U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) is still very concerned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not going to agree to a fair peace deal with Ukraine.

President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders on Monday, just days after holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Friday.

Peace talks between the two warring countries have seemingly stalled this week as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says plans for a bilateral summit between Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky are “not ready at all.”

Aderholt discussed the issue Thursday on FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show.”

“I just think Putin is unpredictable,” Aderholt argued. “I mean, you know, I am one of those Republicans that have been supportive of trying to, as as a majority of the Republicans have in Congress have, making sure that Putin does not continue his mission of trying to take over Europe. And we’re seeing what’s happening to Ukraine, and to push back on him, he is one of those people that will not listen to anything but force.”

The congressman said that it’s in America’s national security interests to make sure that Russia doesn’t ultimately win in Ukraine.

“I know a lot of people have a lot of mixed concerns about our involvement there, but if he goes into a NATO country, we have no option but then to get involved and send our men and women over there,” he said. “So it’s better that we push back now and help Ukraine and try to find a resolution of this, then wake up one morning and we find out he’s going into one of the NATO countries, and we’re going to be involved in sending our men and women overseas to fight a war. So I think that it’s vitally important that he get the message, Putin that is, that we are serious, that Trump, he wants to end this war.”

RELATED: Alabama Republicans celebrate Trump’s leadership on Russia-Ukraine: ‘President of Peace and the Dealmaker in Chief’

Aderholt said that he appreciates Trump’s attempts in trying to negotiate a peace to end the fighting.

“I do think that if there’s anybody that kind of can find a resolution, this will be Donald Trump — and I think Putin respects him,” he said. “But also, more than that, Putin knows that Trump could do anything, and he knows that he will do anything to make sure that he is going to end this war. I think it’s in Putin’s best interest to try to find a solution, to find a way out, to try to find a way to pull out of the Ukraine, and that’s, I think, ultimately, what’s going to happen.”

“But I think it may take a few weeks, he added. “I think Putin is trying to drag his feet as much as possible, but I think there will come some point that Trump will say that’s it. We’re going to bring all kinds of sanctions on Russia, and we’re going to have all countries that do business with you, we’re going to sanction them, and their economy will absolutely be destroyed.”

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

Alabama Republicans believe President Donald Trump is on the right side of history when it comes to dealing with the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders on Monday, just days after holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Friday.

“During the meeting we discussed Security Guarantees for Ukraine, which Guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries, with a coordination with the United States of America,” Trump said Monday on Truth Social, “Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.”

Members of Alabama’s Republican Congressional delegation praised Trump’s efforts at achieving peace between the two world powers.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said Trump is a “President of Peace.”

https://x.com/SenTuberville/status/1957790930011922714?

The senator discussed the topic during an appearance on the Fox Business network.

“Thank goodness we got President Trump that’s speaking for us,” Tuberville said. “He’s a peacemaker. I mean, he’s already stopped, what, five, six, seven wars that have been fighting all over the world the last 10, 15 years.”

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) agreed with Tuberville, also calling Trump a “President of Peace.”

https://x.com/SenKatieBritt/status/1957540924923474173

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, said, “President Trump knows that peace through strength works. That’s why I fully support his push for robust security guarantees for Ukraine. These guarantees are essential to deter a third Russian invasion and ensure any peace agreement is enduring.”

https://x.com/HASCRepublicans/status/1957493968096104511

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), who is also a candidate for U.S. Senate, said “President Trump is doing more for peace across the globe in his first few months than prior administrations did throughout their whole term!”

https://x.com/RepBarryMoore/status/1957541615158874390

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said “I commend President Trump for the work he continues to do to try and resolve conflicts in the world.”

https://x.com/Robert_Aderholt/status/1956780922352681047

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

7. The Southeastern Conference introduced a fining method for field- and court-storming, increasing penalties to deter fan disruptions at Alabama and Tennessee games, but it is unlikely that the students/fans care.

6. Yellowhammer News founder Cliff Sims and former candidate for Congress Caroleene Dobson are the latest to be considering a potential candidate for the seat vacated by Governor-elect Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn).

5. Alabama’s steel industry is set to gain jobs and infrastructure upgrades from the $14 billion U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel partnership, pending federal approval.

4. Russian President Vladimir Putin has told President Donald Trump that Russia would absolutely respond to Ukraine’s attack on Russian warplanes, escalating the war and making peace seem unlikely.

3. President Donald Trump announced a NEW travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, citing national security, people are mad they may have to wipe their own asses.

2. A Biden-appointed judge has now blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deport the family of Colorado terror suspect Mohamed Soliman, citing humanitarian concerns despite visa issues.

1. Elon Musk, a former ally of President Donald Trump, continues to call for the Senate to kill Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” but Alabama’s senators may be showing a split on the bill with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) being “maybe” and Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) questioning the large cost but ultimately is in favor of it.

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

7. Another anti-Jewish terror attack in the United States took place in Boulder, Colorado, when a man yelled “End Zionists” before launching Moltov cocktails at a crowd that included women and children during an event calling for the release of Israeli hostages.

6. A G4 geomagnetic storm could make the Northern Lights visible in Alabama on Sunday and Monday nights.

5. Ukraine destroyed over 40 Russian military aircraft in a drone attack, prompting President Donald Trump to state he was not told ahead of time and signal rising global tensions.

4. U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) endorsed Auburn coach Bruce Pearl for Alabama’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, praising his energy and leadership — this is a thing that is happening.

3. The media misinformation machine is firing on all cylinders this weekend as they claimed U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) glibly said everyone is going to die and made it clear they never believed Elon Musk made a Nazi salute while ignoring U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) making the same gesture in the same setting for the same reason.

2. President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman, who has Alabama ties, to lead NASA, citing unspecified concerns, and leading to some to say “NASA is f—ed.”

1. Governor-elect Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) vowed to be an active Alabama governor after 2026, comparing his leadership to a “battleship” and addressing lottery concerns about high overhead costs.

Listen here: 

7. After President Donald Trump threatened to cut federal funding over a transgender athlete’s participation, California’s high school athletics association revised girls’ track and field championship rules to include more biologically female athletes the trans athlete has already defeated.

6. “Some say” Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl is considering running for U.S. Senate even though the idea is completely absurd.

5. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is pretty much a shoo-in to win the now-open U.S. Senate seat in 2026; other names suggested like former U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville), former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook), and even Gov. Kay Ivey seem unlikely.

4. Yet another Democrat has traveled to see his constituent and “Maryland Man” Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador’s prison for terrorists; U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.)was not allowed to see him.

3. Huntsville dropped from its ranking as the best place to live and, less than one week later, aldotcom is priming its audience to trash the city and act as if this is an issue of traffic or overpopulation, when it is obviously a change in ranking metrics.

2. President Donald Trump is now openly fighting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he’s “playing with fire” and called him “absolutely crazy” for escalating actions in Ukraine; talk of WW III is back.

1. Gov.-elect Coach U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) officially launched his 2026 campaign for Alabama governor.

Listen here: 

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

7. Oh look, another protective order has been found, with a bonus death threat, for the MS-13 “Maryland Man” the media and their Democrats demand be returned to the United States.

6. Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl visited the site of Nova Music Festival massacre near the Gaza border in Israel saying, “I’m a proud American Jew who happens to be a basketball coach in the United States. I’m a Zionist and I’m a truth-teller.”

5. The Ukrainian government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce to grant access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.

4. The nonsense over sexually explicit books in libraries is on display in Fairhope as residents seem to be fine with the library losing funding but the city council is not.

3. As Trump expressed his desire to ease some tariffs, Mercedes-Benz reaffirmed its commitment to production operations in Alabama.

2. Radio legend Paul Finebaum suggests that former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban could run for the U.S. Senate in Alabama and opines that President Donald Trump could help launch his campaign.

1. Nick Saban will join President Trump as a speaker at the University of Alabama commencement ceremony while local Democrats and low-level national has-beens will scream in a park.

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

7. Russia announced a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark World War II “Victory Day.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian leadership questions the motives and the entire peace process, which President Donald Trump seems to be tiring of as he accurately notes that Crimea is going to be Russia’s.

6. For some reason, perennial loser (oh, that is the reason) former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke is going to speak at a park in Tuscaloosa before President Donald Trump’s speech at the University of Alabama.

5. The attempts to downplay the impact of illegal immigration continue as MSNBC blurs images of criminals’ signs on the White House lawn and the media and their Democrats pretend the issue of illegal immigration and immigrant crime aren’t as worrisome as the policies trying to end those issues.

4. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall and former U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) are just some of the candidates for U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s Senate seat.

3. Spending cuts hit Alabama as the Department of Government Efficiency targets Americorps, much to the chagrin of U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham terminates scholarships for black medical students to keep federal dollars.

2. President Donald Trump’s first 100 days have delivered on disrupted global norms, media pushback and declining approval ratings but Trump claims the polls are “fake” and he wants an investigation.

1. Alabama’s congressional delegation had high marks and kind words for President Donald Trump’s first 100 days for advancing conservative priorities and promises kept on deregulation, tariffs, and border security.

7. While Elon Musk’s DOGE dominates the news, Redstone Arsenal is poised for significant expansion and U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) believes it is capable of accommodating rapid federal and defense-related growth.

6. Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) is touting Alabama’s RAISE Act, which aims to improve student outcomes and teacher support through modified increased funding and accountability measures for schools.

5. There is an absurd proposal to rename a street in Decatur after Steve Perkins, who was killed by the police after menacing a tow truck driver twice and pointing a gun at cops.

4. President Donald Trump attended Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, the media lied about a blue suit, and he was joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the end of the war in Ukraine.

3. While the University of Alabama College Democrats cosplay as the resistance, the university itself faces a civil rights complaint for offering scholarships exclusively for black students, in violation of federal law.

2. Now that U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is clearly running for governor (he is), Alabama’s political figures are positioning to run for U.S. senator in 2026.

1. “No one is above the law” is no longer the mantra of the media and their Democrats after a Wisconsin judge’s arrest by the FBI for obstructing immigration enforcement. While the arrest sparked a national debate over judicial conduct and federal authority, another judge has stopped deportations.

7. State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) predicts that all remaining votes in Alabama’s 2025 Senate session will require cloture to overcome Democratic filibusters, signaling that many bills, including tax cuts, may fail due to time constraints. The strategy, endorsed by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, follows a contentious Senate session where Republicans used cloture to pass six bills, but now Republicans will leverage their supermajority to push through required priorities by limiting debate and killing broadly supported legislation.

6. Fighting is back on in Ukraine after an Easter “truce“, and a failed attempt by Ukraine to get a 30-day truce. President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. will withdraw from brokering a Russia-Ukraine peace deal unless significant progress is made soon, expressing frustration with the lack of advancement in negotiations. Speaking at the White House, Trump emphasized he is not being “played” by either side. Obviously, the media is declaring this is just what Putin wants.

5. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) called for abolishing NPR’s $600 million federal appropriation, arguing that the outlet operates as a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party and promotes biased narratives. Strong’s stance aligns with a broader Republican pushes to defund public broadcasting, citing NPR’s coverage as evidence of liberal overreach, though NPR defenders argue it provides essential journalism for underserved communities. The proposal faces an uphill battle in Congress, with no clear timeline for action, but reflects growing conservative frustration with federally funded media amid polarized political discourse.

4. The Department of Homeland Security revoked the visas of 15 international students at Auburn University as part of a broader Trump administration immigration crackdown, and the university is pledging to provide legal and academic support to affected students. The revocations, primarily targeting students from India and China, lack clear explanations, raising concerns about the decision – which could be cleared up by the federal government if it wanted to.

3. The first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis, died Easter Monday at age 88. His aggressive liberal actions and stances on immigration, “climate change,” LGBTIA@2L!S+, and Israeli conflict with Hamas (he put a keffiyeh in a Nativity scene) often clashed with conservative factions within the Catholic Church. His death, announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, followed a battle with double pneumonia, marking the end of a 12-year papacy.

2. President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan criticized President Joe Biden’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’s immigration policies for releasing an alleged MS-13 gang member from ICE detention. Homan claimed it and all of the other releases endangered communities and fueled violent crime. But the deportation of the wife-beating, gang-banging, human-trafficker Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador sparked Democratic backlash and that continued through the weekend. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) repeatedly avoided confirming or denying whether Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, arguing that focusing on the allegation distracts from the Trump administration’s violation of his due process rights. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito dissented in a deportation case “literally in the middle of the night,” arguing the court’s late-night order to block a Trump administration immigration action was rushed and lacked transparency, undermining the judicial process, which would seem to be hard to do. The case, involving challenges to Trump’s mass deportation plans, saw the majority temporarily halt the policy with a 7-2 ruling with Alito warning that such interventions could embolden legal challenges to executive authority.

1. Protests under the “No Kings” banner erupted across the U.S., including in Alabama, some said “Hands Off” and others said “economic blackout” targeting President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for their perceived influence over government. Marchers decried Trump’s policies and Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency in the latest of a string of never-ending protests. Demonstrators, numbering in the hundreds in cities like Birmingham, expressed fears of authoritarianism, fascism, and democracy being deleted. They are calling for Trump to be removed when they are really just upset about his agenda.

7. Space Command Headquarters will be leaving Colorado and heading to its permanent home in Alabama, according to U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) who says it will happen after meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance and strongly believes Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal will soon be named the final home of U.S. Space Command, reversing Biden’s 2023 decision to keep it in Colorado. He argues that evaluations consistently favor Alabama for its security advantages, predicting 1,400 to 1,700 direct jobs and a 3,000-job boost, with more growth expected from additional FBI roles.

6. On the same day Judge James Boasberg continues his one-man battle to control American foreign policy over the deportation of gangsters to El Salvador’s super-jail, another activist judge, Judge Ana Reyes blocked President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops. The ban was set to begin soon but Reyes stopped it, calling it discriminatory and baseless, arguing it undermines the rights of service members who’ve risked their lives and Reyes even dismissed claims it harms military readiness. Now Chief Justice John Roberts is sharply criticizing President Trump and GOP calls to impeach judges like James Boasberg over adverse rulings, insisting impeachment isn’t a remedy for judicial disagreement.

5. After more than nine months aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams landed safely in the Gulf of America near Tallahassee, Fla’, via a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Their extended stay, originally a week-long Boeing Starliner test mission in June 2024, stretched into a 286-day ordeal after the Starliner faced technical problems, prompting NASA to switch them to SpaceX’s Crew-9 return with Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov.

4. Alabama State House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) cautioned lawmakers against letting the overtime pay tax exemption expire at the end of June, accurately calling it a $230 million tax increase on people who work overtime and telling Republicans that the increase could hurt them in the 2026 election. He argued at a Business Council of Alabama meeting that the exemption, enacted in 2023 with bipartisan support, boosts economic activity and creates more revenue than its $230 million cost, pushing for its passage instead of other tax plans.

3. The Alabama House unanimously passed a bill cutting the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2%, set to start Sept. 1 pending Senate approval and Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature, following a 2023 reduction from 4%. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) talked up these moves as the state’s largest tax cut and says it will save families at least $236 yearly as part of a broader $192 million tax relief package including retirement income exemptions and increased standard deductions.

2. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), eyeing a 2026 gubernatorial bid instead of Senate re-election, is seen as a strong contender due to his Trump ties. But State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) questions his eligibility under Alabama’s seven-year residency rule for governor. Givhan warns a residency dispute could disrupt the race, potentially leaving only weak candidates if Tuberville is disqualified. ALGOP Chairman John Wahl sees no current basis to challenge Tuberville’s eligibility to run for governor in 2026 based on the state’s seven-year residency rule, given his nearly six years as senator and prior campaigning. Wahl says the party is a neutral referee in primaries, not a tool to block candidates, suggesting the real question is whether Tuberville will actually run, not his qualifications.

1. Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted a 30-day halt on attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during a call with President Donald Trump, though he declined a broader 30-day total ceasefire that Ukraine had endorsed, citing concerns about Kyiv rearming during that timeframe. The White House announced immediate talks for a maritime ceasefire and a lasting peace deal, while experts suggest Putin’s limited concession may be a tactic to gain time as Russian forces advance. But, not so fast, despite Putin’s assurance to Trump that he would stop targeting Ukraine’s energy grid, Russian forces struck Slovyansk’s energy facilities soon after, disrupting electricity.

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast on WVNN at 10 p.m.

7. Property taxes are under assault across the country. In Pennsylvania, State Rep. Russ Diamond offered a plan to dump property taxes, arguing it’s wrong to owe the government rent for your own place, and State Sen. Doug Mastriano thinks taxing money sent overseas could fill the gap. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is backing efforts to ease the tax burden of people with paid-off houses. In both states, lawmakers noted that they want people to actually own their homes without paying taxes to the state forever; it is expected that other states will follow suit if these plans pass.

6. Anti-Israel protestors led by Jewish Voice for Peace took 200 Jews to Trump Tower to protest for the release of pro-Hamas Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil’s who has been in ICE custody since Saturday. Khalil is accused of being in support of Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel and President Donald Trump wants him out of the country. The mob fought with cops and occupied Trump Tower until 98 people were arrested.

5. Russian President Vladimir Putin backs a ceasefire with Ukraine, kinda, but says more talks are needed, suggesting a chat with President Donald Trump. He questions a 30-day plan from the U.S. and Ukraine, wary of Ukraine’s forces regrouping. Overall, Putin is being non-committal but this is a net-positive move. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy for Russia and Ukraine, is traveling to Moscow to meet Russian officials, which could include Putin.

4. State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) says U.S. Sen.Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) would dominate a 2026 U.S. Senate re-election race with no serious challengers, but a run for Alabama governor could hit a snag due to a seven-year residency requirement. Givhan suggests Tuberville’s entry might scare off strong candidates, leaving only weak ones if residency issues disqualify him. When asked about the possibility of an open U.S. Senate seat, Givhan says Attorney General Steve Marshall and Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) might jump in.

3. The FBI’s office in Mobile has worked with federal, state, and local groups to arrest 137 illegal immigrants in south Alabama over the last month, with operations hitting places like southern Baldwin County. Their month-long sweep targets individuals with violent criminal pasts, encountering at least one per day on average. The focus on immigration enforcement by the Trump administration is clearly being seen at the local level and from federal agencies..

2. A potentially overzealous California federal Judge William Alsup ordered six agencies, including the Departments of Defense and Treasury to rehire probationary workers let go in what he called “a sham in order to try to avoid statutory requirements.” Alsup slammed the Office of Personnel Management for claiming poor performance in firings, despite workers being able to prove they had positive performance reviews. The ruling is opposed by the White House, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying, “A single judge is attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the Executive Branch.”

1. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said Democrats blocking government funding by Friday would be “political suicide,” citing their infliction with the “woke mind virus,” and accurately predicted they’d cave and come into agreement with the House passed bill. As Tuberville foretold, hours later Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced  he’ll back the House GOP bill, said it’s better than a shutdown giving President Donald Trump and Elon Musk more power. Now Schumer, the media and their Democrats will have to suggest that Schumer either did the right thing, caved, betrayed the party, and became a MAGA darling while continuing their wandering in the wilderness.

List here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast on WVNN at 10 p.m.

7. Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker unveiled a preliminary audit results from SBI Agent Jamie King, showing the Hanceville Police Department’s evidence room lacked 216 grams of methamphetamine, 0.5 gram of heroin, 67 oxycodone pills, a .25 caliber handgun, and 30 undocumented firearms, following an investigation sparked by dispatcher Chris Willingham’s overdose death, which Crocker linked to the room’s “unfettered” access via a broomstick through a wall hole. The findings, highlighting poor record-keeping and security, come as Hanceville tops Alabama with 7.65 drug overdose EMS calls per 10,000 residents, per ADPH data, prompting Crocker to warn of deeper issues while commending the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office’s temporary takeover. With the department’s future uncertain after a corruption scandal and arrests, Crocker recommended that, if reinstated, felony cases be managed by the Sheriff’s Office or ALEA, awaiting a final, detailed audit to fully map the missing evidence’s scope.

6. In a significant shift after U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Ukraine endorsed an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia proposed by the U.S.. The proposal exceeds Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy’s prior sea-and-sky truce suggestion, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressing Russia to reciprocate as the U.S. lifts its aid and intelligence freeze. The deal, emerging from the first formal meeting since a Trump-Zelenskyy White House fallout, sets the stage for urgent peace negotiations, with Trump hopeful for Russian agreement in days, while Ukraine’s leader insists Moscow must prove its intent to end the war that’s claimed 20% of its territory since 2022. Alongside this, a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal nears completion, though European leaders, sidelined by America’s approach, plan emergency talks, and Russia’s Foreign Ministry hints at openness to dialogue as Trump threatens more sanctions to curb Moscow’s battlefield momentum.

5. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Tuesday that he was pausing a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S., a decision made after a “productive” call with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who committed to trade talks in Washington on Thursday alongside U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to revisit the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal. The move came hours after President Trump intensified a trade war by threatening to double Canadian steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% in response to Ford’s initial surcharge plan, but following the Ford-Lutnick agreement, White House adviser Peter Navarro confirmed Trump withdrew the extra 25% increase. Despite the partial retreat, the White House emphasized that an existing 25% tariff on steel and aluminum will hit Canada and other nations at midnight, with Trump’s broader 25% tariffs on Canadian imports still slated for April 2, touted as a triumph of American economic pressure. Also, the European Union announced up to $28 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, effective April 1, targeting products like bourbon and soybeans, hours after President Trump’s 25% tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports took hold, escalating a trade war that threatens economic slowdown amid stubbornly high U.S. inflation.

4. A Huntsville middle school teacher was allowed to retire after allegations of him behaving inappropriately as a drag queen and facing allegations of taking his lifestyle into the classroom and performing as Majesty Divine and making sexually suggestive remarks at a 2022 Drag Queen Story Time. Now, James Miller is promoting a documentary called “Unveiling Majesty,” framing it as a story about the resilience of Alabama’s LGBTQ+ community while raising $30,000 for the film. The fundraising offers donors perks like drag show tickets, positioning itself as both a cultural statement and a movement to amplify silenced voices in the Deep South, but it also admits that the concerns of some in the community were justified, specifically the allegations of Miller incorporating these elements into his classroom.

3. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth declared Tuesday that Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Auburn) potential 2026 gubernatorial bid, hinted at last week as he weighs skipping a Senate reelection, won’t impact his own ambition to run for Alabama governor, a decision he’ll finalize after the legislative session ends in May. Ainsworth, barred from a third term and uninterested in the U.S. Senate due to his teenage kids, praised Tuberville’s work but stressed the governorship is his only goal, even as Tuberville’s entry could leave an open Senate seat in a race with no announced candidates yet. With Gov. Kay Ivey term-limited and figures like Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate and ex-Veterans Affairs head Kent Davis also considering runs, Ainsworth remains focused, shrugging off speculation that Tuberville, the ex-Auburn coach and 2020 Senate winner, might dominate the field.

2. There are multiple tax plans working their way through the Alabama legislature, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth ramped up his campaign Tuesday to erase the state’s grocery tax, cheering on State Rep. Danny Garrett’s (R-Trussville) legislative package to slash it from 3% to 2%, promising $150 million in annual savings if lawmakers emulate Trump’s tax-cut leadership. In an op-ed, he insisted the Legislature’s work is “half complete,” pointing to a study group’s blueprint and surplus funds as the path to finish the job, with ALGOP Chairman John Wahl predicting passage by the 2025 session’s end. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) slammed Alabama lawmakers for potentially letting the state’s overtime tax exemption expire as “ridiculous” and insisting it’s absurd to “sit on our hands” instead of acting. He noted broad Republican support, citing Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth as advocates, and challenged lawmakers to find the “courage” to prioritize this tax cut when a bill drops March 18, arguing it benefits everyone.

1. Alabama U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) praised Elon Musk’s relentless push through the Department of Government Efficiency to curb “criminal” federal spending, observing Musk’s heightened resolve after meeting him before Kudlow interviews, despite backlash like X hacks and attacks on his car dealerships, which Tuberville linked to Trump’s tariff plans for economic renewal. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) told a House Oversight Committee hearing that DOGE has outdone 40 years of federal oversight in just six weeks by leveraging 21st century tech to expose $162 billion in FY2024 improper payments across 16 agencies, a step he sees as key to tackling the nation’s $2 trillion annual deficit. Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered support to Elon Musk’s DOGE team, as well, and noted how he is now terminating 83% of USAID programs, 5,200 contracts, claiming they squandered billions and hurt U.S. interests, with the remaining 1,000 to be managed by the State Department. 

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast on WVNN at 10 p.m.

7. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) stood firm at the Business Council of Alabama legislative series, defending his filibuster last week against State Sen. Chris Elliott’s (R-Josephine) bill to change the Alabama Department of Archives and History board, insisting it’s about deliberate process and he’ll persist despite GOP frustration. Elliott cautioned on the same platform that the Democrats’ “over the top” filibuster, stalling the 2025 session, might force a Republican counteraction, questioning if cooperation remains possible after such heated opposition. Singleton brushed off the pushback, emphasizing his intent to use every procedural tool to highlight where Republicans fail Alabamians, defiantly stating, “if they don’t like it, they can take their ass home,” setting a combative tone for the session ahead.

6. The Alabama House of Representatives passed Parker’s Bill with a resounding 103-0 vote, a measure introduced by State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) to shield nursing mothers from jury duty for up to 24 months, inspired by a three-month-old, Parker, who accompanied his mother to the Jefferson County courthouse. DuBose highlighted the bill’s namesake, emphasizing its role in protecting new mothers, with an amendment clarifying that exemption requires a written statement paired with a birth certificate or medical record, ensuring practical enforcement. With overwhelming support, the bill now moves to the Alabama Senate, marking a legislative win for family friendly policy rooted in a real incident that underscored the challenges nursing mothers face in civic obligations.

5. The Department of Government Efficiency, under Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, is terminating Social Security office leases in Gadsden, Anniston, Jasper, and Cullman, with a Social Security Administration spokesperson explaining that many are underused remote hearing sites, a trend underscored by 20% of offices nationwide holding no in-person hearings last year, as the agency also plans to cut 7,000 jobs. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) continues to search for a purpose in 2025 as she rants about every cut being a disaster for Alabamian, as she gripes about seven IRS offices, two in Birmingham, facing closure, which she claims complicates citizens getting tax help tax help for “working-class Alabamians” as Trump and Musk prioritize tax cuts for billionaires, repeating more tired talking points.

4. After saying the war in Ukraine’s end is “very far away,” on Monday, now President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is ready for peace and offered an apology for a “regrettable” Oval Office interaction with President Donald Trump and Trump appeared to accept that in his speech to a joint session of Congress. Zelenskyy offered to end hostilities by releasing Russian prisoners and halting long-range drone and missile attacks on civilian targets and sea operations, contingent on Russia’s mirrored actions. The proposal, praised by European leaders like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, shifts pressure onto Russia, even as U.S. aid to Ukraine is paused with the Ukrainian Parliament and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressing gratitude to America, hoping to preserve ties despite Trump’s criticisms and the aid cut.

3. Some very positive polling for President Donald Trump from CBS News/YouGov poll showing a net approval rating on the Russia-Ukraine conflict at plus two, blowing out former President Joe Biden’s minus 22, a disparity he dubbed “a different planet entirely” and this was following Trump’s fiery White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last Friday that the media attacked him over non-stop. The polling also showed a surge from 31% in 2022 to 50% of Americans favoring a quick end to the war, even if Russia retains Ukrainian land, contrasting with 48% who back prolonged fighting. Further showing Americans are over the Ukraine and Russia war, only 34% now seeing it as an enemy versus 64% in 2023, matching the 34% who view it as friendly or an ally, the public is clearly willing to see compromise to end the war now.

2. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn.), continues hinting at a 2026 gubernatorial run to replace Gov. Kay Ivey and is even arguing that leading Alabama as its “CEO” offers more immediate impact than his Senate tenure. In the past, Tuberville pledge to run for U.S. Senate again with a GOP majority, but he is now stating, “I’m not going to be up here forever, even if I do stay.” Liberal sports blog. aldotcom, is quoting unnamed “experts” (also known as “no one”) noting that Tuberville would obviously be a frontrunner with his Auburn football legacy and Trump ties helping him but they still predict he’ll opt for the Senate over a state race against potential candidates like Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth (R), who plans a decision post-session.

1. “America is back,” according to President Donald Trump in his speech that was framed around the “Renewal of the American Dream” after 43 days big swings on the economy, border funding pushes, and peace plans, greeted by conservative applause and “USA” chants, while Democrats like U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) boycotted and others in pink protested policies affecting women. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) halted disruptions by ejecting U.S. Rep.Al Green (D-Texas) after warnings. Trump touted early accomplishments including highlighting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency slashing federal jobs and programs, referencing “hundreds of billions” in potential savings per year, sidestepping Ukraine’s aid pause after clashing with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, instead touting a new minerals deal, and downplayed his 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico stirred inflation fears he dismissed as minor. Democrats like U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), mocked as “Pocahontas,” faced Trump’s ire for opposing his agenda. The media and their Democrats are having a rough time today, think about them. The chyrons and headlines will scream about how “divisive” his speech was, the people who watched the speech did not see it that way.

Listen here:

7. Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban broke his long-standing political silence by endorsing Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox’s re-election campaign, citing Maddox’s exceptional leadership as pivotal to making Tuscaloosa the best college town he’s ever experienced. Saban’s endorsement is especially significant given his typical apolitical stance and underscores the deep community ties he has developed over his years in Alabama. The move comes ahead of a crucial municipal election where Maddox faces first-time challenger Denson Ferrell II, a military veteran and former police officer, setting the stage for a closely watched contest in Tuscaloosa.

6. President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring English the official language of the United States, effectively nullifying the 2000 Clinton-era rule that required federal agencies to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. The order emphasizes that having a single, nationally designated language is essential for national unity, consistent government operations, and enhanced civic engagement, while still leaving it up to individual agencies to decide whether to adjust their existing accommodations. Now, Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) introduced the Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025, a bill intended to permanently codify the executive order into law by mandating that all official government functions be conducted in English — with exceptions for critical areas like national security and public health.

5. Gov. Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of Robin D. “Rocky” Myers, reassigning him to life without parole due to unresolved doubts about his guilt stemming from a lack of physical evidence linking him to the murder of Ludie Mae Tucker. Ivey defended her decision by noting that, while the jury’s conviction stands, the conflicting and circumstantial nature of the evidence did not justify execution, aiming to bring closure to Tucker’s family. In response, Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed astonishment and frustration that Ivey had not directly communicated her decision with his office, arguing that her action undermines decades of legal precedent and the extensive appeals efforts his team had pursued.

4. After ZERO Democrats supported U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and his bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports, meant to codify President Donald Trump’s executive order by stripping federal Title IX funding from schools that allow trans participation, the bill failed to advance in the Senate by a vote of 51-45, falling short of the 60-vote threshold. Tuberville decried the vote as evidence that “Democrats STILL support men competing in women’s sports” and vowed to continue his fight, while Sen. Katie Britt expressed her disappointment and reiterated her commitment to protect female student-athletes’ opportunities. Both lawmakers, along with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, maintain that the legislation is essential to preserving fairness in women’s sports and safeguarding the integrity of Title IX.

3. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada went into effect at midnight. He framed the move as a way to force both nations to intensify their efforts against fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration, while also pushing for a rebalancing of trade and a boost to U.S. manufacturing. The decision has already rattled the stock market, with retaliatory measures from Canada and Mexico expected to further complicate North American trade relations and potentially drive up prices for American consumers. China swiftly countered Trump’s new 10% tariff, with import levies on $21 billion of U.S. agricultural and food products and export curbs on 25 American firms pushing the two economic giants closer to a trade war.

2. President Donald Trump has ordered a pause on military aid to Ukraine following a highly-charged Oval Office confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Trump accused Zelenskyy of showing insufficient gratitude for the billions of dollars in U.S. assistance and warned that Ukraine must act swiftly toward peace. The decision, which comes as part of a broader review of U.S. support to Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Russia, was explained by White House officials as a measure to ensure that aid is effectively contributing to ending the conflict. While Senate Republicans expressed hope for a quick resumption of support and a peaceful resolution, Democrats and some European leaders criticized the move as potentially undermining Ukraine’s security at a critical moment in the war.

1. President Donald Trump’s upcoming joint address to Congress tonight, themed “The Renewal of the American Dream,” will highlight his administration’s accomplishments during his first month back in office. The speech will detail major domestic successes, including over $1.7 trillion in investments aimed at revitalizing U.S. manufacturing and energy production, and a renewed push for border security funding, and outline his plans to end the economic fallout from the previous administration. On foreign policy, Trump intends to reveal his approach to ending the war in Ukraine and ensuring the release of hostages from Gaza, signaling a bold, assertive vision for both U.S. prosperity and global peace.

Listen here:

7. With President Donald Trump set to deliver a prime-time joint address to Congress, Democrats are preparing to skip the event. U.S. Sen, Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) plans to skip what he calls a “MAGA pep rally,” joining a MoveOn counter-event, while the “March 4th for Democracy” protest targets Trump’s speech day. Meanwhile, “moderate” U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) has been tapped by Democrats rebut Trump’s agenda because she is not a part of the more radical sect of the party. The Democratic National Committee coordinates messaging nationwide, with a focus on lies about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

6. Gambling is hardly dead in the Alabama legislative session. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) told reporters he’s hearing whispers of a revived gambling and lottery bill, potentially including sports wagering, a lottery, and Class II or III gaming, concepts he could support, though he won’t commit until seeing a draft, recalling how it fell one vote shy in the Senate in 2024 after House approval. State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) tempered optimism, saying the Senate’s support remains stagnant, two or three votes short as he’d noted on “Capitol Journal,” with little shift in sentiment. Singleton’s cautious hope contrasts with Albritton’s view that reluctance among a critical number of senators persists, stalling progress on a constitutional amendment despite its potential to address Alabama’s funding needs, leaving the issue’s fate uncertain in the current session.

5. State Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga) is pushing for more transparency in the Alabama immigrant workforce with the “Workforce Transparency Act.” If passed, it would require labor brokers register, adopt E-Verify, and report sponsorships, in a dual effort to track foreign workers and stop unearned benefits, with Attorney General Steve Marshall granted power to recover misspent state funds from sponsors. Robbins framed the bill as stewardship of tax dollars, not just immigration enforcement, proposing the Saves Program to confirm legal status before granting aid like food stamps, dismissing fears of economic harm by insisting Alabama’s industries rely more on legal labor than critics claim. He argued economic dependency fears, emphasizing that legal immigrants and citizens face no threat, only those exploiting cheap, illegal labor, maintaining that widespread dependency is overstated and exploitative practices are the real issue, as he collaborates with agricultural and manufacturing sectors to ensure compliance.

4. In a move that is 100% intentional and by design, President Donald Trump’s executive order ending the U.S. refugee program and its funding has crippled Alabama’s resettlement efforts. Dwell Mobile, directed by Executive Director Jeri Stroade, lost $255,000 and Global Ties Alabama, led by Executive Director Jacqui Shipe, dropped $200,000, prompting staff cuts of 11 at Global Ties and fears of closure as approved refugee families are barred from arriving. Refugee Support Services Supervisor Molly Broders at Dwell decried the move as a betrayal of America’s values, while Shipe highlighted a halted Afghan family of 17 once aided by a CIA officer sponsor, with both noting robust community support now at risk amid a legal fight sparked by a Seattle judge’s block of Trump’s ban. Alabama State Refugee Coordinator Liz Kurtz, overseeing 800 refugees resettled last year under President Biden’s record 125,000 cap, warned that agencies are dipping into next year’s funds, leaving the state’s nascent programs, built since Catholic Social Services faded, in limbo as 72% of Americans back refugee entry per Pew, contrasting Trump’s prior 15,000 cap and new South African exception.

3. An asinine column by aldotcom’s John Archibald demands that U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) need to stage and hold events for malcontent constituents to scream at them so MSNBC can tell everyone how much rage their is in America over crackdowns on government waste, fraud, and abuse. Meanwhile, they lie about Elon Musk’s Department on Government Efficiency, and federal cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, as the media declares all any cut to any programs will wreck Alabama and America’s economy. Archibald, hypocritically and confusingly criticizes Britt’s condescending, graduate-level responses and Tuberville’s generic form letters as inadequate for a state hit hard by potential job losses and a regressive tax system. He claims that in a Republican stronghold dependent on federal aid, politicians should face town halls, not hide behind partisan talking points. He paints a picture of anxious Alabamians needing clarity on everything from local livelihoods to global threats like World War III, but he really just wants to cover the screaming and Alabama’s congressional delegation would be incredibly stupid to hand him, the media, and their Democrats those events.

2. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency “unleashed” a second e-mail, “What did you do last week? Part II,” to executive branch workers, requiring five bullets of achievements by Monday midnight through the Office of Personnel Management, adding a clause for classified staff to say “All of my activities are sensitive.” Yet FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told their teams to skip it, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, reversing his prior guidance, ordered DOD’s 720,000 civilians to comply in a Friday memo after OPM clarified expectations. President Donald Trump, in an Oval Office chat with French President Emmanuel Macron, insisted non-responders could be fired, with Musk, at Trump’s first Cabinet meeting, framing it as a “pulse check” to catch “dead” employees, a view he reiterated on X, lauding Hegseth’s shift with “Much appreciated @SecDefHegseth!” and patriotic emojis, despite Hegseth’s initial push for internal DOD handling. The pivot, aligning with Trump’s warfighting focus as Hegseth noted in a video, underscores DOGE’s accountability drive, stirring worker confusion and agency resistance, with Hegseth warning of scrutiny for non-compliance, amplifying Musk’s “tech support” vision amid Trump’s aggressive second-term overhaul, even as skepticism over its legality persists.

1. After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s disastrous fiery Oval Office clash with President Donald Trump, European leaders rushed to Zelenskyy’s defense online with Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, and European Parliament Member Manfred Weber all facing online criticism for posting identical messages — “Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless.” They triggered sarcastic remarks about the EU acting like bots as Zelenskyy met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other leaders in London. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” condemned some European nations for rejecting Trump’s peace efforts and freedom values, pointing to anti-democratic moves in the UK, Germany, and Romania, while Starmer vowed UK military support for a “tough and fair” Ukraine peace plan, highlighting a rift as Trump invited Zelenskyy back for peace talks. Additionally, Ukraine seeks European benefactors as U.S. prepares to significantly alter the flow of cash, those same Europeans have spent more on Russian energy, fueling the war, than they have on aid for Ukraine.

Listen here:

7. Over 100 Alabama pharmacists walked off the job to get media attention on the issue of Pharmacy Benefit Managers underpaying independent pharmacies. Legislation crafted by State Sen.  Andrew Jones (R-Centre) seeks to stop PBM from underpaying pharmacies, a practice pharmacist Desak Hicks of Frisco City Pharmacy says forces losses like spending $500 on medicine but getting only $480 back, contributing to a 13% statewide pharmacy closure rate since 2018. Hicks, serving rural towns like Excel and Uriah after five local pharmacies shut down in 15 years, accused PBMs of raking in billions while “squeezing” independents out of business, rejecting the Alliance of Alabama Healthcare Consumers’ warning of SB99’s $900-per-person annual cost increase as a misleading ploy by PBMs to dodge reform. The Alabama Pharmacy Association echoes Hicks’ call for SB93’s protections, noting its potential to mirror states like Kentucky, which saved over $50 million with PBM reforms. Hicks vows to keep fighting even if legislative efforts stall while wary of profitability slipping away under current pressures.

6. The Alabama Senate passed a bill by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) to impose harsher state penalties on Glock switches – illegal attachments that turn pistols into machine guns. It addresses a gap where local officers lack arrest power without federal involvement and moves to the House as part of Gov. Kay Ivey’s “Safe Alabama” package. Barfoot, who thanked State Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) for shaping earlier versions, highlighted its necessity despite federal bans, securing broad support from law enforcement and city leaders who see it as vital for clearer state enforcement. After floor amendments, Barfoot insisted the legislation focuses solely on outlawed conversions to enhance safety without overreach, a stance reinforced by its unanimous Senate approval.

5. Damien Laron McDaniel III, a 22-year-old Fairfield man imprisoned at Kilby Correctional Facility after his probation was revoked, now stands accused of 14 murders over 14 months, with Birmingham police adding three more charges for the deaths of Firefighter Jordan Melton in a fire station attack, Mia Nickson outside her east Birmingham home, and Anthony Lamar Love Jr. in a UPS lot ambush. Interim Police Chief Michael Pickett and Mayor Randall Woodfin emphasized the city’s unwavering commitment to justice, noting the profound community pain from McDaniel’s alleged acts, including two 2024 mass shootings at Hush and Trendsetters lounges, while McDaniel’s attorney John Robbins quipped the state fears his defense team. The cases, spanning a targeted firehouse shooting that left Sgt. Jamal Jones critically injured, an intentional killing, and a capital murder-for-hire with Nance, highlight a complex investigation with potential for more revelations, as authorities stress meticulous work over quick arrests to secure convictions.

4. DOGE cuts are reportedly hitting Alabama and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) initially tweeted that more than 100 workers at the Social Security Administration office in Birmingham were “unjustly terminated” by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, calling it a “reckless power trip.” Sewell would later note the American Federation of Government Employees indicated the cuts hit Social Security Region 4, covering multiple states including Alabama, severely lessening the blow. Sewell’s office, responding to constituent reports of job losses at the 1200 Rev. Abraham Woods Blvd. location, is working to pinpoint how many in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District were affected. Though the full scope remains unclear, she criticized Musk’s efficiency drive for harming her district’s workforce, pledging ongoing scrutiny of the situation as she gathers more details from those impacted by the sudden terminations. Reminder: Sewell would not have even met with you if you were fired over refusing to take the vaccine, which she was fine with.

3. Alabama’s senior U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) lauded President Donald Trump on Newsmax for his imminent deal to halt Russia’s three-year war in Ukraine, exchanging mineral rights for enhanced protections, a move he said finally pays back U.S. taxpayers after trillions squandered. Tuberville accused former President Joe Biden and Democrats of having the power to end the conflict earlier but choosing not to, suggesting their loathing for Trump, whom they call a “Putin apologist,” fuels a desire to see the war drag on rather than credit him with peace. He argued Trump’s plan proves his focus on rebuilding nations, not appeasing Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose struggles in Ukraine belie any threat to Europe, making Democratic resistance their “worst nightmare” as Trump succeeds where they failed.

2. President Donald Trump revealed that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have largely negotiated a deal allowing the United States to tap into Ukraine’s strategic minerals, including uranium and titanium, as repayment for tens of billions in aid, with Zelenskyy due in Washington, D.C., on Friday to finalize terms after a week of progress. Trump, who once mocked Zelenskyy as a “modestly successful comedian” on Truth Social amid their rocky exchanges, highlighted the pact’s focus on rare earths and energy, crediting his administration’s unique ability to broker peace with Russia, a point U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed as a “win-win” economic partnership. Despite past friction, Trump claimed Putin raised no significant issues with the arrangement after talks, while Putin himself expressed openness to U.S. mineral investments in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories, signaling a complex but advancing negotiation landscape.

1. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), facing a crumbling vote count, staged a stunning reversal with President Donald Trump’s intervention, convincing holdouts like U.S. Reps. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) and Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) to back a budget blueprint pivotal to Trump’s sprawling legislative goals, narrowly passing it 217-215 with only Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) dissenting. The rollercoaster day saw GOP leaders punt the vote around 7:30 p.m., only to resurrect it minutes later after Trump’s calls and Johnson’s persistence, revealing both the party’s fragility and the duo’s determination to push tax cuts, spending slashes, and border enhancements despite looming shutdown and debt ceiling threats. While moderates worried about potential Medicaid cuts and hardliners demanded deeper reductions, Johnson framed the vote as procedural, leaving the specifics of reconciling the House’s bold plan with the Senate’s narrower focus to future negotiations. So, the end result of all of this is still in the air.

Listen here:

7. MSNBC’s biggest star, Rachel Maddow, voiced strong disapproval of the network’s decision to cancel Joy Reid’s show, calling it a “bad mistake” and expressing personal admiration for Reid while noting the troubling pattern of losing both non-white primetime hosts, Reid and Alex Wagner, alongside weekend host Katie Phang. She criticized the network’s approach to the cancellations, pointing out the unprecedented limbo imposed on off-air staff like producers and writers forced to reapply for jobs, a move she deemed unnecessary and morale-crushing at a challenging moment for the news business. She then went on to continue making $5 million a year from a company she just called racist.

6. Despite Huntsville rebranding its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Director Randy Barbour insists the department’s goals remain unchanged, unhelpfully undercutting the rebranding. Barbour even said “DEI has come under attack for fear of the unknown” admitting the name change is all hiding the DEI mission. The change is semantics; the rejected and controversial policies remain but with hopefully less resistance.

5. State Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) wants to combat the surge in school lockdowns from bomb and shooting threats, raising first-degree charges to Class B felonies and second-degree to Class D felonies to deter what he sees as a serious threat to student safety and community well-being. The bill mandates immediate suspension for accused students, with a year-long ban from school property pending charge resolution, psychological counseling, and board stipulations, while convicted students face expulsion and their guardians foot the bill for emergency responses. Woods argues that despite no mass casualty events in Alabama schools, the real fear, chaos, and wasted resources from false threats, felt deeply in places like Walker County, necessitate this firm stance, teaching accountability and safeguarding education from the shadow of violence.

4. The Retirement Systems of Alabama, through a letter from Deputy Director for Administration Jo Moore and Legislative Counsel Neah Scott, voiced strong opposition to SB93 and SB99 before the Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, cautioning that the bills’ shift to reimbursing pharmacies at acquisition costs, set by Alabama Medicaid for SB93 and CMS for SB99, could inflate PEEHIP’s drug costs by an estimated $31 million to $36 million, jeopardizing coverage for 350,000 education employees and dependents. RSA defends its current PBM model with Express Scripts, which delivered over $751 million in rebates and discounts last fiscal year, contrasting this with the bills’ potential to force higher wholesale acquisition cost payments for drugs lacking set averages, a concern they say echoes past issues with State Rep. Phillip Rigsby’s HB238 favoring large chains. Independent pharmacists, backed by State Senator Andrew Jones with SB93 and State Senator Larry Stutts with SB99, argue these reforms combat PBM practices driving them out of business, are planning a “walkout” at 1 p.m. today.

3. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) rebutted Democrat Colorado U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper’s belief that Space Command will stay in Colorado due to a $2 billion relocation cost and Elon Musk’s efficiency drive. President Donald Trump’s administration will still move it to Huntsville, a site affirmed as top-tier by multiple federal reviews for its infrastructure and community quality. Tuberville blasted former President Joe Biden’s decision to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs as a political misstep that ignored Huntsville’s merits, proven by its No. 1 ranking out of 66 locations, undermining national security for partisan gain. Confident in Trump’s and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s push to depoliticize military decisions, Tuberville anticipates ongoing talks with them and the incoming Air Force Secretary will secure Space Command’s “rightful home” in Alabama, brushing off Hickenlooper’s national security concerns as parochial excuses from a defeated stance.

2. As the world continues to want to blame the American president who just came in to office for a war that started 3 years ago, the media continues to hammer home that President Donald Trump is some major Russian ally, when the reality is Trump wants this thing over now. French President Emmanuel Macron, meeting Trump at the White House, praised Trump’s initiative to broker peace in Ukraine and called him a “game-changer,” warning that a lasting truce, potentially weeks away, requires more than a ceasefire given Russia’s past violations of the Minsk Agreements. Macron emphasized collaboration with Trump to secure Ukraine’s future, proposing a French-UK troop presence to maintain peace, while Trump’s administration pursues a rare earth mineral deal to offset U.S. aid, a plan Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calls a “win-win.”

1. Elon Musk allegedly unleashed “chaos” with an email ordering federal workers to list five recent accomplishments or be fired as he is spearheading President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency. Now he is promising a second chance “subject to the discretion of President Trump” after many ignored the initial deadline. President Trump lauded the plan from the Oval Office, calling it a brilliant way to expose supposed fraud while downplaying resistance from allies like Director Kash Patel of the FBI and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who told employees not to reply due to sensitive work. The flip-flop came as unions sued over the “unlawful” demand, more than 100 House Democrats urged agencies to defy it, and departments like Transportation under Secretary Sean Duffy pushed compliance, while others like Homeland Security under Kristi Noem joined the growing chorus opting out, highlighting a fractured response across the government.

Listen here:

Radio talk show host Dale Jackson and 256 Today CEO Mecca Musick, take you through Alabama’s biggest political stories.

Mecca Musick is the CEO of 256 Today. Sign up for the 256 Today newsletter here.

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN, Talk 99.5, and News Radio 1440 from 10-11 a.m., and on Talk Radio 103.9 FM/730AM WUMP from 3-4 p.m.

7. After a decisive election loss, where America’s focus on Ukraine was drawn into question, President Joe Biden has reportedly approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles for strikes inside Russia, marking a significant shift/escalation in policy. These missiles, capable of targeting critical infrastructure and command centers far from the front lines, have been instrumental in Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts. While the decision underscores heightened U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s defense, it risks escalating tensions with Russia, which has previously warned against such measures and may view them as direct involvement in the conflict.

6. President-elect Donald Trump received a hero’s welcome during a UFC event, where the crowd erupted with cheers as he joined Joe Rogan, Dana White, and others in a high-energy victory lap. UFC champion Jon Jones was mimicking Trump’s signature dance before presenting his championship belt to the president-elect after his TKO win. In other combat sports news, the Netflix fight with Mike Tyson and Jake Paul was a nightmare for many fans as they could not handle the live-event demand, making their future NFL and WWE plans seem shaky.

5. Even U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and NBA legend Charles Barkley have figured out why Democrats faced losses in key elections. Barkley bluntly criticized the party, saying they lost because they were “stupid” and out of touch with voters. At the same time, Sen. Fetterman urged Democrats to avoid panicking over every move by President-elect Donald Trump, cautioning against overreactions as the next election cycle approaches. Together, their remarks emphasize the need for Democrats to shift toward effective messaging and strategy rather than emotional responses to setbacks.

4. Alabama libraries are getting positive press for the continued push of adult material for children. AL.com’s slobbering on libraries creating all-access cards for children, empowering them to explore adult reading materials because some parents are excited about them doing that, which is pretty weird. The political tensions surrounding book content nationwide continues, and the issue will continue until the people running the libraries learn that they are representatives of the community, not in charge of it.

3. Alabama legislative leadership battle starts with State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) confirming Sen. Greg Reed (R-Jasper) will step down as Senate President Pro Tem, sparking discussions about his successor. Senator Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) and Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) are emerging as frontrunners. The transition is expected to shape the leadership dynamic in the state legislature ahead of the upcoming session.

2. Some Trump Cabinet members face uphill battles, specifically his choices for attorney general (former Florida U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz) and secretary of Health and Human Services (climate change advocate, vaccine skeptic, and nutritional activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.) drawing tons of fire. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) says each choice should make their case in front of the Senate and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) suggested all the nominees should be discussed, “We need to all come together. Our job in the Senate is to advise and consent, and we need to talk about each one of these conferees.” The coming battle of their nominations and recess appointments will be comically stupid.

1. In Bucks County, Pa., Democrats have openly admitted to counting ballots that were ruled illegal due to missing or incorrect dates, sparking accusations of election law violations in the contentious McCormick-Casey Senate race. Meanwhile, in California, ballot counting continues at a slow pace due to the state’s extended deadline for mail-in votes postmarked by Election Day and its labor-intensive verification process. These issues have intensified scrutiny over election procedures, raising concerns about transparency and the potential impact of delayed or disputed results.

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast Talk Radio 103.9 FM/730AM WUMP from 3-4 p.m.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) faults the Biden-Harris administration and the current military leadership for recruitment shortages witnessed in recent years — as well as the related vulnerabilities to defend against China. Tuberville discussed the current problems in the military during an appearance on the “Roger Stone Show.”

“It all starts with leadership,” Tuberville argued, “and if you just look from the Secretary of Defense on down, they’ve tried to change the qualifications of members of the military. They’ve made it more woke. They’re teaching DEI. I have higher up ranked members of the military calling me, ‘Coach. I’m getting out. I’m in here 20 years. There’s no reason to stay in it. They don’t want us in in here. They don’t want us to be part of a military that’s strong and stands up to our enemies. They want a weak military.’ And so, that’s what’s happened in this week, we can’t recruit anybody.”

“I know there’s a lot of good people in our military, and you know, thank goodness we have some,” he continued, “but we should be the best and most lethal fighting force on the face of the earth, and that’s gone by the wayside Roger because of leadership and the type of mentality they want to bring down through our military.”

RELATED: Sen. Tuberville: ‘Biden has weaponized the DOD to serve as a tool for his radical political agenda’

The senator said he’s worried that we’re not ready for the threat coming from the Chinese Communist Party.

“Oh, it’s a huge problem,” he said. “They’re doing everything they possibly can, whether it’s big tech or education, they’re building ‘their’ military. They hadn’t fired a shot on foreign soil in what, 60, 70, 80 years? And so they have been making sure that they build their military to a point where they can take on the United States of America, if need be.”

Tuberville believes the U.S. needs to focus more on the threat from China instead of being involved in other wars like the one in Ukraine.

“And the problem that we have right now is we’re, we’re fighting all these other wars,” he explained. “We’re we’re helping Israel, which we should, but we’re wasting money over in Ukraine. We need to get that fight over with and start building our coalition. Not to really take in and fight a war, but let the Chinese know that we will fight and we are a competitor.”

“Now at the end of the day, we have got to make sure that we take care of our economy and get it back on track, because right now we’re dead broke,” he added. “We need to get our economy going in the right direction where the people here can make sure that they have a lifestyle that can enhance whatever it takes down the line for our military and to be able to fight back against the Chinese army that is building every day.”

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

In recent weeks, Alabama elected officials on the local, state and federal levels have come out in staunch opposition to the increasing number of Haitian migrants settling in rural areas of the state in response to concerns arising from the impacted communities.

RELATED: Tuberville: Haitians entering Alabama communities through parole program, DHS policies are responsible

One federal lawmaker was recently singled out by a national political news outlet, accusing him of ignoring the crisis. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) represents Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District, where much of the Haitian migration is reportedly occurring, including in the small city of Sylacauga, at the center of the controversy.

Natalie Winters, host of the “War Room” program on Real America’s Voice, an outlet founded by former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, related Rogers’ inaction on the Haitian issue to an appetite for increased funding for Ukraine.

https://x.com/RealAmVoice/status/1833253357047124162

“We’re going to hold the Republicans, the RINOs who have allowed this whole situation to happen accountable,” Winters said. “So, Sylacauga, Alabama, that’s the 3rd [Congressional] District. You know who their Congressman is? Mike Rogers. He’s held that position for nearly two decades, since 2003.”

“There’s reporting coming out, whether it’s from city councilmen or the mayor of that small town in Alabama. I want to read this direct quote to you, ‘I don’t have anything in writing. All we have right now is hearsay.’ That’s what happened when the mayor reached out to Mike Rogers’ office asking about what the heck these Haitians were doing in his district.”

RELATED: Steve Marshall: Haitian immigrants in Alabama ‘a legitimate concern’

Winters noted that Governor Kay Ivey has not been provided any information from the federal government on how to address the issue. Federal lawmakers, including U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) have publicly identified the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) Parole Program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as the culprit.

“Now, the governor said the same thing, quote, ‘our office has received zero facts or communication from the federal government on any situation, or any recent immigrant issues for that matter.'”

The host took Rogers to task for his support of additional Ukraine funding, accusing him of prioritizing funding for the Eastern European country over securing the Southern Border and scrutinizing problematic Biden-Harris immigration policies.

“This is the very same Mike Rogers who hasn’t even gone down to the United States border, let alone for a photo op,” Winters said. “But he’s busy taking trips over to Europe and Ukraine to audit the aid packages to make sure that they’re getting into the right hands.”

“Meanwhile, the Southern Border. He actually doesn’t care about even going there. Now, here’s the best part: He’s been interviewed because, apparently, the only time he can find to do anything is if it has to start with Ukraine. That’s his only priority, quite literally. And for the first time since World War II, we had an established world order. ‘For the first time since then, a sovereign nation invaded another sovereign nation, just to take it.’ That’s a direct quote on Mike Rogers’ brilliant assessment of what’s happening in Ukraine,” Winters said.

“News flash, Mike Rogers, the United States is under attack. Our sovereignty is under attack.”

Last week, Rogers signed onto a letter addressed to President Biden urging the use of long-range missiles guided by American or NATO satellites to hit targets deep within Russia. The country’s President Vladimir Putin has said that the strikes would make the United States a direct participant in the ongoing war.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.  You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten

Earlier this year, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) warned that foreign adversaries would benefit from the Biden Administration blocking new approvals of pending applications for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

Now it appears Britt’s predication is coming true as France is importing more LNG from Russia. According to reports, shipments of Russian LNG to France more than doubled the first half of this year, while imports to EU countries overall have increased by 7%.

“Foreign customers will simply turn to other LNG suppliers across the globe, including to our primary adversaries,” Britt said in February. “This irresponsible, job-killing move will effectively weaken America’s role as the world’s leading exporter of LNG and further diminish the American energy dominance that President Biden inherited.”

RELATED: Britt promotes effort to unlock American liquefied natural gas potential

Because of Biden’s policies and tensions in the Middle East, France was importing less from other suppliers, including the United States, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt and Nigeria.

Britt attempted to reverse Biden’s LNG policy by pushing the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act, which would take away the requirement for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) leadership to approve of it.

Britt said the bill was necessary because Biden “handed a major victory to both Vladimir Putin and far-left climate activists by pausing approvals of pending applications for U.S. LNG exports.”

The import data comes from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a U.S. nonprofit with a goal of speeding the world’s transition to more sustainable energy, which showed that companies imported almost 4.4 billion cubic meters of Russian LNG to France in the first half of this year, compared to more than 2 billion cubic meters in the same period a year ago.

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