Eric Mackey Named State School Superintendent
Eric Mackey is Alabama’s new state superintendent of education. The state Board of Education selected Mackey today after interviewing three finalists. The other two finalists were Craig Pouncey of Jefferson County Schools and Kathy Murphy of Hoover City Schools.
Mackey is executive director of School Superintendents of Alabama, a group that promotes public education in Alabama around the country, according to its website. He began his career in education as a teacher at Saks High School in Anniston in 1993. He was an assistant principal and a principal in Jacksonville City Schools before becoming superintendent of that system in 2002. He left that job in 2010 to work for School Superintendents of Alabama.
“This selection is, without question, the most important decision entrusted to the current board,” Ivey said. “It was imperative that we make the best selection possible, and I think we have done that.”
The state Board of Education voted by ballot instead of using a voice vote as they have in the past. In August 2016, it took several voice votes for the board to decide on Michael Sentance. Before coming to Alabama, Sentance had been an education consultant in Massachusetts. He served as Alabama’s superintendent for about a year before resigning.
Mackey narrowly beat Pouncey for the job. He received five votes, and Pouncey received four. Gov. Kay Ivey cast her ballot for Mackey. Jeff Newman, Mary Scott Hunter, Betty Peters and Cynthia McCarty also voted for Mackey. Board members Yvette Richardson, Ella Bell, Stephanie Bell and Jackie Ziegler voted for Pouncey.
Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes can proceed, a Pennsylvania judge says
Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta in Pennsylvania — ruling after Musk’s lawyers said the winners are paid spokespeople and not chosen by chance — did not immediately explain his reasoning.
Puerto Rico holds general election that promises to be historic
Puerto Rico is holding elections that will be historic regardless of which of the top two gubernatorial candidates wins.
Boeing machinists approve contract, bringing an end to a bruising seven-week strike
Striking machinists voted to approve an agreement that will hike wages by 38%. The deal was endorsed by union leaders, who warned that Boeing’s next offer might be worse.
States and cities beef up security to prepare for potential election-related violence
Washington state's governor activated the National Guard to stand by to help local law enforcement as needed. Meanwhile, extra security is in place at locations across Washington, D.C.
When will mail-in and absentee ballots be counted?
Various state rules regarding when election officials can process and count mail ballots means it will likely take some time after Election Day before the results from these ballots are fully known.
When do polls close in every state? Here’s a timeline
The Associated Press can't call any races until polls close in their respective state. Here's a breakdown of when that will happen.
