Today we have a couple items that involve possible state intervention into what are usually local affairs. One is welcome; the other may not be.

State Intervention I: Police leadership

Could the state’s guidance help local law enforcement agencies that are having a hard time hiring and keeping officers?

Some state lawmakers think so, reports AL.com’s Mike Cason.

Two Republicans have pre-filed a bill in both the Senate and House of Representatives that would allow the Alabama governor or attorney general to appoint an interim police chief for a city.

The bill has a requirement that a police force be 30% or more below its 10-year average. Theoretically, at that point the state could appoint an interim who wouldn’t be constrained by politics.

State Sen. Will Barfoot said he doesn’t know enough about local circumstances to say an appointment needs to be made in places such as Montgomery or Birmingham but that he’d like to give the state that tool if needed.

State Rep. Reed Ingram believes putting inspirational leaders in place could very well benefit those cities.

“I think that the mayor of Birmingham is a good person. I think the mayor of Montgomery is a good person. But a lot of times, a good person doesn’t mean that they’re going to be set to lead in a lot of areas, in every area.”

The Alabama League of Municipalities and at least one governor have already said the bill would undermine local authority.

The 2025 legislative session begins in February.

State Intervention II: School district

Bessemer City School Board members voted to allow the state to take it over this school year, reports AL.com’s Rebecca Griesbach.

After the district’s latest audit, State Superintendent Eric Mackey sent a letter to board members warning them about the system’s financial and governance problems. Last week the school board met with state officials, and Mackey recommended the state intervene.

That was last week. Yesterday, the Bessemer school board unanimously embraced that recommendation.

Board President Lee Jones said they wanted to send the message that they want to become more effective, and board members are describing the intervention as a partnership.

The state school board still needs to approve the plan before it goes into effect.

Kamala Harris and Alabama Dems

According to Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Alabama’s Democratic National Convention delegates have voted unanimously in favor of the endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president, reports AL.com’s Mike Cason.

Sewell is also the chair of that delegation.

And, according to the Associated Press, Harris already has support from enough delegates to win her the nomination.

Although I wouldn’t bet my truck on anything going according to plan in this election.

In addition to the delegates, the Alabama Democratic Party is also backing Harris, according to state party chair Randy Kelley.

By the Numbers

13

That’s the number of players with Alabama roots who are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1928, musician Bill Lee of Snow Hill. He was a jazz bassist and composed film scores such as the one for Do The Right Thing.

In 1943, nuclear-freeze advocate Dr. Randall Caroline Forsberg of Huntsville

In 1982, former University of Alabama and NBA player Gerald Wallace of Childersburg.

On the Podcast

Ben Flanagan is today’s guest. He’s the host of “Beat Everyone,” a new podcast about Crimson Tide football.

You can find “Down in Alabama” wherever you get your podcasts, including these places: