7. Alabama State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) is advocating for a statewide alert system dedicated to finding missing black youths, similar to existing Amber Alerts but designed to address systemic disparities in attention to these cases. Givan highlighted that many families feel overlooked, stating, “Nobody sees us,” and emphasized the need for this initiative to address racial inequities in how missing persons cases are handled. The proposal is part of a broader effort to bring so-called equity to marginalized communities facing such crises without any evidence that there are some discrepancies in these incidences racially.
6. MSNBC staffers and social media users are expressing outrage at Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for reportedly seeking to reopen communication channels with Donald Trump, a move seen as a betrayal by some colleagues and viewers. Critics on social media accused the “Morning Joe” hosts of hypocrisy and opportunism, given their past public feuds with Trump and sharp criticisms of his presidency. MSNBC insiders reportedly described the meeting as “disgusting” and “unsurprising,” reflecting internal tensions about the network’s relationship with political figures.
5. Wind Creek Hospitality has announced plans to acquire the Birmingham Racecourse, aiming to transform the location into a premier entertainment destination. This acquisition, part of Wind Creek’s broader expansion strategy, will include a variety of upscale amenities, such as hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities. The project is expected to significantly boost the local economy by creating jobs and attracting regional and national visitors
4. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that undated and misdated mail-in ballots must not be counted, rebuking election boards in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Bucks counties for defying prior rulings. The decision, which applies statewide, comes as the Senate race between Republican David McCormick and Democrat Sen. Bob Casey heads to an automatic recount, with McCormick leading by fewer than 20,000 votes. While dissenting justices argued the case should proceed in lower courts, the majority emphasized the importance of adhering to the Pennsylvania Election Code and court orders to uphold the rule of law.
3. U.S. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, vowed to oppose President-elect Donald Trump’s planned mass deportations, citing potential harm to the U.S. economy. Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming “border czar,” fired back, accusing Barragán of undermining law enforcement and calling for her resignation. Trump has reiterated his commitment to mass deportations, signaling he may declare a national emergency and use military resources to enforce immigration policies.
2. Concerns over secret voting practices in the U.S. Senate and Alabama State Senate leadership elections always draw a ton of fire to the process of a secret ballot, where the losers usually (and correctly) emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in democratic processes. Secret votes allow leaders to avoid responsibility for decisions, undermine trust, and lead to conspiracy theories seen in the most recent U.S. Senate leadership race where .U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) voted for Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.). Scott and Scott ally Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) thanked Britt for the vote, yet many have suggested Britt voted for someone else. All of this easily avoided with open leadership votes, which will likely never happen.
1. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) has urged Senate Republicans to unify and independently confirm President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees without relying on Democratic support, emphasizing that the GOP has sufficient numbers to act decisively. Tuberville criticized past Republican concessions and called for stronger backing of Trump’s agenda, aligning with his longstanding push for conservative judicial and military appointments. His remarks come as the GOP prepares to wield its majority in shaping the legislative and executive branches under the incoming administration.
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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.
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