7. Gov. Kay Ivey is promoting another Alabama family that is benefitting from school choice through the CHOOSE Act, which has helped provide access to a private Christian education aligned with their values and an alternative to public schools they felt lacked moral grounding; showing yet another success story for Alabama parents.

6. CAIR-Alabama, the state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, criticized Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), for his proposed ban on Sharia law as unconstitutional, arguing it infringes on religious freedom; Tuberville fired back, defending the measure as a safeguard against extremism.

5. Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl urged Democrats to join President Donald Trump’s fight against crime, arguing that genuine concern for safety should transcend party lines amid rising violent crime rates.

4. A new outlier poll revealed an unlikely and surprising frontrunner in Alabama’s U.S. Senate race, with former Navy SEAL and small business owner Jared Hudson leading over Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise).

3. Two IDF soldiers were killed in a severe ceasefire violation near Gaza, raising concerns of renewed conflict; Israel responded with its own attacks, but says it wants to push forward with President Donald Trump’s plan.

2. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) accused Democrats of playing politics by pandering to the far left, suggesting their fear of losing support from radical groups is driving the ongoing government shutdown strategy.

1. Thousands joined “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration in Huntsville, Birmingham, and beyond in Alabama with demonstrators speaking against capitalism and bigotry; but the crowds were overwhelmingly white, old, and lame, even in places with high numbers of minorities.

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