7. Auburn University unveiled a lucrative bonus structure for new head football coach Alex Golesh’s six-year contract, starting at $6.75 million base salary, rising to $8 million, including up to $300,000 for SEC Championship appearances, $12 million for undefeated seasons, and national title incentives, potentially making him one of the highest-paid SEC coaches amid Alabama recruiting wars.
6. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) introduced the Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act with U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) to reform federal residency standards from opt-out to opt-in for abortion training, shielding Alabama medical students from coercion or retaliation over pro-life beliefs, and safeguarding their careers.
5. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem advocated a full travel ban on countries flooding the U.S. with unvetted immigrants following the D.C. shooting by Afghan Rahmanullah Lakanwal admitted under Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome.
4. The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously rejected the Islamic Academy of Alabama’s rezoning bid to transform an office building into a K-12 Muslim school and community center in a Birmingham suburb, citing traffic and land-use issues. The vote came amid heated resident opposition laced with religious fears and conspiracy theories about a Muslim takeover plan.
3. Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) warned that Democrats will abolish the filibuster to impose a woke agenda of Supreme Court packing, open borders, EV mandates, and late-term abortions; so, he wants Republicans to act first, “If Republicans want to put real wins on the board for the American people, it starts with ending the Senate filibuster.”
2. Alabama radio legend and ESPN host Paul Finebaum condemned former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s mid-season defection to LSU as utterly disgraceful and distracting from his own looming decision on a potential Republican U.S. Senate run against Attorney General Steve Marshall and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) after his self-imposed December deadline. He also warned a heavy SEC Championship loss to Georgia could boot Alabama from the College Football Playoff.
1. The Trump administration’s narrative on the double-tap on a drug boat filled with Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang members is that a second attack on survivors happened and is completely justified, after calling it a “hoax.” However, bipartisan oversight is coming from House Armed Services Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) and Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), as Canadian publisher Kids Can Press condemned Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s unauthorized Franklin the Turtle mock cover depicting targeted killings.
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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.
