NJN/am for Wednesday, July 16
It’s Wednesday, and you can go take that campaign sign down out of your yard now…
Weather: A little chill. Lows in the 50s? In July, in Alabama? It will probably happen tonight, as a cold front has done its thing. Several places in the state dropped into the upper 50s last night, setting new records for the date. Today will be sunny and pleasant with highs in the lower 80s, and tonight’s low down to 58. Slightly warmer on Thursday, with possible rain at night.
Palmer rolls. Remember that poll by the Montgomery-based company Cygnal a few days back that said Gary Palmer was ahead in the GOP Congressional runoff election by a whopping 30 points – and no one, not even the man in charge of the poll, thought the margin would really be that high? Well, he and everyone else were wrong and the poll was right. Palmer, the founder of the conservative Alabama Policy Institute, was victorious over state Rep. Paul DeMarco on Tuesday by a 28-percent margin, well within the poll’s margin of error. Palmer’s huge win was even more astonishing considering that DeMarco won big in the original primary race over a seven-candidate field. Palmer is now heavily favored in the general election, where he faces token opposition from Democratic and Libertarian opponents.
Shelnutt wins at the finish. If Tuesday’s returns for the Republican runoff for Alabama Senate District 17 could be likened to a horse race, Shelnutt would have come from behind in the last few strides to win by a nose. The Trussville businessman was behind Locust Fork attorney Brett King for much of the night, but pulled ahead when late returns came in from his home area in northeast Jefferson County. Shelnutt’s victory margin was 540 votes, or four percentage points. He is unopposed in the general election, and will take the place of Gardendale’s Scott Beason, who stepped down to unsuccessfully run for the Congressional seat won by Palmer. (See our video interview with Shelnutt from last night by clicking here.)
Sports: Curtain call for The Captain. Angels center fielder Mike Trout was the most valuable player of Tuesday’s night’s All-Star Game in Minneapolis, but all eyes were focused on Derek Jeter, playing in his last Midsummer Classic. The Yankees shortstop did not disappoint, going 2-for-2 at the plate with a double before being pulled from the game, where he was sent off with a prolonged standing ovation. The American League defeated the National League 5-3, which means the AL champion will enjoy home-field advantage in the World Series this fall… Youth baseball: Gardendale’s 6-year-old all-stars followed in the path of their 7-year-old counterparts Tuesday night, as they won the Dizzy Dean Baseball state championship at Bill Noble Park by a 26-8 score over Northport.