7. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office has discovered that gambling machines previously seized in an illegal gambling raid in Selma have resurfaced in a different county’s bingo hall. This revelation has raised concerns about the enforcement of gambling laws and the ongoing illegal activities despite previous raids and seizures.
6. Alabama’s state sales tax on groceries will remain at 3%, instead of being reduced by another 1% next month because the law requires Alabama to see sufficient growth in the state’s Education Trust Fund for the subsequent cuts to take place. The sales tax on groceries was reduced from 4% to 3% in September 2023, with the possibility of an additional 1% reduction in 2025 if the ETF meets a 3.5% growth projection.
5. Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a revised indictment in the federal government’s case against former President Donald Trump. The new charges relate to an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) criticized the revised indictment, labeling it as “election interference.” Similarly, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of weaponizing the Justice Department through this action. Trump had previously pleaded not guilty to the initial charges.
4. Vice President Kamala Harris’ joint press conference is today, Democrats need fear not, she will not be alone because her emotional support vice presidential candidate will be there to protect her from big bad Dana Bash of CNN and the team of Kamala superfans. Harris’ decision to conduct her first formal interview as a 2024 presidential candidate alongside her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, has led to online mockery.
3. Many congressional Democrats argue outright that Vice President Kamala Harris should emphasize character and values over detailed policy proposals as the election draws near. But what they means is that she needs to lie to get elected. Unnamed Democrat aides are much more bold, “This election will clearly be won or lost on vibes and Democrats right now are winning in the vibes department after the DNC. We don’t need to focus on the nitty gritty. Right now we just need to focus on winning.”
2. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) intervened to ensure former President Donald Trump could attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, commemorating the third anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Gold Star families, who invited Trump, faced difficulties coordinating the event due to restrictions from Arlington officials. Johnson’s involvement, along with other lawmakers, helped resolve the situation, allowing the ceremony to proceed as requested by the families.
1. Alabama schools are racing to spend the last $500 million in federal pandemic relief funds by the end of September, with state officials noting that $20 million from a previous round of funding was left unspent and is now inaccessible, this is while complaining about funding. Senate Education Budget Chairman Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) expressed concern over losing $20 million in federal aid, noting that it’s troubling to have unspent funds while there are constant demands for more money in education and this highlights inefficiencies in government spending and the need for better financial management in education.
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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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