7. While we have heard this story before, the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Alabama’s prison system for unconstitutional overcrowding and violence faces uncertainty under this administration. There is no clear indication of whether federal pressure will continue, even though the state has been warned for years that the consequences of similar lawsuits could lead to mass releases. Gov. Kay Ivey’s office insists the state remains committed to constitutional prison conditions, but neither the DOJ nor Alabama’s Attorney General Steve Marshall clarified how the litigation will proceed.

6. State Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile), Alabama’s Reapportionment co-chair, predicts the state may lose one of its seven congressional seats after the 2030 Census due to slower population growth compared to Texas and Florida. This echoes concerns raised by experts, but we heard this about the 2020 census, as well. Despite retaining all seats in 2020, Alabama’s Black Belt and small cities like Anniston and Decatur face population declines, which could reduce the state’s political influence. Calls to only count only citizens for reapportionment could help the state, though.

5. State Rep. Tommy Hanes (R-Scottsboro) has a bill that would offically rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” in all Alabama state maps, school materials, and official documents. The move aims to back up President Donald Trump’s call for national identity and counter foreign influence in geographic naming. The proposal has passed the House and awaits Senate approval. Silly critics argue it’s a symbolic gesture that could confuse students and strain relations with neighboring countries sharing the gulf. Famed weatherman James Spann is aware how sensitive people are about this as he recently was criticized online for caving to a mob upset about the Gulf of America.

4. Birmingham was ranked the best U.S. city for Easter celebrations, the list used metrics like churches per capita and Christian population percentage, with over 52% of residents identifying as Christian, the 6th most nationally. It was not just the having the most churches per capita, though, the city ranks 16th per capita for flower and gift shops. These are apparently good for Easter shopping and gift-giving as Americans plan to spend $24 billion on Peeps and other Easter items.

3. The pro-porn movement has made Alabama the target of an an Apple-backed group. The Consumer Technology Association launched an ad campaign opposing a proposed child safety bill that would require tech companies to verify user ages to protect minors from online harm, citing privacy and innovation concerns. The ads targeting the capital city and its legislators has intensified debate and argues that the bill could stifle Alabama’s tech sector growth. State Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook) argues the campaign misrepresents the legislation, which aligns with federal standards and enjoys bipartisan support. The bill aims to protect children from predators and adult content and some accuse these tech giants of prioritizing profits over child safety.

2. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) accomplished his dream of meeting with a wife-beating, human-trafficking, MS-13 member Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. The nation’s president mocked the move saying, “Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the “death camps” & “torture”, now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!” and  “Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.” While the Trump administration shared his record with the media and supporters rightly point out that Garcia’s case exposes lax immigration policies and Democrats’ unwillingness to address them, other Democrats are supporting Van Hollen with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) planning a solidarity trip to El Salvador. Democrat strategists like James Carville are strangely urging Democrats to prioritize Abregó-Garcia’s case, saying, “There’s real wisdom in that and history has taught us that. First, they came for him, and then we’re going to say no right there. We got to keep fighting this. I think this is worthy of being at the top agenda of things that we’re going to fight over is get this guy back home” and others suggesting Republicans are using the issue to tar Democrats as pro-illegal immigration (which is true).