Republicans are sticking by Representative Mike Hubbard as their choice for House speaker despite his indictment on ethics charges. House Republicans today voted to support Hubbard for another term as speaker of the house. The full House of Representatives will officially select a speaker in January during an organizational session. Hubbard was indicted last month on 23 felony ethics charges. The Auburn Republican has maintained his innocence and says he sees no reason to give up his leadership role. The 72-member caucus met behind closed doors for three hours before announcing the decision. The caucus did not announce the vote split. Mountain Brook Republican Representative Jim Carns, a potential rival to Hubbard for the post, declined to say if he threw his hat in the ring.
Meanwhile the Alabama Senate has a new majority leader. APR’s Jeremy Loeb reports.
Republican Senator Greg Reed of Jasper is the new majority leader of the Alabama Senate. The newly elected Republican members of the Senate met yesterday in Montgomery. They backed Senator Del Marsh of Anniston for another term as the Senate's president pro tem elected Reed majority leader. He replaces Senator Jabo Waggoner of Vestavia Hills. Waggoner says he recommended Reed for the job because he has his hands full as chairman of the Rules Committee and Confirmations Committee. Marsh says Waggoner could have had another four-year term as majority leader if he wanted it. Reed says he's excited to lead the largest Republican majority in modern times. Republicans won more than 70 percent of the seats. Jeremy Loeb, APR news.
Boy scouts from across Alabama and our neighboring states are packing their camping gear. This year’s Scout Fest runs from tomorrow through Saturday in Decatur. About four thousand scouts are heading to the jamboree at Point Mallard Park. Scout Fest is designed for members of all ages to come together for joint activities. Jeff Brasher is with the Greater Alabama Council for Boy Scouts of America. He says Scout Fest brings the jamboree to the scouts who may not be able to go to national events.
“Well, they get to do a lot of fun activities. They’re able to work on advancements, they’re able to get to see some exhibits and do some displays. I mean, it’s just a great opportunity for them to get to do and see some things that they’re not going to be able to do at a regular troop meeting or over at a summer camp.”
Scout fest takes place every couple of years. Some of the activities include canoeing, hot air balloon rides, archery, and cast-iron cooking. The event ends with an arena show called "Fighting Gravity."