Josh Moon

State of the State: Prisons, Pre-K and random Olympic tales

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Did you know that in the 1960 Summer Olympics, an underdog Ethiopian runner named Abebe Bikila overcame the ridicule of his peers for running marathons barefoot to win the 1960 marathon and set a new world record? Why am I telling you this? No idea. But using Olympic stories … Continued

February 8, 2017

A letter to GOP voters: You’re being conned

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Dear Republican voter, You’re a fool. I say that in the nicest possible way. I say that with a tone of pity, instead of a tone of condescension. I say that because I want to help you, and in turn help all the rest of us. But mostly I … Continued

February 7, 2017

Alabama’s gambling fight, Part III: Confusion in the courts

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Standing just outside of his lobbying office in Birmingham, former Gov. Bob Riley is shaking his head at my question, and smiling as if to indicate what I’m asking is possibly the craziest thing in the world. Except, what I’m asking isn’t the craziest thing in the world. What … Continued

February 3, 2017

Robert Bentley: The Magician

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Robert Bentley has a career waiting on him when this governor deal wraps up. Magician. Because the guy is making more stuff disappear than David Blaine lately. $300,000 in campaign cash? Abracadabra, poof, gone! The committee to impeach him? Vanished! Luther Strange’s integrity? Zipped! A 50-year marriage? Gone! The … Continued

February 2, 2017

ALEA secretary wants to more than double agency’s budget

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Stan Stabler left lawmakers at a joint budget committee hearing on Tuesday flabbergasted, when he requested to more than double the agency’s budget in 2017. It took Stabler until nearly the end of his lengthy presentation before he revealed to legislators that ALEA needs … Continued

February 1, 2017

Medicaid Chief paints dire picture

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Medicaid needs more money. No, this isn’t a reprint of a news story from last fall. It’s the reality once again for the State’s beleaguered Medicaid office. A few months after requiring a special session to dig up $105 million in BP oil spill money to keep Medicaid afloat, … Continued

January 31, 2017

The coward’s way

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Know a sentence you never hear anyone say? “Boy, that discrimination really worked out for us.” Think about it. Thousands of years of discrimination based on race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation and heritage, but no one ever looks back on any of it and thinks about how great … Continued

January 30, 2017

Gambling council could have report finished sooner

By Josh Moon Alabama Politica Reporter It might not take the governor’s Advisory Council on Gaming until June after all. During its most recent scheduled meeting on Thursday at the Alabama State House, council member and former lawmaker Bobby Timmons went on an extended rant about council’s recent decision to push its deadline for recommendations … Continued

January 27, 2017

Mayor: Suspended judge was disadvantaged by punishment

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange said Thursday that suspended Municipal Court judge Lester Hayes had been “disadvantaged” by his suspension from the bench for locking up indigent defendants, which was one reason the City of Montgomery signed Hayes to a consulting contract. “He couldn’t work as a judge, he couldn’t … Continued

January 26, 2017

The privilege of being a white college in Alabama

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter There is some confusion over the term “white privilege.” Apparently, quite a few white people are convinced that this term is hogwash, because upon birth they weren’t given a pot of gold and a new Firebird. Simply because they’ve faced some hardships in life, they believe that that is … Continued

January 26, 2017