7. President Donald Trump downplayed concerns over a potential trade war escalation, escalated by his statements about 100% tariffs on China after that country put restrictions on exporting rare earth minerals; he assured that “it will all be fine.”
6. Alabama’s population increased by 49,231 to 5.16 million in 2024, with significant growth in Madison and Baldwin counties, primarily due to 26,000 out-of-state domestic individuals and 16,000 international migrants; and despite more deaths than births.
5. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) criticized Senate Democrats under Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for potentially extending the government shutdown into its third week to coincide with these nationwide “No Kings” protests; events are planned in Alabama cities Florence, Fairhope, Guntersville, Huntsville, Auburn, and elsewhere.
4. President Donald Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to figure out a way to pay military service members; Hegseth announced that they will redirect research and development funds to guarantee military paychecks Wednesday amid the ongoing government shutdown, failed Senate votes, the laying off of federal workers, and worries over disrupted services.
3. Alabama law enforcement agencies have expanded participation in the 287(g) program to act as “mini-immigration officers,” according to aldotcom. Police areassisting ICE in detaining undocumented immigrants, resulting in doubled immigration detentions statewide.
2. A male juvenile was charged with capital murder, nine counts of first-degree assault, and three counts of second-degree assault in the Montgomery mass shooting that killed 2 and injured 12 others; authorities are expecting more arrests.
1. President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset this morning to celebrate the U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas ceasefire, where 20 hostage survivors were released after more than two years in Gaza and reunited with families in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including convicted terrorists. Trump called it a “new beginning” and “historic dawn of a new Middle East.”
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
