7. State Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn) is offering a bill that would make college athletes’ NIL earnings tax-free in Alabama, aiming to enhance the state’s competitiveness in recruiting. Proponents of the “Competitive Edge NIL Tax Cut Act,” like Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City). argue that successful programs are those that maximize NIL opportunities, likening it to offering business incentives. With similar legislation emerging in Georgia and Louisiana, Alabama lawmakers see this as a necessary step to keep their athletic programs nationally competitive.

6. The Trump administration, led by newly confirmed Attorney General Pam Bondi, has escalated its legal campaign against states that it claims undermine federal immigration laws. She is suing New York over a law that allows individuals to obtain driver’s licenses regardless of citizenship status, alleging that the practice favors “illegal aliens” over American citizens and represents a direct assault on federal authority. Gov. Kathy Hochul, however, defended New York’s policy as a common-sense measure — one that facilitates cooperation with law enforcement through judicial oversight of DMV data — and reiterated her commitment to deporting violent criminals while rejecting broad state interference. The lawsuit is viewed as a warning to other states like Illinois, California, Oregon, and Connecticut.

5. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) has called for an FBI investigation into media leaks that allegedly hindered ICE raids, including a botched operation in Aurora, Colo., where gang members escaped before authorities arrived. He asserted that the media should be held accountable for enabling criminals and reiterated his support for strict immigration enforcement. Tuberville, in coordination with Border Czar Tom Homan, warned that those responsible for leaking sensitive information would face federal consequences.

4. President Donald Trump announced that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war will begin immediately following a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a major shift in U.S. foreign policy. The conversation, described as productive and conciliatory, led to plans for a potential first meeting in Saudi Arabia, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman playing a role in discussions. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has deprioritized European security, deeming Ukraine’s NATO membership unrealistic, and is considering leveraging Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as compensation for continued U.S. aid.

3. Alabama legislators have proposed two bills that would ban discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and restrict teachers from using students’ preferred pronouns without parental consent. LGBTQ activists are warning they could lead to discrimination, lawsuits, going as far to argue “a female teacher who mentions her husband in the classroom would be breaking this law,” which is obviously ridiculous.

2. Alabama legislators have given final approval to a bill that defines sex based on reproductive organs present at birth, effectively excluding transgender individuals from being recognized under their gender identity. The House of Representatives voted 77-12 to define a woman; the bill now heads to Gov. Kay Ivey, who has expressed her intention to sign it into law. Supporters argue the measure is needed to protect spaces exclusive to women, with State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) saying, “We believe boys should play against boys and girls should play against girls. We believe that men have no business using the girls’ restroom. We believe that there are only two genders — male and female.”

1. President Donald Trump slammed the Department of Education as a “con job” after citing a report ranking the U.S. 40th in education despite having the highest per-pupil spending, declaring his intent to shut it down immediately. His administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has already cut $881 million in DOE spending, including $101 million used for DEI training. Additionally, a federal judge has greenlighted the federal “buyout” program that 75,000 government employees have accepted AND another judge has cleared the way for DOGE to continue its work at the Treasury Department.