7 Things: Two possible New Year’s terror attacks; AG Marshall and State Rep. Givan announce election plans; and more ….

—

January 2, 2025

7. A tragic attack in New Orleans has led to the postponement of the 2025 Sugar Bowl game between Georgia and Notre Dame after a terror attack on Bourbon Street, killed at least 15 and injured around 30. The game, originally scheduled for Wednesday night, will now take place today at 4 p.m. ET, with heightened security measures in place. Additionally, the first-ever College Football Playoff quarterfinals are seeing surprisingly low ticket prices with the Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Oregon tops the list at $170, tickets for other games like the Fiesta Bowl (Penn State vs. Boise State), Sugar Bowl (Notre Dame vs. Georgia), and Peach Bowl (Texas vs. Arizona State) are as low as $40, $33, and under $20, respectively.

6. A 39-year-old man in Jefferson County was allegedly injured early New Year’s Day by a stray bullet suspected to be from celebratory gunfire while he was asleep in bed. Authorities have described the injuries as non-life-threatening and are seeking information about the incident, though no arrests have been made. Center Point Mayor Bobby Scott condemned the act, urging residents to avoid celebratory gunfire and prioritize safety during celebrations.

5. Influenza cases are surging across Alabama, with over 6% of recent hospital visits statewide attributed to the flu, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Health officials expect cases to continue rising as the state enters peak flu season, urging residents to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of severe illness. The CDC classifies Alabama’s flu activity as “very high,” mirroring trends in neighboring states and a nationwide toll of 3.1 million illnesses and 1,500 deaths so far this season.

4. State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (R-Birmingham) has announced her candidacy for Birmingham mayor, citing pressing issues such as crime, infrastructure neglect, and public dissatisfaction with current leadership. Her platform includes initiatives to repair roads, clean neighborhoods, address homelessness, expand public transit, and enhance community safety and youth programs, and pointed attacks on Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Givan emphasizes the need for immediate action to restore pride and progress in Birmingham, drawing from her experience and support from community leaders to campaign on “people, protection, progress, and time.”

3. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced he will not run for governor in 2026, deciding to focus on completing his current term, a race where Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) are allegedly considering running. While he ruled out a gubernatorial bid, Marshall expressed openness to future roles in politics and acknowledged conversations with the incoming Trump administration, though he plans to stay in his current role. Known for challenging Biden administration policies and spearheading Alabama’s use of nitrogen gas as an execution method, Marshall emphasized his commitment to serving Alabama residents as attorney general.

2. On New Year’s Day, a terror attack in New Orleans claimed 15 lives and left dozens injured when Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, drove an EV truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street. Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police, during which two officers were injured. Authorities discovered bomb-making materials at an Airbnb linked to Jabbar and are investigating his ties to ISIS, as the truck bore an ISIS flag and pipe bombs were found nearby.

1. President Joe Biden addressed the New Orleans terrorist attack, confirming that the attacker had posted videos online expressing allegiance to ISIS and a desire to kill. Federal authorities are investigating the potential connection between this attack and a separate incident involving a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel. Biden expressed grief for the victims and emphasized the fluidity of the investigation as the FBI works to assess broader threats.

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.