7. Samford University communications studies professor Niya Pickett Miller is a walking, talking ad for sending your children to trade schools. She teaches classes like “Race in Popular Culture and Media” using Megan Thee Stallion’s music and persona to examine systemic racism and black women’s empowerment. In her “Hot Girl Teaching” approach, Miller claims she challenges students’ conservative Christian values by linking feminist ideas to biblical figures, encouraging critical engagement with race, gender, and sexuality. Her writing includes a screed about undoing the values of the school she teaches at, the students who go there, and their parents. “Still, I understand that faith-based universities may encourage critical thinking, but they also prioritize guiding students toward specific conclusions based on their religious beliefs. Many of my students come with an expectation for learning that upholds conventional Christian values and conservative ideological views,” she wrote.

6. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Trump administration must arrange the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Salvadoran migrant mistakenly sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, known for housing gang members, due to an administrative mistake. The decision supports a Maryland district court’s order to bring Garcia back, though the Court asked Judge Paula Xinis to clarify how far her directive extends, noting the executive branch’s authority in foreign policy. Garcia, married to a U.S. citizen and protected from deportation since 2019, was deported despite a court ruling, prompting his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, to continue advocating for his release.

5. The U.S. House approved the SAVE Act by a 220-208 vote, with only 4 Democrats on board, mandating in-person proof of citizenship for voter registration to curb noncitizen voting. The bill, supported by President Trump and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Ky.), now needs 60 votes in the U.S. Senate for passage. Polls show that 83% of Americans favor proof of citizenship for voter registration, but Democrats insist that minorities and women could never navigate this system leaving millions unable to vote, which is both racist and sexist.

4. Republican populism is growing as House Republicans apparently are exploring a new tax bracket of 39% to 40% for those earning over $1 million to help fund their tax package. This is a shift from their traditional stance against tax hikes, driven by a desire to avoid perceptions of favoring the wealthy and hoping to eliminate the argument that “tax cuts are for their billionaire friends.” The proposal is supported by House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-Md.) and aims to offset costs of cuts like eliminating taxes on tipped wages, with some openness to reverting to a 39.6% top rate for certain business owners. A plan to eliminate tax cuts for those who make under $150,000 is being discussed as well, though this could add $18 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

3. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) said they believe Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal will host the U.S. Space Command Headquarters soon. Strong emphasized its selection through a rigorous 21-category process as optimal for national security. Britt referenced discussions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and anticipates the incoming Air Force secretary will uphold this decision following Senate confirmation and believes he will call to restore the original Air Force recommendation alongside Alabama’s congressional delegation. 

2. The FBI, alongside Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and local police, conducted arrests of six suspected Tren de Aragua gang members during traffic stops and intelligence on tattoos and other evidence in Mobile. Now, federal agents are scouring Alabama for further gang links. The suspects are facing deportation under the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. Those who wish to avoid this fate could do so by self-deporting and the Trump administration is preparing to cancel thousands of Social Security numbers to help urge them to do so.

1. In response to President Donald Trump’s tariff escalation on Chinese imports to 145%, China’s National Film Administration announced an immediate reduction in Hollywood film imports, citing soured domestic demand for American movies, of which Americans can probably relate. Trump dismissed the retaliation during a Cabinet meeting, stating, “I think I’ve heard of worse things.” As for worse things, overnight China declared that they will raise tariffs on American goods to 125% but also announced that they will go no higher, an odd play unless they want a negotiation. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Tuberville) supported Trump’s tariffs, urging him to “keep hammering China” to boost U.S. manufacturing. 

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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.