We’re talking CHOOSE Act over on the podcast today.

The rest of the report follows. Bundle up and let’s go.

Thanks for reading,

Ike

Yes, it’s cold outside

It’s not exclusive, breaking news when I say that it’s cold out in Alabama.

But I wanted to mention a few things about the next couple days.

Overnight tonight and into tomorrow we could see icy or snowy precipitation. But that was the advance forecast as of this recording. Keep up with your favorite weather source and check al.com/weather for updates.

Many school systems across north and central Alabama have canceled Friday classes just to be safe.

In Coastal Alabama, Mobile has postponed the annual lighting of the Mardi Gras tree from tonight to next Thursday night.

The cold weather isn’t just about travel concerns, though. In Jefferson County, officials issued a warning that over the past couple days there have been three people who are suspected to have died of hypothermia. Their causes of death aren’t yet official, however.

And the Alabama National Guard has been activated to help local first responders and the Alabama Emergency Agency. Mobility Support Teams are staged in north and central Alabama.

Mail service

It’s not the cold weather that’s keeping the mail from running today.

AL.com’s Leada Gore reports that the U.S. Postal Service is closed today because of the National Day of Mourning for President Jimmy Carter, who passed away Dec. 29 at 100 years old.

Service is expected to resume Friday. If you’re in an area that gets freezing rain, however, you might not want to wait by the mailbox. It could be a bit of a wait.

Sewell’s new role

Congresswoman Terri Sewell has landed a leadership role on the House Ways and Means Committee as the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Subcommittee, reports AL.com’s Howard Koplowitz.

It’s a big gig. Ways and Means is where tax legislation is written, and it’s the oldest Congressional committee.

Sewell is also the first Black woman to serve in leadership on Ways and Means.

Honoring the Navy’s Ted Furr

Another service member from Alabama killed during Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor was scheduled to be buried with full military honors, reports AL.com’s Kayode Crown.

U.S. Navy Chief Carpenter’s Mate Ted Furr went down with the USS Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941. His remains were identified as part of the Project Oklahoma effort to recover DNA and identify the sailors. The Navy is then covering burial expenses. Furr was to be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Furr was born in Selma and grew up in Chickasaw in Mobile County. He was 39 years old when he died.

By the Numbers

13.5%

Perry County’s 2023 increase in GDP — the highest in Alabama.

Born on This Date

In 1934, University of Alabama legend and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr of Montgomery.

The podcast

Reporter Rebecca Griesbach of AL.com’s Education Lab is on the show to tell us what we need to know about the CHOOSE Act and possible changes to school funding.