Make It Make Sense, Alabama

E28 Inside SHOW Baldwin: How Families Are Filling Alabama’s Disability Resource Gap

This episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama introduces SHOW Baldwin, a nonprofit in Baldwin County created by mothers of children with disabilities who saw firsthand the lack of accessible resources in their community. What started as a simple effort to raise money for a child’s wheelchair quickly evolved into a full organization focused on inclusive events, equipment access, and direct family support. SHOW Baldwin now provides adaptive programming, a medical equipment lending library, and monthly support for families in need. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as the group shares the story of Heather Hestand, a founding member of SHOW Baldwin who was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer. The episode highlights the harsh financial realities faced by families raising children with disabilities and the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding long-term care. Through community-driven fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe and an upcoming Gratitude Gala, the organization is working to secure financial stability for Heather’s daughter’s future. The episode ultimately exposes a larger issue. Alabama families are often left to build their own support systems due to gaps in accessibility, affordability, and resource awareness.

E27 Alabama Congressional Candidate Clyde Jones on Healthcare, Immigration & Why The System Isn’t Working

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we sit down with Democratic candidate Clyde Jones, who is running for U.S. Congress in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.Jones brings a background in military service, community leadership, and advocacy. In this conversation, we break down the real issues affecting Alabamians right now. Healthcare costs, workers’ rights, immigration enforcement, and the growing divide in politics.We also get into campaign accountability, corporate money in politics, and what it actually takes to create change at the federal level.Whether you agree or disagree, this is the kind of conversation voters need to hear.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction + Clyde Jones Background03:18 Why Some Candidates Avoid Accountability06:17 Top Issues in Alabama District 110:17 Immigration Enforcement & Labor Impact14:14 Rising Costs, Housing, and Insurance Crisis18:05 Corporate Money in Politics & Term Limits22:28 Accountability, Transparency & Insider Trading29:12 Political Division & Public Discourse39:39 “Unpopular” Policy Positions Explained48:59 Rapid Fire Questions54:24 Final Message to VotersSUPPORT OUR WORKIf you’ve been following our work, you already know this isn’t just a podcast.We are actively investigating cases, reviewing records, and working with families who are still looking for answers. That work takes time, resources, and support.If you want to be part of what we’re building at Murder Creek Media, here are a few ways you can help:- Support the show directly: murdercreekmedia.com/donate [https://www.murdercreekmedia.com/donate]- Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it- Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming nextEvery share, every listen, and every dollar goes back into the work.

E26 Elderly Man Claims Wrongful Arrest, Body Cam Footage Raises Questions

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we take a closer look at a case involving 71-year-old Nolan Keel of Foley, Alabama, who was arrested during an early morning walk in April 2024. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Keel was stopped for walking in the roadway and later arrested for disorderly conduct. Keel disputes that version of events. Using the incident report, applicable Alabama law, and body camera footage obtained through his attorney, we walk through what happened, what deputies documented, and what can be seen on video. This episode also includes an interview with Keel, where he shares his experience and how the arrest impacted him. As always, we’re laying out the information so you can review it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:13 Overview of the case 02:00 Details of the stop 04:18 Incident report breakdown 07:06 Alabama pedestrian laws 09:39 ID laws and context 11:52 Police body camera footage 31:31 Initial reactions to the footage 58:19 Interview with Nolan Keel 01:33:37 Closing discussion

E25 Alabama Power, PSC Corruption & Backroom Deals? Jeff Ramsey Says There’s a Better Way

Why are Alabama power bills so high? Why does the Alabama Public Service Commission keep avoiding transparency? And what really happened with the legislation that expanded the PSC? In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, Neeli Faulkner and Whitney Scapecchi sit down with Jeff Ramsey, Democratic candidate for the Alabama Public Service Commission, union electrician, small business owner, and project manager, for one of the most detailed conversations yet about utility regulation in Alabama. They get into Alabama Power profits, PSC transparency, solar penalties, Stockton solar controversy, data centers, rate cases, backroom politics, working class issues, and why so many Alabamians feel like they are paying more while getting less. If you’ve been trying to understand why your power bill keeps climbing and why the system feels rigged, this episode is for you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro01:11 Meet Jeff Ramsey + Why He’s Running05:29 Why Alabama Power Bills Are So High08:16 PSC Expansion Bill Explained12:28 Transparency, Backroom Deals & Accountability19:03 Solar, Data Centers & Stockton Controversy33:04 Alabama Power Profits, Efficiency & Rate Structure40:24 Why People-First Bills Keep Failing46:05 Rate Cases, Rate Hikes & How the System Works49:13 “We’re Not Mad Enough”54:35 What Jeff Would Do Differently01:03:59 Working Class Politics & “Dirt Road Democrat”01:16:01 Final Takeaway. “There’s Got to Be a Better Way”

E24 Beyond the Pod: Appeals, Accountability, and Alabama Politics Behind the Scenes

In this Beyond the Pod episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, Neeli Faulkner and Whitney Scapecchi take listeners behind the scenes to discuss real-time developments, political conversations, and investigative work happening outside the main episodes. This episode covers: • A major update in the Tony Quince case and the pending decision before the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals• Allegations of wrongful conviction and multiple witness recantations• The debate surrounding Baldwin County accountability Facebook groups• Transparency, anonymous posts, and public trust in local government• A newly appointed judgeship and questions surrounding the appointment• Rapid-moving Alabama Public Service Commission legislation