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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THESE SUMMER DAYS CAN BE SLOW ONES IN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS, ESPECIALLY THE WEEK OF THE FOURTH OF JULY.

BUT THIS WEEK SAW SOME INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

WE'LL START AT MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, WHERE CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL WAS VISITING TO ANNOUNCE NEW FUNDING FOR BOTH MAXWELL AND THE 187TH FIGHTER WING OUT AT DANNELLY FIELD.

MAXWELL WILL GET $15 MILLION TO CONSTRUCT A NEW GATE TO HANDLE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

THE 187TH WILL GET $6.8 MILLION FOR A WEAPONS LOAD TRAINING FACILITY TO ACCOMMODATE THE ARRIVAL IF THE F-35.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> PRETTY SOON CITIZENS OF MONTGOMERY WILL HAVE NEW NEIGHBORS, LAWMAKERS FIGHTER JETS WILL MOVE INTO THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE AS THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE 187 NIGHTER WING.

MOMENT IS GETTING READY FOR THEM AND THOSE EFFORTS GOT A MUCH APPRECIATED BOOST FROM A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

>> 1 OF MY MOST SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR SERVICE MEMBERS GET THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO DO THE JOBS THAT WE SEND THEM TO DO AND TO COME HOME SAFELY.

>> CONGRESS WOMAN TERRY SEWELL IS BRINGING FUNDING TO ALABAMA'S AIR NATIONAL GUARD FOR THE 187TH.

>> $6.8 MILLION WILL GO TO THE 187TH FIGHTER WINGS AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT TO BUILD A NEW F-35 WEAPONS LOAD CAREER TRAINING FACILITY.

>> AND FUNDING TO MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE.

>> NOR MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE I'M PROUD TO HAVE SECURED $15 MILLION TO HELP CONSTRUCT A NEW INSPECTION GATE FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.

THIS PROJECT WILL GO A LONG WAY IN ENSURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL AND ASSETS ON THE BASE AS WELL AS PREVENTING UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS.

>> THE U.S. MILITARY IS CONSTANTLY WORKING TO PROTECT CITIZENS HERE IN THIS STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SO CONGRESS WOMAN TERRY SEWELL DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP THOSE WHO PROTECT US BY BRINGING FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND RIGHT HERE AT MONTGOMERY'S MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE.

>> IT'S A MOVE MONTGOMERY LEADERS APPLAUD.

>> THESE ARE THINGS THAT NOT ONLY HELP MAXWELL AND THE UNIVERSITY THEY HELP OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

THEY HELP THE ARMIED SERVICES AND AIR FORCE AND SPACE FORCE GET STRONGER AND BETTER TOGETHER.

WITHOUT THE CONGRESS WOMAN PUTTING HER-FOOT DOWN WHEN IT NEEDED TO BE, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THIS.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CHIP AWAY AT THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW AND SHE WAS ABLE TO HELP US CLOSE THE DEAL.

AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF OUR OTHER CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND OUR UNITED STATES SENATORS WHERE THIS IS CONCERNED.

>> I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> JUST NEXT DOOR TO THE BASE ON MAXWELL BOULEVARD, THE LONG AWAITED OPENING OF A NEW WATER SPORTS PARK HAPPENED FRIDAY.

MONTGOMERY WHITEWATER IS AMONG THE LARGEST MAN-MADE WHITEWATER FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY, WITH A $1,600 FOOT OLYMPIC WHITE WATER CHANNEL AND A 2,200 FOOT ADVENTURE CHANNEL FOR RAFTING AND KAYAKING.

THE PARK IS MEANT TO SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE THE GATEWAY TO MAXWELL.

THE PROJECT RECEIVED $5 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE LEGISLATURE IN SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS THIS PAST SESSION.

>> THIS IS A PLACE OF FUN,FUL WORLD CLASSES COMPETITION, HEALTHY OUTDOOR LIVING, GREAT DINING -- IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE FOOD THERE.

AND THIS IS THE LARGEST CLASSROOM IN THIS AREA FOR OUR STUDENTS, THE LARGEST OUTDOOR CLASSROOM.

SO AGAIN THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

>> THIS IS A PROJECT THAT IS INDICATIVE OF THE EFFORT THAT YOU HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE PARTISANSHIP WORKING WITH THE CITY, COUNTY, OUR STATE LEADERS, OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND EVERYONE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR MONTGOMERY.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR THE RIVER REGIS.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU NOT ONLY TODAY BUT COMING BACK OUT HERE TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AND PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO AND TALKING ABOUT THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN MONTGOMERY, TALKING ABOUT THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING ON THE WEST SIDE OF MONTGOMERY AND TALKING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL WE HAVE TO STRENGTHEN OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE AND THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.

>> IT'S REALLY MORE ABOUT SHARING LAND THAN SHARING A PHELPS LINE.

IT'S ABOUT THE SHARED INTEREST THAT WE HAVE, THE EARNEST INTEREST IN SEEING THE COMMUNITY, THE CITY, THE WENT COUNTY AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA SUCCEED NOT JUST FOR THE MEN AND BUILT WHO ARE ELECTED OR ASKED TO SERVE HERE BUT FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WITH WHOM WE STAND ARM IN ARM IN THE COMMUNITIES WITH WHICH WE LIVE WHEN WE RAISE OUR CHILDREN.

THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY HONOR TO SERVE HERE TO RAISE MY FAMILY HERE AND TO SEE THE EARNEST INVESTMENT THAT CONTINUES TO BE MADE IN SUPPORT OF NOT ONLY MILITARY FAMILIES BUT THOSE THAT MAKE AND HAVE CALLED FORE ENGINEERS AND DECADES THE RIVER REGION THEIR HOME.

>> THIS DEVELOPMENT FOR THIS DISTRICT WILL BRING A LOT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IT BROUGHT A LOT OF LIFE TO THIS AREA THAT WAS DOWN.

I SAY THAT.

AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M SO EXCITED.

THAT'S WHY WE FOUGHT HARD TO GET FUNDING FOR THIS DISTRICT, FOR MONTGOMERY WHITEWATER.

I PRAY THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO GET THE FUNDING TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT FOR PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO SO THAT WE CAN SEE THE GROWTH IN THE VOLT OF DEVELOPMENT OF THIS AREA.

>> THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE CONVENED THIS WEEK FOR ITS REGULAR MEETING TO SCRUTINIZE STATE CONTRACTS.

RECEIVING THE MOST ATTENTION WERE LEGAL CONTRACTS SUBMITTED BY THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR LAWYERS TO ASSIST IN THE VARIOUS LAWSUITS IT IS A PARTY TO.

26 OF THE CONTRACTS ARE FOR ATTORNEY BILL LUNSFORD OF THE FIRM BUTLER AND SNOW.

THOSE ALONG WITH THE THREE CONTRACTS APPROVED LAST MONTH COULD POTENTIALLY TOTAL $22 MILLION, WITH THE LARGEST ONE CAPPED AT $9.9 MILLION.

WHILE THOSE NUMBERS RAISE EYEBROWS, THE DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT MOST WERE NOT NEW CONTRACTS, BUT RATHER EXISTING CONTRACTS WITH EXISTING DOLLARS THAT HAD TO BE RESUBMITTED BECAUSE LUNSFORD CHANGED FIRMS.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TOLD THE COMMITTEE THAT LUNSFORD IS THE EXPERT THEY NEED IN THESE CASES AND THAT CHOOSING OTHER FIRMS WOULD BE DUPLICATIVE AND MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN DOC FELT THAT KEEPING THESE TYPES OF CASES TOGETHER WAS ADVANTAGEOUS, PERHAPS IT WITH SEEM SO.

ARE THESE CASES SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THE BEHEMOTH OF THE BRAGG'S CASE?

>> WAIT.

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE BIG CASE.

AND SOMETIMES -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO ALERT PEOPLE TO DOING THIS MORE BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE VARIOUS LEVELS OF DEFENDANTS IN THE DEPARTMENT AND DEPENDING ON WHICH IS INVOLVED IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO HAVE THE SAME REPRESENTATION FOR UNIFORMITY AND DEFENSES MOVING FORWARD IS IT THE DEPARTMENT'S INTENTION TO TRY TO HANDLE AS MUCH OF THIS LITIGATION IN HOUSE TO REDUCE SOME OF THESE COSTS?

>> FUNNY THAT YOU SHOULD ASK.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS TWO TYPES OF LITIGATION ONGOING.

WE HAVE DAMAGES CASES WHERE IT'S NORMALLY INMATES OR SOMEBODY SUING FOR MONEY DANGER DAMAGES AND THEN WE HAVE OUR BIG INJUNCTIVE CASE ELSE WHICH ARE BRAGS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, TWO DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SUITS AND THERE'S A 4TH ONE THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

THOSE ARE ASKING FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.

THEY'RE ASKING US TO CHANGE THINGS WE DO.

THEY DON'T WANT MONEY.

THE ATTORNEY,'S OFFICE IN APRIL PULLED ALL OF THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL DESIGNATIONS FOR THE SIX ATTORNEYS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

THEREFORE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ATTORNEYING CAN NO LONGER REPRESENT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

SO WE ARE UNABLE TO BRING ANY OF THEM IN HOUSE SO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAD TO ASSUME THOSE.

THE FOUR INJUNCTIVE CASES THAT I MENTIONED, DOJ, DOJ, BRAGS AND DUKE -- THE 4TH ONE, THOSE WE REMAIN IN HOUSE WITH MR. LUNSFORD.

MR. LUNSFORD DOES REPRESENT IN US THAT ONE AND TO PIGGY BACK ON WHAT MS. ROBBERERT SON WAS SAYING, A LOT OF THESE CASES HAVE OVERLAPPING FACT PATTERNS AND CLAIMS.

IF WE PARCEL IT OUT TO DIFFERENT ATTORNEYS ON EACH ONE WE WOULD HAVE DUPLICATED EFFORTS AND HAVE TO DO THE SAME DEPOSITIONS TWICE, THE SAME LITIGATION TWICE BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE DIFFERENT ATTORNEYS.

>> THERE'S NOT MUCH DISPUTE IN TERMS OF LIABILITY HERE.

IN TERMS OF LIKE SOME OF OUR ISSUES OF OVERCROWDING AND CONDITIONS, STAFFING AND SO FORTH.

SO A LOT OF THIS CONTINUES TO DRAG ON AND ENDS UP COSTING A US A LOT MORE MONEY RATHER THAN FIGURING IT OUT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE I AN ISSUE WITH 9.9 MILLION.

I MEAN LUNSFORD IS BASICALLY GOVERNMENT AGENCY AT THIS POINT.

>> NEW BUDGET NUMBERS OUT THIS WEEK SHOW THAT THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND IS UP 16 PERCENT THROUGH THIS PHYSICAL YEAR SO FAR.

THE INCREASE IS LARGELY DUE TO EARNINGS ON STATED ACCOUNTS, THANKS TO INTEREST RATES BEING INCREASED BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

DEPOSITS ON STATE ACCOUNTS HAVE INCREASED $264 MILLION SO FAR THIS PHYSICAL YEAR.

THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 1700 PERCENT.

KIRK FULFORD, CHIEF BUDGET OFFICER FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY SAID THE INCREASES ARE EXPECTED SO LONG AS INTEREST RATES REMAIN HIGH.

THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND RECEIPTS WERE UP JUST SLIGHTLY AFTER DECLINES IN APRIL AND MAY.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HELD A PANEL DISCUSSION ON HELPING ALABAMIANS BUILD A RESILIENT LIFESTYLE.

CALLED "OPERATION RESILIENCE" THE PANEL FEATURED SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS WHO DISPLAYED RESILIENCE THROUGHOUT THEIR CIVILIAN OR MILITARY YEARS.

KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS.

>> MAYA ANGELO ONCE SAID I CAN BE CHANGED BY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME BUT I REFUSE TO BE REDUCED BY IT.

THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF RESILIENCE.

>> OPERATION RESILIENCE, A PANEL DISCUSSION TO HELP ALL OF US AND VETERANS IN PARTICULAR IDENTIFY ISILL RESILIENT PRACTICES TO HAVE IN PLACE BEFORE THE CRISES HAPPENS.

>> THE FOUR PANELISTS ARE CURRENT AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE U.S. MILITARY.

EACH ANSWERED QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY BASED ON THEIR AREAS OF EXPERTISE.

BUT ALL FOUR SHARED THEIR FAVORITE RESILIENT QUOTE THEY DEEMPLOYEE DURING ROUGH TIMES.

>> 828 IS MY GO TO.

IT SAYS WE KNOW ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE GOD AND CALL ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

MAY NOT BE TRYING TO DO DURING THAT MOMENT.

WE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

BUT THAT GIVES ME RESILIENCE TO UNDERSTAND THAT I WILL GET THROUGH BECAUSE GOD SAID SO.

>> AS FIRE SHARPENS IRON, ONE PERSON SHARPENS ACROSS.

IT'S A DIFFICULT PROCESS AND IT'S TOUGH AND IT TAKES TIME AND SKILL.

AND THE OUTCOME OF THAT IS THAT A MORE DURABLE, MORE CAPABLE, MORE POWERFUL PRODUCT, AND I THINK THAT APPLIES TO US IN LIFE.

>> I THINK PSALM 18 SAYS I LOVE YOU, O LORD, THE STRENGTH, THE LORD IS MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS AND IT'S THROUGH THE STORMS OF LIFE, LIKE THE STORY SAYS IN THE BIBLE THAT IF YOU BUILD YOUR HOUSE ON A ROCK WHEN THE STORMS COMES, THE HOUSE WILL STAND.

AND I THINK SOMETIMES GREAT TIMES OF ADD VERSE TEE YOU SEE WHAT YOUR ROCK IS, WHAT YOU'RE STANDING UPON.

AND I THINK ABOUT THAT.

>> CURTIS ALLUDED TO A QUOTE THAT IS FROM THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER ROCKY BALBOA, AND IT WAS LIKE THIS: IT AIN'T ABOUT HOW HARD YOU CAN HIT; IT'S THAT POWER THAT YOU CAN GET AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

AND THAT'S TRUE.

FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE MILITARY AND FAILS THE CHALLENGES ON DEPLOYMENT, AND AS JACKO SAID IN THE VIDEO, SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO STAY IN TUNE.

IN EVERY LIFE A LITTLE RAIN MUST FALL.

AND WE NEED TO SAY THAT'S GOOD BECAUSE WE WILL LEARN FROM THAT.

>> HELPING IN A CRISES OR DURING ONE MAY REQUIRE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ASSISTANCE.

WE DON'T TAKE CRISES MANAGEMENT SLIGHTLY.

SO IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, IF YOU ARE IN A CRISES MOST PICK UP THE PHONE AND DIAL 988 FOR ASSISTANCE.

>> AND THE WEBSITE VETS FOR HOPE .COM IS FILLED WITH RESOURCES INCLUDING A LIST OF SERVICE PROVIDERS LOCATED AROUND THE STATE.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

LAST MONTH, THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION HIT PAUSE ON THE PROCESS OF AWARDING BUSINESS LICENSES.

THAT DECISION CAME AFTER SEVERAL COMPANIES COMPLAINED ABOUT THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS, WITH SOME DECIDING TO SUE OVER THE RESULTS.

DURING A COURT HEARING FRIDAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOHN MCMILLAN SAID THE COMMISSION PLANS TO RESUME THAT LICENSE PROCESS ON AUGUST 10.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO AL.COM'S MIKE CASON, WHO ATTENDED THE HEARING.

ONE COMPANY THAT DID NOT RECEIVE A LICENSE AND IS SUING, OPENED ITS DOORS FOR A LOOK INSIDE A MEDICAL CANNABIS PRODUCTION FACILITY AND VOICED ITS CONCERNS WITH THE LICENSING PROCESS.. >> RIGHT NOW WE JUST HAVE TO SAY THE SCORING WAS OBVIOUSLY SERIOUSLY FLAWED.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION THEMSELVES MADE REFERENCE TO CATASTROPHIC KIND OF SITUATION THEY WERE IN.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THOSE FLAWS ARE.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK BEHIND THE CURT INAND FIND OUT WHAT THE FLAWS WERE BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY WERE THERE.

IF WE RECEIVE A LICENSE ALL OF THE PRODUCTS WILL BELY.ED TO THE FORMS THAT ARE APPROVED BY THE STATE AND THE COMMISSION PRESENTLY, WHICH INCLUDES SORT OF GUMMY LIKE INGESTIBLE PRODUCTS.

TINCTURES WILL HAVE A WIDE ARRAY OF TINCTURE OILS AND SOME TOPICAL PRODUCTS.

THEY WILL ALL BE EXTRACTED AND FORMULATED IN THIS FACILITY HERE, RIGHT ON-SITE.

THERE'S MINIMAL RISK OF ERRORS WITH CONTAMINATION SO THIS IS ALL A VERY TIGHT SHIP IN REFERENCE TO A PREVIOUS QUESTION.

I HAVE BEEN AROUND A GREAT MANY MEDICAL CANNABIS AND OTHER CANNABIS COMPANIES, LEGAL COMPANIES IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THIS IS IT POLICIED TO BE A REALLY GREAT ONE.

>> THEY JUST NEED TO DO THEIR JOB.

REVIEW THE ACTUAL APPLICANTS, REVIEW THE SITES AND MAKE A DECISION BASED ON THE CRITERIA THAT IS SET FORTH IN THE STATUTE.

OF COURSE WITHIN 60 DAYS HOW FAST CAN YOU GET UP TO SPEED RATHER THAN THESE PAPER APPLICATIONS THAT, AS DR. GARTERMAN SAID THEY DON'T BARE ANY RELATIONSHIP TO REALITY.

SO UNLESS THE COMMISSION COMES OUT AND MAKES AN ACTUAL DECISION BASED ON ITS EXPERTISE THEN IT COULD GO ON FOREVER.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

A.

>> YOU HAVE TO WONDER ARE WE LOOKING AT THE TOTALITY OF THE COST OF SOME OF THE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF OF TRANSPORTATION AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S THE WAY PEE NEED TO HEAD AND REALLY, AGAIN, IF IT'S A $60 MILLION BRIDGE BUT WE'RE ADDING FOUR OR $5 MILLION LEGAL FEES BY THE TIME IT'S DONE THAT'S NOT TO INCLUDE THE LEGAL FEES WITH THE RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION, NOT TO INCLUDE THE LEGAL FEES ASSOCIATED WITH DISCOVERY AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND WHETHER OR NOT, YOU KNOW, EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE EXTENDS TO CERTAIN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ALDOT DIRECTOR AND CHIEF OF STAFF AND THE GOVERNOR.

THIS THING JUST CONTINUES TO GET MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE AND YOU HAVE TO WONDER WAS THAT THE BEST WAY TO PROCEED.

>> OH, AND BY THE WAY, STILL NO BRIDGES.

>> WELL, I NOTICE THAT WHEN I WAS DOWN THERE THE OTHER DAY.

BUT YOU CAN SEE IT BUT I GUESS THE LITIGATION STOPPED IT?

>> IT DID.

THAT'S THE QUESTION.

IS THAT GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE?

IF THAT'S THE CASE WHAT WOO HAVE WE -- WE SPENT AN AWFUL LOT OF MONEY WITH NO SHE GOES AND THAT WOULD BE VERY FRUSTRATING.

>> SWITCHING GEARS WHY NOTED TO TALK ABOUT YOUR BEEF WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES.

YOU SAID EARLIER -- I GUESS YOU NOW FILED A BILL FOR TRYING TO RECAPTURE SOME OF THEIR BUDGET AND IT'S BASED ON THIS PROGRAM THEY HAD FOR PRIDE MONTH WHICH WAS IN JUNE ABOUT ALABAMIANS WHO THROUGH THE HISTORY LGBT, THAT KIND OF THINGS.

YOU OBJECTED TO IT AND SAID YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET GOING FORWARD.

>> A NUMBER OF OUR COLLEAGUES WERE SHOCKED TO LEARN OUR DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY WAS HIGHLIGHTING THE LGBTQ + PROGRAMMING INSIDE THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.

AND MY ISSUES THERE IS THAT UNDERLYING THAT CONVERSATION IS NOT THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL ALABAMIANS AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS BUT IT'S THE FACT THAT WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING THESE FOLKS BECAUSE OF THIS -- BECAUSE OF THE LGBTQ STUFF, AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DO IN THEIR BEDROOMSES.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT OUGHT TO DEFINE THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

IF YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE THEM BECAUSE THEY'VE MADE SOME SORT OF MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY OR BUSINESS OR WHATEVER, THEN SO BE IT.

BUT DO WE REALLY NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT FOCUS IN THE CONTEXT AND SEPARATING THEM BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DO IN THEIR BEDROOMS AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS APPROPRIATE.

>> WOULDN'T IT BE FAIR TO SAY BEING GAY OR LESBIAN OR WHATEVER IS SOMETHING -- SOCIETY-WISE, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONENER ALABAMA HAS BEEN SOMETHING TO OVERCOME AND IT'S PART OF THE FABRIC, WHY SHOULDN'T IT BE PART OF WHAT THE HISTORY IS TAUGHT?

>> I'M AFRAID I JUST TAKE ISSUE WITH THAT.

AND I HAVE SEEN OTHER JOURNALISTS COME OUT AND SAY THIS IS THE SAME AS BEING BLACK OR -- AND IT'S JUST NOT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS PREDICATED ON WHAT SOMEBODY DOES IN THEIR BEDROOM AND WITH WHOM THEY DO IT.

AND I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE DISCUSSING IN THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.

AND THIS CONTINUED DRUM BEAT THAT WE SEE FROM COMPENSATIONS AND FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUSHING WHAT IS IN MY MIND A HYPER SEXUALIZED CONVERSATION IN OUR CULTURE IS IT JUST SOMETHING THAT I DON'T THINK THE STATE OF ALABAMA OUGHT TO BE INVOLVED IN.

I DON'T THINK WE AUDIO OUGHT TO BE USING STATE RESOURCES N AND I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF THIS PROGRAMMING WASN'T FUNDED BY THAT BUT IT WAS IN A STATE OWNED BUILDING WITH STATE STAFF AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

WHY TONIGHT MAKE SURE WITH THIS LEGISLATION THAT WE SEND A MESSAGE TO THE PROXIMATE SEE HERE IN ALABAMA THAT SAYS STAY OUT OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.

DON'T BE PROMOTING THIS, YOU KNOW, STICK WITH ARCHIVES AND HISTORY AND LET'S STAY OUT OF UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT SOMEBODY DOES IN THEIR BERM.

>> WHAT WOULD YOUR BILL DO, TRY TO CLAW BACK MONEY?

IS THERE A WAY TO DO THAT.

>> THERE IS.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY DOES GREAT WORK IN WORK THAT I'M PROUD OF, ONE OF THE PREEMINENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY I THINK.

I THINK THEY'RE A LITTLE MISGUIDED ON THIS.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ANY OPERATING FUNDS OR GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION OR ABOUT THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND APPROPRIATION.

THIS WAS A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION, EXTRA, IF YOU WILL, THAT THEY RECEIVED AND IT IS MY ATTENTION TO KNOW THERE'S BROUGHT SUPPORT THIS.

IT'S MY COLLEAGUE'S INTENTION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SEND A ARCHIVES AND HISTORY TO THE DIRECTOR AND THE BOARD THAT WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CALLS YOU AND SAYS HEY YOU OUGHT NOT DO THIS AND YOU DO IT ANYWAY YOU'RE TELLING APPROPRIATORS NO.

>> I WAS I'M GOING TO ASK IF YOU HAD CONVERSATIONS BEFORE ALL OF THIS.

>> WE DID.

DIRECTOR MURRAY AND I TALKED ON THE PHONE.

I KNOW DIRECTOR MURRAY GOT PHONE CALLS FROM HOUSE MEMBERS AND SENATORS ENCOURAGING THEM NOT HAD TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROGRAM.

THEY CHOSE HAD TO DO SO ANYWAY.

SO THAT'S THE DANGER YOU RUN INTO WHEN YOU'RE TELLING APPROPRIATORS NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS.

THIS IS SUPPLEMENTAL MONEY.

MYSELF UNDERSTANDING WAS TO BE USED FOR CAPITAL EXPENSES AND WE THINK THERE'S THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL THAT MONEY BACK.

AND AGAIN THE INTENTION IS TO SEND A MESSENGER THAT SAYS STAY OUT OF THIS AREA.

>> WELL, IT TAKES 2/3 BRING IT UP OUT OF ORDER IN SPECIAL SESSION SO WE WILL BE WATCHING CLOSELY TO SEE IF YOU GET THE VOTES.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT WE WILL LET YOU GET BACK TO THE BEACH WHERE EVERYBODY ELSE SEEMS TO BE.

>> I'M HELDED SOUTH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY DANIEL ERIK HEART, OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU'RE BRAND-NEW ON THE JOB; RIGHT?

I KNOW MR. REDDEN RETIRED AFTER.

YEARS AND SO YOU'RE THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET SO CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> I WAS HOPING -- WE LOVE TO HAVE NEW MEMBERS OF THE CABINET ON AND IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY AND LAWMAKERS, IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS AND EDUCATE THEM ON JUST WHAT THESE AGENCIES DO.

SO OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CAN YOU KIND OF WALK US THROUGH THE BASICS OF WHAT YOUR AGENCY DOES?

>> SURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

OIT WAS FORMED IN 2013, VIA LEGISLATIVE ACT UPON THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 117.

SO THE PRIMARY FUNCTION WAS IT GOVERNANCE AND POLICY ORGANIZATIOND WITH OPERATIONAL RUN TIME OF ALL OF THE IT FOLKS, THE TECHNICAL STAFF BEING MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE FINANCE INFORMATION SERVICE DIVISION.

SO THAT STAYED THAT WAY IN PLACE AND REALLY THE SCOPE OF OIT WAS EXECUTIVE BRANCH, ALL AGENCIES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, YOU KNOW, THE SMALLER AGENCIES, DOESN'T REALLY INCLUDE THE LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL, OR EDUCATION BRANCHES.

>> IN 2017, LEGISLATION WAS PASSED TO MOVE ALL OF THE OPERATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, ISD DIVISION UNDER OIT.

SO THE ROLE CHANGED A BIT IF YOU WERE THE ONE GOVERNING AND THE ONE TURNING THE KNOBS ON ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY.

SO DEFINITELY A BIG METHODOLOGY SHIFT.

THE THREE BASIC THINGS THAT OIT IS TASKED WITH, AND IT'S LEGISLATION IS FROM DIFFERENT AGENCIES.

SO IT'S STILL KIND OF COBBLED TOGETHER BUT IF YOU PIECE IT ALL TOGETHER, THE THREE HIGH THINGS ARE IT -- THESE ARE ALL RELATED TO IT, SO GOVERNANCE, STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

I'M KIND OF UNPACKING THAT A LITTLE BIT.

THE GOVERNS ASPECT INCLUDES POLICY AND PROCEDURE AND THINGS YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO AND NOT DO ON STATE NETWORKS.

WATCHING THE INTERNET, YOU CAN SPEND ALL DAY DOING THINGS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> SO YOUR TEAM COMES UP WITH POLICIES THAT STATE AGENCIES FOLLOW ACE IT PERTAINS TO HOW YOU GO ABOUT USING TECHNOLOGY.

>> RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT'S A LOT OF AGENCIES USE THOSE OVER ARCHING POLICIES AS THEY GO THROUGH AUDITS.

WE HAVE A SEVERAL AGENCIES THAT ARE IRS OR HIPAA COMPLIANT AND THEY REFER TO THOSE POLICIES HELD.

IN ADDITION NO THAT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN POLICIES THAT MAY BE MORE STRINGENT BUT WE PROVIDE THE BAILS LINE FOR GOVERNS THAT AGENCIES FOLLOW.

ALSO PART OF OUR ROLE IS CONTRACT MANAGEMENT.

WE GO AND PROCURE STATE LEVEL CONTRACTS FOR TECHNOLOGY FOR, YOU KNOW, DESKTOP COMPUTERS OR SERVERS OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, WHATEVER PEOPLE NEED TO DO THE BUSINESS.

AND THOSE ARE OPEN TO EVERYBODY.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH GOVERNMENT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE OIT TO PROCURE SOME OF THOSE SERVICES BUT OTHER AGENCIES, LIKE A LOCAL CITY COUNT WE CAN USE THOSE CONTRACTS AS WELL IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

A LOT OF THEM NEGOTIATE THEIR OWN BUT WE DO IT FOR THE STATE AS A WHOLE AND OPEN THAT UP TO CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

SO IT SAVES A LOT OF THE SMALLER MUNICIPAL PALACES THE TIME AND EFFORT OF GOING THROUGH ALL OF THAT CONTRACT BID AND MANAGEMENT AND PROCUREMENT AND NEGOTIATION SO -- >> YEAH I'M SURE A LOT OF THEM DON'T HAVE THE STAFF PURR TO DO THAT KIND OF THING.

>> RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY.

SO IT'S A BIG BENEFIT FOR THE SMALL MUNICIPALITIES.

SOME OF THE BIGGER CITIES MAY NEGOTIATE THEIR OWN CONTRACTS OR WITH EDUCATION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SUPER COMPUTER AUTHORITY HANDLE'S LOT OF THEM FOR THEM.

>> WE ALSO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES ARE FOR ALL OF THE BRANCH AGENCIES SO IF YOU HAVE DATA NEEDS, IF YOU NEED TO ACCESS THE STATE NETWORK TO CONDUCT BILLS OR IF YOU NEED TELEPHONE SERVICES.

>> I KNOW THERE WAS A BIG CHANGE RECENTLY GOING FROM SORT OF THE OLD GENERATION TO THE NEW GENERATION IN TERMS OF ALL OF THESE AGENCIES THAT USE PHONES AND INTERNET I GUESS.

>> THAT WAS A CHALLENGING PRODUCT THAT STARTED IN 2018 WITH MODERNIZATION OF A 30-YEAR-OLD PHONE SYSTEM.

SO IT'S A COPPER BASED TECHNOLOGY WHICH THE CARRIERS AREN'T SUPPORTING ANYMORE.

MAIN BY BECAUSE IT'S JUST EXPENSIVE AND EVERY TIME IT RAINS IT GOES OUT SO IT'S A LOT OF SERVICE DISRUPTIONS.

WE STARTED THAT IN THE 2018 AND IT'S ABOUT A THREE YEAR PROJECT TO CONVERT EVERYTHING OVER AND THEN IN 2022, WE WENT THROUGH THE DECOMMISSIONING PHASE OF THAT, OF THE OLD 30 YEARS PHONE SYSTEM, AND IT WAS KIND OF CHALLENGING JUST BECAUSE EVEN THE CARRIER WAS USING BILLING SYSTEMS 30 YEARS OLD SO HE WE HAD TO TRACK DOWN ALL OF THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT EVERYTHING SO IT SAVES THE STATE $600,000 ONCE WE FINALE PUT THAT ONE TO REST.

>> WOW.

THAT'S INTERESTING THINK THINKING ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY.

NO MORE ROTARY PHONES.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT CYBERSECURITY.

BECAUSE WHEN I HEAR OIT, I HEAR, OKAY, YOUR KEEPING ALL OF THESE AGENCIES SAFE.

I'M THINKING ABOUT CYBERATTACKS.

WANT TO LIVE IN THIS ERA OF CYBERATTACKS THAT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.

SOME OF THEM MAY BE GO UNDER THE RADAR.

SOME ARE FRONT OF PAGE NEWS.

>> TALK ABOUT YOUR AGENCY'S ROLE IN PREVENTING CYBERATTACK WHEN THEY HAPPEN.

>> WE HAVE A GOT BIT OF THE EXECUTIVE AGENCIES ON OUR NETWORK SO WE HAVE VISIBILITY IN ALL OF THE EMAIL FOR ANYTHING THAT GOES ON IN THE NETWORK SO WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT ACTUALLY DO 24/7 MONITORING AND WE HAVE -- IF SOMETHING HAPPENS WE GET REPORTS BACK.

WE ALSO HAVE -- WE HAVE STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS AS WELL WITH HOMELAND SECURITY, IT'S DEFINITELY A COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT AND EVERYBODY HAS INFORMATION SHARES.

SO WE HAVE -- WE PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THEM AND WE'RE ON BOARDING NEW AGENCIES AS WELL.

SO THEY CAN KIND OF SHARE IN THE MONITORING OF THEIR EVENT SPECIFIC OF EVENTS.

>> INTERESTING.

I'M TRYING TO THINK OF AN INCIDENCE LIKE WHY SOMEONE WOULD WANT TO HACK INTO -- HACK INTO A CYBERATTACK.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY GOING AROUND.

WE HAVE A MILITARY DEPARTMENT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HOT SPOTS WHERE YOU SEE MORE ACTIVITY IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THREATS HAD.

>> A LOT OF BAD ACTORS WILL GO AFTER WEBSITES.

THEY WILL TAKE PUBLIC DATA.

THE LARGER ONES ARE WHERE THEY GO AFTER PRIVATE CONFIDENTIAL DATA.

A LOT OF THE AGENCIES HAVE CITIZEN BASED DATA HAVE HIGHER RISK BECAUSE THEY HAVE INFORMATION THAT THE CRIMINALS WANT.

>> I'M I'M THINKING TAX SEASON AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

WELL, THAT'S FASCINATING, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S REASSURING KNOWING THAT THERE'S AN ENTIRE AGENCY DEDICATED TO THIS AND THAT YOU'RE NOT JUST DOING IT ON YOUR OWN, BUT YOU HAVE CONTRACTING AND FEDERAL PARTNERS.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT WIRELESS DOWNTOWN.

I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN ANOTHER PROJECT FOR Y'ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES HAVE ACCESS TO WIRELESS.

TALK ABOUT YOUR EFFORTS THERE.

>> SURE.

IN 2022 WE STARTED TO MODERNIZE THAT.

THAT AGING INFRASTRUCTURE CONTROLS SECURITY ISSUES BECAUSE THEY MANUFACTURERS QUIT PATCHING AFTER A CERTAIN TIME.

SO WE STARTED OUR PROJECT IN 2022 TO MARINE ALL OF OUR DOWNTOWN WIRELESS ACTIVITY FOR AGENCIES THAT USES OIT SERVICES.

IT WAS ROUGHLY 22 BUILD EXAMINATION -- >> SO BASICALLY ALL AROUND HERE.

>> RIGHT.

ALL AROUND HERE.

SO IT WAS A REALLY GOOD PROJECT AND IT PROVIDED UPDATED TECHNOLOGY AND BETTER SECURITY FOR OUR USERS AS WELL AS FLEX BIT SO VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND LOOKING TO EXPAND IT OUTSIDE OF THE CAMPUS AS WELL.

>> MR. SECRETARY BEFORE I LET YOU GO CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IN THIS FIELD AND WATT LED YOU TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FOB SECRETARY OF OIT.

>> YEAH.

IN 2020 I CAME OVER TO OIT.

1ST OF ALL I HAVE BEEN WITH STATE GOVERNMENT FOR 20 YEARS.

LAST THREE WERE WITH OIT.

I WAS SERVING AS DEPUTY SECRETARY UNDER MARTY REDDEN AND GOT A GOOD VIEW OF OIT AND HOW IT FUNCTIONS AS AN AGENCY AND HOW IT SERVES ALL OF THE OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCIES AS WELL.

PRIOR THAT THAT I SPENT 17 YEARS AS THE AGENCY CIO AT ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND WHILE THERE IN 2018 WE BUILT A SEPARATE INDEPENDENT NETWORK TO MEET FBI REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

SO VERY DETAILED PROJECT, INVOLVED A LOT OF COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND SEVERAL PARTNERS.

THAT WAS A VERY DETAILED PROJECT THAT SET THEM UP FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> WELL, LOOK, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW TO WALK US THROUGH SOME OF THESE INTERESTING ISSUES THAT MAYBE WE DON'T THINK ABOUT A LOT BUT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR OUR STATE FUNCTIONS.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> EVER SINCE THE DISCOVERY AND CONFIRMATION OF THE CLOTILDA IN THE MOBILE RIVER FASCINATION HAS GROWN ABOUT AMERICA'S LAST KNOWN SLAVE SHIP TO CROSS THE MIDDLE PASSAGE.

THIS WEEKEND THE HERITAGE HOUSE MUTUAL IS SET IF OPEN IN AFRICATOWN.

OUR OWN RANDY SCOTT JUST AIRED A SPECIAL DOCUMENTARY FOCUSED ON HERITAGE HOUSE.

AND THE CLOTILDA.

RANDY JOINS US NOW.

TERRIFIC WORK.

GREAT WORK.

CONGRATULATIONSES ON A FINE PIECE OF TV.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT I CAN'T CLAIM ALL OF THAT TO MY OWN.

GREG MORRISON, WHO IS FEATURED IN THE DOCUMENTARY HERSELF IS A DESCENDENT OF THE DESCENDANTS AND SHE IS SPEAKING FROM A FIRSTHAND BASIS FROM PEOPLE IN THE AFRICATOWN COMMUNITY AND PRICHARD COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS THIS STORY IS RULE.

>> WE HAVE CLIPS TO AIR AND THIS IS A 30 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THIS, THAT WE AIRED ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION ON THURSDAY, AND IT WILL AIR AGAIN.

IT'S ONLINE AT APTV.ORG ON THE HOME PAGE AND WE WILL AIR CLIPS IN A MINUTE.

I WANTED TO ASK JUST KIND OF GOING BACK WHAT LET UP TO THIS PROJECT FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTNERS.

>> WELL, FOR ME IT WAS IT WASN'T SOMETHING I HEARD ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE AND I HAD CLASS MATES, FRIENDS, FRATERNITY BROTHERS AND YOU NAME IT AND WHENEVER WE WOULD GO DOWN THEY WOULD TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF AFRICA TOWN AND WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT AND THIS GENTLEMAN NAMED CUDGILL LEWIS.

AND I THOUGHT WHY WOULD THEY NAME A BEGAN DIES SEE, BUT IT'S KUDZO.

HE WAS ONE OF THE LAST MEME TO COME OFF THE BOAT CLOTILDA WHEN IT SAILED INTO MOBILE ALL THE WAY FROM AFRICA.

AND DOING RESEARCH, EVEN AFTER COLLEGE WHEN I WAS WORKING IN MOBILE IN TELEVISION I ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT AFRICATOWN, THE CLOTILDA, WHAT IS IT?

WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LIVE IN AFRICATOWN WHO ARE DESCENDANTS THE ONE THING THEY WOULD ALWAYS SAY, IT'S OVER THERE.

IT'S OVER THERE.

>> SO YOU ALWAYS KNEW THAT IT WAS ELEMENT JUST LIKE LOWER BUT AFTER SEARCHING FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS NOBODY WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM IT UNTIL JUST A FEW YEARS AGO; RIGHT.

>> 2019.

>> BEN RAINS AND HIS TEAM AND FOLKS LIKE THAT.

>> THEY FOUND IT.

AND THEY HAD ALL OF THE INFORMATION AS YOU HEAR IN THE DOCUMENTARY.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT QUESTIONS ABOUT IS THIS REALLY THE BOAT.

THEY HAD SPECS ON THE BOTTLE.

THEY HAD COMPENSATION AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION THEY NEED SOD WHEN THEY WENT DOWN THERE AND EXAMINED IT THEY COULD TELL THIS IS IT.

AND ALSO BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT, WHY IT'S DOWN WHERE IT IS IN THAT LOCATION ALONG THE RIVER IS BECAUSE AFTER THE TRIP WANT TO SAY DONE, ALLEGEDLY THOSE WHO WERE BEHIND TO HIDE THE EVIDENCE BURNED TO IT SINK IT SO IT WOULDN'T BE FOUND AGAIN AND LO AND BEHOLD IT WAS SOUND.

SO THEY TRIED TO DESTROY IT MAYBE A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE THIS IS FAR AFTER THAT HAD BEEN OUTLAWED AND THIS WAS A BET THEY TALK ABOUT.

DO YOU KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT SORT OF BEING MORE OF A LOCAL LEGEND, LOWER, AND SOMETHING PASSED DOWN AND I REMEMBER READING ABOUT THE CLOTILDA IN STATE NEWSPAPERS AND EVERYBODY EVERYTHING AND ITS WASN'T UNTIL THE NETFLIX THAT THE OBAMAS PRODUCED AND IT GOT NATIONAL ATTENTION.

ARE THEY TRYING TO CAPTURE THAT NATIONAL ATTENTION AND TRY TO REAL YIELD THAT SO INTO SOMETHING THAT CAN BE PRODUCTIVE.

>> YIELDING IT TO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE ON THE LEVEL OF SHOWING PEOPLE THAT THROUGHOUT ALL THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH, THE DESCENDANTS OF THOSE 115 AS THEY CALL THEM SURVIVED.

THEY CAME HERE WITH NOTHING.

THEY STARTED THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.

THEY PURCHASED LAND ON THEIR OWN COMMUNITY AND THEY SURVIVED.

IN THE YEARS SINCE THERE ARE SOME STILL IN THAT AREA AND OTHERS HAVE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AS FAR AS CHICAGO IN SOME CASES AND THEY WANTED TO SHOW IT WAS NOT JUST RUMORS BUT IT WAS FACT.

AND THEY HAD BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG, THAT SHIFT IS OVER THERE AND VETA SAID IT'S NOT FOR US.

WE ALREADY KNOW WHERE IT HAS BEEN.

IT'S FOR PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE OR EITHER WEREN'T SURE IF IT WAS THERE.

HERE YOU GO.

THERE IT IS.

>> NOW I ENJOYED THAT PART WHEN THE HISTORIAN COMES IN AND EXPLAINS LIKE THAT IS -- NO, THIS CAN BE TRACESSED BACK AND THIS PROVES THAT IT WAS THE CLOTILDA, THIS PROVES THE WHOLE STORY, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THIS ONE RELIC, ONE PIECE OF THE SHIP OR WHATEVER.

IT'S THE PROOF AND THE STORY AND SOMETHING I THINK WE ALL NEED TO KNOW.

WELL, I SAW THAT YOU WENT OUT ON A BOAT WITH THEM E WHAT WAS THAT LIKE BEING ON-SITE WITH SOMEBODY, A DESCENDANT?

I'M SURE SHE LOOKED KIND OF EMOTIONAL HERSELF JUST TAKING IT ALL IN.

>> VERY EMOTIONAL FOR HER.

BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE EVERYTHING OCCURRED FOR HER FAMILY.

AFTER BEING TAKEN FROM AFRICA AND BROUGHT HERE THIS IS WHERE THAT SHIP LITERALLY DROPPED THEM OFF AND WHERE IT WAS DESTROYED OR THEY THOUGHT THEY DESTROYED IT.

AND SO BEGAN THE STORY OF THEIR AMERICAN EXPERIENCE OR THEIR LIFE IN NORTH AMERICA.

AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT FAMILY MEMBERS MADE SURE, ALL OF THEIR DESCENDANTS AND CHILDREN AND RELATIVES KNEW OF THIS STORY.

AND PEOPLE -- >> IT'S A UNIQUE ONE.

AND HOW YOU SNEAK ARE -- YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT AND WATCH DOCUMENTARIES BUT KNOWING THAT YOU'RE THE DESCENDERNITY OF SOMEBODY ON THAT BOAT HAS TO MAKE IT MUCH MORE PERSONAL.

AND YOU COULD KIND OF SEE IT IN HER IDENTIFIES AND HEAR IT IN HER VOICE.

>> YOU ASKED HOW DID IT FEEL BEING THERE?

TO ME, I GOT THE SAME FEELING OR FEELINGS SIMILAR TO THAT WHEN I WENT TO GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK CITY, WHEN I VISITED THE TOMB OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING AND CORETTA SCOTT KING.

YOU JUST CAN'T SAY ANYTHING.

YOU JUST SIT THERE AND TRY TO SOAK IT ALL IN.

AND YOU THINK ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR THEM?

WHAT DID THEY SEE WHEN THEY CAME HERE?

WHAT DID THEY HEAR?

WHAT WERE THEIR EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS?

YOU SEE THIS YEAR AND YOU THINK IT'S JUST MARSHLAND OFF MOBILE RIVER BUT IT HOLDS A STORY, A DEEP STORY.

AND IT'S NOT JUST FOR THAT AREA COMMUNITY, KEEP IN MIND, IT WAS SOMETHING DONE AFTER A LAW WAS PASSED TO SAY THAT SLAVERY WAS OVER.

IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

>> OR AT LEAST THE TRANSPORT.

>> THE TRANSPORT.

AND THAT MEANS IT HAS AN AFFECT FLUTE THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

PEOPLE ACTUALLY SOUGHT TO DO THIS AND DID IT.

AND SO, BECAUSE OF THAT, SOME PEOPLE, THEY STARTED THEIR STORY HERE IN THE AMERICAS AND HOW THEY MANAGED TO SURVIVE AND LIVE AFTER THAT AND COPE WITH WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR PEOPLE AND MANAGED TO GET ALONG WITH IT.

AND MIND YOU, THAT AREA, AFRICATOWN IT WAS A SELF SUSTAINING AREA.

THEY ACTUALLY HAD BUSINESSES AND HAD SCHOOLS.

THEY HAD STORES -- YOU NAME IT.

THEY ARE SELF SUSTAINING AND ANOTHER PART OF THE STORY IS HOW THAT SOMEWHAT FADED AWAY.

YOU ASKED WHAT ARE THEY DOING AND HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH, THEY HOPE TO REVITALIZE IT IN TERMS OF GETTING PEOPLE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS AREA IS ALL ABOUT.

IT'S NOT TOURIST ATTRACTION BY NO MEANS BUT DEFINITELY A HISTORY LESSON FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE IN.

WELL, I JUST READ THEY'RE SOLD OUTDOOR OF GUIDED TOURS FOR THE FORE RECEIVABLE FUTURE SO IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT RIGHT NOW.

BUT I OPENED.

IT OPENS THIS WEEKEND AND IT'S FASCINATING AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GO AND WATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY.

IT'S ONLINE AT APTV.ORG THROUGH THE HOME PAGE AND IT WILL BE AIRING ON PUBLIC TELEVISION BUT THE QUICKEST WAY TO DO IT IS ONLINE.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE STORY AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT GOING FORWARD.

>> LIKE I SAID, IT WASN'T JUST ME GREG MORRISON AND VETA THEY HAD A LEADERSHIP SHARE IN THIS BECAUSE THEY WERE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND IT AS WELL.

>> THANKS TO ALL.

>> NOW AS PROMISED HERE ARE A FEW CLIPS FROM THAT SPECIAL AFRICATOWN HERITAGE HOUSES DOCUMENTARY.

>> I KNOW THIS WAS JUST A CAMP BUT THIS IS LIKE A HISTORICAL PLACE, THE LAST DOCUMENT THE SLAVE SHIP TO ILLEGALLY BRING AFRICANS TO THE UNITED STATES.

>> A TOUGH TOPIC FOR SOME TO TALK ABOUT EVEN TODAY.

>> OH, YEAH.

IT'S NEVER BEEN TOUGH FOR TO US TALK ABOUT, THOUGH.

WE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT IT.

>> BUT AS SHE AND OTHER DESCENDANTS TELL YOU THE STORY OF THESE PEOPLE DOESN'T END IN THIS MOSS COVERED SECTION OF MOBILE RIVER.

>> MY ANCESTORS, MY 3RD GRADE GRANDPARENTS WERE ON THE CLOTILDA.

THEY WERE IT WOULD HAVE THE 32 PEOPLE WHO FOUNDED AFRICATOWN SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WERE TWO OF THE PEOPLE WHO, AFTER THEY GOT OUT OF THESE MARSHES WERE ENSLAVED FOR FIVE YEARS.

>> THIS IS A CONTINUATION AND WHAT WAS INSTILLED IN ME.

BUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY, MOBILE -- THE COMMUNITY OF MOBILE, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INVITE THOSE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THE WORLD TO COME AND LEARN ABOUT HOUR ANCESTORS, WHO THEY WERE AS INDIVIDUALS.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANT IS THE STORIES OF THOSE 110 SURVIVERS, THE STORY OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES.

LEARN ABOUT EACH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND LEARN ABOUT THE RESILIENCY OF WHO THEY WERE AS INDIVIDUALS, AS AMERICANS, AS AFRICANS AND JUST A CONTINUATION.

>> CONFIRMATION THAT THE WRECKAGE HAD BEEN FOUND SPURRED EFFORTS TO HONOR THE 110 AND THAT STARTED A LOCAL MOVEMENT TO MAKES THE LINKAGE MORE TANGIBLE.

INSTEAD OF A MARK EARLY OR RENAMING A STREET, COMMUNITY LEADERS AGREED THAT A PERMANENT MUSEUMS AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER WAS NEEDED TO CARRY THE STORY FORWARD.

>> SO THE HERITAGE HOUSE WAS AN ANSWER TO A PROBLEM.

THE PROBLEM WAS WE HAD ARTIFACTS FROM THE SHIP, FROM THAT 1ST DIVE AND THE COMMUNITY SAID WE WANT THIS TO BE DISPLAYED AND WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO BE DISPLAYED INSIDE AFRICATOWN.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE MOBILE COUNTY COMMISSION IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.

>> MOBILE COUNTY COMMISSION SARAH LUDGOOD'S DISTRICT INCLUDES AFRICATOWN.

SHE ALONG WITH THE COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE ELECTRICALGATION USED A LOT OF POLITICAL CAPITAL TO GALVANIZE COMMUNITY AND FINANCIAL SUPPORTS TO CREATE THE SPACE.

>> WELL, THERE WERE NO OPTIONS BECAUSE YOU NEED SPECIAL FACILITIES BECAUSE OF THE FRAGILITY OF THE PARTS FROM THE SHIP AND SO EL THE IDEA OF AFRICATOWN HERITAGE HOUSE WAS TO CREATE A SPACE INSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WAS PROPERLY BUILT AND BE ABLE TO HANDLE THOSE ARTIFACTS.

NOBODY WANTS TO DO AN EXHIBITION WITH TWO TANKS AND SHIP PARTS.

SO THE NEXT PHASE, WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT LIKE THAT.

WE NEED TO TELL THE COMPLETE STORY.

BECAUSE THE SHIP IS INCIDENTAL TO THE STORY OF WHAT THE PEOPLE DID.

SO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO AT THE TIME THE STORY THAT THE SHIP IS IT A PART OF THE STORY BUT TO TELL THE ENTIRE AFRICATOWN STORY.

>> THE HERITAGE HOUSE PROJECT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AN HONEST PORTRAYAL OF THE LEGACY OF THE 110.

A KEY TO THAT PROCESS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXHIBIT ARTIFACTS FROM THE WRECKERRAGE OF THE CLOTILDA WHICH HAD BEEN SUBMERGED MORE THAN A CENTURY.

>> THE OBJECTS ARE ON LONE FROM THE STATE PRESERVATION AGENCY THAT ARE THE STEWARDS FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THINGS THAT ARE FOUND IN STATE WATERS SO THEY HAVE LOANED THE PIECES OF THE SHIP WRECKER THAT THEY HAVE RECOVERED FROM THE SITE IN THE MOBILE RIVER.

AND EACH PIECE THEY EVER RECOVERED TELLS PART OF THE STORY THAT PROVES THIS WAS IN FACT A CLOTILDA.

SO EACH PIECE WHETHER IT'S THE COMPENSATION OF THE WOOD OR THE IRON OR THE WAY THAT YOU CAN TELL THAT A PIECE OF WOOD WAS BURNED, EACH PIECE TELL US PART OF THE STORY AND CONFIRMS THIS WRECK IS, IN FACT, THE CLOTILDA.

>> AGAIN, GREAT WORK.

THAT'S AVAILABLE AT APT.ORG .

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

S. >> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME, RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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