Rants and Raves
Montgomery Advertiser – Jan. 26
RAVE: For research at the University of Alabama that could help lead to more effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease…While we don’t pretend to understand the genetic science involved, this does appear to be a good example of the kind of research the state’s universities are doing that benefit mankind…RAVE: For a scholarship program at the University of Alabama that rewards students who are the first members of their families to attend college. The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars program provides scholarships to 12 such students each year…
Can we withstand the blow? Those in the know say yes.
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 28
…A recent report by the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research projects modest growth of 2.2 percent and the addition of 21,000 jobs in 2008. Barry Mason, dean of UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business administration, said the news should leave residents moderately optimistic. “It’s not the kind of gloom and doom that other parts of the nation see,” Mason said…Meanwhile, consumer spending continued to grow, said Samuel Addy, professor of finance and director of Center for Business and Economic Research. “Spending is generally about two-thirds or around 60 percent of the GDP,” Addy said. “In recent quarters it’s been about 70 percent GDP. That means we’ve actually been overspending.”…
UA to observe asteroid fly-by
Birmingham News – Jan. 27
As asteroid 2007 TU24 sails closely by Earth, astronomers and students at the University of Alabama will try to see this recently discovered visitor…This is several times (the size of) the rock that made the Arizona crater,” UA astronomy Professor Bill Keel said. “If it came whizzing in, hit land, it would leave a crater probably about five miles across, which is a substantially bigger blast than any nuclear test has ever done.” Keel said his department would try to see the asteroid tonight and Monday night…
MY TURN: Tax rebate loans prey on the poor
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 27
…SaveFirst, an initiative of Impact Alabama, trains college, graduate, and law students to provide free tax preparation services and opportunities for savings and economic improvement to low-income, working families…More than 50 students from the University of Alabama are working at sites in Tuscaloosa…Attorney Stephen Foster Black is director of the UA Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility…
Montgomery Advertiser – Jan. 27
Interest rate swing gives big surge to local lenders
Montgomery Advertiser – Jan. 27
…The lower lending rates bode well for home sellers as well as homebuyers, according to a real estate analyst at the University of Alabama. Grayson Glaze of the Center for Business and Economic Research thinks the housing market has bottomed out at last. “This is a good time for Alabama consumers when hearing the ‘r-word’ to think ‘re-evaluate’ instead of ‘recession,'” Glaze said…
Presidential race captures youth interest
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 27
…David Lanoue, chairman of the University of Alabama political science department, said a 50-year-old is still twice as likely to vote as a young person. “It’s not that young people don’t care, or are apathetic any more than anyone else is, but young people are new to the system and there is a steeper learning curve,” he said. “Consequently, voting is a more difficult act for them. There is more of an information gap they need to fill.”
Economy, war top issues in campaign
Montgomery Advertiser – Jan. 28
…Don Snow, a professor emeri¬tus at the University of Alabama, said in most areas military issues don’t play much of a role in peacetime, except with those who are in the military. But military issues become important in elections when there is an issue that affects the general pub¬lic. War, he said, is such an issue…
Anniversary of Paul “Bear” Bryant’s Death Remembered
Fox 6 (Birmingham) — Jan. 25
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the death of legendary football coach Paul Bryant…
WZTV (Nashville) — Jan. 25
Roth Plays at UA
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) — Jan. 25
…it was all part of the 2008 University of Alabama Church Music Conference…
UA SGA Wants Tax Break on Text Books
Fox 6 (Birmingham) — Jan. 25
The University of Alabama Student Government Association wants to help students save money on college textbooks…
UA Economist Says Tax Break Won’t Help Economy
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) — Jan. 25
…University of Alabama professor Jim Cover says the risk is whether taxpayers will save or spend the money…
UA Hosts Special Olympics Swim Meet
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) — Jan. 25
The University of Alabama was host to a special swim meet this morning, the Special Olympics Swim Meet happened today at the University Aquatic Center…