(The Center Square) – States with existing school choice programs continue to opt into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, with supporters arguing the federal program can complement what the states offer.
Currently 33 states and Washington, D.C., have some form of school choice. There are 23 voucher programs nationwide across 13 states and Washington, D.C., while Education Savings Accounts are another popular kind of state school choice program, according to the American Federation for Children.
The Center Square interviews Shelby Doyle, Senior Vice President of Policy and National Partnerships of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, about the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program.
This product covers Central Alabama
**TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ISSUED FOR SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
ALABAMA**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
Warning for Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes,
Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, and Pike
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Autauga, Barbour,
Bullock, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery,
and Pike
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bibb, Chambers,
Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Perry,
Pickens, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter,
Talladega, Tallapoosa, and Tuscaloosa
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 650 miles south-southwest of Birmingham AL or about 580
miles south-southwest of Montgomery AL
- 24.4N 89.3W
- Storm Intensity 100 mph
- Movement Northeast or 50 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Isaias will continue to move towards the Northern Gulf
Coast, making landfall Friday evening. Winds will gust as high as 40
to 50 mph late Friday night through Saturday, with the potential for
isolated higher gusts to 60 mph, resulting in the potential for
numerous downed trees and power lines. All of Central Alabama is
under Tropical Storm or High Wind watches and warnings. Rainfall
amounts of 1.5 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts up to 5 inches
will result in the potential for flash flooding, especially in urban
and other poor drainage areas. A threat for isolated tornadoes may
develop across portions of Central Alabama along and east of the track
on Saturday, mainly east of Interstate 65. Confidence is low to medium
at this time.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across southern portions of Central Alabama and higher elevations.
Potential impacts in this area include:
- Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile and
manufactured homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured
lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles.
- Several large trees snapped or uprooted. Several fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places.
- Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
in areas with above ground lines.
Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the rest of Central Alabama.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across Central Alabama. Potential impacts include:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, and ditches
overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across eastern portions of Central Alabama. Potential impacts
include:
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile and
manufactured homes demolished, large trees snapped or uprooted,
and vehicles tumbled. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the
storm.
If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees or in a mobile or manufactured home, plan to move to safe
shelter.
If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already
swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground.
Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are
unable to make personal preparations.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets
for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the
forecast.
There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Birmingham AL around 10 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
...TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT...
* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Alexander City
- Dadeville
* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 10-20 mph with gusts to 45 mph
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39
to 57 mph
- The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm
force.
- PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should now be
underway. Prepare for limited wind damage.
- ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind
becomes hazardous.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile and manufactured homes. Unsecured lightweight
objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, especially weaker trees. Some fences and roadway
signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within
urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving
conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: 1-3 inches, with locally higher
amounts
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for
moderate flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues
are possible.
- PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area
vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action may result in serious injury or loss of life.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations
and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with
swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places,
especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams,
creeks, and ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken
foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas
of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and
poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on
moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow.
Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge
closures.
* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is favorable for tornadoes
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several
tornadoes
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
several tornadoes with a few possibly intense having larger
damage paths.
- PREPARE: Those living in manufactured homes or on boats
should prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous
weather arrives.
- ACT: Listen for tornado watches and warnings. If a tornado
warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few
spots of considerable damage, power loss, and
communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
and manufactured homes demolished, large trees snapped or
uprooted, and vehicles tumbled. Dangerous projectiles can
add to the toll.
* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- http://ready.gov/hurricanes
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...All of Central Alabama.
* WHEN...From Friday evening through Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Isaias will move into
the area Friday night, and may last as long as early Sunday
morning. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with locally higher
amounts up to 5 inches will result in the potential for flash
flooding, especially in urban and other poor drainage areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.
&&
