Manufacture Alabama announced the promotions of Robin Ricks to Vice President of Policy and Advocacy and Amanda Salazar to Vice President of Communications and Membership.
Ricks, who has been serving as the Director of Special Programs and Workforce Development, first joined Manufacture Alabama in April 2019 and has managed the association’s policy and committee work. Prior to her time at Manufacture Alabama, she served in talent acquisition and human resources roles in the manufacturing sector. Ricks has a passion for supporting the people who make up the manufacturing workforce and has focused on Alabama’s workforce development ecosystem and it’s impacts on manufacturing operations. In her new position, she will continue shaping and advancing Manufacture Alabama’s policy initiatives, fostering collaboration, advocating for the interests of the manufacturing sector, and driving positive change within the industry. In addition, Ricks will continue to serve as the Executive Director of Girls Learning About Manufacturing, Inc.
Salazar has held the position of Director of Member Engagement since December 2019. Since coming on board, the association has seen the results of an expanded membership and record-setting attendance at hosted events of which both fall under her purview. Salazar has implemented her strategic communication skills and commitment to cultivating meaningful connections within the membership base resulting in a stronger association. As the newly appointed Vice President of Communications and Membership, she will continue to lead initiatives that enhance the association’s internal and external communications, drive membership recruitment and increase overall engagement with members. Salazar earned her B.A. from Auburn University where she studied Public Relations.
“Robin and Amanda both play critical roles in the success of manufacturing in our great state,” said Jon Barganier, Manufacture Alabama President and CEO. “I am confident that their contributions will support our ongoing efforts and commitment to making Alabama a place where manufacturing continues to thrive. Their promotions are a testament to the culture of excellence fostered within our association.”
Jackson County authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that they say happened Tuesday night.
Sheriff Rocky Harnen confirmed the incident occurred on County Road 21.
He did not release any details regarding the victim or the circumstances.
The sheriff’s office is expected to release more information later.
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Saving moms
The folks at the Alabama Department of Health are looking for more insight into maternal mortality in the state, and they’re hoping that’s what they’ll get by taking an autopsy program statewide, reports AL.com’s Amy Yurkanin.
The program provides cost-free autopsies on women who died during pregnancy or within a year after giving birth. It’s been in place since December in Baldwin, Jefferson, Madison, Marshall, Mobile, Montgomery, Shelby and Walker counties.
Alabama has one of the nation’s highest maternal mortality rates. AL.com’s Anna Claire Vollers did reporting back in 2019 that showed there were issues with the state’s tracking of expectant or new mothers who had died. The state then put a half million dollars into investigating the high mortality rate.
Also, a maternal mortality review committee found that 15 of the 24 pregnancy-related deaths in Alabama in 2018 and 2019 were preventable. Infections, heart problems and hemorrhage accounted for the highest number of deaths.
However, the ADPH says that autopsies are performed on only about half the pregnant and new-mom deaths. Enter this free-autopsy program, which is now being rolled out statewide over the coming months. Complete autopsies will be done at UAB and the University of South Alabama.
An Alabama Voice
Alabamians are having a big week on reality television.
Yesterday we had the story of a 12-year-old who won Gordon Ramsey’s MasterChef Junior competition.
Then, last night, Asher HaVon became the first Alabama native to win a season on NBC’s The Voice, reports AL.com’s Mary Colurso.
His win in the finals wasn’t a shock. The soul singer, who’s originally from Selma, has been a frontrunner this season and was strongly championed by his team coach, Reba McEntire.
A recording contract comes along with the title.
Flying violations
You can’t say that the Hangout Festival environment isn’t keeping up with the latest trends in illegal activity.
Firing one up in the Port-a-Potty is archaic. AL.com’s Warren Kulo reports that a man was arrested at this year’s event after his drone buzzed a police drone, Gulf Shores Det. Carl Wittstruck said, “like in Top Gun.”
Police say the man launched on the first two days of Hangout. They figured out where it came from after the first day, so they were ready for it on the second day.
There are federal laws regulating drones, but local rules can be spotty. Gulf Shores prohibits them from being flown over public beaches without a permit from the city and the Federal Aviation Administration. If you break that one, you could face up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.
Katie Britt to talk child care, and you’re invited
If you’ve tried to put a kid in day care lately, you know how tough it can be to find a spot, then be able to afford it. It’s barely even a joke anymore when people say you really need to put a child on a waiting list before he or she is born.
Policy wrangling on the issue is something that you might see play out over the coming months. So I wanted to let y’all know about a virtual event co-hosted by AL.com’s Alabama Education Lab that’ll feature U.S. Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Patty Murray of Washington. Our Trisha Powell Crain will be one of the moderators, and it’ll be at 2:30 p.m. Alabama time today. You can see it on AL.com’s Facebook page or YouTube Channel.
If you follow this Facebook event, you’ll get an alert when they go live.
Quoting
“The practice of filing lawsuits and requests for stay of execution at the last minute where the facts were known well in advance is ineffective, unworkable, and must stop.”
Chief U.S. District Judge Emily Marks of Montgomery, in a decision rejecting a request to stay Jamie Ray Mills’ scheduled May 30 execution.
By the Numbers
That’s how many days in jail you can get just for being a spectator for illegal exhibition driving or street racing in Birmingham, according to a new ordinance.
More Alabama News
Born on This Date
In 1914, the late jazz pianist Sun Ra of Birmingham.
In 1959, humorist, author and speaker Andy Andrews of Birmingham and Dothan.
The podcast
Veteran food reporter Bob Carlton is on the show to talk about food in Alabama.
You can find “Down in Alabama” wherever you get your podcasts, including these places:
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – It’s now up to the selection committee.
Alabama baseball dropped its opening game of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, 10-5, to South Carolina on Tuesday afternoon at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
Alabama was first to score on Tuesday, plating three runs over the first two innings with one in the first and two in the second. South Carolina then responded and never looked back, posting a six-run third to gain the advantage for good. The Tide cut the lead to one with a two-run fourth but would get no closer as SC plated single runs in the fifth and eighth to go with a two-run sixth for the 10-5 final.
“We are not thrilled with the result, but South Carolina played well, you have to tip your cap to them,” Alabama Head Coach Rob Vaughn said after the game. “Now we kind of sit and wait. We’ll go back and practice, continue to prepare, and hopefully we get a chance to keep playing baseball next week.”
Alabama entered the SEC Tournament with an RPI of 18, a strength of schedule of 5, and 13 wins against ranked Top 25 teams.
South Carolina reliever Chris Veach (4-1) earned the win, throwing the final 5.2 scoreless innings with three hits and six strikeouts. The loss went to Alabama reliever Aidan Moza (3-3).
With the loss, the Crimson Tide moves to 33-22 overall on the year.
The NCAA Baseball tournament Selection show is Monday.
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