“Friendship” Playing Big Role in Hubbard Trial

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2010/10/bob-riley.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:548;s:6:"height";i:664;s:4:"file";s:21:"2010/10/bob-riley.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-336x407.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:407;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"bob-riley-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-548x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:548;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-548x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:548;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-257x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:257;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-219x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:219;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-548x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:548;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-548x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:548;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bob-riley-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:306115;s:14:"optimized_size";i:184628;s:7:"percent";d:39.689999999999998;}s:5:"sizes";a:9:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:49:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2010/10/bob-riley.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:164459;s:14:"optimized_size";i:88631;s:7:"percent";d:46.109999999999999;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2010/10/bob-riley-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:6712;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4935;s:7:"percent";d:26.469999999999999;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2010/10/bob-riley-336x407.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:29857;s:14:"optimized_size";i:18687;s:7:"percent";d:37.409999999999997;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2010/10/bob-riley-548x338.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:43510;s:14:"optimized_size";i:31223;s:7:"percent";d:28.239999999999998;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2010/10/bob-riley-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:21694;s:14:"optimized_size";i:13770;s:7:"percent";d:36.530000000000001;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2010/10/bob-riley-257x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:19204;s:14:"optimized_size";i:12257;s:7:"percent";d:36.170000000000002;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2010/10/bob-riley-219x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:14940;s:14:"optimized_size";i:10899;s:7:"percent";d:27.050000000000001;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2010/10/bob-riley-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:5739;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4226;s:7:"percent";d:26.359999999999999;}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

    [_wp_attachment_image_alt] => Array
        (
            [0] => Former Alabama Governor Bob Riley, a lobbyist, is considered a "father figure" and "friend" of House Speaker Mike Hubbard.
        )

)
1656009221 
1465459927

The trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard has brought to light some curious aspects of Alabama ethics law, most notably an exemption provision regarding friendship. Hubbard took the stand in his own defense this week and testified about how he emailed so-called “friends” for business opportunities and advice when he was laid off in 2011. The prosecution argued that the emails were evidence that Hubbard illegally sought jobs and favors from lobbyists such as former Alabama Governor Bob Riley. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the latest in the speaker’s public corruption trial.

 

‘Endling’ is a shape-shifting debut that takes on heavy themes with humor

Maria Reva's virtuosic novel starts out as a straightforward story about a Ukrainian biologist, but morphs into a comic take on war, the mail-order bride business and the plight of snails.

Home sales just posted their slowest May in 16 years

There are 20% more homes for sale this May — but it hasn't been enough to pull buyers off the sidelines amid high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty.

Climate change is boosting the risk of sleep apnea

Hotter temperatures make breathing problems during sleep more likely, even when it's not extremely hot

The David Lynch estate auction doubled as a caffeinated wake

Most of the bidding action was online. But at a ritzy Beverly Hills hotel, hopeful bidders united by genuine affection for Lynch admired the tools of the late artist's trade. It was a mirthful wake.

An AI video ad is making a splash. Is it the future of advertising?

The over-the-top ad combines the energy of Grand Theft Auto with the drama of the NBA Finals — all created by AI. Is it a sign of things to come?

‘It’s such a dream’: Top high school performers step out on Broadway

With a billboard in Times Square and a night on Broadway, the year's top high school performers are ready for their big moment at the Jimmy Awards.

More Front Page Coverage