Down In Alabama With Ike Morgan

Today we'll have business and economics reporter William Thornton on to talk about the Trump tariffs and what Alabama businesses are saying and thinking and might be facing. Read William's work here. First, we'll lead off with our usual news briefing. We have items on typical home values, a big space-military contract, and a Buffalo Rock deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have reporter Margaret Kates on the show to talk about that recycling sorter in Montgomery that has a contract with some cities to separate recycling from trash before it goes into the landfill. She'll let us know what putting a few GPS trackers in recyclables told us. Read Margaret's reporting on the topic here. We also have items on the FBI headquarters, more Panama City Beach-related arrests, and while we have a minute we'll go ahead and bury the lottery for another year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're going to go over more goings-on at the Capitol, from the gambling measure to a lawmaker's suggestion that her colleagues take their spat back where they came from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a new state employee benefit and the General Fund budget. And the Poarch Creeks closed on a Birmingham property. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a former UAB scientist put on leave by the Trump Administration, some very faint lottery hope, and the most obese cities in the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we'll talk about firearms arrests at Redstone Arsenal, time running out for CHOOSE Act applications, a court ruling on out-of-state abortions and student injuries during Sunday's storms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we have Auburn basketball advancing ... charges in a low-speed tractor chase that resulted in the suspect being shot ... and today's Alabama place-name history that involves the pronunciation of a football stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have an immigration detention, the first state Glock switch arrest, a Trump appointee, Ella Langley's ACM nominations and a whole lot of 3-point shots from the Alabama men's basketball team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is also opening day for the major league baseball season. So I'm going to have on the show Ben Flanagan and Mark Heim, and we're going to pick our favorite all-time baseball movies. Baseball movies are a genre of their own, so there are plenty to pick from. I think we're going to do it draft-style, where we go around the horn picking our favorites from what's left. If you're the type who uses baseball movie quotes during your day, you're one of us, so it should be fun. First, however, we have our news updates. There's a space-related business story from North Alabama, a school that's closing after 120 years, and the state list we've all been waiting for. It's one that doesn't matter until it really matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seeds in the mail, the politics of Lipscomb and a bill targeting those who might want to protest near someone's home. Also, a university study gives rise to the theory that manatees aren't native to our Gulf Coast (or even Florida's). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we'll talk economic development, Greenland and how it's curtains for one Alabama movie theater. Plus, for National Medal of Honor Day we'll highlight one of Alabama's past recipients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a spelling-bee champ, a rabid fox, how Frog Eye got its name and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a chemtrails bill, an IOC president with Alabama ties, and plenty more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have AL.com reporter Ivana Hrynkiw on the show to update us on some prison issues. Her series on Alabama's parole practices last year caught a lot of attention, so we'll get updated on that. Also, we'll talk about a couple of high-profile death-penalty cases -- one that was recently commuted by Gov. Kay Ivey and another -- involving Death Row inmate Toforest Johnson -- that has gotten a lot of attention already. Click here to read all Ivana's work. First, we'll talk about an American command position in NATO, do another legislation roundup, and see who else is now using nitrogen gas to execute Death Row inmates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a surprising economic state ranking, some news from the legislative session, Alabama State's NCAA Tournament opener and ... what is so hard about southern geography? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have the population growth of Alabama counties, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt on National Weather Service cuts and a basketball team feeling snubbed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have an early roundup of the damage from Saturday's severe weather, the death of a former American Idol contestant, Alabama teams in the Big Dance and an Alabamian in the Iditarod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have weather reporter Leigh Morgan join us briefly to give people in the state a heads-up on today's (March 15, 2025) risk of severe weather. The Storm Prediction Center has even put in a rare Level 5 risk for a big. Tornadoes, heavy straight-line winds and large hail are all possibilities today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bad weather's coming on Saturday. Also, the state is taking over Dallas County Schools and somebody stole from a North Alabama offering plate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a 45-year-old murder case, a crime-of-passion sentence, and tariffs targeting Alabama (and other red states). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices