Today on the podcast we’re talking about CHOOSE Act.

The rest of the report follows. Wrap yourself up and let’s go.

Thanks for reading,

Ike

Yes, it’s cold outside

It’s not exclusive news when I say it’s cold in Alabama.

But I wanted to mention a few things about the next few days.

We could see icy or snowy precipitation tonight and into tomorrow. But that was the advance forecast at the time of this recording. Stay up to date with your favorite weather source and check al.com/weather for updates.

For safety reasons, many school systems in north and central Alabama have canceled Friday classes.

In Coastal Alabama, Mobile has postponed the annual Mardi Gras tree lighting from tonight to next Thursday evening.

However, the cold weather isn’t just about travel issues. In Jefferson County, officials issued an alert that three people were suspected to have died of hypothermia in recent days. However, their causes of death are not yet official.

And the Alabama National Guard was activated to assist local first responders and the Alabama Emergency Agency. Mobility support teams are deployed in north and central Alabama.

Postal service

It’s not the cold weather that’s stopping the mail from sending today.

AL.com’s Leada Gore reports that the U.S. Postal Service is closed today for the national day of mourning for President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100.

Service is expected to resume on Friday. However, if you are in an area that experiences freezing rain, you may not want to wait at the mailbox. It could wait a bit.

Sewell’s new role

Congresswoman Terri Sewell has taken a leadership role on the House Ways and Means Committee as the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Subcommittee, AL.com’s Howard Koplowitz reports.

It’s a big performance. Ways and Means is where tax laws are written and it is the oldest committee in Congress.

Sewell is also the first Black woman to hold a leadership role at Ways and Means.

In honor of Ted Furr of the Navy

Another Alabama soldier killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor should be buried with full military honors, AL.com’s Kayode Crown reports.

U.S. Navy Chief Carpenter’s Mate Ted Furr went down with the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941. His remains were identified as part of Project Oklahoma’s efforts to recover DNA and identify the sailors. The Navy will then cover the funeral costs. Furr was to be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Furr was born in Selma and grew up in Chickasaw in Mobile County. He was 39 years old when he died.

Through the numbers

13.5%

Perry County’s 2023 GDP increase is the highest in Alabama.

Born on this date

In 1934, Montgomery native Bart Starr became a University of Alabama legend and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback.

The podcast

Reporter Rebecca Griesbach from AL.com’s Education Lab is on the show to tell us what we need to know about the CHOOSE Act and potential changes to school funding.