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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

AN EVENTFUL WEEK IN ALABAMA POLITICS AS WE APPROACH THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

WE'LL START WITH THE ARREST AND RESIGNATION OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID COLE EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

THE HUNTSVILLE REPUBLICAN WAS CHARGED WITH VOTING FRAUD AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY VOTED IN A PRECINCT IN WHICH HE DID NOT RESIDE.

COLE'S RESIDENCY HAD BEEN IN QUESTION SINCE BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION WHEN HE RAN FOR THE OPEN HOUSE SEAT AND HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF BOTH A PARTY AND COURT CHALLENGE.

HE WILL PLEAD GUILTY TO A CHARGE OF VOTING IN AN UNAUTHORIZED LOCATION, ACCORDING TO A PLEA AGREEMENT FILED IN STATE COURT.

ON WEDNESDAY, HE SUBMITTED HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE LEGISLATURE TO HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER.

I'LL TALK WITH SPEAKER LEDBETTER IN MORE DETAIL ABOUT THIS SITUATION LATER IN THE SHOW.

A BIG INFRASTRUCTURE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK FROM GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

SHE JOINED STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS IN HOOVER TO ANNOUNCE MAJOR UPGRADES TO INTERSTATES IN THE GREATER BIRMINGHAM AREA.

AMONG THE PROJECTS ARE A ROUGHLY 3.6-MILE EXPANSION OF INTERSTATE 59 NORTHEAST OF THE CITY FROM INTERSTATE 459 TO CHALKVILLE MOUNTAIN ROAD.

ALSO A NEW INTERSTATE 459 INTERCHANGE IN HOOVER WILL BE BUILT CONNECTING TO THE ROSS BRIDGE AREA.

BUT THE BIG ONE IS THE WIDENING OF INTERSTATE 65 FROM ALABASTER SOUTH ABOUT 8 MILES TO CALERA.

THAT, OF COURSE, IS A FRUSTRATINGLY CONGESTED STRETCH OF ROAD, ESPECIALLY DURING THE BEACH TOURIST SEASON.

ALL TOLD THE PROJECTS WILL COST THE STATE HALF A BILLION DOLLARS.

2 I-65 PROJECT ALONE HAS A $300 MILLION PRICE TAG.

PUTTING IN PERSPECTIVE THE SCOPE OF THAT WORK.

IVEY SAID THESE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS AND ARE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE 2019 GAS TAX AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN KNOWN AS REBUILD ALABAMA.

IT'S BEEN A ROCKY ROLL OUT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN ALABAMA EVER SINCE THE LAW LEGALIZING IT PASSED IN 2021.

THIS WEEK, THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION VOTED TO PAUSE THE PROCESS OF MOVING FORWARD WITH LICENSES FOR COMPANIES SEEKING TO DO WORK IN THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY AFTER A DISTRICT JUDGE ORDERED A STAY TO REVIEW YET ANOTHER LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COMMISSION, THIS ONE ABOUT AN ALLEGED VIOLATION OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

A HEARING ON THAT LAWSUIT IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY.

AFTER THE VOTE, COMMISSION CHAIRMAN REX VAUGHN SAID HE WAS STILL OPTIMISTIC THAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS COULD BE AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> CERTAINLY IT WILL BE ANOTHER DELAY FOR US, IF WE WOULD CHOOSE NOT TO IF WE HAD AN OPTION BUT WE'RE TRYING TO CONFER WITH THE JUDGE'S WISHES AT THIS POINT.

JUDGE ANDERSON HAS ISSUED HIS OWN STATE AND WE HAVE TO PRETTY MUCH CONCUR WITH HIS WISHES AND DIRECTIVES.

>> SO THIS MEANS THERE WILL BE A THIRD AWARDING OF LICENSES?

>> AT LEAST, AT LEAST.

MAYBE YOU CAN'T GO AS FAR AS RE-AWARDING, BUT WE'VE HUT A STAY -- PUT A STAY ON OUR CURRENT LIST OF LICENSEES.

SO IF THAT LIST STAYS THE SAME IS YET TO BE SEEN, BUT, YES, WE'LL HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO THAT AT ANOTHER VOTE.

>> THOUSANDS OF STATE EMPLOYEES COMMUTE TO DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY EVERY DAY, AND THIS TUESDAY, THEY WERE GREETED WITH DETOURS AND DELAYS AFTER A WRECK ALONG INTERSTATE 65 CAUSED A TRACTOR-TRAILER TO COLLIDE WITH A DOWNTOWN BRIDGE, CAUSING A HUGE FIRE AND INFLICTING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

RANDY SCOTT REPORTS ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STATE AND ITS WORKFORCE.

>> DRIVERS FACE THIS SCENE TUESDAY MORNING NEAR DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY, A RAGING FIRE OFF I85 SOUTH UNDER THE PERRY STREET BRIDGE, THE RESULT OF A COLLISION INVOLVING THREE VEHICLES AND AN 18-WHEELER.

>> MONTGOMERY POLICE WAS DISPATCHED AND FOUND AN 18-WHEELER CRASHED INTO THE SOUTHBOUND SIDE PILLAR OF PERRY STREET OVERPASS OVER I-85.

THAT 18-WHEELER WAS ABLAZE.

THE DRIVER, ELDON ABRAM, WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES.

>> THE INJURIES WERE NO WORSE THAN THEY WERE BASED OFF OF THE NORMAL SITUATION WE RUN INTO IN AN INCIDENCE LIKE THAT.

THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS AT PLAY THAT REALLY SAVED THE LIVES OF THOSE CITIZENS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THAT INCIDENT.

>> TRAFFIC ON I-85 WAS SHUT DOWN.

FIRST RESPONDERS CHECKED TO MAKE SURE NO OTHER INJURIES WERE MISSED, THEN EXAMINING THE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE BRIDGE WHICH HAD CITIZENS IN HARM'S WAY.

>> THE IMPACT FROM THE 18-WHEELER COUPLED WITH INTENSE HEAT FROM THE FIRE CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO SOUTH PERRY STREET BRIDGE AND ITS SUPPORT CAUSING THE CLOSURE OF THE SOUTHBOUND HIGHWAY AND THE OVERHEAD BRIDGE.

>> DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS SAY BETWEEN 100,000 AND 200,000 VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIAN PASS THROUGH ON A DAILY BASIS.

SO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, FIRST RESPONDERS, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND STATE OFFICIALS ARE COMING TOGETHER TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS TRAGEDY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> RIGHT NOW, OUR FOCUS IS ON TO REPAIRING THE BRIDGE.

WE DO HAVE CONTRACTORS ON SITE TO BEGIN EMERGENCY REPAIRS AS IDENTIFIED, AS WE FINALIZE PERMANENT PLANS FOR REPAIRS.

>> AND TRAVELERS WILL HAVE CHANGES TO DEAL WITH.

>> WE DO ASK THAT NOBODY OR VEHICLE GOES ON TO THE SOUTH PERRY STREET BRIDGE.

SO THAT BRIDGE IS CLOSED AND WILL REMAIN CLOSED COMPLETELY TO ALL PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICLE TRAFFIC UNTIL FINAL REPAIRS CAN BE MADE.

>> THIS INCIDENT BRINGS OFFICIALS WHO DEAL WITH PUBLIC SAFETY TOGETHER TO HANDLE REALTIME DRAMA.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE FROM ALABAMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, M.P.D., AALIYAH, M.F.R.

WHICH IS MONTGOMERY FIRE RESCUE, BROUGHT TOGETHER TO TRY TO WORK ON HOW WE CAN RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY AS BEST WE CAN.

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

>> JIMMY BAKER, CHANCELLOR OF THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM, RECENTLY OFFERED AN UPDATE ON THE VAST TWO-YEAR COLLEGE NETWORK AND ITS MYRIAD EDUCATION AND TRAINING OFFERINGS.

KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS ON THE STATE OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

>> THIS YEAR, ALABAMA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS CELEBRATING ITS 60TH YEAR.

AT A LUNCH MEETING THEIR CHANCELLOR JIMMY BAKER GAVE THE SYSTEM'S FIRST STATE OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ADDRESS.

>> THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS THE BEST VEHICLE, IN MY OPINION.

WE OFFER ACADEMIC PURSUIT, BUT, IN THE COURSE OF THAT, IT'S OUR INTENT THAT WE PROVIDE SOMETHING TO EVERY STUDENT.

>> HE SHARES WHAT THAT SOMETHING IS.

>> WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS PROPOSITION THAT, WHEN A PERSON COMES TO OUR PROGRAM, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, WE INTEND FOR THEM TO ACQUIRE AT LEAST SOME LIMITED SKILL.

>> CHANCELLOR BAKER ALSO NOTED THAT ALABAMA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE GOING AGAINST A NATIONAL TREND.

>> NATIONALLY, THE ENROLLMENT IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES IS DECLINING.

I'M HERE TO TELL YOU TODAY, IN ALABAMA, THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM ENROLLMENT IS INCREASING EVERY SEMESTER.

>> AND THIS INCREASE IS NOT BY HAPPENSTANCE.

>> IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A VERY DELIBERATE PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES SOFTWARE AND SALESMANSHIP AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT WE HAVE A VERY DELIBERATE MAN THAT UTILIZES NUMEROUS DATABASE AND OTHER KINDS OF THINGS TO GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF RECRUITING STUDENTS TO THE POINT OF EVEN HAVING TELEPHONE BANKS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE CONSTANTLY IN CONTACT WITH STUDENTS.

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

>> SADLY, THAT IS KAREN'S LAST REPORT FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL.

SHE IS LEAVING APT AFTER TWELVE YEARS AND MOVING TO ATLANTA.

I'LL SIT DOWN WITH HER FOR A PROPER SEND OFF LATER IN THE SHOW.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE NATHANIEL LEDBETTER FROM RAINSVILLE, SPEAKER OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MR. SPEAKER, THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR THE INVITATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON.

GOOD TAME TO GET CAUGHT UP AS WE'RE IN BETWEEN SESSIONS HERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID COLE ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF VOTING FRAUD, NOW HAS RESIGNED HIS SEAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A PLEA AGREEMENT.

I KNOW THAT THERE'S PLENTY YOU CAN'T SAY ABOUT THIS.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME FROM THE SPEAKER'S PERSPECTIVE?

>> FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN THIS WEEK, IT COME OUT, AND WE DON'T QUALIFY CANDIDATES, THE PARTY DOES.

SO THE PARTY, I THINK, HAD SOME CONVERSATION DURING THE QUALIFICATION.

THEY DECIDED TO PUT HIM ON THE BALLOT, AND THEY DID.

NOT ONLY THAT, IT WENT THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE NOT ONCE BUT TWICE AND THEY, YOU KNOW, AFFIRMED WHAT THE PARTY HAD SAID.

SO, WE HAVE THIS COME UP PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE SESSION AND ESPECIALLY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION, AND MOST OF THE TIME BETWEEN THE STATE PARTY AND SECRETARY OF STATE IT GETS WORKED OUT.

I MEAN, THAT'S JUST HOW THE PROCESS WORKS.

IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BODY.

IT STARTS OFF WITH WHICHEVER PARTY IT IS, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, AND GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFIES THOSE.

THAT'S KIND OF WHERE IT WAS AT.

WE'D HEARD -- OUR ATTORNEYS HEARD THE CIRCUIT COURT IN MADISON COUNTY WAS WANTING TO TRAY TO GET SOME INFORMATION TOGETHER TO SEE WHERE IT WAS GOING, AND THEY WERE ADVISED BY OUR STAFF ATTORNEYS, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO DO IT BEFORE JANUARY 10TH BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN ORIENTATION IS AND THAT'S WHEN THE CERTIFICATION WILL HAPPEN.

>> THIS IS GOING BACK.

>> THIS IS GOING BACK.

SO THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THEY DIPPED GET IT TO US.

I THINK THEY DID THE DEPOSITION LATER ON DURING THE SESSION, AND THEY DIDN'T GET THOSE DEPOSITIONS TO US UNTIL I THINK IT WAS THE NINTH OF JUNE, WHICH, AT THAT TIME, WE'D DONE SINE DIE.

BY CONSTITUTION WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL WE'RE IN SESSION ONE.

THE SECOND THING IS THERE HAS TO BE A WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM A SITTING MEMBER TO CHALLENGE THE ELECTION AFTER HE'S SEATED.

SO THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED.

IT'S NOT HAPPENED TO YET.

WE CAN'T CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION, I MEAN, THAT'S HOW IT IS.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT IT, WE WERE ALWAYS MINDFUL OF IT, KNEW IT WAS THERE.

IF IT EVER COME BACK, WE WOULD SEE WHAT WE HAD TO DO, HAD THE CONVERSATION WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM TO SEE WHAT THE RIGHT STEPS WOULD TAKE, AND THEY DONE A GREAT JOB.

THEY ADVISED US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY ON THE ISSUE WHEN IT WAS COMING UP, AND WE THOUGHT HE HAD TAKEN CARE OF ALL WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO.

WE HAVE 105 MEMBERS.

IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SAY WHERE ANY OF THEM LIVE.

THEY HAVE TO, WHATEVER THEY'RE GIVING TO THEIR PARTICULAR PARTIES, THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE TO GO BY AND I SUSPECT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE DIDN'T EVEN RECEIVE THOSE DEPOSITIONS UNTIL AFTER SINE DIE, AND ONCE THAT HAPPENED WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE PROCESS WAS AT THAT TIME.

SO I THINK FROM OUR STANDPOINT, WE KIND OF FOLLOWED WHAT THE LAW S.A.T.

>> WELL, I KNOW THAT VOTING FRAUD, ELECTION INTEGRITY, HAS BEEN AN ISSUE Y'ALL HAVE CHAMPIONED, PUSHED.

IN THE LAST SESSION IT WAS THIS WHOLE BALLOT HARVESTING THING, TREATING RESTRICT WHO CAN HANDLE ANOTHER PERSON'S BALLOT AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

IT'S BEEN SAID THAT IT'S COMING BACK THIS YEAR -- OR NEXT YEAR, RATHER.

DO YOU THINK THAT THIS SITUATION SORT OF HAMPERS THOSE EFFORTS?

BECAUSE, I MEAN, I CAN JUST SEE DEMOCRATS SAYING IT ON THE FLOOR, LIKE, NO, NO, NO, THIS IS WHAT REAL VOTING FRAUD IS.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?

>> NO, YOU KNOW, THING ABOUT IT IS, IF IT'S A GOOD BILL, IT'S A GOOD BILL.

IF IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO, WE NEED TO DO IT.

NOBODY IS GOING TO AGREE 100% OF THE TIME AND THERE'S GOING TO BE CONVERSATION ON BOTH SIDES.

BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BILL AND WHAT IT DOES, I DO THINK THERE WILL PROBABLY BE LANGUAGE PUT IN IT TO CLEAN IT UP A LITTLE BIT, AND IF THAT HAPPENS, WE'LL SEE IT COME BACK.

IT WORKS ON BOTH SIDES.

IT GOES BOTH WAYS.

AS SPEAKER, WE SERVE THE WHOLE BODY, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE WILL BE CONVERSATION, BUT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ANYWAY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME ISSUES.

DOWN AT BCA, I HEARD JIMMY RANE TALK ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT I KNOW YOU HAVE CHAMPIONED.

THAT IS DEVELOPING MORE INDUSTRIAL SITES, RIGHT.

THE ARGUMENT BEING WE'VE KIND OF RUN OUT.

WE'VE COMMITTED A LOT OF OUR CURRENT INDUSTRIAL SITES TO PRODUCTS AND THAT WE NEED TO BE DEVELOPING MORE OF THEM.

IT SOUNDED A LOT LIKE THE SEEDS ACT THAT PASSED LAST SESSION, SOMETHING THAT YOU SAID WAS CLOSING TO YOUR HEART -- CLOSE TO YOUR HEART.

TALK ABOUT WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT AND WERE YOU LISTENING THERE AND THINKING, HEY, YEAH, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE SEEDS AC WAS PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE OF THAT.

ALABAMA, BECAUSE OF OUR SUCCESS, WE'VE RUN OUT OF INDUSTRIAL SITES.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A GOOD THING TO HAVE THAT KIND OF SUCCESS, BUT WE'VE ALSO GOT TO CREATE NEW SITES.

THE MEGA SITE IN ETOWAH COUNTY IS THE ONLY ONE I KNOW THAT'S CERTIFIED AT THIS POINT, SO I KNOW SECTOR CANFIELD -- SECRETARY CANFIELD AND HIS STAFF WILL BE WORKING ON FINDING A NEW LOCATION.

YOU THINK ABOUT IT, A COMPANY IS NOT GOING TO COME TO A LOCATION IF THEY DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING READY.

THESE COMPANIES WANT TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE UTILITIES, THE INFRASTRUCTURE THEY NEED, THE GOOD CHANCE IS YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THEM.

SO THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL RECRUITMENT, AND THE SEEDS ACT DOES EXACTLY THAT.

WE'VE HUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO CREATING NEW INDUSTRIAL SITES AND I THINK, WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTH, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT COME TO BE, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A STRONG POINT FOR ALABAMA ADVOCATING FOR NEW JOBS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT EDUCATION.

IT'S THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

I'VE HEARD YOU, MANY TIMES, TALK ABOUT HOW IMPROVING EDUCATION HAS TO BE AT THE TOP OF EVERYBODY'S LIST IN TERMS OF PUBLIC POLICY IN THE STATE.

LOOK, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SIGNIFICANT REFORMS PASSED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I'M THINKING OF LITERACY ACT, NUMERACY ACT, ALL THE FUNDING, RECORD FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL IN TALKING WITH CHAIRMAN GARRETT AND OTHERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT THAT SOME OF THESE REFORMS, SOME OF THE BILLS YOU'VE PASSED, YOU MIGHT SEE MORE TANGIBLE RESULTS THIS SCHOOL YEAR?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

I THINK WE SEE THEM LAST YEAR WITH THE LITERACY ACT.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE THE NUMBER OF FAILINGS REDUCED.

IN CERTAIN AREAS WE HAD 26 FAILING SCHOOLS AS FAR AS READING AND THEY'RE DOWN TO SIX.

SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION ABOUT IT'S WORKING.

TO SEE IT IN THE NUMERACY ACT, I BELIEVE THE RESULTS WILL BE THE SAME.

AND ONCE WE START TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS IMPROVE, WE'RE GOING TO SEE OUR NUMBERS IMPROVE OVERALL.

SO I FEEL LIKE WE'RE HEADING IN A GOOD DIRECTION, THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE, THERE'S NO QUESTION.

THERE'S MORE IDEAS OUT THERE WE'LL LOOK AT AND CERTAINLY SCHOOL CHOICE IS ONE OF THEM.

WE EXPANDED WHAT WE DID THIS YEAR WITH AAA.

WE'VE GIVEN SCHOOL CHOICE TO MILITARY FAMILIES.

AND, SO, I THINK YOU WILL SEE MORE OF THAT.

AND IT'S NOT DETRIMENTAL TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MAKE THEM AS STRONG AS WE POSSIBLY CAN AND MAYBE -- MAYBE THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN LOOK AT GOING FORWARD.

>> YEAH, I SAW THAT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR, THE OP-ED SHE RAN ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE FOR NEXT SESSION.

SOUNDS PRETTY INTERESTING.

SHE ALSO RAN THE OP-ED ABOUT THE LITERACY ACT, SAYING, HEY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE YEAR THAT THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISIONS, THE HOLD-BACK PROVISIONS, IF YOU WILL, WILL GO INTO EFFECT.

YOU KNOW, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED TO SEE LEGISLATION TRYING TO EXTEND THAT YET AGAIN.

BUT SHE SEEMED TO REALLY PUSH BACK AGAINST THAT SAYING NO, NO, WE'VE GOT TO STOP IT NOW.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, WE'VE EXTENDED IT ONE TIME.

I THINK THAT WAS BEHIND COVID AND IT'S PROBABLY RIGHTFULLY SO.

BUT I THINK WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE, IF WE'RE REALLY GOING TO IMPROVE LITERACY, WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO SAY, OKAY, YOU NEED MORE WORK.

I MEAN, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

EVERY ONE OF US IN CERTAIN AREAS, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OURSELF.

SO I DON'T THINK EDUCATION IS ANY DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK AND YOU CAN HOLD BACK A YEAR AND GET THAT AND CATCH UP WITH EVERYBODY ELSE, I THINK THAT'S GOOD FOR YOU, IT'S GOOD FOR THE TEACHERS AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

>> AND I HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT THIS AS WELL, PASSING THEM ALONG WITHOUT THE READING SKILLS IS REALLY A DISSERVICE TO THE STUDENTS.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SESSION, I KNOW IT FEELS LIKE WE'VE JUST GOTTEN OUT OF THIS LAST ONE.

MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE TO HAVE THE SPECIAL.

IT'S KIND OF GRUELING.

LOOKING TOWARD IT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU'VE GOT THIS AD HOC COMMITTEE THAT'S BEEN MEETING ABOUT GAMBLING.

>> RIGHT.

>> ESSENTIALLY KIND OF TESTING THE WATERS, FEELING, OKAY, WHAT MIGHT BE FEASIBLE FOR THE HOUSE TO PASS ON LOTTERY, ON REGULATING CASINOS, ON THE SPORTS BETTING THING?

WHAT'S THE LATEST YOU'VE HEARD FROM THEM, AND DO YOU SEE SOMETHING -- A PRODUCT COMING MAYBE FOR NEXT SESSION?

>> YEAH, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB.

CHAIRMAN NGUYEN HAS REALLY WORKED HARD AT IT, HIS COMMUNITY'S WORKED HARD.

I HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE REPORTS.

HE'S GIVEN ME UPDATES.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST TIME, THERE WERE MAYBE 30 ILLEGAL OPERATIONS.

BY THE TIME WE GOT THROUGH, SOMEBODY SAID MAYBE THERE'S 70 NOW.

>> THESE ARE LIKE LITTLE BINGO -- THEY'RE REALLY SLOT MACHINES.

>> YEAH, AND SOME ARE BEHIND SHOP-N-GOS OR THE QUICK MARTS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

ONE COUNTY HAS MORE THAN 67.

ONE COUNTY HAD MORE THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS IN THE STATE.

SO WHAT WE'RE FINDING, JUST ABOUT EVERY COUNTY HAS SOME ILLEGAL GAMING OPERATION.

YOU KNOW, HE HAS WORKED REALLY HARD.

HE'S WENT WITH THE SHERIFFS AND SAID CAN YOU SHOW ME SOMETHING, CAN YOU TELL ME?

AND HE'S HAD PRETTY GOOD RESPONSE FROM SOME OF THE SHERIFFS AROUND THE STATE.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS, NOW, WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY, IF WE DO NOT DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND REGULATE IT, THEN ALL WE'RE DOING IS ENABLING ILLEGAL GAMBLING.

AND IT'S GOTTEN SO RAMPANT, UNTIL WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, IT'S A LITTLE SCARY BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST AN ORGANIZATION THAT'S GOING TO BE A LEGAL ORGANIZATION LIKE A CRIME ORGANIZATION THAT'S RUNNING THESE OPERATIONS.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S WITHOUT THE TRUE REGULATIONS, WITHOUT A COMMISSION TO KIND OF SUPPORT IT AND TRY TO STOP THEM, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW.

AND LISTEN, LET'S BE HONEST, THERE'S MORE OUT THERE THAN WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN ADDRESS.

SO I DO THINK, WITH REGULATIONS, THERE'S GOT TO BE AN ENFORCEMENT PIECE WITH THAT.

>> HE'S KIND OF PLAYING WHAC-A-MOLE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE'S DOING, AND IT'S NOT EASY TO TRY TO CONTROL.

YOU KNOW, WITH NO STIFFER AND WHAT THE PENALTIES ARE, THEY CAN SHUT DOWN, TAKE THEIR MACHINES OUT, TWO WEEKS LATER THEY WILL RUN AGAIN IN THE SAME STORES BECAUSE THE PENALTIES AREN'T STIFF ENOUGH.

SO I THINK REGULATION IS A BIG PIECE TO IT.

LET'S FACE IT, WE HAVE GAMBLING ALREADY IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE HAD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I THINK IT'S TIME WE REGULATE IT, QUIT LIVING THE ILLEGALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY TAKE MONEY FROM MORE AND MORE CITIZENS IN ALABAMA, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.

>> WELL, ALSO, IN THE DEPARTMENT OF WHAT YEAR IS IT, ETHICS REFORM IS BEING TALKED ABOUT.

I SAY REFORM.

REALLY, REVISIONS TO THE REFORMS THAT HAPPEN IN 2010 BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLICATIONS, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CONFUSION AROUND THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE SIMPSON HAS REALLY -- AND IN A REALLY KIND OF SURPRISING WAY TO ME OPENED UP THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAN BE POLITICALLY FRAUGHT.

ANYTIME YOU TOUCH THE ETHICS CODE YOU CAN BE ACCUSE OF WEAKENING IT.

HE'S TAKEN A TRANSPARENT APPROACH TO THIS.

DO YOU SEE THIS COMING UP IN THE NEXT SESSION AND THE ETHICS CODE BEING TWEAKED AND CLARIFIED TO EVERYBODY'S SATISFACTION?

>> YEAH, I THINK, ONE OF THE THINGS, WHEN I TOOK OVER THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE, YOU KNOW, WE HAD SOME ISSUES WE NEEDED TO TRAY TO FIX.

WE STARTED THAT LAST YEAR BY PASSING THE STRONGEST FENTANYL BILL PROBABLY IN THE COUNTRY, WE DID IT WITH AN ADJUSTMENT PROCESS THAT HADN'T BEEN TOUCHED IN 30 YEARS, AND TALKED ABOUT THE GAMBLING ISSUES THAT WENT AN FOR DECADES.

THE ETHICS LAW HADN'T BEEN TOUCHED TILL 2010, AND WHEN THEY DID IT, THEY DID IT IN HASTE AND CAUSED ISSUES.

IF ANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED TO PASS IT WOULD TELL YOU WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS OR THAT DIFFERENT.

WHEN CHAIRMAN SIMPSON TALKED TO ME ABOUT IT, I THINK THE WHOLE THING WAS THE TRANSPARENCY, BECAUSE NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IT DOES RIGHT NOW.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE GREY AREA IS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ALWAYS MOVE.

SO IF HE'S ABLE TO PUT A PIECE OF LEGISLATION TOGETHER THAT GIVES IT REAL TRANSPARENCY WHERE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T DO AND IT'S FAIR TO EVERYBODY, I THINK IT STRENGTHENS THE BILL.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED IN ALABAMA BECAUSE OF THIS LAW.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A TEACHER, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A FOOTBALL COACH, IT DOESN'T MATTER, YOU'RE AFFECTED BY THE LAW.

350,000 ALABAMIANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE AFFECTED BY THE LAW.

SO WE HAVE TO GIVE THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE SOMETHING THAT'S TRANSPARENT ENOUGH SO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO.

HE CHAIRS THAT COMMITTEE.

CYNTHIA ALMOND IS A VICE CHAIR.

BOTH ARE SHARP LEGAL MINDS.

THERE IS LEGISLATION OUR COUNCIL HAS DONE IN THE PAST AND I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING AT THAT.

SO I FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT SOME PEOPLE WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM, BUT IT'S MESSED UP.

SO IF IT'S MESSED UP, WHY NOT FIX IT?

AND THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I'M AT AND WHAT I SEE AND I THINK WE'LL HAVE SOMETHING WE CAN VOTE ON.

I THINK THERE'S GOT TO BE A LOT OF EDUCATION TO REMEMBER AND LET THEM UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND LET THEM SEE AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO HAVE INPUT ON WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO SEE.

>> WELL, WHILE I'VE GOT YOU, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, BUT YOU WERE JUST ELECTED THE CHAIR ELECT OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS FOR THE SOUTH.

FOLKS MAY RECOGNIZE THIS AS SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> SO CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND AM I CORRECT THAT THAT MEANS THE CONFERENCE WILL COME BACK TO ALABAMA?

>> IT WILL, YEAH.

>> WHAT YEAR?

>> IT WILL BE IN '25.

>> OKAY.

>> SO IT WON'T BE NEXT YEAR, BUT THE NEXT.

AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I MEAN, WHAT A BETTER WAY THAN TO BRING THE 15 SOUTHERN STATES INTO ALABAMA AND SHOW THEM THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE.

ALABAMA IS A DIFFERENT STATE, MY OPINION, NOW THAN IT WAS JUST 10 OR 15 YEARS AGO, WITH THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE IN JOB CREATION AND WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON OVER THE STATE, WITH THE MANUFACTURING JOBS BEING CEDE, THE AUTOMOTIVE AND SHIPBUILDING AND COMMERCIAL AIRLINES AND THE ENGINEERS IN HUNTSVILLE.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT'S CERTAINLY AN HONOR TO HAVE YOUR COLLEAGUES FROM ACROSS THE 15 SOUTHERN STATES TO ELECT YOU TO BE IN THAT POSITION.

THAT'S HUMBLING, TO SAY THE LEAST.

AND, SO, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHOW WHAT ALABAMA REALLY IS.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO START HEARING FROM, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN ALABAMA THAT MIGHT WANT TO HOST THIS THING.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS, TODD, IS WE DON'T GET TO CHOOSE.

>> OKAY, SO IT'S OUT OF YOUR HANDS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE ORGANIZATION CHOOSES, SO THEY'VE ALREADY PUT OUT THE BIDS AND I THINK THEY'VE NARROWED IT DOWN TO MAYBE THREE DIFFERENT CITIES.

THEY DID SHOW ME WHAT THREE CITIES BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SAY NOW.

>> IS FORT PAYNE ONE OF THEM?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, FORT PAYNE IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH HOTEL ROOMS.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> MY PLEASURE, AS ALWAYS.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SUPERINTENDENT ERIC MACKEY.

DR. MACKEY, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

GLAD TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

>> IT'S THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR SO I WAS HOPING TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

YOU HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE.

I'VE SEEN THE PICTURES FROM SOCIAL MEDIA, LOTS OF DIFFERENT VISITS AT SCHOOLS.

TELL ME, ARE YOU FEELING SOME OPTIMISM AT THE START OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR?

IS THERE A REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC?

>> ABSOLUTELY, WE FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

I HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET INTO A LOT OF SCHOOLS THIS FALL.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN GOING TO A LOT OF SCHOOLS.

SHE AND I HAVE GONE TO SOME SCHOOLS TOGETHER AND THERE IS A FEELING OF OPTIMISM AND REVITALIZATION THAT WAS KIND OF MISSING THE LAST FEW YEARS SINCE COVID.

COVID DEFINITELY -- IT NOT ONLY CHANGED THINGS, OBVIOUSLY PHYSICAL HEALTH AND HOW WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THINGS IN SCHOOL, BUT IT REALLY MADE PEOPLE A LITTLE WORRIED, A LITTLE TENSE.

WE DON'T FEEL THAT THIS YEAR.

THAT BEING SAID, I HAVE TO REMIND FOLKS, WE HAVE A LITTLE UPTICK IN COVID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

WE'VE SEEN ALREADY LOTS OF STUDENT ABSENCES.

SO WE'RE WORRIED THIS MIGHT BE A BAD FLU YEAR, RSV YEAR BECAUSE THESE THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL HERE AT THE BEGINNING, BUT THOSE ARE THINGS WE'VE ALWAYS DEALT WITH.

WE'VE NOT SEEN THE SEVERE CASES WE'VE HAD A FEW YEARS AGO.

SO OVERALL, GOOD OPTIMISM, GOOD TO BE IN SCHOOLS.

>> THIS COMES ON THE HEELS OF SUMMER, AND IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THIS SUMMER WE HAD THE MOST ROBUST SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS REALLY EVER BETWEEN READING, MATH, YOU KNOW, REALLY INTENSIVE LEARNING IN THE SUMMER.

HOW DID THAT GO?

WERE YOU PLEASED WITH THE ROLLOUT OF SOME OF THOSE SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS?

>> WE'RE STILL COLLECTING DATA ON SOME OF THOSE SUMMER PROGRAMS.

IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING MIX THIS YEAR.

WE OFFERED MORE OPPORTUNITIES THIS YEAR THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST, BUT WE SEE THAT, IN A LOT OF COMMUNITIES, THE UPTAKE WAS ACTUALLY DOWN.

IN MANY, MANY COMMUNITIES THAT HAD FEWER STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN SUMMER READING CAMPS AND MATH CAMPS THAN IN THE YEARS PAST.

PART OF THAT COULD BE BECAUSE WE ALSO SAW RECORD NUMBERS OF PEOPLE GOING ON VACATION.

SO AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS OF PEOPLE NOT TAKING VACATIONS, WE HEARD FROM PARENTS THAT THEY'RE, LIKE, LOOK, I'M TAKING MY KIDS ON A VACATION THIS SUMMER.

>> YEAH.

SO WE'VE HAD THAT STRUGGLE.

WE KNEW THAT WAS SOMETHING WE WOULD ALWAYS STRUGGLE WITH BECAUSE, DURING THAT INTENSIVE SUMMER AND READING MATH CAMPS, WE NEED THOSE STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS WHO ARE MAYBE ON THE EDGE OR WHO ARE BEHIND THEIR PEERS OR CERTAINLY BELOW GRADE LEVEL, WE NEED THEM IN THE SUMMER ENRICH MEANT PROGRAM.

BUT WE DID HAVE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS GO.

WE'RE COLLECTING ALL THAT DATA NOW.

WE'LL HAVE IT BY MID OCTOBER.

OUR TARGET IS FOR THE OCTOBER STATE BOARD MEETING TO BE ABLE TO LOOK MORE INTENSELY AT SUMMER PARTICIPATION.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT JUST VARIED BY COMMUNITY.

>> SURE.

>> BUT, NOW, I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE PROGRAMS.

NEVER BEEN MORE EXCITE ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT WE SEE AMONG TEACHERS, THE WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING IN THE SUMMER TO DO MATH AND READING ENRICHMENT.

AS YOU SAID, IT'S THE BEST WE'VE EVER HAD.

WE THINK IT WILL BE EVEN BETTER NEXT YEAR AND NEXT YEAR, OF COURSE, IS THE YEAR IT COUNTS?

YEAH, IN WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW, KNOWING BEST PRACTICES HOW TO GET THAT BUY-IN NEXT TIME AROUND.

I WANT TO SWITCH TO THE LITERACY ACT.

THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKING WITH SPEAKER LEDBETTER ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THESE LAWS RECENTLY, LITERACY ACT, NUMERACY ACT, AND THERE IS OPTIMISM THAT REALLY NOW WE'RE GOING TO START SEEING A LOT MORE GAINS BEING MADE.

BUT, OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISION TO HAVE THE LITERACY ACT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, HOLDBACK PROVISION IF YOU'RE NOT READING PROFICIENTLY.

COUPLE OF THINGS TO ASK ABOUT THIS.

NUMBER ONE, IN SPEAKING WITH SPEAKER LEDBETTER ON THE HEELS OF THE GOVERNOR'S OP-ED, 2340 MORE DELAYS, WE'VE HAD TWO YEARS OF THE DELAY OF THE HOLD-BACK PROVISION.

THE SPEAKER SAID THE SAME THING, HE DIDN'T WANT TO SEE BILLS DELAYING IT, HEARD THE SAME FROM THE SENATE.

SO THERE SEEMS TO BE A POLITICAL ALIGNMENT THAT FURTHER DELAYS OF THIS ACCOUNTABLE PROVISION WON'T HAPPEN.

DOES THAT HELP YOU AT ALL AND DOES THAT HELP LOCAL ADMINISTRATORS WITH, LIKE, JUST SOME CERTAINTY KNOWING THAT, YES, THIS IS ACTUALLY COMING?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT -- I'VE HEARD NO TALK FROM ANYBODY ABOUT DELAYING AGAIN.

I THINK THAT WAS CERTAINLY THE WISE THING TO DO.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR FELT PRETTY STRONGLY ABOUT IT AS WE CAME OUT OF COVID THAT WE KIND OF GET SOLID FOOTING FIRST.

THEN THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, THEY DECIDED TO ADD ANOTHER YEAR, YOU KNOW, MAKE IT A TWO-YEAR DELAY.

BUT THIS YEAR, THAT'S OVER.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING CHANGING THAT.

IT IS TODAY FOR US THAT, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE THIS YEAR.

I FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE WITH THE INTERVENTIONS AND THE PREVENTIONS.

REMEMBER, WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT IT'S PREVENTION OVER RETENTION.

SO FOR THE STUDENTS READING ABOVE GRADE LEVEL, IT'S BEEN ABOUT 12,000 STUDENTS.

OBVIOUSLY, I CAN'T PREDICT WHAT IT WILL BE THIS YEAR, BUT WE THINK IT WILL BE IN THE 9,000 TO 12,000 STUDENT RANGE.

VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE WHO HAVE LOOKED AT THE RETENTION PROVISION.

IT'S TIME.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS MOVING ON TO FOURTH GRADE ARE READING ON GRADE LEVEL.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL TO ME, HAS BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING.

I KNOW THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE A LOT OF TALK AROUND AND SOME CONTENTION AROUND WHERE THE RETENTION -- WHETHER RETENTION IS THE RIGHT MOVE OR NOT.

AND THAT'S THE SAME WAY ACROSS THE NIGHT, PEOPLE ARE STILL DEBATING THAT, EVEN IN STATES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THAT TEN YEARS THEY'RE STILL DEBATING WHETHER THAT'S THE RIGHT MOVE.

THE FACT IS IT IS THE LAW, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE THERE ARE OTHER WAYS FOR STUDENTS TO BE PROMOTED.

WE GIVE A STANDARDIZED TEST AND ON THE READING TEST THEY'RE EITHER ON OR BELOW THE GRADE LEVEL.

THEY CAN GO TO SUMMER READING CAMP AND TEST AT THE END OF CATCH.

THERE'S A PORTFOLIO OPTION FOR THE STUDENTS WHO ARE BELOW GRADE LEVEL AND HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS.

THERE'S THE OPTION TO HAVE THE I.E.P.

-- OPTION FOR THE I.E.P.

TEAM TO GET INVOLVED.

STUDENTS MAY GO TO SUMMER READING EXAMPLE, TAKE THE TEST AGAIN AND SCORE BETTER AND MOVE ON.

RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T NEED UNCERTAINTY.

SO WE'RE MOVING ALONG AS IF EVERYTHING IS ON TRACK, AND I THINK EVERYTHING IS ON TRACK TO PUT THE RETENTION PIECE IN PLACE THIS YEAR.

>> OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, ONCE IT HAPPENS -- LET'S FAST FORWARD TO MAY OR JUNE OR WHATEVER IT IS AND THE PARENTS GET THE NOTICES THAT, HEY, SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE, THAT'S WHEN IT REALLY STARTS TO HAPPEN, IT STARTS TO GET REAL, AND I'M JUST IMAGINING POLITICALLY, SOME PARENTS MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND TAKE THEIR PROBLEM TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, THEY TAKE PRAYER PROBLEM TO THE LEGISLATURE AND ALL THAT.

WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE TO THAT WHOLE CHAIN OF COMMAND ABOUT MAYBE HAVING THE PATIENCE TO SAY, LOOK, WE'VE GOT TO ALLOW THIS PROCESS TO MOVE THROUGH AND, YOU KNOW, A FEW COMPLAINTS DOESN'T MEAN YOU'VE GOT TO CHANGE THE LAW.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE THOSE STUDENTS ARE READY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT STUDENTS.

AGAIN, PREVENTION OVER RETENTION.

BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, IF A STUDENT IS READING BELOW GRADE LEVEL, AND WE HAVE TEAMS OF STATISTICIANS AND TEACHERS THAT HELP US DETERMINE WHAT THE GRADE LEVEL IS, THE BOARD DECIDES THAT, BUT IF THEY'RE BELOW GRADE LEVEL THEY WILL STRUGGLE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.

THE KEY IS TO FOCUS ON WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CHILDREN, HOW DO WE GET THEM READY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.

EVEN THE STUDENTS RIGHT ON THE BUBBLE WHO ARE NOT ON GRADE LEVEL, WHO ARE GRADE LEVEL, THEY WILL STRUGGLE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAD THE SCHOOL BOARD RETREAT AND ARE PROPOSING MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL READING SUPPORT, TO HELP THE STUDENTS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL WHO DID MEET THE GAINS, WHO ARE ON GRADE LEVEL, BUT THEY'RE STILL A LOW-LEVEL READER AND THEY NEED EXTRA SUPPORT TO BECOME A STRONGER READER AS THEY GO INTO HIGH SCHOOL.

SO THERE'S MULTIPLE LAYERS TO IT, BUT WE CERTAINLY DON'T NEED TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK.

>> I SEE.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT TURNAROUND SCHOOLS.

I HEAR THIS TERM A LOT, AND I NOTICED THE GOVERNOR HAD HER SORT OF INITIATIVE ON THIS AND HAD THIS FOCUS.

WE HEAR THE TERM A LOT, BUT WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN WHEN A SCHOOL IS IDENTIFIED AS A TURNAROUND SCHOOL?

WHAT GOES INTO THAT?

WHAT EXTRA INTENSIVE FOCUS IS PUT ON THAT?

HOW DOES IT REALLY WORK?

>> PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE THINGS ALABAMA HAS EVER DONE, AND THE GOVERNOR DID IT HERSELF, SHE SAID WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS TURNAROUND SCHOOL MODEL.

SO THE GOVERNOR LOOKED INTO WHAT WE WERE ALREADY DOING WITH WHAT WE CALL C.S.I.

OR COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT.

AND WE HAVE FOUR PILLARS TO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT, THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN IN A SCHOOL FOR THAT SCHOOL TO REALLY GET BETTER FROM LEADERSHIP TO HAVING HIGH-QUALITY TEACHERS AND MATERIALS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

AND SHE SAID, LET'S MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON OUR MOST HIGH-NEEDS SCHOOLS.

O WE WORKED -- SO WE WORKED TOGETHER IN OUR OFFICE TO IDENTIFY 15 SCHOOLS THAT ARE CONSISTENTLY LOW PERFORMING.

THEY'RE ALL EXTREMELY HIGH POVERTY COMMUNITIES.

MOST OF THEM HAVE OTHER ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY.

MANY OF THEM HAVE HIGH INCIDENCES OF CRIME, DRUGS, LOW EMPLOYMENT, JUST LOTS OF PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND, OF COURSE, THE CHILDREN, THEY'RE NOT SCHOOL PROBLEMS, THEY'RE COMMUNITY PROBLEMS THAT THOSE CHILDREN ARE ABSORBING IN HOME AND THEN BRINGING THEM TO SCHOOL.

SO WHAT DO WE DO TO HELP THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE BETTER SCHOOLS?

FOR OUR PART, THE GOVERNOR, OF COURSE, WORKED WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND GOT A $10 MILLION GRANT.

SO IN THESE 15 SCHOOLS, EXCUSE ME, ARE EACH GETTING, YOU KNOW, NOT A MILLION APIECE BUT PRETTY CLOSE TO IT, THEY'RE HIRING INTERVENTIONISTS.

IN SOME CASES THEY'RE HIRING ADDITIONAL COUNSELORS, MENTALLY ILL THERAPISTS.

THEY'RE HIRING SECURITY PEOPLE.

THEY'RE DOING THINGS LIKE WALKING KIDS BACK AND FORTH, THINGS THAT THEY KNEW NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THOSE THINGS.

SO WE'VE INVESTED THE MONEY.

SECONDLY, WE'VE INVESTED ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT.

WE'VE HIRED AN ADMINISTRATOR JUST TO OVERSEE THIS PROGRAM AND SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO GO OUT AND HELP THESE SCHOOLS GET THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

AND, AGAIN, SOME OF THEM ARE HIRING ADDITIONAL PEOPLE, THEY'RE BRINGING IN RETIRED TEACHERS, THEY'RE BRINGING IN AUXILIARY TEACHERS TO REALLY BRING IN COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AROUND THESE CHILDREN.

THEN LASTLY WE'VE PARTNERED.

WE HAVE D.H.R., EARLY CHILDHOOD INVOLVED, TO MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD WHO LIVES IN ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES CAN GET INTO A PRE-K PROGRAM THROUGH OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE GOTTEN LAW ENFORCEMENT INVOLVED, THE ARTS COMMUNITY.

WE'VE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF INVESTMENT FROM THE ARTS COMMUNITY SAYING WE'RE GOING IN AND MAKING SURE ALL THESE CHILDREN HAVE OUR ARTS PROGRAMS.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT, AGAIN, THESE SCHOOLS, THESE FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD, BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD INITIATIVE.

WE KEEP TELLING PEOPLE THE GOVERNOR'S MADE IT CLEAR, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GO IN AND JUST TRY TO TWEAK THINGS ONE TIME AND ABANDON THESE CHILDREN.

THIS IS A LONG-TIME EFFORT THROUGHOUT THE ADMINISTRATION, WE'RE COMMITTED TO IT, AND WE'RE ALREADY SEEING INCREASES IN SCORES IN MANY OF THE SCHOOLS.

SOME OF THEM DIDN'T INCREASE.

WE'RE REDOUBLING OUR EFFORTS.

BUT AGAIN REMEMBER THESE ARE VERY DIFFICULT COMMUNITIES TO GO INTO.

FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT IT AND FEEL WE'LL HAVE GOOD RESULTS TO SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME, BUT BEST WISHES ON A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR AN CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE YOU BACK ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK.

THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS CHRIS ISAACSON, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION.

CHRIS, THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> TODD, THANK YOU.

GREAT PRIVILEGE.

>> WELL, COULD YOU REMIND OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT THE FORESTRY ASSOCIATION AND ITS ROLE HERE IN THE STATE?

>> SURE, FORESTRY ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED BACK IN 1949.

OUR MEMBERS FORMED US AT THAT TIME MAKING SURE SOMEONE WAS WAKING UP EVERY DAY THINKING ABOUT HOW TO PROMOTE THE INDUSTRY.

WE'RE AN INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION THAT RANGES FROM THE STUMP TO THE MILL, LOGGERS THROUGH THE MILLS, LAND OWNERS, AND OUR ROLE IS TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE FORESTRY COMMUNITY.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON IS I KNOW YOU RECENTLY HAD THIS HOOKED ON CONSERVATION I VENT DOWN IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY.

I HATED I DIDN'T GET TO GO.

I JUST KIND OF WASN'T ABLE TO.

BUT IS IT EXPOSING KIDS TO CONSERVATION, NATURAL RESOURCES, IN THIS CASE FISHING.

>> MM-HMM.

>> TELL ME ABOUT THIS EVENT AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT.

>> OUR ROLE IS TO ADVOCATE.

THE WAY WE ADVOCATE IS TO EDUCATE.

WE SAW THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TOGETHER A GROUP OF PUBLIC AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS, AND A LOT OF OUR MEMBERS AN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION, TO PROMOTE ALABAMA'S NATURAL RESOURCES.

WE MET WITH SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON AND HE AGREED TO HOST THAT.

WE PUT THE SWEAT EQUITY BEHIND IT TO PUT IT TOGETHER.

BUT IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR ALL THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

THE ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF RURAL RC&D COUNCILS, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION NATURAL RESOURCES, THE DEPARTMENT OF AG, INDUSTRY AND FORESTRY COMMISSION.

ONE GROUP THAT WAS THERE THAT THE KIDS REALLY ENJOYED, IT WAS THE MAINLY LEAGUE FISHING ANGLERS ASSOCIATION.

SO WE HAD PROFESSIONAL FISHERMEN DOWN THERE THAT WERE WORKING WITH THE KIDS, SHOWING THEM HOW TO FISH, TALKING TO THEM.

SO IT WAS A REALLY, REALLY NEAT EVENT.

AND IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHOWCASE OUR STATE AND THE RESOURCES WE HAVE.

TODD, WE'VE GOT AN INCREDIBLE STORY TO TELL ABOUT ALABAMA AND ALABAMA'S NATURAL RESOURCES AND, FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, ALABAMA'S FOREST AND THE INDUSTRY THAT'S GROWN UP AROUND US.

SO IT WAS JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE THE KIDS, EXPOSE THEM, BRING TOGETHER ALL OF THESE GROUPS, AND JUST PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AND HOW WE ALL COLLECTIVELY ARE WORKING TO CONSERVE THOSE.

>> IT LOOKED LIKE A LOT OF FUN, FUN FOR, YOU KNOW, THIS GENERATION OF KIDS THAT ARE ADDICTED TO SCREENS.

YOU KNOW, GET OFF THE SCREENS AND GO OUT AND FISH.

I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE GOT OTHER EVENTS LIKE THIS PLANNED?

>> WELL, WE UTILIZE EVENTS LIKE THIS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND TO TELL OUR STORY.

AND IN THIS CASE, WE WERE FOCUSED ON, YOU KNOW, KIDS, GIVING THEM OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE RESOURCES TO FISH.

THERE ARE OTHER GRASSROOTS EVENTS WHERE WE BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR MANY OF THE SAME PURPOSES.

WE HAVE ONE EVENT OR ONE TOUR WE CALL BLACK TO BLUE WHERE WE WILL FACILITATE BASICALLY A LUNCH TO HONOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS.

AND USUALLY, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS, LIKE SENATOR ALBRITTON DID, "HOOKED ON CONSERVATION," PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN THE AREA WILL SPONSOR THAT AND WE'LL PULL THOSE TOGETHER.

WE'LL PULL A LOT OF OUR MEMBERS TOGETHER TO HELP WITH THOSE EVENTS.

AGAIN, PART OF THE ISSUE, IN ADDITION TO SHOWING APPRECIATION, IS JUST TO PROMOTE ALABAMA'S NATURAL RESOURCES AND ALABAMA'S FORESTRY AND THE FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.

WE HAVE ONE EVENT, AND I'M GOING TO DO A LITTLE SHAMELESS PROMOTION HERE.

>> OH, GO RIGHT AHEAD.

>> BUT WE'VE GOT ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS HAS WRITTEN SEVERAL BOOKS, BUT ONE IS CALLED "LUCY MEETS A LOGGER."

ONE OF THE THINGS WE REALIZED IS THAT WE -- YOU KNOW, WE NEEDED TO START EDUCATING KIDS MUCH YOUNGER THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

SO WE WROTE THESE BOOKS.

WE CALL IT THE "TINY TIMBER CREW" SERIES.

>> CAN I SEE IT?

>> SURE.

THE "TINY TIMBER CREW" SERIES.

THE IDEA IS NOT ONLY TO TALK ABOUT ALABAMA'S NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY, BUT KIND OF TO LEVERAGE THAT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THOSE.

AND, SO, WE HAVE -- WE'LL INVITE A PUBLIC OFFICIAL TO COME IN TO A CLASSROOM, TO READ TO THE KIDS.

WE'LL BRING A LOT OF OUR FOLKS TOGETHER.

WE CALL IT THE LUCY TOUR.

ACTUALLY, RIGHT NOW, SINCE WE'VE GOT MULTIPLE BOOKS NOW, WE'LL CALL IT THE "TINY TIMBER CREW" TOUR.

BUT, AGAIN, JUST TO BRING MORE EXPOSURE TO THE INCREDIBLE RESOURCES WE HAVE, THE INCREDIBLE FOREST WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER GRASSROOTS EVENT.

AND WE HAVE OTHERS, BUT THOSE ARE TWO THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, ONGOING THROUGH THE REST OF THE YEAR.

>> YOU KNOW, WE TALK A LOT ABOUT -- YOU MENTIONED JOBS, AND WE TUCK A LOT ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS SHOW PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE, TRYING TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE JOBS, BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT.

AND I KNOW THAT Y'ALL HAVE GOT A PROGRAM GOING ON RIGHT NOW ABOUT HELPING FOLKS, YOU KNOW, EXPLORE AND EARN A CREDENTIAL IN FORESTRY.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT AND HOW IT'S GOING.

>> OKAY.

JUST A LITTLE QUICK BACKGROUND, WE REALIZED, IN RESPONDING TO A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS VOICED BY OUR MEMBERS, THAT FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANIES WERE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING WORKERS.

WE SAT BACK AND SAID WHAT CAN WE DO.

WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THEY INVITED US TO CREATE A FOREST WORKER CREDENTIAL, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE OPTIONS THAT STUDENTS AND HIGH SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE HAVE TO -- TO EARN CREDIT TOWARD GRADUATION.

AND, SO, WE PUT TOGETHER A FOREST WORKER CREDENTIAL.

THAT'S TAUGHT BY -- WE TRAIN THE TEACHERS HOW TO TEACH IT AND THE BACKGROUND, WE SUPPORT IT.

WE DEVELOPED MANY VIDEOS, MANY HOURS OF VIDEOS, A LOT OF SUPPORT MATERIAL, AND THEN WE SUPPORT THE TEACHERS AS THEY -- AS THEY TEACH THAT IN THEIR CLASSES.

AND THOSE ARE USUALLY ELECTIVES OFFERED FOR THE KIDS WHO ARE INTERESTED.

OF COURSE, OUR -- YOU KNOW, OUR GOAL THROUGH THAT IS NOT ONLY TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT FOREST RESOURCES, BUT, ALSO, TO GET THEM INTERESTED IN FOREST-RELATED JOBS.

AND, SO, OUR PERSPECTIVE IN THAT WAS FORESTRY -- FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY IS A RURAL INDUSTRY.

RURAL ALABAMA, PARTICULARLY IN SOUTH ALABAMA, THE FOREST INDUSTRY IS, YOU KNOW, THE RURAL -- A HUGE PART OF THE RURAL ECONOMY IN SOUTH ALABAMA.

AND A LOT OF TIMES THESE KIDS, EVEN WHO LIVED UNDER THE SMOKE STACK OF THE MILLS THAT WERE THERE, WEREN'T AWARE OF THE REALLY GOOD PAYING JOBS THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

SO OUR OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN TO TARGET THE SCHOOLS IN THE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE, MAKE KIDS AWARE -- NOT JUST KIDS BUT OTHERS WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN WORKING -- MAKE THEM AWARE OF THESE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, PLUG THEM INTO THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION THAT THEY NEED, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, IF THAT TRAINING OR EDUCATION DOESN'T EXIST, THEN WE'LL CREATE IT.

SO WE'RE DOING THAT UNDER THE REFORM -- THE 501C3 WORKFORCE STRAINING INSTITUTE, AND WE BRANDED THE PROGRAM UNDER FORESTRY WORKS.

AND IT IS -- IT HAS BECOME SUCH INTEREST TO OTHER STATES IN THE COUNTRY THAT WE ARE NOW WORKING WITH ABOUT TEN OTHER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO HELP THEM KIND OF PICK UP AND LEVERAGE THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE AND DO THE SAME THING IN THEIR STATES.

>> INTERESTING.

WOW.

WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

SOUNDS REALLY INTERESTING.

YOU MENTIONED GROWING UP, YOU'RE TALKING TO A GUY WHO GREW UP IN PRATTVILLE.

MY DAD WORKED AT WHAT USED TO BE UNION CAMP.

SO VERY FAMILIAR WITH THOSE FOLKS AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR A COMMUNITY.

CHRIS, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK ON.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" REPORTER AND PRODUCER KAREN GOLDSMITH.

KAREN, WHILE I AM SO PLEADS TO HAVE YOU AT THE DESK, I WISH IT WAS FOR BETTER REASONS.

>> I KNOW.

>> YOU ARE LEAVING APT AFTER 12 YEARS, SO WE ARE SO SORRY TO SEE YOU GO, BUT IT'S THE END OF AN ERA.

>> IT IS, AND I THINK I'M MORE SORRY TO GO.

I'M ABOUT TO START CRYING, ALREADY.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS.

BUT -- I LOVE IT HERE.

I LOVE YOU GUYS, AND I LOVE EVERYBODY.

THIS IS TOO MUCH.

I CAN'T.

>> IT'S OKAY.

WELL, LOOK, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT -- EVER SINCE YOU, I GUESS, ANNOUNCED ON FACEBOOK THAT YOU WERE LEAVING, I'VE GOT SO MANY TEXTS AND E-MAILS, YOU KNOW, WHERE IS SHE GOING?

WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHY AND EVERYTHING?

AND WORRIED ABOUT US, LIKE WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO, WHICH IS A LEGIT WORRY.

BUT THAT JUST SPEAKS TO THE IMPACT YOU'VE HAD HERE IN THE STATE REPORTING FOR THESE 12 YEARS AND BEFORE THAT ON RADIO AND THE PUBLIC POLICY ARENA.

EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU, EVERYBODY TRUSTS YOU AND YOUR REPORTING.

SO I THINK THAT'S QUITE A LEGACY.

I WANTED TO REALLY HIGHLIGHT THAT AND SAY THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO ME THAT I HAVE -- OH, MY GOSH, I BROUGHT THESE ON PURPOSE -- THAT I HAVE INTEGRITY AND THAT I'M TRUSTWORTHY AND ESPECIALLY HAVE LAWMAKERS TRUST YOU.

THAT'S A SPECIAL RELATION.

SENATOR ELLIOTT LOVES TO HEAR ME SAY TO MY 35 UPSTAIRS TO HAVE A TRUST OF OUR STATE LEADERS AND OUR GRASSROOTS PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO EVERYDAY WALK THESE HALLS FIGHTING FOR THEIR CAUSES.

THAT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO ME TO LEAVE A LEGACY OF TRUST.

SO, YEAH.

>> I WAS CURIOUS IF, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY TO APT, OVER THESE 12 YEARS, IS THERE ANY ONE STORY THAT STICKS OUT OR ONE ISSUE THAT STICKS OUT IN TERMS OF YOUR FAVORITES TO COVER.

>> YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, TODD.

>> I THINK I DO.

>> THE -- THE ANSWER IS.

>> BUDGETS.

>> I LOVE COVERING BUDGETS.

WHEN I WAS AT ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY, WHEN THEY TAUGHT MATH TO ME AND STATS, MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH MATH AND NUMBERS.

SEEING HOW OUR STATE BUDGETS ARE PUT TOGETHER, THE MONEY IS PUT TO USE FASCINATES ME.

OUR FORMER HOST DON DAILEY SAYS I LOVE THIS STORY.

I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THE THINGS WE DO HERE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

>> ONE THING VIEWERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT MAYBE BEHIND THE SCENES, IT'S NOT JUST YOUR PACKAGES BUT ALL THE LITTLE CLIPS AND THINGS THAT COME FROM THE LEGISLATURE, YOU'RE PROVIDING AN EXPLANATION BASICALLY OF HERE'S WHAT THIS CLIP MEANS.

AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGETS, YOURS ARE SO MUCH APPRECIATED BECAUSE THESE ARE REALLY COMPLICATED AND GIANT BUDGETS SOMETIMES AND TO HAVE DOLLARS AND SCENTS WRITTEN DOWN AND SAY, OH, OKAY, SOMEBODY LIKE ME WHO IS NOT GOOD AT MATH, THAT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

SO YOU'RE KIND OF A BUDGET HAWK.

WHAT THANK YOU.

WHAT I TRY TO DO IS MAKE IT REAL.

HOW DOES THIS IMPACT THE EVERYDAY PERSON, THAT'S ALWAYS MY APPROACH.

I REMEMBER WHEN I SPOKE TO A GROUP OF STUDENTS AT AUBURN IN FACT ABOUT WHAT WE DO HERE, MAKE YOUR STATEMENTS RELATED AND REAL.

IT'S ABOUT BUDGETS AND NUMBERS, BUT WHAT IS IT THIS MEAN TO THE PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE PERSON ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

SO MAKE IT REALISTIC AND TAKE SOME OF THE SCARY, INTIMIDATING PARTS ABOUT THE NUMBERS AWAY.

>> THIS MAY NOT BE THE END OF YOUR JOURNALISM CAREER, WHO KNOWS.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

BUT I KNOW YOU'RE MOVING TO ATLANTA.

>> YES.

MY HUSBAND KENNY RECEIVED A PROMOTION, AND HE'S HAD SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROPOSALS IN THE PAST AND TURNED THEM DOWN BECAUSE OF MY CAREER.

I SEE GOD WAS LISTENING.

I SAID IF YOU GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, DON'T TURN IT DOWN, I WILL SUPPORT YOU AND MOVE WITH YOU.

ON JUNE 1, THAT BECAME A REALITY.

SO HE'S GOT A PROMOTION, SO WE'RE MOVING TO ATLANTA.

OUR DOG MR. ELI MANNING GOLDSMITH -- HE'S NAMED ELI MANNING.

>> YOU'RE A GIANTS FAN.

>> YES.

THE DOG, KENNY AND I ARE MOVING TO ATLANTA.

>> CONGRATULATIONS NOT ONLY TO KENNY AND ALL THAT, NEW BEGINNINGS, BUT CONGRATULATIONS ON AN AWESOME AND MEANINGFUL CAREER HERE AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

YOU'VE TAUGHT ME A LOT.

>> YOU'RE A GENIUS AT THIS.

I WILL TELL PEOPLE THE SUPPORT YOU GIVE APT IS NOT IN VAIN.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INTEGRITY, THE WAY THEY TREAT US, IT CAN'T BE MATCHED.

SO THANK YOU TO OUR VIEWERS WHO STOP ME AT THE DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AND GAS STATIONS AND PUBLIC BATHROOMS AND GROCERY STORE TO TALK ABOUT OUR STORIES.

I LOVE OUR VIEWERS.

KEEP SUPPORTING APT, ALL OF YOU, ESPECIALLY MY LITTLE BROTHER ROD, WE'RE SO CLOSE UP HERE THE FAVE OF US.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

I BETTER STOP TALKING.

I DON'T ENOUGH MAKEUP ON.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU WILL CERTAINLY BE MISSED BUT NEVER REPLACED.

>> THANK YOU, LOVE YOU GUYS.

>> BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT, WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT'S THE BEGINNING OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON AND, SO, EVERYBODY IS GETTING IN THE SPIRIT.

YOU SEE ME WITH MY COLLEGE COLORS, KAREN HAS HER A.S.U.

BUTTON, SO EVERYBODY IS GETTING IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPIRIT, INCLUDING GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WHO FROM THE SOUPED OF IT IS GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT HERSELF.

[ TRUMPET PLAYING ] >> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK HERE NEXT WEEK AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," SAME TIME, ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.