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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT THIS WEEK IN THE SAGA INVOLVING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, ITS COMMISSIONER AND THE BOARD THAT OVERSEES IT.

YOU'LL REMEMBER WE REPORTED THAT VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER KENT DAVIS LAST MONTH AGREED TO RESIGN AT THE END OF THE YEAR AT THE INSISTENCE OF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

THIS CAME AFTER A MESSY INTER-AGENCY DUST UP OVER FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS THAT INCLUDED A LEAKED AND INACCURATE ETHICS COMPLAINT AND IVEY ACCUSING DAVIS OF MISMANAGEMENT.

THIS WEEK, THE STATE BOARD OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VOTED TO ASK DAVIS TO RECONSIDER HIS RESIGNATION AND STAY ON AS COMMISSIONER.

THEY DEFENDED DAVIS' AND THEIR OWN ACTIONS SAYING AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE WERE NO MISSPENT FUNDS.

I MAKE A MOTION FOR THE BOARD NOT TO ACCEPT HIS RESIGNATION.

>> COMMISSIONER DAVIS HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB.

WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS IN THE YEARS OF HIS SERVICE.

I KNOW HE DIDN'T TAKE LIGHTLY WHEN HE OFFERED HIS RESIGNATION.

SINCERELY HE MEANS WHAT HE SAID.

YOU KNOW, I HATE TO SEE IT EVER COME TO THAT, BUT WE HAVE TO RESPECT YOUR WISHES.

>> I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE SERVED YOU THE LAST ALMOST SIX YEARS, AND I THINK WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE GETTING TO KNOW THE BOARD MEMBERS AND GETTING TO WORK WITH THE VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND MANY OTHER PARTNERS, MANY REPRESENTED IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW.

I'M GRATEFUL A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD A GREAT MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF.

GOSH, A COUPLE OF HOURS.

WE HAD A VERY CORDIAL CONVERSATION.

CAME TO A GOOD AGREEMENT AND I MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT AT THAT TIME AND I WILL STAND BY THAT PUBLIC STATEMENT.

I DON'T HAVE ANY CHANGES TO THAT PUBLIC STATEMENT I MADE A FEW WEEKS AGO.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY HAD THIS TO SAY IN RESPONSE TO THE BOARD'S VOTE, WHICH TOOK PLACE AFTER SHE LEFT THE ROOM.

QUOTE, “ I CONVEYED A DIRECT MESSAGE OF TEAMWORK AND COMMITMENT TO OUR STATE'S WONDERFUL VETERAN COMMUNITY.

AFTER I LEFT TO CHAIR THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING, ORCHESTRATED THEATER ENSUED, SHOWING A LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND QUITE THE OPPOSITE OF TEAMWORK.

I HAVE ACCEPTED ADMIRAL DAVIS' RESIGNATION, AND I EXPECT HE WILL STAND BY HIS WORD.

WE WILL MOVE FORWARD IN EXPLORING WAYS TO BEST SERVE ALABAMA'S VETERANS.” END QUOTE.

I'LL TALK WITH REPORTER ALEXANDER WILLIS ABOUT THIS ISSUE MORE IN DEPTH LATER IN THE SHOW.

>>> NEWS ON THE EDUCATION FRONT.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION THIS WEEK VOTED TO RAISE THE SCORE REQUIRED ON THE STATE'S THIRD GRADE READING TEST - THE FIRST HURDLE DETERMINING WHETHER THE STUDENT MOVES TO FOURTH GRADE.

THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT WAS PASSED IN 2019 TO ENSURE THIRD GRADERS ARE READING ON GRADE LEVEL.

THE LAW REQUIRES THIRD GRADERS TO REACH THE CUT SCORE ON THE STATE'S READING TEST BEFORE BEING PROMOTED TO THE FOURTH GRADE.

BUT TWO MEMBERS VOTED AGAINST THE PLAN ARGUING THAT THE CUT SCORE SHOULD ACTUALLY ME HIGHER.

APT EDUCATION REPORTER TRISH CRAIN EXPLAINS MORE.

>> I JUST WANTED IT TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT IT'S A VERY HARD DECISION TO BE MADE, BUT WE'VE GOT TO KEEP MOVING IT FORWARD BECAUSE THE ONES WHO BENEFIT ARE GOING TO BE OUR STUDENTS.

SO, THEREFORE, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE NO AGAINST THIS PARTICULAR CUT SCORE.

>> IN ORDER TO LOOK AT CONTINUING TO GO FORWARD, I WILL VOTE FOR THE .5 WHICH TAKES US TO 444 BECAUSE WE WILL REMAIN AT THAT LEVEL FOR TWO YEARS, WHICH MEANS IF SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NOT WHERE THEY SHOULD BE THE FIRST YEAR, THEY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THERE THE NEXT YEAR AND THEN CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

>> WELL, I THINK WE WILL PROBABLY SEE MAYBE THE OVERALL PROFICIENCY OR THE FOLKS THAT REACH THE CUT SCORE GO DOWN MAYBE A LITTLE BIT NEXT YEAR.

WE HAVE TO THINK OF THAT WHEN WE REPORT ON THE SPRING TEST RESULTS, BUT I THINK THE IDEA WAS TO RAISE THE SCORE AT LITTLE BIT AT A TIME.

SO, AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAVE A SCORE THAT REALLY REPRESENTS THAT KIDS CAN READ ON GRADE LEVEL OR THEREABOUTS.

> > A DRAMATIC SCENE ON INTERSTATE 65 THIS AFTERNOON.

THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SAYS POLICE FROM MULTIPLE AGENCIES ENGAGED IN A CHASE AND STANDOFF THAT SHUT DOWN THE INTERSTATE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR.

HERE IS SOME VIDEO OF THE SCENE SENT TO US FROM A VIEWER WHO WAS PASSING BY.

INTERSTATE 65, NORTH OF PRATTVILLE.

YOU CAN SEE SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS INVOLVED AND SOME WIELDING HIGH-POWERED WEAPONS.

ALEA SAYS A WOMAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND THAT NO ONE WAS HURT IN THE STANDOFF.

YOU CAN KIND OF SEE HOW MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT -- IF YOU ZOOM IN THERE AND SEE HIGH-POWERED RIFLES USED IN A STANDOFF SITUATION.

BUT, AGAIN, ALEA SAID A WOMAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

SHE WAS WANTED IN TEXAS FOR A SHOOTING, AND THERE WAS NOBODY HURT IN THE STANDOFF.

>> SPEAKING OF 65, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH WAS IN MONTGOMERY THIS WEEK AND TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUT HIS “GO WIDE 65” CAMPAIGN THAT AIMS TO SIX LANE THE ENTIRE INTERSTATE FROM MOBILE TO THE TENNESSEE LINE.

OF COURSE THERE ARE CURRENT WIDENING PROJECTS ONGOING AT KNOWN CHOKEPOINTS IN SHELBY COUNTY, BUT AINSWORTH SAYS IT MORE THAN JUST ABOUT TRAFFIC.

IT'S ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FROM THE TENNESSEE LINE TO MOBILE WE HAVE THREE LANES GOING BOTH DIRECTIONS, SIX LANES.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE TARGETING THE AREAS THAT HAVE THE MOST CONGESTION AND TRY TO TACKLE THAT AND WORK OUR WAY OUT.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT 65 IT IS A FEDERAL MATCH.

YOU ARE LOOKING 80% OF FEDERAL FUNDS, 20% OF STATE.

WE'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO GET THE ENTIRE PROJECT DONE EIGHT TO 12 YEARS.

I'M ENCOURAGED BECAUSE THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE I HEAR FROM PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE.

I PROBABLY GET A TEXT EVERY DAY OR TWO FROM PEOPLE STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

YOU THINK OF IT 8 MILLION PEOPLE GOING TO THE COAST EVERY YEAR, OUR THOROUGH FARE FOR INDUSTRY AND PEOPLE TRAVELING AND TRUCKS GOING UP AND DOWN.

HONESTLY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE YEARS AGO.

THANKFUL FOR GOVERNOR IVEY'S LEADERSHIP WE ARE GOING TO PUSH FOR THAT BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BECOME REALITY.

>>> THIS WEEK, THE CAPITAL CITY HOSTED THE 25TH ANNUAL ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LAW ENFORCEMENT SUMMIT.

IT BROUGHT TOGETHER OFFICERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE FOR FREE, SPECIALIZED TRAINING THROUGH A SERIES OF EXPERT-LED SESSIONS.

IN A POIGNANT MOMENT, ATTENDEES ALSO HONORED THE LATE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY JERMYIUS YOUNG, WHO TRAGICALLY LOST HIS LIFE IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHILE ON DUTY IN APRIL.

>> I LOVE THIS CONFERENCE.

THE OUTPOURING NUMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM AROUND THE STATE, NOT JUST HERE BUT AROUND THE STATE THAT COME OUT AND IF YOU LISTEN TO THE TOPICS AND SPEAKERS THIS IS AMAZING.

FOR US, IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR US TO GET NOT ONLY GOOD BUT FREE TRAINING PUT ON BY OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL, THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES.

I'M JUST PROUD TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MY AGENCY TO BE ABLE TO BE REPRESENTED, TO BE ABLE TO COME, AND THEN FOR HIM TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE BOX AND TO HONOR A SLAIN DEPUTY THAT DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE ONE OF MINE, MY HEART IS FILLED RIGHT NOW.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WHEN THE BAG PIPER CAME OUT, YOU HOLD BACK TEARS.

IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT MADE ME FEEL GOOD.

HIS FAMILY FEELS GOOD.

IT BROUGHT THAT REASSURANCE BACK TO THEM THAT, HEY, WE STILL LOVE HIM.

WE STILL LOVE YOU AND HIS LEGACY IS ALWAYS EMBEDDED INTO OUR MEMORY.

>>> MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN RECENT YEARS HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED RESEARCH AND TREATMENT OPTIONS, AND SOON, ALL ALABAMIANS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING DNA TESTING.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" JEFF SANDERS REPORTS.

>> SINCE 1941, BIRMINGHAM'S SOUTHERN RESEARCH INSTITUTE HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF MEDICAL INNOVATION.

NOW THE NON-PROFIT'S LATEST MISSION AIMS TO BRING PERSONALIZED GENETIC TESTING TO EVERY ALABAMIAN, ADVANCING HEALTHCARE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THERE ARE 67 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA BUT TOO OFTEN THE RESIDENTS OF THE FOUR OR FIVE LARGEST COUNTIES ARE THE ONES THAT GET ACCESS TO PRECISION MEDICINE.

TODAY CHANGES THAT.

>> SOUTHERN RESEARCH CEO JOSH CARPENTER INTRODUCED A NEW PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FREE GENETIC TESTING FOR ALL THE ALABAMIANS.

>> WITH ORDERING THIS TEST EVERY PATIENT AND PROVIDER WILL HAVE FREE GENOMIC COUNSELING.

>> WE NEED HELP IN MANAGING CHRONIC DISEASES.

THAT'S AN AREA THAT TAKES A TOLL ON ALABAMIANS.

CHRONIC DISEASES AFFECT IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY ONE IN TEN AMERICANS, IMPAIRING THEIR ABILITIES TO DO THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES.

HERE, IN ALABAMA, PROBABLY 3 MILLION OUT OF 5 MILLION HAVE SOME FORM OF A CHRONIC DISEASE.

>> ONE OF THE GOALS IS TO FIGHT CHRONIC DISEASES BUT ALERTING PATIENTS TO CLINICAL TRIALS THEY MAY QUALIFY FOR, OFFERING ACCESS TO CUTTING-EDGE TREATMENTS.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH SAID IT COULD DRIVE JOB GROWTH BY BUILDING A HEALTHY WORKFORCE ACROSS ALABAMA.

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HELP ALL ALABAMIANS.

I THINK EVERY ALABAMIAN IN THE STATE WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO BENEFIT FROM THIS IF THEY WANT.

I THINK THAT'S A WIN FOR ALABAMA, A WIN FOR PEOPLE AND I'M CURIOUS, I'M PROBABLY GOING TO GET IT DONE MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.

I REALLY WANT TO KNOW.

I THINK IT IS GREAT.

>> IN THE WEEKS AHEAD, KICKOFF EVENTS WILL BE HELD AROUND THE STATE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON HOW CATALYST WORKS AND HOW ALABAMIANS CAN SIGN UP.

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

>> AND I'LL TALK MORE IN DEPTH ON THIS WITH DR. KHALILA BROWN OF SOUTHERN RESEARCH LATER IN THE SHOW.

>>> FLORIDA IS NOW CLEANING UP FROM THE IMPACT OF HURRICANE MILTON AND ALABAMA IS HELPING OUT OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT HAS THAT STORY.

>> WITH HELENE, WE OPENED UP GARRETT COLISEUM AS A SHELTER FOR HORSES AND CATTLE.

ACTUALLY GOT PIKE ROAD TO OPEN THEIR FACILITY.

A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THAT.

>> ALABAMA COMMISSIONER HAS A BIG JOB LEADING ONE OF THE LARGEST AGENCIES.

>> WE SAY AND BELIEVE IT IS THE NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IN ALABAMA.

OF COURSE WE HAVE THE ROLES OF PROTECTING THE CONSUMER AND TRUTH IN ADVERTISING.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WE OPERATE 11 LABS AROUND THE STATE.

OF COURSE THREE ON THIS CAMPUS.

>> HIS DAYS USUALLY START WITH PEOPLE ASKING HIM ONE THING -- >> HOW'S THE WEATHER AFFECTED FARMERS?

THERE'S NOT ONE WEATHER FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND IT'S NOT LIKE ONE CROP.

A PERSON COULD GET TO THE GET A CUT IN THE HAY OR WANT IT TO REMAIN DRY.

>> HE SAID KEEPING AN EYE ON WEATHER PATTERNS IS ESSENTIALLY SINCE IT IS HURRICANE SEASON.

>> THE HURRICANE GAVE US THE RAIN WE NEEDED.

WE HAVE DONE PRETTY WELL WITH THE STORMS THIS FALL.

BETTER THAN A LOT OF NEIGHBORS HAVE.

>> WEATHER PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN THE AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS IN ALABAMA.

RECENTLY HURRICANE HELENE CUT A PATH THROUGH GEORGIA AND NOW HURRICANE MILTON IS SET TO DO THE SAME THING IN FLORIDA.

AMONG THE AREAS DAMAGED, AREAS NEEDED FOR FARMING AND TRANSPORTATION.

SOMETHING THAT ALABAMA AG OFFICIALS ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON.

>> OUR DEPARTMENT IS PART OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

SHE IS RECEIVING THE COMMUNICATION COMING FROM FEMA AND ALABAMA, DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND SO, YEAH -- BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW IT WILL AFFECT MORE RURAL ALABAMA.

>> ALSO, HELPING AND WORKING WITH NEIGHBORING STATES.

>> I HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE AG COMMISSIONERS IN NORTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA AND OFFERED OUR ASSISTANCE.

>> RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I WILL SPEAK MORE ON THE SUBJECT OF HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WITH ALABAMA'S EMT DIRECTOR LATER IN THE SHOW.

>>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY OFFICIALLY DECLARED OCTOBER 7TH AS "BEAT BAMA FOOD DRIVE AND BEAT AUBURN BEAT HUNGER DAY.” SHE WAS JOINED BY STUDENTS FROM AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND THE SHE WAS JOINED BY STUDENTS FROM AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, ALONG WITH THEIR MASCOTS, AUBIE AND BIG AL.

SINCE THE FOOD DRIVE BEGAN 30 YEARS AGO, AUBURN AND ALABAMA HAVE COLLECTIVELY RAISED OVER 10 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD TO SUPPORT ALABAMIANS IN NEED.

>> THIS YEAR, AS WE CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY WE REFLECT ON THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT WE HAVE MADE.

31 YEARS OF DEDICATION, COMPASSION AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT TRANSFORMED COUNTLESS LIVES FILLING EMPTY STOMACHS AND HEARTS WITH HOPE.

OUR LEGACY IS BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF OUR COMMUNITY'S STRENGTH AND ITS COMMITMENT AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

>> IT REPRESENTS MORE THAN A COMPETITION BETWEEN OUR TWO UNIVERSITIES.

IT SYMBOLIZES OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO TACKLE HUNGER THAT AFFECT TOO MANY NEIGHBORS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

IT IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR RESILIENCE, KINDNESS AND BELIEF BY COMING TOGETHER WE CAN OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE.

>> I BROUGHT MY DONATION FOR THE FOOD DRIVE AND I'M PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS AND CONGRATULATE AUBURN AND ALABAMA FOR BEING ACTIVE IN THIS REGARD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[ APPLAUSE ] >>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH THIS WEEK'S GUESTS.

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

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE AT 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.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS JEFF SMITHERMAN, DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

MR. DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN DIRECTOR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, BUT THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME ON THE SHOW.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT LED YOU TO THIS JOB?

>> IT IS A LIFETIME CALLING.

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A COUNTY DIRECTOR, CALHOUN COUNTY EMA MANY YEARS AGO AND THAT LAID THE GROUND WORK BUT I COME FROM A 28-YEAR MILITARY CAREER WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD WHERE I WORKED WITH MILITARY SUPPORT AND GETTING NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS OUT WHENEVER ASKED BY THE STATE TO DO A STATE MISSION.

I SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF RECOVERY OPERATIONS AND MOVED TO THE DIRECTOR OF RESPONSE OPERATIONS AND THEN WITH MORE PERSONNEL CHANGES, I GOT PROMOTED TO THE EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS OFFICER.

FROM THAT POSITION, GOVERNOR IVEY SELECTED OR APPOINTED ME AS THE DIRECTOR UPON THAT VACANCY.

SO, THAT'S A BRIEF BACKGROUND ON HOW I GOT WHERE I AM TODAY.

>> FAIR TO SAY PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH STORMS, WHICH WE WILL GET TO IN A MINUTE.

YEAH, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE REMNANTS OF MILTON, I GUESS GETTING INTO THE ATLANTIC.

WE ARE STILL, YOU KNOW, REELING OVER HELENE AND THE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE IT CAUSED IN NORTH CAROLINA, NORTH GEORGIA, TENNESSEE.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM OUR NEIGHBORS?

I KNOW OUR STATE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SENDING AID AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM FLORIDA AND NORTH CAROLINA AND THOSE AFFECTED AREAS?

>> SO EACH STORM BEHAVES DIFFERENTLY AND HAS DIFFERENT IMPACTS.

THE IMPACTS TO THE WESTERN PART OF NORTH CAROLINA IS SEVERE AND SIGNIFICANT.

IT IS REALLY CHALLENGING FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FIRST RESPONDERS IN THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE YOU HAVE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CUT OFF WHERE THE DISASTER HAS CAUSED ALMOST A BUNCH OF SEPARATE ISLANDS IN THE WESTERN PART OF NORTH CAROLINA.

IT REALLY MAKES IT HARD TO GET SUPPORT IN THERE.

IT IS VERY CHALLENGING.

I THINK THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF DOING THAT.

WE PROVIDED SEARCH AND RESCUE AND SEARCH AND RECOVERY TEAMS THAT PERFORM A MISSION NO ONE WANTS TO HAVE.

WHERE YOU ARE NO LONGER IN A RESCUE ENVIRONMENT.

YOU ARE IN RECOVERY OF REMAINS AND THEY ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED MILITARY ASSETS TO DO THAT, TO TREAT THOSE A REMAINS HUMANELY AND WITH PROPER CARE.

IT COMES WITH CHAPLAIN SUPPORT, AS WELL.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT TEAM WE SENT OUT.

WE COORDINATE NOT JUST WITH STATE AGENCIES BUT LOCALS.

WE SEND OUT SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS.

WE SEND OUT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS SUPPORT TEAMS, NOT JUST TO OTHER STATES BUT TO THE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES.

WE HAVE DONE THAT FOR HURRICANE HELENE SUPPORT TO THE CAROLINAS AND NOW WITH MILTON IN FLORIDA.

SO, A LOT OF STATE AGENCIES ANSWERING THE CALL.

ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THINK GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB AT BEING A MESSENGER BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE STATES IDENTIFYING WHAT THEY NEED AND WHAT THEY NEED BY PHASE OF RESPONSE, WHAT'S THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND THEN ABLE TO RELAY THAT TO THE MULTITUDE OF THOSE WANTING TO VOLUNTEER THROUGHOUT ALABAMA, BOTH WHETHER PROVIDING RESOURCES OR MANPOWER SUPPORT TO HELP.

TO GET THE RIGHT HELP AT THE RIGHT TIME SO IT IS NOT A BACKLOG AND BURDEN ON THE STATE THEY ARE TRYING TO SUPPORT.

A BUNCH OF STATE AGENCIES HERE IN ALABAMA HAVE, LOCALS HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB, AS WELL.

>> WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT THAT, YOU DON'T WANT TO CREATE A PROBLEM.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO HELP BUT THERE'S A WAY TO GO ABOUT IT.

LOOK, WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE NOT TO BE HIT YET THIS YEAR, BUT WE ALL HAVE MEMORIES OF SOME OF THOSE BAD STORMS.

I REMEMBER IN THE MID 2000S, IT WAS IVAN, KATRINA, I THINK FLOYD, ALL THERE IN A ROW.

I KNOW IT COULD BE NEXT WEEK OR NEXT MONTH THAT IT'S OUR TURN.

WHAT GOES INTO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR A STORM WE CAN'T CONTROL?

>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CHALLENGES US EVERY DAY.

WE COMMUNICATE AND LEARN FROM OTHER SISTER STATES.

THAT'S A KEY COMPONENT TO THAT.

THOSE THAT I MENTIONED THAT HAVE GONE AND PERFORMED THESE SERVICES IN THE CAROLINAS AND IN FLORIDA, THEY WILL COME BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND COME BACK TO US IN THE STATE AND WE WILL HAVE A DEBRIEFING WHERE WE SAY, WHAT DID YOU SEE, WHAT DID YOU LEARN, WHAT DO THEY DO DIFFERENT THAT WE COULD USE TO MAKE US BETTER?

THAT IS ONE SMALL PART OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREPARE.

WE WILL SEND TEAMS OUT LIKE THAT.

THE OTHER THING IS WE ARE ALWAYS PREPARING.

NEXT WEEK WE ARE CONDUCTING OUR FINAL PLANNING CONFERENCE FOR OUR WINTER WEATHER EXERCISE WE'LL CONDUCT IN NOVEMBER.

WE'RE ALREADY WORKING WINTER WEATHER NOW WHILE WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE SEASON.

WE ARE ALWAYS IN TWO SEASONS AT A TIME.

COME SPRING SEASON WHEN WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE SPRING STORMS THAT COME THROUGH THE STATE, WE WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE PREPARING FOR HURRICANES.

WE WILL BE ON THE COAST COMMUNICATING WITH OFFICIALS ON THEIR NEED AND ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PLANS AND INCORPORATE THOSE.

WE ARE ALWAYS WORKING IT.

THE BIGGEST THING THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS DONE SO WELL IS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THE COUNTY ENGINEERS THE COUNTY EMA AND ELECTED OFFICIALS GO THROUGH SO OFTEN -- THEY HAVE BECOME PRETTY GOOD AT IT.

ALABAMA HAS A REPUTATION OF BEING A GOOD STATE IN ITS RESPONSE EFFORTS.

IT COMES DOWN TO HOW WELL THOSE LOCALS DO THEIR PART OF IT.

WE WORK MOSTLY WITH THEM AND PROVIDE INFORMATION FLOW DOWN AND UP.

WE WORK REALLY CLOSE WITH THEM, AS IT TURN OUT TO BE A GOOD EVENT FOR US.

>> I DON'T WANT TO SCARE PEOPLE BUT LOOK, IN THE EVENT THAT A HURRICANE DOES COME.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT, YOU MENTIONED WINTER WEATHER.

OBVIOUSLY TORNADO SEASON IS SUPER SCARY SOMETIMES.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS COMING YOUR WAY BUT WHAT ARE THINGS FOLKS OUT THERE CAN DO PRACTICALLY TO PREPARE THEMSELVES, MAYBE BE MORE AWARE OF SEVERE EVENTS AND WHAT THEY NEED TO BE DOING?

>> I WOULD FIRST AND FOREMOST PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE LOCAL FORECASTERS AND YOUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE ASKING YOU TO DO.

THE MORE YOU GET AWAY FROM THAT LOCAL LEVEL, THE MORE SUBJECT YOU ARE TO INFLUENCES THAT MAY NOT BE ACCURATE AND THE INFORMATION MAY NOT BE AS VALUABLE.

I THINK THAT PLAYS A HUGE PART.

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AND RESIDENCE MORE RESILIENT.

NOT EVERYBODY IS SUCH THEY CAN HAVE THE FINANCIAL SITUATION WHERE THEY CAN GO OUT AND PRE-STOCK ON THINGS, BUT IF YOU ARE ABLE TO, THAT'S ONE THING YOU CAN DO.

ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO LESSEN THE IMPACT WHEN IT COMES YOUR WAY, BECAUSE IT WILL COME.

IT WILL COME.

I THINK THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WHETHER IT IS WINTER WEATHER OR SPRING STORMS IN NORTH ALABAMA OR FLOODING AND HURRICANES IN SOUTH ALABAMA, WHATEVER THE THREAT MAY BE, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE BEST THING WE CAN DO, THE MORE WE CAN TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND OUR NEIGHBORS, THAT'S LESS STRESS ON THE SYSTEM TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE IN GREATER NEED, WHICH IS WHERE WE TRY TO FOCUS IS FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON THOSE THAT HAVE THE GREATEST NEED.

IT IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO THOSE WHEN NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR.

AS I HAVE HEARD FORMER FEMA ADMINISTRATOR CRAIG FUGATE SAY, HE FIRST ONE TO HELP SOMEBODY IS YOUR NEIGHBOR, IT IS NOT USUALLY THE FIRST RESPONDER.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF SO YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND OTHERS.

ANOTHER THING CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IS SOME FAMILY OR FRIEND NOT IN YOUR AREA KNOWS WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE, IF YOU ARE LEAVING, EVACUATING OR OKAY.

SEND THAT MESSAGE.

GET THE MESSAGE TO THEM SO EVERYBODY CAN FIND YOU AND KNOW YOU ARE OKAY.

IT HELPS FOR THEM TO KNOW YOUR PLAN AHEAD OF TIME.

>> GREAT ADVICE.

AMID THE DEVASTATION IN THE CAROLINAS, IT'S BEEN HEARTENING TO HEAR THE STORIES OF NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

UNIQUELY HUMAN, UNIQUELY AMERICAN REALLY.

GIVES YOU PRIDE.

I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WOULD BE THE SAME HERE IN ALABAMA.

WELL, MR. DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

GOOD LUCK WITH PREPARATION AND EVERYTHING.

THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING SOME OF THIS TO US.

MAKES US FEEL A LITTLE BIT MORE PREPARED.

>> ANYTIME, TODD.

THANK YOU.

>> 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.

♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE REPORTED EARLIER ON THE INCREDIBLE BREAKTHROUGHS HAPPENING WITH GENETIC TESTING AT SOUTHERN RESEARCH IN BIRMINGHAM.

JOINING NEXT TO TALK ABOUT IS KHALILAH BROWN, VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDICAL AFFAIRS AND PATIENT ADVOCACY AT SOUTHERN RESEARCH.

DR. BROWN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AGAIN, WE REPORTED EARLIER ON THIS REALLY FASCINATING AND, I DON'T KNOW, EXCITING BREAKTHROUGHS THAT ARE HAPPENING ON GENETIC TESTING.

I WANT TO GET TO THAT IN A SECOND.

CAN YOU REMIND OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT SOUTHERN RESEARCH AND ITS ROLE IN BIRMINGHAM AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH.

>> IT IS AN 83-YEAR-OLD MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, 83 YEARS OLD THIS WEEK.

IT HAS BEEN IN BIRMINGHAM HELPING TO BRIDGE SCIENCE.

OUR MONIKER IS MOVING SCIENCE.

SO, WE ARE TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, WHICH REALLY TAKES SCIENCE FROM THE BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH LIKE YOU WOULD SEE IN GRADUATE SCHOOLS AND UPPER-LEVEL SCHOOLS LIKE UAB AND SOUTH ALABAMA WHERE SOMETHING BECOMES AN IDEA BEFORE IT GETS TO A PATIENT.

WE'RE IN THE IN BETWEEN STAGE.

WHAT WE WOULD CALL PRE-CLINICAL.

WE WORK THROUGH THINGS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE FOR PATIENTS, THAT THEY ARE NOT TOXIC.

THAT WE ARE USING THEM APPROPRIATELY IN THE RIGHT SPACE THAT CAN BE POTENTIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS FOR PATIENTS.

THAT'S TRADITIONALLY WHAT SOUTHERN RESEARCH HAS DONE FOR 83 YEARS BUT THIS IS OUR FIRST STEP INTO MORE PATIENT-FACE CLINICAL WORK.

OUR GOAL IS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN SOMETHING BECOMES AN IDEA AND ACTUALLY REACHES A PATIENT.

THAT GAP CAN BE LONGER IN A STATE LIKE ALABAMA, 45% RURAL.

IT TAKES LONGER TO GET TO RURAL COMMUNITIES SO WE ARE TRYING TO BRIDGE THE GAP AND BRING THE SCIENCE TO THE PATIENTS.

>> INTERESTING.

I KNOW YOU HAVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT GOING ON.

WE ARE NEIGHBORS, BY THE WAY.

APTV'S HEADQUARTERS IS RIGHT THERE ON FIVE POINTS.

GOOD TO BE NEIGHBORS.

TELL ME ABOUT THE NEW PROJECT.

CATALYST ABOUT GENETIC TESTING.

SOUNDS EXCITING.

>> CATALYST IS A PROGRAM THAT WILL OFFER FREE GENETIC TESTING TO ANYBODY IN THE STATE.

ALL 67 COUNTIES.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS -- YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ENROLL THROUGH YOUR CELL PHONE.

THERE WILL BE A PLATFORM WITH AN APP OR GO TO A WEBSITE ON YOUR CELL PHONE REALLY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EQUITY PIECE THERE IS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE ACCESS IS THERE AND THEY CAN READ ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE AND TELL US WHO THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IS AND WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE THE KIT TO BE SENT, IT WILL BE SENT FREE OF CHARGE.

IT WILL HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO DRAW THE TEST AND SHIPPING FOR SHIPPING BACK TO CCTS IN BIRMINGHAM OF THE SAMPLE.

IT IS A CLINICAL TEST.

THE PROVIDER WILL ORDER THE TEST THROUGH THE PLATFORM LIKE A CBC OR LIPID PANEL YOU WOULD GET IN YOUR OFFICE VISIT.

THEY ORDER IT.

AGAIN, THE SAMPLE WILL BE SENT.

ONE PIECE WILL BE SENT ON FOR A SEQUENCING AND ANALYSIS.

WITH THAT, YOUR PROVIDER WILL GET A REPORT BACK.

WHAT THEY WILL GET BACK IN SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS IS A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH.

IT WILL HAVE POLY GENETIC RISK SCORES THAT CAN TAKE YOUR INFORMATION AND FEW DATA POINT, IT MAYBE YOUR HEIGHT AND WEIGHT TO CALCULATE YOUR BMI.

IT CAN TAKE THOSE AND TELL YOU WHAT YOUR RISK IS FOR CERTAIN DISEASES.

WHAT WE ARE STARTING WITH IS CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE, TYPE TWO DIABETES AND BREAST CANCER FOR FEMALES.

WE WANT TO INFORM PEOPLE WHAT THEIR RISKS ARE BEFORE THEY DEVELOP THEM.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT GIVES US THE BEST CHANCE AT HAVING PREVENTION IF WE CAN TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON, WHAT ARE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO, WHAT YOU NEED TO CHANGE.

ARE THERE MEDICATIONS WE SHOULD PUT YOU ON, LIKE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE.

SHOULD WE PUT YOU ON A STATIN TO KEEP THE LIPIDS LOW AND PREVENT THE DISEASE.

SO YOU WILL GET THAT REPORT AND A PHARMACOGENOMICS REPORT.

THIS IS CUTTING-EDGE MEDICINE THAT ALLOWS PROVIDERS TO KNOW WHICH MEDICATIONS WORK RIGHT FOR THEIR PATIENTS.

IF YOU HAVE HAD A MEDICATION AND HAD HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS.

MAYBE YOUR FRIENDS SAID IT IS GREAT AND YOU SHOULD TRY IT AND YOU TAKE IT AND YOU HAVE HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS.

THAT'S YOUR DNA.

SO WHAT THESE REPORTS CAN DO IS HELP YOUR PROVIDER KNOW WHAT CLASS OF DRUGS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU.

THAT'S BASED ON ARE YOU A HIGH OR LOW METABOLIZER?

DO YOU NOT HAVE WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION AT ALL?

THAT CAN BE DONE AND HELP YOUR PROVIDER TO KNOW WHICH MEDICATIONS WILL BE RIGHT FOR YOU.

INSTEAD OF YOU GOING TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND YOU NEEDING TO GET SOMETHING, LET'S SAY FOR -- SAY IT IS A STATIN.

WE PUT YOU ON ONE THING AND YOU HAVE SIDE EFFECTS AND YOU SAY I CAN'T TOLERATE THIS.

WE PUT YOU ON SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T WORK AND IS NOT EFFICACIOUS FOR YOU AND WE PRESCRIBE YOU SOMETHING ELSE.

THAT'S TYPICALLY HOW IT WORKS.

EVERY NOW AND AGAIN WE GET SOMETHING THAT WORKS AND IS PERFECT BUT I TELL PEOPLE IT IS AS MUCH AN ART AS A SCIENCE.

WE TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU BUT EVERYBODY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

THIS REPORT HELPS YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU BASED ON YOUR DNA.

BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT.

HAVING THEIR OWN REPORT HELPS THEM KNOW AND ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.

YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER WILL KNOW YOU BUT THE ER AND URGENT CARE WON'T.

UNDERSTANDING THAT AND HAVING THAT WILL BE HELPFUL.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF YOUR REPORT, IF YOU KEPT A COPY IN YOUR CELL PHONE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IN AN ER VISIT.

THE LAST PIECE IS A SECONDARY FINDINGS REPORT.

THIS WOULD BE FOR RARE DISEASE.

WE THINK ONLY ONE IN FIVE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, BASED ON THE NATIONAL DATA WILL HAVE SOMETHING ACTIONABLE IN THIS REPORT.

BUT WE DO WANT TO PICK THOSE PEOPLE UP.

WHETHER IT IS A DISORDER THAT GIVES YOU A HEART ARRHYTHMIA, SO YOUR HEART CAN GO IN TO AN ABNORMAL RHYTHM AND YOU CAN HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS FROM THAT AND BE CARDIO VERTED OR SHOCKED TO COME OUT OF THE RHYTHM.

THIS TESTS FOR THAT.

A DISEASE THAT WE TAKE UP IN ADOLESCENCE, IF YOU THINK OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TALL AND LONG THEY CAN HAVE CARDIAC ISSUES WHEN THEY COULD COLLAPSE IN THE MIDST OF ACTIVITIES IF THEY HAVE THE CONDITION.

IT TESTS FOR 84 GENES THAT ARE GENE SPECIFIC.

>> IT'S ALMOST SCIENCE FICTION.

WE HAVE A QR CODE ON THE SCREEN TO ACCESS.

SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR.

I MIGHT BE ONE OF THOSE.

SOME ARE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT MEDICAL THINGS, IN GENERAL.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FOLKS THAT MIGHT BE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES OF GETTING THIS TEST AND KNOWING THE RESULTS?

>> FOR ME, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

IF I KNOW ABOUT SOMETHING AND THERE ARE STEPS I CAN DO TO PREVENT IT I WOULD WANT TO DO THAT.

WE'D NEVER WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THERE IS NOT A TREATMENT FOR OR YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER CAN'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT.

WE ARE FOCUSED ON THINGS THAT ARE ACTIONABLE IN YOUR CARE.

FOR ME, EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR WITH MY KIDS I MAKE SURE THEY PUT THEIR SEAT BELT ON.

THAT'S THEIR PROTECTION AND I SEE IT THE SAME WAY FOR GOING TO THE DOCTOR AND GETTING YEARLY CHECK UPS AND SCREENINGS AND THIS IS ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOL BOX FOR DOCTORS TO USE FOR THEIR PATIENTS.

IF YOU WERE IN CALIFORNIA AT A PLACE LIKE STANFORD OR MAYO CLINIC, THEY ARE USING THIS.

THEY ARE USING IT TO KNOW HOW TO APPROPRIATELY GIVE ANESTHESIA DURING SURGERIES, WHAT MEDICATIONS TO PUT PATIENTS ON POST-OP.

SO UNDERSTANDING WHAT WORKS FOR THE PATIENT SO YOU GET CONTROL OF THAT IMMEDIATELY.

WE WANT TO BRING THAT TO ALABAMA.

WE DESERVE ADVANCED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTHCARE.

OUR GOAL IS TO BRING IT NOT JUST TO JEFFERSON COUNTY BUT ALL 67 COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

>> THAT'S THE EXCITING PART.

GIVING ACCESS TO EVERYBODY.

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

NOT JUST THAT BUT ALL KIND OF CANCERS WE HEAR ABOUT EARLY DETECTION IMPORTANCE OF SAVING LIVES.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT.

YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN THIS FROM A DOCTOR'S PERSPECTIVE.

>> YES.

THE SOONER WE CAN PICK SOMETHING UP, THE BETTER WE HAVE A CHANCE AT DEALING WITH IT, RIGHT?

IT IS ALMOST LIKE GETTING YOUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON YOUR CAR.

IF YOU LET THINGS GO, THE LONGER THEY GO, YOU START TO HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE AND CAUSES ANOTHER ISSUE, RIGHT?

THERE ARE SO MANY ALABAMIANS OUT THERE WITH CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE DAILY DAMAGE TO YOUR BODY AND AS TIME PROGRESSES IT CAUSES MORE DAMAGE AND THAT'S HOW WE GET TO THE POINT OF HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES AND DIABETES THAT HAVE SECONDARY AFFECTS ON YOUR VISION AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

OUR GOAL IS TO HELP PATIENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR RISKS ARE AND REALLY HOPE THAT WILL DRIVE CHANGE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN GIVE NOW THAT REALLY DO HELP SO BEFORE YOU DEVELOP A DISEASE WE CAN GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO PREVENT THAT.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE STATIN EARLIER.

NOW THERE ARE THINGS LIKE GLP-1S, THE OZEMPICS, THE SEMAGLUTIDE.

IT STARTED AS A DIABETES MEDICATION BUT NOW WE CAN USE IT AS WEIGHT LOSS.

WE ARE FINDING THERE ARE OTHER DISEASES IT IS HELPING PREVENT OR TREAT BECAUSE OF THE MEDICATION.

TO ME, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE IN THE SCIENCE.

IT IS MOVING SO FAST.

THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE WITH MEDICATIONS LIKE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.

OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALABAMIANS GET THAT FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> I KNOW THIS IS FUNDED BY ABOUT 25 MILLION WORTH OF ARPA FUNDS FROM THE STATE AND BIRMINGHAM.

THOSE ARE TEMPORARY.

I'M CURIOUS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VALUABLE THING.

HOW CAN IT BE EXTENDED LONG TERM?

WILL IT HAVE TO BE FUNDED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND WHEN DOES THE FUNDING RUN OUT.

>> THE END OF 2026 THE FUNDING RUNS OUT.

WE ARE IN TALKS WITH A LOT OF RESEARCH OS.

THERE IS ARPA H AND NIH AND THINGS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT IS ALSO OF INTEREST TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

IF WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE DRUGS YOU NEED TO DESIGN FOR PEOPLE HERE IN ALABAMA THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENTIRE NATION, THAT HELPS THEM TO HONE THINGS IN.

IT COST $2 BILLION TO CREATE A DRUG.

SO, IF THERE IS DATA OUT THERE THAT SAYS THIS IS THE WAY WE SHOULD BE GOING OR THIS IS HOW WE BRING PATIENTS TO THE TABLE, THESE ARE THE PATIENTS WE SHOULD BE TALKING TO, THESE ARE THE TARGETS WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT, THAT CUTS DOWN THE COST.

THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT A HEALTHCARE IMPACT BUT AN ECONOMIC IMPACT.

FOR ALABAMA IT IS SIGNIFICANT.

WE WANT A HEALTHIER ALABAMA AND WORKFORCE.

PART OF THAT IS WE THINK IT IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

WE NEED PHARMA COMPANIES TO COME IN AND NOT JUST DO RESEARCH AT UAB.

WE DO AMAZING RESEARCH AT UAB AND SOUTH ALABAMA, WE WANT TO SEE THE SAME TYPE OF RESEARCH IN OTHER AREAS.

WE HAVE GREAT PROVIDERS.

HOW DO WE DECENTRALIZED CLINICAL TRIALS SO PATIENTS CAN BENEFIT LIKE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY OR HUNTSVILLE.

>> YEAH.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT IS UTILIZED, RIGHT?

I GUESS YOU ARE DOING SOME PRESS AND EVERYTHING TO RAISE AWARENESS BECAUSE WE NEED PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY TAKE PART IN THIS SO WE HAVE THE DATA AND THE BUY IN.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT GOES.

YOU MENTIONED BIRMINGHAM, UAB.

I WANT TO ASK YOU TO BRAG ON IT A LITTLE BIT.

YOU KNOW, HERE IN ALABAMA, MAYBE WE DON'T TALK ENOUGH ABOUT ALL THAT IS GOING ON WITH BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AT UAB.

WE KNOW IT IS A WONDERFUL HOSPITAL AND EVERYTHING BUT THE SOUTHERN RESEARCH AND OTHERS AT UAB, TALK ABOUT THAT.

I THINK A LOT OF ALABAMIANS MAY NOT REALIZE HOW CUTTING EDGE IT IS ON A NATIONWIDE AND WORLDWIDE SCALE.

>> WE ARE REALLY EXCITED.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE A PART OF IN BIRMINGHAM IS AMAZING.

THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE BETWEEN UAB AND SOUTHERN RESEARCH AND THE CENTER FOR CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES, WHICH REALLY DOES BRING A NETWORK OF INSTITUTIONS.

SO TUSKEGEE AND TULANE AND OTHERS INTO THAT.

HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD SCIENCE, TO BRING SCIENCE AND MOVE SCIENCE?

SO, BIRMINGHAM AND UAB AND SOUTHERN RESEARCH HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER SINCE THE '60S.

BUT NOW THERE ARE THINGS LIKE WE HAVE AN INCUBATOR.

SO WHAT WE ARE DOING IS ALLOW STARTUP COMPANIES THAT CAN'T AFFORD A SPACE THAT CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE, NOW THEY CAN COME INTO OUR INCUBATOR, RENT SPACE AND USE A LAB WITH OTHER COMPANIES.

AGAIN, TRYING TO BRING OTHER COMPANIES UP IN OUR AREA.

SO THAT, WILL WE EVER BE A SAN FRANCISCO?

WE PROBABLY WON'T EVER BE THAT LARGE BUT WE HAVE OUR OWN NICHE AND EXPERTS THAT ARE HERE.

WE HAVE THOSE IN PRECISION MEDICINE DOING AMAZING THINGS.

HOW DO WE BRING SMALL COMPANIES HERE AND BUILD THESE COMPANIES AND BRING SCIENCE TO BIRMINGHAM?

WE HAVE THE CAPABILITIES.

WE HAVE THE PERFECT SETUP.

UAB IS ONE OF THE LARGEST FUNDED NIH INSTITUTIONS.

THEY ARE BUILDING RESEARCH EVERY DAY, THEIR RESEARCH DOLLARS.

WE WANT EVERYBODY IN THE STATE TO BENEFIT FROM THAT.

THEY ARE WILLING TO DO THAT, BUT WE HAVE TO BUILD THE PIECES AROUND IT.

WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE THAT BRINGS COMPANIES HERE.

SO THE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD SEE IN RALEIGH-DURHAM OR BOSTON, THOSE COMPANIES ARE NOW COMING HERE.

ALABAMA IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE.

IT IS AFFORDABLE.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS AND COMPANIES ARE COMING TO DO BUSINESS.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF A GOVERNOR AND OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND MAYOR IN BIRMINGHAM TO DO THESE THINGS AND MAKE IT A PLACE THAT BIOTECH COMPANIES WANT TO COME, WE ARE PUTTING THE PUZZLE PIECES TOGETHER TO DO OUR OWN PIECE OF SCIENCE IN BIRMINGHAM.

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

IT REMINDS ME WHEN I WAS INTERVIEWING SENATOR SHELBY UPON HIS RETIREMENT, KIND OF AN EXIT INTERVIEW KIND OF THING.

I ASKED HIM ABOUT HIS LEGACY AND WHAT HE WAS PROUD OF.

HE MENTIONED THREE THINGS -- THE EXPANSION OF THE PORT IN MOBILE, ALL THAT IS GOING ON IN HUNTSVILLE WITH SPACE AND BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH IN BIRMINGHAM.

I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO HOW IMPORTANT IT IS JUST IN TERMS OF HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WELL, DOC, I'VE TAKEN TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND INTERVIEWING.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THIS GOING FORWARD AND, YEAH, THANKS FOR SHARING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ >> SINCE 1997, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS PROVIDED PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS, TEACHER AND PARENTS.

VISIT APTV.ORG/EDUCATION TO LEARN MORE.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS ALEXANDER WILLIS, POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT REPORTER FOR ALABAMA DAILY NEWS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU REPORTED ON TWO THINGS THIS WEEK THAT I WANTED TO GO MORE IN DEPTH ON.

WE REPORTED EARLIER ON THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, THE BOARD OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VOTING THIS WEEK TO ASK COMMISSIONER DAVIS WHO PLANNED TO RESIGN, ASK HIM TO RECONSIDER THAT DECISION.

IT WAS A PRETTY BIG DEAL THAT THEY DID THAT.

IT'S ESSENTIALLY DEFYING THE GOVERNOR WHO HAD BEEN PRESSURING HIM TO RETIRE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON THIS, A LOT OF REPORTING ON IT.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF WHY?

WHY HAS THE BOARD MOVED TO DO THIS?

>> SURE.

THIS HAS BEEN, AS YOU HINTED AT, THIS HAS BEEN A SAGA THAT'S CONTINUED FOR KIND OF A WHILE NOW.

I SAY A WHILE BUT REALLY LAST MONTH IS WHEN IT EXPLODED.

SOME OF THE BRIEF BACKGROUND IS THE V.A.

COMMISSIONER KENT DAVIS FILED AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST THE HEAD OF -- KIM BOSWELL, WHO'S THE HEAD OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

SINCE THAT POINT, BASICALLY, THERE'S BEEN SOME SIGNIFICANT INTERAGENCY TENSION.

THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH IS THE -- IS IN THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET.

THAT'S JUST ONE POINT, BUT THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT IS SINCE THAT POINT THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT BEEN HAPPY WITH KENT DAVIS.

BEYOND THAT, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ALLEGATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THAT THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HAS BEEN MISHANDLING SOME FEDERAL FUNDS, SPECIFICALLY FUNDS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, ARPA FUNDS, AS THEY ARE CALLED.

AND SHE ASKED COMMISSIONER KENT DAVIS OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO STEP DOWN.

HE INITIALLY RESISTED.

HE LATER HAD A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF.

MET WITH THEM AND DECIDED HE WOULD STEP DOWN EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31ST OF THIS YEAR.

SO, SINCE THEN, VETERANS AROUND THE STATE, AND THAT INCLUDES MEMBERS OF THE V.A.

BOARD, THE STATE V.A.

BOARD HAVE BEEN SHOCKED.

THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE HE WAS ASKED TO STEP DOWN.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO VETERAN LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE AND THEY HAVE UNEQUIVOCALLY SAID HE'S BEEN THE BEST V.A.

COMMISSIONER THIS STATE HAS EVER SEEN.

VETERANS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE MET KENT DAVIS BECAUSE HE HAS TRAVELED ACROSS THE STATE.

NOW, THIS IS NOT TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THE ALLEGATIONS ABOUT MISHANDLING OF FEDERAL FUNDS, BUT WHY THE BOARD WOULD DO THIS, WHY THEY WOULD VOTE TO ESSENTIALLY ASK HIM TO RECONSIDER HIS RESIGNATION THAT HE MADE AND SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AFTER A PRIVATE MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND WITH HER STAFF IS ESSENTIALLY ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE VETERAN COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT FOR MR. KENT DAVIS.

>> INTERESTING.

WHAT I KEEP HEARING BECAUSE -- YEAH, I THINK A LOT OF WHAT WAS ALLEGED AND A LOT OF WHAT WENT ON WITH THAT ETHICS COMPLAINT, WITH THE ARPA FUNDS AND ALL OF THAT, PRETTY GRANULAR.

WE HAVE REPORTED ON IT, BUT PROBABLY NOT WIDELY KNOWN.

WHAT I KEEP HEARING FROM SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS IS WELL, NO FUNDS WERE MISAPPROPRIATED, NO ARPA FUNDS WERE MISAPPROPRIATED, WHICH IS TRUE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

THE PROBLEM WAS SOME OF THE DEPARTMENT'S PLANS FOR ARPA FUNDS WERE NOT APPROPRIATE.

THEY WERE FLAGGED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.

NOTHING WAS MISAPPROPRIATED, THANKS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE RECOVERING SOME OF THIS OR POINTING OUT SOME OF THIS STUFF.

SO I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS, DO YOU THINK, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT COMMISSIONER DAVIS WILL GO ALONG WITH THE BOARD AND RECONSIDER HIS DECISION OR DO YOU THINK HE FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH HIS ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE IS GOING TO RESIGN AT THE END OF THE YEAR?

>> IT IS MY PERSONAL OPINION, OF COURSE, BUT AFTER OBSERVING COMMISSIONER KENT DAVIS, AFTER OBSERVING THIS WHOLE FIASCO PLAY OUT, IT'S STRONGLY OF MY OPINION THAT I THINK COMMISSIONER DAVIS IS GOING TO STEP DOWN, AS HE TOLD THE GOVERNOR THAT HE WOULD.

THE REASON FOR THAT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE THE INSIDE, BUT HE HAD A PRIVATE CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF.

>> A LONG ONE, LIKE TWO HOURS.

>> INDEED.

AND SINCE THAT POINT IN EVERY PUBLIC COMMENT HE'S MADE ABOUT IT.

HE'S CALLED IT A GOOD CONVERSATION, A FAIR AGREEMENT AND HE HAS ESSENTIALLY NOT PROTESTED WHATSOEVER AND EVEN AT THIS MOST RECENT MEETING OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS STATE BOARD -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY HE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT HE WAS SITTING THERE AS THE BOARD WAS DELIBERATING ON ASKING DAVIS TO RECONSIDER AND DAVIS IS SITTING THERE.

HE FINALLY HAS A MOMENT DURING THE MEETING, AN AGENDA ITEM, THE COMMISSIONER'S REPORT WHERE HE GETS UP THERE AND HE TALKS ABOUT JUST BASIC DATA TO DO WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

AND HE SAYS, I'M PARAPHRASING HERE BUT HE SAID SOME BASIC OBJECTIVE DATA, THANK GOD.

I THINK THAT WAS A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR AN ENTIRE BOARD TO BE PRESSURING HIM TO DO ONE THING OR ANOTHER AFTER WHAT WAS A PRIVATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HIM AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

SEVERAL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE V.A.

BOARD SUGGESTED AS SUCH THAT PERHAPS IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE BOARD TO -- YOU COULD SAY PRESSURE OR ADVOCATE FOR HIM TO DO ONE THING OR ANOTHER AS IT RELATES TO THAT AGREEMENT THAT WAS MADE.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

I GOT THE SENSE THE BOARD WAS TRYING TO STICK UP FOR THEMSELVES.

BUT THIS ISSUE IS NOT GOING AWAY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT DAVIS FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH HIS RESIGNATION AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE SHOULD ALSO SAY THE REASON HE WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR IS HE HAS CERTAIN THINGS HE WANTS TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE IRON THING WITH AUBURN AND ALABAMA, THE VETERAN'S HOME IN ENTERPRISE AND ALL OF THAT.

WELL, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE YOU ARE EVEN HEARING ABOUT LAWMAKERS SAY THEY MAY WANT TO GET INVOLVED AND MODIFY THE WAY THE STATE BOARD OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WORKS AND THE DEPARTMENT.

NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON BUT THANK YOU FOR SHEDDING LIGHT ON THAT.

THE OTHER THING I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT, YOU WENT TO ISRAEL RECENTLY.

THIS WEEK IS OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE OCTOBER 7TH ATTACK BY HAMAS.

YOU WENT TWO WEEKS AGO?

>> EXACTLY TWO WEEKS AGO.

>> WHAT AN EXPERIENCE.

WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY.

I KNOW YOU DID SOME REPORTING.

TELL ME WHERE DID YOU GET TO GO INSIDE OF ISRAEL?

>> SURE.

IT WAS TOP TO BOTTOM.

WE WENT FROM ISRAEL'S MOST SOUTHERN BORDER, RIGHT THERE WHAT THEY CALL THE PHILADELPHIA CORRIDOR.

WE WERE NOT ON THE PHILADELPHIA CORRIDOR, BUT AS CLOSE AS YOU COULD POSSIBLY BE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF ISRAEL.

ITS SOUTHERN BORDER WITH EGYPT, ALL THE WAY TO THE NORTHERN BORDER OF LEBANON.

AND WE WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH MILITARY OFFICIALS, MILITARY -- ISRAEL BEING THE ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCE CIF.

WE WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO ADVOCATES, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND FOLKS IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY, SCHOLARS, LAWYERS, PROSECUTORS, ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE.

IT WAS A VERY EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE.

>> INTERESTING.

WELL, WHAT DID YOU OBSERVE?

THERE ARE ALL OF THESE PICTURES YOU CAME BACK WITH OF YOU TALKING TO THOSE IN ISRAEL.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM THOSE YOU TALKED TO THERE ON THE GROUND?

>> SURE.

THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY, BY FAR, WAS -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY DIVISION BECAUSE THAT, AGAIN, SUGGESTS THERE ARE TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHTS.

I WOULD SAY THE NON-CONSENSUS OF THE ISRAELI PUBLIC, THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, THE ISRAELI, YOU KNOW WHATEVER HAVE YOU, THEIR SOCIETY IS VERY SPLIT ON NOT ONLY WHAT TO DO TO RETURN THE HOSTAGES, OF WHICH THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED -- I THINK IT IS 98 BUT AROUND 100 STILL ALIVE TODAY.

BUT ALSO WHAT TO DO THE DAY AFTER.

AGAIN, WE SPOKE TO SOME VERY STRONG AND WELL-KNOWN ADVOCATES THAT ARE PRESSURING THE GOVERNMENT TO DO ONE THING OR ANOTHER.

WE SPOKE TO MILITARY FOLKS THAT ADVOCATE FOR ENTIRELY DIFFERENT PATH FORWARD, BUT AS IT STANDS TODAY, ISRAEL, AT LEAST FROM MY EXPERIENCE, IS MORE DIVIDED THAN IT WAS A YEAR AGO.

>> WOW.

NOW, WE'RE SHOWING SOME PICTURES HERE.

IS THIS ONE OF THE FOLKS YOU MET?

MAYBE A MOTHER OF ONE OF THE HOSTAGES, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> NOT A MOTHER OF ONE OF THE HOSTAGES.

THIS IS A SURVIVOR OF THE OCTOBER 7TH ATTACK, LESS THAN A MILE AWAY FROM THE ISRAELI-GAZA BORDER.

SHE SURVIVED BY HIDING IN A SAFE ROOM WITH HER DAUGHTER AND SECURING THE DOOR SHUT.

TELEVISION WITH SOME PUT-TOGETHER ITEMS.

SOMETHING LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER.

>> SOMETHING BARRICADING THE DOOR.

>> WOW.

>> I GUESS YOU CAN SEE SOME CHAR THERE.

WELL, IT'S NOT THERE ANYMORE BUT ACTUAL REMNANTS OF THE ATTACK WHICH IS REALLY CHILLING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHO'S THIS GENTLEMAN?

>> THIS IS BRIGADE GENERAL AMIR.

HE SERVED IN THE MILITARY FOR MANY DECADES.

HE WAS THERE FOR THE OSLO AND THERE WITH THE HIGHEST ISRAELI MILITARY LEADERS IN COMPARISON TO THE WOMAN BEFORE THEY HAVE VERY DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON WHAT ISRAEL SHOULD DO GOING FORWARD.

>> INTERESTING.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THIS, TOO.

I SPOKE WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF FOLKS, DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING AND NOT DOING, BUT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THEIR OPINIONS OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A TREMENDOUS INVOLVEMENT IN TERMS OF ARMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND OUR FOREIGN POLICY REALLY MATTERS OVER THERE.

WHAT FEEDBACK DID YOU GET ON THE UNITED STATES FROM THE ISRAELIS?

>> YEAH.

SO THAT WAS ACTUALLY A FASCINATING COMPONENT OF THE TRIP.

THE WOMAN THAT YOU SAW EARLIER, I HAD ASKED HER WHAT HER OPINION IS OF THE UNITED STATES.

SHE ESSENTIALLY SAID I DO NOT TRUST THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT ANYMORE.

I ONLY TRUST THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

I HOPE THEY CONTINUE SUPPORTING US BECAUSE SHE -- SHE IS NOT THE UNIVERSAL OPINION IN ISRAEL.

SHE DESCRIBES HERSELF AS EXTREME LEFT.

SHE'S NOT THE BROAD OPINION, BUT SHE BELIEVES THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT ABANDONED HER COMMUNITY WHEN THEY WERE ATTACKED.

AND FROM THAT COMES THAT OPINION THAT SHE THINKS THE UNITED STATES IS -- SHE IS MORE TRUSTWORTHY OF THE UNITED STATES AS A SUPPORTER THAN THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT.

NOW, AMIR, ALSO SUPPORTIVE OF THE UNITED STATES, OF COURSE.

IN FACT, HE ADVOCATED STRONGLY THAT ISRAEL NEEDS TO INVADE SOUTHERN LEBANON BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

NOW, HE DID THIS ON SEPTEMBER 15TH.

THAT IS 15 DAYS BEFORE ISRAEL ACTUALLY DID INVADE SOUTHERN LEBANON.

HOWEVER, THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH OF A FACTOR THE UNITED STATES' SUPPORT AND WHERE THEY STAND ON CERTAIN ISSUES EVEN TODAY IN ISRAEL AMONG ALL OF ITS LEADERS, ADVOCATES AND CITIZENS.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

HE'S BASICALLY SAYING, HEY, IF WE NEED TO HAVE A MILITARY INCURSION, WE NEED TO DO IT BEFORE THE UNITED STATES CHANGES ITS MIND OR DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME LEVERAGE.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

WELL, LOOK, WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO GO TO ISRAEL AND EXPERIENCE ALL OF THAT.

IT HELPS US TO BE MORE INFORMED IN OUR OPINIONS AND EVERYTHING AS WE WATCH THE DEVASTATION.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR REPORTING ON THE VETERANS AFFAIRS.

ANOTHER ONGOING THING WE'RE GOING TO BE REPORTING ON FOR A WHILE.

ALEXANDER WILLIS, THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ TUSCALOOSA SERVED AS THE SECOND CAPITAL OF ALABAMA FROM 1826 TO 1846 WHEN THE CAPITAL MOVED TO MONTGOMERY.

THE GREAT REVIVAL AND CAPITAL BUILDING WAS LEASED TO ALABAMA CENTRAL FEMALE COLLEGE FOR USE AS A CONCERT HALL AND CLASSROOMS UNTIL IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1923.

THE ARCHITECTURAL INFLUENCE OF THE STRUCTURE IS REFLECTED IN MANY BUILDINGS ON THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CAMPUS AND THE RUINS ARE A CITY PARK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC.

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