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Military promotions

Alabama U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville continues to take fire over his blocking military promotions, reports AL.com’s William Thornton.

Last week ended with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley telling the Washington Post that the blockade is hurting military readiness.

You remember that Tuberville put the hold in place in February in reaction to a new Pentagon policy to provide paid leave and travel in order to receive abortions out-of-state.

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, was quoted by Newsmax saying that he believes the Republicans will persuade Tuberville to end the standoff. Newsmax shared that news with a link on the social-media site formerly known as Twitter. Tuberville reshared it and added a single two-word comment:

“Good Luck.”

Dune rats

Developers and some lawmakers, notably Congressman Jerry Carl, a Mobile Republican, would like to see the Alabama beach mouse taken off the endangered species list, reports AL.com’s John Sharp.

The issue is that the special permitting required to develop along the Baldwin County Gulf Coast has time and monetary costs. But that potential development is a big reason for the endangered status in the first place.

In a 2019 federal review of the beach mouse, it was determined that its habitat range had gone from 8,000-9,000 acres to fewer than 2,500. The report blamed not only development but also strong hurricanes over the past couple decades and concern over future sea-level rise.

Carl said he believes the endangered status is used to slow down construction.

Quote, “It’s a rat. You cannot eradicate rats.”

Exhale on Chandler Mountain

Alabama Power last week withdrew its application for a project that would’ve placed reservoirs and dams on Chandler Mountain in St. Clair and Etowah Counties, and some local residents are celebrating that outcome, reports AL.com’s Dennis Pillion.

Opposition organizer Fran Summerlin lives on a farm next to a proposed dam site. She said that after Thursday’s announcement she just sat on her dock and appreciated that, at least for now, nobody’s going to take it away from her.

Kim Lankford’s 400-acre cattle farm has been in her family for five generations. “I know my daddy and my pawpaw are smiling from heaven,” she said.

Summerlin said some area residents would like to see the area formally turned into a nature preserve.

New Opry member

Former Mountain Brook resident Sara Evans is becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Last week at a show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Opry star “Whispering Bill Anderson” invited Evans to join.

She said no. (She was being sarcastic, of course. “There’s no way I would say no,” she said.)

Warm it up

Tropical weather systems are lining up in the Atlantic, but none of the storms are an imminent threat to the northern Gulf Coast. Of more pressing concern is the heat wave we’re going to be in this week. We’re liable to see triple-digit temps, so hydrate and don’t overdo it during the hot part of the day. Check al.com/weather for updates on that and tropical weather.

The fall will be here before we know it.

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