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Grocery store losses? It’s obvious how a suspension of SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown will significantly tighten up some personal budgets across Alabama, where around 750,000 citizens use the program. That’s more than 1 in 7 Alabamians. The loss is deep enough that Alabama grocers are worried about their bottom lines as well, reports AL.com’s Savannah Tryens-Fernandes. The Alabama Grocers Association released a statement that said SNAP supports 7,800 jobs and $350 million in wages in the state. SNAP, which used to be known as Food Stamps, will be suspended in November, according to state and federal officials. For some Alabama grocery stores, there’s not a whole lot of wiggle room. Jimmy Wright of Wright’s Market in Opelika said around 35% of his customers use SNAP. And since he can’t cut his fixed costs, he indicated might be looking at payroll to make up for some of the losses. A cool $38 million Alabama State University has announced a $38 million monetary gift from philanthropist McKenzie Scott, reports AL.com’s Jonece Starr Dunigan. Scott is a writer, but her big money came from Amazon, where she worked alongside founder and husband Jeff Bezos. She reportedly came away from their 2019 divorce with $36 billion worth of Amazon stock. Since then she’s been giving huge cash gifts to various causes. According to The Associated Press, from 2019 through the end of last year, Scott gave away $19.2 billion. Scott’s gifts to universities, often HBCUs, reportedly have been unconditional. Alabama State officials did not immediately disclose how they would use the money. High-dollar mural paintings Another HBCU -- one that’s been fighting through financial difficulties -- is selling four of its murals to raise money, reports AL.com’s Williesha Morris. The New York Times has reported that the four murals Talladega College sold are worth around $20 million, but the school hasn’t provided details. A mural depicting the Underground Railroad by Hale A. Woodruff was acquired by the Toledo Museum of Art. A series of three murals by Woodruff depicting a mutiny aboard the Amistad went to a pair of art foundations. The Times reported that the murals will visit the Talladega College campus every six to eight years. We’ve previously reported here the cutting of non-revenue sports such as gymnastics and golf. Legal success Fired Central Alabama Water Board attorney Mark Parnell is back on the job -- with a three-year consulting contract worth $2.4 million, reports AL.com’s Joseph D. Bryant. Previously the old Birmingham Water Works Board hired Parnell, making him deputy general manager and general counsel and paying him $660,000 a year plus benefits. Then the board changed, and the new Central Alabama Water Board fired Parnell four months ago. He sued, and threatened legal action for alleged slander. His new deal ends the lawsuit. Suit dismissed A judge has dismissed former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore’s defamation lawsuit against a woman who accused him of sexual assault about 40 years ago, reports AL.com’s Mike Cason. Beverly Nelson’s story emerged during the final weeks of the 2017 special election for the U.S. Senate seat that had been vacated by Jeff Sessions. It was among several accusations of varying degrees of inappropriate behavior allegedly committed by Moore in the 1970s involving teenage girls. Nelson was represented by activist and women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred. Moore has filed defamation suits since losing that election to Democrat Doug Jones. Walker County Circuit Judge Gregory M. Williams on Wednesday tossed out the one against Nelson, writing that Moore’s own motion to dismiss Nelson’s request did not counter her claims with facts: “It does not contain one single statement of fact that Moore did not commit a sexual transgression against Nelson.” Picture That Quoting “There are a lot of good people in Alabama that need Medicaid, that need SNAP benefits, and a lot of them are people that voted for Donald Trump.” Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, responding to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s recent comments about Democrat voters in inner cities needing SNAP to survive. Related: Some Alabama counties among highest SNAP users in nation By the Numbers 41 That’s how many lawsuits have been filed since President Trump took office by the Colorado attorney general to try to block U.S. Space Command’s move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal. More Alabama News Judge’s order blocking removal of Alabama father came after deportation, DHS says Donald Watkins Jr. withdraws from consideration for Montgomery job despite mayor’s support Historic Huntsville football field becoming modern $10 million park for flag football, pickleball Born on This Date In 1917, major league player and manager Bobby Bragan of Birmingham. The podcast
