7. Weather forecasts for the Rose Bowl predict rain and clouds for Alabama’s New Year’s Day game against Indiana, potentially the wettest since 1955. In other state football news, Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman reportedly plans to enter the transfer portal, potentially becoming the top available player.
6. Three illegal immigrants from Latvia allegedly operated a $14 million gift card fraud scheme in Texas, stealing and reprogramming cards from stores daily in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio since May.
5. Malvin Geovany Villalobos-Bonilla, a previously deported illegal immigrant from Honduras, was involved in a deadly hit-and-run in Troy. He has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and ICE notified.
4. Renea Gamble still faces disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges after wearing an inflatable penis costume at an anti-Trump “No Kings” protest in Fairhope, with her attorney arguing the arrest violates First Amendment rights.
3. Alabama State Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile) is the latest lawmaker to criticize the outgoing governor’s West Alabama Corridor project as a costly boondoggle with $175 million spent and hundreds of millions in bonds. He is now calling for an independent transportation commission to oversee long-term planning, stripping the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) from the governor’s cabinet and control.
2. Alabama State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) has stated that he anticipates a fast-paced legislative session starting Jan. 13, prioritizing a conservative budget, opioid fund oversight showing 30% overdose reductions, and rural health initiatives, in an expectantly contentious election-year session.
1. DHS and the FBI have ramped up the investigation into rampant fraud at over 30 Minneapolis sites involving childcare and other areas after Nick Shirley showed numerous fraudulent daycares getting taxpayer dollars. Now, Minnesota GOP lawmakers call for Gov. Tim Walz to resign over alleged malfeasance, but Walz is trying to downplay it with claims of racism.
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
