A three-judge federal court has picked the map Alabama will use for its congressional elections next year. It will add a second district where Black residents make up close to half of the voting age population. The judges picked Remedial Plan 3, one of the three maps drawn by a special master appointed by the court to fix what the court found was a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act. AL.com notes the main changes are in the southern half of the state, where District 2 becomes the second district where Black voters will have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. The new map makes no changes to Districts 3, 4, and 5 and minimal changes to Districts 6 and 7.
Madison city council member Teddy Powell announced his candidacy Wednesday for the vacant District 10 seat in the state House of Representatives. Former state Rep. David Cole resigned in August after entering a guilty plea for voting at an unauthorized location. AL.com reports Powell is the first known Republican to announce his candidacy for the seat. Democrat Marilyn Lands has also entered the race. Libertarian Elijah Boyd, who called on the investigation into Cole’s residency, announced his run for the seat on Sept. 27.
A national advocacy group for seniors ranked Alabama 50th out of 51 in a report released last week ranking the quality of nursing home and home-based care for older people and those with disabilities. The AARP creates a state scorecard for long term care once every three years. This is the first released since the start of the pandemic. The report measured performance in five areas: access and affordability, consumer choice, safety and quality, support for family caregivers and community integration. Alabama slipped from 48th place in the previous score card. AL.com reports only West Virginia scored worse that Alabama.
The Tennessee Valley Authority has announced a new incentive and rebate program to help people and businesses save money on their power bills. The TVA says anyone who wants to make energy efficiency upgrades can take advantage of the incentives. It said combining upgrades covered in the rebates can possibly save households up to 50% a year on their energy bills. WHNT TV reports that to qualify, consumers must use a member of TVA’s contractor network when they have eligible upgrades installed. You can find more information on the program at www.energyright.com/residential/rebates.
The northbound lanes of Monroe St. between Clinton and Williams avenues will close at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9 until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 for utility improvements. The stretch of road is located between the VBC and Big Spring Park. The Clinton/Monroe intersection will also close from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 through 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11. Detours will be in place.