Judge Bob Vance Makes Second Run for State’s Top Judicial Seat
Judge Bob Vance has been a civil circuit judge in Jefferson County since 2002. This year he’s trying for a second time to become the head of Alabama’s court system. Vance is the Democratic nominee for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He faces current Supreme Court Associate Justice Republican Tom Parker in November. Vance spoke with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager.
Interview Highlights
Addressing the opioid epidemic:
“The problems that we’re talking about of course extend far beyond the courts … But I do think the courts play an important role in addressing the matter to the extent that we can build upon our existing efforts such as drug court and mental health court. And the data show that these efforts work. It’s just a matter of expanding where we can and focusing more and more on actually providing treatment rather than simply convicting and incarcerating people.”
Funding of state courts:
“That funding level has been basically flat while the demands on it have grown. I make clear to folks on the campaign trail I have no magic wand. All I can do is make clear my commitment as chief justice to work with the legislature, roll my sleeves up, and really get at the hard process of getting every dime we can for the courts to make sure we can do whatever is possible in dealing with these kinds of issues.”
Partisanship and the courts:
“Yes, we have to run on a partisan basis but once we judges step into the courthouse, politics has no place … I’ve worked with judges Democrat and Republican. And I’ve got good friends in both parties. There’s never been a whiff of problem or trouble arising out of partisan politics. Not once.”
Hear the full conversation with Judge Vance:
WBHM has invited Vance’s Republican opponent, Justice Tom Parker, for an interview. His campaign has declined.
Sean Combs trial: Cassie concludes four days of testimony
On Friday, Sean Combs' defense lawyers questioned Cassie Ventura about how much of the former couple's activities she willingly participated in. "I had to fight my way out," she said.
More than 100 Palestinians are killed in Gaza in a day of Israeli airstrikes
It has been a deadly week of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
DOJ may drop case against Boeing over deadly 737 Max crashes, despite families’ outrage
Boeing agreed last year to plead guilty to defrauding regulators after the crashes of two 737 Max jets, in 2018 and 2019, that killed 346 people. But a federal judge rejected that proposed plea deal.
ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan is on leave amid a sexual misconduct investigation
Facing allegations of sexual misconduct, Karim Khan has temporarily stepped aside as a U.N. investigation enters its final stage, the International Criminal Court announced Friday.
Supreme Court extends pause on deportations under Alien Enemies Act in Texas
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting a group of immigrants in northern Texas under the Alien Enemies Act. It said it's not directly addressing whether the invocation of the act was legal.
DOGE tried assigning a team to the Government Accountability Office. They refused
An attempt by DOGE to assign a team to the independent Government Accountability Office was rejected Friday. The GAO is part of the legislative branch and not subject to DOGE's request.
