Auburn Coach to the Capitol? Maybe Not So Fast...

Remember when Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) hinted at running for Governor? Well, that sparked whispers about another Auburn legend potentially stepping into his D.C. shoes!

Pearl for Senate? The Buzz is Real!

Rumor has it, some Republicans have been chatting about Auburn Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl making a play for Tuberville's Senate seat. Could the court whiz become a Capitol Hill contender?

Hurdles on the Horizon

While Coach Pearl's a total rockstar for the Tigers and isn't shy about speaking his mind on politics, he faces some major challenges if he wants to snag that Senate spot as a Republican.

Party Rules Got Him Trippin'

Here's the sticky bit: Alabama GOP rules say anyone who's donated to the other party in the last six years might not get ballot access. Ouch!

Donation Drama

Turns out, Pearl gave $1,000 to a Democratic candidate through AIPAC, plus another $1,000 to a Democrat in North Carolina. That could be a big problem.

Slim Chance?

Technically, the ALGOP Steering Committee could let him on the ballot, but whispers from inside the party say that's looking pretty unlikely.

Complicated Politics

Pearl's a big supporter of Israel and has backed Trump on some issues. But his past political stances – like participating in a Black Lives Matter protest and kneeling – might clash with the current Republican vibe.

The Real Contenders

So far, only Attorney General Steve Marshall and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson have officially thrown their hats in the ring for the GOP Senate nomination. Stay tuned, ChumCity citizens! This race is just heating up!

Colorado's Loss, Alabama's Gain?

Word on the street (or should we say, from Space Command?) is that filling those Colorado positions is proving... difficult. Why? The rumor mill is churning that Space Command is headed back to sweet home Alabama!

Yellowhammer State Sound Off

For the inside scoop on all things Alabama, check out Dale Jackson. He's a thought leader over at Yellowhammer News, and you can catch his talk show weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on WVNN. Tune in and stay informed!

Water Works Board Dumps Controversial Contract!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity! The newly formed Birmingham Water Works Regional Board is already making waves, folks! At their June 2nd meeting, they voted to ditch the contract of Deputy General Manager and General Counsel Mark Parnell. Talk about a splash!

What Was the Deal?

Parnell's contract, rubber-stamped by the old board just before they were dissolved, included a hefty $55,000 monthly salary, a $1,000 monthly vehicle allowance, and some seriously sweet pension perks, all the way through 2030. And get this: if canned without cause, he'd get severance pay equal to the entire remaining term, with a minimum of two years' salary. Ouch!

Red Flags All Around

Apparently, the timing of the contract raised some serious eyebrows. Board member Jeffery Brumlow even questioned the legal advice being given. It's like they were trying to sneak one past the goalie!

New Leadership and Fresh Eyes

But wait, there's more! The board didn't just terminate Parnell's deal; they also hired three outside law firms to serve as new general counsel. Plus, Tommy Hudson is now acting chair, and Jarvis Patton is acting vice chair. They're shaking things up, people!

Digging Deeper

And the best part? They're requesting a financial audit from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and taking steps toward a potential forensic audit. Time to shine a light on those finances! This is on top of a previously approved audit of the utility’s 2024 finances.

Scrutiny Continues

This new board is definitely not messing around! They're taking a hard look at the old board's last-minute decisions, and we're here for it. Stay tuned, ChumCity, because this saga is far from over!

Vape Law Face-Off: Alabama Convenience Stores Score a Win!

Hold the vape juice! Alabama's new vape law just hit a snag, thanks to a legal challenge from the Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama (PCMA), reports the Alabama Political Reporter.

HB8 Gets a Tweak

Remember House Bill 8? It aimed to limit vape sales in places like your corner gas station, only allowing the sale of 34 FDA-approved products. The PCMA argued that this would cripple their business.

Settlement Reached!

Good news for vape-loving Alabamians! A settlement now allows convenience stores to keep selling products either under FDA review or listed in the state's ENDS Directory. That means many of the vapes you've been buying since 2022 are still good to go!

The Legal Argument

The lawsuit claimed the law gave state agencies too much power in areas already covered by federal law – specifically, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. They also questioned the ban on vapes with foreign-made parts (unless FDA-approved). That part of the law is on hold until October 2025 and is still being looked at by the courts.

Fresh Face Eyes 6th District Seat!

Get ready, folks! Case Dixon, a 26-year-old physical therapy assistant hailing from McCalla, Alabama, is throwing his hat in the ring for the U.S. House of Representatives! He's running as a Republican in Alabama's 6th Congressional District, setting up a primary showdown against longtime incumbent Congressman Gary Palmer, who's been holding down the fort since 2015.

From Homeschool to the Hustings

Dixon's story is an interesting one. Born in Alabaster and raised in Maylene and McCalla, he credits his values to his faith-filled, family-oriented upbringing. Homeschooled alongside his four siblings, he was shooting hoops on the varsity basketball team in Pelham before diving into the world of healthcare. Since becoming a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in 2021, he's been working in outpatient and home health across the Birmingham area.

Fueled by Frustration?

According to Dixon's campaign, he was inspired to get involved in politics during the COVID-19 pandemic. He felt that "fear-mongering, censorship, and hypocrisy" marked the government's response, ultimately exposing systemic problems and pushing him to run for office.

Dixon's Key Issues

So, what's he fighting for?

• Ethics Reform: He's all about term limits for Congress, banning lawmakers (and their families) from playing the stock market, and cracking down on leadership PACs.

• Fiscal Policy: Dixon's sounding the alarm on the national debt and federal spending. He argues rising deficits are a serious threat to future economic stability and essential programs like Medicare and Social Security.

• Healthcare Access: He wants to see more telemedicine, home visits, deregulation to boost competition, and broader authority for nurse practitioners, especially in rural areas.

A Generational Shift?

Dixon's campaign is pitching him as the fresh blood the Republican party needs, a new leader ready to shake things up. As the 2026 election approaches, voters in the 6th District will have a real choice on their hands: the experience of a seasoned incumbent or the new energy of a young challenger.

Hudson Blasts "Nonsense" in Girls' Sports

Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Jared Hudson, a Republican and former Navy SEAL, is taking aim at the D.C. establishment over the issue of biological males competing in girls' sports. Hudson took to X to express his outrage over transgender athletes winning female state championships, particularly in Democrat-led states.

"Girls' Sports Are Under Fire"

"Girls' sports are under fire," Hudson declared. "Just over the weekend, biological males competing in girls' sports won competitions not only in California but four other blue states. This kind of nonsense has to end. It's absolutely ridiculous."

A Personal Fight

For Hudson, who has three young daughters, this isn't just politics – it's personal. "There are two genders, period. I don't care who in Los Angeles or New York it offends," he stated firmly. "Those two genders are different. That's why we have to have boys' sports and girls' sports. I'm not going to let a bunch of out-of-touch elites continue to ram this trash down our throats. Americans have had enough. Alabamians have had enough."

Riley Gaines Backs Hudson

Hudson's stance has garnered attention, including a repost from Riley Gaines, a prominent advocate for women's sports. Hudson applauded Gaines for her "fearless leadership."

Sending a Warrior to D.C.

Hudson, who previously ran for Sheriff of Jefferson County, emphasizes his outsider status. "I'd say the biggest thing that qualifies me is I'm not a career politician," he stated in a campaign ad. "My heart is in service and service to you, the people of the state of Alabama. Send a warrior to D.C."

The primary election for the U.S. Senate seat is set for May 19, 2026.

Alabama News Roundup - ChumCity Style!

Spann's Supposed Threats?

Alabama's own James Spann is saying he's getting death threats over a Gulf name debate. No proof, no police... just Spann being Spann?

Huntsville Hospital's "F" Grade Fight

Huntsville Hospital is NOT happy with a Leapfrog Group survey giving them an "F" for patient safety. They're calling foul, saying the ranking is bogus.

Archibald's Tuberville Trance

al dot com's John Archibald is still dreaming of a sports hero saving him from Senator Tommy Tuberville. Dude, it's over! Even GOP folks are taking potshots now.

"Agroterrorism" Alert!

Two Chinese nationals are in hot water for allegedly smuggling a nasty fungus, Fusarium graminearum, into the US. Could this be agroterrorism? University of Michigan is involved.

Pearl's Political Pivot?

Auburn's basketball boss, Bruce Pearl, eyeing a 2026 Senate run? Those Dem donations might be a problem for the would-be Republican Senator.

ICE on the Move

ICE has been busy! Detaining a terrorist's family, scooping up 1,500 immigrants in Massachusetts, and working with Alabama cops to nab 28 more during traffic stops.

Musk vs. Trump: A Bromance Gone Bad?

Elon Musk and Donald Trump's cozy relationship might be cooling off over the "Big, Beautiful Bill." The White House is sticking with it, though. Ouch.

Heard it here first, courtesy of Dale Jackson, Yellowhammer News guru and WVNN talk radio host (5-9 a.m. weekdays).

Big Bucks for Rocket City!

Lockheed Martin Space just snagged a HUGE contract modification from the Navy – we're talking over a BILLION dollars! And guess what? Over a third of that action is headed right here to Huntsville!

What's the Dough For?

This cool $1,002,700,000 (give or take) will fuel program management, engineering wizardry, and everything needed to build missiles and launch platforms for the Conventional Prompt Strike program. Think cutting-edge tech and serious firepower!

Huntsville Leading the Charge

While the work will spread across places like Denver, Sunnyvale, and Titusville, a massive chunk of the project will be happening right here in the 256. It's awesome to see Huntsville continuing to be a major player in aerospace and defense.

Eye on the Future

Lockheed Martin is aiming to wrap up this project by August 31, 2028. Get ready for some serious innovation and growth in our city!

Courtesy of 256 Today

Water Works Woes: Copper Caper Uncovered!

Hold on to your pipes, folks! A major investigation is underway at the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWW after allegations surfaced about employees allegedly swiping and selling copper and other valuable materials.

Inside Job?

WBRC reports that an internal probe revealed a group of employees supposedly worked together to sidestep security measures and inventory checks. One source whispered to the news outlet that the pilfered goods could be worth a whopping $2 million! Police haven't confirmed that figure yet, but still...yikes!

Official Statement

Birmingham Water Works General Manager Mac Underwood released a statement, saying the BWW's executive team investigated the theft allegations. They've alerted law enforcement and are cooperating fully.

Underwood added that the internal investigation pointed to team members who, "colluded as a group to bypass existing internal supply verification and documentation processes for financial benefit." Translation: They ignored the rules and stole stuff!

More Oversight Coming?

The utility's leadership plans to recommend an independent review of warehouse operations to tighten things up and prevent future sticky fingers.

Underwood emphasized the importance of honesty and accountability, adding that anyone who violates those principles will be held responsible.

Police on the Case

Birmingham Police have confirmed they're diving into a criminal investigation. No arrests have been made public just yet, but ChumCity will keep you posted!

B'ham Represent! Local Companies Crack Fortune 500 List!

Alright, ChumCity! Big news from the world of big business: Two of our own Alabama companies have landed spots on the coveted Fortune 500 list! We're talkin' major league players here, folks!

Who Made the Cut?

Drumroll, please! Regions Financial Corporation and Vulcan Materials Company, both headquartered right here in Birmingham, are flyin' the flag for our state. These companies are proof that B'ham is more than just a cool place to live – it's a place where businesses thrive!

By the Numbers

The Fortune 500 ranks the biggest U.S. corporations by total revenue, and this year, you needed at least $7.4 billion to even get a seat at the table. That's some serious dough!

• Regions Financial Corporation: Landed at No. 433 with $9.4 billion in revenue and a whopping 19,600 employees.
• Vulcan Materials Company: Rock-solid at No. 500, reporting $7.4 billion in revenue and employing around 12,000 people.

Top of the Heap

Wondering who's boss? These companies are the big kahunas:

1. Walmart
2. Amazon
3. UnitedHealth Group
4. Apple
5. CVS Health
6. Berkshire Hathaway
7. Alphabet (Google's parent)
8. Exxon Mobil
9. McKesson
10. Cencora

What's the Big Picture?

Healthcare, retail, and insurance are dominating the biz world. And get this: a record 55 companies on the list are led by women! Talk about girl power!