7. A long-awaited U.S. study on puberty blockers has remained unpublished due to concerns over the political weaponization of its findings. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, who led the study, said the results showed no mental health improvement in transgender adolescents, which contradicts previous research but feared it would fuel opposition to gender-affirming care. While other experts urge the release of the data to inform families and medical practices, Olson-Kennedy cites the need for caution in the highly charged political environment but it boils down to the fact that they can’t publish the study because those who are critical of the movement are correct.
6. The Saban Center has announced a partnership with Stillman College to enhance STEM and arts education throughout Alabama, joining Shelton State Community College and The University of Alabama as a strategic partner. Ms. Terry Saban and Stillman President Dr. Yolanda Page expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing its impact on youth and the community. Saban Center President Audrey Buck highlighted the importance of this partnership in shaping the future of STEM education and workforce connections in West Alabama.
5. UAB could fire head coach Trent Dilfer and former UAB head coach Bill Clark is reportedly in the running for head coaching positions at East Carolina and Southern Miss. Since both schools recently parted ways with their coaches, this seems like a pretty clear path to a solution. After retiring due to back issues in 2022, Clark is now healthy and exploring a return to coaching, having led UAB to notable success, including an 11-win season and a bowl victory in 2018. At other schools, Auburn’s Hugh Freeze is taking heat for his team’s performance and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer’s team is trying to get his team back on track.
4. Gov. Kay Ivey was named the seventh most-popular governor in the U.S. and the most popular in the Southeast, according to a recent Morning Consult survey. The survey gave Ivey a 63% approval rating, with 32% disapproving, while a small portion had no opinion. Ivey’s tenure has been marked by achievements like infrastructure improvements and educational reforms, and her spokesperson emphasized that she plans to continue her bold agenda for Alabama. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott is the most popular governor in the U.S. with an 81% approval rating, while Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is the least popular, with a 48% disapproval rating.
3. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall suggested that current immigration enforcement challenges facing the nation might allow Alabama to revive aspects of its 2012 Beason-Hammon Act, which had been largely struck down in court. Marshall argued that if the federal government fails to enforce immigration laws, states should have the right to step in and enforce them themselves. He made these comments at an immigration town hall in Fairhope, expressing frustration over the Biden administration’s approach to immigration policy.
2. A new Wall Street Journal national poll shows former President Donald Trump holding a slight edge over Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the presidency, with 47% support to Harris’s 45%, flipping from a 2-point lead for Harris. Polling expert Nate Silver believes that while the 2024 presidential race remains highly competitive, his “gut” suggests former President Donald Trump will win, despite polling data showing it could go either way. Trump is currently leading in the Real Clear Politics Electoral College Map, Nate Silver’s Election Forecast Model, 538’s Election Forecast Model, and Polymarket Betting Election Odds.
1. As momentum is clearly in former President Donald Trump’s favor and some people are suggesting a landslide is possible, it is now time for a couple of October Surprises to make the media cycle move before being debunked. We have ANOTHER series of “Trump is/loves Hitler” and Trump hates the troops, both were debunked. It has not been long since the last time the media demanded you disqualify President Trump from your ballot because of something they are reporting or because he allegedly loves Hitler, so this “October Surprise” has been a bit of a dud, and all have been debunked in less than 24 hours. So, we got a “Trump groped a model in 1993″ for today’s news cycle that multiple media outlets already passed 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 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.
