UA Study Says Alabama immigration law could cost the state billions
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 2
A new study by a University of Alabama economist is making waves for its conclusions. The study comes from the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research. It concludes that the loss of undocumented workers could end up costing the state up to $11 billion over an extended period of time. Center director Sam Addy says the loss of immigrant workers shrinks the economy by immigrants taking their consumer spending with them, things like food, gasoline, rent and so forth.
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Feb. 2
WAFF-NBC (Huntsville) – Feb. 2
WHNT-CBS (Huntsville) – Feb. 2
Kansas prepares for clash of wills over future of unauthorised immigrants
Guardian (UK) – Feb. 3
A coalition of 20 of the most prominent businesses and trade groups in Kansas is seeking to introduce legislation that would help undocumented immigrant workers find jobs with the blessing of the federal government. The bill, which is expected to be lodged with the Kansas state assembly over the next few days, is diametrically opposed to the legal clampdowns against undocumented workers that have swept across many states over the past 18 months. . . . A new analysis by economists at the University of Alabama has put the cost of its crackdown, passed in June, at almost $11bn. The study estimated that up to 80,000 unauthorised immigrant workers had quit the state that had shed up to 140,000 jobs.
Author and Mobile native Frye Gaillard named UA Cason Award winner
AL.com – Feb. 2
Author and former Charlotte Observer Southern editor Frye Gaillard has won the 2012 Clarence Cason Award in Nonfiction Writing, presented by the University of Alabama journalism department. Gaillard will accept the award March 1 at the annual Clarence Cason Award dinner. A Mobile native, Gaillard received a degree from Vanderbilt University before beginning work for various publications, including the Mobile Press-Register, the Associated Press and the Race Relations Reporter in Nashville. He then worked for the Charlotte Observer for 18 years, serving as reporter, opinion writer and Southern editor.
Harvard professor to discuss terror, intergroup violence at UA’s Harold Basowitz lecture
AL.com – Feb. 2
Harvard Professor James Sidanius will speak on terror and intergroup violence as the annual Harold Basowitz Memorial Lecture at 6 p.m. on Feb. 24 in room 208 at Gordon Palmer Hall at the University of Alabama. Sidanius, a professor in the departments of psychology and African and American Studies at Harvard, will deliver the lecture “Under Color of Authority: Terror, Intergroup Violence and the Law: A Social Dominance Perspective,” which is free and open to the public.
Tornado victim wins $10,000 in savings bond contest
Birmingham News – Feb. 3
A Birmingham woman who lost her home in last spring’s tornado outbreak won $10,000 this afternoon for investing some of her 2010 income tax refund in a federal savings bond for her daughter. Myra Jackson,55, learned the news during a surprise presentation at Hygia Health Services, where she works. Surrounded by her co-workers, Jackson sat stunned when she learned of the grand prize. Trembling and in tears, Jackson said the money provides a “new start” for her family. Their apartment home on Cherry Avenue was destroyed in the April 27 tornado outbreak. “We lost everything,” Jackson said. “This is an answer to prayer. I am so shocked.” Jackson won the money in the SaveNow WinLater initiative through theUniversity of Alabama Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility.
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Feb. 2
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 2
Art Night highlighted by Hardin Center, Walnut Gallery exhibits
Gadsden Times – Feb. 2
First Friday’s Art Night this evening features a variety of media and disciplines including sculpture, paintings and printed adhesive vinyl. . . . “Patterns and Forms,” an exhibition of sculpture by Craig Wedderspoon, opened this week in the Kathy Chan Exhibit Hall in the Hardin Center. There will be a reception from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Hardin Center, and Wedderspoon at 5:15 p.m. will give a gallery talk about his work. Admission to the center will be free after 5 p.m. for First Friday. . . . Wedderspoon joined the University of Alabama’s Department of Art and Art History in the fall of 1999 and now serves as associate professor of sculpture. He worked with Nick Saban’s family to supervise the creation of a statue of the Crimson Tide football coach at the university.
Professor using snakes in research of human heart
Associated Press – Feb. 1
University of Alabama biologist Stephen Secor fell in love with snakes in college. He then spent his graduate years chasing coachwhip snakes and venomous sidewinders across the Mojave Desert, learning what and when they ate. And for the past 15 years, Secor has studied the Burmese python — a docile ambush-feeder that may eat only every other month or even just once a year in the wild.
Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah)
UA sorority paints windows of Ronald McDonald House to encourage Alabamians to give
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Feb. 2
The University of Alabama Eta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi painted the windows of the Ronald McDonald House, reminding passers-by to donate today. The sorority is a top supporter of the Ronald McDonald House.