January Capitol Riots + Former Astronaut

Good morning, Huntsville! In today's Daily, let's look at what a former astronaut from Huntsville pleaded guilty to, what happened in Huntsville this week that had to do with the Capitol riots, and what fun Alabama A&M project was released!

First, today's weather:

Today will be stormy off and on with a high of 83 and a low of 57.

Here are the top five stories in Huntsville today:

1. James Halsell Jr., a former NASA space shuttle commander from Huntsville, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault after a crash in 2016 killed two girls, 13 and 11. He was sentenced to four years in prison and 10 years of probation, a ruling that has already caused people to be upset due to the leniency. According to Azi Paybarah, the cause of the crash was apparently Ambien in Halsell’s bloodstream. (NYTimes)
2. An Ohio man, Kenneth Joseph Owen Thomas, was arrested in Huntsville Wednesday for allegedly taking part in the Capitol riots in D.C. on January 6. Thomas was captured on police body cam footage and was number 214 on the FBI’s Seeking Information photos. He is charged with engaging in physical violence, obstruction, and assault. (Yahoo)
3. Governor Ivey signed a bill into law that allows municipalities in Limestone County to designate some areas as “public forum,” “limited public forum,” or “nonpublic forum” to require permits and fees for protests. The new law also allows municipalities to enforce reasonable regulations on speech used in these areas, and will go into effect August 1. Ardmore, Athens, and Elkmont mayors have decided to discuss the law with their council members and decide what to do about the law. (Yahoo)
4. The River City Center in Decatur was damaged on the roof when a crane replacing an air conditioning unit tipped over. Luckily, no patients, residents, or staff were injured, but some resident rooms were injured, so they are being relocated within the facility. (WHNT)
5. The Alabama A&M “Alma Mater” brew has debuted with Straight to Ale at a release party Thursday. A documentary about the creation of this project will be released soon according to university officials. (DiverseEducation)

Today in Huntsville:

• City Lights and Stars- Unknown Lyric- Join the duo from Atlanta at Burritt on the Mountain for a night fusing classical Beethoven with contemporary sounds and urban grooves. Food trucks will be on site and ticket sales end today at 4 p.m. (7 p.m.)
• Coalfest in Brilliant- Join the town as they celebrate their roots in the coal mining industry in a two-day festival. (5 p.m.)
• Impulse Performing Arts Studio in Madison’s production of “The Wonderful World of Oz” (6 p.m.)
• Cocktails and Cosmos: Intro to the Solar System- Masks are required (7 p.m.)

Huntsville Patch Daily

• Madison County Jail inmates will be given the opportunity to get vaccinated today. As of yesterday, only 10% have requested to be vaccinated.
• Decatur Utilities will be doing work on westbound Alabama 20 Tuesday near SA Recycling. (Details)
• The Patricia Haley Charity is providing free food and the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Details)
• WZDX has put together a list of events around the Valley for Memorial Day on Monday! Check it out here.
• Lamar Advertising has opened a facility at the Jetplex Industrial Park!

You're caught up! I'll be back tomorrow with a Memorial Day weekend update!

-Amy