7. The fight over U.S. Space Command’s headquarters has expanded as Ohio lawmakers petition for its permanent home to be at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, challenging Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal and Colorado’s Peterson Space Force Base. Redstone was initially chosen as the “preferred location” in 2021, but former President Biden decided to keep the command in Colorado, prompting Alabama leaders to push for a reversal. Alabama’s U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) are advocating for Redstone’s selection with many believing the decision would be reversed by now and Space Command HQ would be headed to Alabama.
6. The Alabama State Senate unanimously elected Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) as president pro tem, with Gudger pledging to prioritize teamwork, efficiency, and immigration enforcement. Although gambling legislation is not a stated priority for this session, he expressed concern about lost revenue to neighboring states and indicated he would review any proposed bill on the issue. Last year, Alabama lawmakers came close to passing a bill that would have let voters decide on legalizing a state lottery, casinos, and sports betting, but it fell short by a single Senate vote.
4. Alabama lawmakers are reconsidering the 2023 overtime tax cut, which has delivered over $230 million for workers, far exceeding the initial $40 million estimate, while exploring alternative relief measures such as further reducing the grocery tax. Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) and budget chairman State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) stress the need to balance tax reductions with maintaining education funding, as 95% of state income tax revenue is allocated to schools and teacher salaries. Although the grocery tax was cut from 4% to 3% in 2023, a further reduction to 2% was delayed due to insufficient Education Trust Fund growth, making it a key focus in the 2025 legislative session.
3. Democrats are rallying against President Donald Trump and government employee Elon Musk’s efforts to dismantle USAID (all employees placed on leave), but Democratic strategists like David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel caution that defending foreign aid may not resonate with voters who see bureaucracy as wasteful, especially as the waste is laid out. They argue that Democrats should instead focus their messaging on issues like education cuts and economic struggles that directly impact working-class Americans. Insane Democrats are going the other way with Democratic lawmakers protested outside the Treasury Department, calling Elon Musk a “Nazi,” chanting “lock him up,” and vowing to fight his influence over federal spending.
2. Ahead of her State of the State address, Gov. Kay Ivey addressed the Business Council of Alabama, highlighting her administration’s successes and laying out key priorities for 2025, including public safety, workforce development, broadband expansion, banning cellphones in schools, and conservative fiscal policies. She praised Alabama’s economic achievements, noting $55.7 billion in capital investment and 93,000 new jobs, as well as significant gains in education rankings and broadband readiness. Ivey emphasized that Alabama’s progress has drawn national recognition and urged lawmakers to continue working toward long-term growth and security for the state.
1. In a shocking move, to absolutely everyone, President Donald Trump proposed U.S. control a war-ravaged Gaza, with the goal of relocating its residents to other countries and developing the region under American oversight. This suggestion has sparked outrage from Palestinians, who seek to remain there, an area that is terrorism- and poverty-festered. Others called it “an open air prison” for decades, and their regional allies, such as Egypt and Jordan, never wanted any Palestinians in their country. The plan is part of Trump’s broader, aggressive approach to the Middle East, which contrasts with the more cautious diplomacy of the Biden administration and could remake the entire region or spark more chaos.
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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 on WVNN at 10 p.m.
