Eric Rudolph manhunt podcast, Bruce Pearl and politics: Down in Alabama
We have an announcement over on the Down in Alabama podcast today. We’re going to talk about a new 8-episode podcast coming from AL.com called “American Shrapnel.” It’s all about the manhunt for 1996 Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph after he bombed a Birmingham abortion clinic. Columnist John Archibald and producer John Hammontree will join me on the DIA podcast to talk about “American Shrapnel” and some related experiences.
Today’s report follows.
Bruce Pearl’s political buzz
Something we haven’t mentioned here (because it’s been so far into buzz-and-rumor territory) is the speculation around Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl and that U.S. Senate seat that former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville is leaving open.
Pearl’s frequent social-media posting about his support of Israel has grown into voicing support for President Trump and/or conservative issues. In fact, this off-season you’re more likely to see Pearl post about politics than basketball.
Pearl himself hasn’t indicated that he’s interested in the Senate seat. But he hasn’t seized an opportunity to slam the door shut on it, either. He didn’t respond to a request for comment from AL.com. He went on the podcast “One Jewish State,” was asked about it, and said “there is no news to be made” and “I care about these issues but I love Auburn and I love being Auburn’s basketball coach.”
That’s not exactly putting the topic to rest.
AL.com columnist Roy S. Johnson spoke with Auburn basketball legend Charles Barkley about the scuttlebutt. And it’s apparently come up between Pearl and Sir Charles.
Barkley told Johnson: “I respect and trust him. I just told him to do what he wants to do. Obviously, he’s made Auburn basketball relevant, which makes me happy. I said, ‘Hey, man, as much as I love you being the head basketball coach at Auburn, you taking Auburn to two Final Fours, something I never thought would happen, but I do understand.’
“If he wants to run, I’m gonna support him 100%.”
(Remember years ago when Barkley teased everyone by saying he was running for governor?)
It sounds like the Pearl thing is going to be a thing until Pearl is emphatic that it’s not anything. Or files to run.
More Rocket City to love
Huntsville’s city limits now covers parts of four counties, reports AL.com’s Scott Turner.
On Thursday, the city approved the annexation of about 1,014 acres south of the Tennessee River in Morgan and Marshall counties. Of course, Huntsville’s biggest area stretches across Madison and Limestone counties.
According to City Manager of Planning and Zoning Services Thomas Nunez, there’s only one single-family home on the land, and no more homes are planned.
Wiz Kidz LLC and the company that operates Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete LLC petitioned Huntsville to annex the land. It allows the city to regulate Smyrna’s quarry there.
This also means that Huntsville has annexed more than 1,600 acres this year and is now the 37th-largest city geographically in the nation. The Rocket City is roughly the size of Chicago and San Francisco.
About that Amber alert
You may have received an Amber Alert on your phone Thursday afternoon. It was for 3-year-old Jibreel Harun, who was missing out of Auburn, reports AL.com’s Carol Robinson.
He was found to be missing when police found the bodies of the child’s mother, 34-year-old Tyeisha Williams, and 13-year-old Zynniya Wright in their home in Auburn.
Police are looking for Aaron Dontay Williams, who is the husband of Williams and the father of young Jibreel. They said he’s not the father of the teenage girl.
Williams has a criminal history and ties to the Huntsville area. Police said he could be driving a gray 2010 Honda Accord. He’s a 6-foot-1, 240-pound 41-year-old Black male and described by police as armed and dangerous.
Crime Stoppers and the FBI are offering a $15,000 reward. If you have information call 911 or the Auburn Police Department.
Lowered flags
Gov. Kay Ivey authorized flags to be flown at half-staff through the weekend, reports AL.com’s Heather Gann.
The order, which ends at sunrise Monday, is to honor the victims of last week’s flooding in Texas Hill Country. Those victims include 8-year-old Sarah Marsh of Mountain Brook, who was one of 27 killed at Camp Mystic. Among the many who are still missing are Eddie Santana Sr. and his wife, Ileana, of Mobile, and their granddaughter 5-year-old Mila Rosa Santana.
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Born on This Date
In 1897, former Birmingham Commissioner of Public Safety Bull Connor of Selma.
In 1975, former NFL Pro Bowler Willie Anderson of Mobile.
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