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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAD A WONDERFUL FOURTH OF JULY, PERHAPS ENJOYING THE PERFORMANCES AND FIREWORKS FROM WASHINGTON ON A CAPITOL FOURTH HERE ON APT.

IT WAS QUITE A SHOW.

>>> A SCARY ACCIDENT THURSDAY FOR ONE STATE SENATOR AND A REMINDER OF THE DANGERS ON THE WATER.

STATE SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER OF CULLMAN WAS INJURED IN A JET SKI CRASH WITH HIS SON.

THE SENATOR SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS AND INTERNAL BLEEDING, CAUSING FIRST RESPONDERS TO AIR LIFT HIM FROM SMITH LAKE TO UAB HOSPITAL IN BIRMINGHAM, WHERE HE IS CURRENTLY IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

SENATOR GUDGER'S WIFE, HEATHER, RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING THE PROGNOSIS FOR RECOVERY IS GOOD.

SHE SAID QUOTE, “FROM THE FIRST RESPONDERS, WHO WERE QUICKLY ON THE SCENE, TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HELICOPTER AIRLIFT UNIT TO THE DOCTORS AND NURSES AT UAB AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO ASSISTED DURING THIS ACCIDENT, WE OFFER OUR DEEPEST THANKS AND RECOGNITION THAT EACH OF THEM KEPT A DIFFICULT SITUATION FROM BEING EVEN WORSE.

TO THOSE ACROSS THE STATE WHO HAVE REACHED OUT AND LIFTED UP OUR FAMILY WITH THEIR PRAYERS OF MENDING AND COMFORT, WE FEEL YOUR SUPPORT AND KNOW THAT GOD HOLDS GARLAN IN HIS HEALING HANDS.” WE HERE AT APT WANT TO OFFER OUR HEARTFELT PRAYERS TO SENATOR GUDGER FOR HIS FULL RECOVERY.

YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK HERE IN STUDIO SOON.

>>> AN ALARMING ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THIS WEEK.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT ERIC MACKEY SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS TARGETED IN A CYBER ATTACK IN JUNE.

THE ATTACK WAS STOPPED BY STATE INTERNET SECURITY WORKERS, BUT NOT BEFORE SOME STUDENT AND TEACHER DATA WAS BREACHED.

MACKEY SAID THE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE SCOPE OF HOW MUCH DATA WAS ACCESSED AND SAID HE COULDN'T COMMENT PUBLICLY ABOUT THE NATURE OF IT ON ADVICE FROM LEGAL COUNSEL.

>> ON JUNE 17TH, OUR INFORMATION SERVICES TEAM INTERRUPTED AN ATTEMPTED HACK ON THE DEPARTMENT.

THEY DID INTERRUPT AND STOP THE HACK, AND THE HACKERS WERE NOT ABLE TO FULLY ACCESS OUR SYSTEM, OR TO LOCK US OUT OF OUR SYSTEM.

HOWEVER, BEFORE OUR INFORMATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALS WERE ABLE TO INTERRUPT AND STOP THE HACK SOME DATA WERE BREACHED, WE BELIEVE, AND WE BEGAN IMMEDIATELY TO MITIGATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU ALL SERVICES HAVE BEEN RESTORED.

>>> MORE DEVELOPMENTS THIS WEEK ON THE LONG LEGAL BATTLES ON THE ISSUE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THREE YEARS AFTER ALABAMA'S MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW WAS ENACTED, PRODUCTS STILL AREN'T AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS.

YET ANOTHER COURT HEARING WAS HELD THIS WEEK.

JEFF SANDERS HAS MORE.

>> IT'S BEEN NEARLY THREE YEARS SINCE THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THE THINK COMPASSION ACT.

THE GOAL WAS TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM AILMENTS SUCH AS CHRONIC PAIN, CANCER RELATED SYMPTOMS, PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND MORE.

HOWEVER, CONSTANT LEGAL BATTLES OVER THE LICENSING PROCESS BY THE ALABAMA COMMISSION HAS HELD UP MEDICAL CANNABIS FROM GETTING INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEED IT.

>> FRANKLY, THAT'S WHY THE PROCESS HAS TAKEN SO LONG.

>> THIS ATTORNEY REPRESENTS ALABAMA ALWAYS.

HE BLAMES THE AMCC FOR DELAYING MEDICAL CANNABIS, NOT THE COMPANIES SUING THEM.

>> THE COMMISSION HAS NEVER FOLLOWED THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT, EVER.

WHAT I HEARD IN THERE TODAY WAS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW IT GOING FORWARD.

AT THE END OF THE DAY -- PEOPLE WILL BE COMPLAINING THEY DIDN'T GET DUE PROCESS AND THAT WILL DELAY IT FURTHER.

ALABAMA ALWAYS IS AMONG 30 COMPANIES THAT APPLIED FOR AN INTEGRATIVE LICENSE.

THEY CAN CULTIVATE, TRANSPORT AND DISPENSE MEDICAL CANNABIS.

HOWEVER, BY LAW ONLY FIVE COMPANIES CAN RECEIVE A LICENSE.

ATTORNEYS FOR ALABAMA ALWAYS AND SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES DENIED A LICENSE WENT BEFORE THE JUDGE JAMES ANDERSON.

DURING THE HEARING, ANDERSON SAID HE WOULD DENY THE MOTION TO DISMISS THE NEW CASE IN THE LITIGATION BUT HE ASKED SUPPORTS TO PROPOSE AN ORDER THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS ON LICENSES WITHOUT ALTOGETHER HALTING THE PROCESS OF GETTING PRODUCTS TO MARKET.

>> IF I THINK SO AND SO WHO GOT A LICENSE DIDN'T QUALIFY TO GET A LICENSE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO POINT IT OUT.

GO TO A HEARING WITH THEM AND CHALLENGE THEM AND MAKE THEM PUT UP OR SHUT UP ABOUT CAN THEY SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT.

>> BY THE END OF THE 2 1/2 HOUR HEARING, ANDERSON INDICATED HE WOULD ISSUE A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST THE AMCC.

REPORTING FROM MONTGOMERY, I'M JEFF SANDERS FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>>> OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, LAWMAKERS HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE HAVE ENACTED LAWS SEEKING TO PROTECT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN WHAT CAN BE A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL LANDSCAPE, ESPECIALLY WHEN DEADLY DRUGS ARE INVOLVED.

RANDY SCOTT REPORTS PART TWO OF HIS FOCUS ON FENTANYL.

>> I PUT THE UNIFORM ON EVERY DAY I COME TO WORK AND LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

>> MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF CAMPBELL NEARLY LOST HIS LIFE DOING WHAT HE LOVES, KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND FIGHTING CRIME.

IT WAS APRIL 16, 2022, WHILE CONDUCTING A TRAFFIC STOP HE WAS EXPOSED TO THE DRUG FENTANYL.

>> BECAUSE WITH THAT FENTANYL OR OPIOID OVERDOSE THE ONLY THING THAT CAN REDUCE THAT IS NARCAN OR NALOXONE AND IT ONLY REVERSES THE AFFECTS OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

WE AT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ALL CARRY THAT IN OUR VEHICLES.

>> DEPUTY CAMPBELL SAID IT IS THEIR DUTY TO PROTECT FELLOW DEPUTIES AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON THE JOB.

FELLOW DEPUTIES WERE THERE TO SAVE HIS LIFE.

>> WE GO THROUGH RIGOROUS TRAININGS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT OURSELVES AND OUR OTHER BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN BLUE, AS WE SAY, MAKE IT HOME SAFE, TOO.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SAFE AND PRESERVE LIFE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT BROTHER OR SISTER IS TOP PRIORITY.

>> HE ADDS BECAUSE OPIOIDS ARE NOW FOUND IN THE COMMUNITY, IT'S TAKING A BIGGER EFFORT AND A BIGGER TEAM TO FIGHT THIS PROBLEM.

>> YOU SEE ANY KIND OF ACTIVITY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, OUT IN THE PUBLIC, IN GENERAL, THAT WOULD ALERT YOU TO THINK THERE IS SOME KIND OF NARCOTICS ACTIVITY GOING ON, ALERT YOUR AUTHORITIES.

ALERT YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

>> DEPUTY CAMPBELL SAID MORE STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO FENTANYL, TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT FENTANYL, THE LAWS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF SOMEONE IS CAUGHT WITH THAT THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE FIXING TO PAY THE CONSEQUENCE FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

>> ALSO, JOINING IN THIS FIGHT, STATE LEADERS FROM MONTGOMERY.

>> I THINK THAT OUR LEGISLATORS AND OUR LAWMAKERS HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB RECENTLY IN DOING, IN IMPLEMENTING THOSE THINGS TO PROTECT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS BECAUSE WHEN THOSE PEOPLE GET CAUGHT WITH THE FENTANYL OR THE DANGEROUS DRUGS, I MEAN, THEY GO AWAY FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

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

>> SPEAKING OF FENTANYL, THE FIRST CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED UNDER A NEW ALABAMA LAW CRACKING DOWN ON FENTANYL TRAFFICKING.

THE BALDWIN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ON MONDAY CHARGED FOUR PEOPLE WITH MANSLAUGHTER AFTER A YOUNG WOMAN DIED LAST WEEKEND IN FENTANYL OVERDOSE IN ORANGE BEACH.

THEY'LL BE AMONG THE FIRST TO FACE PROSECUTION UNDER LAW THAT CARVES OUT A SPECIFIC MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE FOR THOSE WHO SELL OR DISTRIBUTE FENTANYL THAT LEADS TO AN OVERDOSE DEATH.

THE SUSPECTS ARE 22-YEAR-OLD MADISON LEE HAYEK FROM SILVERHILL, 25-YEAR-OLD MALIA AUTUMN DECAUTUR FROM SPANISH FORT, 27-YEAR-OLD GERALD LEE ANDERSON III FROM SPANISH FORT, AND 32-YEAR-OLD ROSHELL MICHAEL BENSON FROM BREWTON.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE SAID INVESTIGATORS UNCOVERED ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE DECEASED AND THE DRUG DEALERS SHOWING THEIR INVOLVEMENT.

THE TWO LAWMAKERS WHO LED THE EFFORT FOR THE MANSLAUGHTER LAW, STATE REPRESENTATIVES CHRIS PRINGLE AND MATT SIMPSON, SAID IT WAS A SAD SITUATION BUT HOPEFULLY JUSTICE CAN BE SERVED.

>>> ON A MORE HOPEFUL NOTE THIS JULY FOURTH WEEK, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY RELEASED AN INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE TO ALABAMA.

IN IT, SHE SAID IMPROVING EDUCATION AND TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY IS THE BEST WAY TO PRESERVE IT.

>> 248 YEARS AGO, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS DECLARED OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM BRITISH RULE, LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR A NATION BUILT UPON THE GREAT AMERICAN DREAM.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN OUR PATRIOTIC IDEALS GOES BEYOND OUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR THE ARMED FORCES.

IT EXTENDS TO HOW WE EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN AND PREPARE THEM TO BE INFORMED, ENGAGED CITIZENS.

THAT BEGINS WITH US REMINDING OUR STUDENTS HOW GREAT OUR COUNTRY IS.

THOMAS JEFFERSON SAID IT BEST, THE CORNER STONE OF DEMOCRACY RESTS ON EDUCATED ELECTORATE.

IN ORDER TO PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRACY, PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS WITH A PROPER EDUCATION IS KEY.

WE MUST TEACH OUR STUDENTS ABOUT OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

THE BRAVERY OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS AND THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOMS AND THE PRINCIPALS THAT DEFINE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESSES.

THIS IS HOW WE EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION TO UPHOLD THE TORCH OF FREEDOM AND BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

WE ARE THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE AND THE GREATEST NATION ON THIS EARTH.

NEVER FORGET THAT.

>> COMING UP IN OUR INTERVIEW PORTION OF THE SHOW, I'LL BE TALKING WITH FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE ABOUT THE LATEST REVENUE NUMBERS, THE HEALTH SCIENCES HIGH SCHOOL IN DEMOPOLIS AND THE LATEST WITH INNOVATE ALABAMA.

ALSO JOINING ME IS CYGNAL POLLSTER JOHN ROGERS TO GO OVER SOME OF THEIR POST-DEBATE POLL NUMBERS.

SOME REALLY INTERESTING DATA.

AND SOMETHING FUN FOR THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEK: ALAN MILLER OF THE AMERICAN VILLAGE IN MONTEVALLO IS IN STUDIO ALONGSIDE A SPECIAL GUEST - THE SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, JOHN ADAMS.

WE'LL GET HIS THOUGHTS ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND MORE.

STAY WITH US.

>> 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."

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS BILL POOLE, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO HAVE YOU ON, FOR MANY REASONS, WE'LL GET TO ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE INVOLVED IN, BUT TODAY, THIS WEEK, WE REPORTED ON UPDATED REVENUE NUMBERS FOR THE STATE COFFERS.

WE DO THIS MONTHLY SEEING THE REVENUE NUMBERS COMING IN AND LOOKED POSITIVE.

OF COURSE, WE ARE COMING OFF THE SUGAR HIGH OF COVID FUNDS AND THAT KIND OF THING BUT LOOKED RELATIVELY STABLE AND A LITTLE BIT OF GROWTH.

>> IT IS AND WE HAVE BEEN MONITORING REVENUES CLOSELY, OF COURSE.

THAT IS ONE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND DEREK'S OFFICE.

WE ARE APPROACHING THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

WE HAVE HAD A POSITIVE FISCAL YEAR TO DATE AND SAW POSITIVE NUMBERS FOR THE PRIOR MONTH.

THERE ARE TIMING ANOMALIES THAT CAN CAUSE SPIKES BASED ON WHERE THE REVENUES ARE COMING IN OR REFUNDS GOING OUT AND A LOT OF MOVING PARTS BUT WE ARE VERY PLEASED AS IT RELATES TO THE REVENUE IN BOTH BUDGETS RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE COMING OFF THE SPIKES AND HISTORIC HIGHS GENERATED BY THE PANDEMIC AND THE RELIEF AND STIMULUS AND THOSE THINGS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THAT, BUT WE REMAIN STABLE IN THE STATE.

WE ARE FORTUNATE IN THAT REGARD.

>> SPEAKING OF THOSE COVID FUNDS, FROM THE BEGINNING, STARTING WITH CARES ACT AND IN TO ARPA, YOU HAD THIS REFRAIN OF WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

WE CANNOT JUST SPEND ALL OF THIS, ESPECIALLY NOT CREATE NEW PROGRAMS THAT WOULD BE BUDGET LINE ITEMS.

ARE YOU SATISFIED BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, YOUR WORK IN FINANCE AND LEGISLATURE THAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED?

>> I AM.

SIGNIFICANT CREDIT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN FOR BEING DISCIPLINED DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

REALLY GOING BACK A SPAN OF TIME THERE'S BEEN SIGNIFICANT DISCIPLINE IN TERMS OF MANAGING THE BUDGET, MAKING WISE INVESTMENTS AND PAYING DOWN DEBT.

I THINK MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE THROUGH THE RELIEF AND THE ARPA FUNDS AND RESULTING BUDGETS HAS BEEN CHALLENGING AT TIMES BUT I THINK THE STATE WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION GOING FORWARD AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT.

FOR INSTANCE, THE ARPA FUNDS, CONTINUE TO INVESTING SUBSTANTIAL DOLLARS IN TO WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE, BROADBAND PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE.

WE HAVE SEEN THE STATE LEAP FROM APPROXIMATELY 48TH IN THE COUNTRY AS IT RELATES TO BROADBAND COVERAGE TO THE MID-20S.

THOSE PROJECTS ARE NOT FULLY IMPLEMENTED YET.

I THINK WE'LL SEE THE NUMBER CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.

THAT'S BENEFITING THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I THINK IT PUTS THE STATE ON A SOLID TRAJECTORY FROM A FISCAL AND ECONOMIC STANDPOINT, HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, SEEING POSITIVE EDUCATION SIGNALS AS IT RELATES TO THIRD GRADE READING AND MATH SCORES.

HERE AGAIN, WORKING HARD, HAVE BEEN FOR A WHILE, HOPEFULLY SEEING THE FRUITS OF THE LABOR AND MAKING WISE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE SUSTAINABLE INTO THE FUTURE.

>> RECORD REPORTED ON THE LOWNDES COUNTY WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS.

GOOD TO SEE THE ACTUAL FRUIT.

LIKE YOU SAID.

ONE THING TO PASS A BILL AND PUT IT INTO A BUDGET BUT WHEN YOU SEE THE INVESTMENT GOING INTO THE GROUND IT HAS TO BE GRATIFYING.

>> IT IS.

>> SPEAKING OF BUDGETS WE'RE IN THE SO CALLED LEGISLATIVE OFF SEASON BUT OF COURSE YOU WORK ALL YEAR ROUND.

AS YOU MENTIONED, APPROACHING THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

IS NOW ABOUT THE TIME YOU ARE ALSO CONSIDERING CRAFTING THE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

HOW'S THE PROCESS WORK?

>> YOU ARE ALWAYS THINKING.

YOU ARE IMPLEMENTING, MONITORING AND FORECASTING.

ALL SIMULTANEOUSLY.

WE ARE PRESENTLY IN FISCAL YEAR 2024.

WE'LL BEGIN 2025 ON OCTOBER 21ST AND ALREADY THINKING OF FISCAL BUDGET FY26.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE THREE TIMELINES OCCURRING AT ONCE.

WE MONITOR, FORECAST AND THINK AHEAD.

THIS FISCAL YEAR WE END AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

MY OFFICE IS FIELDING REQUESTS AND MEETING WITH AGENCIES ON A PRELIMINARY BASIS.

WE'RE NOT THIS FULL SWING YET ON THE BUDGET DRAFTING PROCESS BUT CERTAINLY A LOT OF THE WORK THAT LEADS UP TO -- WE WILL MEET WITH EVERY SINGLE AGENCY, DOZENS AND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF MEETINGS TO HEAR THEIR NEEDS AND CONCERNS, WHAT PROGRAMS ARE EXPIRING THAT WE CAN PULL BACK, WHAT INVESTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE, WHICH ARE RECURRING AND WHICH ARE ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS.

A LOT OF COMPLEXITIES AND HARD WORK THAT GOES INTO THE PROCESS.

IT IS A CONSTANT WORK ALL THROUGHOUT THE CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR AND WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT RIGHT NOW.

>> INTERESTING.

SWITCHING GEARS.

WE WERE BOTH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. LAST WEEK.

I WAS GIVEN A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

YOU GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE HEALTHCARE HIGH SCHOOL, ALABAMA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES.

SOMETIMES WE GET CAUGHT UP IN PASS/FAIL.

THIS BUDGET OR THIS BILL PASSES, BUT I WAS INTRIGUED BY YOUR PRESENTATION BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO ME THERE'S A LOT MORE DEPTH TO THIS HEALTHCARE HIGH SCHOOL THAN I HAD REALLY APPRECIATED.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT.

MAYBE THE OVERALL VISION.

>> THE HEALTH HIGH SCHOOL IS REALLY NOT A NEW MODEL IN ALABAMA IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE.

WE HAD THREE SPECIALTY RESIDENTIAL HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE STATE AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL ASSETS FOR THE STATE.

WHAT WE KNOW IN ALABAMA IS WE HAVE AN ACUTE SHORTAGE ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE, DOCTORS TO THE ADMINISTRATORS TO WORKERS, TECHNICIANS, NURSES.

YOU NAME IT WE HAVE VERY ACUTE SHORTAGES.

THOSE SHORTAGES ARE MOST ACUTE IN RURAL ALABAMA.

RECOGNIZING THAT, WITH THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP, REALLY BEGAN TO THINK THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO, WHAT CAN WE DO TO MOVE THE NEEDLE AS IT RELATES TO CARE WORKFORCE.

WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE FINANCIAL STRUGGLES.

THOSE ARE REAL AND EXIST BUT THEY ALSO STRUGGLE ENORMOUSLY TO FIND QUALIFIED STAFF TO WORK IN THOSE HEALTHCARE SETTINGS.

WE, LIKE MANY STATES, HAVE AN ACUTE SHORTAGE.

WE TALKED TO PARTNERS AND HOSPITALS AND OUR LARGE HEALTH SYSTEMS, UAB, USA, HUNTSVILLE AND THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT CAN WE DO TO CREATE A WORKFORCE PIPELINE?

THE ISSUE IS MULTIFACETED BUT ONE THING WE LANDED ON IS HOW ABOUT A SPECIALTY HEALTHCARE HIGH SCHOOL LOCATED IN A RURAL AREA THAT CAN PARTNER AND LOCATE ADJACENT TO A RURAL HOSPITAL SO THEY HAVE -- STUDENTS HAVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE DURING THEIR CURRICULUM AND THEIR TIME.

GRADUATE THOSE STUDENTS.

PARTNER WITH A TWO-YEAR SYSTEM AND HAVE CREDENTIALING OPPORTUNITIES AND GRADUATE THEM SO THEY CAN GO BACK TO THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE.

DURING THOSE HIGH SCHOOL RESIDENCIES IN THE HEALTHCARE HIGH SCHOOL, THEY WILL HAVE THE SUMMERTIME OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK AND INTERN WITH THE HOSPITALS BACK IN THEIR AREAS.

SO YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION IN A RURAL SETTING FOCUSED ON HEALTHCARE ORIENTED PROFESSIONS WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN A RURAL HOSPITAL.

SO YOU REALLY PUT A LOT OF INGREDIENTS TOGETHER TO CREATE A WORKFORCE PIPELINE THAT WILL GO BACK TO RURAL AREAS.

NOW, SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS WILL GO ON AND SEEK HIGHER DEGREES, WHETHER IN NURSING OR GO ON TO BE PHYSICIANS BUT THE REAL FOCUS, IN ANY JUDGMENT AT LEAST, IS TO GIVE RURAL KIDS, SOME WHO DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SCHOOL CHOICE.

WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE RECENTLY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF RURAL DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE SCHOOL CHOICE AROUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

ALL OVER THE STATE.

GIVE THOSE KIDS A CHOICE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO A WORLD-CLASS SETTING IN A RURAL AREA AND RECEIVE A SPECIALIZED EDUCATION.

SO, IT'S BEEN A PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNOR.

SHE'S BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

WE'RE EXTREMELY PLEASED THE LEGISLATURE CHOSE TO AUTHORIZE AND FUND -- THEY HAVE RAISED ALMOST $30 MILLION EXTERNALLY.

I THINK THOSE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO CONTINUE.

I THINK IF YOU STEP BACK AND LOOK AT IT, IT IS A PROPOSAL THAT HAS ENORMOUS DEPTH OF CONCEPT.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF WORK ON CURRICULUM.

A LOT OF FEASIBILITY STUDIES, BUT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALABAMA NOT ONLY THE ADDRESS A CHALLENGE WE HAVE IN RURAL ALABAMA, WHETHER IT IS HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES, BUT TO BE A NATIONAL MODEL IN MANY RESPECTS.

I THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STATE AND A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL KIDS WHO WANT TO HAVE CHOICES.

RURAL KIDS WHO WANT TO HAVE GOOD, POSITIVE CAREERS IN THEIR RURAL SETTINGS.

THOSE HEALTHCARE JOBS ARE GOOD JOBS.

THEY PAY WELL AND PROVIDE GOOD BENEFITS AND IN SOME RURAL AREAS OF ALABAMA THAT IS RARE OR UNIQUE.

CRITERIA CREATING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES BENEFITS EVERYONE IN THE STATE.

VIRTUALLY EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE STATE IS SUPPORTING THE EFFORT AND SIGNED ON TO ACCEPT INTERNS.

WE WILL LEAN ON THOSE HOSPITALS TO RECRUIT STUDENTS.

HOSPITALS THAT EMPLOY NURSES AND DOCTORS MAY HAVE STUDENTS INTERESTED.

I THINK IT IS ONE OF, AS YOU THINK OF GOVERNOR IVEY AND THIS LEGISLATURE AND THE INVESTMENTS IT CAN BE TRANSFORMATIVE AND EVERYONE IN ALABAMA SHOULD BE EXCITED AND COMMITTED TO SUCCESS.

>> HOW'S THE FEEDBACK FROM THE DELEGATION AS YOU EXPLAINED THIS VISION IN WASHINGTON?

>> IT WAS POSITIVE.

EVERY MEMBER OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT KNOWS WE ARE STRUGGLING AS IT RELATES TO HEALTHCARE IN ALABAMA AND PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS.

EACH MEMBER OF THE DELEGATION REPRESENTS RURAL AREAS AND HAS RURAL HOSPITALS AND CITIZENS THEY ARE HEARING FROM.

VERY POSITIVE.

I THINK FOLKS WANT TO LEARN AND HEAR MORE BUT A LOT OF EXCITEMENT.

>> THAT'S GREAT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO COVERING IT MORE AND MORE AND THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATION.

ANOTHER INITIATIVE YOU ARE INVOLVED IN, INNOVATE ALABAMA.

WE SAW SOME NEWS RECENTLY ABOUT GRANTS COMING OUT.

THIS IS FEDERALLY FUNDED GRANTS GOING TO SMALL BUSINESS.

TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS.

>> IT IS A SIGNIFICANT GRANT OPPORTUNITY.

INNOVATE ALABAMA'S SCOPE AND PURPOSE IS LARGE AS FAR AS GROWING TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND RESEARCH SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY.

THE WORLD'S CHANGING.

TECHNOLOGY IS TRANSFORMING EVERYTHING AND ALABAMA HAS TO HAVE A SEAT AT THAT TABLE AS IT RELATES TO THAT SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY.

HERE AGAIN AS INDUSTRIES ARE DISRUPTED BY TECHNOLOGY, HOW DOES ALABAMA MAINTAIN A COMPETITIVE POSITION?

INNOVATE ALABAMA CONTRACTED $98 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT, THE STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE.

THE LARGEST FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESS LENDING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA'S HISTORY.

VERY EXCITED.

JUST BEGINNING TO ROLL OUT THE PROGRAM, BUT IT WILL COVER SMALL BUSINESSES ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

IT WILL CREATE LENDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEVERAGE OTHER PRIVATE FINANCING, TO SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE SEEKING CREDIT.

THERE WILL BE SOME INVESTMENT TO PAIR WITH INVESTING PARTNERS AS IT RELATES TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

ALL FEDERAL MONEY AND SUBJECT TO THE FEDERAL TREASURY GUIDELINES BUT WE'RE EXCITED TO ROLL IT OUT.

WHEN WE THINK OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WE THINK OF LARGE MANUFACTURING AND LOVE OF THE CUT A RIBBON ON A MANUFACTURING FACILITY WITH 500 JOBS BUT IT'S HARDER SOMETIMES TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY, THE BACKBONES OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY SPONSOR THE YOUTH SPORTING PROGRAMS.

THEY ARE IN THE CHURCH PEWS EVERY SUNDAY BUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THEMES AND THEY ARE DISPARATE AND NOT AS EASY FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT SOMETIMES TO ASSIST THEM.

TO LEVERAGE THIS FEDERAL PROGRAM TO PRESENT THE LARGEST FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA'S HISTORY I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

>> IF A SMALL BUSINESS WANTS TO APPLY FOR THESE GRANTS IT IS INNOVATE ALABAMA.ORG.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE WILL BE SOME QUICK THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES AT THE CORE WEBSITE TO PUSH TOWARD THE SSBCI CREDIT PROGRAM.

>> SPEAKING OF WEBSITES, THERE'S A NEW WEBSITE FOR THE OUTDOOR RECREATION.

IT IS A BIG COMPONENT OF INNOVATE ALABAMA AND ONE UNEXPECTED FOR ME, HOW INTERESTED YOUNGER PEOPLE, WHO WANT TO ATTRACT ARE INTERESTED IN OUR OUTDOOR RECREATION ACTIVITY, WHETHER IT IS HIKING OR LAKES AND RIVERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT IS SEEKALABAMA.COM IS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO TO SEE ALL OF THOSE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THEY CAN.

NONE OF US REALLY FORESAW THAT OUTDOOR RECREATION WOULD BE A DISCUSSION POINT WHEN THE INVASION WAS FORMED THAT GAVE RISE TO INNOVATE ALABAMA TO CARRY OUT THAT MISSION.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALABAMA.

WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, BIKING, HIKING, FISHING, KAYAKING, BIRD WATCHING, HUNTING.

YOU NAME IT, WE HAVE IT IN ALABAMA BUT WE HAVE NEVER HAD A CENTRALIZED WEBSITE OR OTHER LOCATION THAT FOLKS CAN GO AND FIND INFORMATION.

WHAT IS CLEAR IS WE CAN USE IT AS A RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TOOL BY IDENTIFYING AND INVESTMENT IN THOSE SITES, COORDINATING THE STATE'S INVESTMENT, PROMOTE THAT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE STATE BUT IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITIZENS.

THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT NOT ONLY CAN CURRENT CITIZENS PAY ATTENTION AND CONNECT INTO FROM A QUALITY OF LIFE STANDPOINT BUT IT CAN BE POWERFUL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RECRUIT AND RETENTION OF TALENT.

REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE SITE.

A LOT OF HARD WORK HAS GONE INTO IT.

CHRIS BLANKENSHIP SERVES ENORMOUS CREDIT FOR PARTNERING WITH THAT BUT THE ASSET MAP IS INCREDIBLE.

THE SITE IS BECOMING MORE ROBUST AS MORE OPPORTUNITIES ARE UPLOADED.

IT'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WILL PUT IT UP ON THE SCREEN.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS, TODD.

>> WE'LL 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.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, VIA ZOOM, FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. IS JOHN ROGERS, A POLLSTER WITH CYGNAL.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> CAN YOU REMIND OUR VIEWERS -- YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE SHOW A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE BUT REMIND OUR VIEWERS ABOUT CYGNAL.

ITS ROOTS HERE IN ALABAMA AND WHAT YOU GUYS PROVIDE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HAPPY TO DO THAT.

WE'RE A POLLING FIRM THAT WAS STARTED IN MONTGOMERY AND GREAT MAJORITY OF OUR TEAM ARE FROM ALABAMA.

AND WE DO POLLING ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

SO, WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME CLIENTS LIKE GREG ABBOTT AS A CLIENT.

2024 HAS BEEN A BUSY YEAR, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ALL.

WE ALL SAW THE DEBATE LAST WEEK AND, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE ARGUE THAT PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES DON'T ALWAYS MATTER THAT MUCH.

I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THIS ONE MATTERED.

IT WAS SHOCKING IN TERMS OF THE PRESIDENT'S PERFORMANCE AND HOW THAT IS IMPACTING THE RACE.

EVERYONE HAS BEEN EAGER, LEAST POLITICAL JUNKIES LIKE ME, HAVE BEEN EAGER TO SEE HOW EXACTLY THAT DEBATE MAY MOVE THE NUMBERS, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE BIT AND DO PROPER POLLING.

NOW YOU HAVE DONE POLLING THIS WEEK TO LOOK INTO THAT.

WHAT DID YOU SEE IN TERMS OF ANY KIND OF MOVEMENT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE BASED ON YOUR SURVEY?

>> WE DID A NATIONAL SURVEY THAT WAS CONDUCTED ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK.

SO, YOU HAD THE DEBATE ON THURSDAY, GIVE IT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR PEOPLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF THE DEBATE AND THEN ALSO TO SEE CLIPS THAT MAY BE CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WHAT WE FOUND IS THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO WATCHED THE DEBATE SAID THEY BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS THE CLEAR WINNER.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS 74% OF INDEPENDENTS, AND EVEN A QUARTER OF DEMOCRATS SAID THEY THOUGHT TRUMP WON THE DEBATE.

>> THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

WHAT'S THE HORSE RACE LOOKING LIKE?

I SAW SOME OF THE NUMBERS YOU SENT.

IT LOOKED, TO ME, I'M NOT AN EXPERT POLLSTER, BUT IT LOOKED TO ME THERE WAS A SPIKE IN TRUMP'S FAVOR FROM JUNE TO JULY?

>> SURE.

SO, IN JUNE -- THIS IS A NATIONAL SURVEY THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING OVER TWO YEARS NOW AND WE DO IT EVERY MONTH.

IN JUNE PRESIDENT TRUMP LED BY TWO POINTS OVER PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THAT SHIFTED TO BE 48-43 WHERE TRUMP HAS A FIVE-POINT LEAD IN A HEAD-TO-HEAD BALLOT OVER PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THIS IS NOT A DEBATE -- THERE ARE A LOT OF DEBATES THAT DON'T IMPACT THE COURSE OF THE RACE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR A LONG TIME AND IS ALREADY STARTING TO HAVE A PRETTY DRAMATIC EFFECT.

>> I KNOW YOU TRY TO ASCERTAIN FROM RESPONDENTS, FROM VOTERS LIKE MAYBE WHO HAD THEIR MIND CHANGED.

AT THIS POINT, EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE IN THEIR PARTISAN CORNERS BUT WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT IN TERMS OF DID ANYONE SWITCH THEIR VOTE OR GO UNDECIDED TO SUPPORTING A CANDIDATE?

>> YEAH.

THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND YOU ARE RIGHT.

WE LIVE IN AN ERA OF EXTREME POLARIZATION.

MOST PEOPLE KNOW THEY ARE REPUBLICANS AND ARE VOTING FOR TRUMP OR DEMOCRAT VOTING FOR BIDEN AND THERE'S NOT MANY IN THE MIDDLE BUT YOU DID HAVE 7% OF VOTERS IN OUR POLL THAT SAID THEY WERE UNDECIDED GOING INTO THE DEBATE OR PLANNING TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THEY HAVE SHIFTED AND NOW THEY SAY THEY PLAN TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

7% MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A LOT BUT IT REALLY MATTERS IN A CLOSE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND REALLY MATTERS ESPECIALLY IF THOSE VOTERS VOTE DOWN TICKET FOR REPUBLICANS IN THE KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

ON THE MARGINS, THAT'S WHERE RACES ARE WON.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THOSE BATTLEGROUND STATES AND OTHER RACES HERE IN A BIT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING -- EVERY POLL HAS TEST CANDIDATES IMAGE.

HOW FAVORABLE VOTERS VIEW 0 YOU OR UNFAVORABLE VOTERS VIEW YOU.

SOME ALARMING NUMBERS FOR BIDEN IN TERMS OF HIS UNFAVORABILITY, ABOVE 60.

THAT'S A LOT.

WHAT ALSO STRUCK ME IS TRUMP IS ALSO UNPOPULAR.

HIS NUMBERS ARE IN THE 50S.

SO YOU HAVE BOTH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, INCLUDING THE CURRENT PRESIDENT AND THE FORMER PRESIDENT UNDER WATER IN TERMS OF MORE PEOPLE VIEW THEM UNFAVORABLY THAN FAVORABLY AND YET THESE ARE THE CANDIDATES.

>> THE IMPACT TO THE DEBATE IS -- I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYBODY IN THEIR LIFETIME HAS SEEN A CANDIDATE, ESPECIALLY A SITTING PRESIDENT STRUGGLE THAT MUCH ON A DEBATE STAGE.

SO, IT'S NOT THAT TRUMP IS MORE POPULAR BUT YOU HAVE A LARGE SEGMENT OF VOTERS WHO ARE STARTING TO HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT BIDEN'S ABILITY TO SERVE IN A SECOND TERM.

HE WOULD BE 86 BY THE TIME HE FINISHED A SECOND TERM.

THAT'S WHY WE SEE IN A NATIONAL POLL 62% OF VOTERS HAVE AN UNFAVORABLE VIEW OF PRESIDENT BIDEN.

WHICH IS THE HIGHEST NUMBER IN TWO YEARS, INCLUDING 51% HAVE AN UNFAVORABLE VIEW OF BIDEN.

>> I KNOW YOU TEST DEMOGRAPHICS, RIGHT?

I HEAD OF EVERY POLL YOU ASK WHAT IS YOUR AGE, GENDER, RACE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, EVEN COLLEGE DEGREES AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS.

I'M CURIOUS IF YOU SAW ANY SHIFTS IN THE DEMOGRAPHICS, SIGNIFICANT SHIFTS IN ANY OF THOSE DEMOGRAPHICS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER?

>> TWO GROUPS STOOD OUT.

FOR AMONG BLACK MEN, TRUMP'S SHARE ON THE BALLOT FROM JUNE TO JULY, HIS BALLOT SHARE INCREASED BY FIVE POINTS AND BIDEN'S DROPPED BY 17 POINTS.

THAT WOULD BE A SET 22-POINT SWING AMONG AFRICAN MEN.

THAT IS DRIVEN BY YOUNG AFRICAN MEN WHERE BIDEN'S DROPPED BY 30% FROM JUNE INTO JULY.

IT'S NOT THAT TRUMP IS GOING TO WIN A MAJORITY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTE OR EVEN AFRICAN MEN, BUT IF BIDEN'S SHARE AND HIS SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO ERODE AS MUCH AS IT HAS, BIDEN'S NOT GOING TO WIN NORTH CAROLINA, HE'S NOT GOING TO WIN GEORGIA AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST LIKE PENNSYLVANIA WHERE YOU HAVE LARGE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN CITIES LIKE PHILADELPHIA.

>> WOW.

THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

WHAT THAT MAKES ME THINK OF -- YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BATTLEGROUND STATES.

BUT HERE IN ALABAMA WE HAVE A TOSS UP RACE.

I MEAN ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL IT SHOULD BE A DEMOCRATIC SEAT.

LET'S CALL IT LEANS DEMOCRAT IN THE SECOND DISTRICT.

IT IS A BRAND NEW DISTRICT DRAWN BY THE COURTS BUT IT IS A BATTLEGROUND.

IT'S A TRUE TOSSUP.

WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICAN SHIFTING THEIR VOTES, THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT HERE BECAUSE VOTER ENTHUSIASM -- WE ALL VOTER ENTHUSIASM WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE RACE.

COULD YOU SEE THAT BEING A FACTOR IN THIS RACE CONSIDERING DEMOCRATS REALLY NEED THAT AFRICAN VOTE TO BE ENTHUSIASTIC AND SHOW UP AT THE POLLS FOR SHOMARI FIGURES TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE MAP OF BATTLEGROUND DISTRICTS IS EXPANDING.

WHEREAS IF BIDEN WAS LEADING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT AND SEEN AS A STRONG CANDIDATE, A DISTRICT LIKE ALABAMA 2 MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR A REPUBLICAN TO WIN BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

BIDEN'S NUMBERS ARE DISMAL AND THEY ARE DISMAL AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN.

IN DISTRICTS LIKE THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF ALABAMA REPUBLICANS HAVE A REAL SHOT.

THERE'S A STRONG CANDIDATE WHO'S A REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

THAT'S A DISTRICT WHERE YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF RESOURCES THAT REPUBLICANS WILL POUR INTO THE DISTRICT AND I THINK IT WILL BE A TIGHT RACE COME NOVEMBER.

>> MAYBE THAT'S ONE BIG REASON WHY THERE ARE SO MANY CALLING ON PRESIDENT BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE, TO SAY, LOOK, THIS IS A PROBLEM.

WE NEED -- DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING WE NEED TO KEEP THE WHITE HOUSE BUT THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING DOWN BALLOT AT THE SENATE AND CONGRESSIONAL RACES, AT THE VOTER ENTHUSIASM GAP.

THAT BEGS THE QUESTION, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEHOW THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE CASE N THE HYPOTHETICAL THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN VOLUNTARILY SAID I'M NOT GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, THE MOST NATURAL CHOICE WOULD BE THE VICE PRESIDENT, KAMALA HARRIS.

WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY IN TERMS OF HER VIABILITY SHOULD SHE REPLACE THE PRESIDENT AS THE NOMINEE?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

IN CIRCLES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DEMOCRATS ARE CASTING DOUBTS.

THEY WERE DOING IT PRIVATELY AFTER THURSDAY AND NOW PUBLICLY AND EVEN HAD A CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER FROM TEXAS WHO CALLED FOR BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE.

THE ISSUE IS THE VICE PRESIDENT IS NOT POPULAR IN OUR NATIONAL POLL.

ONLY 35% OF VOTERS HAVE A FAVORABLE VIEW OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.

SO, IT COULD BE THAT SHE WOULD DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN PRESIDENT BIDEN, GIVEN THE FACT OF HIS AGE AND STRUGGLES, BEING ABLE TO PERFORM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, BUT SHE'S NOT THE SILVER BULLET FOR DEMOCRATS.

THEY ARE REALLY IN A TOUGH POSITION BECAUSE EVEN IF BIDEN DECIDES TO VOLUNTARILY STEP ASIDE, THERE'S NOT A CLEAR-CUT CANDIDATE THEY COULD GO TO.

>> HMM.

IT IS FASCINATING STUFF IN THIS POLITICAL YEAR.

I KNOW YOU HAVE DONE POLLING, OR MAYBE IN THE MIDDLE OF DOING POLLING ON THE BATTLEGROUND STATES.

I'M THINKING ARIZONA, GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA, WISCONSIN, WISCONSIN, THOSE ARE THE STATES THAT WILL PROBABLY DECIDE THE ELECTION.

YOU CAN THROW NEVADA IN THERE.

I KNOW IT MAY NOT BE FINISHED YET BUT WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN FROM THE BATTLEGROUND STATES IN TERMS OF TRENDS AND SHIFTS?

>> RIGHT.

IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATES AND FOR THE VIEWER, REPUBLICANS NEED TO WIN TWO SENATE SEATS TO HAVE A CLEAR MAJORITY IN THE SENATE, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS AT THE TOP OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TICKET AND WHICH PARTY CONTROLS THE VICE PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE THE TIE-BREAKING VOTE.

REPUBLICANS WILL WIN WEST VIRGINIA, SO THEY NEED TO FIND A SECOND ONE.

IN A STATE LIKE MONTANA OR OHIO OR POTENTIALLY PENNSYLVANIA.

SO, IN OUR BATTLEGROUND, OUR SURVEY THAT WE JUST CONCLUDED, 39 BATTLEGROUND DISTRICTS, WE FOUND REPUBLICANS HAVE THE EDGE ON THE GENERIC BALLOT.

WE ASKED IF THE ELECTION WERE HELD TODAY WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS?

THAT IS A SUBSTANTIAL EDGE.

LEADING BY THREE POINTS IN THE GENERIC BALLOT IS A STRONG SIGN FOR THE REPUBLICANS.

61% OF VOTERS IN THE 39 BATTLEGROUND DISTRICTS, 61% HAVE AN UNFAVORABLE VIEW OF PRESIDENT BIDEN.

TRUMP LEADS ON THE HEAD-TO-HEAD BALLOT OVER BIDEN WHICH IS THE LARGEST MORE MARGIN THAT TRUMP HAS HAD SO FAR IN THE BATTLEGROUND POLL.

AMONG VOTERS IN THE BATTLEGROUND DISTRICTS WHO WATCHED THE DEBATE, ONLY 10% SAID THEY BELIEVE JOE BIDEN WON THE DEBATE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT THE GENERIC BALLOT -- CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BUT I THOUGHT TRADITIONALLY OVER THE YEARS AND DECADES, HAVEN'T DEMOCRATS TYPICALLY HAD AN ADVANTAGE WHEN IT COMES TO POLLING NATIONALLY ON GENERIC BALLOTS?

I'M SURPRISED TO SEE REPUBLICANS NOW HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.

>> GENERALLY IS A MEASURE THAT FAVORS THE DEMOCRATS AND EVEN GOING BACK TO OUR NATIONAL SURVEY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT MOST OF THE TIME, ON LAST MONTH'S NATIONAL SURVEY IT WAS DEAD EVEN.

NOW IN THE SURVEY WE JUST CONCLUDED REPUBLICANS HAVE FOUR-POINT ADVANTAGE.

THAT'S WHERE YOU START TO SEE FOR MONTHS NOW TRUMP HAS BEEN DOING WELL IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATES, ESPECIALLY GEORGIA AND NEVADA AND NORTH CAROLINA AND ALSO THE MIDWESTERN STATES, BUT YOU HAVE SEEN THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEES FOR SENATE HAVE TRAILED SOMETIMES THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES BY THREE OR FOUR POINTS, BUT THIS SHIFT TOWARD REPUBLICANS FROM THE DEAD EVEN IN JUNE TO A FOUR-POINT ADVANTAGE IN JULY IS GOING TO HAVE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS IN THE RACES IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE DAVE MCCORMACK IS FACING BOB CASEY.

AND YOU HAVE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES WHO WILL BE FACED WITH A CONUNDRUM WHERE BIDEN IS AN ALBATROSS AROUND THEIR NECK, AN ANVIL AROUND THEIR NECK.

BUT OBVIOUSLY IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IT IS AN AWKWARD THING TO PRIVATELY OR CERTAINLY PUBLICLY ASK THE SITTING PRESIDENT OF YOUR PARTY TO STEP ASIDE.

>> FOR SURE.

SOME FASCINATING DATA.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON TO SHARE BUT IT IS JUST JULY.

WE HAVE FOUR MONTHS AND SO MUCH CAN HAPPEN.

WE HAVE CONVENTIONS COMING UP AND A LONG WAY TO GO IN THE RACE AND ALL OF THE RACES.

JOHN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CATCHING UP WITH YOU AS THE CAMPAIGN GOES ALONG.

>> THANK YOU.

GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE APTV 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.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS ALAN MILLER, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN VILLAGE IN MONTEVALLO AND THE SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES JOHN ADAMS.

MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> I APPRECIATE THE HONOR OF HAVING ME HERE TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT.

>> THAT IS THE FOURTH OF JULY, WE CELEBRATED THE FOURTH OF JULY THIS WEEK.

IT IS A SPECIAL HOLIDAY FOR ME AND ALL AMERICANS BUT A SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR YOU.

YOU HELPED TO CRAFT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND GET IT THROUGH THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FOURTH OF JULY.

>> THIS WAS AND IS STILL A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT.

THERE'S BEEN NO REVOLUTION LIKE THIS IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD AT THIS POINT AND IT WAS NO SMALL FETE TO HAVE THE 13 COLONIES, 13 CLOCKS STRIKING AT THE SAME TIME.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IT IS DIFFICULT FOR CONGRESS TO AGREE ON ANYTHING BUT WE ALL SAW THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSITIONING FROM A PEOPLE WHO WERE SUBJECT TO A KING, TO A PEOPLE THAT COULD BE SELF GOVERNING.

WE SAW OURSELVES NOT MERELY AS BRITISH SUBJECTS BUT AS AMERICANS.

>> ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING.

ALAN, TALK ABOUT THE AMERICAN VILLAGE.

I THINK A LOT OF ALABAMIANS ARE FAMILIAR AND HAVE BEEN TO VISIT, BUT IT'S REALLY SEEN A LOT OF GROWTH OVER THE YEARS.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

TALK ABOUT WHERE THE AMERICAN VILLAGE HAS COME AND WHERE YOU ARE PLANNING TO GO IN THE FUTURE.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT, TODD AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON.

THE VILLAGE IS REALLY AN INCREDIBLY FUN PLACE TO COME, BRING THE FAMILY AND LEARN ABOUT AMERICA'S FOUNDING HISTORY AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

THIS IS OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY.

THROUGHOUT THAT TIME, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW.

THIS ALL STARTED IN THE IMAGINATION OF OUR FOUNDER, TOM WALKER AND I TELL PEOPLE FREQUENTLY IT IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU GET THERE BUT ONCE YOU ARE ON CAMPUS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY WITH THE LEVEL OF DEDICATION, COMMITMENT AND VISION THAT TOM HAD FOR AMERICAN VILLAGE.

WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW IS WE'RE EXPERIENCING GREAT GROWTH.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF HELP FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING OUR INDEPENDENCE HALL REPLICA.

WHEN THAT IS FINISHED, WE WILL HAVE MASSACHUSETTS REPRESENTED.

WE CALL IN THE HALL OF GRIEVANCES WHERE PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT THE BRITISH OPPRESSION PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING IN THE COLONY OF MASSACHUSETTS AT THE TIME.

THERE'S A 30-MINUTE FILM CALLED CHOOSING TO BE AN AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT IMPRESSES ON PEOPLE THE FACT THIS IS A DECISION THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE TO MAKE AS AMERICANS.

WE HAVE TO CHOOSE TO TAKE UP OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS AMERICANS TO KEEP REPUBLIC.

THERE IS A PORTRAIT GALLERY THAT WILL SUDDENLY COME TO LIFE.

THEY WILL SEE KING GEORGE'S PORTRAIT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM A WALL AND PLACED INTO A PACKING CRATE AND HE YELLS AT THE AUDIENCE TO GET HIM ON THE WALL WHERE HE BELONGS.

A NUMBER OF FOUNDERS ENGAGING IN DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ABOUT DECLARING INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN.

AND THEN THE AUDIENCE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.

IN THE FINAL PORTION OF THE BUILDING WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE HARRISON FAMILY OUT OF COLOMBIA AND ALABAMA -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE THAT IT IS THE SECOND LARGEST COLLECTION OF GEORGE AND MARTHA WASHINGTON ARTIFACTS OUTSIDE OF MOUNT VERNON AND WE STRUCK AND AGREEMENT TO BRING THE COLLECTION TO AMERICAN VILLAGE TO BE HOUSED IN THE NEW BUILDING.

WE HAVE HAPPY TO HAVE MASSACHUSETTS, VIRGINIA REPRESENTED.

>> YOU HAD A HUGE FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.

PROBABLY EXHAUSTED FROM THAT.

YOU HAVE BEN FRANKLIN, GEORGE WASHINGTON, JOHN ADAMS.

GO THROUGH THE CHARACTERS.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CHARACTERS.

YOU NAMED SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT ONES.

OF COURSE, GEORGE WASHINGTON, JOHN ADAMS, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JAMES LAFAYETTE IS A NEW CHARACTER THIS YEAR AND IT'S AN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL EVENT.

WE THROW EVERYTHING WE HAVE GOT AT THE AUDIENCE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY.

IT IS A GREAT DAY TO COME AND BE REMINDED THAT WE TRULY ARE THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET BECAUSE OF OUR LIBERTY.

IT NOT ONLY FREED PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR OWN HISTORY BUT FREED PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND REMEMBER THAT WE MAY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS, BUT WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REMINDING OURSELVES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMING TOGETHER AS AMERICANS AND BEING PROUD OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR.

>> WELL, I HAVE TO GO BACK TO MR. ADAMS OF MASSACHUSETTS TO ASK, WE ARE SO FORTUNATE AS AMERICANS.

TAKE ME BACK TO 1776.

WHAT DO WE, TODAY, MAYBE TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT Y'ALL WENT THROUGH BACK THEN AT THE FOUNDING?

>> I THINK THAT ONE OF THE PRIMARY ISSUES THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND IS THAT WE ARE NOT THESE MEN OF MYTH AND LEGEND.

WE ARE FLESH AND BLOOD.

WE ARE FARMERS.

WE ARE LAWYERS.

WE ARE NORMAL, ORDINARY PEOPLE THAT WERE PLACED UNDER AN EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE AND GIVEN AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO IMPRESS UPON ANYONE IS THAT DIFFERENCES CAN BE MADE BY PEOPLE.

THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE A GRAND STATESMAN SO TO SPEAK.

WE DO NOT START OUT THAT WAY.

WE ARE GIVEN A CIRCUMSTANCE.

WE CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL OVERCOME THAT CIRCUMSTANCE OR NOT AND WE, FORTUNATELY, DECIDED TO OVERCOME THE SHACKLES OF TYRANNY AND OPPRESSION.

>> IF I CAN ASK YOU TO BREAK CHARACTER FOR ONE SECOND.

YOUR REAL NAME IS JAMES KITCHENS.

YOU ARE AN ACTOR AT THE AMERICAN VILLAGE.

THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR CHARACTER.

THAT'S REALLY FUN FOR THE AUDIENCE, BUT I'M CURIOUS BECAUSE ALL OF THESE KIDS COME THROUGH, ALL OF THESE SCHOOL CHILDREN LEARNING ABOUT THIS HISTORY AND THEY ARE FASCINATING TO SEE Y'ALL'S CHARACTERS AND EXPERIENCE THAT, BUT WHAT'S IT LIKE FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW?

YOU ARE SEEING THEM COME THROUGH AND THE LOOKS ON THEIR FACES.

WHAT'S IT LIKE FROM AN ACTOR'S PERSPECTIVE?

>> IT IS A LOT OF FUN.

IT'S A LOT OF FUN TO SEE THE KIDS HAVE A LOT OF FUN AND TO -- WHEN THE KIDS DO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE OF, OH, GETTING THE MESSAGE AND YOU SEE THINGS CLICK IN THEIR HEAD, IT'S A REWARDING EXPERIENCE.

I SAY ALL THE TIME I HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD AND I REALLY DO MEAN THAT.

IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IMPRESS UPON PEOPLE CIVICS AND THESE ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE AND WHEN YOU COME TO THE AMERICAN VILLAGE YOU DON'T JUST GET THE WELL-KNOWN FIGURES OF THE REVOLUTION.

YOU GET MUCH SMALLER FIGURES THAT HAD AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY IN WHETHER THEY WERE SPYING, WHETHER THEY WERE GIVING INFORMATION FROM THE BRITISH TO THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS.

YOU GET A LOT OF THOSE SMALLER FIGURES.

I THINK THAT IMPRESSES UPON THE IDEA THAT EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.

THERE'S NOBODY TOO SMALL.

THAT SO MANY PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER BECAUSE OF A BELIEF AND AN IDEA THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO BE SUBJECTS TO A KING.

THAT THEY COULD BE SELF GOVERNING.

>> SO IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THAT HISTORY AND IT'S NOT LOST.

I'M THINKING OF THINGS LIKE THE HAMILTON MUSICAL, CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT.

DO YOU THINK THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF MORE PEOPLE TRYING TO LEARN AND UNDERSTAND WHY THE FOUNDING WAS SO IMPORTANT?

DO YOU THINK THAT HAD AN IMPACT?

>> I THINK IT DID HAVE AN IMPACT.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE TRY TO CONTINUE IN AMERICAN VILLAGE.

I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE WONDER BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN SO WELL KNOWN FOR INCREDIBLE FIELD TRIPS, I THINK PEOPLE WONDER WILL THIS ENTERTAINING AND TRANSLATE TO A FAMILY TRIP IN AMERICAN VILLAGE.

AS JAMES WAS TALKING, I WAS REMINDED EARLIER THIS YEAR WE HAD A GROUP OF MARINES COME THROUGH.

THEY WERE SITTING IN THE CHAPEL DURING THE OPENING PLAY AND THE KIDS WERE SO FIRED UP ABOUT PROTESTING THE STAMP ACT BEFORE THEY LEFT THERE.

AS WE WERE WALKING OUTSIDE, YOU COULD FEEL THE WALLS VIBRATING.

THEY ARE THAT EXCITED TO START THE DAY.

THE FIRST SERGEANT STOPPED ME AND SAID, WOW, THEY WERE BLOWN AWAY BY THE QUALITY OF THE PLAY, THE EXCITEMENT OF THE KIDS.

THE MARINES THEMSELVES HAD A GREAT TIME.

I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS WAS GOING ON.

THAT THE CHILDREN WERE GETTING THIS KIND OF AN EDUCATION.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES -- I SERVE IN THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.

YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN RAISE THEIR RIGHT HAND AND SWEAR TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN IT OR HOW IT IS STRUCTURED.

IT IS NOT JUST SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN BUT EVERYONE.

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO KNOW THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE CONSTITUTION SO WE CAN ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN KEEPING THE REPUBLIC.

VITALLY IMPORTANT.

>> WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GO AND EXPERIENCE IT?

>> WE HAVE A WEBSITE, AMERICAN VILLAGE.ORG.

WE ARE LOCATED IN MONTEVALLO, ALABAMA, SOUTH OF BIRMINGHAM.

WE ARE OPEN FROM 10:00 TO 4:00.

IN THE SUMMER, TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAD SATURDAYS AVAILABLE.

IN THE SCHOOL YEAR IT IS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

OPEN 10:00 TO 4:00.

ADMISSION $11.

YOU CAN EASILY ENJOY AN EIGHT-HOUR EXPERIENCE AT AMERICAN VILLAGE.

>> I CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE OUR VIEWERS TO GO.

I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN ALREADY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING THIS AND CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FOURTH OF JULY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TODD.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE 375,000 ACRES THAT MAKE UP THE THREE RANGER DISTRICTS OF TALLADEGA NATIONAL FOREST WERE PURCHASED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 1936 AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO RESTORE CLEAR CUT TIMBER LANDS AND FARMLANDS NO LONGER CAPABLE OF PRODUCING CROPS.

THE RESERVE INCLUDES A TRAIL SYSTEM AND ALABAMA'S HIGHEST AND SECOND HIGHEST POINTS, MOUNT CHEEHA WHAT AND DUGGER MOUNTAIN.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION COMING ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 HERE ON APT AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AT 7:30 ON FRIDAY NIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.