From ou statehouse studio in Montgomery.

I'm Todd Stacey, welcome to Capitol Journal.

We begin our coverage this week in Washington, where the Supreme Court heard a case that could have major implications for Alabama's congressional districts.

Judges held oral arguments from a case out of Louisiana challenging the constitutionality of a section of the Voting Rights Act that has been used to draw opportunity districts in Alabama and other southern states.

Should the court rule, as many anticipate, it could threaten at least one of Alabama's two Democrat held seats.

Alex Angle reports from Washington.

Voting rights activists flooded the outside of the Supreme Court this week, as the justices appeared ready to place further limits on using rac when drawing congressional maps.

The Louisiana case could undercut section two of the Voting Rights Act, which broadly seeks to prohibi discrimination in voting laws.

This just two years after the court upheld section two in Alabama's case.

We're all here because we believe in this democracy and we know firsthand what's possible, if any district understands the importance of the righ to vote and fair representation.

It's my district.

After Allen versus Milligan, a court order new map drawn by a special master created two districts in whic black voters had an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice.

Recently, federal judges again ruled that the state legislatures map diluted the voting strength of black voters, keeping the map in place until 2030.

But Alabama is appealing tha decision to the Supreme Court.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says Wednesday's argument showed a race based districts make redistricting, quote, impossible.

He added, quote, it should declare race base redistricting unconstitutional.

Now end quote, based on their questioning during oral arguments.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh appear likely to change course in the Louisiana case after they sided with the court's liberal justices in Alabama's case.

Kavanaugh suggested using race as a factor when drawing congressional lines.

Has a time limit.

This court's case, i a variety of contexts, had said that race based remedies are permissible for a period of time, sometimes for a long period of time decades in some cases, but that they should not be indefinite and should have an endpoint.

But Congresswoman Terri Sewell and the Legal Defense Fund contend there has been no change since the Milligan case.

They say section two is constitutional and necessary for fair representation.

We need to continue to fight for the Voting Rights Act.

We will not go back to a time when there was no representation for black people in Alabama.

A decision in the cas is expected by the end of June.

If the court strikes down section two, it could reshape the makeup of Congress and potentially Alabama's delegation.

Reporting in Washington Alex Ingle, Capital Journal.

Thank you.

Alex.

Alabama now has the deepest port on the Gulf Coast.

A ceremony this week in mobile marked the completion of a deepening project that expanded the mobile shipping channel that has elected leader promoting its potential to boost trade and grow Alabama's economy.

Capitol Journal's Jeff Sanders reports from mobile.

After years of engineering and dredging, the Port of Mobile is now officially 50ft deep, making it the deepest port on the Gulf Coast and capable of handling larger international cargo ships.

Former Senator Richard Shelby spearheaded the project after witnessing the deepening of another por on the other side of the world.

I was in Singapore one of the great shipping ports and transshipment ports of the world.

About 20 years ago, I said, what is it now?

They said, it's 42ft.

I thought, wow, 42ft.

What are you trying to do?

We'll go to 50 and we'll tak the biggest ships in the world and send port.

And otherwise the port would drown sooner or later.

So I came back to Alabama.

Enough.

Put in my head.

How deep is mobile?

The channel was previously 45ft too shallow for many fully loaded ships at 50ft.

Mobil can now compete with major ports along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast, which elected leaders say is a major economic driver for Alabama.

It's the now second fastes growing port city in the nation, and I look forwar to working with local leaders, state leaders and the federal partners you see here on this stage to accomplish great things an further this incredible growth.

You know, we got more running water in the state of Alabam than any state in the country.

And most of it comes through right here from Alabama.

I'm going to be you next governor.

We're going to enhance what Senator Shelby and Governor Ivey's done.

Port authority.

We're going to take it and run with it.

Senator Shelby we will not let this dream die.

We will continue to fight.

We will continue to go to bat for the funding, for the resources, for the planning, for the development, for the investment, so that we can continue to grow this port.

Port leaders say expanded trade will benefit industries statewide, including automotive, manufacturing, steel, aerospace, agriculture and lumber.

Those investments position the Gulf as the engine of American exports and industrial growth, while protecting U.S.

maritime jobs and industries that have been neglected for decades.

Ensuring that we once again lead the world in shi production and trade capacity.

And while the economic impact is expected to be enormous from the deepenin of this channel, port officials and elected leaders say it's now on to the next big idea to bring even more business to the state of Alabama.

Reporting from mobile, I'm Jeff Sanders for Capitol Journal.

Thank you Jeff.

This week, Governor Kay Ivey and state leaders formally launched the Alabama Department of Workforce.

During a ceremony at the state Capitol.

Lawmakers approved the Alabama Workforce Transformation Act back in 2024 to consolidate multiple workforce programs into one unified department.

Secretary Greg Reed has been overseeing the transition over the past year.

And this week marks the official public launch of the new agency.

Ivey and Reed say the Department of Workforc will focus on removing barriers that prevent Alabamian from joining the workforce while improving acces to job training, career services and digital job matching tools across all 67 counties.

We have one of the lowest unemployment rates among the 50 states.

Yet despite thes monumental steps, Alabama still has one of the lowest worke participation rates in America.

Many of our potential workers are sitting out the game.

Some are unable to sit up and join in the play due to personal barriers in their lives.

They may live far from training centers and job sites.

Others might have chosen not to join the team because they didn't finish high school, or they don't have access to childcare.

To all of these folk and others, we have good news.

Alabama is launching a new recruitment plan, a more accessible job training and employment services.

To put these sideline sitters in the game, if you're going to invest a $100 million in Alabama, you want an answer to this question.

How does Alabama have a plan to initiate workforce growth in our state?

And we need to be able to answer that for the investor that is coming here.

The good news is based o what's been done by the governor and the legislature an the pathway of this new agency, we're going to be in a position to be able to do that.

In Demopolis this week state and local leaders gathered to break ground on the Alabam School of Health Care Sciences.

The new facility will be Alabama's fourth state supported residential high school, and the first of its kind anywher focused on health care careers.

Once complete, the school will give students an early opportunity to explore the medical field, setting them up for future success and one of the state's fastest growing industries.

Design plans call for space to accommodate about 85 to 100 students per graduating class.

The school is expected to welcome its first students next fall.

Bringing this special to school here is no doubt the most significant investment in West Alabama in decades, but it's much more than that.

The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, who will help more Alabama student open the door to their future.

It will bring more men and women into the healthcare workforce.

It will change the trajector of rural healthcare in our state with our partners.

Bloomberg Philanthropies is helping launch a network of health car high schools across the country.

Places where students can earn industry credentials, gain hands on experience and graduate ready to step directly into good jobs in health car or continuing their education.

This school will be unique in the network.

It will be the first residential healthcare high school in Alabama serving students from across the state.

It will provide opportunities for students who might never have considered a career in health care.

And for rural hospital and clinics that urgently need the next generation of skilled professionals.

We think that this is an awesome, awesome, transformational project that the governor announced about three years ago in his state to state address to the legislature.

We got it passed.

We got it funded, partially funded.

So now it's up to this community to build it and to get it rolling.

And toda is the day of the groundbreaking for that transformation that we will see when these doors open in 2027.

The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Prep Center is marking a new milestone.

Since opening two years ago the center has seen 400 former inmates pass through its program and graduate, leading them back into society.

The center is a critical piece in the state's mission to reduce recidivism.

Capital Journal's Randy Scott reports.

I realize that many of us share the same goals.

This is a group of very talented individuals who are determined to succeed in life, even though we will face challenges in life, is one of us are equippe to deal with them as they arise.

This graduation, like many others, has a special vibe to it.

It's being held at the Parole Reentry Program or Prep Center in Uniontown, Alabama.

The graduates are formerly incarcerated men who've completed courses designed to help them ge prepared to return to society.

From an educational standpoint and a career standpoint.

Graduat Robert Winston puts it this way your past does not define you.

In order to determine your future, life has no remote control.

So get up and change yourself.

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new in.

The only person you are destined to becom is the person you decide to be.

Such is the case for Jeremy Grant.

Jeremy Grant.

And Michael Moss.

Michael Moss.

Neither knew each other when they arrived here.

I know, sir, we met each other in prison.

Now they're success stories for this program.

Face.

The center came about thanks to the Bureau of Pardon and Paroles director cam Ward.

I think seeing these graduates here today is one of the proudest things I get to do in my job.

It's great, and I'm blessed to do that.

Over 400 people have started this program and successfully finished it.

Meeting all the goals the founders of this organization wanted to have, finding a way to give some people a second chance at life.

Grand total 437.

And of that 437 who now have job training, skills, drug treatment, mental health treatment.

Not a single on has gone back to prison or jail.

And I think that speaks volume about the public safety benefit this program brings.

This audience is filled with excited family, friends and center staff.

Also, some elected officials, including Alabama State Senator Linda Coleman Madison.

When we had budget hearings and they talked about the return on investmen that is made here, this center graduating 400 people that have gone through the program successfully, they have not returned.

They are out working.

They are contributing.

And I said, I have got to go to see this, and I'm just blow away.

It's more than I expected.

Senator Coleman Madison says the success with this program should be used to create a similar program for incarcerated women.

We have a number of correctional centers throughout, mostly me, and we have one facility for women.

And as I told the director, Kim Ward, the women are going to take it to a new level.

Just give us that opportunity.

So this is a great opportunity.

It is a great model, a project here.

But we want to, make sure that the Women's Center gets open because we're excited.

In Uniontown.

Randy Scott, capital journal.

Thank you.

Randy.

Alabama leaders are teaming up with tech industry giants to bridge the digital divide, bringing new learning opportunities to some of the state's most underserved areas.

State officials this week announced a $16 million initiative aime at expanding digital education and workforce training in rural parts of Alabama.

The new Alabama Digital Education Network is a partnership between state leaders Birmingham based nonprofit Ed Farm and Apple.

The program will establish high tech learning spaces across the Black Belt and other rural communities, transforming libraries, school and community centers into hubs for digital skills and career training.

301.

I just get a picture.

I been been to the.

Launch of the Alabama Digital Education Network represents the kind of transformational progress that changes the trajectory of communities, and I'm proud that Alabama State University stands at all of this transformation as the Montgomery hu for this visionary initiative.

And today, through this partnership with the state of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama and Alabama Power, we are bringing those opportunities directly to the communities that need the most.

Now, this certainly is significant for education across the state of Alabama and something that we can learn.

And I know it helps us with artists helps us advance with technology and AI in the world, and giving people the opportunity to come in and lear and get certified through Apple.

It's a big deal.

You know, this is only, as I said, this is the only second on like this in the United States.

And really, the only one in the world is completely like this one was kind of expanded as we went.

So certainly is something we hope continues to grow.

And I can see it someday going all across the state, Alabama and and young adults being able to get certified through Apple, doing.

And now here at the mothership.

And when I say the mothershi is because of what we are doing, this kind of effect lives across not only the Black Belt and the River region but the entire state of Alabama.

That gives us the opportunit to be able to compete globally with any other company that may want to come in to the state of Alabam or anywhere else in this nation.

We are now set the standard.

We are the Gulf state today, also on the education front.

This week marked the A-plus Education Partnerships annual Opportunity Summit in Birmingham.

The event brings together education advocates, policymakers and educator to collaborate and share ideas about how to improve schools and help students thrive.

The legislature's two education budget chairmen, State Representative Dann Garrett and State Senator Arthur Or, were give the Caroline Novak Award in part for their effort to pass the Raise act this year.

And Birmingham Superintendent Mark Sullivan was recognized for Birmingham Schools academic recovery following the pandemic.

A-plus president Mark Dixon said this year's summit has been a great success.

It's about 30 advocates from across the state.

But it's advocates, education stakeholders from nonprofits, from schools.

We have educators that come and join us.

It really pulls together everyone who cares about education and really wants to improve Alabama.

And the good news is, what we've seen today is that research is showin that Alabama is actually leading the nation in recovery after Covid 19.

We're we're recovering more quickly.

Our students are doing better.

And there's a lot of great work going on in our schools.

So we're trying to learn about that success and also learn how we can accelerate that, because we still have a long way to go to make sure that we have great schools for every child.

So gratifying to see the progress that's been made, the data that's that's not it can't be refuted.

And so we're seeing that progress.

The issue now is how do we sustain that.

And of course with the Race act, which is how we change the school funding formula to add funding for, student needs, we pulled down three years worth worth of that from the Education Opportunity Reserve Fund to make sure we have that fundin for the next three years or so.

So we've got already committed to $550 million in additional funding to student needs.

We're excited at Birmingham City Schools.

We've seen some improvement post-pandemic.

We've seen our math scores tripled since the pandemic.

Chronic absenteeism went from 29% two years ago.

Now we're at less than 15%.

Quite.

So we cut it in half, chronic absenteeism.

And, the state is getting ready to release the latest A thru F report card.

Two years ago or three years ago, we have 15 schools who received a letter grade of an F. Last year we had seven.

And when the state releases a repor card, we're going to have two.

So we will gone from 15 to 2.

So it's just a testament to what happens when you invest in students, when you invest in your personnel, your teachers, your principals, and make sure that they have resources in order to ensure that students are have great learning outcomes.

So we're proud of the work that's happening in Birmingham City Schools.

One of Alabama's fastest growing arts traditions is returning this fall, celebrating the state's connection to wildlife, the outdoors and creative expression.

The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival will take place Saturday, October 25th, in downtown Wetumpka, just north of Montgomery.

And organizers say it is drawing visitors from all across the state.

The free festival features live painting by nationally recognized wildlife artists, cultural workshops, outdoor demonstrations and family friendly entertainment that highlights Alabama's arts and outdoor heritage.

We have people who love art.

We have people who love the outdoor and bring those groups together.

And then there's peopl who just want a great day out.

There's children activities, s there's something for the kids.

And if your kids are having a great time, then the whole family is having a great time.

People who want to buy a gift that nobody else has bought, that is a great opportunity for that.

If you want to do something new, we've got.

This year.

We have just been quilters.

They're doing a quilting workshop.

We have a basket making workshop.

So it's a great opportunity there because that's that's a pretty rare opportunity.

Before we get to the interview portion of the show, an update on the mass shooting that took place here in the capital city on October 4th.

A third arrest has been made by Montgomery police.

19 year old Javon Whiting is charged with one count of attempted murder.

Whiting was taken into custody Thursday and is currently being held in the Montgomery Count Detention Facility on a $60,000 bond.

Police have made two prior arrests in this case.

19 year old then Tobias McGee and an unknown unidentified juvenile male.

Police expect more arrests to be made in this case.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reid said the arrests show the city's commitment to bringing those responsible for the shooting to justice.

Two people were killed in the shooting and 12 others were injured.

Coming up next we'll hear from Attorne general candidate Pamela Casey.

Plus we're talking with the silver haired legislature which met here in the state House this week.

And later joy blond tim from the Joy to Life Foundation is here in studio to talk abou Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Stay with us.

You can watch past episodes of Capital Journal online any time at Alabama Public Television's website.

aptv.. org.

Click on the online video tab on the main page.

You can also connect with Capital Journal and link to past episodes on Capital Journal's Facebook page.

The Carver Theater was erected in 1935 on the corner of fourth Avenue North and 17th Street North in Birmingham.

The Carver was one of several theaters in the Fourth Avenue area offering first round movies to African-Americans.

Today called the Carver Theater for the Performing Arts.

The space has been the hom of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame since 1993, and it serves as a museum and performance venue.

Welcome back to Capitol Journal.

Joining me next is Blun County District Attorney Pamela Casey, Republican candidate for Alabama attorney general.

Pamela thanks for coming on the show.

Thanks for having me.

It's an honor.

Well, it's is going to be a big race for AG.

It's already heating up.

I mean, we're past Labor Day, so we're into the real, you know, heart of campaign season here.

The primary coming up in May.

So you're the first AG candidate I've had on the show.

Let me just ask you the very basic question I ask most candidates and that is why are you running?

Why do you want to be attorney general?

So I started my career in the Alabama Attorney General's office as a violent crimes and capital litigation prosecutor.

And I believe that, the peopl of the state of Alabama deserve someone with that experience in that office and also locally as Blunt County district attorney.

So I believe the people of the state, deserve someon who has committed their career and their lives to protect and families and children.

And I believe that I'm the best person to do that for the state of Alabam as this next attorney general.

Well, obviously, you're now the district attorney, but there have been since 2010, 2010.

So you've that's interesting experience because you know, here in Montgomery in the AG's office but also as a local D.A.

different kinds of experiences.

So I'm curious how that ho the different sort of state job and then leading the office in Blount County there both kind of give you.

What kind of experiences do you take away from that that you would apply as the state's top cop?

So I've actually been in the courtroom.

I've been trying cases.

I'm the only candidate that's actually tried criminal cases, put people in prison, prosecuted pedophiles, murderers.

And I think that's unique to where we are right now in the state.

But I've also worked with all of our local law enforcement and law enforcement, both federal and state and local, on cases.

And I think that's a unique experience that I bring.

Haven't worked more of a macro level, very local.

And worked through cases that I can then bring to Montgomery to work with law enforcement officers and DA's across the state.

I think it's so important that people understand what district attorneys do.

We are that front line to protect our families and our children in our local circuits.

And Blount County being one county circuit, you know, several of our circuits have up to five counties, but I bring that local, small level that I ca now take to a big level and work with law enforcement and wor with our DA's across the state.

What would some of your priorities be if elected, as attorney general?

Number one crime.

We have to, kind of nip it in the bud.

You know, kind of an old Andy Griffith Show comment that I, you know, I grew up watchin that, and we have got to get it, get a handle that and control that.

You know, priorities would be protecting our children.

I have, dedicated my caree and my life, really, to making sure our children are safe, whether that's on social media, dangers or that's pedophiles that we have that are, preying on our children.

So my priorities are going to be tough on crime, protect our children.

And also, white collar crime and any type of public corruption.

I've locally prosecuted mayors and police officers.

So I want the people of the state of Alabam to understand that I have their, interest first over politics.

And that's wha the attorney general should be.

It should be for the people making sure that they're protected at home and from any type of, outside influences.

You mentioned the tough on crime and it just strikes me, you know, we've just had this incident here locally in the capital city, terrible shootin and it just kind of brought up some, some issues in terms of local law enforcement working with state law enforcement.

I think a lot of folks agree that what the state has partnered with Montgomery and, and this Max thing is going well, but there's talk about expanding it, and not just in the capital city, but to other cities.

In terms of the state feds working with locals, how important would that be in terms of addressing crime, that relationship with local police?

It's key.

You know, I think it's hard to do things alone.

We work better as a team because, every agency brings a different type of resources, are small, and, you know, Montgomery and Birmingha are going to be bigger agencies, but some of your smaller agencies don't have those resources.

You know, I think one of the issues we have as an, as an issue with law enforcement is we don't have enough bodies, we don't have enough people working, and we don't pay them enough.

We don't pay law enforcement enough to put on a badge.

They're having to put o bulletproof vests to go to work.

And so I think it's important that we work to ensure tha they're getting enough funding.

Because funding is going to bring resources.

It's going to help us go out into the streets and protect the people.

And that' also with our district attorneys and our judges making sure we have enough judges to handle our caseload so that people are not out on bon for an extended period of time, where they're then allowe to go and commit other crimes.

I'll make sure that our DA's offices have sufficient resources for, prosecuting and then making sure that we're teaming together.

County, state, federal.

When you all work together, we do better, because we have the ability to bring different backgrounds to fighting crime.

And I think that's why it's been very successful here in Montgomery.

Now, it's not perfect.

But we're doing more.

And that's what I think is important for this situation we have right now.

Right.

You know crime and punishment have been, I'm going to use it as singular.

Has been at one of the to issues the last several years.

Maybe you go back to Covid, maybe it's further than that.

But it really has bee at the top in terms of an issue like last year, the last couple legislative sessions, it's been really the top issue.

You don't ever see that kind of thing.

But there there also is this tension between tough on crime, as you mentioned, smart on crime in terms of sentencing and all tha has been a lot of conversation partners at parole here in the state.

You've got the Second Chance Act that just now this week got reauthorized at the federal level.

So just talk about what your philosophy would be in terms of tha tension between tough on crime, smart on crime, sentencing and that kind of thing.

That's a big package.

I know it's quite a bit, bu I could probably talk about each each item forever.

So I, you know, violent crime, there is no place for people who commit violent crime on our streets.

Those people should go to prison.

They should do the time, an they shouldn't be paroled early.

There should not be an early mandatory release.

So you know my philosophy.

Violent criminals do not belong on our streets.

Number one.

Number two, I am for smart sentencing.

And what do I mean by that?

Any time that we can take somebody and make them a productive member of our society, I am all for it.

So if we can provide them resources, our drug courts, our rehabilitation courts, I am there on the front lines, actually the only candidate that's worked in those courts and see how they work.

So in terms of sentencing, but now we've got an issue.

I truly believe with our sentencing, I believe that people are getting out early.

I've seen multiple occasions in Blunt County where someone gets early mandatory release, and within a few days they're committing crimes.

And so I think we've got to figure out how and who we are releasing early and not just saying, because you meet this certain definition, you get out.

And so, you know, there's so much out there in terms of sin, it's that I have always been a huge proponent of truth and sentencing.

If we could ever get to ten means ten, five means five, 18 means 18, then I think it would also help our prison population.

You even know what day, how many people you're going to have on this date, because you know what day they're actually getting out.

And I think that would mean a lot to our victims.

I think so many times we forget crime victims.

Crim victims asked me all the time, well, how long are they going to serve?

And my answer to them is I don't I can't tell you a number.

And that's really sad, especially when you have a family member who's been killed or murdered.

You never know what you're able to tell them.

So I think if we coul get to truth and sense it now, I think that would be a hard pill to swallow.

I think I don't want legislatures, legislators to ever saying that they're soft on crime because they get a truth in sentencing.

Because if they say, okay, a thef case is going to be two years, I don't want the communities around say, oh, will they let two years?

Or is what that's worth o murder is only worth 25 or 30?

You know, if we could get to truth and sentencing, it would help us with our victims.

It would help us on this rat race.

I feel like we're all on as prosecutors.

We're seeing the same people over and over.

You know, the sentencing guidelines were made mandatory to us.

And what I'm seeing i the same people over and over, and it takes so many different crimes for the to be eligible to be a prison.

And and then it kind of takes away a lot of our discretion because we're no longer able to use habitual on some of those offenses.

So, you know, there's so much there.

I told you we could talk.

I could go on and on.

It was a big question.

It's a big question.

But, what I what the people, the state of Alabama to know is that if they are when they elect Pamela Casey as as attorney general, they have someone with experience who stood on the front line, who understands what law enforcement goes through, understands what prosecutors are, do and will work with law enforcement, and will fight for victims of crime.

That's what I've been doing my entire career.

So being attorney general, it's a lot about prosecution, a lot about, like I said, crime and punishment.

There's also a policy and litigation role, really something that has increased a lot over the last several years, especially on the litigation side.

But just I mean, just this week, we've got the redistricting case.

I know it's Louis Louisiana's case, but we've been very involved in that litigation on redistricting There's a lot that has happened.

Our current attorney general, when Biden was president, I mean, every other week was some kind of lawsuit.

Now it's the opposite.

But just thinking about that policy role, engaging with the legislature, litigation.

How would be your posture in terms of how and when to engage policy wise, litigation wise?

But I think it's important that, you know what the people of the state want and where they stand on things, first of all, but also to be willing to be, proactive, but also reacted to ideas.

You know, we saw with Biden that, Attorney General Marshall had to be very, proactive, had to try to fight overreach or overreach and I think that those federal policies that are outside of what the people of the state of Alabama need and wan would be things that we would go after, things that we would engage in litigation.

But it's also working with other agencies in the state, understanding what it is that they need, sitting down, talking with them, having those conversations.

I don't think you can ever say I am a, lot in the saying, this is it' what we'll do every single time, because I think every situation is different.

So I think it's about understanding the people of the state of Alabama, understanding kind of what those policies, federal policies are that are overreaching.

You know, we're very fortunate right now that we have, President Trump in office that we're not having to engage in that proactive.

Now, we're doing a lot more defending of those policies.

And so I think people nee to understand there potentially could be a total of three president that the next attorney general could serve under.

If you think about we have two years left of President Trump, there'll be another election.

So you will elect and potentially could elect a different person four years later.

So you want someone in the office who has that experience.

Look, I tell people if the state shuts down and they can only play it, pay your attorney general, you want somebody sitting in that office who's walked in the courtroom, who's file briefs, who's written briefs, not just sign their name to a brief or to a letter, but somebody who can do the work.

I can do that work.

Well, look, I guess you'v got a campaign website to share.

Where can people find out more information about your.

All of these issues we talked about and how to keep up with you?

Absolutely.

We have website Pamela Wkyc.com.

I'm also available on Facebook at Pamela Case, you're for Alabama attorney general.

And then my, Facebook page is Pamela Casey.

I've had that about 20 years so they're welcome to follow me.

Can't friend me.

I'm out of friends, but, just hit follow and follow along with with us on Facebook.

Okay.

Well, look, thanks so much for your time and good luck on the campaign trail.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

We'll be right back.

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Welcome back to Capitol Journal.

The Alabama silver haired legislature is in town this week for the 30th anniversary of that organizatio meeting here at the statehouse.

And joining me next to talk about it is and McReynolds and Henry White.

Thank you both for coming on Capitol Journal.

We're glad to be here.

Thank you much.

Now and you are the outgoing speaker of the House, the first woma ever to be elected to that role.

That's correct.

Yes.

And Henry, you are the incoming speaker.

Well, after tomorrow, hopefully I will be after the election.

Right now, I have no opposition.

And unless we get anyon from the floor that nominated.

And hopefully I should be elected.

Yeah.

Who knows, mayb it could get really interesting.

Oh, no, it will.

Hopefully.

Yeah.

Well, I'm really gla that y'all could make it down.

It's such a special organization.

I hope you would share wit the audience a little bit more about the silver haired legislature, its history, and its role in the state.

Like you said, we've had 30 sessions and you, to qualify it to be a silver haired legislator, you jus you need to be 60 years of age and, a resident of the state of Alabama for a year.

And then you go to your, your council of aging and every there's that in every district.

And you get interested in tell them that you would like to become a par of the silver haired legislator, and they will direct you t that, to how to become a member.

Yeah.

And I know that, you know, y'all are on the floor today.

Oh, yeah.

The part of this week talking about issues, right.

Talking about this different issues that seniors face.

What are some of those issues that get discussed this week?

Well of course, one is the lottery.

And a lot of the money that from the lottery is to go to help folks who are, you know, senior adults, mental health, of course, education.

And then, just basic things like getting transportation to some of the facilities for, for some for our senior adults and just making sure they ge there, they're taking care of.

And even getting help for the just the basic needs that some of the older folks nee and make sure they're not abused and things like that.

But it's been we've had some really good bills.

People well, I said bills.

It's a resolution.

All we do is resolution and then pass it on t the regular legislature.

Right.

So it's almost like a two way street because y'all are talking abou and debating issues, your pet.

You'll pass those issue along to the actual legislature who will come in and say okay, here's what is important, you know.

Yeah.

To y'all.

But then you also we're talking off air about how you're also educating your membership, right?

Members of the civil ther about the legislative process.

That's our goal.

Yeah.

The big biggest goal is to educate our member, our representatives on how this process works.

Oh, the Alabama representatives to the House of Representatives, we educate, but we also d the legwork for our legislators.

We do a lot of research.

We, to find out how to take care of these problems.

And then tomorrow we will vote the last day of session.

We will vote on five top resolutions that we want to send to the governor and to the Senate.

Into the House.

Yeah.

And, we spend a lot of time debating and, working on the information that we send.

Absolutely.

I don't know, that information is appreciated by the legislature and the governor.

You gotta know what the what the folks are thinking.

Y'all represent a key constituency, right?

Yeah.

And we only address just the seniors.

No specific group just the seniors of the state.

Right.

Well, let's hear what you or a former lawmaker yourself.

That's right.

We should remember that district five right up there.

Lamb's limestone.

Black limestone.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Well.

That's interesting.

What's it been like coming back?

It's.

It's been great.

I've enjoyed, you know, coming back and and being familiar with, a lot of the folks who are still working, some o your secretaries, your security.

They're just fantastic folks.

And they always, you know they welcome you with open arms.

They just been so kind.

Even the new stock, court clerk, John Treadwell, very nice guy.

So, you know, he's he's helped us out.

And anybody that we've called on, they have really been been overboard to help us out and, you know, and of course, like I say, they they remember me when I was down here before, which is good, you know?

So I really enjoyed it.

And it's been a real, real experience for me.

Like I say, it's just a matte of, us getting this resolution to the folks at that, because a lot of times, the people, even when I was there and a lot of times we didn't know, you know, really what some of the concerns were for our senior adults.

And, and it's a big, big problem, you know, just a lot, a lot of like, we need to look out for them.

I'm one of them.

Mr.

Reynolds is one.

So, so we just trying to take care of, make the our legislative record.

Legislators aware of what what we need to looking at.

Yeah.

And you mentioned off ai also that this is a nonpartisan thing.

Correct?

I think we've got enough partizanship to go around in this country.

So talk about why that's so important.

Because if somebody ou there is interested in becoming a member of the silver haired legislature, go to your Council on Aging and everything.

But it's not about bringing politics down here.

It's about bringing issues, issues, these issues for our seniors, for our state.

And again, I have to say, it's not for a certain group is for all seniors.

Yeah, right.

I think that's an importan point to make that it's not you know, I'm not trying to make a Partizan point or not pick a party over it is, you know, just talking about issues that affect seniors.

So really what we figure if it can help the senior adults, what we're doin or if they get something passed, it can help the folks below that are not seniors at the present time.

So, you know, that's that's the that's the purpose of it.

And I think you'll do a great service, educating not just seniors in the state, but the legislature itself.

Yeah.

And I want to thank you all for, you know, taking the time t come on here again, congratulate the first woman speaker of the House, that men, by the way, did you know that when you were running, I did not.

Okay.

It was after the fact that I was told that.

And she and she had done an excellent job.

I mean, you know.

Yeah.

Just.

Yeah.

And and think about it like he and not being in education now you've got to surround yourself with good folks.

One person can't do it.

Our secretary is fantastic.

Our treasurer.

President pro tem.

Oh you know, it's just it takes everybody working together.

One person.

It'd be very difficult for one person.

And then when you get to have all those fou and then you get all the, the, the legislatures, silver haired legislators working together, we get things done.

That's all I written has been to find me.

And he will have tried.

Henry.

Yeah.

And he's been excellent.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, you Clay bee there?

Wow.

He is the voice.

Oh, wow, I know, I know, Clay.

Go back you up in Decatur, up eight years ago.

Yeah, he was on the radio.

That's right.

Yeah, yeah, he's got a got a great vocal, perfect voice.

Oh, yeah.

He did.

Oh, you can hear me.

He.

Yeah.

But he's done a good job.

He's been real real helpful too.

And of course the other one is our understanding here straightened out now that today.

Oh yeah I understand I know we're we're thinking about and praying for Earl.

I know, yeah.

Yeah.

You know, it's interesting becaus it was a couple of months ago, maybe 3 or 4 months ago, right here in these chairs.

I had, two young me who had been through Boys State.

Yeah.

And they were, you know, they go through the same process, and they were even elected president and vice president of the National, like, wow.

But I'll tell you what, it's so interesting because they they would fill the boys state, fill the halls and girls state filled the halls of the legislature kind of the same sort of similar kind of situation.

And it's just so interesting to see that just to be just an election between, you know, older, younger people all wanting to ge involved, all wanting to educate and improve the process.

So it's just kind of interesting to to see that right now.

That's good.

You know, it's interesting you mentioned that 1966 out of the board, state representative.

Is that right?

Yeah, that was a long time ago.

Well, we want you to go back and watch the interview because these are some impressive.

Oh yeah, young man.

And I'm telling you, you know I'm going to be asking for a job for more than one day.

Yeah, I see it.

Yeah.

Well, that's wonderful.

To have young men to move int those positions is absolutely.

Well, look, we're out of time, but thanks again.

Thank you.

Thanks for sharing everything about the silver haired legislature.

Thank you.

Anytime.

Thank you very much.

We'll be right back.

As the longtime coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide coach Paul Bryant led the team to si national championships, 24 bowl games, 13 conference titles, and three undefeated seasons.

He is widely considered the greatest college football coach of all time.

Hello, I'm John Krol, defensive end on the 1973 National championship team that went 11 and zero.

Regular season.

In his 25 years at Alabama, Coach Bryant's teams compiled 232 wins, 46 losses, and participated in 24 consecutive bowl games.

He was nationa coach of the year three times.

His players received 67 All-American honors, and numerous top players went on to distinguished NFL careers.

Coach Wright remains an integral part of the Alabama football tradition.

He established a scholarship fund for the children of former players to attend the university.

And to this day, tide fan wear houndstooth in his memory.

Welcome back to Capitol Journal.

October is breast cancer awareness month.

And joining me nex to talk about it is Joy Blenheim co-founder and directo of the Joy to Life Foundation.

Miss Borden thanks for coming on the show.

Oh, it's a pleasure.

Thank you for having me.

Absolutely.

I want to start by giving you the opportunity to remind our audience about joy, life, its origins and growt over the years, really its role here in the state.

Oh, well.

Good.

I always love to do that.

Well, first of all, I am a breast cancer survivor of 28 years, and that's really how it all started.

After all my treatment and and what I went through, my husband and I really wanted to give back just to the community to see how we could help right here in Montgomery.

So we found out that there was a need, for, breast screenings, mammograms specifically for just thousands of women in this tri county area.

So that's basically how we got started.

We had an idea, and it worked.

I don't know how it worked, but it did.

And, we were very happy to get started.

In 2001.

And we've been doing what we do ever since.

And we basically pay for mammograms and other breast screenings for women.

And some men men get breast cancer, too.

Throughout the state of Alabama, when we started, we probably the first year we were in business in 2001, we probably did five mammograms and paid as we went.

We worked with the Department of Public Health.

And fast forward to today and we are responsible for well over 100,000 mammograms and breast screenings, biopsies, ultrasounds, anything that a woman that can afford these screenings and has no insurance.

Anything that they need, we're going to do.

And we do it for all ages.

Out of our office, we work with women under 40 and women 40 to 49.

We work with the Department of Public Health through their breast screening program.

So everybody's covered.

Women 50 and over, of course can go through Medicaid, right?

They can't afford it.

So so over the years, obviously you saw this need way back then.

Have you seen over the years that that income is a barrier to folks getting screened, right.

Oh yes.

Because if you don't have insurance or aren't on Medicaid, which there is a gap there, right?

That is exactly protected and that leads to trouble.

That's right.

Because mammography is still the best tool that we have to detect breast cancer.

It is not perfect, but it's still the best tool.

And mammograms and other breast screenings apps save lives.

And so that's why it's so important.

And we work with women sometimes that have two and three jobs.

And the first priority is going to b to take care of their children.

So sometimes they let it go.

But now here we are to pick that up for them.

And we have saved live lives.

And we we know that we've saved hundreds of lives.

No question.

Well, again, it is breast cancer awareness month.

Yes.

Very busy.

Yes.

Very busy.

You've been on the road quite a bit.

I know you've got some events coming up.

Yes.

Well, first of all, our annual walk of life will be back next year.

But this year we tried something different.

We wanted to take to take it on the road.

So we went to Prattville.

We tomika, this weekend will be at Eas Chase Shopping Center, and we're going to have a glow up party.

Everything is going to glow everything, and it's going to be great fun.

And we hope to have hundreds of people out there.

It's a family friendly event.

We hope everybody will attend because awareness honestly, is just as important as the screenings.

Because if you're not aware an you don't know, then you don't.

You absolutely don't know what to do.

So these events are fabulous awareness programs for us.

So that's this weekend i the glow up party at East Chase.

And then on the 25th, we end the month with, a concert with Ruben Studdard.

He has agreed to do a benefit concert.

Okay.

And so it's not too late to get tickets, and everybody can still come.

We've made it affordable s that everybody can be included.

So we hope to have a big crowd.

Yeah, yeah.

Well I did.

You mentioned early detection screenings.

What is your message to women out there or those who know somebody who might not have gotten, a mammogram yet?

What's your message to them about the importance of early detection?

In, you know, in in preventing.

Yes.

Disease.

Yes.

Well, I have two messages.

The first thing is, I never did, self-exam myself at home, ever.

And therefore, I missed mammograms.

I said it wasn't perfect.

Well, in my case, it wasn't perfect and it never showed the tumors.

If I had done self-exam once a month, then my breast cancer most probably wouldn't have been as bad as it was.

So my first message is to women out there and men to do Self-exam don't miss it.

Do i every month and check yourselves so that you'll know your body.

So if there are any changes, you can go straight to the doctor.

And we actually have a shower card that goes right in the shower.

So anybody that's listening to my voice, if they want to call or email us and we can send out free shower cards and we wil give them as many as they need to, distribute throughou communities throughout Alabama.

The second messages do not skip mammograms or other breast screenings when they tell you to have a mammogram, or if you feel a lump or see a blob, go get a mammogram.

Again, it is not 100% perfect, but it is absolutely the best too we have to detect breast cancer.

Well and als there's a lot of folks out there who may want to support your efforts, may see the importance of supporting your efforts.

What's your message to thos who may want to give or somehow othe give of their resources or time?

To help Georgia Life and other organizations like yours?

Oh, yes.

We love volunteers and they can get us at Georgia life.org.

And we of course love donations and every donation is impactful to us.

We get children that bring us in their quarters from their piggy banks.

We get, people that send us $5, $10, and then we have peopl that give us $1000 or $10,000.

But we appreciate every single donation.

The same, every all of it is the same.

It's all important.

It all means the world to us.

And every donation is helping us save lives.

Well, I can't hel but have noticed the car tags.

The car tags with the pink ribbon on it.

Oh, yeah.

Breast cancer awareness month.

When did that start?

We started our car tag in about 2015.

I think it was somewhere around there.

It was actually my husband who had the idea that perhaps that might help us in our efforts because he notices all the car tags in this day.

So it was hard work to get it, but it very well.

It paid off in, in just droves.

The car tag is the reason we were allowed to be a statewide organization.

I see we do very well with our car tag, and we appreciate it so much.

What we do for joy to life.

Our breast screening are very expensive to to handle.

And so that car tag really, really, really helps us with our breast screenings because it's, specific.

We can't use the money on anything, but, screenings and awareness.

So if folks go in to get their tag, they can ask the, I guess, the revenue, the the Joy to live pink tag.

And we appreciate that support so much.

We actually get about $42.75 of the $50 that they would pay for that specialty tag, and it's incredible.

It's very successful in the state.

So we thank everyone for that continued support.

It's just absolutely wonderful.

Well, I think it's fair to say that all or most of us know someone who's been impacted by breast cancer.

So thank you for what you do.

Thank you for your team members, and for sharing your story and encouraging others.

The way you have and is again, it's joy of life.or to find out about these events and how to otherwise be involved.

Yes.

Thank you so much.

Thanks for coming on.

We'll be right back.

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That's our show for this week.

Thanks for watching.

We'll be back next week at the same time right here on Alabama Public Television for our Capital Journal team.

I'm Todd Stacey.

We'll see you next time.