Jefferson Reporter

 Alabama’s economy will likely contract in 2023, but just barely, according to researchers at The University of Alabama. Persistent inflation, labor shortages, lingering supply chain bottlenecks and international effects from the war in Ukraine will continue to drag national and state economic growth, according to the annual economic forecast from the Center for Business and Economic Research at UA. “The economy, at some point, will slow down,” said Ahmad Ijaz, CBER executive director and director of economic forecasting. “Even if we go into a recession, it is only expected to be a mild one, hopefully, but that can change.” For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.  

UA COLLECTING BOOK DONATIONS FOR BLACK BELT SCHOOLS — The UA Center for Economic Development launches the 17th annual Books for the Black Belt campaign Jan. 30 that encourages UA students, faculty, staff and local residents to donate books for K-12 students in the region. UACED strives to help children develop a love of learning and reading by distributing books to students in Alabama’s 13 Black Belt counties. UACED will accept donations of new or gently used classic and award-winning books frequently found on school reading lists for K-12 children until Feb. 24. For more information, contact Erin Hackenmueller, UA Center for Economic Development, at eshackenmueller@ua.edu.  

EVENTS 

CRAIG HULTGREN – CELLO: ACOUSTIC + ELECTRONIC — Craig Hultgren performs a program of nine contemporary solo cello works as part of a tour of the southeastern United States Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Moody Music Building. The program contains compositions for acoustic cello as well as three electronic pieces which Hultgren will perform on his ecello. With one exception, all of the works on the program have been written especially for him. The event is free.  

C&IS HOSTS DISCUSSION ON MORAL MATURITY AMONG RECENT MEDIA GRADUATES — The UA College of Communication and Information Sciences will debut the Office of Research in Media Integrity with a panel discussion of moral maturity among recent media graduates Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in 216 Reese Phifer on the UA campus. Three experts in media ethics will speak with Dr. Chris Roberts, head of the new C&IS research office, about their long-running research project that has followed the moral development of 100-plus students who graduated nationwide with media-focused degrees in 2018 and 2019. For more information, contact Dr. Chris Roberts, UA College of Communication and Information Sciences, at croberts@ua.edu.  

T-TOWN PULL DOWN — The 15th annual T-Town Pull Down Climbing Competition will be held Feb. 4 at the Witt Activity Center on the UA campus. The competition is divided into two heats, with participants of all skill levels and abilities welcome. Climbers can choose to compete in top rope, bouldering or combined formats. Winners will be announced for first, second and third place in beginner, intermediate and advanced. Registration information is available online.  

UA THEATRE AND DANCE PRESENTS ‘MURDER BALLAD’ — The UA Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Murder Ballad” Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 at the Allen Bales Theatre. This musical follows two young lovers who seem to have it all. They are a vibrant couple trying to establish themselves in New York City — Sara as a musician and Tom as an actor. The demands of life grow, and they begin to drift apart, eventually finding new love and moving on. As their lives progress independently, the feelings they once had for each other begin to resurface. Will they be able to ignore the past to maintain the present? Or will they risk their futures to be together again? For more information, contact Justin Sweeney, marketing manager for UA Theatre and Dance, at jssweeney@crimson.ua.edu.  

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The University of Alabama strives to remain neutral on public policy issues. Strategic Communications may facilitate interviews or share opinions expressed by faculty, staff, students, or other individuals regarding policy matters. However, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its leadership, and do not constitute a statement on behalf of the University unless explicitly designated. 

Original source can be found here.