7. What is going on with FedEx in Alabama?

• FedEx has been in the news in Alabama for some time already after hundreds of packages were found dumped in two separate places, but now there’s a Shelby County woman who has claimed that a FedEx driver stole her service dog.
• In the anonymous woman’s police report, a neighbor claims to have seen the dog in a FedEx truck. Helena Police Chief Brad Flynn said that his department will speak with the driver, who has already claimed that they were rescuing the dog from being hit by cars, but Flynn added he’s not sure why the driver wouldn’t just contact authorities. The dog has since been returned to its owner, and FedEx has said they “are highly disturbed by this reported behavior. This individual is no longer providing service on behalf of FedEx Ground while we work with local authorities to investigate the incident.”

6. There is a reason A&E’s “The First 48” filmed in Birmingham all the time

• Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin addressed the string of recent killings in the city, with 122 this year so far. Recently, there were six within less than 48 hours. Woodfin said, “These aren’t just people. They have families, they have names. I think it’s important to acknowledge the human toll of this.”
• The recent homicides have led to the most killings that Birmingham has had in the last 25 years. Woodfin added that the families “deserve more than hearts and prayers. What they want, and they deserve is justice. Birmingham police are working hard in pursuit of that justice.”

5. Even the Biden administration realizes smash and grab robberies are happening

• Both U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot have responded to the increase of robberies in California and other locations in the country where AOC attempted to claim the robberies weren’t happening and Lightfoot tried to blame retailers. Now, White House press secretary Jen Psaki has confirmed that the White House doesn’t align with this narrative, even though last week they tried to blame the pandemic for the crimes.
• Psaki said they’re aware of the videos and “don’t agree” with the narrative pushed by AOC or Lightfoot. Psaki went on to say that they “have sent additional support from the FBI providing additional assistance. It’s one of the reasons why the president and members of our administration have been longtime advocates for supporting and funding the COPS program.”

4. New head of the Alabama Department of Corrections named

• It’s been announced that Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn has resigned, and current deputy secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency John Hamm has been named Dunn’s replacement.
• This comes as the Alabama prison system conditions have been called unconstitutional by the Department of Justice. Governor Kay Ivey released a statement saying, “For decades, the challenges of our state’s prison system have gone unaddressed and have grown more difficult as a result,” and added, “Commissioner Dunn has a thankless job, but I am proud that he has led with the utmost integrity. He has helped lay the groundwork that I now look forward to building upon with John Hamm at the helm.”

3. House approves $770 billion dollars for NDAA, Alabama delegation comes around

• The National Defense Authorization Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday by a 363-70 vote. Included is a 2.7% pay increase for military service members and DoD civilian employees. U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) previously opposed the bill, while Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) and Mike Rogers (R-Saks) voted for the bill’s previous version.
• Brooks, who is running for U.S. Senate, called out his opponents Katie Britt and Michael Durant, who he claimed were being opportunistic by stating they would support the bill before the changes. Brooks credited the earlier “no” votes for changing the bill and removing some questionable measures, including, drafting women, anti-2nd Amendment provisions, promotion of unions in the national defense industry, what Brooks calls “a George Orwell ‘1984’ style ‘Office of Extremism’ that would likely target conservatives for their legitimately-held political beliefs” and more.

2. Ivey campaign feisty in the face of new challengers

• Former U.S. ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard has rebranded herself as Lindy Blanchard and announced that she’ll be running for governor against Governor Kay Ivey, as will Tim James. Ivey’s campaign responded to Blanchard’s entry, saying they “welcome” the opponents. The campaign also touted her accomplishments with Alabama’s economy and in legislation.
• Her campaign noted the ban on transgender sports, abortion ban, “44,000 new jobs and counting…signed legislation banning vaccine passports AND banning critical race theory,” as well as going against President Joe Biden on mandates. Ivey’s campaign added, “[B]esides opposing yoga or being willing to spend personal money in hopes of buying an elected office, what conservative accomplishment above do you disagree with?”

1. AG Marshall claims victory over another vaccine mandate

• Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall praised the latest nationwide injunction granted yesterday against the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate. U.S. District Judge Stan Baker blocked President Joe Biden’s coronavirus vaccine mandate for government contractors. This blocks the last portion of the vaccine mandate that doesn’t apply to federal government employees.
• Previously, the mandates for employees at larger companies and some health care workers were stopped. In the order, Baker said the mandate “would likely be life-altering for many of Plaintiffs’ employees as Plaintiffs would be required to decide whether an employee who refuses to be vaccinated can, in practicality, be reassigned to another office or another task or whether the employee instead must be terminated.” All of these are headed towards battles at higher courts.