Mobile hearing center will fill gaps in rural West Alabama health care
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 4
Through an attached video otoscope, a device used to help determine the health of the external ear, a computer screen showed Katerina Puzinauskas’ ear canal and eardrum. Puzinauskas, a graduate student of the University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences department of communicative disorders, was part of a Tuesday demonstration showing how equipment on the department’s new mobile hearing center can help diagnose hearing problems. While her ears appeared to be healthy, many Alabama residents may have an undiagnosed hearing loss with no resources to address the problem. The department is working to address hearing problems among West Alabama adults with its new Hear Here Alabama project. The project involves a mobile hearing center — a wheelchair-accessible, motor coach-like vehicle — equipped with devices used to detect hearing loss and treat problems free of charge. “What we want to do is to be able to improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss in West Alabama,” said Marcia Hay-McCutcheon, associate professor of communicative disorders and project leader.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) (5 p.m.) – Aug. 4
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) (6 p.m.) – Aug. 4
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Aug. 4
More than 2,400 women expected to participate in University of Alabama sorority rush
Al.com – Aug. 5
More than 2,400 University of Alabama students have pre-registered to participate in the school’s Panhellenic sorority rush, and school officials say the number will likely grow leading up to Friday night’s kick-off convocation. While rushees — or Potential New Members (PNMs), as they’re known within the Greek system — can also register for recruitment on-site Friday, a University spokesperson confirmed there were 2,442 women registered as of Tuesday, Aug. 4. This will likely be UA’s largest rush class to date as the school continues to grow its Greek system, the largest in the nation. Nearly 10,000 students participate in 59 Greek organizations in four different systems.
UA introduces new wireless network
Crimson White – Aug. 5
University of Alabama students, faculty and staff can now access Wi-Fi on campus, and on 250 other U.S. campuses as well as hundreds more abroad, through eduroam, according to the UA Office of Information Technology website. Eduroam is a roaming access service that allows the use of UA credentials to access any eduroam hotspot. To use eduroam, students should connect to the “eduroam” wireless network on their computer or mobile device and enter their myBama email and password. When using eduroam on other campuses, the UA IT Service Desk must be contacted to troubleshoot any issues if you are using UA credentials. Students can contact the IT Service Desk at itsd@ua.edu or (205) 348-5555.
Alabama fight against gay marriage has few options, professor says
Al.com – Aug. 4
Options for Alabama to get around the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 26 ruling legalizing gay marriage are “precious little” and all of them involve the political process – not the courts, one University of Alabama law professor says. What state or federal courts can’t do is to ignore a binding precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court, said University of Alabama Law Professor Ron Krotoszynski, Jr. “That’s not an option. That’s not on the table,” he said. Changing the decision is possible, though difficult, through the legislative process which could include a push for a constitutional amendment, Krotoszynski said. “It is perfectly okay for people to use the political process to initiate a change,” Krotoszynski said. “The constitution is not unamendable. But at this point it’s a political battle, not a legal one.”
Alabama readies for GOP debate with watch parties, thoughts about state’s role in primary
Al.com – Aug. 4
It might be early, but Dr. Gaylon McCollough recognizes the interest in the party he’s hosting Thursday. It’s akin, he said, to having an Iron Bowl watch party between the state’s two biggest sports draws: Alabama and Auburn football. “It will be better than watching it at home,” McCollough said. More than 100 people are expected to show up for the 8 p.m. Republican Party debate watch party at Wolf Bay Lodge in Foley. Following the debate, which will be broadcast on the Fox News Channel, the big-screen TV will be shut off and a “town hall” meeting will commence. … Much of the focus on Thursday’s debate will be on how the intractable Trump performs for the first time when confronted by his GOP opponents. Trump, according to early polls, has a 10 percent lead over the rest of the GOP field with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in second place and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in third. “The Republican establishments very much want this debate to demonstrate that Donald Trump is not a serious candidate,” George Hawley, an assistant political science professor at the University of Alabama, said. “If he is able to withstand all the flak he will likely receive from his opponents, it’s a good bet that he will be a major player in this race for months to come.”
On the Scene: Reception for UA President Bell (gallery)
Tuscaloosa News – July 28
Donny Jones, Carl Pinkert and Roger Sayers attend the formal reception for University of Alabama President Stuart Bell hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, Stillman College, and Shelton State Community College held at Embassy Suites in downtown Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Tuesday July 28, 2015.
Small crowns give local girls big platform
Trussville Tribune – Aug. 5
Two area girls are moving onward to represent Trussville in the Miss Alabama and Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen Pageant. Both the Miss Trussville Pageant and Miss Trussville’s Outstanding Teen Pageant was held on July 26 at Hewitt-Trussville High School. Cassidy Jacks took the Miss Trussville crown while Sabrina Faire White walked away with the teen crown … Jacks will now prepare to compete in next June’s Miss Alabama Pageant. … Jacks, a 2012 graduate of Springville High School and upcoming senior at the University of Alabama, will take the platform for Feeding America.