>> TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE'LL BE JOINED BY BRAND NEW STATE REPRESENTATIVE KENNETH PASCHAL OF PELHAM, WHO THIS WEEK BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE AS A REPUBLICAN IN OVER 150 YEARS.

HE'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THAT >> GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, A VETERAN STATE LAWMAKER AND INFLUENTIAL BUDGET CHAIR WILL BE LEAVING HIS POST TO TAKE A POSITION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE OF TUSCALOOSA WILL BECOME HER NEW STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR ON AUGUST 1ST, UPON THE RETIREMENT OF KELLY BUTLER, WHO IS STEPPING ASIDE BECAUSE OF HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> BILL POOLE WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE ALABAMA HOUSE IN 2010 TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 63, AND IN 2013 WAS NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS - EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE, A LEADERSHIP POST HE HAS HELD FOR EIGHT YEARS.

IN A STATEMENT TODAY, GOVERNOR IVEY SAID POOLE COMMANDS RESPECT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE AND THAT MAKES HIM UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO SERVE AS STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR.

SHE WENT ON TO PRAISE HIS DETAILED FOCUS ON EDUCATION FUNDING, SAYING IT DEMONSTRATES A DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE IN OUR STATE'S BUDGET PROCESS THAT FEW CAN MATCH.

>> REPRESENTATIVE POOLE SAID IN A STATEMENT TODAY THAT HE WAS EXCITED TO ACCEPT HIS NEW ROLE AND EMBRACE A NEW CHALLENGE AND THAT HE WAS GRATEFUL TO THE GOVERNOR FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

HE CALLED HIS SERVICE IN THE HOUSE ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCES OF HIS LIFE.

IN SEPARATE STATEMENTS TODAY, BOTH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED PRAISED POOLE'S SELECTION AS THE NEW STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR.

WHEN POOLE LEAVES HIS HOUSE SEAT ON AUGUST 1ST, GOVERNOR IVEY WILL HAVE TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANCY.

>>> TWO EMPTY LEGISLATIVE SEATS WERE FILLED IN SPECIAL ELECTIONS THIS WEEK, AND ONE OF THEM RESULTED IN HISTORY BEING MADE.

NEW DISTRICT 73 STATE REPRESENTATIVE KENNETH PASCHAL OF PELHAM BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO BE ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE IN OVER 140 YEARS.

PASCHAL DEFEATED DEMOCRAT SHERIDAN BLACK ON TUESDAY AND HE SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HISTORIC MOMENT.

I WILL DEFINITELY EMBRACE THAT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I ALWAYS TRY TO EMBRACE -- DIRECT ATTENTION TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING'S "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH IN 1963.

HE SAID, "I LOOK TO THE DAY WHEN WE WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENTS OF OUR CHARACTER."

I THINK THE VOTERS MADE DR. KING'S DREAM COME TRUE ON TUESDAY NIGHT BY ELECTING ME, NOT BASED ON THE COLOR OF MY SKIN BUT BASED ON MY CHARACTER AND VALUES, WHAT I STAND FOR AND THE PRINCIPLES THAT I STAND FOR WHICH IS GOD AND COUNTRY.

>> KENNETH PASCHAL, WHO IS A MILITARY VETERAN AND A LONGTIME FAMILY RIGHTS ADVOCATE, FILLS THE LEGISLATIVE SEAT THAT WAS VACATED BY MATT FRIDY, WHO LEFT THE POST AFTER BEING ELECTED TO THE STATE COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS.

PASCHAL WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT ASSUMING HIS NEW OFFICE.

>>> MEANTIME, ANOTHER SPECIAL ELECTION THIS WEEK SAW REPUBLICAN FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE APRIL WEAVER OF BRIERFIELD BECOME THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA SENATE.

SHE DEFEATED DEMOCRAT VIRGINIA APPLEBAUM ON TUESDAY IN THE RACE FOR THE DISTRICT 14 SEAT, REPRESENTING PARTS OF SHELBY, BIBB AND CHILTON COUNTIES.

WEAVER WILL BECOME THE ONLY FEMALE REPUBLICAN CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE SENATE.

SHE SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ABOUT THAT DISTINCTION.

>> THAT, FOR ME, IS VERY EXCITING BECAUSE I GET TO BE THE VOICE FOR ALL THE CONSERVATIVE WOMEN IN THE STATE, WHICH IS EXCITED FOR ME.

NOW, DO I THINK I SHOULD HAVE ANY SPECIAL FAVOR BECAUSE I'M A WOMAN, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

TRUST ME, WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE, I DIDN'T GET ANY SPECIAL PRIVILEGE BECAUSE I'M A WOMAN AND I DON'T EXPECT THAT IN THE SENATE BUT I BRING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE DISCUSSED ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A VOICE FOR ALL OF THOSE CONSERVATIVE WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> SENATOR WEAVER, WHO IS A NURSE, PREVIOUSLY SERVED TEN YEARS IN THE STATE HOUSE, WHERE SHE FORMERLY CHAIRED THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

SHE LEFT THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR TO ACCEPT A JOB IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AS A REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

WEAVER, WHO WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST, SUCCEEDS CAM WARD IN HER DISTRICT 14 SENATE SEAT.

HE LEFT THE JOB IN 2020 TO BECOME DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLE.

>>> THE DEBATE OVER CRITICAL RACE THEORY CONTINUES TO GROW HERE IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OUR STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS LOOKING AT A POSSIBLE RESOLUTION TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND IT WAS AGAIN THE SUBJECT OF A LOT OF DISCUSSION AT THIS WEEK'S BOARD MEETING.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> IT'S A HOT TOPIC RIGHT NOW -- >> TRYING TO GET A CLEAR DEFINITION OF WHAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS.

>> CONCERNS ABOUT IMPROVING RACE RELATIONS ARE BEING HEARD AROUND AMERICA AND SOME IDEAS INCLUDE RE-EXAMINING HISTORY AND DEFINING CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

>> CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS THE LEGAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE INHERENTLY RACIST AS FAR AS THEY FUNCTION TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL INEQUALITIES BETWEEN WHITES AND NONWHITES, ESPECIALLY AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

THAT'S THE BEST DEFINITION WE CAN COME UP.

IT'S NOT OUR DEFINITION, BUT FROM THE ENCYCLOPEDIA.

>> SCHOOL SYSTEMS AROUND ALABAMA ARE PREPARING FOR A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR THIS FALL BY RECUPERATING FROM CHANGES DUE TO COVID-19.

NOW A NEW TEST, HOW TO HANDLE THE ISSUE OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY DISCUSSIONS POSSIBLY COMING TO CLASSROOMS.

>> THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD IS LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE FROM MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES.

>> THAT'S WHAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY DOES TEACH.

THAT BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN, OR BECAUSE OF YOUR SEX, YOU HAVE NO HOPE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT.

THIS IS A COUNTRY BUILT ON HOPE.

>> IF WE ESTABLISH AN ENVIRONMENT, A CULTURE WHERE WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED -- NOT TO STIR UP HATE, BUT TO BRING UP RECONCILIATION.

I'VE NEVER SEEN WHERE YOU CAN HAVE RECONCILIATION WITHOUT CONVERSATION.

>> THE BOARD WILL HAVE MORE MEETINGS DISCUSSING CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

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

>> THE ALABAMA BOARD OF EDUCATION IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO BE READY TO VOTE ON A CRITICAL RACE THEORY RESOLUTION NEXT MONTH.

COMING UP ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY, REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER OF DADEVILLE WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT A BILL HE'S PRE-FILED FOR NEXT YEAR THAT PROPOSES EXTENDING RESTRICTIONS SURROUNDING CRITICAL RACE THEORY THROUGHOUT STATE GOVERNMENT, NOT JUST IN THE CLASSROOM.

A SEPARATE BILL PRE-FILED BY REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE OF MOBILE PROPOSES A BAN ON TEACHING THE THEORY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>>> AS ALABAMA CONTINUES TO HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST COVID-19 VACCINATION RATES IN THE COUNTRY, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID THIS WEEK THAT SHE SAW NO NEED FOR A LARGE-SCALE INCENTIVE PLAN TO HELP GET MORE SHOTS IN ARMS.

IN REMARKS DURING A VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM ON WEDNESDAY, IVEY SAID HOW PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES IS THEIR BUSINESS, NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S.

>> I THINK THE BEST THING FOR US TO DO IS TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO USE COMMON SENSE AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES SAFE.

TAKE THE SHOT.

THEY ARE FREE.

THEY ARE SAFE.

THEY WORK.

THE DATA PROVES THEY WORK.

USE YOUR HEAD AND GET A SHOT.

>> DATA FROM THE FEDERAL CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SHOWS THAT JUST 33.4%OF ALABAMA'S POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS.

AND BY SOME MEASURES AT LEAST, WE HAVE NOW FALLEN BEHIND MISSISSIPPI TO RANK AT THE BOTTOM OF STATES FOR OUR VACCINATION RATE.

>> WITH THE RAPID SPREAD OF THE MORE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS DELTA VIRUS VARIANT, ALABAMA'S DAILY CASE COUNTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE SURGING.

IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO, THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES HAS SOMETIMES DOUBLED, AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT MOST OF THEM ARE BELIEVED TO BE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

>> THE PERCENTAGE OF TESTS THAT WE'RE DOING NOW, OUR PERCENT POSITIVITY RATE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT SO MUCH THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF IS AS HIGH AS MARCH OR EARLY APRIL WHEN VACCINES WEREN'T WIDELY AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME.

IT IS AROUND 8% AND LITTLE HIGHER THAN THAT WHEN WE DO THE FINAL CALCULATIONS AND OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE GOING UP, WHICH IS WHAT WE WOULD PREDICT WHEN WE HAVE INCREASED CASES.

>> DR. HARRIS SAYS THE SOLUTION TO THE COVID SURGE IN THE STATE IS SIMPLE: GETTING A LOT MORE SHOTS IN ARMS.

GIVEN THAT OUR VACCINATION RATE IS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY, SOME ARE ASKING WHETHER OUR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN LACKING.

WE ASKED DR. HARRIS IS THERE'S MORE THAT THE STATE COULD DO TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE SPEND ALL OF OUR WAKING HOURS TALKING ABOUT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO.

WE HAVE REALLY TRIED TO GET THE MESSAGING OUT THERE.

WE HAVE TRIED TO GET OTHER PEOPLE TO BE PROXIES FOR US THAT ARE LOCAL OFFICIALS OR LOCAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE TRUSTED VOICES FOR THE COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE DONE ALL TYPE OF CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS AND INCENTIVES TO THE EXTENT THE LAW ALLOWS US TO DO THAT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE DETERMINED NOT TO TAKE THE VACCINE AND IT IS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION >> DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT OUR SURGE IN COVID CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REPORTED TODAY THAT ALABAMA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL TO 3.3% IN JUNE.

THAT'S DOWN FROM 3.4% IN MAY AND FROM 7.7% IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR.

IT'S CONTINUED GOOD NEWS AFTER ALABAMA SAW A PANDEMIC HIGH JOBLESS RATE OF 13.2% IN APRIL OF 2020.

IN A STATEMENT TODAY, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY PRAISED THE NEW NUMBERS AND SAID SHE WAS PROUD THAT 90,000 MORE ALABAMIANS ARE WORKING TODAY THAN LAST YEAR.

IVEY ALSO SAID THAT THE DRASTIC CHANGES WE'VE SEEN SINCE 2020 ARE TRULY REMARKABLE AND ARE A TESTAMENT TO THE DEDICATION AND WORK ETHICS OF STATE RESIDENTS.

>> IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, HELPING THOSE WITH A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND TO GET A JOB.

THE DIFFICULTIES FOR SUCH PEOPLE ARE MANY, AND AT LEAST ONE ALABAMA DISTRICT ATTORNEY WANTS TO REMOVE SOME OF THE HURDLES.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK FOR US TONIGHT.

>> WHEN YOU HEAR THE TERM DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PROSECUTION IS TYPICALLY WHAT COMES TO MIND BUT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY D.A.

'S OFFICE IS SHOWING THEIR SOFTER, GENTLER SIDE BY HELPING THE VERY PEOPLE THEY LOCK UP.

>> MOST PEOPLE THINK OF ME AS DISTRICT ATTORNEY AS YOU ARE THE GUY WHO PUTS PEOPLE IN PRISON.

LISTEN, NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.

YOU COMMIT A VIOLENT CRIME IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, I'LL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO PUT YOU IN PRISON.

>> BUT HE ALSO BELIEVES IN GIVING PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDEEM THEMSELVES.

>> IF YOU ARE A NON-VIOLENT PERSON AND MADE A MISTAKE I WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND.

I WANT TO HELP YOU REACCLIMATE INTO SOCIETY AND GET A JOB BECAUSE THAT'S CRIME PREVENTION.

>> HIS OFFICE HELD A SECOND CHANCE JOB FAIR SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE WITH A CRIMINAL CONVICTION.

>> WOULDN'T IT BE A GREAT THING, NOW THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE A NEED TO MATCH THEM WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT CHANGED THEIR LIVES?

WE ARE PARTNERING THOSE BUSINESSES WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO DESERVE AND NEED A SECOND CHANCE.

>> HE NOTES MORE THAN 250 EXOFFENDERS WHO ATTENDED LEFT WITH JOBS AND INTERVIEWS AND MANY OF THE MORE THAN 20 EMPLOYERS PAY RATES ARE WELL ABOVE THE $7.25 MINIMUM WAGE.

THE JOB FAIR WAS HELD AT MONTGOMERY'S TRUE DIVINE BAPTIST CHURCH BELIEVE IT ALIGNS WITH THEIR MISSION.

>> WE HELP PEOPLE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHERE THEY ARE AND TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TO GET WHERE GOD WANTS THEM TO BE FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> FOUR ACTIVISTS, INCLUDING THE MOTHER OF ALABAMA SENATOR MALIKA SANDERS FORTIER OF SELMA, PLEADED NOT GUILTY TODAY TO MISDEMEANOR CHARGES FOR SPRAY PAINTING MESSAGES ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE STATE CAPITOL LAST YEAR.

FOUR MEMBERS OF THE 'SAVE OURSELVES MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY,' OR SOS, INCLUDING FAYA ROSE TOURE OF SELMA, WERE ACCUSED LAST YEAR OF DEFACING PUBLIC PROPERTY.

THEY ALLEGEDLY SPRAY PAINTED 'BLACK LIVES MATTER' AND 'EXPAND MEDICAID' ON BAINBRIDGE STREET IN MONTGOMERY.

AL.COM REPORTS THE FOUR PLEADED NOT GUILTY TODAY IN MONTGOMERY MUNICIPAL COURT AND THAT A TRIAL WAS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 8TH.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> FORD HENRY LEWIS BORN ON FEBRUARY 5 IN MOBILE, HANK AARON FIRST HONED HIS SKILLS WHILE GROWING UP IN ALABAMA.

HE IS BEST KNOWN FOR BREAKING BABE RUTH'S RECORD OF 714 HOME RUNS AND HITTING 755, A RECORD THAT STOOD FROM '74 TO 2007.

DURING HIS CAREER AARON WAS A MEMBER OF THE MILWAUKEE AND THEN ATLANTA BRAVES FOR 21 SEASONS AND MADE THE NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM EVERY YEAR FROM 1955 TO 1974.

HE WON THREE GOLD GLOVE AWARDS FOR OUTFIELD AND HAS LIFETIME RECORDS FOR MOST RUNS BATTED IN AND MOST EXTRA BASE HITS STILL STAND.

AARON WAS ELECTED TO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN 1982 WITH 97.8% OF THE VOTES CAST.

IN 2002, HE RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM, THE NATION'S HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR.

>>> NEXT UP, REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S TALK ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

IT'S REALLY THE SUBJECT OF A NATIONAL DEBATE RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE NOT ONE BUT TWO PRE-FILED BILLS IN ALABAMA FOR NEXT YEAR.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BILL AND WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER LEGISLATION PREFILED BY OUR COLLEAGUE CHRIS PRINGLE OF MOBILE.

>> CHRIS' DEALS WITH EDUCATION AND MINE DEALS WITH ALL STATE AGENCIES AND PUTS THE ONUS ON THE LABOR DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE THE BILL.

>> WHAT'S YOUR CONCERN?

>> WE ARE TAKING THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 AND DISCARDING IT.

WE HAVE TRYING TO INVENT A PROBLEM WHERE WE NEVER HAD ONE.

YOU MAY HAVE SOME COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE SAY THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING.

I'M TRYING TO SAY THERE IS NOT ONE RACE OR SEX SUPERIOR TO ANOTHER.

THAT'S THE CRUX OF MY BILL.

>> ARE YOU WORRIED SPECIFICALLY ABOUT DIVERSITY TRAINING AND OTHER ASPECTS WHERE CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND STATE AGENCIES ARE CONCERNED?

>> I AM.

IT IS NOT SO MUCH DIVERSITY TRAINING BUT JUST THAT IT IS FAIR AND IT'S DONE PROPORTIONATELY AND PEOPLE ARE NOT PENALIZED FOR HAVING A DIFFERENT VIEW.

>> OF COURSE CRITICAL RACE THEORY HOLDS IN ITS ESSENCE THAT RACISM IS SYSTEMIC IN BOTH OUR INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES.

YOU ARE AFRAID THAT MAY BECOME PART OF THIS DIVERSITY -- >> SURE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY THAT WOULD HONESTLY TELL YOU THEY BELIEVE THAT EITHER.

>> THE OTHER SIDE, AS YOU PUT IT, HAS COME OUT STRONG ABOUT THIS SAYING WE NEED TO EMBRACE DIVERSITY IN IDEAS BUT I HEAR YOU SAYING THAT IS A STEP TOO FAR.

>> EMBRACING DIVERSITY IN IDEAS IS NOT THE ISSUE.

IT IS WHEN WE USE RACE TO PUNISH OTHER PEOPLE IS WHEN IT IS TOO FAR.

>> HAVE YOU APPROACHED ANY STATE AGENCY HEADS ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS IN ADVANCE OF PREFILING?

>> I HAVE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS AND WE WILL HAVE MORE MEETINGS.

THE BILL I GOT WAS PUT TOGETHER BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEGAL MINDS.

WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST APPROACH TO LOOK AT THIS SUBJECT FAIRLY.

>> DO YOU THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE VOTED ON IN THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR?

I SAY THAT BECAUSE SOME HAVE CONTENDED EVEN DEFINING WHAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS DIFFICULT AND THAT MIGHT BE AN OBSTACLE IN THE LONG RUN.

>> IF YOU NOTICE IN MY BILL WE DON'T SAY CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

WE DON'T ATTEMPT TO DEFINE ANYTHING -- DEFINE CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

BUT WHAT WE DO DEFINE IS SOME TERMS.

WE ARE VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT HOW WE WANT THOSE TAUGHT.

WE DON'T PRECLUDE TEACHING ANYTHING, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, TRAINING.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE EXPECT TO TAKE PLACE.

IT IS THE FORMAT, THE CONDITIONS THAT THOSE THINGS TAKE PLACE THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

>> WE SPOKE RECENTLY ABOUT THIS, REPRESENTATIVE AND YOU USED THE TERM GASLIGHTING A LOT.

TELL THE FOLKS AT HOME WHAT YOU MEAN IN RELATION TO THIS.

>> THAT WOULD BE WHEN YOUR CHILD STANDS UP AND I DISAGREE BECAUSE I'M A CERTAIN RACE OR SEX AND THE PERSON SAYS YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT VIEW BECAUSE YOU ARE THE WRONG RACE OR SEX TO HAVE THAT.

YOU MUST BE WRONG BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU WERE BORN.

SO ANY ANSWER YOU GIVE IS INCORRECT.

>> YOU THINK THERE IS A LOT OF SO-CALLED GASLIGHTING GOING ON RIGHT NOW?

>> I CAN'T SAY THERE IS A LOT.

I HAVE CONSTITUENTS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THEIR KIDS AT THE POST-SECONDARY LEVEL THAT HAVE HAD THAT HAPPEN.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT SOMETHING FROM YOUR OWN COLLEGE STUDENT CHILD.

>> RIGHT.

THAT IS PEER PRESSURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE FLOW, TO NOD YOUR HEAD AND SAY IT'S OKAY.

THAT'S EVERYTHING FROM HISTORICAL STATUES TO ATTITUDES ABOUT THINGS THAT YOU SAY, AS WELL AS -- NOW, THERE IS INCLUSION TRAINING AND DIVERSITY TRAINING THAT PRETTY MUCH FOCUSES ON SOME THINGS THAT I REALLY DON'T LIKE.

ONE OF THOSE HAPPEN TO BE POLICE AND DEFUNDING THE POLICE AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WE HAD A CHILD THAT ACTUALLY GOT STOOD UP, ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS.

SHE EXPRESSED HER DISCOMFORT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE CONSTITUENTS THAT CAME TO ME.

>> DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE WALKING A FINE LINE HERE GIVEN THIS IS SUCH A SENSITIVE ISSUE?

>> YES, IT IS A SENSITIVE ISSUE.

I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO APPROACH THIS BILL IN A COMMON SENSE WAY.

I'M NOT GOING TO TELL ANYONE NOT TO TEACH ANYTHING IN AN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S JUST HOW IT IS TAUGHT AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A TWO-WAY DISCOURSE.

ONCE AGAIN, MY BILL -- ONLY DEFINITIONS IN THERE IS THE THINGS WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO EMPLOYEES OR STUDENTS.

>> YOUR BILL GOES BEYOND EDUCATION TO INSTITUTIONS, STATE AGENCIES.

>> YES.

STATE AGENCIES AND PUTS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AGENCY HEAD TO ESTABLISH POLICY FOR HOW WE ARE GOING TO CONDUCT OUR DIVERSITY TRAINING OR OUR INCLUSION TRAINING.

THAT WAY YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE SEEN IN OTHER BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN FLOATING AROUND IS WE WILL FIRE A TEACHER OR FIRE SOMEBODY FOR DOING THIS OR THAT.

MY BILL HOLDS AGENCY HEADS CONTRACTIBLE.

IT INCLUDES CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS, BUT BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS YOU CANNOT -- AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE -- SAY THAT ONE RACE OR SEX IS SUPERIOR TO ANOTHER.

IT GOES ON INTO MORE DETAILS, WHICH ARE THINGS THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY BUT IT IS FAIRLY SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD.

I DON'T THINK IT IS A BIG LEAP OR A BIG STEP TO WANT TO DO THESE THINGS OR TO PUT THEM INTO LAW.

>> SAYING YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE DISSEMINATED THAT ONE RACE IS GREATER THAN ANOTHER.

WE DON'T CURRENTLY DO THAT BUT YOU ARE AFRAID WE WILL DO THAT UNDER CRITICAL RACE THEORY OR HOLDING DEBATES AROUND IT?

>> RIGHT?

>> WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

ARE THEY CONCERNED?

>> THEY ARE.

BECAUSE YOU HEAR SO MUCH ON THE NEWS.

WE STARTED THE BILL THREE MONTHS AGO.

A LOT OF THINGS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE WE STARTED TO WORK ON IT.

I'D LIKE TO KEEP THE EXCITEMENT LEVEL LOW AND LET'S DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR ALABAMA, STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES.

>> DO YOU THINK GIVEN THE DIVISIVE NATURE OF THIS ISSUE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO KEEP THE EXCITEMENT LEVEL LOW?

>> I DO.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO SOME OF MY DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES AND FOR THE MOST PART THERE'S NOTHING -- THERE'S NO HAND GRENADE PINS PULLED.

IT IS GOOD, COMMON SENSE, PRACTICAL LEGISLATION.

>> DID YOU GET ANY INDICATION THAT YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES MAY SUPPORT YOU ON THIS BILL?

>> NOT PUBLICLY.

I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANYTHING DIFFERENT BUT THAT'S THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.

>> HEARING YOU SAY THAT, IT MIGHT BE SURPRISING TO SOME GIVEN THE DIVISIVENESS TO THE ISSUE AT HAND.

>> IT SHOULDN'T BE DIVISIVE.

MY BILL UPHOLDS THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY WE WOULD DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER OF DADEVILLE, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> FORMER BASKETBALL PLAYER AND HALL OF FAMER CHARLES BARKLEY IS ONE OF ALABAMA'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE SPORTS STARS, NICKNAMED THE ROUND MOUND OF REBOUND AND SIR CHARLES IS BELIEVED TO HAVE HAD A REMARKABLE CAREER WITH THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY TIGERS BEFORE EMBARKING ON A CAREER WITH THE NBA.

BARKLEY PLAYED IN THE U.S. BASKETBALL TEAM IN THE '92 AND 96 SUMMER GAMES.

SINCE HIS RETIREMENT IN 2000, HE CARVED OUT A NICHE AS A BASKETBALL ANALYST, AUTHOR AND COMMENTATOR ON POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES.

SINCE 2001, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, THE PHILADELPHIA 76ers AND THE PHOENIX SUNS HAVE RETIRED BARKLEY'S NUMBER 34 JERSEY.

IN 2006, BARKLEY WAS INDUCTED IN THE NATE SMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA SENATE APRIL WEAVER OF BRIERFIELD.

SENATOR WEAVER, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GREAT TO BE BACK.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ELECTED IN A SPECIAL ELECTION THIS WEEK TO SERVE THE CONSTITUENTS OF SENATE DISTRICT 14.

YOU ARE TAKING UP THE VACANCY LEFT BY FORMER SENATOR CAM WARD WHO DEPARTED THE UPPER CHAMBER TO BE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF PARDON AND PAROLES.

QUITE A CONVINCING VICTORY ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

SO I KNOW YOU MUST BE GRATEFUL TO THE FOLKS AT HOME FOR SENDING YOU BACK MONTGOMERY.

>> I'M GRATEFUL TO THE PEOPLE OF SENATE DISTRICT 14 IN BIBB, SHELBY AND CHILTON COUNTY FOR SENDING ME BACK TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

IT HAS BEEN AN EXCITING WEEK, AN EXCITING TUESDAY NIGHT, EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING SWORN IN AGAIN FOR THE NEW STATE SENATOR FOR DISTRICT 14 AND HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD EVER SINCE.

>> YOU CERTAINLY HAVE.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT YOU WENT BACK THROUGH THE ENTIRE DISTRICT AND PICKED UP ALL OF YOUR CAMPAIGN SIGNS.

>> ABSOLUTELY DID.

I PERSONALLY HATE CAMPAIGN LITTER AND PLEDGED TO MY DISTRICT THAT I WOULD PICK MY SIGNS UP QUICKLY AND TAKE CARE OF THEM AND GET DISTRICT 14 BACK TO BEING THE BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT IT IS ALL THE TIME WHEN THERE'S NOT TO MANY CAMPAIGN SIGNS LITTERING THE ROADWAY.

WAS SWORN IN ON WEDNESDAY MORNING AND AFTER THAT WENT AND CHANGED AND GOT SEVERAL TEAMS TOGETHER AND WE COVERED ALL THREE COUNTIES.

WORKED HARD UNTIL DARK ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND UP AGAIN YESTERDAY MORNING, WORKED THROUGH THE NIGHT AND I'M PROUD TO SAY WE HAVE -- I THINK EVERY ONE OF THOSE SIGNS UP AND IN STORAGE.

I HAVE ACTUALLY POSTED ON MY FACEBOOK LAST NIGHT TO ALL OF MY CONSTITUENTS IF WE HAD MISSED A CAMPAIGN SIGN OR ONE THEY SAW ANYWHERE LET ME KNOW OR HELP ME DISPOSE OF IT BECAUSE I CERTAINLY WANT TO BE SURE WE CLEAN THOSE UP QUICKLY AND GET THOSE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> I WANT TO REMIND FOLKS OF YOUR PREVIOUS SERVICE IN THE HOUSE.

YOU SERVED SEVERAL YEARS IN THE HOUSE WHAT YEARS.

>> FIRST IN 2010 AND SERVED UNTIL MAY 2020.

>> AFTER TEN YEARS YOU STEPPED DOWN FROM THE POSITION TO ACCEPT A JOB IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

YOU WERE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND YOU HAVE AN EXTENSIVE HEALTHCARE BACKGROUND.

REMIND FOLKS OF THAT.

>> YES, I DID.

IT WAS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO JOIN THE ADMINISTRATION AS THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

AS A NURSE IT WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME FOR ME.

I WAS THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF REGION FOUR.

I HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OVERSEEING GEORGIA, FLORIDA, ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE SIX FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBES WITHIN THE AREA OF REGION FOUR.

SO, HAD CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DURING MY TIME AT HHS.

SO IT IS ALMOST LIKE I NEVER REALLY QUIT SERVED THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA BECAUSE ALABAMA WAS ONE OF MY STATES WHEN I WAS SERVING A THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND STAYED VERY CLOSE TO THEM AT THAT TIME.

>> IT WAS A JOB YOU ACCEPTED IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AND THERE WAS NO SMALL CHORE.

I'M WONDERING, IN REFLECTION NOW, HOW DID WE DO IN COMING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

I KNOW WE LEARNED A LOT OF VALUABLE LESSONS IN ALABAMA.

>> IT WAS A CHALLENGING TIME FOR EVERYONE.

A LOT TO BE LEARNED DURING SUCH AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME BUT I'M PROUD SO SAY I'M FROM ALABAMA AND I THINK THAT STATE OF ALABAMA, YOU KNOW DID A GREAT JOB.

>> DURING YOUR TEN YEARS IN THE HOUSE, YOU SERVED ON THE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU WERE THE FORMER CHAIRMAN.

I ASSUME HEALTH WILL BE A PRIORITY FOR YOU IN THE SENATE.

>> HEALTH IS WHO I AM.

A NURSE BY TRADE.

SPENT MANY, MANY YEARS OF MY LIFE AS A HOSPITAL LEADER.

SO HEALTH IS WHO I AM AND WHAT I SEE.

AS I CONTINUE TO DO WORK HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE, I THINK THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT YOU WOULD SEE A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS FROM ME THAT YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST.

VERY FOCUSED ON HEALTH-RELATED LEGISLATION, LOOKING AT OUTCOMES TO SEE IF WE ARE GOING TO INVEST STATE DOLLARS IN PROGRAMS AND THINGS THAT SUPPORT THE STATE OF ALABAMA, HOW WE LOOK AT OUTCOMES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REACHING OUR GOALS.

SO DEFINITELY FOCUSED ON THINGS RELATED TO HEALTHCARE AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SERVE IN THAT ROLE.

>> SENATOR, I'M WONDERING WHEN YOU WERE OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM VOTERS ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM RIGHT NOW?

>> IN DISTRICT 14 THE MESSAGE WAS LOUD AND CLEAR TO ME.

THEY ARE VERY INTERESTED IN OUR CONSERVATIVE VALUES BEING PROTECTED AND REPRESENTED IN THE STATEHOUSE.

AS I TALKED TO VOTERS, DISTRICT 14 IS A REALLY CONSERVATIVE AREA AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE VOTES CAST IN THE SPECIAL ELECTION, BOTH IN THE PRIMARY AND IN THE GENERAL.

SO THAT'S WHAT IS TOP OF MIND FOR PEOPLE RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE JUST REALLY INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE THEIR CONSERVATIVE VALUES ARE REPRESENTED.

>> BIBB COUNTY, YOU MENTIONED, IS IN YOUR DISTRICT.

BIBB COUNTY MADE HEADLINES OVER ITS OPPOSITION OF ITS PROPOSAL TO LOCATE A NEW STATE PRISON THERE.

THIS CAME UNDER GOVERNOR IVEY'S FORMER PRIVATE LEASE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN ABANDONED BECAUSE THE FINANCING FELL APART BUT THERE WAS STIFF OPPOSITION, WAS THERE NOT, IN BIBB COUNTY AND I'M SURE YOU HEARD A LOT ABOUT THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ESPECIALLY IN BRIERFIELD, A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE VERY MUCH IN OPPOSITION TO THE SITE THAT WAS CHOSEN IN BIBB COUNTY.

A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS GOING FORWARD.

>> AS A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED TO BE A PART OF A MEETING NEXT WEEK ON PRISONS BECAUSE PRISONS COULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEFORE THE YEAR IS OVER.

>> AS YOU KNOW, TODAY IS MY FIRST DAY IN THE STATEHOUSE.

THIS MORNING, I PARKED IN VISITOR'S PARKING AND NOW I HAVE A PARKING SPACE, AN OFFICE AND KEY AND GETTING THINGS READY.

I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO PRISONS IN THE SPECIAL SESSION YET BUT I'M EXCITED BECAUSE I HAVE RECEIVED AN INVITATION NEXT WEEK AND LOOK FORWARD TO BEING PART OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE WORK GROUPS THAT ARE WORKING IN THAT AREA.

>> SENATOR, DURING YOUR PAST SERVICE AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE, PRISONS WAS NO STRANGE SUBJECT TO YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES.

IT'S BEEN TACKLED NUMEROUS TIMES AND WHILE IT IS NOT ALL THE MOST POPULAR ISSUE TO DISCUSS WE ARE AT A POINT NOW OF CRITICAL MASS SO TO SPEAK.

WE ARE UNDER A FEDERAL LAWSUIT TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN OUR PRISON SYSTEM AND THERE'S A FEELING THAT LEGISLATORS IN GENERAL ARE READY TO DO SOMETHING.

WHEREIN IN THE PAST THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS READY OR WILLING.

DO YOU SENSE THAT EVEN IN THE EARLY GOING?

>> IF WE'RE NOT READY I THINK WE BETTER GET READY QUICKLY.

IT'S TIME THAT WE DO SOMETHING.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS A LONG TIME.

I THINK THE CONSENSUS I FEEL IS THAT IT IS TIME TO MOVE AND TO DO SOMETHING.

>> YOU ALSO FACE THE PROSPECT OF A SPECIAL SESSION THIS FALL ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD NOT GET RESOLVED IN THE REGULAR SESSION OF THIS YEAR.

WHILE REAPPORTIONMENT IS NOT THE MOST SEXY SUBJECT IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE I SERVED ON THE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE AND HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WORKING THROUGH ISSUES RELATED TO THAT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AS WELL.

>> YES, IT'S SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF INPUT AND FROM TALKING TO THE REAPPORTIONMENT CHAIRS FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE IN RECENT WEEKS THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT A LOT OF HEARINGS ARE SCHEDULED AROUND THE STATE, SOME AT OUR COLLEGES BECAUSE THAT INPUT FROM FOLKS IN ALL CORNERS OF THE STATE IS VITAL, IS IT NOT, IN REDRAWING THE DISTRICTS?

>> CERTAINLY.

LAST TIME I WAS HERE WE HAD THE SAME SORT OF MEETINGS AND AGAIN LOOKING FORWARD IN PARTICIPATING IN THOSE AS THEY EVOLVE.

>> THEY ARE CRUCIAL BECAUSE WE ARE COMING UP ON AN ELECTION YEAR AND WE HAVE TO GET IT DONE BEFORE NEXT YEAR.

>> EXACTLY.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, YOU'LL HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND RUN AGAIN FOR YOUR NEW SENATE SEAT BECAUSE YOU ARE FILLING AN UNEXPIRED TERM.

>> CAM'S UNEXPIRED TERM ENDS AS THE '22 CAMPAIGN CYCLE BEGINS.

HAD ELECTION PARTY AND WEDNESDAY MORNING GOT UP WORKING KNOW I HAD AN ELECTION COMING UP AGAIN.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN DISTRICT 14.

>> INDEED.

YOU MAY HAVE TO PUT UP NEW SIGNS AGAIN.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I TOOK THEM DOWN.

I THINK PEOPLE HAVE ELECTION FATIGUE.

I PUT THE SIGNS UP IN JANUARY.

HAD A PRIMARY IN MARCH AND PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE I HAD A GENERAL IN JULY.

PEOPLE WOULD SAY WHY DO YOU HAVE THE SIGNS UP AND I'D SAY IT IS NOT OVER YET.

I HAVE A GENERAL IN JULY.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF SEEING SIGNS AND AS I SAID HAVE CAMPAIGN FATIGUE.

I THINK IT IS TIME THAT I GIVE THEM A BREAK, TOOK THEM DOWN AND I WILL PUT THEM UP AGAIN LATER IN THE YEAR.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, YOU ARE FILLING BIG SHOES.

CAM WARD WAS A VETERAN IN THE SENATE AND INFLUENTIAL SENATOR IN THE AREA OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE WALKING IN BIG SHOES NOW?

>> OF COURSE.

CAM AND I WERE A LEGISLATIVE TEAM IN DISTRICT 14.

WE BOTH REPRESENTED BIBB, SHELBY AND CHILTON COUNTIES AS THEIR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AND MEMBERS OF THEIR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.

HE AND I WORKED REAL CLOSE TOGETHER WHEN HE WAS THERE.

WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE, HE GAVE ME GREAT LEADERSHIP FROM THE SENATE SIDE.

I'M PROUD OF HIM FOR HIS APPOINTMENT.

I KNOW THAT IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR HIM TO BE SERVING.

HE BRINGS A LOT OF EXPERTISE TO THE AREA.

OF COURSE THEY ARE BIG SHOES TO FILL.

I THINK I'M UP TO THE TASK.

WHILE HE BROUGHT THE AREA OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM TO LIGHT AND REALLY PERFORMED VERY WELL IN THAT, I THINK THE AREA WHERE I POTENTIALLY MAY BRING SOME STRENGTH IS IN DEALING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH.

I HOPE TO CONTINUE THOSE DISCUSSIONS IN THOSE AREAS, AS WELL.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, YOU WILL ALSO BE THE ONLY REPUBLICAN WOMAN IN THE SENATE.

DOES THAT BRING ANY SPECIAL MEANING TO YOU?

>> THAT FOR ME IS VERY EXCITING BECAUSE I GET TO BE THE VOICE FOR ALL THE CONSERVATIVE WOMEN IN THE STATE, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING TO ME.

NOW, DO I THINK I SHOULD HAVE ANY SPECIAL FAVOR BECAUSE I'M A WOMAN, ABSOLUTELY NOT AND TRUST ME WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE, I DIDN'T GET ANY SPECIAL PRIVILEGE BECAUSE I'M A WOMAN AND I DON'T EXPECT THAT IN THE SENATE.

I DO BRING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE DISCUSSED ON THE FLOOR AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A VOICE FOR THE CONSERVATIVE WOMEN IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> APRIL WEAVER.

CONGRATULATIONS.

WELCOME BACK TO THE STATEHOUSE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> THE HEISMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY IS THE OLDEST, MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND STATE TEAMS HAVE 0 PRODUCED FIVE WINNERS FOR THE CRIMSON TIDE.

FOR THE AUBURN TIGERS, PAT SULLIVAN AND CAM NEWTON WON IN '71 AND 2010 WHILE BO JACKSON WON IN 1985.

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE, KENNETH PASCHAL IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> DON, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ELECTION THIS WEEK TO FILL THE OPEN HOUSE SEAT FORM EARLY HELD BY MATT FRIDY.

HE DEPARTED TO BECOME A JUSTICE ON THE COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS.

REPRESENTATIVE, YOU MADE HISTORY THIS WEEK AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN REPUBLICAN ELECTED TO THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE IN 150 YEARS.

NOW, FOR TRUE HISTORIANS OF THE LEGISLATURE, I WILL REMIND THEM THAT FORMER REPRESENTATIVE JOHNNY FORD OF TUSKEGEE WAS ELECTED AS A DEMOCRAT BUT SWITCHED TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DURING HIS TENURE.

YOU WERE THE FIRST ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED A LOT ABOUT THIS AND IT IS SIGNIFICANT.

>> IT IS.

WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HISTORIC MOMENT.

I WILL DEFINITELY EMBRACE THAT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I ALWAYS TRY TO EMBRACE, DIRECT PEOPLE'S ATTENTION TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING'S I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH IN 1963 AND HE SAID THAT I LOOK TO THE DAY WHEN WE WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENT OF OUR CHARACTER.

I THINK THE VOTERS IN SHELBY COUNTY DISTRICT 73 MADE DR. KING'S COME TRUE ON TUESDAY NIGHT BY ELECTING ME NOT ON THE COLOR OF MY SKIN BUT ON MY VALUES AND THE PRINCIPLES I RAN ON WHICH IS GOD AND COUNTRY.

>> THAT IS AN IMPORTANT CAVEAT.

YOU SAID IT IS MORE ABOUT YOUR PLATFORM THAN YOUR RACE, RIGHT?

>> YES, DEFINITELY.

>> DO YOU THINK THIS IS THE BEGINNING FOR MORE AFRICAN-AMERICANS MAY BE RUNNING AS A REPUBLICAN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE?

>> WELL, I THINK SO.

I THINK IT SENT A STRONG MESSAGE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS OPEN TO ALL.

IT'S NOT BASED ON THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN.

IT'S BASED ON WE WANT QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND CANDIDATES THAT HAVE CONSERVATIVE VALUES THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STANDS FOR, THE MORAL AND FAMILY VALUES.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR ANY PARTICULAR SKIN COLOR BUT WANT QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, LEADERS AND I THINK TUESDAY NIGHT THE VOTERS OF SHELBY COUNTY SENT A STRONG MESSAGE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS OPEN TO ALL.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS INTO THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I KNOW YOUR SWEARING IN CEREMONY THIS WEEK IN PELHAM WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.

I THINK EVEN BETTER THAN YOU MIGHT HAVE ANTICIPATED, RIGHT?

>> YES.

WE HAD A SWEARING-IN AT NOON AND ANTICIPATED 50 PEOPLE.

WE SAID LET'S MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH BOXED LUNCHES FOR 50 ATTENDEES AND WE MAY HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO 200.

>> REALLY?

>> WHICH IS A BLESSING.

THE ATTENDEES, DIVERSE GROUP, AND STILL TO SEE THE COMMUNITY COMING TO EMBRACE THIS HISTORIC MOMENT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY CAME TO EMBRACE A GOD-FEARING MAN WITH INTEGRITY.

THERE WAS A CONSISTENT MESSAGE THAT RESONATED.

I'M EXCITED AND READY -- I WANT TO GO TO WORK.

>> OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE GOTTEN OUT AND MET A LOT OF VOTER AND MADE SURE THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

BUT LET'S EDUCATE FOLKS OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT THAT DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT YOU.

YOU ARE NOT AN UNFAMILIAR FACE AT THE STATEHOUSE.

YOU HAVE WORKED IN AND AD VACANCY ROLE FOR MANY YEARS FOR FAMILIES AND RETIRED MILITARY.

YOU BRING ALL OF THAT TO THE TABLE.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST POLITICAL OFFICE?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

I TELL PEOPLE, THIS OFFICE WAS NOT ON MY BUCKET LIST.

IT WAS NOT ON MY BUCKET LIST.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SHARED THE LORD PREPPED ME IN THE LAST 11 YEARS.

AS YOU MENTIONED, I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR THE FAMILY RIGHTS, TO RESTORE THE CONCEPT OF KIDS HAVING TWO PARENTS, BUT DURING THAT TIME, LAST 11 YEARS WALKING THE HALLWAYS A THE STATEHOUSE I THINK IT PREPPED ME FOR THE POSITION WHEN THE VACANCY BECAME AVAILABLE.

SO I'M JUST GOING TO EMBRACE THE MOMENT.

I'M EXCITED TO WORK.

I THINK I'M DEFINITELY READY TO GO TO WORK.

I'VE KNOCKED ON THOUSANDS OF DOORS, OUR TEAM, AND I HAVE A CLEAR -- THEY HAVE A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT WE WANT THE PEOPLE -- I WANT TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, NOT FOCUS ON KENNETH PASCHAL AGENDA.

IT IS JUST PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

>> IS IN THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE?

>> YES, IT IS.

I WAS CONSIDERED AN OUTSIDER IN THE RACE.

WE HAD FIVE CANDIDATES IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY AND SO I WAS SORT OF THE OUTSIDER WHICH I DON'T MIND.

I DON'T MIND BEING THE OUTSIDER.

I'M ALSO LABELED AS A HARD WORKER.

AND THAT PAID OFF, BEING A HARD WORKER AND TRYING TO ENGAGE THE PEOPLE.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU SAID YOU WERE CONSIDERED THE OUTSIDER EARLY ON IN THIS RACE.

NOW THAT YOU ARE IN THE RACE, WHAT DO YOU THINK MADE THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOU FROM GOING FROM OUTSIDER TO THE CLEAR WINNER IN THIS RACE?

>> MY PLATFORM.

I'M A 21-YEAR CAREER MILITARY VETERAN.

I'M NOT A POLITICIAN.

MY PLATFORM WAS SIMPLE -- GOD AND COUNTRY.

THE COUNTRY AND OUR CONSTITUTION.

EVERY DOOR I KNOCKED ON THAT RESONATED WITH PEOPLE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH CAREER POLITICIANS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT THEM FIRST.

I MADE SURE I HAD A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT SAID, GOD, COUNTRY, THE INSTITUTIONS AND IF THEY VOTE, ELECT ME, THE THIRD ELEMENT WILL BE THE PEOPLE.

>> YOU WILL GET A CHANCE TO GET YOUR FEET WET FAIRLY SOON.

SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE IS ANTICIPATED, AT LEAST ONE, MAYBE MORE THAN ONE.

SO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING RIGHT TO WORK?

>> YES, I AM EXCITED.

A LOT OF THE HOUSE MEMBERS HAVE REACHED OUT.

I KNOW QUITE A FEW OF OUR MEMBERS AND AT THE SAME TIME I WANT TO MAKE SURE I COME IN AND LISTEN, OBSERVE, AND LEARN.

BUT I DEFINITELY AM EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING SESSION.

>> YOU WILL HAVE TO TURN AROUND PRETTY QUICKLY AND RUN FOR THE OFFICE AGAIN.

YOU ARE FILLING AN UNEXPIRED TERM AS I MENTIONED AT THE OUTSET, THAT OF MATT FRIDY AND THIS OFFICE WILL BE ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR AND THE CAMPAIGN WILL HAVE TO START ANEW AFTER A BRIEF BREAK, RIGHT?

>> YES.

WE GIVE THE TEAM 24 HOURS OFFICE TO CELEBRATE AND BACK TO WORK.

>> JUST 24 HOURS.

>> MAYBE A LITTLE LONGER THAN THAT.

BUT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE STEP BACK AND ENJOY THE SUCCESS WE HAVE HAD BUT LET'S NOT GET TOO COMFORTABLE OR TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

BUT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE MY PRIORITY IS THE PEOPLE IN HOUSE DISTRICT 73.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THAT I'M SERVING THEM, NOT ANY SPECIAL INTERESTS OR SPECIAL PRIORITIES THAT KENNETH PASCHAL HAS.

I WANT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE HOUSE DISTRICT 73 AND HELP TO GROW THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.

>> DO YOU THINK YOUR PASSION FOR FAMILIES AND FAMILIES RIGHTS MAY SPILL OVER INTO YOUR NEW POLITICAL LIFE?

>> FROM THE PARTY STANDPOINT, I HAVE MET WITH MANY OF OUR LEADERS AND ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM IS FAMILY VALUES.

SO IF WE WANT TO REBUILD, WE HAVE TO INCORPORATE THE CONVERSATION OF REBUILDING THE FAMILY ALSO.

>> BRAND NEW DISTRICT 73 STATE REPRESENTATIVE KENNETH PASCHAL OF PELHAM.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VICTORY THIS WEEK.

>> WHY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WELCOME TO THE STATEHOUSE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> HOPE THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST OF MANY VISITS WITH US.

>> YOU BET.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY@APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

♪ OLYMPIAN JESSIE OWENS DOMINATED THE 1936 OLYMPICS WITH FOUR TRACK AND FIELD GOLD MEDALS, 100-METER DASH, 200-METER, LONG JUMP AND 4x100-METER RELAY, DOMINATED TRACK AND FIELD AT A YOUNG AGE.

WHILE IN COLLEGE HE SET THREE WORLD RECORDS AND TIED A FOURTH IN LESS THAN ONE HOUR.

OWENS IS WIDELY REMEMBERED AS THE NATION'S GREATEST OLYMPIAN.

>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST TONIGHT, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

NICE TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> I WISH WE HAD BETTER NEWS TO TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK BUT OUR COVID NUMBERS ARE TRULY GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

WE TALKED PREVIOUSLY ABOUT A POSSIBLE SUMMER SURGE AND IT LOOKS TO BE HERE.

>> I THINK NUMBERS ARE DEFINITELY GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

THE PAST SEVEN DAYS OR SO, THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES EACH DAY HAVE PASSED 400 A DAY.

THEY ARE AROUND 420, 430 CASES A DAY, ABOUT DOUBLE A MONTH AGO.

WE HAVE HAD SOME DAYS WHERE WE REPORTED AS MANY AS 1,000 CASES BUT MOST OR A LOT OF THOSE HAVE BEEN OLDER CASES THAT ARE JUST NOW GETTING REPORTED.

BUT WE ARE HAVING 400 TO 500 CASES A DAY, MUCH HIGHER THAN WE HAVE SEEN.

THE PERCENTAGE OF TESTS NOW, OUR PERCENT POSITIVITY RATE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF IS AS HIGH AS MARCH OR EARLY APRIL WHEN VACCINES WEREN'T WIDELY AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE AT THAT TIME.

IT IS 8% AND LITTLE HIGHER WHEN WE DO THE FINAL CALCULATIONS AND OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE GOING UP WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD PREDICT WHEN WE HAVE INCREASED CASE NUMBERS.

>> MEANTIME, OUR TESTING RATE IS WAY DOWN FROM WHAT IT WAS.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING TESTED IS WAY DOWN.

THE NUMBERS MAY BE WORSE THAN WE KNOW.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE ALWAYS FELT LIKE WE PROBABLY GET THE POSITIVE TEST RESULTS REPORTED TO US BUT KNOW WE DON'T ALWAYS GET THE NEGATIVE RESULTS AND THAT IS MAGNIFIED AS COMPANIES ROLLED OUT QUICK TESTS.

YOU CAN DO AT-HOME TESTS AND WE DON'T EXPECT WE WILL GET MOST OF THOSE REPORTED TO US.

FACILITIES AND HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS ARE USING THESE CARD-BASED ANTIGEN TESTS, LIKE A RAPID TEST OR A HOME PREGNANCY TEST, THEY ARE GREAT BUT NOT GREAT FOR GETTING THE RESULTS TO US.

WE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS WE WOULD LIKE ON THE AMOUNT OF TESTING DONE.

BUT THAT SAID WE ARE SEEING NUMBER OF TESTS GOING UP.

THE NUMBER OF POSITIVES IS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION CLEARLY.

>> ARE WE ASSUMING THE NEW CASES ARE THE DELTA VARIANT?

>> I THINK IT IS LIKELY.

IT'S OUR ASSUMPTION AT THIS POINT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THE GENOMIC SEQUENCES THAT IS NECESSARY TO KNOW THAT.

WE ARE WORKING WITH A NUMBER OF FOLKS IN THE STATE TO DEVELOP THAT CAPACITY AT UAB AND SOUTH ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE AND OUR OWN STATE LAB IN MONTGOMERY.

WE ARE ALL WORKING ON THAT AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY MORE ABOUT THAT SOON.

WE HAVE FOUND THE DELTA VARIANT IN ALL PARTS OF THE STATE, BUT NOT IN LARGE NUMBERS YET AND IN THE AREAS THAT ARE DOING LARGE SEQUENCES THEY ARE FINDING HALF AND IN SOME CASES THREE-QUARTERS ARE THE DELTA VARIANT.

I DON'T THINK IT IS SURPRISING THAT THE VARIANT THAT IS EASIEST TO SPREAD IS THE ONE.

>> ARE WE ASSUMING MOST OF THE NEW CASES ARE AMONG UNVACCINATED.

>> I THINK THAT IS TRUE.

IN TERMS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED, WE DON'T ALWAYS GET THAT INFORMATION REPORTED TO US.

THERE'S SOME INFORMATION THAT WE ARE VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT REPORTING, THE NUMBER -- THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE WHO ARE DYING FROM COVID, EVEN THOUGH THE NUMBERS ARE DOWN COMPARED TO JANUARY, 96 TO 97% OF THEM ARE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEGGED THE QUESTION SINCE WE ARE SEEING THE NUMBERS GO THE WRONG WAY, HAVE WE DONE EVERYTHING WE COULD TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED?

IS IT A TOUGH QUESTION TO ANSWER?

>> THAT'S WHAT WE SPEND ALL OF OUR WAKING HOURS TALKING ABOUT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO.

WE HAVE REALLY TRIED TO GET THE MESSAGING OUT THERE.

WE HAVE TRIED TO GET OTHER PEOPLE TO BE PROXIES FOR US WHO ARE LOCAL OFFICIALS OR LOCAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE TRUSTED VOICES FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES AND DONE CELEBRITY-TYPE ENDORSEMENTS, INCENTIVES TO THE EXTENT THAT ALABAMA LAW ALLOWS US DO THAT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE DETERMINED NOT TO TAKE THE VACCINE AND IT'S REALLY AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.

>> IF THERE IS ANY SILVER LINING TO THE INCREASE IN OUR DAILY CASE COUNTS, IT COULD BE THAT IT COULD INSPIRE SOME WHO HAVE GOTTEN SHOTS TO GET THEM SEEING THE NUMBERS RISE NOW.

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT IS ONE GOOD THING THAT MIGHT POSSIBLY COME OUT OF IT.

WE ARE SEEING THE AVERAGE AGE OF CASES DRIFTING DOWN AND THAT'S BECAUSE YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE VACCINATED.

WE KNOW WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF KIDS, CHILDREN, PEDIATRIC PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED IN THE STATE RECENTLY.

AS OF YESTERDAY, THERE WERE 10 OR 12, SOME NUMBER LIKE THAT, NOT A HUGE NUMBER BUT MORE THAN WE ARE USED TO SEEING.

THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE THAT WE DON'T THINK OF AS A TRADITIONAL COVID PATIENT WHO WITH ARE STARTING TO SEE NOW.

>> WHERE INCENTIVES ARE CONCERNED, GOVERNOR IVEY WAS ASKED IF THE SUPPORTED INCENTIVES TO GET THE VACCINE AND SHE SAID NO.

SHE SAID PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR HEALTH AND THE VACCINE IS WIDELY AVAILABLE.

>> I AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR.

THE VACCINE IS WIDELY AVAILABLE AND PEOPLE DO NEED TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

I DON'T THINK THAT THE STATE HAS A WAY TO INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE.

BUT WE ENCOURAGE BUSINESSES AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO DO THAT.

THIS MANY GROUPS ARE REACHING OUT TO THEIR CONSTITUENCIES AND INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE AND THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

WHATEVER WE CAN DO.

>> YOU MENTIONED PEDIATRIC CASES AND I HEARD A REPORT IN NEIGHBORING MISSISSIPPI WHERE A NUMBER OF CHILDREN WERE IN THE ICU AND AT LEAST ONE CHILD THERE WAS ON A VENTILATOR.

>> I SAW THAT REPORT THIS WEEK.

THERE WAS A STATEMENT FROM THEIR HEALTH OFFICIAL, THOMAS DOBBS WHO I KNOW VERY WELL AND HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CASES THEY WERE SEEING IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION.

THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE CHILDREN ON THE VENTILATOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AT ONE TIME.

I DON'T THINK, UNFORTUNATELY, ANYBODY IS SURPRISED BY THAT.

THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE ARE YOUNGER PEOPLE BECAUSE OLDER PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE VACCINATED.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL SEE.

>> THE EARLIER DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC WE DIDN'T TALK MUCH ABOUT CHILDREN BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF PEDIATRIC VIRUS CASES.

NOW IN THE ERA OF VACCINATIONS, CHILDREN UNDER 12 THERE'S STILL NOT A SHOT FOR THEM.

SO THEY ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISK.

>> THEY ARE AT RISK.

CHILDREN UNDER 12 OVERALL DON'T END TO GET AS SIBLING WHEN THEY GET INFECTED.

SO IN SOME CASES WE UNDERCOUNT THEM BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T GET REALLY SICK THEY MAY NOT BE TESTED.

THERE MAY NOT BE A REASON TO SEE A PHYSICIAN THIS IF THEY ARE NOT THAT SICK.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS FROM COVID, EVEN IN YOUNG, HEALTHY KIDS AND WE WANT TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING INFECTED AND DON'T FORGET THEY ARE IN A SCHOOL BUILDINGS WITH A LOT OF OTHER CHILDREN.

>> FINAL NOTE, WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> THE VACCINE IS OUR FIRST AND FOREMOST AND PRIMARY WAY OF ENDING THIS EPIDEMIC.

THE DELTA VARIANT CAN BE PROTECTED AGAINST THE VACCINES WE HAVE.

THEY ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

I HAVE TAKEN THEM AND MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS AND WE WANT ALABAMIANS TO BE VACCINATED.

>> AND IF YOU DON'T TRUST YOUR WORD, TALK TO SOMEBODY YOU TRUST.

>> TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

THERE MAYBE SOME PEOPLE FOR WHOM THE VACCINE SHOULDN'T BE INDICATED BUT YOUR DOCTOR IS THE BEST PERSON TO ANSWER THAT FOR YOU.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICER HARRIS, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH past episodes of online at video at attended APTV.org.

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Keep up with what is happening with "Capitol Journal."

>> And that's "Capitol Journal" for tonight.

Coming up next Friday night at 7:30, we'll have the latest from the Statehouse.

And our guests are scheduled to include House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter of Rainsville, who'll talk with us about running for Speaker of the House in 2023, following retirement of current Speaker Mac McCutcheon.

Ledbetter will also discuss negotiation over new prison construction and possible special legislative session.

We're also scheduled to be joined by Representative Mary Moore of Birmingham, will talk with us about our prison problems and about a looming special session to redraw district lines ahead of next year's Alabama elections.

And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will be back with us to discuss surging coronavirus cases and hospitalizations and the continued push for more Alabamians to get vaccinated.

For all of us at "Capitol Journal," thanks so much for joining us.

I'm Don Dailey.

Good night.