7. Wardynski pushing to bring Space Force Academy to Alabama

• Fifth congressional district candidate Casey Wardynski has started advocating for bringing a U.S. Space Force (USSF) academy to Huntsville through the Redstone Arsenal, since the U.S. Space Command is coming to Redstone as well.
• Wardynski said, “[T]he concept would be to create an educational environment, and academy and the supporting upstream education experience for professional development for the Space Force.” He added, “To give them the jump they’re going to need to go quickly, they really need to be immersed in a place that’s focused on space – that would be northern Alabama.”

6. No one with any sense wants this train line to be built

• The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has heard from many officials that expressed concerns about Amtrak potentially damaging the Port of Mobile if it returns to the area to provide a rail service from Mobile to New Orleans. All trains are good in the mind of liberals, and those who love any type of government spending.
• Most of the concerns are how there could be a negative economic impact to the port. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield advised, “If accepted in current form, the attractiveness of our business climate will erode. Companies choosing where to spend their capital will no longer consider Alabama a great choice. That will be because of the uncertainty of the transportation and logistics issues based on this decision.”

5. “Now don’t be sad, ’cause two out of three ain’t bad”

• Former national security adviser Michael Flynn has endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Mike Durant, although he had previously endorsed U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville). He specifically mentioned how Durant is a “political outsider.”
• Flynn added that Durant “is a battle tested patriot who puts political correctness aside and country above all else. That’s exactly what we need in the United States Senate and why I am proud to endorse his campaign.”

4. Bill to prevent additional income tax passes House

• The legislation that will prevent an $87.7 million increase in income tax in Alabama from being imposed has passed the Alabama House of Representatives. The additional tax would be a result of payments individuals received from the American Rescue Plan Act.
• Some legislators, such as State Representative Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs), have argued that this legislation should’ve been passed before tax season started since those who have already filed will have to file an amended return. The Senate has already passed a similar bill earlier this month but they need to get together and pass something together.

3. Albritton: Gambling interests will be interested in gambling

• There will be a gambling bill introduced in the legislature, according to State Senator Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), but he’s already voiced concerns about how there could be more issues with passing legislation as there could be opposition from Mississippi and Florida native American tribes.
• Albritton said that “the Choctaws in Mississippi, the Seminoles in Florida and the interests in Georgia” could all pose opposition to gambling legislation in Alabama. He added, “They have interests in what we do and how we do it.” Albritton said that his legislation will deal with gambling, sports gaming, online gaming, and other aspects of gambling.

2. Some universities are dropping mask requirements

• Starting on February 21, the University of Alabama will no longer require masks on campus, but this does not apply to the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. There are currently less than 50 people on campus at the university who have the coronavirus.
• Auburn University still requires masks on campus. The University of Alabama will only require masks at patient care facilities, as well as some medical facilities. Meanwhile, local schools can still require masks on elementary kids if they want to.

1. Tuberville calls for no American blood to be spilled, Biden won’t send U.S. troops to Ukraine

• As the threat of Russia invading Ukraine continues, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) made it clear that he wants more sanctions and no bloodshed from American citizens and soldiers. Blaming Democrats and President Joe Biden for inaction, Tuberville stated, “A few weeks ago, Senate Republicans voted in support of sanctions on Russia’s pipeline through Europe – the Nord Stream 2. Senate Democrats refused to support these sanctions – who are they more afraid of, President Biden or Putin?”
• Biden has promised that he “will not send American servicemen to fight in Ukraine.” He did clarify that “we have supplied the Ukrainian military equipment to help them defend themselves.” Biden added, “We provided training and advice and intelligence for the same purpose.” Biden also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “agreed that our teams should continue to engage,” and expressed he will continue diplomatic negotiations and explore other options on how to “address our respective security concerns.”