7 Things: Birmingham a warzone; Montgomery police laugh about city’s safety ranking; Trump coming to Alabama but will not do another debate; and more …

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September 23, 2024

7. The Israeli Defense Forces stated they cannot confirm reports regarding the possible death of Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar, with sources expressing conflicting views within the defense establishment. This news follows White House national security spokesman John Kirby identifying Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as “the major obstacle” to achieving a cease-fire, noting that he has not shown willingness to negotiate in good faith.

6. State Sen. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab) recently visited the U.S. southern border with fellow lawmakers to participate in a Border School program aimed at tackling the ongoing immigration crisis. He noted a significant increase in immigration issues in Alabama, particularly with Haitian migrants, and expressed a commitment to developing state legislation to address these challenges in the upcoming session.

5. The race is definitely a toss-up as former President Donald Trump is leading Vice President Kamala Harris in three pivotal swing states, with a five-point advantage in Arizona and a similar lead in Georgia, while the race in North Carolina is closer at 49%-47%. This comes amidst a highly competitive national landscape, where a recent Fox News poll shows Harris narrowly ahead by two points, but Harris leads nationally by as many as 5 points.

4. As Montgomery cops laugh at the city’s No. 2 ranking on a list of safest cities in America, the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit touted significant strides in its first three months of it’s existence. The task force was formed to combat rising violent crime in Montgomery, MACS has conducted 1,300 traffic stops, made 127 arrests, recovered 16 stolen vehicles, seized enough fentanyl to kill 5,000 people, and confiscated 83 firearms.

3. Turns out there will not be a second debate after former President Donald Trump rejected a CNN invitation, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the debate that would have been on Oct. 23 and challenged him to another showdown before Election Day. Trump believes it is too late, “The problem with another debate is that it’s just too late, voting has already started. Now she wants to do a debate right before the election with CNN because she’s losing badly.”

2. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) expressed excitement about attending the upcoming Georgia-Alabama football game with former President Donald Trump, saying, “nothing bigger going on in the South.” Tuberville said Trump wants to come despite recent assassination attempts, notes that extensive planning required for Trump’s security, and emphasized the importance of his connection with the public at these events.

1. On Friday, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was touting his “safer streets” initiative. On Saturday night, 4 people were killed and 17 were injured in more street violence in the city, another possibly related shooting followed on Sunday evening. Foolishly, and without evidence, the pathetic joke of a mayor is suggesting the state Legislature is responsible because there is not a ban on Glock switches in the state, there is a federal ban and the ban would not have stopped this event.

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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 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.