On Thursday, ProgressPAC, the political arm of the Business Council of Alabama, announced its endorsement of Senator Jack Williams for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and Derek Chen for State Auditor.
According to the group, these endorsement affirm its support for candidates who prioritize sustainable economic growth, reduce barriers for job creators, and champion policies that strengthen Alabama’s workforce and business competitiveness.
https://x.com/BCAToday/status/1996704619016179903
State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer) is a fourth-generation Alabama farmer and small business owner from Mobile County who has spent more than a decade advocating for farmers, small businesses, and rural communities in the Alabama Legislature.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, Williams has cut taxes on agricultural business products, protected property rights, and worked to get government out of the way of agribusiness.
According to BCA, his conservative, pro-industry record has earned him a reputation as a dependable partner for Alabama’s agriculture and business owners.
Gary Smith, Chair of ProgressPAC, emphasized Williams’ long-standing leadership.
“Senator Jack Williams has spent his life fighting for Alabama’s farmers and rural communities. His deep agricultural expertise and business-minded leadership make him the right choice to serve as Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries,” said Smith.
Smith continued, “ProgressPAC is confident he will continue standing up for the industries that feed, fuel, and support our state and make it easier for them to do business and compete across markets.”
With a professional background spanning both law and business, Chen has seen firsthand how excessive regulation, bureaucratic red tape, and government waste can hinder economic growth and innovation.
These experiences have shaped Chen’s commitment to strengthening state government by making it more transparent, accountable, and effective for the people it serves as State Auditor.
Helena Duncan, President and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, praised Chen’s qualifications.
“Derek Chen’s professional background, coupled with his commitment to accountability and transparency, makes him exceptionally well-suited for the office of State Auditor,” said Duncan. “His dedication to responsible government reflects the values of Alabama’s business community. ProgressPAC is proud to support him.”
According to BCA, ProgressPAC is backing both candidates for their proven commitment to principled leadership, government efficiency, and support for Alabama’s business community.
College football has had incredible developments over the last several years, from NIL deals, to the expanded college football playoff and everything in between, so much so that it’s led to more government involvement in the sport than ever before.
Not to mention, the transfer portal process became such an issue that President Donald J. Trump tried several methods to help the greater good of the game, including signing executive orders and encouraging Congress to come up with solutions.
Though, the latest request of the President comes from one of college football’s biggest stars.
Upon the release of the latest College Football Playoff rankings just days before the final reveal of the field, the Vanderbilt Commodores — who are 10-2 with losses to Alabama and Texas — came in at No. 14 with no real path to move into the 12-team field.
Commodores’ quarterback Diego Pavia — who will likely be a Heisman Trophy finalist — has pleaded with Trump to sign an executive order that would expand the field to 16 teams, allowing four from the SEC to be guaranteed, along with four at-large bids.
Needless to say, Pavia’s request is not going to get approved, but it does reflect the current chaos college football finds itself in when star players are openly begging the President to do something about a flawed system.
Whether Pavia’s in the playoffs or not, he and Vanderbilt have been one of the best stories in the nation this year, and he has made huge contributions to college football.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, the threat from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, is no longer hypothetical – it’s here, and it’s growing.
Protecting the people I serve – and ensuring the safety of Americans across the country – will always be my top priority.
As our adversaries swiftly advance their drone capabilities, America cannot afford to fall behind.
Every weekend in the fall, tens of thousands of fans pour into stadiums across the South.
This week alone, as the nation turns its attention to major college football championships – from the SEC Championship in Atlanta, to the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, and the ACC Championship in Charlotte – millions of spectators will gather in some of the highest-profile venues in the country.
With crowds of this size, each of these gatherings carries real security considerations that we cannot ignore.
We have already seen what our adversaries are capable of with drones on the battlefield. The threat landscape has shifted as commercial drone technology has become widespread, and now we must take action to safeguard our large-scale events.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and America 250 approaching, the United States must build a stronger, faster, and more flexible posture to protect the public from hostile or reckless drone activity. At last year’s Paris Olympics, over 300 drones were intercepted before they could disrupt events – a clear reminder that the threat is real, persistent, and rapidly growing.
As Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology and a member of the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, I have seen firsthand how quickly our adversaries adapt.
Our response must be faster still. That starts with giving our law enforcement, intelligence, and security professionals the tools, training, and authorities they need to act in real time. Outdated regulations and limited authorities cannot be allowed to slow our defenses at a time when threats are accelerating.
North Alabama is leading the way.
Huntsville has long served as a center of gravity for America’s defense and aerospace innovation. The work at Redstone Arsenal and by industry partners across the region is providing the technology that keeps Americans safe – from advanced missile defense to next-generation counter-UAS systems that detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones before they become a danger. Our community has the proven ability to jam, drop, and intercept drones of every caliber.
That commitment to readiness is why I was proud to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Trump Administration officials, and law enforcement leaders at Redstone Arsenal as they celebrated the opening of the National Counter-Unmanned Training Center (NCUTC) and the graduation of its inaugural class.
This new facility positions Alabama at the forefront of the fight against malicious drone activity and stands as a powerful example of proactive defense. The security professionals trained here will deploy to stadiums and major national events across the country, protecting crowds at events just like the ones taking place this week.
The Trump administration deserves tremendous credit for prioritizing this mission and accelerating the policies and investments needed to counter emerging aerial threats.
Their leadership helped take solutions like the NCUTC from concept to reality, ensuring that America is not merely reacting to evolving technology but staying ahead of it.
Moving forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the Administration to strengthen and expand the legal and operational framework needed to counter drone threats as they arise.
Protecting Americans from aerial threats is not a partisan issue – it is a shared national responsibility. Our goal is simple: ensure our agencies and security professionals have the authority and capabilities necessary to stop attacks before they happen.
Our enemies do not wait, and neither can we.
As millions of Americans tune in to the World Cup draw, fill stadiums for championship weekend, and gather for major events throughout the year, they should have confidence that our nation is prepared.
With continued leadership, strong investment, and a unified strategy, we can ensure that America remains two steps ahead – protecting our people, our infrastructure, and our way of life. That is the mission before us, and it is one that starts right here in North Alabama.
Our time is now.
Congressman Dale W. Strong represents the Fifth District of Alabama and is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Homeland Security.
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville joked today that Lane Kiffin, LSU’s new head coach, did the same thing he did when he left Ole Miss for Auburn over two decades ago.
“He left in a pine box,” Tuberville reported told Capitol Hill reporter Eric Garcia of the Independent.
In 1998, Tuberville famously told media at the time, while denying his interest in the Auburn job, the only way he was going to leave Oxford would be “in a pine box” — less than a week before he packed up and headed to the Plains.
Kiffin, while he never said he was not leaving Ole Miss in the lead up to his abrupt departure to LSU this weekend, will go down much less favorably in the history books.
For Kiffin, he left during a historic season for the program ahead of his team’s first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.
His run as head coach of the Rebels, despite being the best stretch in the school’s football history, will always be remembered for the way it ended: On a tarmac. In a pine box.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) is defending the Trump administration’s actions against drug boats in the Caribbean.
Since September, President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have ordered military strikes against cartel boats shipping drugs to the U.S.
Several Democrats have spoke out against the strikes, suggesting the President needs to get authorization from Congress before conducting such military operations.
Tuberville, who is also a candidate for Alabama Governor in 2026, discussed the issue Wednesday on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show.”
“It’s a mystery to me why elected leaders up here are concerned about these narco-terrorists more than they are American citizens,” Tuberville said. “It’s absolutely amazing. You know, as I said, we’ve lost hundreds, thousands of lives. It’s the number one cause of death in this country to young people. And President Trump ran on, hey, solving this drug problem, and now he’s trying to cut off the drug source.”
Tuberville said he believes the cartels have basically been at war with the United States for years.
“Now, this war that we’ve had with Venezuela and the drugs has not been going on for six months,” he explained.
“It’s been going on for years, and years, we have lost hundreds of 1000s of people because of the drugs coming this country. So it is a war. It’s a war trying to save American lives, and President Trump knows that, and Pete headset knows that, so that’s the reason they’re attacking all these drug boats coming out.”
Tuberville also defended Hegseth after the Washington Post accused him of ordering a second strike against one of the boats. Democrats have used the report to accuse the War Secretary of war crimes.
“The second most attacked person in Washington, DC, behind Donald Trump, is Pete Hegseth,” he argued, “because he’s trying to straighten out the strength of our country, which is the military, you know, and he’s got it back on the right track. But since day one, even Republicans have been after him, and he’s done a great job.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed State Rep. James Lomax for Alabama House District 20 in Madison County. The district covers Huntsville’s booming southeast corridor.
Lomax, one of the state’s youngest legislators, was first elected in a 2022 landslide victory – and is running again in 2026.
“Rep. Lomax works hard and represents the people of this district well,” Charles Butler, President of the Madison County Farmers Federation, said.
“We have complete confidence he will continue to be a strong conservative voice for us in Montgomery as he has been in the past.”
The Alabama Farmers Federation is the start’s largest farm organization, representing over 360,000 member families across all 67 Alabama counties.
Endorsements from the Federation and its political arm, FarmPAC, are among the most sought-after stamps of approval in state political elections.
Lomax, a lifelong resident of Huntsville, is Vice President of Corporate Office Properties Trust, where he has developed more than 1 million square feet of commercial space in North Alabama.
“I appreciate the support of Madison County farmers because we share the same conservative values and principles,” said Lomax (R-Huntsville).
“Agriculture is a vital component to our state’s economic success, and it is an honor to have the support of our farmers in Madison County.”
Lomax serves on committees critical to farming interests, including the House Committees on Economic Development and Tourism; Ethics and Campaign Finance; Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit; and Financial Services.
Most recently, he was appointed by Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) to fill a vacancy on the powerful House Rules Committee, which sets the agenda in the lower chamber when lawmakers are in session.
Lomax is also a recipient of the Council of State Governments’ prestigious 20 Under 40 leadership award, chosen from among hundreds of lawmakers across the country. In his district, he’s active in many civic and charitable organizations in Madison County.
He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two daughters. They reside in Huntsville and attend Trinity Baptist Church in Madison.
The Republican primary election is May 19, 2026.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
With national and state midterm elections coming in 2026, many voters still have questions about the integrity of U.S. elections.
A new Alabama group, Concerned Citizens for Election Integrity, says it plans to address those concerns by hosting a public presentation this Saturday, Dec. 6, featuring election data expert Douglas G. Frank.
Frank is scheduled to speak and take questions starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Tillman’s Corner Senior Center at 5863 Nevius Road in Mobile. Admission is free, and no ticket or RSVP is required.
Organizers describe the event as an informative community meeting with a watchful eye on what could be next for Alabama elections and election procedures.
The description of the program reads:
With major decisions on the horizon for Alabama’s election, families and future, we are inviting citizens, parents, pastors and community leaders to gather Saturday, Dec. 6 for an informative presentation focused on election integriy and preparing for the possibility of returning to paper ballots, hand-counted.
The presentation is designed to inform all attendees, not just for political insiders but for everyday Alabamians who care about election integrity and who choose to be informed and engaged.
The presentation will feature Dr. Douglas G. Frank, a nationally recognized election integrity researcher and data analyst, who will outline current vulnerabilities in U.S. election systems, explain proven reforms to safeguard voter confidence, and share practical strategies citizens can begin using now to enhance transparency and trust in the voting process.
Dr. Frank is famous for having discovered algorithms in our voter rolls that gave him an unnatural ability to accurately predict election outcomes of the 2020 election by age groups in every county of every state, including Alabama. As he likes to say, “That ain’t natural, buddy!”
That discovery is but one of the indications that our election systems are, at minimum, vulnerable to manipulation. It also indicates that, in 2020, the vulnerability was exploited. Since nothing has been done to correct the vulnerability, we can assume we still have elections that are ripe for manipulation.
Speaking in Huntsville, Alabama recently, Dr. Frank talked about the Alabama voter rolls.
“The unnatural ‘churn’, or ‘pump and dump’ as others call it, found in voter rolls of every county of every state in the country is occurring in Alabama’s voter rolls as well,” Wayne Christopher of Mobile, one of the organizers of the effort, says.
“Alabama’s voter rolls indicate a four-year median churn of 42.1%. An unidentified influence outside of County Registrars is inflating the voter rolls of every county with illegitimate registrations prior to every election and then removing them following every election. The illegitimate registrations provide a credit line of registrants that can be used to cast ballots and influence the outcome of any election.”
“Those seeking a solution should notice that this problem began about 2012 when county officials lost control of their voter rolls and the states took control and consolidated them into one large database,” Christopher concludes.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) is making it clear that he’s not a fan of the idea of extending the extra subsides for Obamacare, even if it’s just for a couple of years.
President Donald Trump was expected to push a compromise on the Affordable Care Act last week that would have expanded the special tax credits for two years, while also adding other more conservative reforms to the package.
The White House reportedly pulled back on the idea after some Republican backlash.
Moore, who is also a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2026, discussed the issue Wednesday on WVNN’s “The Yaffee Program.”
“It would depend on what the reforms are,” Moore said. “I would probably never vote for a two-year expansion, extension on subsidies. I probably wouldn’t vote for a one year because that money is just the taxpayers subsidizing the insurance companies. There are other things we can do reform wise, certainly allowing competitive plans across state lines, you know, allowing people to customize their plans, get the government out of it.”
Premiums for many Americans on Obamacare could potentially double if nothing is passed before the end of the year.
Moore believes that instead of just throwing more tax dollars at the problem, there needs to be a more permanent solution to help lower prices in the healthcare market.
“If we do those subsidies, that’s just gonna make the insurance companies wealthier,” he argued. “You’re still not you’re not keeping your doctor, you’re not keeping your plan, and you’re going to have to go prior approval on every surgery, every MRI, everything you want to do.”
The congressman left the door slightly open to voting for a compromise, but admitted it would have to be something that includes meaningful changes.
“So there needs to be some serious reforms,” he said. “And so for me to say I would vote for an extend on subsidies right now, I don’t see it unless the reforms are pretty incredible, and it was a short term fix, just to kind of help through the holidays, get people so we could get a plan that will really, really take care of the American people.”
“And look, the Obamacare is a disaster,” he added. “We know that anytime government gets in these markets, they destroy them, and that’s what has happened with healthcare. It’s some of the worst in the country. We pay the worst in the world, and we pay the most for it. So there’s a lot of work to be done there. Yaffee, I don’t see me vote for the subsidies right now.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Leaders from Washington to Montgomery are praising Alabama Power’s new two-year rate stability plan approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission, calling it a major step toward keeping power affordable as families continue to feel the sting of high prices nationwide.
The PSC voted Tuesday to approve Alabama Power’s proposal to hold several major adjustable rate factors at current levels through 2026 and 2027 to lock in what commissioners described during the meeting as a needed period of predictability for customers.
Following the decision, Governor Kay Ivey said the move helps Alabama stay ahead of the curve on cost of living and economic competitiveness.
“As prices are going up all over the country, this action in Alabama ensures we remain leaders in affordability and reliability,” Governor Ivey wrote.
“I thank the PSC for making wise decisions for the people and businesses that make our state great.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville said the efforts of the company and commission is both proof and in service of American energy dominance.
“I’m glad to see Alabama Power freezing rates for two years through 2027,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said. “We have an abundance of riches in Alabama when it comes to energy, including coal, natural gas, hydro and nuclear power plants. But moving forward, we have to focus on cutting regulations.”
“Alabama has the opportunity to lead the nation in recruiting new manufacturing and jobs while focusing on a lower cost of living for our citizens and providing them with more opportunities for a higher standard of living,” he said.
The plan approved by the PSC also includes steps designed to protect customers from storm-related cost spikes, such as action involving Alabama Power’s Natural Disaster Reserve to better prepare for future severe weather costs.
The Alabama Farmers Federation, representing over 350,000 member families across all 67 counties, also weighed in on Tuesday’s vote.
“While all Alabamians are dealing with the lingering effects of inflation, farmers have been hit especially hard. Commodity prices are at record lows, and farmers can’t pass along rising production costs,” Federation President Jimmy Parnell said.
“Keeping electricity rates stable through 2027 is good news for all farmers, particularly those who rely on Alabama Power for everything from poultry house ventilation and greenhouse fans to catfish pond aeration and irrigation pumps,” Parnell added.
Clay Scofield, President and CEO of the Energy Institute of Alabama, and former GOP Majority Leader of the Alabama Senate, said the decision sends a strong signal to households and employers that Alabama is making cost stability a top priority.
“Energy isn’t just important — it is the backbone of Alabama’s economy.”
“By approving this multiyear rate stability plan, the Commission and Alabama Power have taken decisive action to give Alabama families and businesses the certainty they deserve. This is the kind of leadership that keeps Alabama growing.”
“And as always, we are deeply grateful to our utilities and the lineworkers who show up every single day to keep our lights on and our economy moving forward,” Scofield added.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
As many retailers are getting ready for the new regulations on hemp products, State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) is defending the state’s new ban on certain hemp products — especially with the latest Farm Bill passed by Congress seeming poised to further eradicate the market.
Whitt sponsored HB445 earlier this year, landmark legislation regulating consumable hemp products in Alabama.
The measure established clear limits on THC content, banned synthetic and intoxicating cannabinoids such as Delta-8 and HHC, and placed new packaging, testing, and licensing requirements on manufacturers and retailers.
The new law takes effect January 1, 2026.
“We all saw the vape shops, the smoke shops that have have popped up on every corner across the state and all of our cities that basically, you know, it was, it was these dime store marijuana shops you could go in,” Whitt said Monday on WVNN.
“It was called hemp, but none of them actually passed the the test. When ABC went in and looked, or Leah went in and tested these products. So we had to, we had to get a handle on that. Alabama took the lead to create that law, and I certainly appreciate the legislature following me and helping me pass that legislation and protect our citizens.”
“The largest DUI percentage for based on ALEA’s numbers, the largest number of DUIs has to do with THC products, not alcohol, but THC products,” Whitt said.
Congress recently passed a ban on the sale of consumable hemp-derived products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC.
Whitt argues that Congress was just following Alabama’s example on the issue.
“Alabama took the lead,” he said. “We saw there was an issue with these products being sold out on the convenience store shelves. There these delta eight, the Delta nine products that was being openly marketed across the state. You know, these products are unregulated. They’re untested. And frankly, being sold in places that had no businesses acting like a pharmacy. A gas station is for gasoline, the soft drinks — not handing out these high powered substances.”
“[I]t was created in 2018 by a loophole in the Farm Bill,” he added, “it was the wild wild west regarding these products.”
Whitt said lawmakers put the new system under the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board because “everyone felt that ABC would be the best to regulate this,” adding, “ABC is not selling this. Okay, ABC is not, the state is not in this business.”
He said ABC “had the mechanism, they had the staff to be able to do that,” and warned of consequences for retailers who violate the rules: “If they’re in there and they see these products, they could easily lose their license.”
The lawmaker admitted he received pushback on the issue, but ultimately is standing by the need for the law in the Yellowhammer State.
“We did have quite a bit of pushback on this, but it was a common sense thing to do,” he said. “I mean, they had found a loophole in a federal law, and they had exploited it at the detriment of the people’s health here, and it was again, Wild Wild West selling these products…It was widely being smuggled into schools, sold into schools. Children was taking it, overdosing on it, going to the hospital, ended up in ICU. The retailers don’t want to tell that side of the story, but it’s happening, and it’s had it happening all over Alabama.”
Whitt also pointed to what he described as lax age controls, saying “even in Birmingham, you could get it dropped off your door like Uber Eats.” He added, “He had no idea if I was 1418, or 40, and he was willing to come over and bring these products.”
On the looming federal change, Whitt said the new federal law “basically does away with with all of their products, other than the creams, the lotions, that truly was, the hemp based product, lotions for arthritis, etc, and nothing that you take orally or anything of that nature.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
The current candidates for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2026 are probably breathing a little bit easier today as a potential high-profile personality has decided not to throw his hat in the ring.
After months of speculation, longtime college football commentator Paul Finebaum officially announced today that he will NOT seek Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2026, which is being vacated by U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), who is running for Governor.
“I have been deeply moved by so many people in Alabama who have reached out encouraging me to run for the United States Senate,” Finebaum told AL(dot)com Tuesday. “It has been a gratifying and rewarding experience.”
The decision leaves Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), Morgan Murphy, former U.S. Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, and Rodney Walker as the remaining candidates in the race.
“I am also appreciative of my bosses at ESPN for allowing me to explore this opportunity,” Finebaum added. “But it’s time for me to devote my full attention to something everyone in Alabama can agree upon – our love of college football.”
According to a report from Jewish Insider last month, Finebaum had “given himself a deadline of the first week in December to decide.”
While Finebaum kept his political views under wraps for the majority of his career due to ESPN policy, he revealed to Clay Travis in September he is a registered Republican. No doubt he would have also had strong name ID if he decided to run.
Though, Tuberville recently speculated on the potential candidacy and said Finebaum would have needed more than just name ID to win.
“When I was well known like Paul, people didn’t know my politics … If he does it, he’s got to go tell people why he’s doing it, not just who he is,” Tuberville said. “People already know [he’s got] 100% name ID, but you’ve got to tell people his politics and what he believes in and what he’s going to try to do.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
Alabama electric customers got welcome news Tuesday when the Alabama Public Service Commission voted to approve Alabama Power’s recent proposal to hold several major adjustable rate factors at current levels for two years.
In that proposal, the company laid out commitments to keep several bill-impacting adjustment factors in place.
On Tuesday, PSC President Cynthia Lee Almond, Commissioner Jeremy Oden, and Commissioner Chris Beeker III even went a step further by adopting an amendment during the meeting to ensure the two-year window of certainty isn’t undermined by the utility’s formula-rate process.
They also approved a major piece of the implementation around the company’s Natural Disaster Reserve, which takes the fund from a negative balance, to now being shored up to prepare for future storm season emergencies.
Members of the PSC called the two-year flat rate plan “welcome relief” from the progressive energy politics of previous administrations.
“Alabama Power’s announcement that it will seek to keep utility rates flat for the next two years brings welcome relief at a time when all of us are struggling with the inflation hangover created by the Biden administration and woke initiatives like the Green New Deal,” Commissioner Chris Beeker said.
“Every member of the Public Service Commission sent strong signals that any request for a rate increase would be a non-starter because too many families across Alabama are already finding it difficult to make ends meet, and consumers need relief. We appreciate the fact that our message was received, understood, and accommodated.”
President Trump and Alabama lawmakers have made energy dominance and lower household costs a defining theme of the current administration. That includes expanding domestic production, cutting red tape, and increasing access to affordable and reliable energy.
Commissioner Jeremy Oden said that Tuesday’s vote is a further indication that “Biden’s war on American energy is over.”
“Alabama Power’s commitment to keep rates flat for two years is a win for ratepayers,” Oden said.
“But undoing Biden’s radical and reckless policies takes time, and I appreciate Alabama Power’s responsiveness to the Public Service Commission’s immediate and primary objective: providing much-needed relief to Alabama families and ratepayers.”
During the meeting Tuesday, PSC members expressed gratitude to the Commission’s staff, the company, as well as the Alabama Attorney General’s office, for their work, even through the Thanksgiving holiday, to achieve a resolution.
“I’m proud of the work my fellow commissioners and I put into bringing everyone to the table and pushing for real, practical solutions that make energy more affordable,” Oden said.
PSC President Cynthia Almond said providing stability for ratepayers is a top priority and argued the PSC’s framework will help Alabama households and employers plan ahead.
“By keeping major cost-recovery mechanisms level through 2027, we are helping families, small businesses, and industries budget with confidence during a time when so many costs continue to rise,” Almond said.
Almond, who stepped in as PSC President earlier this year following Twinkle Cavanaugh’s historic tenure in the role, said the Commission will continue monitoring major storms and other unusual events that could affect costs, which was a key investment decision made on Tuesday: “These events are rare, but preparing for them is essential in a state like Alabama.”
“This is good news for Alabama, and it reflects smart stewardship on all sides. Our focus is always on keeping rates fair, reliable, and as low as possible,” Almond added.
“For the next two years, families and businesses can count on stability, predictability, and the continued reliability of our electric system.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Many residents of Hoover have made it clear that the do not want an Islamic school to be located in their city.
The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission held a vote Monday on whether to approve a proposal to allow the Islamic Academy of Alabama to relocate from Homewood to a vacant office building in Meadow Brook Corporate Park in Hoover.
The commission voted 7-0 against the request to rezone the property and allow the school to relocate to the city.
While the zoning board voted no, the school still has the option to take the request to the Hoover City Council.
According to a report by 1819 news, many residents showed up to the board meeting a Hoover City Hall to voice their opposition to the plan, citing traffic and other concerns about the proposal.
“I see the traffic backed up every morning already,” John Padgett, a homeowner with the residential property closest to the location said at the meeting. “When they start, if you add a few hundred cars to that, it’s gonna be backed up past the stop sign,” questioning the results of the traffic study that said the school would have zero impact on current conditions.”
Traffic wasn’t the only concerns cited, as one new resident said he was worried about that will be promoted by an Islamic school.
“I was shocked to witness the land that gave us the King James Bible, supposedly a Christian nation, overwhelmingly being taken over. I witnessed in the United Kingdom, especially, in Manchester, Birmingham, London, that the multiculturism did not work,” the resident explained. “The Muslims did not assimilate. In fact, the Brits bent backwards to accommodate their demands over and over, again, to the level of feeling the second-class citizens in their own country.”
Despite the pushback, school spokesman Lucas Gambino told The Hoover Sun that “if the city is concerned about the potential number of students at the school, the school would be happy to put a cap on the number of students allowed and subject itself to reporting and audits by the city.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
Ann Bedsole published her life story in 2022 at age 92. The book’s title is “Leave Your Footprint.”
She died December 1, 2025, at age 95. She left many footprints.
She left a footprint on the Alabama Legislature and the Republican Party.
Bedsole was the first Republican woman elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, and later, the first woman elected to the Alabama Senate.
Even when Republicans were in the minority, and even when she was the only woman in the room, she managed to get things done.
She ran for governor in 1994, made the Republican runoff, but lost to the eventual winner, Fob James.
She left a footprint on many young lives by founding the Alabama School of Math and Science. Alabama’s best and brightest are shining brighter due to the Ann Bedsole footprint as a world-class residential high school for the gifted. This is a footprint that will not fade.
She left a footprint for the homeless with the Sybil Smith Village, named for her mother.
She fell short in her run for mayor of Mobile in 2005.
But she also left footprints in the business and social community and certainly footprints in forestry and property development.
Footprint after footprint led to her induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2002.
Ann Bedsole was the quintessential Southern lady. Even her nonpareil voice was the voice of a Southern lady, not a belle, but a Southern professional lady.
Funeral services will be announced.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) are drawing awareness to former President Joe Biden after an Afghani national shot two National Guardsmen near the White House last week.
Two West Virginia National Guardsmen were ambushed in what officials describe as a targeted attack near Farragut Square.
National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom died from her injuries, and the second Guard member, Andrew Wolfe, is still in critical condition.
President Donald Trump has put a pause on all asylum decisions in the wake of the attack.
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation.”
Britt argued Sunday that this would have never happened if it were not for the actions of the previous administration. She also added that the left’s rhetoric surrounding the immigration issue is putting out National Guard and law enforcement at risk.
“A combination of the Biden Administration’s gross negligence—allowing unvetted entry to our country—and the Left’s relentless vilification of law enforcement by calling them Nazis, labeling them threats to democracy, and more has pushed our country to multiple boiling points,” Britt said on X.
The senator said she supports to President’s decision in trying to sure up the vetting process when it comes to those trying to claim asylum.
“[Trump]’s plans to pause migration from countries of concern and continue overhauling our immigration system are matters of national security and have my support,” she added.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) took it a step further and argued that any immigrant who is shown to be a radical Islamist should be immediately deported.
“The Afghan terrorist who shot 2 National Guard heroes in D.C. was welcomed into this country with open arms by Joe Biden,” Tuberville said. “We must IMMEDIATELY BAN all ISLAM immigrants and DEPORT every single Islamist who is living among us just waiting to attack.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
The Electric Cooperatives of Alabama Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed Caroleene Dobson in the 2026 race for Alabama Secretary of State, throwing the support of one of the state’s most influential rural organizations behind her campaign.
Karl Rayborn, CEO of the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives (AREA), said Dobson’s background and values align closely with the needs of rural communities.
“Caroleene has a heart for rural Alabama and the communities our electric cooperatives serve, while also bringing the integrity and sound judgment needed to oversee Alabama’s business filings and elections process,” Rayborn said. “We believe she is the perfect candidate for the job, and we are proud to support her as Alabama’s next Secretary of State.”
Dobson, a Monroe County native, grew up on her family’s fifth-generation cattle farm before becoming an accomplished attorney specializing in commercial real estate, natural resources and energy law. She said her upbringing helped shape her understanding of the state’s rural workforce and the role cooperatives play in supporting it.
“Growing up in rural Alabama taught me just how essential our electric cooperatives are to sustaining families, farms, and small businesses,” Dobson said. “I am grateful for AREA’s work to deliver reliable, affordable energy that powers Alabama’s economy, and I look forward to working alongside them as Secretary of State to make life more affordable for the people of Alabama.”
Dobson has only continued to stress the importance of reducing fees on Alabama businesses, sentiments she originally made when launching her campaign back in June, when she joined Alabama State Auditor Andrew Sorrell in the race.
The AREA endorsement signals unified support from Alabama’s electric cooperatives, which collectively serve more than one million residents. AREA represents 22 member-owned cooperatives and partners with TVA, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, and Southern Power to promote rural development and sound energy policy across the state.
Alabama’s U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is leading a Senate GOP push to flip federal residency standards on abortion training, making participation “opt-in” instead of “opt-out” as the default.
Britt, who is a strong pro-life advocate in Congress, joined many of her colleagues in the Senate to introduce the Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act, which stablishes clear federal protections, so residents are not forced to choose between their moral or religious beliefs and their careers.
“There should never be an instance where a medical student or resident is forced to choose between their deeply held moral or religious convictions and their careers,” Britt said. “Our legislation simply lets residents opt in, rather than be forced to opt out, of training that violates their consciences.”
Under current rules from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, residents are allowed to opt out of abortion training, but the opt-out system puts pressure on trainees to participate in procedures that violate their moral or religious beliefs. Residents often fear that opting out could affect evaluations, recommendations, or future career opportunities.
“I will always fight to protect life,” Britt continued, “and I’m proud to support this bill that would safeguard the values of aspiring medical professionals as they learn and thrive.”
The legislation replaces the opt-out system with an opt-in system, while also ensuring residents can choose whether to participate in abortion training and protects them from discrimination or retaliation if they decline.
U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), who cosponsored the bill, echoed Britt’s sentiments on the issue.
“Medical residents should never be pressured to violate their beliefs in order to finish their training or advance in their careers,” Lankford said.
“Many went into medicine to protect life, not take it. No one should have to choose between their conscience and their future in medicine. Our bill makes that clear and ensures medical students and residents can follow their convictions as they care for their patients.”
Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) are also cosponsors of this legislation.
The following organizations support the bill: AAPLOG Action, SBA, ADF, AUL, NRLC, CURE, CatholicVote, Vitae Foundation, Human Coalition, March for Life Action, Heartbeat International, SFLA Action, CWALAC, ERLC, Live Action, Heritage Action, FPA, Liberty Counsel, FRC, and Liberty Counsel Action.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
State leaders, conservation partners, and landowners gathered Nov. 6 at The Ridge in Greene County to launch a major effort to restore one of Alabama’s most endangered landscapes — the Black Belt Prairie.
Ashley Henderson, Assistant Executive Director of ALSWCC, said the launch marked a significant step toward restoring prairie lands across the region.
“Today’s launch represents more than just funding—it marks the beginning of real, on-the-ground restoration work that will strengthen both Alabama’s natural landscapes and the communities that depend on them,” Henderson said.
Over the next five years, ALSWCC will work with producers and landowners to restore 8,000 acres of prairie through cost-share assistance, technical guidance, and conservation planning. The project covers 19 counties throughout the Black Belt region.
“Some acres will return to productive grazing; others will be managed as wildlife habitat or outdoor recreation areas,” Henderson said. “Each will demonstrate how prairie restoration can support families, wildlife, and local economies.”
Field practices will include prescribed fire, removal of invasive species, the use of native warm-season grasses, and rotational grazing techniques designed to restore soil health, biodiversity, and the native seed bank.
Henderson emphasized the importance of the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) as a key partner in the prairie effort.
“No other organization has done more to demonstrate that prairie restoration works and that it can coexist with productive agriculture than AWF,” she said.
Joining Henderson at the event were several leaders representing conservation, state government, and higher education, including:
Mark M. Tuggle, Chief of Staff for the Alabama Speaker of the House
Cameron Smith, President of the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts
Dr. Todd G. Fritch, President of the University of West Alabama
Kelli Wolfe, West Alabama Field Representative for U.S. Senator Katie Britt
Claude Jenkins, Wildlife Biologist with the Alabama Wildlife Federation
Tuggle said the project reflects the Legislature’s continued support for impactful conservation efforts. “This project is a testament to the Legislature’s ongoing commitment to supporting Alabama’s Black Belt through impactful, targeted investments,” Tuggle said.
Tuggle added, “Simply put, using $2 million in state funding to leverage an almost $18 million federal grant is a great deal for the people of this region and will have a long-term impact on the preservation of native prairies. Alabama is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, and projects like this ensure future generations have the opportunity to experience it.”
Tim Gothard, Executive Director of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, also expressed optimism about the long-term benefits of the restoration work.
“We look forward to continuing our work in the Black Belt and partnering with landowners in this area to address their desire to restore the native prairie,” Gothard said. “Furthermore, this work will enhance the outdoor recreation and eco-tourism that the Black Belt is becoming known for.”
Landowners seeking more information on the initiative can contact Harli Willis, Program Conservationist with ALSWCC, at (334) 832-8569.
The 1960’s was a very tumultuous and consequential decade. One of the prolonged problems that came home to roost in that era was the Civil Rights issue.
Lyndon B. Johnson had become President after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Johnson was a ruthless “win at all costs” former Senator from Texas. He had been a strong-armed Democratic Senate Majority Leader. He had been in the group of very powerful seniority laden southern bloc of senators who had blocked Civil Rights for at least a decade, even after the 1954 Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education decision.
However, Lyndon Johnson was the ultimate political animal. He knew that as President, he could champion and pass Civil Rights legislation that would assure his election to his own term as President. He used all his political prowess and passed the 1964 Civil Rights Bill. He rode that crescendo to election to the Presidency in 1964.
Being a tough, East Texas bred politician, Johnson knew southern politics. When he signed the Civil Rights Bill, he looked over at his long time Senate mentor, the venerable Richard Russell of Georgia, who Johnson had just run over, and Russell was glaring at Johnson. Johnson looked up and said, “I have just signed the South over to the Republican Party.” Johnson’s words were prophetic. LBJ won the Presidency in 1964 in a landslide over Barry Goldwater. He carried 44 states. However, the five Deep South states voted Republican for Goldwater. Alabama was one of those five southern states. Alabama and all of our neighboring sister southern states have voted Republican for President since the 1964 Southern Goldwater Landslide.
LBJ came back in 1965 and passed the Voting Rights Act. Within that law, he took out his vengeance on the five Deep South states. He added a section to his Voting Rights Act that dictates these five states would be under the thumb of the U.S. Justice Department and formerly discriminated and prohibited from voting black southerners would be registered to vote. Furthermore, these newly enfranchised black voters should be given preferential treatment in voting and elections.
This Reconstruction Era style dictation has granted federal judges the power to create Congressional districts that are overtly gerrymandered to create Democratic districts in defiance of majority-ruled Republican Legislature’s constitutionally granted powers. These judges have hung their hats on the Voting Rights Act.
In a Louisiana case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in recent months, the omnipotent Supreme Court of the United States appears poised to hand down a decision that declares Section Two of the 1965 Voting Rights Act null and void. The decision by SCOTUS, if indeed it is forthcoming, should be rendered no later than June.
How will it affect Alabama? More than likely, Governor Ivey will call a special legislative session. Our super majority Republican Alabama Legislature will enact new congressional lines. They will definitely dismantle the recently, judicially gerrymandered new district. This district, which was decreed by federal judges to overtly discriminate against conservative Republican voters to create a majority, minority district, will be gone. That seat, now held by Democrat Shomari Figures, will be gone. It will be restored to a Republican district.
The Republican legislature will be tempted to take the Democratic Seat of our veteran Democratic Congresswoman Terri Sewell, also. However, in their partisan zeal, they should tread carefully before they throw Terri Sewell out. If you keep Sewell, our Congressional delegation will return to six Republicans and one lone Democrat. If you consider that both of our Senators are Republican, that gives us eight Republicans and one Democrat. Suppose a Democrat is elected President, or the Democrats become the majority in the House. Without Terri Sewell, we have no protection. She has become a leader within the Democratic Congressional Caucus. Terri Sewell is our lifeline to a Democratic White House or Democratic Congress.
Elections have consequences. Trump’s election as President and his ability to appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court has changed southern politics. If indeed the 1965 Voting Rights is stricken down, it will mean 10 to 12 new Republican districts in the Deep South.
We will soon see.
See you next week.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.
Putting political differences aside, Alabama’s congressional delegation is on a mission to bring a Microreactor Power Plant to Redstone Arsenal.
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong headed up the lawmakers in a letter to the Secretary of the Army today touting the qualifications of Redstone to host the plant as part of the Army’s Project Janus.
“Redstone Arsenal has the people, the expertise, the infrastructure, and the mission set to ensure Project Janus’ success,” said Strong (R-Huntsville).
“North Alabama is ready to support this pilot program, and I will continue working to ensure Redstone remains at the top of the list.”
The Janus Program, the Army’s next-generation nuclear power program, aims to deliver secure, resilient, and reliable energy to support national defense installations and critical missions, the Army said last week in announcing the project.
The strategic effort will help provide secure, resilient, and reliable energy to power military installations, independent of the commercial grid, the Army said.
“A Federal Center of Excellence, [Redstone Arsenal] is home to approximately 65 tenant units across the federal government and a workforce of almost 46,000 personnel. Selecting [Redstone] as a site for Project Janus would benefit not only the U.S. Army, but also the Joint Force and interagency partners, including NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, FBI Redstone, and U.S. Space Command,” read the letter, in part, to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. “The installation’s core mission areas include space operations and missile defense, RDT&E, intelligence, and homeland defense, which are among the nation’s most critical, making the energy resilience provided by the [microreactor] essential for uninterrupted operations.”
Along with Strong, the letter was signed by Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery); and Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), Mike Rogers (R-Weaver), Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) and Gary Palmer (R-Hoover).
Redstone Arsenal is one of nine installations under consideration to host aMicro-Reactor Power Plant. The others are Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Drum, Fort Hood, Fort Wainwright, Holston Army Ammunition Plant and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The Army said the rollout of Janus technology will occur in stages in a “learn-as-you-go” process for “safe, efficient implementation.”
“The Janus Program is taking its first step toward pairing specific nuclear reactor designs to specific U.S. Army installations,” said Dr. Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. “We will move to bending metal as quickly as possible, leveraging the enormous amount of technical talent gathered to execute this program.”
U.S. Senator Katie Britt is pushing bipartisan legislation aimed at improving maternal health care, saying Alabama and the nation should not accept preventable pregnancy-related deaths as a reality in 2025.
Britt recently reintroduced the NIH IMPROVE Act, which would secure consistent federal funding for research on maternal care and mortality.
The measure would authorize more than $73 million a year for seven years to strengthen scientific research into the root causes of the maternal mortality crisis.
Britt says the federal government must prioritize mothers’ health before, during, and after pregnancy.
“I’m proud to fight for moms and women across Alabama and America. This bipartisan legislation will support targeted funding for critical research to improve health outcomes for women throughout their pregnancy journey,” Senator Britt (R-Montgomery) said.
Alabama remains one of the most dangerous states to give birth, and Britt argues that the risks fall most heavily on women who are already vulnerable.
Maternal mortality affects women in rural regions and women of color, including Black and Native American women, at significantly higher rates.
Britt pressed NIH leadership earlier this year, saying these outcomes cannot be tolerated in a nation with strong medical systems.
“Far too many women in this country are dying from pregnancy-related causes. You look at Alabama, we have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. It disproportionately affects black women, Native American women, women in rural areas … It’s 2025. These numbers should be moving in the opposite direction.”
More than one-third of Alabama counties are maternity care deserts, lacking birthing facilities or OB-GYNs.
Recent labor and delivery closures in both Shelby and Monroe counties deepened an already fragile care landscape. With mortality rates reaching 59.7 deaths per 100,000 births, Alabama ranks among the worst states for maternal outcomes.
Britt’s maternal health push is part of a wider effort to expand women’s health services, particularly for women in underserved areas. Alongside the NIH IMPROVE Act, Britt has supported bipartisan legislation to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for breast cancer diagnostic tests through the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act.
She also helped reintroduce the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, which would expand access to urgent maternal care by supporting rural health care facilities and providers.
Her efforts include securing federal appropriations funding to modernize medical equipment and strengthen rural health services in Alabama, while continuing to prioritize health care funding in upcoming budget cycles.
The IMPROVE Act has earned support from leading maternal health organizations, including March of Dimes and the Women’s First Research Coalition.
March of Dimes, which Britt has publicly supported, recently reported that the United States remains one of the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth and gave the country a D+ grade in preterm birth rates for the fourth consecutive year.
Britt says the goal is straightforward: to invest in solutions that save lives and ensure women across Alabama—and nationwide—receive care worthy of the 21st century.
“I’m committed to ensuring the NIH remains the gold-standard of research and provides solutions to improve health outcomes for women before, during, and after pregnancy.”
Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Director Cam Ward will receive the 2025 Pillar of Excellence Award from the Addiction Policy Forum during a ceremony on Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol, according to the agency.
The Bureau said Ward will be recognized alongside other national leaders, including U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and U.S. Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV), as part of the Addiction Policy Forum’s annual awards reception.
The award is intended to honor leaders whose work improves addiction prevention, treatment, recovery, and criminal-justice responses for people with substance use disorders, the bureau said.
“We’re proud to represent Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey and our excellent officers and staff by bringing this award back to the Bureau,” Director Ward said.
“Alabama’s leaders have been staunch supporters of our work while our team remains dedicated to these programs that lead to reduced crime, better outcomes and safer communities across the state.”
The Bureau pointed to its network of Day Reporting Centers and the Perry County PREP Center as key parts of its reentry and rehabilitation programming. The agency says the PREP Center, which opened in 2022, has maintained a zero percent recidivism rate and has helped more than 400 participants since it launched.
The Bureau also said the PREP model is expected to be replicated in other locations across the state.
Those efforts are tied to Alabama’s participation in Reentry 2030, a national initiative led by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center that focuses on improving outcomes for people returning to their communities after incarceration.
Alabama’s stated goal under the initiative is to cut the state’s recidivism rate in half by 2030.
Before joining the Ivey administration, Ward served in the Alabama Legislature, including time in the Alabama Senate and as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the Bureau said he backed evidence-based criminal justice policy reforms, including work connected to the Justice Reinvestment Initiative.
As families across Alabama and our nation gather for Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of the timeless words of President Abraham Lincoln:
“No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people.”
Those words ring just as true today as they did when he first penned them. Thanksgiving is more than a tradition – it is a moment for the American people to come together with one heart, one voice, and one grateful spirit.
Micah 6:8 reminds us of the posture God desires from His people: “To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
This is a picture of the kind of nation and communities we should strive to build – ones rooted in humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to doing what is right.
As we gather around our tables today, I pray we embrace the gift of togetherness. In a world divided by noise and politics, Thanksgiving reminds us that unity begins at home.
This season, let us choose patience, forgiveness, and love toward those God has placed in our lives.
I am grateful every day for the privilege of serving the people of Alabama.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with peace, joy, and togetherness.
From the Moore family to your family, Happy Thanksgiving, and may God continue to bless you.
Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) represents Alabama’s 1st Congressional District. He is a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026.
