Because of the holiday week, we may be shorter and more to-the-point than usual, but we will continue to publish every weekday, like always.

Thanks for reading,

Ike

Education progress

Alabama’s schools earned their highest cumulative score yet on the most recent school report cards, reports AL.com’s Rebecca Griesbach.

The report cards have been issued since 2018. They take into account test scores, academic growth, college and career readiness, absenteeism and more to measure schools’ performances.

The overall score of 85, or a “B,” for the 2023-24 academic year was two points higher than the previous year and best yet for the state. Last year, 35 districts earned an “A” grades, up from 28 the year before.

A district of particular note is Sumter County Schools, which has been troubled in some management and academic aspects. The system scored a 76 on its latest report card, up a whopping 12 points year-over-year. State Superintendent Eric Mackey notes that the state’s intervention is still likely to last years.

Incidentally, the most improved school in the state was Birmingham charter school Legacy Prep, which improved 24 points to score a 76.

Mind your ticker

Ever notice how good news always seems to be followed by a “but”? Well, here it is:

The latest CDC data show that Alabama has the third-highest rate of heart-disease-related deaths in the nation, reports AL.com’s Heather Gann.

Alabama trails only Oklahoma and, of course, Mississippi.

During 2022, 234 out of every 100,000 Alabamians died of issues related to heart disease. You’re heard the risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, bad diets, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption.

Who’s buying BSC?

Miles College’s deal to buy the Birmingham-Southern College campus appears to be scrapped, reports AL.com’s Williesha Morris.

According to BSC, it rejected Miles’ request for a second closing-date extension.

From a BSC news release: “… to meet its commitments to lenders and other creditors, the BSC Board of Trustees is obligated to sell the 192-acre campus property as quickly as possible.”

Miles College’s president’s office didn’t make any comment, and if BSC has a line on what might be next regarding the sale, it wasn’t sharing.

But if you have an extra $65 million and a burning desire to found an institute of higher learning or something else that fits on a couple hundred acres of college campus, act now.

GOP promotion

Shannon Witt will be the next executive director of the Alabama Republican Party, reports AL.com’s Heather Gann.

Reed Phillips has been in the position since 2020 and with ALGOP for close to a decade. The party said he’s leaving to pursue another opportunity. Witt has been working as ALGOP’s director of finance and special events.

More Alabama news

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