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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

LEADING THE NEWS TONIGHT, VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WAS IN SELMA SUNDAY FOR THE 59TH COMMEMORATION OF BLOODY SUNDAY AND THE ANNUAL BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE.

HARRIS WAS ONE OF DOZENS OF NATIONAL PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE VARIOUS SERVICES AND EVENTS HONORING TH FOOT SOLDIERS WHO WERE BEATEN B TROOPERS FOR TRYING TO PUBLICLY PROTEST BEING DENIED THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

STANDING BEFORE THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE, THE VICE PRESIDENT RECOUNTED THE STRUGGL THAT WAS THE SPARK NEEDED TO PASS THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965.

>> THEY WERE PEACEFUL.

THEY KNEW.

THEY WOULD BE SURROUNDED.

THEY KNEW THEY MIGHT BE TRAMPLED BY HORSES.

EVEN SO, THEY MARCHED ON.

BUT THEY WERE FORCED TO RETREAT AND YET THEY WOULD NOT BE DETERRED AND HEEDED OR DENIED AND THEY RETURNED TO THIS BRIDGE, WHILE MANY WERE STILL BOUND BECAUSE THEY KNEW WHAT WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

A PROGRAMS OF A FUTURE THAT WAS MORE EQUAL, MORE JUST, AND MORE FREE.

AND, YES, THEY CROSSED THIS BRIDGE AND IN SO DOING, THEY ALSO BUILT A BRIDGE.

THEY BROUGHT TOGETHER AMERICANS AND MINISTERS AND RABBIS AND MEMBERS AND SCLC AND CIRCUS MONTHS LATER, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 WAS SIGNED INTO LAW.

THE STORY OF SELMA.

A STORY OF OUR NATION.

>> FREEDOM IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE PROMISE OF AMERICA.

FREEDOM IS NOT TO BE GIVEN.

IT IS NOT TO BE BESTOWED.

IT IS OURS BY RATE.

AND THE POWER BEHIND THE PROMISE OF FREEDOM HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE FAITH OF HER PEOPLE.

THE VICE PRESIDENT ALSO RAILED AGAINST THE RECENT ALABAMA SUPREME COURT RULING SAYING FROZEN EMBRYOS ARE TO BE CONSIDERED CHILDREN UNDER STATE LAW.

THAT RULING LED IVF CLINICS ACROSS THE STATE TO PAUSE THEIR SERVICES, LEAVING PROSPECTIVE PARENTS IN LIMBO.

HARRIS DID NOT MENTION THE FACT THAT ALABAMA LAWMAKERS HAVE BEE WORKING EVER SINCE THAT RULING TO PASS LEGISLATION PROTECTING IVF CLINICS AND PATIENTS.

SO, WHERE ARE WE IN THAT PROCESS.

LAST WEEK, THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED SIMILAR MEASURES TO OFFE PROTECTIONS TO IVF CLINICS AND PROSPECTIVE PARENTS.

BOTH BILLS ARE NOW SCHEDULED FO COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION IN THE OTHER CHAMBER ON TUESDAY.

THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE WIL TAKE UP HOUSE BILL 237 FROM REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS AT ITS STANDING MEETING AT 11:00 I ROOM 304.

AT 11:30, THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE WILL TAKE UP SENATE BILL 159 IN ROOM 206.

BOTH ARE EXPECTED TO ADVANCE, ALTHOUGH AMENDMENTS OR SUBSTITUTES ARE POSSIBLE GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE PROCESS.

THE BILLS WOULD THEN GO TO THE SECOND CHAMBER FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION ON WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY.

AS I MENTIONED, THE BILLS ARE SIMILAR BUT NOT IDENTICAL.

ONE KEY DIFFERENCE IS THE INCLUSION OF PROTECTION OF IVF GOODS IN THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE BILL.

A CHANGE IN THE SENATE REMOVED THAT, WHICH SOME SAY LEAVES OUT MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANIES CRITICAL TO THE PROCESS.

END GRAPHIC WE'LL BE WATCHING THESE DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY AND KEEP YOU UPDATED HERE ON CAPITO JOURNAL.

>> ON TO THE ISSUE GO GAMBLING.

AS YOU MAY REMEMBER, THE HOUSE PASSED A COMPREHENSIVE LOTTERY, CASINO AND SPORTS BETTING PACKAGE TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AGO.

THAT PLAN HAS STALLED IN THE SENATE AFTER A CONFUSING COMMITTEE MEETING LAST WEEK.

BUT SENATORS ARE PREPARED TO TR AGAIN TOMORROW.

A MEETING OF THE SENATE TOURISM COMMITTEE IS SET FOR 2:00 TUESDAY AND ON THE AGENDA ARE HOUSE BILLS 151 AND 152, THE COMBINED GAMBLING PACKAGE.

THE COMMITTEE COULD ADVANCE THE BILLS, SET THEM ASIDE, AMEND THEM OR, MORE LIKELY, SUBSTITUT THEM WITH ALTERNATIVE LEGISLATION DRAFTED IN THE SENATE.

MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON SAID A SCALED DOWN VERSION IS LIKELY TO CROP UP.

>> WELL, LOOK HERE.

I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ON THE CONVERSATIONS.

I'VE BEEN HERE 20 PLUS YEARS.

I INTRODUCED ONE OF THE FIRST BINGO BILLS THAT GOT PASSED FOR GREEN AND MAY CON COUNTY BACK IN 2002.

I THINK THAT WE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE ROOM WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, WHO REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON.

AND I MUST ADMIT I DID MEET WITH THEM AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS BEING PUT ON THE TABLE, HOPEFULLY THAT OVER THE WEEKEND THAT WE CAN COME BACK WITH A DRAFT, PUT IT IN COMMITTEE BY TUESDAY AND BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN VOTE ON.

I WOULD LIKE FOR THE HOUSE TO PUT OUT.

IF WE CAN TAKE WHAT THE HOUSE DID AND MOVE IT FORWARD, RIGHT NOW IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT'S GOING TO BE THE ISSUE HERE.

I MEAN, BE THE SOLUTION.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS JUST TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING WHERE EVERYBODY IS INCLUDED.

I HAVE NOT READ WHAT IT IS BUT I DO UNDERSTAND IT MAY BE SOMETHING COMING ON TUESDAY.

>> I THINK IT'S A REWRITE PERSONALLY.

I THINK IT'S A REWRITE FOR WHAT THE HOUSE HAS PASSED.

BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN IT SO THEREFORE I CAN'T BE CERTAIN OF WHAT IT IS.

I'M GOING TO BE ADVOCATING FOR WHAT THE HOUSE PASSED.

THAT'S WHAT I WILL BE ADVOCATING FOR.

TODAY IS READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY, AND, PER TRADITION, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY VISITED A SCHOOL TO READ TO STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO PICK UP READING AS A HABIT.

THIS YEAR'S EVENT TOOK HER TO OPP IN COVINGTON COUNTY TO VISI WITH THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF OPP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> JUST LIKE YOU, I SAT AT A DESK WITH BIG DREAMS AND WANTING TO LEARN.

BUT A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE I WAS IN SCHOOL.

I WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT.

BACK IN MY DAY, WE DIDN'T HAVE SHINY CABINETS OR FANCY GADGETS TO HELP US LEARN.

TODAY YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE INCREDIBLE TOOLS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.

TECHNOLOGY IS FANTASTIC, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

BUT DON'T BE AFRAID TO PICK UP A BOOK.

>> THERE ARE 16 HUNDRED SCHOOLS IN THE STATE AND ONLY ONE COULD GET THE GOVERNOR THERE TO KICK OFF "READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK."

NO YOU YOUR COMMITTEE.

MUST BE TO READ A LOT OF BOOKS THIS WEEK.

I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME GUEST READERS COMING IN, EVEN TODAY, AND I HOPE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO LOTS OF READING AND MAKE YOURSELF BETTER READERS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU STRONG STUDENTS AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES A GREAT ALABAMA.

THE STUDENTS ALSO SURPRISED STATE SUPERINTENDENT ERIC MACKE WITH A SPECIAL TRIBUTE ON HIS BIRTHDAY.

>> ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. MACKEY ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪ ♪ >> AND BOYS AND GIRLS WE HAVE A SPECIALIST SMALL CAKE FOR HIM.

(APPLAUSE) >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. MACKEY.

COMING UP NEXT I WILL VISIT WITH DR. KIMBERLY ROBINSON, C.E.O.

AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE.

AFTER THAT I WILL SIT DOWN WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, ALVIN BRIGGS ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS THAT JUST CONCLUDED.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TUESDAY ISSPACE DAY HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE AND IN THE LARGER CAPITAL COMPLEX.

JOINING ME NEXT TO TALK ABOUT IT IS DR. KIMBERLY ROBINSON, CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER.

DR. ROBINSON, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODD >> THIS IS EXCITING.

IT'S ONE OF THESE THINGS EVERY YEAR WE LOOK FORWARD TO.

EVERY YEAR IN COVID WE DIDN'T GET TO HAVE IT SO MUCH.

THIS IS WHEN U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER, SOME OF THE OTHER COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE SPACE INDUSTRY THERE COME DOWN FROM HUNTSVILLE AND SHARE A LOT OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SPACE COMMUNITY WITH US IN THE STATEHOUSE.

SO TALK ABOUTSPACE DAY, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT, AND MAYBE WHAT WE CAN EXPECT?

>> WELL, SURE.

SO WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE AS PART OF NASASPACE DAY IN MOMENT.

I WILL TELL YOU, WE HAVE A BIG DAY PLANNED FOR TOTAL.

WE WERE GOING TO BE OUTSIDE MORE.

BUT DUE TO THE WEATHER WE HAVE MOVED ALL IN DOORS.

BUT WE WILL HAVE ABOUT THREE HUNDRED STUDENTS ACROSS THE REGION JOIN US, ALONG WITH THE DIRECTOR OF MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, THE HEAD OF UAH, AS WELL AS A NASA ASTRONAUT THAT WILL BE THERE TO TALK WITH THE STUDENTS AND HELP INSPIRE PEOPLE TO CONSIDER GOING INTO THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IS IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND HAS A LARGE ECONOMIC IMPACT TO US HERE.

AND SO WE ARE GLAD TO BRING THE STORIES OF WHAT IS IT GOING IN IT TO THE MONTGOMERY AREA >> REAL LIVE ASTRONAUT HERE IN OUR BUILDING.

TO ME THAT'S A HERO.

GROWING UP, LOVING SPACE STUFF, THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY COOL.

YOU HAD AN OP ED IN TODAY'S DAILY NEWS TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF, YOU KNOW, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO COME DOWN HERE, NOT TO DEPEND ON EVERYBODY TO REMEMBER IT'S IN HUNTSVILLE BUT TO SHOW UP AND HELP LAWMAKERS MAYBE UNDERSTANDING JUST THE IMPACT THAT THE SPACE COMMUNITY HAS.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY THAT IS IMPORTANT >> WELL, SURE.

THE U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER.

FROM 2019, WE HAVE ABOUT 135 MILLION DOLLARS ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THE STATE AND MORE THAN 2 THOUSAND JOBS OURSELVES.

AND THAT'S JUST TELLING THE STORY ABOUT THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

THE ARROW SPACE INDUSTRY IS MUCH LARGER IN THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF IMPACT TOO THE STATE.

SO WE ARE GLAD TO COME DOWN HERE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DO.

WE HELP TO GIVE INFORMAL EDUCATION ON STEM SUBJECTS TO TRY TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO STUDY MORE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH.

SO THE SPACE CAMP, WHICH IS HOUSED AT THE U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER.

HAS MORE THAN A MILLION GRADUATES.

AND EVERY YEAR WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING TO EITHER THE MUSEUM OR TO THIS CAMP FROM EVERY STATE IN IN THE COUNTRY AND MORE THAN 70 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

SO WE TELL THE STORY VERY BROADLY AND SOMETIMES WE ARE THE ONLY LOCATION THAT PEOPLE TRAVEL TO IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE REPRESENTING ALABAMA AND THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE STORIES WE'RE TELLING >> WHAT A GREAT IMPRESSION OF ALABAMA TO BE IN SPACE CAMP AND EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER.

I.

READ SOMEWHERE WHERE IT'S MAYBE THE LONGEST ACTUALLY CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING STEM SCHOOL OR LAB, WHAT HAVE YOU, IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

THAT'S AMAZING.

THAT'S SPACE CAMP >> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE OPERATE THROUGH THE MONIKER OF SPACE CAMP.

WE OPERATE NOT ONLY THE LONGEST RUNNING, AT ALMOST 42 YEARS THIS SUMMER OF, BUT ALSO THE LARGEST STEM CAMP IN THE WORLD SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH CAMP.

IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO TO SPACE CAMP, THAT'S PRETTY COOL.

IT'S INTERESTING TO ME.

ALL OF THE TIMES I HAVE BEEN TO THE SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER, INCLUDING THAT FORMATIVE FIELD TRIP.

I THINK IT WAS FIFTH GRADE OR 6GRADE -- GOODNESS THAT WAS AWESOME.

BUT THE THINGS THAT I SAW THERE WERE PROBABLY IN A DIFFERENT THAN WHERE YOU HAVE EXHIBITS NOW, STUFF FROM THE APOLLO PROGRAMS IN THE 60S, SPACE SHUTTLE WAS STILL A BIG DEAL.

TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF IN SPACE CAMP AND SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER, YOU KNOW, BRIDGING THAT GAP BETWEEN THE 60S, MAYBE THE '80S AND THE NEWER THINGS HAPPENING IN NASA TODAY >> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE STILL TALK AUTOMATIC SPACE HISTORY AND WHAT HAPPENED THROUGH ALL OF THOSE DECADES AND WE'RE SENDING, YOU KNOW, MONEY TO MAKES SURE THOSE ARE ALL REFRESHED EXHIBIT SO HE IS WE CAN KEEP THEM ON DISPLAY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

AND NOW WE'RE ALSO TELLING THE STORY IN OUR LATEST EXHIBIT CALLED DARE TO EXPLORE, THE NEW FRONTIER.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TELL THE STORY OF SPACE TODAY.

YOU KNOW WE HAVE ENTERED INTO A NEW GOLDEN AGE OF SPACES EXPLORATION.

SO WITH THE UNITED STATES LEADING THE WAY.

SO IN THERE, WE HAVE EXHIBITS SHOWING WHAT IS HAPPENING FROM THE ARTEMIS PROGRAM, TO BLUE ORANGE IN AND THEIR NEW SHEPPARD AND MOVING ON TO ROCKETS.

WE HAVE THE STARSHIP FROM SPACEX AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE ONLY SPACEX CREW SUITS THAT ASTRONAUTS WORE.

THIS ONE WAS WORN BY CHRIS NEBROSKI ON DISPLAY IN THE DO YOU REMEMBER WHY.

WE JUST HAD ON DISPLAY THE PERSEVERANCE RECOVERY AND THE INDEPENDENT HELICOPTER FROM MARS SO WE'RE CONSTANTLY TELLING PEOPLE THIS IS HOW WE STARTED.

THESE WERE THE GREAT GLORY DAYS OF APOLLO BUT THE STORY CONTINUES AND EVEN TODAY THE WORK TIPS ON.

ESPECIALLY AT NASA MARSHAL WHERE THEY'RE WORKING ON HABITATS AND THEY'RE LANDING ON THE MOON.

AND WE'RE VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT, THE ARTEMIS ASTRONAUTS THAT ARE CHOSEN TO SHOW FLYING AROUND THE MOON, ONE OF THEM IS A SPACE CAMP GRADUATE AS WELL >> HOW ABOUT THAT?

I WAS JUST THINKING IS THERE A SPACE CAMP STUDENT NOW OR MAYBE IN THE YEARS TO COME WHO MIGHT BE THE FIRST TO MARS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

THAT'S AN EXCITING CON >> IT CERTAINLY INSPIRES US TO GET UP EVERY DAY AND INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> WHILE I STILL HAVE YOU, YOU ALSO PROVIDE FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS, RESOURCES THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE REALLY, REALLY ENJOY HAVING OUR SPACE ACADEMY FOR EDUCATORS.

AND YOU KNOW WHEN THE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FROM EACH STATE AND FROM EACH TERRITORY, WHEN THEY GET AWARDED THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR THEY GET AWARDED A TRIP TO SPACE CAMP AND TO OUR WONDERFUL EDUCATION AND TRAINING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS BUT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE ALSO DO IT FOR THE TEACHERS IN ALABAMA.

AND SO WE BRING THEM IN.

SO FAR -- LET'S SEE, I THINK WE HAVE DONE 7 HUNDRED SO FAR SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PROGRAM IN 2016 AND I THINK WE HAVE 150 MORE SLATED FOR THIS SUMMER.

WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN WE WHY TEACH A TEACHER AND PROVIDE HER WITH THE RESOURCES HE, HER OR HIM, THAT THEY CAN TAKE BACK AND THE INSPIRATION INTO THEIR CLASSROOM WE FIND WE HAVE A MULTIPLICATION FACTOR AND WE CAN REACH A LOT MORE STUDENTS THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE.

>> WOW, I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT LIKE THAT BECAUSE THEY GO BACK EXCITED AND READY TO SHARE AND THE CYCLE HOPEFULLY CONTINUES.

THAT'S FANTASTIC.

THATCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW SHIRE ALL YOU'RE DOING AT SPACE CAMP AND THE SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER.

WE'RE EXCITED FORSPACE DAY TOMORROW.

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE DAYS ON THE CALENDAR.

AND LET ME MENTION THIS.

WE'RE TRYING TO GO OUT OF THE STATE AND GET OUT OF MONTGOMERY AND GO TO OTHER PLACE SO HE IS WE WOULD LOVE TO COME TO SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER AND SHOWCASE THAT FOR OUR AUDIENCE.

>> WE LOVE TO HAVE YOU.

CONSIDER THIS AN OPEN INVITATION.

WE FILM A LOT OF MOVIES ON-SITE WE WOULD HAPPY TO COME AND BE THE BACKGROUND FOR THAT STORY.

LET US KNOW WHEN.

>> HERE WE GO.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" COMES TO SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS ALVIN BRIGGS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

MR. BRIGGS THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU HAVE HAD A BIG WEEK HAVEN'T YOU?

>> AN EXCITING WEEK.

IT'S BEEN FUN.

WE WERE ABLE TO BRING 56 SCHOOLS TO THE BIRMINGHAM AREA AND IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE THAT MANY, MANY COMMUNITIES ASCEND ON ONE OF OUR OWN COMMUNITY HEARSAY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> YEAH, THE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WE AIRED THEM HERE ON APT.

I WAS TELLING YOU BEFORE I PROBABLY GOT MORE FEEDBACK ABOUT THESE CHAMPIONSHIPS THAN EVEN THE FOOTBALL THAT WAS ON, MAYBE THE WORD IS OUT THIS IS WHERE THINGS ARE BEING AIRED BUT ALSO SO MANY SCHOOLS INVOLVED; RIGHT?

EVEN IF YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER ISN'T PLAYING ON ONE OF THESE TEAMS YOU WANT TO SEE IT WHEN THINK GO TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SO IT WAS WELL VIEWED I BELIEVE.

>> IT WAS.

PREVIOUSLY WE HAVE HAD TELEVISION COMPANIES THAT WAS ONLY IN SEGMENTS OF THE STATE.

BUT WHAT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION DOES IS GIVE US THE ENTIRE STATE.

AND WHEN THE ATHLETIC COMMUNITIES, EVEN THOUGH THE COMMUNITY IS 50 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, I KNOW PEOPLE IN THAT COMMUNITY BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WELL WE'RE CONNECTED IN ALABAMA SO WE GET THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

JACK WILLIAMS CAME TO US A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND PRESENTED THIS MODEL AND IT WAS A GREAT MODEL FOR EVERYBODY AND KNOWING THE ENTIRE STATE WOULD BE COVERED IS AWESOME.

>> WE'RE PROUD TO HOST IT.

IT'S FUN TO ALLOW FOR THAT SERVICE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY GETS COVERED.

AND I HEARD SOME GOOD FEEDBACK.

THE COMMENTATORS WERE VERY GOOD A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME THIS IS EVERYBODY BIT AS GOOD AS YOU WOULD SEE FOR A COLLEGE BROADCAST AND YET IT WAS FOR HIGH SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE COMMENTATOR FROM HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE, MR. BLACKSHEAR.

>> CHRIS HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB WITH HIGH SCHOOL FLEX OVER HIS YEARS, EVEN THOUGH HE IS A SIDELINE REPORTER FOR TROY.

HE LOVES HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS.

HE LOVES HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN IN THE ASSOCIATION.

AND THEN WE HAD MARK, ANOTHER FORMER BASKETBALL PLAYER THAT PLAYED IN MISSISSIPPI STATE AND KEVIN KARBINSKY.

HE WAS A BEGINNING WRITER WITH "THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS" WHEN I WAS PLAYING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AT AUBURN.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT?

THAT TAKES YOU BACK.

HE DID DO A GOOD JOB.

HE DID A GOOD JOB WITH FOOTBALL, TOO.

AND ONE OF THOSE VERY WELL-KNOWN -- NOT JUST VOICES BUT FACES TO THOSE THAT CARE ABOUT SPORTS AND EVERYTHING.

IT'S A REAL GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO GET THAT.

LOOK, IT MUST BE REALLY CHALLENGING TO PUT ON AN EVENT LIKE THIS.

MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN FOOTBALL BECAUSE YOU GET SO MANY TEAMS.

ONE AFTER THE OTHER, YOU GOT THE BOYS AND THE GIRLS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT GOES IN TO PREPARING SUCH A MONUMENTAL ENDEAVOR?

>> YOU KNOW, OUR STAFF HAS ALREADY STARTED FOR NEXT YEAR.

IT COMES WHETHER WE HAVE A SAY.

THE EVENT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHETHER YOU'RE READY FOR NOT SO MIGHT AS WELL GET READY.

WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT IT'S 30 YEARS AGO MR. WASHINGTON AND THE BIRMINGHAM TIP CLUB STARTED HAVING WHAT WE HAVE NOW, WITH THE STATE FINAL.

WE'RE THE ONLY STATE ASSOCIATION THAT HAS THE BOYS AND THE GIRLS AT THE SAME TIME.

>> REALLY?

>> EVERYBODY ELSE DOES IT, HAVE THE BOYS ONE WEEK AND GIRLS ONE WEEK OR THEY WILL DO ONE FORMAT AND IT JUST -- AS A MATTER OF FACT SOME OF THEM, LIKE TO SAY, KENTUCKY TAKES THREE WEEKS.

SO YOU KNOW, TO HAVE IT AND HAVE ALL OF THOSE COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE DOUBLE TEAMS THERE, IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH THAT YOUR GIRLS AND BOYS, BOTH TEAMS ARE THERE AND EVERYBODY IS THERE WATCHING AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THE SAME CLASSIFICATION THOSE GAMES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BACK TO BACK SO IT'S GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THEY WILL SEE BOTH AND GIVE BOTH TEAMS THE SAME ATMOSPHERE.

IF YOU DO DO IT SEPARATELY SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET LEFT BEHIND.

YOU JUST DO IT TOGETHER.

AND BEHIND THE SCENES THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE HAVE GOING FOR US IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SO MANY VOLUNTEERS.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE OVER 500 VOLUNTEERS THAT SEND FROM THE BIRMINGHAM TIP OFF CLUB TO HELP WITH THAT EVENT.

YOU CAN'T FIND THAT ANYWHERE.

THEY ALL LOVE BASKETBALL AND ALL LOVE HIGH SCHOOL THERE, AND THEY PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO IT.

THEY PLAN THEIR VACATIONS AROUND THAT.

SOME OF THEM TAKE THE WHOLE WE WEEK OFF TO DO THOSE THINGS AND SOME COME IN THERE BUT IT'S JUST -- THERE'S A COUPLE THAT IS IN THE BACK, COUNTING HOSPITALITY AND DRIVES THEM TO DECATUR.

EVERY MORNING THEY WOULD GET UP AT 4:00 AND BRING THE VOLUNTEERS BREAKFAST.

JUST THE SMALL THINGS MEME DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING THAT MAKES IT -- THE ACTUAL BALLGAME LOOK SO EASY BUT THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

>> WHICH IS WHY I ASKED -- YOU HAVE TO LOVE BALL TO MAKE THAT DRIVE.

AND YOU MENTIONED DOUBLE-TEAM, BOYS AND GIRLS TEAM.

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL IN PRATTVILLE.

THE BOYS AND GIRLS AND GIRLS -- MY BROTHER PLAYED ON THE BOYS TEAM.

IT WAS BACK IN THE FINAL FOUR FORMAT.

>> I HAVE A LITTLE TRIVIA FOR YOU.

THE PRATTVILLE COACH WAS ON THE GIRLS TEAM AND PRATTVILLE HAS BEEN TO THE FINAL FOUR, FOUR TIMES AND SHE SAY SINCERELY HAS BEEN INVOLVED ALL FOUR TIMES.

>> WE LIKE OUR '90S LINE.

BUT I THINK BACK TO THAT.

IT WAS THE OLD BJCC THAT LOOKS DIFFERENT NOW WITH THE RENOVATIONS.

WAS THAT A TREAT TO HAVE THE KIDS, THE STUDENTS PLAY IN A WORLD CLASS FACILITY?

>> WELL, BECAUSE OF WHAT THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM HAS DONE AND BEING INVOLVED WITH THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS BASKETBALL LEAGUE, THEY HAVE WHAT THEY CALL THE G LEAGUE TEAM, THEIR SECOND LEAGUE.

SO IN ORDER TO DO THAT, LEGACY ARENA, WHICH IS PART OF THE BJCC UP DATED THE FACILITY BECAUSE WE WERE LIVE WITH THE NBAA AND IT GIVES OUR STUDENTS THE GREATEST ATMOSPHERE TO BE IN.

EVERYTHING IS PLUSH AND CLOSE AND HAS A GREAT LIGHTINGS AND THE FLOORS THAT WE USE ARE THE NBA FLOORS THEY USE ON A NIGHTLY BASIS YOU SEE ON ESPN.

YOU GET THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS >> IT MUST FEEL DIFFERENT EVEN WHEN YOU'RE DRIBBLING.

IS IT?

I'M GETTING THE IMAGE OF HOOTERS, THEY GO TO THE BIG PLACE AND MEASURE EVERYTHING.

LOOK, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON SUCCESSFUL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

I HEARD NOTHING BUT COMPLIMENTS AND I KNOW YOU MAY GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN?

HOW DO WE REPRESENT INDICATE THAT SUCCESS BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT BUT THAT YOU WILL DO IT AGAIN.

>> ALL THINGS GO TO APT.

AND I'M GOING TO USE JACK.

IF JACK HAD NOT HAD THE VISION OF PUTTING ON OUR EVENTS AND PUTTING THEM ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, WE WOULDN'T BE WHERE WE ARE NOW.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, AND GIVING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES A CHANCE TO VIEW ALL OUR ATHLETICS ACROSS THE STATE IT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE SO HATS OFF TO APT AND THANK TOMORROW FOR ALLOWING US TO BE PART OF THE GREAT PARTNERSHIP AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.

JACK IS ALL EXCITED.

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION AND I HAVE A MEETING LATER THIS WEEK TO TALK ABOUT NEXT YEAR.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> THAT'S WHAT I LIKE.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO GET INVOLVED AND GET READY FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT.

JACK, WAYNE REED, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE WHOLE THEME.

WE'RE PROUD TO BE A PART OF IT.

SO, THANKS AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

AND DON'T FORGET, TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY.

PLEASES REMEMBER TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

POLLS ARE OPEN, 7:00 TO 7:00 AND EVERY ALABAMA COUNTY.

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