University of Alabama collection has Abraham Lincoln letters ‘rich’ in history
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 13
The enthusiasm is clear in Daniel Stowell’s voice as he discusses two letters linked to President Abraham Lincoln in the A.S. Williams III Americana Collection at the University of Alabama. Stowell is director and editor of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, a project administered through the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill., that seeks to identify, image, transcribe, annotate and publish all documents written by or to the 16th president during his lifetime. The correspondence, previously unknown to the project, comes from the middle years of the Civil War. “What’s exciting about these letters is the content. These are big issues. These are really rich documents for a lot of reasons,” Stowell said. An 1862 letter signed by the president concerns a proposal by an arms merchant to use British-made rifled muskets captured on Confederate blockade runners to arm troops from Illinois. An 1863 letter is part of correspondence between Lincoln and a former secretary of war about a series of treason cases against Baltimore officials and the men’s counterclaims against the secretary alleging false imprisonment. … A friend who assisted Williams in gathering his collection of more than 30,000 artifacts wrote a book about the collection, Williams collection curator Nancy Dupree said. The Lincoln Papers sent a researcher to review the documents after discovering it did not have copies in its database. … Williams, a Birmingham businessman and UA alumnus, donated the collection to the university in 2010.
NBC 17 (Decatur, Ill.) – Aug. 13
91.9 FM (Springfield, Ill.) – Aug. 13
FSU’s Jameis Winston says blazing spotlight ‘fueled his fury’
Charlotte Observer – Aug. 12
Life was much simpler for Jameis Winston last August. Almost exactly a year ago, the prodigious quarterback was the main attraction at Florida State’s media day. … After a year of unfathomable ups and downs, Winston will again be front and center at FSU’s media day. … Winston was accused of raping a FSU student in December 2012, but that did not become public knowledge until a report surfaced nearly a year later on Nov. 13. Winston’s image quickly changed as more details from the case emerged. The state attorney’s office announced on Dec. 5 it would not charge Winston with sexual assault, citing a lack of evidence. But in the court of public opinion, the damage was already done. “It was funny to me watching the coverage that most people weren’t really debating the allegations, they were more so debating whether we’re going to have a Heisman Trophy winner with this cloud over his head,” said Kenon A. Brown, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama who specializes in image and reputation management in sports public relations. “It was almost already assumed that he was guilty.”
UA astronomy professor talks about meteor shower
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 12
Make sure you turn off your porch lights tonight, if you want to watch the “Perseus” meteor shower. The best time to view it is around 8 or 9 tonight. University of Alabama astronomy professor Ronald Buta says the event might be difficult to see tonight, but it will still be worth it. “The moon is very bright tonight and the bright moon is going to make it harder to see fainter meteors, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see any because there could be brighter meteors.”
Rally urges cap for payday loans
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 13
The movement to cap the interest rates charged by payday loan and title loan stores spread to Tuscaloosa on Monday night as about 250 people rallied at Calvary Baptist Church with many holding signs reading “36 percent.” That’s the maximum amount a coalition of groups wants as the annual percentage rate that could be charged on payday loans in the state. They hope their rallies will get the Legislature’s attention when it convenes next year. … Stephen Black, director and founder of the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at the University of Alabama, urged those at the rally to write, call and email their state legislators to urge them to act on the issue. “This has nothing to do with being a Democratic or Republican,” he said, noting Florida’s Republican-led Legislature capped that state’s payday loan industry at 35 percent, and its governor signed the law. “This preys upon our most needy people” and affects what type of community we have, Black said.
Retirement party held for WVUA Engineer Dave Baughn
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 12
A recent hall of famer and long-time University of Alabama employee is saying hello to retirement. Dave Baughn was recently inducted into the Alabama Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Baughn has been the director of engineering for UA’s Digital Media Center and the Center for Public Television and Radio. This is video from Baughn’s retirement party, where he told us about getting WVUA on the air in the Birmingham television market.
Jefferson County Alumni Chapter to hold fundraiser (live interview)
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Aug. 12
We have a guest here today from the University of Alabama Jefferson-County Alumni Chapter. Susan Norton, thanks for joining us. There is an upcoming event you want to tell us about, the annual kickoff-party to benefit the scholarship fund for your chapter.
United Way kicks off campaign at Bryant Conference Center
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 12
Finally tonight, the United Way of West Alabama kicked off their 2014 campaign at the University of Alabama today. The United Way serves 27 local agencies, helping people through organizations like the American Red Cross, turning point, and the YMCA.