Page 44 - Tom Bates News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

An analysis from criminal justice reform group FWD.us says commutation approvals in Oklahoma have plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their report shows the pardon and parole board approved 33% fewer stage one applications last year compared to 2019, despite considering more applications. The overall approval rate fell from 46% to 19%, and the approval rate for nonviolent offenses dropped from 74% to 35%. The analysis did not include applications in 2019 under an accelerated docket lawmakers created for people convicted of certain drug and property crimes before penalties for those offens...

Last night moore returned to the campaign trail with a message for undecided republicans. >> one thing i don't like the media, they've said a lot of people who are republicans claim they're going to vote for me and just ignore what they believe. i'm gonna tell you. if you don't believe in my character, don't vote for me. >> so, tom -- >> that's easy. >> wow. that helps a lot. >> yeah, saying don't vote. >> tom, i wonder if a lot of republicans are going to stay home and not vote? >> i think so. within a small slice. we're really dealing with a small slice of folks who have really been struggli...

9:00. >> it takes me a while. >> time release humor. >> the one about the license plate with the tofu. what? all right. anyhow, we have tom bates here, president of the alabama media group. it's very, very good. alabama's senate race right now in a dead heat just hours before voting begins. a fox news poll shows doug jones with a ten point lead over roy moore. we should note the poll included both land line and cell phone participants but the newest emerson tracking poll shows moore with a nine point lead. the result of the elections may depend largely on voter turnout as some republicans weig...

Here. >> the momentum you're talking about in birmingham, across the state of alabama? >> absolutely. and more companies moving here, more folks staying here after college. this is -- we've got nice people. we've got good food. this is a beautiful state and a great place to raise a family. the damage roy moore is doing to our reputation is unfortunate. i will say that i think jones will win. it's going to take an inside straight. we're talking about an inside straight for this to happen, but i think we'll do the right thing today. moore is not wildly popular to your point. >> i've heard what t...

There aren't a ton of issues that you face. >> yeah. okay, so still, tom, thank you so much for being on the show this morning. still ahead, live here from alabama, the polls open in less than an hour. steve kornaki joins us to break down the race. plus we'll reveal the lie of the year, and the president is tweeting this morning. he's not tweeting about today's special election, though. >> really? >> but about the russia investigation. and fake news. also former u.s. attorney joyce vance joins us. this special edition of "morning joe" live in alabama is back in a moment. this is not a cloud....