42.2 F
Mobile
37.4 F
Huntsville
38.2 F
Birmingham
41.9 F
Montgomery

7 Things: Majority Leader fight over but Tuberville, Britt split; Space Command HQ saga coming back; and more …

7. In response to the absurd notion that people are talking about a return to slavery and clearly fake texts about plantations, MSNBC’s “The Root” explores “concerns” about modern practices that resemble past systems of bondage. The article highlights how exploitation in the prison-industrial complex, labor trafficking, and economic inequalities mirror conditions of forced labor. Additionally, it addresses fears that legislative shifts could further erode rights, leading some to question the societal and systemic safeguards against slavery’s re-emergence.

6. Trump derangement has turned deadly in Minnesota. A man named Anthony Nephew, who had expressed anger toward Donald Trump and society, killed his three children and their mother before taking his own life in an apparent murder-suicide. Family members reported that Nephew had been deeply troubled and had recently voiced frustration with the current political climate, which may have contributed to the tragic incident. In a separate case, 33-year-old Corey Burke allegedly killed her father with an ice ax in Rainier Valley, Wash., during an argument on Election Day; Burke later told authorities that election-related emotions and mental health struggles led her to “freak out” (a TV station has deleted that information without acknowledging it).

5. After a mass shooting during Tuskegee University’s homecoming that left sixteen people injured, the university has intensified its response by temporarily closing the campus and swiftly replacing the chief of police, Rodney D. Smith. The shooting took place during festivities at the university chapel, raising urgent safety concerns and criticism of campus security protocols. Tuskegee’s president, Dr. Charlotte Morris, emphasized that the safety of students and staff remains a top priority, with the university now implementing stricter security measures and a comprehensive campus safety review in hopes of preventing further violence.

4. A very small amount of Alabama lawmakers are debating whether creating a state holiday on Election Day could encourage greater voting turnout by removing barriers like work and school obligations. State Rep. Ontario Tillman (D-Bessemer) proposed the bill and Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa), a proponent of the idea, contends that making Election Day a holiday would send a strong message about the importance of civic participation and create a more equitable voting experience, especially for people with limited flexibility in their schedules. Critics, however, question whether a holiday would truly address underlying issues with voter access, noting that logistical and budgetary concerns might hinder its implementation, especially if it means closing government offices and services for the day.

3. President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former ICE Director Tom Homan as his Border Czar who will oversee mass deportations and increased immigration enforcement and streamlined processing of undocumented individuals. Trump’s proposed deportation plan includes using the military to house and process migrants for deportation, potentially on a large scale. This strategy would involve establishing temporary facilities on military bases to expedite removal proceedings, sidestepping traditional detention facilities and potentially reducing legal delays. The media and their Democrats are trying to argue that the plan raises serious concerns about human rights and military overreach, while supporters believe it could act as a strong deterrent to illegal immigration and the idea is popular, but the media is working on changing that.

2. President-elect Trump’s victory may lead to the reversal of a 2023 decision to move Space Command HQ to Colorado, a move initially opposed by Trump’s administration in favor of Huntsville. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, anticipates that Trump will overturn Biden’s decision soon after inauguration, with construction on the Huntsville site starting in 2025. Rogers argued that Huntsville was the top choice in multiple Air Force evaluations and highlighted that investigations by the GAO and Inspector General are expected to further support Huntsville’s claim, making a reversal even more likely.

1. U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), in the driver’s seat for Senate Republican leadership, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) have all aligned with former President Trump’s demand for using recess appointments to bypass Senate confirmation processes. Trump is pushing for the Senate to recess early next year, which would allow him to appoint officials without traditional confirmations, a move aimed at expediting his administration’s agenda. Although Alabama U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) are likely split on the vote, Tuberville notes that whoever wins, Trump will be calling the shots, and it is hard to argue otherwise.

Listen here:

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.

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