>> GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, LAWMAKERS ARE PREPARING TO RETURN TO MONTGOMERY NEXT WEEK FOR A SECOND SPECIAL SESSION, THIS TIME ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

THEY'LL REASSEMBLE ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, TO START REDRAWING DISTRICT LINES FOR CONGRESSIONAL, LEGISLATIVE AND STATE SCHOOL BOARD SEATS.

LAWMAKERS ARE LATE GETTING THIS DONE BECAUSE OF DELAYED CENSUS DATA, AND THEY HAVE TO FINISH REAPPORTIONMENT BEFORE NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER OF RAINSVILLE TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT IT'S ALWAYS A VERY POLITICAL PROCESS, BUT HE'S HOPING FOR A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION.

>> I THINK THE MAIN THING FOR US TO BE -- ME AS A MEMBER -- AND EVERYBODY ELSE ON THE PATIENT AND GIVE THE PROCESS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AND SEE HOW EVERYTHING GOES.

I FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE INPUT.

EVERYBODY THAT REPRESENTS A CERTAIN PART OF THE DISTRICT BEING CONGRESSIONAL, HOUSE, SENATE OR STATE SCHOOL BOARD, THEY NEED TO HAVE A SAY SO ON WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE.

IT IS THEIR CONSTITUENTS THEY ARE DEALING.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW EVERYTHING PLAYS OUT.

>> A LAWSUIT HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED OVER HOW STATE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES HAVE BEEN DRAWN AND SOME DEMOCRATS HAVE SAID THAT THEY FULLY EXPECT THAT THE NEW DISTRICT MAPS WILL ULTIMATELY END UP IN THE COURTS.

THERE'S ALSO THE PROSPECT THAT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY COULD ADD OTHER LEGISLATION TO THE SPECIAL SESSION CALL.

SOME LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING FOR A PLAN TO BAN VACCINE MANDATES IN THE STATE, LIKE THE ONE PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE FEELS THERE'S MERIT TO THE ARGUMENT.

>> WE DON'T WANT OUR BUSINESSES TO BE HURT EITHER WAY, WHETHER THE STATE MANDATE OR FEDERAL MANDATE.

WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR BUSINESS.

THAT'S THE BACKBONE OF OUR STATE.

SEEING SOME OF THE FEDERAL MANDATES FROM WASHINGTON BEING PUSHED DOWN IS REALLY -- THE CLIMATE WE'RE IN, WE REALLY NEED EMPLOYEES AND WHY WE WOULD DO THAT AT THIS TIME DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

WE HAVE IN A POSTURE WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEIR VACCINE AND IT SEEMS LIKE TO ME ONCE THE MANDATE CAME OUT IT SLOWED IT BACK DOWN.

I THINK BE PRO ACTIVE AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINES BUT I DON'T THINK WE CAN FORCE THEM.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TRY.

>> LEDBETTER WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY TODAY URGED LAWMAKERS TO PASS LEGISLATION OPPOSING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S VACCINE MANDATES, CLAIMING THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THEIR VACCINE STATUS OR BE FIRED BECAUSE OF IT.

>> AS THE DEBATE OVER VACCINE MANDATES IN ALABAMA HEATS UP, THE STATE'S TOP DOCTOR SAID TODAY WE'RE READY TO START ROLLING OUT COVID BOOSTER SHOTS TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

THE FEDS HAVE NOW OKAYED BOTH MODERNA AND JOHNSON AND JOHNSON BOOSTERS FOR THOSE OVER 65, FOR THOSE OVER 18 WITH CERTAIN HEALTH CONDITIONS, AND FOR THOSE IN JOBS WHICH PUT THEM AT GREATER RISK OF EXPOSURE.

ALL OF THIS AS STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT OUR COVID DEATH RATE, WHICH AT ONE TIME WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION, FINALLY SEEMS TO BE STABILIZING.

>> WE'RE JUST NOW STARTING TO SEE THE NUMBERS GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL DOZEN DEATHS PER DAY OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO, AND THAT'S A TERRIBLE NUMBER AND WAY TOO HIGH BUT CERTAINLY NOT HUNDREDS OF DEATHS A DAY, HUNDRED OR MORE A DAY LIKE WE WERE SEEING BEFORE.

WE BELIEVE WE HAVE FINALLY CRESTED AND ARE ON THE WAY DOWN.

WE HOPE IT WILL CONTINUE.

>> DR. HARRIS SAYS OUR DAILY COVID CASE COUNTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO STABILIZE AND THAT HE REMAINS ENCOURAGED BY THE DOWNWARD TRACK OF THE NUMBERS.

HE'LL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

>>> ALABAMA LAST NIGHT EXECUTED A DEATH ROW INMATE JUST SHY OF 30 YEARS AFTER HE WAS CONDEMNED FOR KIDNAPPING AND MURDERING A 22-YEAR-OLD BIRMINGHAM WOMAN.

STATE CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER JEFF DUNN ON THURSDAY NIGHT ANNOUNCED THE DEATH OF WILLIE B. SMITH AT HOLMAN PRISON IN ATMORE.

>> SMITH WAS EXECUTED FOR THE 1991 CAPITAL MURDER OF SHARMA RUTH JOHNSON.

BEFORE HIS EXECUTION, SMITH WAS OFFERED TO MAKE A FINAL STATEMENT AND HE DECLINED.

SMITH WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED BY A PHYSICIAN AT 9:47 THIS EVENING CENTRAL STANDARD TIME.

THE VICTIM'S FAMILY REQUESTED THAT I READ A VERY SHORT STATEMENT, WHICH IS THE FOLLOWING -- AFTER WAITING FOR 30 YEARS, JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED.

>> SMITH'S EXECUTION WAS CARRIED AFTER ALL OF HIS LEGAL APPEALS HAD BEEN EXHAUSTED.

HIS MENTAL CAPACITY AND HIS EFFORTS TO HAVE A SPIRITUAL ADVISOR PRESENT IN THE DEATH CHAMBER WERE ALL ARGUMENTS SMITH MADE IN HIS APPEALS.

BOTH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL ISSUED STATEMENTS SAYING THAT THROUGH THE EXECUTION, JUSTICE HAD BEEN SERVED.

>> THE WORK OF THE NEWLY FORMED ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION IS NOW WELL UNDERWAY, AS THE GROUP HAS STARTED THE PROCESS OF CREATING RULES AND REGULATIONS, LICENSING GROWERS AND SETTING UP DISPENSARIES.

WE REPORTED LAST WEEK THAT THE COMMISSION WON'T PUSH TO EXPEDITE THE GROWER LICENSES, THAT THEY WON'T BE ISSUED UNTIL LATER NEXT YEAR, WHICH WILL MEAN THE FIRST MEDICAL CANNABIS CROP WON'T COME UNTIL 2023.

STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RICK PATE SAYS HIS AGENCY MAY HAVE SOME SORT OF FUTURE OVERSIGHT ROLE, BUT HE REITERATED TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONE KEY POINT.

>> I'D BE CONCERNED.

WE DON'T WANT TO ROLL AND SELECT WHOEVER THE GROWERS AND INTEGRATORS ARE.

WE ARE READY TO HELP ANY WAY THE STATE OR LEGISLATURE OR THE COMMISSION FEELS WE SHOULD BUT WE FEEL IT WOULD ADD TO THE POLITICIZATION OF OUR DEPARTMENT IF PEOPLE FEEL I WAS PICKING THE WINNERS AND LOSERS.

WE'RE HOPING THAT WORKS OUT, BUT WE'LL SEE.

>> COMMISSIONER PATE WILL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS AND ABOUT THE ONGOING LICENSE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THOSE SEEKING TO GROW INDUSTRIAL HEMP IN THE STATE.

>>> THE CROWDED REPUBLICAN FIELD IN THE RACE FOR AN ALABAMA US SENATE SEAT GOT EVEN MORE CROWDED THIS WEEK.IN THE RACE CROWDED THIS WEEK.

DECORATED MILITARY VETERAN MIKE DURANT, KNOWN FOR BEING A PRISONER OF WAR IN SOMALIA AND THE SUBJECT OF THE MOVIE 'BLACK HAWK DOWN' ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY IN A CAMPAIGN AD RELEASED THIS WEEK.

>> DURANT JOINS AT LEAST FOUR OTHER REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SEEKING TO SUCCEED THE RETIRING RICHARD SHELBY IN THE U-S SENATE: CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE, FORMER SHELBY CHIEF OF STAFF KATIE BRITT, FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR TO SLOVENIA LYNDA BLANCHARD AND PRATTVILLE BUSINESSWOMAN JESSICA TAYLOR.

NO DEMOCRAT HAS YET ENTERED THE RACE.

>> THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED A NEW MINORITY OUTREACH TEAM TO TRY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO ARE ACTIVE IN THE PARTY AND RUN FOR OFFICE.

STATE GOP CHAIRMAN JOHN WAHL STOOD ON THURSDAY WITH THE STATE'S FIRST BLACK REPUBLICAN ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE SINCE RECONSTRUCTION, REPRESENTATIVE KENNETH PASCHAL OF ALABASTER.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ADDRESS AN ISSUE AND IT'S THE DEMOCRAT PARTY DOES NOT REPRESENT ALL MINORITIES.

IN FACT, THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT CONSERVATIVE MINORITIES EXIST.

I THINK THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHALLENGE THAT STEREOTYPE.

>> WE MADE HISTORY IN JULY.

THE VOTERS IN HOUSE DISTRICT 73 HAVE OFFERED STRONG EVIDENCE THAT DR. KING -- HIS DREAM IS ALIVE IN SHELBY COUNTY AND IN ALABAMA.

THEIR VOTE IS NOT BASED ON THE COLOR OF MY SKIN.

THEY CAST THEIR VOTES BECAUSE THEY SAW A GOD-FEARING MAN WITH INTEGRITY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE PASCHAL WILL SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF THE STATE GOP'S NEW MINORITY OUTREACH TEAM.

>> AN OPEN STATE HOUSE SEAT HAS BEEN FILLED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE TUSCALOOSA CITY COUNCIL AFTER NO OTHER CANDIDATES CHALLENGED HER IN A SPECIAL ELECTION.

REPUBLICAN CYNTHIA LEE ALMOND ASSUMES THE DISTRICT 63 HOUSE SEAT FORMERLY HELD BY BILL POOLE, WHO LEFT IT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO TO BECOME STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR.

SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL ON THURSDAY ISSUED A CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION IN THE RACE SINCE ALMOND WAS THE ONLY LEGALLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE.

SHE SAYS LOOKS FORWARD TO SERVING, STARTING WITH NEXT WEEK'S SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

>>> FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE HUBBARD OF AUBURN THIS WEEK CONTINUED HIS EFFORTS TO SECURE AN EARLY RELEASE FROM PRISON.

HE'S CURRENTLY SERVING 28 MONTHS FOR USING HIS OFFICE FOR PERSONAL GAIN, AND HE FILED NEW LEGAL ARGUMENTS ON WEDNESDAY IN HIS BID TO GET OUT OF JAIL EARLY.

HUBBARD'S LAWYERS SAID HE IS NOT A DANGER TO SOCIETY AND POINTED TO A LETTER OF APOLOGY THAT THE FORMER SPEAKER WROTE LAST MONTH.

HUBBARD IS ALSO CONTENDING THAT THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WAS WRONG TO DISCOUNT THAT LETTER.

>>> COVID IS STILL A PROBLEM IN STATE SCHOOLS, BUT THE SITUATION DOES SEEM TO BE SLOWLY IMPROVING AND THERE'S REASON FOR AT LEAST SOME OPTIMISM.

IT'S A SITUATION THAT CONTINUES TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR OUR EDUCATION LEADERS, AS "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS A LOT ON ITS PLATE BUT ONE SUN SUBJECT HAS THEM FULL OF TENSION, DEALING WITH COVID-19.

>> WE FEEL MUCH BETTER ABOUT SCHOOL AND OPERATIONS GOING INTO THE NEXT MONTH BECAUSE OUR NUMBERS ARE DROPPING DRAMATICALLY.

>> THOSE DECREASING TOTALS ARE ENCOURAGING SAYS SUPERINTENDENT MACKEY.

>> WE ARE TRULY OVER THE DELTA VARIANT SPIKE.

WE EXPECT THE NUMBERS TO CONTINUE TO DROP AND WE HOPE WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER SPIKE IN THE WINTER.

>> WE'RE HAPPY THE NUMBERS ARE DOWN AS IT RELATES TO THE HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN AND TEACHERS AND COMMUNITIES.

HOWEVER, WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE REGAINING OF THE LOSS OF TIME AS IT RELATES TO INSTRUCTION.

>> WE'RE DELIGHTED THE NUMBERS ARE DROPPING.

DR. MACKEY SHARED THOSE NUMBERS WITH US AND THE NUMBERS ARE FABULOUS.

HAVING OUR KIDS BACK ON CAMPUS AND DOING THE FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION.

>> BOARD MEMBERS JACKIE ZEIGLER AND CHESTNUT AGREE.

THIS IS A BOOST TO GET THE STUDENTS WHAT THEY NEED.

>> WHENEVER WE HAVE THE STUDENTS COME ON TO CAMPUS AND WE CAN PUT OUR EYES ON THEM AND MAKE SURE THEIR WHOLE BEING IS TAKEN CARE OF.

IS THERE AN ISSUE AT HOME WE CAN HELP THEM WITH, ARE WE SURE THEY ARE BEING FED, THAT WAY WE CAN ADDRESS THE WHOLE CHILD IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> MANY OF THE SCHOOLS IN MY DISTRICT WERE OUT QUITE A BIT OF THE TIME.

SO OUR FOCUS NOW IS TO REALLY PUT OUR EFFORTS INTO MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN DON'T LOSE ANY ACADEMIC GROUND.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY@APTV.ORG, OR BY MAIL.

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST ALABAMA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RICK PATE IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

>> HI, DON.

GREAT TO BE BACK.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU, AS ALWAYS.

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH MEDICAL CANNABIS.

MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN MEETING FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW.

THEY ARE JUST GETTING STARTED ON THE WORK SURROUNDING THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO PLAY A ROLE AT SOME POINT BUT YOU ARE STILL WAITING, ARE YOU NOT, FOR THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION TO DEFINE WHAT THAT MAYBE, RIGHT?

>> I DON'T WANT TO BE TOO PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY WHAT IT WILL BE BUT WE HAVE MET WITH COMMISSIONER McMILLAN THEY HIRED AND I THINK THAT WAS A HUGE STEP FOR THEM TO GET THAT.

JOHN BROUGHT THREE OR FOUR OF HIS PEOPLE WHO WERE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AG AND NOW WITH HIM OVER THERE.

SO THERE IS A SENSE OF COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR FOLKS AND HIS.

I'D BE CONCERNED.

WE DON'T WANT TO JUST ROLL AND SELECT WHOEVER THE GROWERS OR INTEGRATORS ARE.

WE ARE READY TO HELP IN ANY WAY THE STATE OR LEGISLATURE OR THE COMMISSION FEELS BUT WE FEEL IT WOULD ADD TO THE POLITICIZATION OF OUR DEPARTMENT IF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE I WAS PICKING AND CHOOSING WHO THE WINNERS AND LOSERS WERE.

WE'RE HOPING THAT WORKS OUT, BUT WE'LL SEE.

>> I'LL REMIND OUR VIEWERS, THAT COMMISSIONER McMILLAN IS JOHN McMILLAN WHO RESIGNED AS TREASURER TO BE HEAD OF THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION AND A FORMER STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER AS WELL AND YOU ARE SAYING YOU HOPE WHOEVER GET THE LICENSES WILL BE UNDER THE AUSPICIOUS OF THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION AND YOU'LL DO WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE AS FAR AS OVERSIGHT AFTER THAT, RIGHT?

>> AND PARTICULARLY WHO SELECTS WHO THOSE PEOPLE ARE UNDER THEIR AUTHORITY.

AND WE'LL TAKE WHATEVER ROLE, MONITORING, TESTING IT, CHECKING ON HOW IT IS GROWN IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

THERE'S SOME DISCUSSION WOULD THEY HIRE THEIR OWN PEOPLE.

WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH THE HEMP PROGRAM AND I THINK SOME ARE THINKING AS SOON AS THAT HAS GONE WE MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE THERE.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

UNDER THE LEGISLATION THAT PASSED FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS IT WAS DECIDED LICENSES WOULDN'T BE ISSUED UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT YEAR WHICH WOULD PUT THE FIRST CROP IN 2023.

SO IT MIGHT NOT BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL 2023 AND THE COMMISSION DECIDED NOT TO EXPEDITE THE LICENSING PROCESS.

THERE'S A LOT OF TIME HERE TO WORK OUT THE KINKS, I GUESS.

>> THERE AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR COMMISSIONER McMILLAN AND THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION BUT WHEN THEY STARTED TO TALK ABOUT THAT I KNEW IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

UNTIL YOU WRITE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS, HOW CAN YOU TELL PEOPLE HOW TO APPLY?

THAT'S WHERE THE WORK IS STUDYING THE OTHER 37 STATES INVOLVED IN THIS AND TAKING THE BEST FROM THIS ONE AND DOING SOME THINGS ALABAMA'S WAY, UNIQUE TO US.

THAT'S TIME-CONSUMING PROCESS.

YEAH, YOU CAN'T GET OUT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT THOSE PEOPLE TO SHOW THEY CAN DO.

SO, YEAH.

IT'S EASY TO SAY START GROWING IN THE SPRING BUT TO DO THAT YOU HAVE TO SELECT YOUR GROWERS, SELECT YOUR INTEGRATORS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL THEM THAT THEY HAVE TO SHOW ON THEIR APPLICATION.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO SHOW ON THEIR APPLICATION YET.

THAT WAS ALWAYS TO ME WISHFUL THINKING.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE.

>> IT'S A HEAVY LIFT CREATING A BRAND NEW AGENCY LIKE THIS.

>> OH, YEAH.

JOHN STARTED OCTOBER 1st AND YOU DON'T HAVE PENCILS OR PAPER CLIPS, THE WHOLE THING.

YOU ARE CREATING A NEW STATE AGENCY FROM SCRATCH.

MOST PEOPLE WOULD TELL YOU THE STATE PURCHASING SYSTEM IS PRETTY BURDENSOME AND DIFFICULT.

ESPECIALLY TO DO ANYTHING QUICKLY.

SO, THEY HAVE THEIR CHALLENGES.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE YOU THOUGHT THAT JOHN McMILLAN'S APPOINTMENT TO THE JOB WAS A GOOD ONE GIVEN HIS EXPERIENCE?

>> OH, I DID.

HE IS PROBABLY UNIQUELY QUALIFIED WITH BEING COMMISSIONER AND TREASURER.

HE WAS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTATION AFTER THAT, HE KNOWS A LOT OF PEOPLE AND LEGISLATURE BEFORE THAT.

HE UNDERSTANDS THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

HE BROUGHT DANIEL WITH HIM WHO'S AN ATTORNEY AND VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE.

YEAH, I THINK THEY ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.

I THINK THEY WENT BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THEY GOT THOSE PEOPLE HIRED.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP INDUSTRIAL HEMP A WHILE AGO.

THE AG DEPARTMENT STARTED TO TAKE APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN GROWING INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

LET'S EXPLAIN WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

>> IT IS CONFUSING.

THE PLANTS LOOK ALMOST EXACTLY ALIKE.

THE FARM BILL AND NOT THE MOST RECENT ONE BUT IN 2012 FARM BILL ALLOWED SOME SORT OF EXPERIMENTAL ATTEMPTS FOR STATES TO GET IN THAT BUSINESS.

I THINK IN 2016, I BELIEVE, THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE MADE THAT POSSIBLE.

WHEN I WALKED IN THE DOOR IN JANUARY OF 19, THEY HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE APPLICATIONS AND NEVER HAD IT BUT WE WERE WELL ON THE WAY TO HAVING OUR FIRST INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

HUGE DIFFERENCE IS INDUSTRIAL HEMP HAS TO HAVE A THC BELOW .3.

OF COURSE MEDICAL CANNABIS WILL HAVE A THC OF 30 OR SOMETHING.

THIS IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE SAME KIND OF EFFECT IT WOULD HAVE ON PEOPLE.

>> I IMAGINE SOME PEOPLE GET CONFUSED SOMETIMES DIFFERENTIATING.

>> WE KNOW FROM THE AMOUNT STOLEN THAT SOME PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE US.

WE REALLY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB.

I'D SAY OUR PROBLEMS ARE THE LOWEST IN THE NATION.

I ASKED BEFORE I CAME OVER HERE.

I THINK WE TESTED 252 SAMPLES THIS CURRENT SEASON.

I THINK SEVEN WERE SLIGHTLY ABOVE .3, AND NONE OF THOSE WERE AS HIGH AS .5 BUT IF IT DOES TEST HIGHER -- WE'LL TEST IT IS A SECOND TIME, IF IT TESTS SECOND TIME IT WILL HAVE TO PLOWED UNDER, BURNED OR DESTROYED.

>> INDUSTRIAL HEMP HAS A LOT OF USES, DOES IT NOT?

FOR INSTANCE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

>> IT IS THE CHICKEN AND THE EGG.

WE NEED ENOUGH PEOPLE TO PUT IT IN CLOTHING, WATER BOTTLES, PLASTICS WHERE YOU CAN ADD A BIODEGRADABLE COMPONENT TO IT.

BUT YOU HAVE TO GET THE CRITICAL MASS TO WHERE A BIG COMPANY WOULD CONTRACT TO BUY FIBER FROM YOU.

>> WE ARE KICKING OFF THE FOURTH YEAR OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP NOW.

IS IT A WELL-OILED MACHINE NOW, OR ARE YOU STILL LEARNING?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE STILL LEARNING.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE STILL FEELING THEIR WAY OUT IS THERE MONEY TO BE MADE WITH IT.

THAT'S THE THING WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FARMING.

THE FIRST THING TO BE SUSTAINABLE IS IT HAS TO BE PROFITABLE.

NOBODY IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE OF ALTRUISTIC FEELINGS THEY GET FROM IT IF THERE IS NO MONEY TO BE MADE.

WE'RE STILL -- I MEAN THE NUMBERS BOUNCE UP AND DOWN.

WE'RE PROBABLY DOWN HALF AS MANY AS A YEAR BEFORE.

SO YOU SEE SOME WANING OF THE EXCITEMENT.

BUT IT IS TAKING A BIG PROCESSOR OR SOMEBODY TO COME FORWARD.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR THAT LITTLE NICHE THING THAT WE CAN GIVE THAT GUY THAT HAS 30, 40 ACRES.

WE KNOW A GUY WITH 1,000 ACRES OR HOW MANY ACRES YOU HAVE IN ROW CROP FARMING BUT A SMALLER OPERATION IN A RURAL COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE TO MOVE INTO TOWN, WHATEVER TOWN MEANS TO THEM.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE YOU WILL BE TAKING PART IN AN EVENT WITH ERIC MACKEY ON MONDAY.

I THINK YOU ARE CALLING IT APPLE CRUNCH.

IT IS AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO USE MORE LOCALLY GROWN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, RIGHT?

>> WE HAD A BIG PUSH AND IT WAS TRYING TO GET MORE LOCAL FOODS IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE LOOKED AROUND AND REALIZED WE WERE BUYING VERY LITTLE LOCAL FOOD, VEGETABLES AND FRUIT AND USING THEM IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE WERE ABLE TO GET A LITTLE MONEY AND INCENTIVIZE AND SERVE IT.

APPLE CRUNCH, WE USE MOSTLY APPLES FROM ALABAMA.

IT IS SIMULTANEOUSLY DONE IN ALMOST ALL THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

LAST YEAR WE WENT TO AN APPLE FARM NORTH OF HUNTSVILLE AND RECORDED IT AND DID IT UP THERE.

I THINK WE WILL BE IN PRATTVILLE THIS YEAR.

>> THIS IS ESPECIALLY TIMELY GIVEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES THAT SCHOOLS ARE FACING IN GETTING FOOD.

>> I TALKED -- A ZOOM CALL BUT I ASKED SECRETARY VILSACK THAT QUESTION MYSELF.

I SAID YOU ARE AWARE IN ALABAMA AND OTHER STATES WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING FOOD.

WHAT WE NEED THEM TO DO IS RELAX A LOT OF THE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS THAT YOU FEED KIDS THIS MUCH AND WHY CAN'T YOU FEED THEM A PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH ONE DAY.

WE CAN FILL THEM UP BUT IT MAY NOT MEET ALL OF THE GUIDELINES.

>> COMMISSIONER PATE, IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL 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 CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE AS WELL.

SENATOR, I WANT TO BEGIN WITH PRISONS.

THE PRISON PLAN PASSED BY YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES THIS THE SPECIAL SESSION AFFECTS YOUR DISTRICT IN MANY WAYS MORE PROPORTIONATELY THAN MANY OTHER DISTRICTS.

YOU HAVE THREE PRISONS IN YOUR DISTRICT.

ONE OF THE NEW MEGA MEN'S PRISONS THAT WILL BE BUILT UNDER THIS PLAN WILL BE IN YOUR DISTRICT AND A COUPLE OTHERS WILL CLOSE AS A PROSPECT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ELMORE, STATON AND DRAPER BEING IN YOUR DISTRICT.

ELMORE WILL ESSENTIALLY BE REPLACED BY THE NEW MEGA MEN'S PRISON, RIGHT?

>> I BELIEVE.

ELEANOR AND STATON AND THEN DRAPER HOUSES CURRENTLY SOME OF INGRAM STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

SO I THINK SOME OF THAT WILL STAY.

I'M NOT SURE -- THEY ARE WORKING ON THE PLANS NOW.

WE'LL SEE DIRECTLY, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG CHANGE, A POSITIVE CHANGE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, SINCE THE 1830s, ELMORE COUNTY HAS BEEN THE COMMUNITY THAT HOUSED INMATES FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA, WHEN THE FIRST PRISON WAS BUILT THERE.

WE HAVE HAD PRISONS CONTINUOUSLY THERE SINCE THAT TIME.

SO WE ARE GLAD THAT RESOURCE WILL STAY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO LOOK AT IT AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-TYPE PROJECT.

IT IS BUT WE REALLY LOOK FOR IT MORE AS A PUBLIC SAFETY PROJECT FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND STATE.

>> BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, WHEN TALKING ABOUT DRAPER AND INGRAM STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

LET'S REMIND FOLKS, THEY EDUCATE INMATES AND RUN AN EXEMPLARY PROGRAM THERE.

>> IT MAY CHANGE AS THE PLANS GO ALONG BUT IDEALLY YOU WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THOSE TECHNICAL PROGRAMS INSIDE THE MAIN PRISON, NOT OUTSIDE.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE SECURITY GOING BACK AND FORTH, TRANSPORTATION, THAT KIND OF THING.

THAT'S WHAT WE WILL BE WORKING TOWARDS BUT AT THIS EARLY STAGE I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL WORK OUT.

>> ELMORE, STATON AND DRAPER ARE FAIRLY CLOSE TOGETHER, ARE THEY NOT?

AND THE NEW MEN'S MEGA PRISON WILL BE BEHIND THOSE THREE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AS YOU GO 143 NORTH OF THE COMMUNITY OF ELMORE THERE'S THE THREE PRISONS ON THE RIGHT AND THEN BEHIND THAT IS A LARGE FIELD, SOME 200, 300-ACRE FIELD.

THE NEW PRISON WILL BE BUILT IN THAT FIELD AND UTILIZE THE WATER, SEWER, POWER, ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT THESE PRISONS ARE ECONOMIC DRIVERS THERE IN ELMORE COUNTY.

YOU AND OTHERS WERE LOOKING AT IT MORE OF AN ENHANCEMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE AREA.

THE FACT THAT ONE OF THESE BIG PRISONS IS BEING BUILT THERE IS AN ECONOMIC BOOM FOR THE AREA.

>> IT IS.

THE LOSS OF A PRISON WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE ECONOMIC LOSS AND WATER RATES, SEWER RATES THAT SORT OF THING WOULD HAVE WENT UP.

WE'RE GLAD THAT DIDN'T HAVE HAPPEN.

THE NEW PRISON WILL BE A LITTLE BIGGER AND MORE INVOLVED THAN THE OLDER ONES.

SO THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT WILL INCREASE SOMEWHAT.

SO THAT'S IMPORTANT.

OBVIOUSLY FOR OUR OPPORTUNITY, BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE SAFE PLACES FOR, NUMBER ONE, OUR INMATES TO GO AND TO BE DETAINED FOR THE TIME THEY ARE SENTENCED, BUT ALSO WE NEED TO HAVE A SAFE PLACE FOR OUR CITIZENS TO GO AND WORK TO TAKE CARE OF THESE INMATES AND THOSE OFFICERS HAVE A REASONABLE ASSURANCE THEY ARE GOING TO RETURN HOME TO THEIR FAMILY EVERY NIGHT.

RIGHT NOW, IN OUR SYSTEM, THAT'S NOT QUITE -- THAT'S NOT WHERE WE WANT IT TO BE.

>> ANOTHER NEW MEN'S MEGA PRISON WILL BE IN ESCAMBIA.

AND IN PHASE TWO A NEW WOMEN'S PRISON, AS WELL.

PART OF THE MONEY THAT WILL FUND THIS GIANT UNDERTAKING IS COMING FROM FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS.

THAT'S BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SOME DEBATE SINCE THE SPECIAL SESSION.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, IF YOU KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT WHY THE FUNDS ARE HERE, IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHY WE RECEIVED THE FUNDS IT MAY NOT MAKE SENSE BUT THESE FUNDS WERE RECEIVED DUE TO A LOSS OF REVENUE CALCULATION AS THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT PUT OUT.

SO IT IS A LOSS OF REVENUE THAT WE ARE BEING COMPENSATED FOR, IF YOU WILL.

THOSE FUNDS WOULD I GO TO THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH WE ARE ABLE TO APPROPRIATE AS WE DEEM FIT.

SO FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH IT AT ALL.

IF YOU ADD TO IT THE MONEY THAT WE ARE APPROPRIATING FROM THE GENERAL FUND, SOME 135 MILLION, I BELIEVE IT IS, YOU KNOW, TEN YEARS AGO WE NEVER WOULD HAVE DREAMED WE COULD DO THAT.

WE WERE DEALING WITH $135 MILLION, $200 MILLION HOLES.

>> THE INTERNET SALES TAX TURNED THAT AROUND.

>> IT MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE AND SOME CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WITH THOSE TWO MONEYS BEING USED, I LOOK AT IT AS WE WILL PROBABLY SAVE ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS IN INTEREST BY USING THOUGH TWO FUNDS OVER THE 30-YEAR LIFE OF THE LOAN.

I THINK IT'S A HUGE, HUGE DEAL FOR ALABAMA, IN A POSITIVE WAY.

>> ONE MORE NOTE ON PRISONS AND THAT IS THERE ARE THOSE THAT CONTEND THAT NEW BUILDINGS AREN'T GOING TO GO FAR ENOUGH AT SOLVING OUR PRISON PROBLEMS.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR THIS IS WHERE WE NEEDED TO START?

>> ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH THAT.

I ALSO AGREE IT'S NOT THE END, IT'S THE BEGINNING.

IT'S THE FOUNDATION.

THE PROGRAMMING, THE MENTAL HEALTH, THE HEALTHCARE, THE PREVENTING OF ASSAULT, THE PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ON AND ON.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

HOWEVER, ADDRESSING THEM IN FACILITIES THAT WEREN'T DESIGNED TO DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND THEY ARE SO OLD WAS JUST PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE LET'S CHANGE GEARS AND LOOK AHEAD TO THE SPECIAL SESSION, WHICH STARTS NEXT WEEK, THE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION OF THIS YEAR DEALING WITH REAPPORTIONMENT.

THIS IS ALWAYS A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

IT ALWAYS, INEVITABLY ENDS UP IN THIS COURT SYSTEM.

THERE'S ALREADY BEEN A LAWSUIT FILED OVER CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING GOING INTO THE SPECIAL SESSION?

>> I HAVE HEARD JIM McCLENDON SPEAK ON YOUR SHOW ABOUT HIM.

I WOULD AGREE YOU CAN'T TAKE POLITICS OUT OF POLITICS A THEN IS ONE OF THE MOST POLITICAL THINGS WE DO.

IT IS HOW WE ARE ELECTED AND THE LINES WE RUN IN.

IT WILL BE MUCH MORE POLITICAL.

IT WILL NOT BE A FIVE-DAY MINIMUM SPECIAL SESSION LIKE THE PRISONS ONE.

IT COULD BE -- I WOULD BE SURPRISED AT THAT.

I DON'T SEE IT GOING THE FULL LENGTH EITHER.

I'M GUESSING SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN.

WE'LL GET THROUGH IT AND THEN THERE WILL BE LAWSUITS AND WE'LL DEAL WITH IT.

THERE HISTORICALLY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AND I DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING DIFFERENT THIS TIME.

>> DO YOU THINK ANYTHING ELSE NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE CALL?

THERE'S A LOT OF SPECULATION ABOUT THAT, AS WELL.

IT IS ULTIMATELY UP TO THE GOVERNOR BUT WE WAIT AND SEE.

>> THAT'S A VERY TRICKY QUESTION BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH, RESCUE FUNDS, YOU KNOW, VACCINE MANDATES THAT KIND OF THING.

HOWEVER, IF YOU CRACK THE DOOR SLIGHTLY, THERE'S A BIG PUSH BEHIND IT.

SO, I LOOK TO THE GOVERNOR'S GUIDANCE AND SEE WHAT SHE RECOMMENDS AND EITHER WAY WE'LL DEAL WITH IT, WHETHER IT IS STRICTLY REDISTRICTING OR HAS OTHER ISSUES.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES LIKE THAT THEY GET COMMINGLED AND ONE IS USED AS LEVERAGE FOR THE OTHER.

I DON'T SAY THAT IN A BAD WAY.

OUR SYSTEM IS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND THERE ARE CHECKS AND BALANCES WITH THAT BUT WHEN WE ARE UP AGAINST A TIGHT DEADLINE ON THE REDISTRICTING AND PRIMARY IS COMING UP, WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT DONE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS GOING TO POINT OUT IT IS IMPERATIVE IT GET DONE BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTIONS AND YOU ARE LATE IN GETTING IT DONE BECAUSE OF THE DELAYED CENSUS DATA.

>> UNTIL WE HAD THE DATA THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO OTHER THAN SUPPOSE AND GUESS.

NOW WE HAVE THE DATA, THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK, THE TWO CHAIRS McCLENDON AND PRINGLE HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK TO GET US HERE.

WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> THERE IS A SCHOOL OF THOUGHT THAT GOES BECAUSE REAPPORTIONMENT IS A BEHEMOTH ISSUE IT MAY NOT BE WISE TO ADD ANYTHING TO THE CALL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I AGREE WITH THAT BUT I ALSO KNOW THERE ARE OTHER PRESSING ISSUES.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE SECOND GUESSED IF YOU DON'T AND SECOND GUESSED IF YOU DO.

THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS IF YOU DON'T AND PROBLEMS IF YOU DO.

SO, THAT'S A BIG ISSUE, A BIG DECISION FOR THE GOVERNOR.

I'LL BE FINE EITHER WAY.

WE WILL GO TO WORK AND GET IT DONE.

SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS OF PRATTVILLE, THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST R HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER IS JOINING US.

YOU COULDN'T GET IT DONE IN THE REGULAR SESSION BECAUSE THE CENSUS DATA WAS DELAYED BUT YOU HAVE IT NOW AND YOU HAVE TO GET IT DONE BEFORE THE ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

>> WE DO.

WE ARE PUSHED IN THE CORNER ON THE TIME FRAME.

WE DIDN'T GET THE NUMBERS BACK UNTIL LATE BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC AND DIDN'T GET THEM BACK FROM THE FEDERAL UNTIL THE LAST MONTH OR SO.

IT REALLY PUT US IN A TIGHT PLACE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE IT DONE A YEAR OUT FROM THE ELECTION.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE PLAN.

I KNOW THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN WORKING HARD ON IT AND TRYING TO GET THINGS GOING AND THERE'S A LOT OF IDEAS AND QUESTIONS.

AND IT IS DONE EVERY TEN YEARS.

IT'S NOT JUST THE HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS THAT HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT BUT THE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

MY HOPE IS TO GET EVERYBODY TOGETHER AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ARE AT AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS.

>> A SPECIAL SESSION IS 12 LEGISLATIVE DAYS OVER 30 CALENDAR DAYS.

DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE THE FULL 12 DAYS?

>> I THINK IT IS A POSSIBILITY.

THE ONE WITH THE PRISONS WE JUST CAME OUT OF, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY WORK WITH THE SENATE AND GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND GETTING THE MEMBERSHIP INVOLVED AND LETTING THEM SEE HOW IT WAS WORKING AND WE MET SEVERAL TIMES WITH EVERYBODY AND IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE READY.

WE HAD AN IDEA WHERE WE WERE AT AND THIS IS DIFFERENT.

WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE PLAN TOGETHER LIKE WE'D LIKE TO BECAUSE OF THE SHORT TIME FRAME.

SO IT WILL TAKE SOME WORK TO GET WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

>> IT'S OFTEN BEEN SAID THAT REAPPORTIONMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST POLITICAL THINGS YOU DO.

DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY HEADING INTO THIS PARTICULAR SESSION?

>> WE'LL SEE.

I GUESS THE MAJORITY PARTY ALWAYS HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THOSE LINES.

THE MINORITY PARTY TRIES TO MAINTAIN AND GROW AND CERTAINLY WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY AS THE MAJORITY LEADER, WE CAME IN THE LAST TIME AND WERE ABLE TO PROTECT THE MEMBERS AND GOT TO COME BACK THAT WANTED TO COME BACK AND DREW OUR CAUCUS BY FIVE MEMBERS.

I THINK WE HAVE TO TRY TO PROTECT THOSE WE GOT.

I THINK IN REDISTRICTING BOTH SIDES TRY TO DO THEIR BEST TO PROTECT THE MEMBERS.

THAT CERTAINLY WON'T BE ANY DIFFERENT THIS TIME.

>> OF COURSE A LAWSUIT HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED OVER CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS HEADING INTO THIS SPECIAL SESSION DEALING SPECIFICALLY WITH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEVEN WHICH THE PROPOSAL IS TO SPLIT IT, TO DIVIDE MINORITY VOTERS IN THAT DISTRICT AMONG TWO DISTRICTS INSTEAD OF PUTTING THEM IN ONE.

THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING THAT LAWSUIT CONTEND THEY ARE HOPEFUL THEIR CONCERNS WILL BE ADDRESSED DURING THIS SPECIAL SESSION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WE'LL SEE.

THE THING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON AND CONCENTRATING ON IS THE HOUSE SEATS.

I KNOW THE SENATE HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME THING AND I KNOW I HAVE HAD SOME CONGRESSMEN REACH OUT TO ME ABOUT THEIR DISTRICTS AND LOOK AT DIFFERENT AREAS ABOUT WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE OR NOT LIKE TO BE.

I THINK -- THE THING I HAVE NOTICED DURING THE PROCESS IS ONCE OUR MEMBERS GO AND TALK TO THEM AND REAPPORTIONMENT, THEY MAY NOT BE EXACTLY HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY HAVE GOT AND GO BACK THE NEXT TIME AND IT IS TWEAKED A LITTLE BIT AND THEY FEEL ABOUT BETTER ABOUT IT.

THE MAIN THING FOR ME AS A MEMBER AND EVERYBODY ELSE TO BE PATIENT AND SEE HOW THE PROCESS WORKS AND GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AND WE'LL SEE HOW EVERYTHING GOES.

I REALLY FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE INPUT.

EVERYBODY THAT REPRESENTS A CERTAIN PART OF THE DISTRICT BEING CONGRESSIONAL, HOUSE OR SENATE OR STATE SCHOOL BOARD, THEY NEED TO HAVE A SAY SO ON WHAT'S WHAT IT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE BECAUSE IT IS THEIR CONSTITUENTS THEY ARE DEALING.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW EVERYTHING PLAYS OUT.

>> AS LEADER OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE, IS THERE A CERTAIN REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS SO DIVISIVE?

YEAH, THERE IS.

I HAVE TALKED TO MINORITY LEADER DANIELS LAST WEEK AND TALKED ABOUT SOME ISSUES HE'S GOT.

THERE ARE JUST LIKE US.

SOME OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE GOT THAT WE HAVE TWO SPECTRUMS OF POPULATION.

WE HAVE THE GROWTH IN MADISON COUNTY, BALDWIN AND SHELBY COUNTY AND SOME COUNTIES LIKE LEE HAVE JUST EXPLODED AND SOME COUNTY LIKE WASHINGTON THAT HAVE LOST TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POPULATION.

SOME RURAL AREAS HAVE LOST POPULATION AND METROPOLITAN AREAS HAVE GROWN.

SO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THOSE NUMBERS AND GET IT RIGHT IS ALMOST LIKE THROWING A PEBBLE IN THE OCEAN OR THE RIVER.

THERE'S A RIPPLE EFFECT IN EVERY DISTRICT WHEN YOU START TO CHANGE IT.

IT AFFECTS EVERYBODY.

SO IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT IS GOING TO BE TIME TAKING AND WE'LL TAKE A GOOD PART OF THE 12 DAYS UP.

>> WE HAD SENATOR KIRK HATCHER ON THE SHOW LAST WEEK AND HE EXPRESSED THE SENTIMENT HE DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD TAKE THE FULL 12 DAYS TO GET IT DONE.

THAT SOME LAWMAKERS GO IN RESIGNED THAT IT WILL END UP IN THE COURTS, AS IT USUALLY DOES.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT SENTIMENT?

>> THERE IS SOME TRUTH TO THAT.

I THINK THERE WILL BE SOME OF THAT, BUT I ALSO THINK THERE WILL BE OTHERS THAT WILL TRY TO PLAY IT OUT AND DO THE BEST THEY CAN TO GET IT RIGHT.

THERE'S A SENTIMENT ALREADY -- I'LL JUST BE HONEST THAT SOME MEMBERS ARE SAYING WE ARE GOING TO COURT ANYWAY.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE GET IT CLOSE ENOUGH -- THE LAST TIME IT WENT TO COURT IT WOUND UP BEING FEW SEATS CHANGED.

MY HOPE IS WE GET CLOSE ENOUGH WE MAY NOT HAVE TO DO THAT THIS TIME.

>> THERE IS ALSO A PUSH AMONG SOME LAWMAKERS TO ADD, HOPEFULLY TO THE CALL OF THE SPECIAL SESSION TO GO BEYOND JUST REAPPORTIONMENT.

THERE'S ONE PARTICULAR PUSH FOR INSTANCE ON LEGISLATION DEALING WITH PUSHING BACK ON THE FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATE.

THERE'S ALSO THE POSSIBILITY THAT YOU COULD TAKE UP THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEYS AND HELPING HOSPITALS WITH THAT SORT OF THING.

COULD WE SEE MORE THAN JUST REAPPORTIONMENT ON THE CALL YOU THINK?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT IS A POSSIBILITY.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WORKING WITH HER STAFF AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO.

I KNOW ONE THING WE TRY TO DO IN SPECIALS IS TARGET IN ON WHAT WE HAVE GOT.

ONCE YOU START TO BRING IF OTHER ISSUES, YOU LOSE FOCUS OF THE MAIN REASON FOR BEING IN SESSION TO BEGIN WITH, BUT WITH THAT SAID, I KNOW THE PUSH-BACK ON THE VACCINE MANDATES WE DON'T WANT OUR BUSINESSES TO BE HURT EITHER WAY, WHETHER A STATE OR FEDERAL MANDATE.

WE HAVE TO PROBING OUR BUSINESS.

THAT'S THE BACKBONE OF OUR STATE.

SEEING SOME OF THE FEDERAL MANDATES FROM WASHINGTON BEING PUSHED DOWN IS REALLY -- IN THE CLIMATE WE ARE IN, WE REALLY NEED EMPLOYEES AND WHY WE WOULD DO THAT AT THIS TIME -- IT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

I THINK WE ARE IN A POSTURE WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEIR VACCINES AND IT SEEMED LIKE TO ME ONCE THE MANDATE CAME OUT IT SLOWED IT BACK DOWN.

I THINK BE PROACTIVE AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINES BUT I DON'T THINK WE CAN FORCE THEM.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TRY.

WE DO LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY AND THOSE MANDATES I THINK HURT OUR CONSTITUENTS AND OUR BUSINESSES.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

I KNOW THERE'S DIFFERENT BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN DROPPED AND LOOKED AT.

I THINK ALL OF THEM -- THEY DO IT FOR A REASON, TRY TO PROTECT THEIR CONSTITUENTS BUT WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR BUSINESSES, TOO.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE TALKED ABOUT AND A POSSIBILITY WE'LL SEE -- I DON'T KNOW, AS YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN IN THE NEWS, THE TEXAS GOVERNOR HAS DONE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

AND I'M CURIOUS IF WE MAY NOT SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT TOO.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT IS A POSSIBILITY HERE?

>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THE GOVERNOR OR HER STAFF, BUT I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE VACCINE MANDATES.

>> BEFORE WE WRAP UP, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT SPEAKER PRO TEM VICTOR GASTON WILL BE RETIRING.

THAT IS A HUGE LOSS, I WOULD IMAGINE, FOR THE CAUCUS.

HE'S BEEN IN THE HOUSE ALMOST 40 YEARS.

HE SERVED AS SPEAKER PRO TEM SINCE 2010.

>> IT IS.

VICTOR IS A GREAT MAN.

HE CERTAINLY IS A STATESMAN.

IF YOU WERE LOOKING IN WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY, HIS PICTURE WOULD BE THERE.

HE IS AN OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL AND HAS WORKED HARD TO PROMOTE ALABAMA TO MAKE IT BETTER AND HE HAS.

I HAVEN'T GOT ANYTHING BUT RESPECT FOR HIM.

I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR HIM.

I HATE TO SEE HIM GO.

I REALLY DO BECAUSE HE'S A DEAR FRIEND.

I LOVE VICTOR AND I KNOW HE'S BEEN THROUGH A LOT LATELY WITH LOSING HIS WIFE.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT ON HIS HEART AND MIND AND WE PRAY FOR HIM THAT HE GETS THE STRENGTH TO DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, BUT HE'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LONG-TIME LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION IN THE HOUSE.

I KNOW STEVE McMILLAN IS ANOTHER ONE.

HE'S BEEN THERE 40 YEARS OR MANY, REPRESENTATIVE RICH AND THOSE ARE A FEW.

>> WE ARE LOSING A LOT OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

THOSE GUYS BRING A LOT TO THE TABLE.

WE HAVE TO REPLACE THAT.

WE HAVE SOME GOOD MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE AND CAN STEP UP AND I KNOW THEY LOOK FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE.

I THINK THEY WILL DO A GREAT JOB.

THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT HAVING THE EXPERIENCE AND THE LONGEVITY THEY HAD.

THEY CAN TELL US ABOUT EXPERIENCES THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH NOW THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY SEEN.

CERTAINLY WE WILL MISS THAT AND WISH THEM ALL THE BEST.

THEY ARE -- THEY HAVE ALL DONE A GREAT JOB AND REPRESENTED THE PEOPLE WELL AND WE WILL SORELY MISS THEM AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIND SOMEONE TO FILL THEIR SHOES.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> MY PLEASURE, DON.

>> YOU BET.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL 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.

>>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

DR. HARRIS, WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE END THE WEEK WITH MORE BOOSTER SHOTS ON THE WAY, MODERNA AND J&J HAVE GOTTEN THE GO-AHEAD AND WE HAVE SOME INFORMATION LATE THIS WEEK ABOUT WHEN WE WILL ROLL THEM OUT IN ALABAMA, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

FAIR LATE LAST EVENING IS WHEN WE GOT THE FINAL DECISION BY THE CDC.

THEY CONFIRMED WHAT THE FDA SAID A WEEK AGO.

STARTING TODAY MANY GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BOOSTER SHOTS.

WE ALREADY HAD AUTHORIZATION FOR THE PFIZER PRODUCT AND NOW THE SAME FOR MODERNA AND J AND J.

FOR MODERNA AND J&J PRODUCTS THEY HAVE SAID A BOOSTER CAN BE GIVEN ANYTIME PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET IT.

WITH J&J IN PARTICULAR, WE WOULD LIKE FOR PEOPLE TO GET IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THAT VACCINE HAS PROTECTED PEOPLE PRETTY WELL AGAINST HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH BUT THERE IS SOME CONCERN IT MIGHT NOT LAST A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

>> SO PEOPLE CAN START SHOWING UP AT CLINICS NOW AND ASKING FOR IT IF THEY QUALIFY.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT QUALIFY, 65 OR OLDER OR 18 OLDER WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS, NURSING HOME FOLKS THAT SORT OF THING.

>> PEOPLE AT HIGHER RISK BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE, ILLNESS OR RISK OF EXPOSURE.

AS YOU MENTIONED LIKE HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE THE ONES WE ARE ASKING TO COME AND GET BOOSTERS AS SOON AS THEY ARE READY.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FRONTLINE WORKERS WE DON'T HAVE GUIDANCE ON WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE.

THE GROUP GENERALLY SPEAKING IS A LOW RISK FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS.

WE PROBABLY NEED MORE DATA IN THAT GROUP BEFORE THEY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ABOUT BOOSTER SHOTS.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING YOU SAID AND THAT IS HOW LONG YOU SHOULD WAIT TO GET ONE.

THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM HAS BEEN SIX MONTHS SINCE YOUR LAST SHOT.

FOR INSTANCE, I GOT THE MODERNA VACCINE.

IT WOULD TOLD TO COME BACK SIX MONTHS FOR A BOOSTER IF AND WHEN IT BECAME AVAILABLE.

IT HASN'T BEEN SIX MONTHS YET.

>> FOR OUR TWO MRNA PRODUCTS, IT IS SIX MONTHS.

FOR J&J THE RECOMMENDATION IS TWO MONTHS.

FURTHERMORE, THE RECOMMENDATION HAS BEEN YOU CAN BE BOOSTED WITH ANY OF THE OTHER PRODUCTS.

PARTICULARLY FOR PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED J&J THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME BACK AFTER TWO MONTHS TO GET ANOTHER PRODUCT.

THEY COULD GET J&J AGAIN BUT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE MODERNA OR PFIZER.

>> IF YOU GOT J&J, THE BOOSTER WILL BE A SECOND FULL DOSE.

IF YOU GET MODERNA IT WILL BE HALF OF THE ORIGINAL DOSE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED J&J FIRST MAY COME BACK AND DECIDE TO GET A MODERNA BOOSTER.

SOME HAVE CHOSEN TO DO THAT.

THERE IS A LITTLE SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE, ALTHOUGH NOT A RECOMMENDATION.

ALL THE MODERNA BOOSTER SHOTS ARE HALF DOSE.

>> THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH J&J HAVE TO DO WITH ITS EFFICACY BEING A LITTLE LOWER THAN MODERNA OR PFIZER ALTHOUGH STILL GOOD.

>> IT IS STILL VERY GOOD.

THERE WAS ALWAYS A QUESTION OF IT BEING A ONE-SHOT VACCINE.

IF YOU THINK OF YOUR CHILDHOOD OR ANYTIME YOU TRAVEL OVERSEAS THERE AREN'T REALLY ANY ONE-SHOT VACCINES.

ALMOST ALL REQUIRE MULTIPLE SHOTS.

IT WAS A LITTLE SURPRISING WE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE A ONE-SHOT COVID VACCINE.

IN FACT, IT LOOKS LIKE MORE THAN ONE SHOT WILL BE NECESSARY EVEN WITH J&J.

WHERE MIXING AND MATCHING, THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

I THINK YOU SAID LAST WEEK YOU DIDN'T EXPECT THEM TO WEIGH IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> WE HAD BEEN HEARING THEY WEREN'T READY TO ADDRESS THAT.

THERE IS A SENSE THEY MAY HAVE BOWED TO THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION.

THE FACT IS MUCH OF THE WORLD IS MIXING AND MATCHING ALREADY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN AMERICA WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THAT.

SOMETIMES DELIBERATELY AND SOMETIMES BECAUSE THE SECOND VACCINE IS THE ONE THEY HAPPENED TO HAVE AND IT DIDN'T MATCH THE FIRST THEY RECEIVED.

THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE EVIDENCE THERE IS HARM FROM THAT.

IT SEEMS TO BE GOOD EFFICACY AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL.

THEY DID TAKE THAT STEP.

IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU NEED TO GO PICK ONE VACCINE OVER THE OTHER.

THEY ARE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE BUT YOU ALSO DON'T HAVE TO SPEND YOUR TIME SEARCHING FOR THE ONE PARTICULAR BRAND THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE CLOSE TO YOUR HOME AS ANOTHER BRAND.

>> NEXT WEEK, WE'RE EXPECTING WORD ON A PFIZER VACCINE FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-11, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ON TUESDAY, THE 26th OF OCTOBER, THE ADVISORY GROUP, THE FDA WILL MEET TO CONSIDER THAT EVIDENCE.

IT IS EXPECTED THEY WILL SAY FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE IT IS AUTHORIZED FOR CHILDREN 5-11.

AND THEN ONE WEEK AFTER THAT, WHICH WOULD BE THE FIRST WEEK IN NOVEMBER IS WHEN THE ADVISORY GROUP THE CDC MEETS.

WE BELIEVE IN A WEEK AND A HALF'S TIME NOW, THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER WE WILL HAVE FULL AUTHORIZATION TO VACCINE CHILDREN 5-11.

>> CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, THE DOSE FOR CHILDREN 5-11 WILL BE HALF OF THE ADULT DOSE, RIGHT?

>> YES, IT IS A REDUCED DOSE.

IT COMES IN A DIFFERENT VIAL WITH A DIFFERENT CAP AND A DIFFERENT NUMBER OF DOSES IN BOTTLE.

TYPICALLY PEDIATRIC VACCINE ARE DIFFERENT THAN ADULT VACCINES.

IT ADDS A LITTLE TO THE LOGISTICAL BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER PRODUCT WITH ANOTHER COLD STORAGE PROCEDURE THAT HAS TO BE HANDLED IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

WE ARE WORKING WITH PROVIDERS AROUND THE STATE TO GET READY FOR THAT.

WE HAVE ASKED PEDIATRICIANS TO TAKE A BIG ROLE IN THAT AND MANY OF THEM HAVE.

THE PRODUCT WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT ANY OTHER LOCATION THAT IS ALREADY GIVING ANY COVID VACCINE.

THEY ARE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AND CAN RECEIVE THE PEDIATRIC VERSION AS WELL.

>> THE ROLLOUT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN COULD BE ANOTHER TURNING POINT, COULD IT NOT, BECAUSE CHILDREN ARE A LARGE SEGMENT OF THE UNVACCINATED RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE APPROACHING A MILLION KIDS IN OUR STATE.

ABOUT TWO-THIRDS -- I'M SORRY, HALF OF THEM ARE ALREADY ELIGIBLE BECAUSE THEY ARE OVER 12, BUT IN THE UNDERAGE GROUP, 5-11 GROUP, THEY TEND NOT TO GET FROM COVID IN SOME CASES BE CERTAINLY EXPECTATIONS BUT THEY CAN GET INFECTED AND SPREAD TO OTHER PEOPLE AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO BE VACCINATED SO IF THEY HAVE AN EXPOSURE THEY CAN REMAIN IN SCHOOL AND IT MUCH LESS LIKELY TO GET SICK THEMSELVES.

>> HOW ARE WE DOING RIGHT NOW WITH COVID CASES AMONG SCHOOL-AGED KIDS.

>> THEY HAVE FLATTENED OUT.

IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW OUR SCHOOL DASHBOARD THAT IS REPORTED EACH WEEK, YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS HAVE DECLINED QUITE A BIT.

WE HAD 1,000, 1,100 REPORTED THE PAST WEEK THIS THAT AGE GROUP.

THE NUMBERS ARE FAIRLY GOOD.

THEY MIRROR WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE REST OF THE STATE.

AS YOU KNOW CASES HAVE FALLEN STATEWIDE THANKFULLY OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS OR SO AND HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE GONE DOWN AS WELL.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS IS A REFLECTION OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING EVERYWHERE THE STATE.

>> IT IS ENCOURAGING BUT THERE IS ALWAYS LOOMING OUT THIS THE POSSIBILITY OF ANOTHER VARIANT.

AND THAT BRINGS ME TO A LOT OF THE TALK WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THIS DELTA PLUS VARIANT.

IT'S NOT IN THE U.S.

RIGHT NOW.

IT'S IN THE U.K. ONLY ISOLATED CASES THERE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK RIGHT NOW IT IS COMPRISING SOMEWHAT LESS THAN 10% OF THE CASES IN THE U.K.

IT HAS BEEN SEEN IN THE U.S.

THERE HAVE BEEN A HANDFUL OF CASES BUT NONE IN ALABAMA AND SMALL NUMBERS.

TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, IT'S NOT A HUGE PROBLEM IN THAT THE VACCINES SEEM TO BE FAIRLY PROTECTIVE AGAINST SERIOUS ILLNESS BUT IT MIGHT WELL BE MORE INFECTIOUS THAN THE DELTA VARIANT.

THAT IS A PHENOMENON WE HAVE JUST LEARNED THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE VACCINATED THERE'S GOING TO BE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE THAT WILL HAVE BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE A REALLY INFECTIOUS VARIANT LIKE WE HAVE SEEN WITH DELTA OR THE U.K. IS SEEING WITH DELTA PLUS YOU WILL SEE MORE CASES CAN.

THE CASE NUMBERS WILL GO UP DESPITE VACCINES.

>> WHERE THE STATS ARE CONCERNED WE ARE RELATIVELY STABLE, AVERAGING 500, 600 NEW COVID CASES A DAY IN ALABAMA.

IT FLUCTUATES SOME.

I KNOW ONE DAY THERE WAS UP TO 1600.

WAS THAT DUE TO A LAG IN REPORTING, OR DO WE KNOW?

>> IT WAS A RELATED TO A LAG IN REPORTING A LITTLE BIT.

SOME COUNTIES HAD DOUBLE-DIGIT COUNTS OF CASES THAT WERE OLDER BUT NOT ALL OF IT WAS.

IT GOT OUR ATTENTION, AS WELL.

WE HAD BEEN AVERAGING 500, 600 CASES A DAY.

ANYTIME YOU SEE A NUMBER OVER 1,000 IT MAKES YOU WONDER IF IT WILL BE A TREND.

TO THIS POINT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT CONTINUE LUCKILY.

I HOPE OUR NUMBERS WILL CONTINUE TO BOTTOM OUT.

WE'D LOVE FOR THIS TO GO AWAY COMPLETELY.

WE ARE BEING VIGILANT.

WITH HAVE THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BE TRAVELING AND GETTING TOGETHER IN GROUPS AND WE REMEMBER WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE A YEAR AGO.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, HOSPITALIZATIONS, AS YOU ALLUDED TO, REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE NOW, ALTHOUGH NOT WHERE WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE.

WHAT ABOUT THE DEATH RATE?

IT'S BEEN CONCERNING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

HOW ARE WE DOING THERE RIGHT NOW?

>> WE HAVE SEEING THE NUMBERS GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

WE HAD SEVERAL DOZEN DEATHS PER DAY OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO AND THAT IS A TERRIBLE NUMBER AND WAY TOO HIGH BUT CERTAINLY NOT HUNDREDS OF DEATHS -- HUNDRED OR MORE A DAY LIKE WE WERE SEEING BEFORE.

WE BELIEVE WE FINALLY CRESTED AND ARE ON THE WAY DOWN AND HOPE IT WILL JUST CONTINUE.

>> I GUESS IT BEARS REPEATING THE NEW CASES, THE HOSPITALIZATIONS, THE DEATH RATES ARE LARGELY AMONG THE UNVACCINATED, IS THAT STILL TRUE?

>> ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED, THAT NUMBER HAS BEEN BETWEEN 85 TO 90% OF INPATIENTS HAVE BEEN UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING, IT'S 1% OR SO OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACCINATED, FULLY VACCINATED.

ALMOST ALL OF THEM ARE NOT.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICER, SCOTT HARRIS.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED AS A POSTAL ROUTE IN 1806 THE OLD FEDERAL ROAD STRETCHED THROUGH THE CREEK INDIAN TERRITORY OF LOWER ALABAMA.

ALABAMA'S FEDERAL ROAD FUNCTIONED AS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE FOR WESTERN MIGRATION TO THE OLD SOUTHWEST, USHERING IN A NEW ERA OF NATIONAL EXPANSION AND EXPLOITATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN TERRITORY.

ALTHOUGH MUCH OF THE FEDERAL ROAD HAS DISAPPEARED, PORTIONS OF IT REMAIN TODAY.

>> AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING A FULL REPORT ON THE START OF A NEW SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE OF MOBILE, THE CO-CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THE WORK AHEAD.

WE'RE ALSO SET TO BE JOINED BY HUNTSVILLE MAYOR TOMMY BATTLE, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT MEETING WITH STATE'S BIG 10 MAYORS IN MONTGOMERY ABOUT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR CITIES FOR NEXT YEAR.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK WITH US TO DISCUSS THE START OF NEW COVID BOOSTER SHOTS FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY, LOOMING SHOTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, AND THE LATEST VIRUS STATISTICS.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.

GOOD NIGHT.