Supreme Court

UA political science professor discusses Trump’s selection for Supreme Court Justice: WVUA – Sept. 27

The Democratic Party has some issues with this though because they believe the decision should wait until after the president is chosen in November. We spoke to Dr. Allen Linken, a political science professor at The University of Alabama who says Donald Trump has every right to make this nomination right now.

Climate Warming

Climate warming is altering animals’ gut microbes, which are critical to their health and survival: The Conversation – Sept. 28

Sasha Greenspan, University of Alabama: It seems like each day scientists report more dire consequences of climate change on animals and plants worldwide. Birds that are migrating later in the year can’t find enough food. Plants are flowering before their insect pollinators hatch. Prey species have less stamina to escape predators. In short, climatic shifts that affect one organism are likely to trigger ripple effects that can disturb the structure and functioning of entire ecosystems.
Stamford Advocate
Westport News
The Hour
Times Union
Nature Ecology & Evolution
…and many more

Racial Justice Movement

Universities removing historic names amid racial justice movement: Washington Times – Sept. 28

Earlier this month, The University of Alabama Board of Trustees voted unanimously to drop the name of John Tyler Morgan, a former senator and ardent racist, from a campus building. Michigan State University’s president also announced that an office building named for former education leader Stephen Nisbet, who also was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, will be renamed.

Civil War

Amid the monuments war, a rally for ‘more history’: Amed Post – Sept. 29

On Saturday, a group of about 30 mustered under drizzly skies at the edge of the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pa. The site of one of the bloodiest and most important battles of the Civil War, Gettysburg has seen its share of clashes over the memory of the war in recent years. But this group was there to make a stand of a different kind. In Elizabeth City, N.C., a city of about 20,000 in the northeast corner of the state, a group organized by Hilary Green, an associate professor from The University of Alabama, gathered on the waterfront near Albemarle Sound, at a site where African-Americans had held Emancipation Day parades for decades following the war.
DNYUZ

Native American Festival

Moundville Native American Festival going virtual this year: Yahoo! News – Sept. 29

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The University of Alabama announced this week that its 32nd annual Moundville Native American Festival at Moundville Archaeological Park will be held online this year from Oct. 5-10. The virtual festival will take place on the 2020 festival website, according to the university, with some of the video content and livestreams being offered free to the public. There will also be exclusive content only available to ticketholders who purchase admission, which is priced at $10.
Tuscaloosa Patch

Presidential Debate

UA political science professor discusses Presidential debate: WVUA – Sept. 30

We spoke with University of Alabama associate political science professor Dr. Allen linken, on how six in 10 debate watchers said former Vice- President Joe Biden did the best job in Tuesday’s debate, and just 28% say president Donald Trump did.

Political Discourse

Podcast showcases the impact of the South on politics: Crimson White – Sept. 30

Even as the media and times changed, the use of Black bodies to further the narrative of “black criminality,” has persisted. “The face of crime was painted Black and often it was seen as being very young,” said Dr. John Giggie, an associate history professor at The University of Alabama and the director of the Summersell Center for the Study of the South, during his segment with “Reckon Interview.” Throughout this year, the nation has continued to navigate constant turmoil that has highlighted many issues. A certain tinge of political discourse has permeated the air, making it more than apparent that political awareness in the United States is a must.

Party Lines

With voters more polarized, Alabama straight ticket voting expected to increase: WBHM 90.3 (Birmingham) – Oct. 1

… This polarization of voters is part of a nationwide trend, according to University of Alabama political scientist Regina Wagner.  “The tendency of people to not cross party lines when they’re voting has increased across the board,” Wagner said.