1st high school black history class of its kind taught at Tuscaloosa
Al.com – Aug. 29
A group of Tuscaloosa high schoolers will learn how to unearth their city’s black history during the first African American history class of its kind in Alabama, according to educators. The “History of Us” course at Central High School is an examination of history from when African slaves were brought to America through the administration of President Barack Obama. The course is more than just what students gain inside the classroom, according to John Giggie, a University of Alabama professor who is one of the instructors for the course.
Abbeville alum becomes advocate of UA foster program
Dothan Eagle – Aug. 28
Although initially wary of joining the program, Timothy Skipper, a 2015 graduate of Abbeville High School, has become an ambassador for REACH, the University of Alabama’s resource hub for foster youth, orphans, emancipated minors, wards of the state, and homeless youth. Skipper grew up in a “poverty-stricken, abusive” home with his older sister and three younger brothers. They were later removed from his parents care by the Department of Human Resources into a kinship guardianship living arrangement with his grandmother. The common alternate custodial agreement qualified him to become a Knabe scholar with the United Methodist Children’s Home in Tuscaloosa.
Archaeologist unearths history in Mississippi River Valley
Phys.org – Aug. 29
In the farmlands of the Mississippi River Valley, earth is continuously cleared and leveled—a result of the region’s booming agriculture industry. But beneath the soil lies an important piece of American history, one a Florida State University anthropology professor is working to piece together. “I became involved as a representative of the state of Mississippi to consult with Native American groups, remove disturbed burials, and to work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the University of Mississippi, the University of Alabama and other universities to study the site.”
Law enforcement ‘use of force’ study moves forward
Phys.org – Aug. 28
In 2017, University of Alabama researchers began studying responses and brain activity of law enforcement officers in virtual “shoot/don’t shoot” situations. Their goal was to address incidents of the officers’ use of force by using neural data to help improve police training and officer selection.
Alabama counties to get grant money for targeted traffic enforcement
ABC 33/40 – Aug. 28
Governor ivy announced the funding to be issued to police and sheriff’s departments based on data provided from The University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety. It helps pinpoint areas most prone to crashes, speeding and reckless driving.
Amazing Dorm Room Transformations
CBS (New Orleans) – Aug. 28
So finally, take a look at this fresh and fashionable room at The University of Alabama. It does not even look like a college dorm. That is a huge upgrade. Look at that bed.
Female CEOs More Likely To Face Activists, Dismissal; Defenses Needed
JDSUPRA – Aug. 28
Activist shareholders are significantly likelier to target companies led by female chief executive officers than their male counterparts, and female CEOs face a greater likelihood of dismissal, according to recent studies. Because activists can have influential sway over a business’s corporate governance — and because women are increasingly gaining corporate leader roles and board positions — all business executives, board members and their support staff should be prepared to counter any challenges that appear to rest on negative stereotypes about women. The study on activism, entitled Do women CEOs face greater threat of shareholder activism compared to male CEOs? A role congruity perspective, was conducted by University of Alabama researchers last year and published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
Grant money allocated for targeted traffic enforcement
The Gadsden Times – Aug. 28
Just in time for the Labor Day weekend, the governor’s office announced 18 counties — including Etowah and Cherokee — will get $1.2 million to help improve traffic safety in East-Central Alabama. Gov. Kay Ivey announced the funding, to be allocated by the East Central Alabama Highway Safety Office to law enforcement agencies for additional patrols during statewide safety campaigns like “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” Funds will be allocated to police and sheriff’s departments based on data provided by the University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety which helps pinpoint “hot spots” or areas most prone to crashes, speeding and reckless driving.
Study: Honda had a $12 billion economic impact on Alabama in 2018
Alabama Newscenter – Aug. 28
Honda’s auto plant in Talladega County continues to be an economic engine for Alabama, revving the state’s economy by $12.1 billion in 2018 and creating 45,674 jobs in the state. The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama released the figures Wednesday from a report it commissioned by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama. That report found Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) is responsible for 5.4% of the state’s total economic output.
Debut novelist’s tale of Sri Lankan refugees wins 2019 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction
ABA Journall – Aug. 28
In 2009 and 2010, two ships packed with refugees fleeing the Sri Lankan civil war arrived on the shores of Canada. Those refugees inspired Sharon Bala’s debut novel, The Boat People, which won the 2019 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. . . . The prize, which was authorized by the late Harper Lee, was established in 2011 by the University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird. It is given annually to a book-length work of fiction that best illuminates the role of lawyers in society and their power to effect change.