Welcome back, and thanks for having me back after a few days off.Today is Monday, October 16, 2023. Which is National Boss’s Day. When you’re handing yours the Hallmark card, go ahead and ask if you can put down time and a half for working on a holiday. Let me know what he or she says.

Here’s today’s news … and don’t forget to take the Week in Review Quiz below.

Finding a speaker

As U.S. House Republicans try to figure out how to unite well enough to elect a speaker to replace Kevin McCarthy, at least one of Alabama’s delegation has said to expect him to be among those in his party opposing Jim Jordan’s bid.

And it looks like a tough road to 217 for Jordan, just as it was for McCarthy back in May, but this time with different folks opposing.

The Anniston Star reports that Mike Rogers, a Republican from District 3, said at this point there’s nothing Jordan can do to change his mind, and he annoyed some in his party for saying he’s open to working with Democrats for help getting someone else elected.

All six of Alabama’s Republican congressmen voted against removing McCarthy, but Rogers has probably been the most outwardly ticked off, reportedly calling the eight GOP members who turned on McCarthy “traitors.”

Among the rest of the Alabama delegation, Jerry Carl of Alabama 1, Barry Moore of Alabama 2 and Gary Palmer of Alabama 6 have said they’ll vote for Jordan.

Look for the issue to probably be on the floor Tuesday.

Preparing for books challenges

Amid the brouhaha over what kinds of content ought or ought not to be filling the children’s sections of public libraries, Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey wants Alabama’s school districts to have written policies in place in the event that school library books are challenged, reports AL.com’s Williesha Morris.

Mackey said in an Oct. 6 memo: “School libraries are not public libraries and serve a specific targeted audience that includes mostly juvenile users. This nuance of school libraries makes it even more important for educators to ensure that the materials available are age and developmentally appropriate and that parents and guardians understand the mission and role of school libraries and their collections.”

In 2022, there were 24 books challenged locally across the state, and only one of those was removed from a library. Obviously, there is more attention focused on what might be considered inappropriate or sexually explicit literary content. And, of course, the most significant flash point here involves books that may feature or promote sexual or gender identities.

Final score: 94-7

One of the high school football teams hit with eligibility-related forfeits earlier this season apparently took out some frustration on Friday night’s opponent.

Coosa Christian defeated Cedar Bluff 94-7. That’s the most points Coosa Christian has ever scored and the most points Cedar Bluff has ever allowed.

According to The Gadsden Times, Coosa Christian coach Mark O’Bryant said that his team’s running up the score was related to the Cherokee County superintendent of schools trying to “sabotage” the Coosa Christian program. He didn’t offer details, but Superintendent Mike Welsh is also an AHSAA Central Board member.

More Alabama news

Week in Review Quiz

This week we had fun with some of the answers. Like, maybe more than usual. Everyone should do well this week, especially Republicans, Democrats, Montgomerians, kayakers and Arnold the Pig.

Take the quiz here

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