AT&T Donates $100,000 to Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund to Support Communities Impacted by Hurricane Sally

MONTGOMERY – AT&T* will present a $100,000 contribution to the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) in Alabama to aid communities impacted by Hurricane Sally.

GERF was created after Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina and continues today to support unmet needs for individuals and families recovering from severe weather and natural disasters in Alabama. This contribution will enable GERF to enhance its support in responding to the catastrophic destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Sally.

“Even as we see tremendous suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, we also see shining examples of commitment and care. This is a time for the entire state to rally behind the good people of South Alabama,” Governor Ivey said. “I appreciate AT&T for immediately mobilizing their employees and their resources to offer support to our citizens, first responders, and communities. Together, we will bring Alabama’s Gulf Coast back to its feet!”

AT&T has also activated its Text to Give feature for customers who can text HURRICANES to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross to help those affected by Hurricane Sally in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.** 

In this time of need, the AT&T Network Disaster Recovery Team, in partnership with the FirstNet Response Operations team, is in the field and working closely with first responders and local leaders in impacted communities to deploy assets as needed to help maintain continued connectivity.

Governor Ivey Establishes The Alabama STEM Council

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced that she has signed Executive Order NO. 721 establishing the Alabama STEM Council. The council will advise state leadership on ways to improve STEM-related education, career awareness, and workforce development opportunities across the state.

“Alabama has continued to grow into advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering and cybertechnology center of excellence and as a result, the demand for qualified labor in these sectors has skyrocketed,” Governor Ivey said. “The Alabama STEM Council will play a vital role in ensuring that our state’s future leaders have the opportunity to learn STEM-based skills that will help them transition into successful career pathways upon graduation.”

How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Helped End the Military's Policy of Forced Abortion

Before 1970, women serving in the military were discharged for becoming mothers. This meant that pregnant women in uniform were forced to make a choice: Leave the military to become mothers or risk an illegal (and then-dangerous) abortion.

Air Force Capt. Susan Struck, a nurse serving in Vietnam, decided to fight the rule. Her attorney in the case was Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Although the Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear Struck v. Secretary of Defense, Ginsburg's legal wrangling led to the Air Force's decision to reverse its policy.

Struck's pregnancy resulted in her being transferred to a base in Washington, the only state where abortion was legal in 1970. In writing the facts of the case, Niel Siegel of Duke University's School of Law notes that Struck intended to give the child up for adoption and had 60 days of accrued leave for recovery time. Despite this, a disposition board gave her a choice: Have an abortion on a base or leave the military.

Norfolk Shipyard CO Is 4th Navy Leader to Be Fired in a Month

The captain who oversaw the Navy's largest and oldest industrial facility has been removed from his job.

Capt. Kai Torkelson, who led the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, was relieved of command Monday by Vice Adm. Bill Galinis, the head of Naval Sea Systems Command. Galinis lost confidence in Torkelson's ability to command, according to a Navy news release announcing the relief.

No additional details about the situation were immediately provided. Officials with Naval Sea Systems Command did not respond to questions about what led Galinis to lose confidence in Torkelson's ability to command.

Rear Adm. Howard Markle, director of NAVSEA's industrial operations directorate, has assumed duties as the acting commander until a permanent relief is named, officials said in the release.

VA Rallies Community Support for Veterans During Suicide Prevention Month

One small act could save the life of a Veteran or Servicemember in crisis – that’s the inspiration behind “The Power of 1” campaign.  The campaign launches this September during Suicide Prevention Month and is a joint project coordinated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

“The campaign emphasizes the effect that just one person, one conversation, or one act can have on the life of a Veteran or Servicemember by offering hope and opening the door to support,” said Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, Interim Under Secretary for Health.  “It also is designed to spread the word about VA and DoD mental health resources and suicide prevention efforts.”

A new public service announcement, “The Power of 1,” reinforces this message by focusing on the small, everyday actions that can play a pivotal role in improving a Veteran’s life.  In addition, a Suicide Prevention Month Web page, VeteransCrisisLine.net/ThePowerof1, offers interactive tools to learn more about the Veterans Crisis Line and how small acts make a difference.