Million Dollar Band

Million Dollar Band posts chilling video of their ‘most treasured tradition’: Yellowhammer News – Aug. 13

The University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band on Monday posted a chilling rendition of the university’s alma mater. In the post, the band calls it, “our most treasured tradition” and explained that the group’s returning members circle their new members while singing.

Outdoor Actions

UA students take part in Outdoor Actions: CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Aug. 13

University of Alabama students don’t start classes until next week, but some already are working hard! Dozens of freshmen participated in the university’s annual clean-up day at Lake Lurleen State Park in Coker. They demolished some boat docks and pavilions and rebuilt new structures.

Federal Assistance

Do work requirements for federal assistance help people escape poverty? No. Here’s what really happens.: Washington Post – Aug. 13

Last month, the Trump administration reopened its effort to allow Kentucky to require low-income citizens to work in exchange for health-care coverage — part of its larger goal of imposing work requirements nationwide for all kinds of benefits, including assistance buying food … (Richard C. Fording is Marilyn Williams Elmore and John Durr Elmore Endowed Professor of Political Science at the University of Alabama.)

Birmingham Police Department

‘He’s still managed to take care of me’: Slain officer’s daughter gets college help from BPD: Al.com – Aug. 14

Caroline Bennett was just 4 years old when her police officer father died in a hail of gunfire at an Ensley drug house. But, even 14 years later, Officer Rob Bennett is still taking care of his baby girl … “I am incredibly indebted to, one, my dad for everything he’s done for me even 14 years after he passed away. He’s still managed to take care of me,” said 18-year-old Caroline, who graduated from Gardendale High School and soon moves to Tuscaloosa to attend The University of Alabama. Caroline will major in psychology with plans to go on to medical school, a dream that will be made possible with help from the police trust fund.
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Aug. 14
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Aug. 14
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Aug. 14
WAAY-ABC (Huntsville) – Aug. 15

UA Observatory

University of Alabama hosts telescopic viewing of planets: Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 15

The University of Alabama Department of Physics and Astronomy department will host a telescopic viewing session at 8 p.m. Wednesday to take advantage of this summer’s close approach of Mars. The public is invited to the free event, which should also provide good views of Venus, Jupiter and Saturn.
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Aug. 15

United Way

United Way sets $4 million goal: Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 15

As the United Way of West Alabama on Tuesday announced a goal of $4 million for its annual fundraising campaign, the man leading the effort recalled the help he received to overcome a hearing impairment as a boy as he encouraged others to give … With the help of The University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band, Plaster, a financial adviser in Tuscaloosa, announced the campaign goal on Tuesday.

Political Impact

11 million share values with the outer right: Vartland (Norway) – Aug. 15

Just over five percent of the United States non-Latin American white population of 198 million share values ​​and attitudes with the outer right, according to a recent survey from The University of Alabama … Three months before the important middle class in the US Congress, the researcher and the expert on right-wing extremism, George Hawley, attempted to reveal how much political impact force the outer right has.

Integrated Schools

How did an Alabama county just open its first integrated school?: Slate – Aug. 15

A public charter school in the rural town of Livingston, Alabama, opened its doors on Monday and made history: It was Sumter County’s first integrated school, AL.com reported. How—almost 65 years after the Brown v. Board Supreme Court case—was that possible? (Explainer thanks Hilary Green, Philo Hutcheson, John Giggie, and Vincent Willis of the University of Alabama and R. Volney Riser of the University of West Alabama.)

Far Right

Why is the far right dominated by men?: The Guardian (U.K.) – Aug. 17

What if male identity, rather than racist ideology, is the most important reason why people join far-right groups? … In fact, a recent study on “the demography of the alt-right” by George Hawley of The University of Alabama, showed that white US women have stronger feelings of “white identity” and “white solidarity” than white American men.
Fire News Feed – Aug. 17

Narcissistic People

How narcissistic people do (and don’t) present themselves: Psychology Today – Aug. 18

Think about the people you know who are high in narcissism. Are they particularly polite? Or do they interrupt, take control of the conversation, and focus only on their own needs when in social situations? Who is the first to take a seat at the table? … New research on self-presentation tactics of people high in a version of narcissism suggests not only that they can be rude, but also why they’re rude. University of Alabama’s William Hart and colleagues examined the relationship between the personality traits associated with the so-called “Dark Triad” traits.