6. A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can deport 30-year-old Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, affirming claims that his beliefs pose a national security risk, a decision his legal team decried as a “charade of due process” aimed at suppressing dissent. This opens the way for other students and immigrants with national security concerns to be shown the door. Another federal judge may have ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego García but the administration seems disinterested and says that they are only required to remove domestic barriers to re-entry but not to be actively negotiating with El Salvador.

5. Pennsylvania police arrested 38-year-old Cody Balmer for allegedly starting a fire at the governor’s mansion around 2 a.m. using homemade incendiary devices, forcing Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family, and guests to evacuate safely after celebrating Passover. Shapiro was famously not chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate for being Jewish. The suspected terrorist evaded security by hopping a fence, but was caught and will face charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and assault, with authorities noting the fire caused extensive damage but no injuries. The motive has not been determined but the attack on a Jewish governor during Passover may be a clue, his online profile is allegedly filled with anti-Biden posts, and there could be a connection to a property seizure.

4. Something happened on the “The Strip” in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night, after Alabama football held a very quiet practice. The area was closed around 9 p.m. by police after a group of people, believing they heard gunshots, began running, prompting an immediate response from officers already in the area. Despite a thorough search, no evidence of gunfire was found, and the University of Alabama’s Shot Spotter system confirmed no shots were detected and no injuries reported. But Chief Brent Blankley ordered the closure out of caution requiring anyone not inside a business to clear the area; no other issues were reported.

3. An alleged degenerate loser, Dothan’s John Watson, a driver license examiner with ALEA, was arrested last week and charged with four counts of disseminating child pornography for sending explicit letters to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and State Reps. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook), Susan DuBose (R-Hoover), and Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga), and he used his real name and address on the envelope. Watson was placed on leave and resigned after his arrest, which probably shows the people upset about this already-passed legislation are not very mentally healthy because of their apparent massive consumption of pornography.

2. Alabama’s lottery and gambling debate may be dead for 20 years, for 2 years, or for just this legislative session depending on who you are listening to. However, while some polling shows 80% public support for a lottery with its potential revenue of up to $438 million annually, some analysts do not think it will be a major issue in the 2026 elections. Regardless, Democratic lawmakers view the failure of last year’s gambling bill, which fell one vote short in the Senate, and this year’s failure to even get to the floor as an opportunity to highlight GOP splits. The party could potentially gain ground in a midterm election tied to national sentiment even though the national Democrat Party has traditionally been an albatross around the neck of Alabama Democrats. Additionally, opponents, like the Alabama Citizens Action Program, accurately argue there’s no strong grassroots push for gambling expansion and has not been one for 20+ years.

1. In the latest tariff moves by the Trump administration, they announced that they have exempted electronic devices like smartphones and laptops from 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, but maybe not for long. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated this is only temporary with non-negotiable semiconductor tariffs looming in one to two months, further creating confusion in the trade war’s goals and tactics. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) declared that the tariff policies are a “red light, green light” game that is causing “chaos and corruption,” which is apparently true and by design. Apple, Nvidia and China get some relief but China’s commerce ministry demanded that the U.S. completely eliminate its 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, which seems unlikely and a bit of a tip of their hand as the battle goes on.

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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.