7. A school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., left two people dead, including a teacher and a student, and six others injured, with two in critical condition. Police identified the shooter as a juvenile, Natalie Lynn Rupnow, who was found dead at the scene and are working with the shooter’s family to determine a motive. In her reported manifesto Rupnow, who went as Samantha online, said, “Every single male must be wiped out, from babies to the elderly. Only then will women be free to create a new world.”

6. President-elect Donald Trump has urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to replace Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is expected to become Secretary of State. While Lara Trump has expressed interest in the Senate role, DeSantis is considering other candidates, including Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, and is weighing how the decision could affect his political future and relationship with Trump. However, Trump commented on the matter saying he does not expect Lara Trump to get the nod but added, “Ron’s doing a good job, that’s his choice — nothing to do with me.”

5. A Baldwin County man, Alexander Hilton Randles, was shot and killed by the FBI while they executed an arrest warrant for him related to interstate threats. Randles had called for a militia to suppress “insurrected” government officials and claimed he would lead efforts to restore government control if officials did not act. Court records revealed that Randles believed he was being targeted by a domestic terrorist group and that government corruption was being covered up, prompting him to share his manifesto online.

4. President-elect Donald Trump dismissed a reporter’s question about the possibility of preemptive strikes on Iran, calling it unrealistic to answer such queries before any action is considered and noted that it is not an appropriate time for him to speak on that matter. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago during a press conference, Trump emphasized the impracticality of discussing military strategies publicly and avoided giving a direct response about supporting an Israeli strike on Iran. He reiterated his administration’s focus on assisting Israel and working toward securing the release of hostages in the Middle East.

3. Reports of mysterious drone sightings across the county have made their way to south Alabama and have sparked public reactions, with some residents threatening to shoot down drones despite warnings from officials. Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich emphasized the dangers and legal consequences of shooting drones, as federal law prohibits damaging aircraft, including unmanned ones, and local laws restrict firearm use in certain areas. While some social media reports in Alabama have been investigated, such as one misidentified as a military helicopter, the origins of similar drone activity in the Northeast remain undisclosed by authorities. In California, an investigation into Yinpiao Zhou, a Chinese national and lawful U.S. resident, is underway for potentially more serious offenses after he was arrested for allegedly flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and taking aerial photos of the base.

2. Alabama U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) believes the Republican Party could have secured a bigger Senate majority than the 53-47 outcome in the 2024 elections, citing strategic missteps in key races. He pointed to close losses in Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin, emphasizing that Republicans had leads in some of these contests before losing in the final days. Despite this, Tuberville expressed optimism about the Republican-controlled Congress and President-elect Donald Trump’s potential to deliver relief and change for American taxpayers in the coming years.

1. Alabama’s overtime pay tax exemption has cost the Education Trust Fund $230 million in its first nine months, surpassing expectations and raising questions about its future as it approaches a June 2025 expiration. While proponents argue the policy boosts workforce participation and benefits hourly workers, critics worry about its impact on public school funding, especially as federal COVID relief funds dwindle. Lawmakers are considering extending the exemption, capping it, or letting it expire, with further analysis planned to determine its long-term economic effects.

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.