ANYTHING THAT CAN TEACH THEM HANDS ON, AND I THOUGHT, YEAH, THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR CHILDREN >> HE SAYS THE IDEA IS TO USE THIS AREA AS A CLASSROOM AND AN ATTRACTION, BRINGING PEOPLE HERE TO SEE AND STUDY HISTORY WITH NATURE.

>> A LIST PROBABLY ALMOST A PAGE LONG FROM PROFESSORS.

I GOT FOUR COMING TWO WEEKS FROM NOW TWO FROM MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA.

I HAVE HAD EVERYTHING FROM THE AUTOBAHN TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CONVERGING HERE ON BIRDS, EVERYTHING FROM WILDLIFE TO THE FISHERIES.

SO WE'RE HOPING TO TURN IT INTO, THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, A PLACE WHERE SCHOOLS CAN COME AND DO TOURS.

AS FAR AS EDUCATION WITH HANDS ON.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> WITH ONE WEEK TO GO UNTIL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON, THINGS WERE GETTING SPIRITED AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

MASCOTS AND STUDENT LEADERS FROM ALL THE STATE'S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES GATHERED WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TO PROMOTE COLLEGE COLORS DAY, WHICH IS SEPTEMBER 1ST.

GORDON STONE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP NOTED THAT UNIVERSITIES MAKE A $20 BILLION DOLLAR IMPACT ON THE STATE.

YOU SEE AUBIE, KAY IVEY, AND T ROY IN THE BACKGROUND FOR USA, AND OF COURSE BIG AL BEING SILLY.

UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO AND AUM'S MASCOT.

I'M PRETTY SURE EVERYONE MADE IT.

YOU HAVE ATHENS STATE THERE.

SO REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR COLLEGE COLORS NEXT WEEK.

WE WILL DO THE SAME HERE AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME IS CONGRATULATIONS MAN JERRY CARL REPRESENTING ALABAMA'S FIRST DISTRICT.

CONGRESSMAN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW >> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU, TODD >> WELL, IT IS AUGUST RECESS.

WHEN MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS GHETTO SPEND EXTENDED TIME BACK HOME VISITINGS WITH CONSTITUENTS AND VISITING THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.

I'M CURIOUS HOW YOU SPENT YOUR AUGUST AND WHERE ALL YOU HAVE BEEN THESE LAST FEW WEEKS >> WE'VE BEEN TO A COUPLE OF GROUND BREAKINGS.

WE HAVE BEEN TO IT THERE SEVERAL TOURS, SOME PLANT TOURS.

WE HAVE MET WITH ABOUT FOUR DIFFERENT HOSPITALS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE NEEDS AND THE FUTURE FOR THE HOSPITALS.

OBVIOUSLY, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND WE MET WITH A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

SO EVERY DAY HAS BEEN PACKED.

EVERY DAY HAS BEEN BUSY.

THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT.

WE EVEN REACHED OVER INTO COVINGTON COUNTY A LITTLE BIT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE OUR -- DEFINITELY GOING TO BE IN OUR NEW DISTRICT, SO WE'VE REACHED OVER THERE A LITTLE BIT AND WENT OVER AND INTRODUCED OURSELVES TO SOME OF THE FOLKS OVER THERE AND KIND OF GET GETTING A FEEL FOR WHAT WE NEED TO DO THERE.

AND IT'S BEEN QUITE BUSY.

I HEARD IT REFERRED TO AS AUGUST VACATION ONE TIME AND CAN I START LAUGHING AND WONDERING WHEN THE VACATION STARTS >> WELL, RECESS MAY BE THE WRONG WAY TO PUT IT.

THAT'S MORE OF A TECHNICAL TERM.

BUT IT'S CERTAINLY A WORK TIME, OR AT LEAST THE SMART MEMBERS OF CONGRESS USE IT AS A WORK TIME BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN YOU GET TO -- SO I'M DO YOU REMEMBER I COULDN'T SAY, TALKING ABOUT VISITING WITH CONSTITUENTS, WHAT FEEDBACK YOU HAVE HEARD.

THAT'S IMPORTANT.

IT'S NOT JUST YOU CAN, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TALKING TO THEM, IT'S THEM TALKING TO YOU AND IMPORTANT FEEDBACK SO I'M WONDERING WHAT FEEDBACK YOU HAVE GOTTEN, WHAT HAS STOOD OUT, MAYBE SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T EXPECT.

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE HEARD ANYTHING THAT I DIDN'T EXPECT.

WE HAVE MET WITH THE FISHING COMMUNITY.

THAT WAS A BIG MEETING YESTERDAY.

WE BROUGHT IN THE SPORTS FISHERMEN.

WE BROUGHT IN THE SCIENTISTS.

WE HAD A REAL GOOD TWO-HOUR ROUNDTABLE SESSION LOOKING AT THE RICE WELL ISSUE IN THE GULF.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SNAPPER ISSUE, AMBERJACK ISSUE, HOW IT EFFECTS THE SPORTING AND THE RECREATIONAL INDUSTRY: I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE RICE WELLS YESTERDAY, AND SO THAT PROBABLY WAS THE MOST SURPRISING THING.

BUT YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THE HOSPITALS, I'M A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT SOME OF THE REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES IN THE RURAL HOSPITALS.

I WAS ACTUALLY WITH THE URBAN HOSPITALS TODAY.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT SITUATION THERE.

BUT MEETING WITH CONSTITUENTS THEMSELVES, YOU KNOW THE BIGGEST ISSUE HAS BEEN THE BORDER ISSUE OBVIOUSLY.

IT'S BEEN THE BIDEN ISSUE.

WHETHER IT'S JOE BIDEN OR HUNTER BIDEN.

THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION THAT WE GET, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO FIX THAT?

AND I REMIND THEM WE WRITE LAWS AND I REMIND THEM THAT WE HAVE JIM JORDAN AND FOLKS WORKING UP THERE TO UNCOVER THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE SEEN SO FAR.

IF THE HOUSE HAD BEEN UNCOVERING THIS IT WOULD NEVER BE TALKED ABOUT.

SO I TRY TO POINT OUT THE PROCESS WE HOPE, YOU KNOW, SHINING SOME LIGHT ON WHAT WE'RE FINDING OUT AND HOPEFULLY THE MEDIA WILL PICK UP ON IT AND START RUNNING WITH IT.

FOLKS ARE WORRIED ABOUT OUR FARMING COMMUNITY, TALKING ABOUT OUR FARM ISSUES.

WE HAVE A FARM BILL COMING UP.

WHAT'S IN THE FARM BILL?

HOW IS THE FARM BILL GOING TO PLAY OUT?

DO WE THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH VOTES ON THE FLOOR?

THE TYPICAL QUESTIONS THAT YOUR FARMING COMMUNITY WOULD WANT ANSWERED.

SO I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN DO ON THAT ISSUE.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN EXPOSED TO THE ENTIRE BILL YET.

WE'VE GOT THE ROUGH OUTLINES OF IT AND I WAS ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THAT >> WELL, SOON YOU WILL RETURN TO WASHINGTON.

AND ONCE YOU GET BACK THERE, THERE'S A PRETTY TALL TASK OF FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT.

WE'RE COMING UP ON THIS FISCAL DEADLINE AT THE END OF THE SEPTEMBER AND IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

AND ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE COMING UP ON IT AGAIN.

>> YOU ARE ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SO YOU'RE A MART OF THIS PROCESS.

IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR A DEAL -- A SPENDING DEAL TO BE MADE BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND OBVIOUSLY THE WHITE HOUSE?

OR ARE WE LOOKING MAYBE AT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN?

>> WELL, THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE WE MADE DO A CR, CONTINUOUS RESOLUTION.

THAT'S NOT PLAYING OUT VERY WELL WITH SOME OF OUR REPUBLICAN FRIENDS.

YOU KNOW I ACTUAL THINK THEY WANT IT SHUT DOWN IN SOME INSTANCES BUT I'M HOLDING OUT AND TRYING TO BE POSITIVE ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE 10 OF THE 12 PRO CREATION PACKAGES PUT TOGETHER AND TWO MORE THAT WE WILL WORK ON WHEN WE GET BACK.

WE WILL GET THOSE PROCESSED AND THEN WE WILL START VOTING ON THEM ONE AT A TIME ON THE FLOOR.

AS YOU WELL KNOW, THE SENATE IS A CRAPSHOOT.

LAST YEAR WE KEPT GETTING CRS TO THEM AND WENT RIGHT UP TO CHRISTMAS EVE AND I GOT REAL CLOSE TO SPENDING CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE ATLANTA AIRPORT, AND I -- YOU KNOW, THEY CALL IT D.C. EVERYBODY THINKS THAT MEANS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUT IN REALITY, I THINK IT'S STANDS FOR DRAMA CENTRAL.

THESE POLITICIANS LOVE THE DRAMA, WAITING FOR THE LAST MINUTE AND TRYING TO GET SOMETHING PUSHED THROUGH BUT I'M MONTH IN THAT I HOPE THIS IS -- GIVING US A LITTLE TIME TO HEAR FROM FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS.

SOMEBODY WANTS IT SHUT DOWN.

WITH A.

WE DON'T NEED THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

WE DON'T NEED SIMPLE THINGS IN OUR LIVES THAT ARE VERY COMPLICATED THINGS AND OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES TO BE SHUT DOWN AND YOU LOOK AT PAYROLLS YOU LOOK AT DISRUPTIONS IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

THAT'S NOT FAIR.

AND WE'RE ALL GROWN ADULTS ON THAT FLOOR.

YOU THINK WE COULD GET TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.

>> WELL, WE WILL SEE.

WE'RE READY FOR IT >> WELL, YEAH BECAUSE YOU KIND OF ELUTED TO IT.

THERE'S STARTING TO BE ALL OF THESE DEMANDS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN A CR AND A CONTINUING RESOLUTION FOR FOLKS TO SUPPORT IT, THE FREEDOM CAUCUS HAD THEIRS THE OTHER DAY AND I'M CURIOUS, IS THIS MORE -- I MEAN EVERY MEMBER IS DIFFERENT; RIGHT?

BUT IS A LOT OF THIS -- AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE SAME FROM THE LEFT ABSOLUTELY.

IS A LOT OF THIS MORE POLITICAL OR IDEOLOGICAL -- BY THAT I MEAN, WE USED TO CALL IT THE VOTENO/HOPE YES CAUCUS, LIKE WE'RE GOING TO VOTE NO AND MAKE A BIG STINK ABOUT IT AND HOPEFULLY GET OUR CABLE NEWS.

BUT WE ACTUALLY REALLY WANT IT TO PASS BECAUSE WE DON'T TRULY WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE -- AND I'M WONDERING IF THAT IS AN ELEMENT AT PLAY HERE OR IF THERE'S A KAY CROSS ELEMENT >> WELL THE CAUCUS UNDERSTANDS WE NEED THE HANDFUL OF VOTES.

THERE'S A SMALL MARGIN AND THEY UNDERSTAND THEY HOLD THAT MARGIN.

AND THEY'VE COME UP WITH GOOD STUFF.

I'LL BE FAIR WITH THEM.

EVERYTHING THAT THEY'VE ASKED TO BE DONE, I DON'T DISAGREE WITH AT ALL.

WE'RE AT A POINT NOW, THOUGH, I THINK WE TRULY NEED TO WORK BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND GET THINGS WORKED OUT AND NOT GET ON THE FLOOR AND ARGUE ABOUT IT.

THAT'S WHERE WE ALL START DIFFERING.

I DISAGREE WITH MY STAFF.

BUT ONCE WE COME OUT OF THAT WORK ROOM AND WE'RE IN FRONT OF CAMERAS AND STUFF, WE'RE ONE.

THAT'S THE WAY WE NEED TO BE ON THIS ONE.

I WOULDN'T BE A BIT SURPRISED TO SEE SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS COME OVER AND VOTE WITH US.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE WORKING THAT THAT WAY BUT I THINK THERE'S ENOUGH REASONABLE-THINKING DEMOCRATS THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET A VIEW TO COME OVER AND SWAY AND WORK WITH US ON TRYING TO GET A PACKAGE THROUGH.

NOBODY WANTS A SHUTDOWN.

EVERYBODY WANTS THE SHOW AND THEY WANT THE PICTURE AND THE DRAMA AND I GET ALL OF THAT.

THAT'S NOT MY PERSONALITY.

NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO DO THAT THE.

>> WE WILL BE WATCHING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

YOU ALLUDED TO THIS EARLIER ABOUT COVINGTON COUNTY THAT IS TO YOUR EAST NOW.

CERTAINLY MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE PART OF THE FIRST DISTRICT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THERE'S STILL NOT FINALITY TO IT.

MIGHT NOT BE FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE OF THREE WEEKS.

BUT HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE WANTING TO PLAN FOR NOT JUST THE NEXT ELECTION BUT POTENTIALLY THE NEXT TERM.

AND HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT THAT, NOT KNOWING HOW FAR YOUR DISTRICT IS GOING TO EXTEND, HOW MUCH OF MOBILITY MAY NOT BE IN IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY THERE.

>> I DON'T WORRY ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE OUT OF MY CONTROL.

THIS ONE IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL.

WE HAD A BRIEF CHANCE TO STATE THE WAY WE WOULD LIKE THE DISTRICTS DRAWN.

WE THE MEMBERS.

THE HOUSE PICKED IT UP.

THEY DID A GREAT JOB IN THE MAP THEY DREW.

I LIKED THAT ONE.

THE SENATE DREW THEIR MAP.

I LIKED BOTH OF THEIR MAPS.

I THINK THEY BOTH MAKE SENSE.

TO ME WHO -- SO NOW IT'S IN THE HANDS OF THE COURT AND, YOU KNOW, THE THREE-PANEL COURT THERE.

SO WE COULD HEAR SOMETHING AS EARLY AS TODAY OR MAYBE EVEN TOMORROW.

I UNDERSTOOD ORIGINALLY THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A DECISION TO US BY THE 2 1ST WHICH I THINK IS FRIDAY.

IT MIGHT HAVE ANY DAYS MIXED UP THERE.

BUT IF THAT'S THE CASE WE WILL GET OUR LINES REDRAWN.

I HOPE IT STAYS THE WAY IT IS.

I KNOW CONGRESSMAN MOORE IS HOPING THE SAME THING BECAUSE THE LAST THING WE WANT, THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED IS A MEMBER ON MEMBER RUNNING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.

THAT'S ANOTHER -- A NO GOOD SITUATION FOR ANYBODY.

HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HONOR THAT.

THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE FACTORS WHEN THEY GO THROUGH THE REDISTRICTING.

HOPEFULLY THE COURTS WILL HONOR THAT AND KEEP THAT IN MIND >> SPEAKING OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, YOU AND ALL FIVE OF YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, ALL TOGETHER ENDORSED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR HIS BID THIS TIME AROUND.

IT WAS THE NIGHT HE WAS IN TOWN FOR THAT BIG SPEECH.

SO SO THERE OBVIOUSLY WAS SOME COORDINATION THERE.

I WAS HOPING THAT WITHDRAW COULD TAKE ME BEHIND THE SCENES.

HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT AS A DELEGATION >> WELL, AS A DELEGATION, YOU KNOW, I THINK I WAS THE LAST MEMBER NOT NECESSARILY TO BUY INTO IT BUT I WAS THE LAST MEMBER I THINK TO ACTUALLY APPROACH AND TALK TO, AND I TALKED TO TRUMP AND I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM VIA PHONE.

AND VERY POSITIVE CONVERSATION WITH SOME OF THE STUFF THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

HIM NOT ONLY DURING THE CAMPAIGN BUT AFTER HE WINS.

I FELT MUCH BETTER WHEN I GOT OFF THE PHONE.

THEY MADE SURE THAT WE WERE THERE WHEN HE LANDED.

WE ROAD IN AS CARAVAN OF A SUBURBANSS AND WE ALL ROAD TOGETHER AND SPENT TIME WITH HIM BEHIND THE SCENES AND WE DID IT FOR A REASON.

AS A REPUBLICAN PARTY, YOU KNOW, WE WERE ALL HOPING TO HAVE A GOOD SOLID RACE.

EVERYBODY LOVES A GOOD RAILS.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE WINNING WHOS ARE AND KNOW YOU HAVE THE WINNING HORSE YOU STILL WANT A GOOD RACE.

NO ONE HAS BROKE OUT SO FAR.

THAT WAS PART OF THE CONVERSATION THE FIVE OR SIX OF US ACTUALLY HAD.

NO ONE HAS BROKE OUT AND NO ONE IS REALLY SHINED SO WE DID WHAT WE DID WITH TRUMP TO SHOW UNITY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE'RE PROUD OF TRUMP.

WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT HE DID WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE AND WE EXPECT HIM TO DO THE SAME OR BETTER WHEN HE GETS IN OFFICE AFTER THAT NEXT ELECTION.

TRUMP IS LIKE -- HE HAS THAT MAGIC LIKE ELVIS PRESLEY.

ELVIS COULD WALK IN A ROOM AND IT WAS JUST LIKE ELECTRICITY.

DONALD TRUMP HAS THAT CHARISMATIC SIDE ABOUT HIM.

I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I GOT TO MONTGOMERY.

I WAS NOT EXPECTING WHAT WE SAW WHEN WE GOT THERE.

WHEN I SAY THAT, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE AND THE EXCITEMENT THAT WAS IN THAT ROOM AND THERE WERE PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE TRYING TO GET A LOOK AT TRUMP.

IT WAS LIKE A ROCKS CONCERT AND HE DID A GREAT JOB.

HE SPOKE SOME THINGS I THINK WE NEED TO HEAR >> YOU MENTIONED THE LEGAL TROUBLE.

THERE'S LEGAL TROUBLES THE MOST RECENT BEING GEORGIA AS YOU MENTIONED, THAT ALSO INVOLVES SEVERAL OF HIS ADVISORS: SHOULD THAT OR ANY OF THE OTHER ONES RESULT IN CONVICTION, WOULD THAT CHANGE YOUR OUT LOOK OR CHANGE YOUR ENDORSEMENT OR YOUR SUPPORT FOR TRUMP?

>> THERE'S LITTLE DOUBT IN MY MIND HE IS GOING TO BE CONNECTED IN NEW YORK AND GEORGIA.

I THINK THEY WILL CONVICT HIM.

IT'S WHEN IT GETS TO THE YOU DON'T REMEMBER IT WILL BE KICKED OUT.

I THINK HIS RIGHTS AS AN INDIVIDUAL IN THIS COUNTRY SUPERSEDES HIM BEING PRESIDENT.

AND STATEMENTS LIKE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS YOU HAVE TO FIND ME SOME MORE VOTES -- I DON'T KNOW OF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE WORLD THAT HAS BEEN BEHIND THAT HASN'T THAT.

THAT'S PRETTY COMMON CONVERSATION.

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO FIND ME MORE VOTES.

IT'S ALMOST A DESPERATE PLEA THAT WE HAVE ALL SAID BEFORE BECAUSE I HAVE OBVIOUSLY BEEN IN A COUPLE OF CAMPAIGNS BEFORE WHERE I HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND >> A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHEN IT'S FROM THE PRESIDENT; RIGHT?

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES >> HE'S STILL A HUMAN BEING, HE'S STILL AN INDIVIDUAL.

HE STILL HAS THE RIGHTS AS YOU AND I DO.

THE WHETHER HE'S PRESIDENT OR NOT.

HE STILL HAS THAT RIGHT.

BUT I THINK SO MUCH OF THIS IS RIDING ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT, AND I THINK AS A COUNTRY IF WE DON'T PUSH BACK ON THIS, I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS THEY WILL START CHIPPING AWAY AT EVERYBODY'S RIGHTS.

THAT'S THE PART THAT REALLY DISTURBS ME THE MOST.

THEY'RE USING TRUMP AS THE WHIPPING TOOL RIGHT NOW.

AND GOD BLESS HIM, I DON'T KNOW HOW HE'S DOING WHAT HE'S DOING.

AND HE AND I HAD THIS CONVERSATION.

BUT IF THEY CAN DO IT TO TRUMP, THEY CAN DO IT TO ANYBODY.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

IT'S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ISSUE TO ME.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT -- BECAUSE WHAT HE SAYS IS WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO HOLD HIM ON OR TRYING TO PROSECUTE HIM ON >> CONGRESSMAN WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING AGAIN AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING WHAT HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON.

>> FANTASTIC.

THANK YOU.

GOD BLESS.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACKS >> JOINING ME NEXT IS JONES FROM THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME >> WELL, I WANT TO GET INTO SOME OF THE WORK YOU'VE BEEN DOING LATELY BUT FIRST I WAS HOPING THAT YOU COULD KIND OF REFRESH OUR AUDIENCE'S MEMORY ABOUT THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION AND ITS ROLE HERE IN THE STATE >> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO AS YOU KNOW, TODD, WOMEN'S FOUNDATION HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL DECADES NOW, ALMOST 30 YEARS.

FOR 27 YEARS NOW WE HAVE BEEN THE STATE'S ONLY PUBLIC WOMEN'S FOUNDATION.

AS YOU MAY RECALL WE STARTED FOCUSED ON THE FIVE COUNTIES IN THE GREATER BIRMINGHAM AREA.

BUT REALLY LEANED INTO UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF WOMEN ACROSS THE STATE AND BECOMING AN ORGANIZATION THAT COULD SERVE AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR WOMEN'S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACROSS THE STATE.

AND SO NOW THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA AND WE REALLY ARE JUST FIGHTING TO DISMANTLE ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO WOMEN FULLY PARTICIPATING IN THE ECONOMY.

>> WELL, I KNOW THAT YOU'RE WRAPPING UP THIS GRANT CYCLE; RIGHT YES >> AND YOU HAVE BEEN MESSAGING ON THIS.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHAT IS GRANT CYCLE AND WHAT IS THE WORK Y'ALL HAVE BEEN DOING?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION ESPECIALLY FOR THIS AUDIENCE THAT I KNOW IS REALLY FAMILIAR WITH OUR POLICY WORK.

SO WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA, WE WORK THROUGH POLICY, PHILANTHROPY AND RESEARCH TO EXPAND RESEARCH FOR WOMEN.

SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT GRANT MAKING WHAT WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND IN COMMUNITIES?

SO OUR POLICY WORK IS OFTEN TAKING PLACE IN THE LEGISLATURE, IN MONTGOMERY, AND WE'RE THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING STATEWIDE AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE LONG-TERM?

BUT OUR WOMEN HAVE SHORT-TERM NEEDS.

THEY HAVE NEED NEEDS THAT HAVE TO BE MET.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE ECONOMY WE'RE REALLY THINKING ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, MORE ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT.

SO OUR GRANTS ARE REALLY OUR OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE, THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING AMAZING WORK ON BEHALF OF WOMEN, AND FIND OUT JUST WHAT IS WORKING.

SO THIS IS WHERE WE OPEN THE DOORS.

WE WILL HAVE OVER 100 APPLICANTS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE TELLING US, THESE ARE THE WEARS THAT WE ARE INFLUENCING AND IMPACTING WOMEN'S CHECK IN OPPORTUNITY.

>> SO HOW WOULD YOU SAY THAT GRANT MAKING?

YOU KIND OF GOT AT IT BUT GRANT MAKING FOLDS INTO THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION ALES OVERALL MISSION >> YEAH.

SO AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO AS A FOUNDATION IS GRANT MAKING.

AND THAT IS REALLY PARTNERING AND COLLABORATING WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND HELPING TO STRENGTHEN AND BUILD CAPACITY FOR THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.

WE HAVE THE GREAT PRIVILEGE AND OPPORTUNITY OF BEING ABLE TO -- AND EVIDENCE OF THE-BACKED PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING WORK THAT'S REALLY -- SO, FOR EXAMPLE, WORKING WITH JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN BIRMINGHAM AND THE PROGRAM HAS NOW GROWN TO INCLUDE OVER 12 COMMUNITY COLLEGES THAT WE WORK WITH, WHERE WE BRING ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT PARTNERS TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT NOT ONLY ARE WOMEN GETTING ACCESS TO THIS TRAINING AND CREDENTIALS IN HIGH DEMAND, HIGH GROWTH CAREERS, BUT THEY HAVE THE SUPPORTS TO ENSURE THEY CAN COMPLETE THOSE CLASSES AND ACTUALLY DO THAT WORK.

THAT MEANS PAYING FOR CHILDCARE.

THAT MEANS ENSURING THAT WOMEN HAVE ACCESS TO FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION COSTS.

ANY SORT OF BARRIERS THAT MIGHT HAVE ARISEN, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNALS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE BARRIERS ARE CANCELLED OUT.

SO OUR GRANT MAKING GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AT SCALE ACROSS THE STATE >> IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

WE TALKED A LOT ON THIS PROGRAM ABOUT BARRIERS TO THE WORKFORCE, AND THEN THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION AND ALL OF THAT AND HOW ALL OF THAT IS PLAYING TOGETHER.

SO I LOVE IT WHEN THINGS ARE COMING TOGETHER AND FOLKS IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS AND ATTACKING THEN.

SO SO YES, I WAS READING ABOUT THE FOUR PILLARS -- I'M SORRY -- THE THREE PILLARS OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

IT'S WOMEN IN WORK, WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP, WOMEN AND WELL BEING.

TALK ABOUT THESE THREE PILLARS AND WHAT THEY MEAN >> FIRST I LOVE IT.

YOU GOT THAT A HUNDRED PERCENT CORRECT.

THOSE ARE -- I'M REALLY EXCITED WHEN I HEAR OTHER PEOPLE REPEAT BACK -- IDENTIFY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE MODELS SO -- NOT JUST A MOM BUT THE MOM AND THE CHILD -- WE'RE REALLY LEANING INTO HOW CAN WE ENSURE THAT WOMEN ARE GIVEN THE STATE TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LEAD.

AND THEN WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WOMEN AND WELL BEING WE'RE SAYING THAT IT TAKES MORE THAN WAGES TO LIVE A FULFILLED LIFE.

THERE WERE EIGHT DIMENSIONS TO WELL BEING.

OUR GRANT MAKING FOCUSES ON THREE OF THOSE -- PHYSICAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND FINANCIAL WELL BEING SO WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE THESE THREE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE TO SAY THESE ARE WHAT WE THINK CAN HELP WOMEN THRIVE IN OUR ECONOMY AND ULTIMATELY THAT HELPS THE STATE OF ALABAMA'S ECONOMY ONLY GROW STRONGER >> A HOLISTIC APPROACH.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

WELL, SPEAKING STATE AND THE ECONOMY, I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU WHAT THE LATEST RESEARCH SHOWS ABOUT COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND ALSO MAYBE SOME CHALLENGES THAT STILL EXIST FOR WOMEN SPECIFICALLY IN THE ECONOMY?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK ABOUT THIS STATE AND THE GROWTH THAT WE HAVE HAD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

I THINK OUR STATE HAS DONE A REALLY GREAT JOB OF ATTRACTING INDUSTRY, AND YET WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT, EVEN WITHIN THIS GROWTH, THERE ARE STILL 80 THOUSAND WOMEN IS THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE MISSING FROM THE WORKFORCE AND SO THAT SPEAKS TO WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS THAT OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION NUMBERS ARE LOWER, BUT BARRIERS SUCH AS ACCESS TO CHILDCARE OR ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, PAID FAMILY LEAVE, OR BEING ABLE TO MAKE A FAMILY SUSTAINING WAGE, THOSE BARRIERS STILL EXIST AND THEY STILL KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE WORKFORCE, PARTICULARLY WOMEN FOR WHOM THE BURDEN OF CAREGIVING IS OFTEN THE STRONGEST.

SO WHEN I THINK ABOUT THAT TODD AND I THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT 75 PERCENT OF THE WOMEN IN ALABAMA ARE THE BREADWINNER, PRIMARY OR PARTIAL BREADWINNER SISTER FOR THEIR FAMILY THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT AND THOSE ARE THE CHALLENGES WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH OUR GRANT PARTNERS AND POLICYMAKERS, LEGISLATORS, AND OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS TO SOLVE >> IT DOES SEEM LIKE THESE ISSUES ARE BEING HIGHLIGHTED MORE THAN EVER, MAYBE POST PANDEMIC.

I KNOW FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME, BUT MAYBE THE PANDEMIC SORT OF BROUGHT IT INTO RELIEF AND IT'S GOOD THAT WE'RE AT LEAST MORE AWARE.

I MEAN STATE LAWMAKERS, YOU KNOW, POLICY MAKERS ARE MORE AWARE OF THESE THINGS SO THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THESE THINGS ON BEHALF OF THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATIONS >> THANK YOU.

THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO DEFINE THE PROBLEM BEFORE WE CAN BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT SOLVING IT.

SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE, THAT'S CORRECT SHARING WITH YOU FOR YOU GIVING US THIS PLATFORM TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION >> LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ZONDRA JONES OF THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT TO DR. SCOTT HARRIS, PUSHING HEALTH OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GOOD TO SEE YOU >> THIS USED TO BE A VERY REGULAR VISIT.

IT'S GOOD NEWS THAT IT'S NOT; RIGHT?

WE'RE NOT IN A PANDEMIC WHERE WE'RE HEAVILY RELYING ON EVERY WORD OF ADVICE BUT IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE SHOW >> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU >> ONE REASON I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON IS TO TALK ABOUT THIS HEAT I KNOW YOU PUT SOME ADVISORIES OUT -- I MEAN IT'S GOT TO BE PRETTY HOT FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO BE SAYING LOOK, TAKE PRECAUTIONS.

WHAT WORRIES YOU THE MOST ABOUT HEAT AND WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW TO PROBABLY THEMSELVES?

>> I'M REALLY GLAD FOR THE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

I'M FROM ALABAMA LIKE YOU ARE AND WE'RE USED TO HOT SUMMERS AND WE THINK IT'S ALWAYS HOT EVERY SUMMER, AND IT IS.

BUT WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING NOW IS REALLY SOMETHING ELSE.

IT MAY BE NOT UNPRECEDENTED BUT WE HAVE HAD A STREAK OF DAYS HERE IN OUR AREA OF THE STATE FOR SEVERAL IN A ROW, MORE THAN A HUNDRED DEGREES, EVEN WHEN IT COMES OFF SUPPOSEDLY AT THE FIRST OF NEXT WEEK IT WILL BE HIGH 90S AND WE'RE NOT USED TO THAT, EVEN WITH LIVING IN ALABAMA.

SO WE WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT, FIRST OF ALL, CHECK ON THOSE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES VERY WELL.

SO IF YOU HAVE OLDER PEOPLE OR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS, MAKE SURE THEY'RE KEEPING COOL.

TRY TO BE INDOORS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE WITH AN AIR CONDITIONER IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

REMEMBER JUST PLANE FANS DON'T COOL YOU WELL WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE IS A HUNDRED DEGREES.

THAT'S HOW A CON VEHICLES OVEN WORKS SO DON'T RELY ON ON A FAN FOR THAT.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO STAY HYDRATED AND AVOID CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL AND JUST DRINK WATER OR DRINKS THAT WILL REHYDRATE YOU IT'S HARD TO STAY COOL WITH THIS HEAT AND ALSO THIS HUMIDITY.

SWEATING IS OUR NATURAL WAY OF COOLING OUR BODIES BUT IF THE SWEAT CAN'T EVAPORATE EASILY WHICH IT CANNOT DO WITH A HIGH HUMIDITY TEE.

SWEATING JUST DEHYDRATING YOU FURTHER AND IT DOES NOT COOL EFFICIENTLY.

SO REMEMBER TO CHECK ON THE PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP.

THAT ALSO APPLIES TO YOUNG KIDS, PARTICULARLY UNDER AGE 2, THEY CAN GIVE OVERHEATED QUICKLY AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THAT THEIR ETHIRSTY AS EASILY.

AND I NEED YOU TO CHECK ON THEM MORE OFTEN.

AND THEN SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT IS YOUR PETS YOU KNOW.

THINK ABOUT YOUR PETS.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE PETS THAT LIVE OUTDOORS.

IT IS NOT REALLY A GOOD TIME TO DO THAT IF YOU HAVE AN OPTION.

SO MANY PEOPLE JUST DON'T HAVE A CHOICE OF COURSE.

THEY WORK OUTDOORS.

WE HAVE KIDS STARTING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES BUT WE REALLY WANT THEM TO LIMIT THEIR TIME IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AND CERTAINLY TRY TO LIMIT TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY WHEN IT'S AS HOSS AS IT IS >> YOU MENTIONED HOW THIS IS RARE; RIGHT?

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DEAL WITH EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

SO PEOPLE MIGHT BE -- THEY MIGHT GO THROUGH A HEAT EPISODE, A HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS AND NOT KNOW IT.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS TO LOOK THE FOR BECAUSE THERE'S DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE HEAT STROKE >> SURE.

ABSOLUTELY ARE IT CAN PROGRESS INTO WHAT WE CALL HEAT EXHAUSTION AND PEOPLE FEEL PROFOUNDLY FATIGUED OR YOU MAY GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU HAVE WEAKNESS AND ARE NOT ABLE TO GET UP YOU TYPICALLY HAVE A LOT OF THIRST AT AT THAT TIME POINT AND YOU CAN GET DIZZY AND IT COULD PRODUCE A HEAT STROKE.

A THE THAT POINT PEOPLE TYPICALLY AREN'T SWEATING ANYMORE.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T EVEN FEEL THIRSTY BUT THEY CAN LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS AND BECOME CONFUSED OR UNCONSCIOUS AS I SAID, AND, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE SEVEN OR EIGHT HUNDRED AMERICANS EVERY YEAR WHO DIE FROM HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES.

AND ALMOST ALL OF THOSE ARE PREVENTABLE, WHICH IS THE REAL TRAGEDY.

BUT IT'S STILL SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS EVEN TODAY IN THIS TIME OF, YOU KNOW, AIR CONDITIONING IN MOST PLACES >> WELL, THANK YOU.

HOPEFULLY THE HEAT SUBSIDES EVENTUALLY BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE THE ADVICE AND BUT THE TO LOOK OUT FOR.

IT'S ALSO TIME FOR SCHOOL; RIGHT?

SCHOOL IS BACK IN.

SEEMS LIKE EVERY PARENT I KNOW OF SCHOOL AGE KIDS HAVE HAD THEM COME BACK WITH SOME KIND OF ILLNESSNESS.

EITHER THEY HAVE, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH IT RIGHT NOW OR THEY'RE GOING TO; RIGHT?

IT'S JUST SORT OF WHAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

BUT WHAT IS SOME ADVICE THAT YOU HAVE FOR PARENTS WITH THE BACK TO SCHOOL TIME, AVOIDING ILLNESS OR MAYBE >> VIRUSES TO CIRCULATE IN THE FALL.

AFTER IT COOLS HOPEFULLY IT WILL COOL.

>> ONE OF THEM GOT BEHIND ON ROUTINE SHOTS.

SOME OF THAT WAS MISINFORMATION ABOUT VACCINES.

>> MAYBE THEY'RE A PEDIATRICIAN ONLY SEEING SICK KIDS AND DOING WELLNESS VISITS FOR A WHILE WHEN THINGS WERE SO DIFFERENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS KIDS GOT BEHIND AND WE'RE SEEING THAT START TO RECOVER.

BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD IS -- ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR PARENTS TO REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE A SICK KID, PLEASE TRY TO KEEP THEM AT HOME.

KEEP THEM AWAY FROM SCHOOL.

THAT'S TOUGH WHEN BOTH PARENTS ARE WORKING AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO GET DAY CARE.

BUT PLEASE DON'T SEND YOUR KID TO SCHOOL IF YOUR CHILD IS SILK.

THE SCHOOL NURSE IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THAT SITUATION AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CALL THE PARENT TO COME PICK THEM UP ANYWAY >> THAT'S WHAT I KEEP HEARING.

THEY'RE OUT SICK AGAIN >> I DON'T THINK PARENTS DO THAT ON PURPOSE BUT SOMETIMES IF THEY DON'T SEEM TOO THICK YOU THINK IT'S OKAY TO SEND THEM.

IF THEY HAVE FEVER WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BE AROUND OTHER KIDS IF IT'S POSSIBLE BECAUSE THAT JUST -- EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT TOO SICK, SOME OTHER KIDS CAN GET SICK >> YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN MESSAGING ON THIS FALL ILLNESS THAT IS GOING AROUND.

RSV.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT RSV IS AND SORT OF WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE ENTERING AS AS A SAID A MINUTE AGO THE FALL RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON.

SO THE FLU IS ALWAYS PART OF THAT.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE FLU MANY TIMES ON THIS SHOW.

WE STILL HAVE COVID OUT THERE, AND UNYES, I DO, THERE ARE NEW VACCINE COMING FOR THAT.

ALSO WE ACTUALLY FINALLY HAVE SOME TOOLS TO ADDRESS A VIRUS THAT IS CALLED RSV.

NOW MANY PARENTS WHO HAD SMALL KIDS HAVE PROBABLY DEALT WITH RSV.

IT'S A RESPIRATORY VIRUS THAT CAN COMPLETELY AFFECT KIDS IN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF LIFE OR SO.

IT CAUSES COUGH AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND WHEEZING AND IF THEY HAVE ASTHMA, IT'S PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM.

KIDS SOMETIMES GET HOSPITALIZED FOR THAT AND HAVE TO BE TREATED WITH POWERFUL MEDICATIONS.

BUT WE ALSO SEE IT SOMETIMES AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM.

WE SEE OLDER PEOPLE MAYBE WHO HAVE CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY LUNG PROBLEMS WHO CAN GET INFECTED WITH RSV AS WELL.

YOU CAN THINK OF IT LIKE WE THINK OF THE FLU.

IT'S NOT THE SAME VIRUS OR DISEASE BUT IT'S TRANSMITTED SIMILARLY AND CAUSES SIMILAR ISSUES.

SO AT THIS TIME OR BY THE END OF THIS YEAR WE'RE HE ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE TWO NEW STRATEGIES AVAILABLE TO US TO TREAT THIS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEW VACCINE FOR SENIORS AGE 65 AND UP THAT WILL HELP PREVENT RSV.

THAT'S SOMETHING SENIORS SHOULD TALK TO THEIR DOCTORS ABOUT AND SEE IF IT'S APPROPRIATE.

AND THERE'S ALSO GOING TO BE A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY PRODUCT THAT IS USED FOR RSV.

A LOT OF US RATHER THESE MONOCLONAL PRODUCTS FROM COVID.

THIS IS THE SAME SORT OF TECHNIQUE BUT A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MEDICATION >> MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT IT SAVED FOLKS LIVES WHEN IT WAS FINALLY DEVELOPED >> ABSOLUTELY.

THE MONOCLONAL FOR RSV WILL BE OFFERED TO KIDS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE WHEN THEY'RE MOST VULNERABLE TO RSV >> YOU MENTIONED COVID COVID.

AND I KEEP HEARING FROM FRIENDS -- MY BROTHER THE OTHER DAY, THAT YOU KNOW, HAD COVID AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S GOING AROUND AGAIN.

IS THAT THE CASE?

I MEAN IS THERE A ANOTHER STRAIN?

IS IT SOMETHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE JUST GOING TO BE GOING THROUGH EVERY YEAR >> I THINK IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE WITH US.

AT THIS POINT IT'S ESTIMATED ABOUT 97 PERCENT OF AMERICANS HAVE ANTIBODIES AGAINST COVID AND IT'S EITHER FROM IN HE INFECTION OR VACCINATION OR BOTH.

THERE ARE NEW STRAINS THAT CONTINUE TO CIRCULATE.

FORTUNATELY THESE STRAINS HAVE NOT BEEN AS SEVERE TO MOST PEOPLE AS SOME OF THE THINGS WE SAW EARLY ON IN THE PANDEMIC.

SO IT IS STILL VERY COMMON.

BUT AGAIN FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ILL, FOR PEOPLE PERHAPS IN NURSING HOMES, FOR EXAMPLE, OR JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SENIORS, IT STILL CAN BE A VERY BIG DEAL.

WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS IN OUR STATE FROM THE END OF JUNE UNTIL NOW THAT IT'S MORE THAN DOUBLED.

WE HAVE OVER 2 HUNDRED PEOPLE IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID AROUND THE STATE.

THAT'S SOMETHING OUR HOSPITALS CAN HANDLE.

IT'S NOT ANYTHING TO BE ALARMED ABOUT.

BUT I THINK IT MAY ALWAYS KIND OF BE THAT WAY.

I THINK WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE THIS WITH US.

>> WELL, IT'S BETTER THAN -- IT'S GOOD THAT WE HAVE VAX SCENES, TREATMENTS AND WE KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT RATHER THAT FIRST SCARY TIME, THE FIRST MONTHS OF COVID.

YOU MENTIONED VAX SCENES AND I WANTED TO GET BACK AROUND TO THIS BECAUSE THE VACCINE -- MAYBE VAX SCENESES, PLURAL, DURING COVID BECAME SO POLITICIZED; RIGHT?

IT BECAME SUCH A POLITICAL FOOTBALL TO THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE SORT OF IDENTIFIED THEIR POLITICS OVER WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE VACCINATED, ALMOST TO THIS DATE IT'S STYLE GOING ON.

I REMEMBER READING THAT THE DOW AND ARGUMENT OVER THESE VAX SCENES LED PEOPLE -- KIDS KIND OF GOT BEHIND AND MAYBE SOME PARENTS STOPPED DOING IT ALL TOGETHER.

HAS THAT HAPPENED?

IS THERE A CONCERN JUST ABOUT IN THE FUTURE, SOME ILLNESS COMES AROUND AND WE HAVE A MIRACLE VACCINE, PEOPLE NOT TAKING IT >> YEAH, IT CERTAINLY IS A CONCERN.

THERE WAS A REAL LOSS OF TRUST, YOU KNOW, BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE PEOPLE THAT THEY NORMALLY COME TO FOR ADVISE ABOUT VACCINE.

AND WE STILL HEAR SOME OF THAT RHETORIC GOING ON NOW.

THE ORIGINALLY COVID VACCINES WERE FDA APPROVED IN SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS FROM WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2021, WHICH IS THE SAME PROCESS THAT WE FOLLOW WITH EVERY VACCINE THAT WE HAVE EVER TAKEN EVER AND YET PEOPLE JUST FAIL TO TRUST IT.

YOU KNOW, AND AND THAT'S STILL AN ISSUE, EVEN NOW WE'RE APPROACHING OUR THIRD GENERATION OF THESE VAX SCENES AND THERE'S MORE SAFETY DATA AVAILABLE ON THE COVID VACCINE THANNEN ANY VACCINE DEVELOPED EVER, AND IT'S AN APPROPRIATE VACCINE IN THE RIGHT PERSON TO SHOW TAKEN AND YET PEOPLE STILL MISTRUST IT.

SO THAT IS UNFORTUNATE.

WE HAVE SEEN PARENTS, AS YOU MENTIONED, WHO JUST MAYBE VACCINATED THEIR OLDER CHILDREN WITHOUT ANY CONCERNS AFTER TALKING TO THEIR PEDIATRICIAN WHO NOW HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND WONDER ABOUT WHETHER THEY SHOULD VACCINATE THEIR YOUNGER KIDS WITH ANYTHING >> LIKE THE NORMAL STUFF, MEASLES AND STUFF >> MEASLES OR TETANUS OR CHICKEN POX AND ALL OF THOSE VACCINES.

THAT'S STARTING TO RECOVERY.

AGAIN THE BEST ADVICE THAT WE HAVE FOR PEOPLE IS PLEASE TALK TO YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, THE PERSON THAT TAKES CARE OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

THEY'RE IN THE BEST POSITION TO GIVE YOU THAT INFORMATION.

IN MOST CASES I DON'T KNOW OF ANY REASON THAT YOU WOULDN'T CONTINUE TO VACCINATE YOUR KIDS THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR 50 YEARS.

BUT CERTAINLY THAT'S A QUESTION FOR YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR.

>> ARE THERE LESSONS FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH APPARATUS AND THE WAY THAT IT WAS MESSAGED, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT SORT OF CONFLICTING INFORMATION SOMETIMES.

I MEAN HINDSIGHT IS 25020 BUT ARE THERE LESSONS LEARNED FROM HOW IT WAS ROLLED OUT.

>> SURE.

I THINK A LOT OF LESSONS.

YOU KNOW IT WAS REALLY CLEAR THAT THE MARRIAGE IN A LOT OF WAYS WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MESSAGE.

IT WAS SUCH A DIVIDED TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC AND PEOPLE WERE REALLY NOT SURE WHO TO TRUST AND THERE WAS A LOT OF CONFLICTING INFORMATION AND HE BECAUSE WE WERE LIVING IN REAL TIME WATCHING SCIENCE EVOLVE WITH THIS DISEASE, THE GUIDANCE CHANGED AND SO PEOPLE HEAR THAT AND THEY MISTRUST AND WONDER, WELL, WERE YOU LYING TO ME LAST WEEK BECAUSE THIS WEEK YOU'RE TELLING ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT YOU CAN EXPECT.

IT MADE IT HARD FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW WHERE TO GET GOOD INFORMATION.

AND ALSO WE KIND OF HAVE THIS SORT OF DEMOCRATIZATION TYPE OF PRESS WHERE EVERYBODY CAN PULL THEIR NEWS FROM WHEREVER THEY WANT TO GET IT FROM.

>> CHOOSE YOUR NEWS.

>> RIGHT.

AND YOU CAN BE IN YOUR OWN BUBBLE AND JUST REINFERENCE WHAT YOU ALREADY THINK.

AND WE HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THROUGH THAT.

WE DIDN'T DO IT THAT WELL, IN A LOT OF WAYS.

I THINK WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO WORK ON BUILDING TRUST FIRST AND THEN IF AND WHEN YOU HAVE AN EPISODE LIKE THIS PEOPLE ARE MORE INCLINED TO LISTEN TO YOU.

>> WELL, IT'S GOOD THAT WE'RE TALKING AIN'T IT IN HINDSIGHT.

THOSE WERE ROUGH YEARS.

DOC WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK ON.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TO DO.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK DAY.

RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACEY.