7. UAH Hockey program suspended again
- Due to an inability to join a conference, the University of Alabama in Huntsville has been forced to suspend its hockey program, which comes only a year after they announced they would discontinue the program due to funding.
- Despite funding issues, UAH received the necessary donations to keep the team. However, now that they haven’t secured a conference membership, the program is suspended immediately. If they are able to gain membership, they still have to wait a year before they’re eligible to conference play.
6. Huntsville officer claiming he feared for his life
- The trial for Huntsville police officer William Ben Darby in the death of Jeff Parker continues, and Darby has testified that Parker was an “imminent threat” to the officers at the scene. He admitted that Parker was sitting on a couch with a gun pointed at his own head when Darby arrived.
- Darby said he shot because Parker didn’t put his gun down, adding, “That is a threat to my life, not to put the gun down after I’ve told him.” The first and second officers on the scene were trying to talk to Parker, which was seen by jurors on the body cam footage. Only 11 seconds after entering the house, Darby shot Parker.
5. Votes are there to remove Cheney from leadership role
- The move to oust U.S. Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) from her leadership position in the Republican delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives appears to have the votes to accomplish the task, not to mention the momentum to do so.
- U.S. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) told Fox News that “the votes are there,” adding he believes that vote will take place next Wednesday. Frustration among Republicans continues to grow as Cheney seems to be reveling in the limelight of praise from the media and their Democrats during her pointless feud with former President Donald Trump and her obsession with the riots at the U.S. Capitol.
4. Redistricting starts in Alabama
- The Alabama Legislature’s Joint Reapportionment Committee will be responsible for redrawing seven congressional districts, eight state school board seats, 35 Alabama State Senate seats and 105 seats in the Alabama State House, and they have decided they will allow a larger deviation in district population size giving those drawing the lines more flexibility.
- There will be drama, as State Senator Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) is already complaining about process. No matter what the seats end up looking like, Republicans will hold a clear majority and a lawsuit will undoubtedly be filed that challenges the maps derived here, but a Supreme Court ruling may render those challenges moot.
3. Trump ban continues, Facebook makes itself a target
- Facebook’s Oversight Board has decided that the ban of President Donald Trump on the social media platform will continue, and this has ignited another push by Republicans to go after big tech. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley pointed out how Facebook and Twitter both still allow “some of the world’s worst dictators, terrorists, and bad actors” on the site.
- Many Republican figures spoke out against the decision, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) who said, “Facebook is more interest in acting like a Democrat Super PAC than a platform for free speech and open debate.” There could be regulation coming.
2. Donald Trump, Jr. doesn’t like the gambling bill in Alabama
- Today, the Alabama House is expected to debate the lottery and gambling bills. Governor Kay Ivey says it is a good bill, but Donald Trump, Jr. has voiced his displeasure with the gambling legislation, saying it’s a “bad bill.”
- Trump explained that the legislation is just “giving a monopoly to a small group of casino bosses is just a special interest giveaway,” and it will “stop the world’s best gaming operators from opening world-class Resorts & Casinos in Alabama!”
1. Medical marijuana fate could be decided today
- The legislation that could legalize medical marijuana is returning to the Alabama House of Representatives floor today, and there could be a final vote that was avoided with a filibuster on Tuesday. State Representative Mike Ball (R-Madison) has expressed optimism in the bill’s chances today.
- With about 69 members of the House showing some support for the bill, it would likely pass if there’s a vote. State Representative Reed Ingram (R-Montgomery) has expressed interest in putting medical marijuana on a ballot for voters to decide. He advised, “It’s going to be easier once you open that oyster up and crack it to get another foot in the door.”
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