Alabama Poised for Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday!

Attention, Alabamians! Get ready to mark your calendars because big news is brewing for gun owners, hunters, and freedom-loving folks across the state.

Say Hello to Savings!

State lawmakers are pushing forward the Alabama Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday bill, potentially bringing an annual sales tax-free weekend for all things Second Amendment!

HB360: What's the Deal?

Sponsored by State Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville), HB360 is gaining momentum after a thumbs-up from the House Ways and Means Education Committee. Next stop: a full vote in the Alabama House!

Weekend of Freedom

The proposal? A statewide sales tax holiday every year during the last weekend in August for select firearm and hunting gear. Think Friday at 121 a.m. to Sunday at midnight!

What's Included?

We're talking:

• Firearms galore (pistols, rifles, shotguns, the whole shebang!)
• Ammo and all the essential bits
• Hunting supplies like archery gear, accessories, cases, hearing protection, and more!

Rules and Regs

The Alabama Department of Revenue will lay down the law on what exactly qualifies. Local governments can also jump on board and waive their sales taxes, too!

Same Rules Apply

Don't worry, background checks still apply. This holiday is about savings, not shortcuts!

What's the Cost?

The projected revenue impact is around $386,000 – a small price to pay for freedom!

The Bottom Line

The committee gave HB360 a favorable report, so it's moving on up. Alabama could soon join other states offering Second Amendment or outdoor sporting goods tax holidays!

Moore Gets the Vance Stamp of Approval!

Looks like Congressman Barry Moore is racking up the endorsements in his quest for Alabama's open U.S. Senate seat! He's just scored a shiny, new endorsement from none other than Vice President J.D. Vance.

All-Star Endorsement Squad

This comes hot on the heels of President Donald Trump's "complete and total endorsement" last month. Talk about a power couple backing!

Vance: Moore's a True Fighter

Vance stated that Trump needs unwavering allies in the Senate who will champion the "America First" agenda. According to Vance, Moore fits that bill perfectly. He says Moore has been a steadfast ally and that he's personally witnessed his character and commitment firsthand.

Moore's Ready to Roll

Moore expressed his gratitude for the VP's support, saying he's eager to take up the fight in the Senate.

Recent Endorsement Blitz

Moore's been busy collecting endorsements. Just yesterday, he got the thumbs-up from U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson. His campaign has also garnered support from Senators Steve Daines, Ted Budd, Cynthia Lummis, and Representatives Jim Jordan and Tim Burchett, among others.

The Race is On!

Moore is facing off against Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, former U.S. Navy Seal Jared Hudson, and others in the upcoming 2026 Alabama Republican Party primary, which is now just 90 days away. It's gonna be a showdown!

Epstein Files: Name Dropping Drama

So, Whoopi Goldberg's name popped up in the Epstein files, just like Hillary Clinton's. Both camps are saying it's just a passing mention, no shady business implied (sound familiar?). Meanwhile, Forbes is digging deep into Leslie Wexner's long-standing financial and social connection with Epstein, thanks to the unredacted docs. Yikes!

TJ's Law: Parents in the Know

Alabama just passed TJ's Law! Cops will now have to give parents or guardians the heads-up when minors get traffic tickets. The goal? More parental involvement to hopefully keep those teen drivers safe. Smart move, Alabama!

Vacant Lt. Gov Spot? Special Election!

Alabama State Senator Sam Givhan wants a special election if the Lieutenant Governor gig goes vacant before the term's up. No more Governor appointments – let the voters decide! It's all about keeping the power with the people.

Tuberville's Residency Under Fire?

Uh oh! Ken McFeeters, a Republican looking to challenge Senator Tommy Tuberville, is questioning his Alabama residency. Seems those frequent Florida flights are raising some eyebrows. Does Tuberville really live in Sweet Home Alabama?

Texas Dems Go Head-to-Head

Stephen Colbert had U.S. Rep. James Talarico on the show, while back in Texas, Talarico and Jasmine Crockett are possibly battling it out for a Senate seat. Could we see a Dem upset in the Lone Star State? And Senator Fetterman popped up on Fox News, advising the GOP to hold onto Texas to keep Senate control. Wild times!

Tuberville Sounds the Alarm

Senator Tommy Tuberville is worried Republicans aren't doing enough to keep control of the Senate. He's warning the party could lose its majority if they don't step up their game. Someone's not feeling confident!

Voter ID: Fantasy or Common Sense?

Senator Mike Lee dismissed Senator Chuck Schumer's "Jim Crow 2.0" attack on voter ID as pure paranoia. Senator Fetterman chimed in, noting that a huge chunk of Americans – 84% – are cool with voter ID. Seems like bipartisan support exists, despite the Dem pushback.

Stay Tuned with Dale Jackson

Get your daily dose of Alabama insight with Dale Jackson on WVNN, weekdays from 5-9 a.m.! He is also a thought leader for Yellowhammer News.

Tide's AD Bites Back!

Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne is known for having his coaches' backs, and he proved it again amidst the Nate Oats drama. Remember all the hullabaloo surrounding Charles Bediako's eligibility?

Pearl's Potshot

Bruce Pearl, Auburn's head honcho (and Oats' former rival), was particularly fired up. He slammed the decision as selfish and claimed it showed a lack of concern for the SEC. Ouch!

Byrne's Response? Sizzling Shade!

When asked about Pearl's fiery comments, Byrne didn't hold back during an interview. He responded with a thinly veiled dig at Pearl's own past.

"He Who Is Without Sin..."

Byrne quipped, "You know, the bible said he who is without sin shall cast the first stone, and so I try to do my best to live within those parameters." When pressed if he was implying Pearl has some skeletons, Byrne simply stated, "We all do."

The Backstory

Everyone remembers how Pearl's time at Tennessee ended, right? NCAA investigation, recruiting violations... It wasn't pretty. While playing Bediako was controversial, it was technically within the rules.

Rivalry Reignited?

Let's just say Byrne and Pearl aren't exchanging Christmas cards anytime soon. If this war of words continues, the Alabama-Auburn rivalry is about to reach a whole new level of spicy!

Alabama House Republicans See Red After Secret Recording Leaks

Drama's brewing in the Alabama House! Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and his GOP crew are fired up after a sneaky recording from a closed-door meeting hit the web. Lawmakers are calling it a calculated attack designed to stir up trouble before the 2026 elections. Ouch!

What's the Big Deal?

These private caucus meetings are where reps are supposed to hash things out honestly. The leaked audio, published by Alpolitics.com and 1819 News, apparently cherry-picks a 57-second snippet from an hour-long debate about Rep. Scott Stadthagen's leadership role. Stadthagen, who's running for Alabama Republican Party Chairman, ended up stepping down as Majority Leader.

Speaker Says It's a Betrayal

Ledbetter didn't mince words, calling the leak "a complete and total betrayal" of the House Republican Caucus. He emphasized his duty to stand up for his members and ensure their re-election, which he sees as good for the House, the state party, and all Alabamans.

"I Could Give a Shit About the Republican Party"? Not So Fast!

The audio includes Ledbetter saying, "I could give a shit about the Republican Party." But insiders claim it's being taken out of context. They say he was stressing his commitment to the House Republican Caucus itself and protecting its members. Under his leadership, the caucus has grown its supermajority and pushed through conservative wins on school choice, election security, and more.

Who Done It?

After the leak and Stadthagen's exit, Rep. Chip Brown is stepping in as interim Majority Leader. Meanwhile, everyone's wondering who recorded the meeting and spilled the beans. One lawmaker fumed, "the person recording our meeting and sending it to the media is." Others agree that holding both leadership positions, within the caucus and the state party, could be problematic.

AHSAA Gets a Thumbs Up!

After some recent heat over a classification kerfuffle involving Scottsboro High School, the AHSAA is catching some well-deserved praise!

Ainsworth Applauds Reclassification

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth gave a shout-out to the AHSAA following the Scottsboro reclassification situation. He took to social media this week, stating that moving Scottsboro High School to Class 4A and tweaking Douglas High School’s regional alignment was the perfect call for student-athletes and coaches.

Kudos to Harmon & the AHSAA

Ainsworth specifically thanked the AHSAA and Executive Director Heath Harmon for taking another look at the data and making the necessary changes after the initial dispute.

A Happy Outcome

The AHSAA Central Board of Control recently voted to bump Scottsboro High School to Class 4A for the 2026–2028 classification period. This decision came after reviewing updated Average Daily Membership data submitted by the school. Remember, Scottsboro officials initially challenged the enrollment figures used in the first classification announcement.

A Different Tune?

Ainsworth's public praise is interesting because he's previously voiced concerns about AHSAA decisions, particularly regarding the debate of separating public and private schools in competitive groupings.

A Positive Example

However, in his recent statement, Ainsworth highlighted the Scottsboro and Douglas adjustments as a shining example of the association being willing to re-evaluate decisions when presented with new information. This reclassification is set to shake things up for athletic competition starting with the next cycle!

Alabama's Gonna Be Toasty!

Get ready to ditch those winter coats, Chumsters! Alabama's about to feel more like summer than February, with temps soaring towards record highs this week.

Warm-Up Alert!

The National Weather Service is predicting a serious warm-up across the state, peaking on Thursday. We're talking way above average for this time of year!

Eighty Degrees?! Seriously?!

Today, expect the 70s, with South Alabama flirting with 80. But Thursday? Hold onto your hats! North and Central Alabama could hit the upper 70s, while South Alabama might just crack 80! Hello, first 80-degree day of the year!

Record-Breaking Heat?

Some spots might even challenge daily record highs for mid-February. Birmingham's all-time February high is 83, so keep an eye on that!

Rain's Coming... Eventually

Rain's expected to creep in starting Wednesday, becoming more widespread from Thursday into the weekend. No severe weather is predicted right now, but forecasters are keeping a close watch.

Back to Reality

Don't get too used to the heat! Next week, we're back to normal February temps, with highs in the 50s and 60s and lows in the 30s and 40s.

Alabama House District 10 Race Heats Up!

Get ready, ChumCity! The battle for Alabama House District 10 is ON, and Republican Aaron Thomas is throwing his hat in the ring, aiming to unseat incumbent Democrat Marilyn Lands.

A Local Biz Owner Takes On the Establishment

Thomas, a North Alabama restaurant owner, believes it's time for a change. He argues that District 10 needs someone who can actually work with the Republican supermajority to get things done in Montgomery.

"Strangled by Our Own Success?"

Thomas pulled no punches on WVNN's "The Yaffee Program," saying the district is "being strangled by our own success" and needs infrastructure fixes, pronto. He claims Lands is "largely ostracized," leaving the district without a voice. Ouch!

Getting Down to Brass Tacks

Thomas thinks he's the right person to bring home the bacon for Madison County, especially when "really difficult legislation" needs to be passed. He says it's all about building relationships to get those crucial road dollars flowing where they're needed most.

Ditching the Grocery Tax?

Here's something everyone can get behind: Thomas wants to AXE the state's tax on groceries! He believes it's time to rethink taxing basic living necessities. Could this be a game-changer?

So, ChumCity, what do you think? Will Thomas's pro-business, anti-tax stance resonate with voters, or will Lands continue her fight? Sound off in the comments!

Hot Off the Press: Auburn U Gets the Green Light for New Engineering Lab!

Get ready, future engineers! Auburn University just got the go-ahead for a super cool new lab: the BrownKopel Engineering Student Achievement Center – Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory! Think cutting-edge tech, hands-on experience, and a major boost to your future career.

State Funds Fuel Future Tech

Thanks to some awesome support from the Alabama Legislature, Auburn's leveling up its engineering game. This new lab is all about prepping students for the real world, giving Alabama's economy a competitive edge, and making sure Auburn grads are ready to lead the way.

What's Inside? Prepare to be Amazed!

Imagine 16,000 square feet of pure innovation! Located right beneath the green space between Brown-Kopel and the Gavin Engineering Research Laboratory, this space will be a hub for electronics manufacturing, materials analysis, advanced manufacturing, and tons of collaboration. Get ready for some serious hands-on learning!

Top-Tier Engineering Education

For the last 15 years, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has consistently ranked among the nation’s best. This new lab will only enhance the learning experience!

Real-World Experience = Real-World Ready

Dean Mario Eden emphasized that this lab will give students "exceptional, real-world experiences" and prep them to "make an immediate impact" in their fields. Sounds pretty good, right?

Investment in the Future

This project isn't just about shiny new equipment; it's an investment in Alabama's future. By using state funds wisely, Auburn's boosting student success, growing research, and strengthening the workforce.

A Win for Alabama

The BrownKopel Engineering Student Achievement Center is a testament to Auburn's commitment to serving the state and using public resources responsibly. Plus, a new terraced entrance is in the works, bringing natural light and improved accessibility!

Alabama Politics: A Wild Week Ahead!

The fight over online sales tax is heating up, but it's moved from the judges to the folks in Montgomery! Can our lawmakers find a solution that keeps the counties happy? We're watching closely to see if they can pull it off!

Britt Weighs In on SAVE Act

Senator Katie Britt is diving into the SAVE Act debate and the potential government shutdown. Can the GOP flip this around and actually win? It's a high-stakes game, and we're keeping score!

Police Pursuit Restrictions?

Hold on! A bill aiming to restrict police pursuits is making waves. Will law enforcement be able to pump the brakes before this thing becomes law? It's shaping up to be a major showdown.

Don't Miss Out!

Get the full scoop on all these stories and more on "Alabama Politics This Week!" Tune in on TV, radio, and streaming platforms across the state. Stay informed, ChumCity style!

The Experts Weigh In

Want more Alabama insights? Check out Mecca Musick, CEO of 256 Today.

And be sure to catch Dale Jackson, thought leader for Yellowhammer News, on WVNN weekdays from 5-9 a.m.