Get Ready to Rumble: Alabama's Municipal Elections are Coming!

Hey ChumCity folks, mark your calendars! Alabama's 2025 municipal elections are just around the corner, and things are already heating up. Thanks to the Alabama League of Municipalities, we've got all the dates you need to know.

Candidate Countdown: Qualification Deadline Approaching!

Aspiring city leaders, listen up! Candidate qualifying kicked off on June 10, but the clock is ticking. You've got until 50 p.m. on June 24 to officially throw your hat in the ring. Remember that deadline – it’s crucial! And if you qualify on the 24th, municipal clerks, don’t forget to notify the Alabama Ethics Commission the same day.

Money Matters: Campaign Finance Rules in Play

If you're planning on raising or spending more than $1,000 on your campaign, be sure you're up to speed on House Bill 156. It's all about keeping those campaign finances transparent.

Election Day is Near: August 26

Voters, your time to shine is August 26! Get ready to head to the polls and choose who you want leading your city. If no one gets a majority, we're heading to a runoff on September 23.

New Faces on November 3

The lucky winners will officially take office on November 3, the first Monday of the month. Get ready for some fresh leadership!

Election Cycle Shenanigans

Remember that shift in 2021 that moved local elections to non-presidential years? That's why some councils served longer terms than usual. And keep in mind, not every town follows the same schedule. Tuscaloosa already voted, and Huntsville and Scottsboro held theirs last year! It's a municipal election roller coaster, folks!

Covington County Gets a New Judge!

Andalusia's own Grace Jeter is heading to the bench! Governor Kay Ivey just tapped Jeter to be the new Circuit Judge for Covington County. She's stepping into the role previously held by Judge Ben Bowden, who's now rocking it at the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. The change is happening right now!

Ivey's Take

Governor Ivey is stoked about the pick, saying, "Grace Jeter brings serious courtroom cred to the table. With nearly 20 years as an assistant DA and time spent at the state appellate court, she knows the law inside and out. Covington County is in good hands!"

Jeter's Background

Jeter's been an Assistant District Attorney in the 22nd Judicial Circuit since '08. Before that, she was a staff attorney for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Roll Tide! She's a University of Alabama grad, twice over.

Jeter's Reaction

"I'm beyond grateful for this opportunity," Jeter said. "Serving Covington County for 20 years has been a privilege, and I'm humbled to keep serving as Circuit Judge."

What This Means

The 22nd Judicial Circuit covers Covington County. Jeter's appointment ensures a seamless transition as Judge Short wraps up his impressive near-two-decade tenure. Big changes in the local legal scene!

Alabama Boosts Mental Health & Senior Care!

Big news, ChumCity citizens! Alabama is making moves to seriously amp up healthcare, especially where it's needed most: mental health, senior care, and rehab.

More Beds, More Care

The State Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) just gave the thumbs-up to several key expansions. Coosa Valley Medical Center is set to get a major boost, adding both geriatric psych beds AND adult mental health beds. This is huge, as the region's been struggling with long ER waits and transfers due to a shortage of beds.

What's Next?

Hold your horses, though! This expansion needs to clear a couple more hurdles: the Certificate of Need Review Board (CONR and Governor Ivey's signature. Fingers crossed!

It's Not Just One Hospital!

But wait, there's more! Five other healthcare spots are also getting the go-ahead for expansions:

• Springhill Hospital (Mobile): Adding a bunch of inpatient rehab beds.
• Encompass Health Rehab (Dothan): More inpatient physical rehab beds are on the way.
• Dominion Senior Living (Birmingham): New assisted living facility with memory care units!
• North Alabama Shoals Hospital: Adding a couple of adult psych beds.
• Bridgeway ABA Therapy (Elmore County): Expanding services to include physical, occupational, and speech therapy!

Why This Matters

These projects show Alabama's serious about fixing the healthcare gaps, especially in mental health and senior care. This will hopefully ease the pressure on hospitals and make things way better for patients! It's all subject to final approval from Governor Ivey.

Astro Days Blast Off at the Space & Rocket Center!

Huntsville, we had liftoff this weekend at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center! Astro Days landed, and it was a HUGE hit, celebrating all things Spacelab!

This two-day shindig gave space enthusiasts a rare peek at the newly revitalized Astro Spacelab exhibit. Attendees even got to rub elbows with the awesome team behind the exhibit's restoration.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

The event marked major milestones: the 35th anniversary of Astro-1's 1990 launch aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia and the 30th anniversary of Astro-2's 1995 journey on the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Real Deal Space Gear!

"We wanted people to see the real stuff that flew," explained Mike Haddad, a former NASA engineer. Forget mockups – this was the actual hardware! Haddad emphasized the exhibit's importance in understanding the mission's history and its connection to telescopes like Hubble and Webb.

A Huntsville Story

Haddad also pointed out that much of this groundbreaking tech was built right here in Huntsville! This exhibit offers a one-of-a-kind chance to see these space-flown marvels up close.

"Next Level" Support

Haddad praised the Space & Rocket Center's outstanding partnership, describing their support as "next level." From custom display cases to expert mounting, the museum went above and beyond!

More Than Just Hardware

Lynn Farris, a former manager at Marshall Space Flight Center, loved reuniting with her old team. "My favorite part is catching up with my former colleagues and sharing our Astro stories," she shared.

Farris also fondly remembered the late Sam Durrance, a payload specialist, highlighting the importance of the human connections forged during these missions.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Farris also shared a heartwarming story about a fifth-grader who declared his dream of becoming an aeronautical engineer and working for NASA. Astro Days wasn't just about the hardware; it was about inspiring the future!

Alabama Dems See Red Over...Iran?

Okay, ChumCity citizens, buckle up! It seems our very own U.S. Reps. Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell are seeing red... over something other than Alabama football. Word on the street is they're letting their, shall we say, disagreements with former President Trump cloud their judgment when it comes to, you know, stopping Iran from potentially building nukes.

Trump Derangement Syndrome, Still a Thing?

Apparently, the urge to disagree with anything and everything Trump-related is so strong, it's overshadowing what should be a pretty straightforward issue. We're talking about keeping potentially dangerous weapons out of the hands of a volatile regime, people!

Yellowhammer Speaks

Dale Jackson, the mastermind behind Yellowhammer News and the voice you hear every weekday morning on WVNN from 5-9 a.m., is calling it like he sees it. Are Alabama Dems putting political spite ahead of common sense? Sounds like a debate worth having, ChumCity!

Alabama News Bites - You Won't Believe What Happened!

Mayor Woodfin's Bold Move

Birmingham's Mayor Woodfin is pushing Governor Ivey hard for a special session to scrap Alabama's THC "ban." Will it happen? Stay tuned!

Life Sentence in Huntsville Fentanyl Case

A Huntsville drug dealer is behind bars for life, thanks to the "Billy Clardy III Act." This landmark case marks the first conviction for fentanyl distribution leading to someone's death.

Montgomery Whitewater Park Drowning in Debt?

Remember Montgomery's Whitewater Park, supposed to boost the economy? Well, it's reportedly losing money and not delivering on promised jobs and tourism. Bummer.

Trump Scores Big at Supreme Court

Big win for Trump! The Supreme Court is letting him resume kicking out illegals, even to third-party nations. Controversy ahead!

Sen. Britt Cracks Down on Sanctuary Cities

Senator Katie Britt is fed up and demanding an end to federal funding for sanctuary cities. "Enough is enough!" she declared.

Iran's "Adorable" Missile Mishap

Iran launched a missile attack on an abandoned U.S. base in Qatar (yes, abandoned). Alabama officials, unsurprisingly, are not thrilled.

Trump Claims Ceasefire, Haters Gonna Hate

President Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran after a whirlwind of events, including U.S. strikes and a retaliatory (and frankly, weak) Iranian attack. But some folks are unimpressed. Shocker.

Who's Dale Jackson?

Dale Jackson is the mastermind at Yellowhammer News and weekday morning radio host on WVNN.

Ivey Hails Pike Road's Phone-Free Success!

Governor Kay Ivey is giving a shout-out to Pike Road Junior High for their super smart "pouch policy" which keeps student cell phone use in check during school hours. Apparently, this simple change is making a HUGE difference, boosting both social skills and grades!

Alabama Schools to Follow Suit?

Ivey believes a new law banning smartphones (and other distracting gadgets) in Alabama public schools will spread this awesome progress statewide.

Focus on Learning, Not Phones!

"The FOCUS Act will keep classrooms centered on learning, not distractions," Ivey said. "At Pike Road Junior High, their no-phone policy has boosted student engagement and academic success. This approach works, and I’m proud Alabama is leading the way!"

Phones Have Their Place, But Not in Class!

"Smartphones have beneficial roles when used in proper settings. However, these often-disruptive devices have no place in our classrooms during the school day except for educational purposes or during an emergency," Ivey noted. "The FOCUS Act will enable students to ‘focus’ on learning while in school rather than on their phones."

Principal's Big Reveal: It's Working!

Pike Road Junior High Principal Christy Wright spilled the beans on the amazing academic changes they've seen since kicking off the no-phone rule.

More Than Just a Law

"The truth is this isn’t just about a law, it’s about what happens when students and teachers are given the space and focus to grow," Wright said. "At the Pike Road Georgia Washington Campus, we implemented a no cell phone policy well before the bill was passed, and the results have been powerful."

A Whole New School Vibe!

Wright also pointed out a big shift in the school's overall atmosphere. "We’ve seen more engagement, deeper connections, and a greater sense of community. But the impact hasn’t just been social, it’s also academic. I am incredibly proud to share that our eighth-grade learners recently took the PSAT 8/9, and the results came in just yesterday. Not only did our school reach our growth target of a 60-point increase, but we exceeded it with a 95-point gain. Even more impressively, our scores are 39 points above the national average. That is an extraordinary accomplishment."

US Airstrikes on Iran: A Sigh of Relief?

So, the US just dropped a few well-placed bombs on Iran, and from what we're hearing, they hit their mark. Nice!

Trump Derangement Syndrome Strikes Again

Look, whether you think these strikes were justified or not is your call. But seriously, how many people are out there practically cheering for Iran just because they loathe Trump? It's honestly depressing.

Seriously, People?

Let's be real, when the US and Iran are butting heads, it shouldn't be a brain-buster to figure out who the "good guys" are. But like with their support for terrorist groups in the Middle East, some of America's most clueless are still siding with the planet's absolute worst.

The American Left: Predictably Wrong

Never change, American Left. Never change. You keep providing the chum!

About the Author

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and can be heard weekdays on WVNN from 5-9 a.m.

Good News for Redstone Arsenal's ATF Facility!

Word on the street (or rather, from Attorney General Pam Bondi herself!) is that the ATF facility at Redstone Arsenal is SAFE from budget cuts. This comes amidst nationwide cost-cutting and talk of merging the ATF with the DEA, so it's definitely a win for Huntsville.

Rep. Strong Pushes for Huntsville

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, a big cheese on the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee, chatted with Bondi about Huntsville's vital role in keeping us safe. He wanted to make sure our agents have the tools they need to fight crime and serve justice, and it sounds like he got some reassurance.

Bondi's Got Huntsville's Back

Bondi emphasized that Huntsville's got a HUGE DOJ presence, name-dropping the FBI, Hazardous Devices School, and a whole bunch of other impressive-sounding centers. She said Huntsville is a "remarkable" place for fighting crime and keeping us safe.

More FBI Folks Heading to Huntsville!

And guess what? The FBI is planning to move even MORE personnel and programs from D.C. to Redstone Arsenal! Bondi gave it a big thumbs-up, calling Redstone a "state-of-the-art facility" that will boost training and partnerships. She even said she's looking forward to visiting! Looks like Huntsville is becoming a major hub for justice!

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