7. After Alabama lying convict Carlee Russell set off a frenzy by faking her kidnapping, a law was passed to stop other idiots from doing the same thing and misusing police resources to attempt to investigate the clear hoaxes. Now, Larry Scott Brown was arrested under Alabama’s “Carlee Russell” law after falsely reporting an armed robbery at a Hoover Walmart to distract police from his suspected involvement in a retail theft. Officers quickly determined the call was a hoax, an investigation led to Brown’s identification and arrest on a Class C felony. He could receive up to 10 years in prison and be required to reimburse law enforcement for the resources used in the response.

6. Alabama State Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) has filed HB103, a bill that would make parents criminally liable if their improperly stored firearms are taken to school by their children, carrying penalties of up to a year in jail and a $6,000 fine. Seeking bipartisan backing, she revised the bill to exempt hunting firearms stored in vehicles on school property. Drummond argues the bill is a common-sense responsibility measure to prevent school shootings, rather than an attack on gun rights.

5. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with President Donald Trump’s endorsement, has initiated the shutdown of USAID, locking staff out of systems, closing its headquarters, and labeling the agency corrupt. Conservative lawmakers praise the move as a necessary cut to foreign aid, while opponents argue it disrupts critical humanitarian and health initiatives worldwide. Former USAID officials warn that dismantling the agency endangers global stability, halts disease containment efforts, and eliminates decades of institutional expertise.

4. Alabama’s Magic City Acceptance Academy, Alabama’s LGBTQ+ “affirming” charter school, has made significant changes to its online presence, removing LGBTQ-related branding and messaging amid rising scrutiny from state legislators who question its compliance with state and federal guidelines. Lawmakers, including State Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine), have vowed to address the school’s funding in the upcoming legislative session. While MCAA has deleted posts and edited its website, some materials, such as an Instagram page promoting LGBTQ+ books for young children, remain accessible.

3. Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) has laid out his office’s 2025 legislative agenda which prioritizes tackling crime, strengthening immigration enforcement, expanding tax relief, and improving education funding. His plans include a nine-bill crime package, stricter penalties for illegal gun modifications, reforms to the Alabama Foundation Program for school funding, and continued investments in veterans’ mental health. Additionally, discussions on gambling regulation and economic policies will shape the session, with an emphasis on maintaining bipartisan cooperation and ensuring resources reach Alabama’s most critical areas.

2. MSNBC’s Al Sharpton hosted naïve Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, who foolishly reaffirmed the city’s “welcoming city” stance on immigration, stating that while it collaborates with ICE on human trafficking cases, it does not assist in administrative immigration enforcement. He emphasized that Birmingham’s doors remain open to law-abiding immigrants seeking opportunities and a better life and telling illegal immigrants that “our door is open.” Woodfin’s remarks, which follow his previous comments on the “Alabama-fication” of the nation, come amid growing concerns over rising violent crime in Birmingham.

1. In last-minute deals, Canadian and Mexican leaders have agreed to deals that attempt to secure the borders between the U.S. and their countries. Mexico will send 10,000 troops to the U.S. border to help combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration in exchange for President Donald Trump pausing his proposed tariffs on Mexico for one month. As the hours ticked away toward tariffs with Canada, Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to suspend tariffs for a month as Canada commits $1.3 billion to border security, including new personnel, technology, and a joint strike force to combat fentanyl trafficking. Negotiations on broader trade and security issues will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials.

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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 and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast on WVNN at 10 p.m.