If you can read this through the Canadian wildfire smoke, we hope you enjoy.

Redistricting, demographics, party politics

A proposed Congressional district map of Alabama is a step closer to approval after making it through a panel on Monday, reports AL.com’s Mike Cason.

The Legislature is under a federal court order to approve a new map by Friday that will satisfy a U.S. Supreme Court decision that two of Alabama’s seven Congressional districts should be majority-Black or near-majority-Black. The High Court said Alabama is currently likely in violation of the Voting Rights Act with only one district offering big opportunity for Black Alabamians as a voting bloc.

The Republicans’ proposed plan would maintain District 7 as a majority-Black district but reduce that majority from around 57 percent down to under 52 percent. Then it takes District 2 from around 32-percent Black up to 42.45-percent Black.

Is that close enough to “majority Black” to satisfy the Supreme Court?

Democrats aren’t crazy over it, and the panel had to pass the proposal along party lines, 14-6.

It may not all be about that 42-percent number, however. Note that among Democratic redistricting proposals were a couple that made District 6 the second most Black district at only 40 percent.

State Sen. Rodger Smitherman, a Birmingham Democrat, said that while that plan wouldn’t make a second district much closer to majority-black, election history indicates it would make District 6 likely to turn Democratic.

Firefighter shooting

Birmingham firefighter Jordan Melton passed away Monday evening, five days after he was shot at a fire station, reports AL.com’s Carol Robinson.

Fellow firefighter Jamal Jones was injured during the same shooting, but the report on him is that he’s recovering. Last Wednesday the two had just arrived to begin their shift when, according to Birmingham Police, a shooter entered a fire station through an open bay door.

Jordan Melton, who had been a firefighter for only a few weeks, was 28 years old.

Cough, cough

A band of air from Huntsville to Birmingham is giving us poor air-quality readings with particulate matter that is coming partly from wildfires in Canada, reports AL.com’s Greg Garrison.

Winds are going to be pushing the hazy air toward the east as the week goes on, but for now people with breathing issues need to practice caution.

It’s the same drill as a few weeks ago: You might want to limit your outdoors time and avoid strenuous outdoor activities, if you’re the type whose activities ever run the risk of venturing into “strenuous” territory.

Quoting

“I think the FBI should be somewhat close to DOJ — if they’re all honest people.”

“I’d move anything to Alabama, because I love Alabama. If Alabama wants it, I’m all for it. No, I love Alabama. But I think there’s something to be said of the FBI and the Department of Justice … they work together.”

— Former president Donald Trump, on Fox News appearing to be lukewarm on the desire by some Republican lawmakers — including U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville — to relocate FBI headquarters to Alabama.

More Alabama news

Born on this date

In 1941, Martha Reeves of Eufala, singer with Martha & the Vandellas.

On the calendar

Friday-Sunday: Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, Friday-Sunday. It’s the 90th edition of the event.

Monday’s quiz results

What political event is reported to be in the works for Alabama during the 2024 campaign season?

• A Republican primary debate – 77% (correct)
• A Democratic primary debate – 7%
• The Democratic National Convention – 9%
• A reenactment of the Lincoln-Douglas debates starring Roy Moore and Doug Jones – 6%

What TV host from Alabama did Tommy Tuberville recently give an interview that generated controversy?

• Kaitlan Collins – 64% (correct)
• Rece Davis – 9%
• Bret Baier – 24%
• Steve Harvey – 3%

Which college football team was favored to win the SEC this coming season, according to a poll of the league’s sports information directors?

• Georgia – 75% (correct)
• Alabama – 17%
• Auburn – 2%
• LSU – 5%

What animal has been causing concern with some Huntsville residents?

• Alligator – 74% (correct)
• Coyote – 10%
• Mosquito 4%
• Black panther 13%

What do purple stripes on trees or posts on land in Alabama indicate?

• No trespassing – 56% (correct)
• Forestry cut zone – 22%
• Alabama Forever area – 21%
• Warning: black panthers nearby – 1%

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