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Alabama National Guard Gears Up for National Best Warrior Competition...With TWO Soldiers!

Hold onto your hats, ChumCity! The Alabama National Guard is sending not one, but TWO rockstar soldiers to the National Best Warrior Competition this year! After crushing it at the Region III showdown in South Carolina, Spc. Jaden Hughes and Staff Sgt. Nathanael Sanders are ready to bring the heat to the national stage.

Region III Domination

Region III is a beast, packed with National Guardsmen from almost every southeastern state and a couple of territories. Think Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, all sending their best of the best.

What's the Best Warrior Competition All About?

This ain't no picnic, folks. It’s a brutal gauntlet of physical, mental, and strategic challenges designed to test a soldier’s knowledge, strength, endurance, and, well, lethality. The competition's a climb from state, to regional, and then, if you're lucky, the national level!

Hughes' Dream Becomes Reality

Hughes, a full-time soldier with the 731st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, totally called his shot! He said, "I was at the awards ceremony last year, and I remember thinking, that's going to be me next year." Boom! Manifestation magic.

A Twist of Fate for Sanders

Originally, a Florida National Guard NCO took the top spot alongside Hughes. But schedules happen! When that NCO couldn't make it, Sanders, who was breathing down his neck in the competition, got the call-up. Two Alabamians headed to nationals? Unheard of!

Double the Alabama Pride

"I won’t say it hasn’t happened before, but I can’t remember one state ever sending two competitors to the national competition before,” Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Elmore said. “It says a lot about the level of training going on in Alabama right now and the NCOs who are leading the way.”

Sanders' Second Chance

Sanders, part of the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), is a total beast, even snagging gold in marksmanship at regionals. "I realize how fortunate I am to be presented with this opportunity, considering that this is a second chance for me after placing second at the Region III competition," Sanders said. He’s ready to represent Alabama, and the amazing soldiers he competed against!

Brotherhood and Support

These guys have each other's backs! Hughes and Sanders were constantly motivating each other, prepping together, and generally being awesome teammates during the regional competition. They're taking that bond straight to nationals!

Following a Champion

They're following in the footsteps of Staff Sgt. Kirt Finnell, who snagged "NCO of the Year" at the National Best Warrior Competition in 2024. No pressure, right?

Alabama's on Fire!

Plus, the Alabama National Guard's marksmanship team just WON the U.S. Army Small Arms Championship. "Alabama's been in the spotlight a lot lately," Elmore said. The state's soldiers are elite, ready, and, yeah, lethal!

It's Bigger Than Themselves

"It's been very rewarding growing up here in Alabama," Hughes said. "I've been here my whole life, and I just want to make everyone proud. This isn't just for me; it's for the entire state."

National Stage Awaits

Hughes and Sanders are heading to nationals with experience, confidence, and the whole state of Alabama cheering them on. The 2025 National Best Warrior Competition goes down in July, and you know we'll be watching!

ChumCity Digest: What's Buzzing?

1. Trump's boasting a U.S.-U.K. deal, but keep your eye on the prize! U.S. and Chinese officials are gearing up for trade talks. Meanwhile, China's economy is feeling the pinch – weak demand and low interest rates are tell-tale signs of ongoing trade spats.

2. Lt. Gov. Ainsworth is NOT happy the religious instruction bill flopped. But hey, small victories! Cell phones are FINALLY banned in Alabama schools! Teachers have been begging for this for ages – less distraction, more learning!

3. Deja vu! The media's spinning another tale about the Mazda-Toyota plant in Huntsville. Seems tariffs are shuffling where those SUVs are headed. The twist? They're staying in the U.S., proving the plant's still humming along despite those dramatic headlines.

4. Federal judge throws down the gauntlet! The Trump administration's ordered to restart the refugee program, welcoming 12,000 refugees ASAP. Predictably, they're fighting back, setting the stage for a Supreme Court showdown.

5. Birmingham Water Works Board is knee-deep in another mess, folks! Mayor Woodfin's already crying foul, labeling new legislation racially motivated – same song, different verse.

6. Alabama wants Space Command! Rep. Aderholt's leading the charge, urging everyone to "end the politics and follow the facts." Let's bring it home, y'all!

7. Nuclear war between India and Pakistan? NOPE. A 2019 study suggested a potential nuclear conflict could have 125 million immediate casualties, and billions more around the world. Let's hope cooler heads prevail!

Listen Up! Dale Jackson, the Yellowhammer News guru, drops knowledge bombs on WVNN weekdays from 5-9 a.m. Tune in!

Get Ready to Tee Off at the Regions Tradition!

The Regions Tradition presented by Coca-Cola is swinging back into Greystone Golf & Country Club in Hoover from May 14-18! Kicking things off is the Drummond Company Celebrity Pro-Am, a guaranteed day of laughs and impressive (or not-so-impressive!) swings.

Who's Hitting the Links?

This year's Pro-Am is packed with stars. Get ready to spot:

• Charles Barkley
• Nick Saban
• Kalen DeBoer
• Hugh Freeze
• Kirby Smart
• Bo Jackson
• Greg McElroy
• AJ McCarron
• Nate Oats
• Trent Dilfer
• Greg Sankey
• Senator Tommy Tuberville
• Riley Green
• Jamey Johnson
• Taylor Hicks
• Daryl “Moose” Johnston
• Lulu Gribbin

Catch the Action!

Gates open at 70 a.m. Tee times are split between morning (starting 6:50 a.m.) and afternoon (starting noon). Follow your favorite celebs around the course and soak up the atmosphere!

More Than Just Golf

The Regions Tradition is a huge deal on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit, and it's been going strong for 32 years. Since arriving at Greystone in 2016, the event has been a major supporter of Children's of Alabama and other local charities, raising over $24 million! Regions Bank has been the main sponsor since '06, and Coca-Cola UNITED joined the fun last year to help make things even bigger.

The Pro-Am is just the start of a week filled with golf, live TV coverage, and awesome events at Greystone!

Ainsworth Blasts Lawmakers Over Religious Liberty Bill

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is fired up! He's calling out certain legislators who he says caved to lobbyist pressure, tanking a religious liberty bill for Alabama public schools.

What's the Bill About?

The bill aimed to give students the option to participate in off-campus religious and character instruction during school hours. State Rep. Susan DuBose and State Sen. Shay Shelnut championed the cause in their respective chambers.

Bill Fails in Committee

Sadly, the State House Government Committee voted the bill down after a 5-5 tie. A tie means defeat in committee.

Ainsworth's Not Holding Back

"Lobbyists for the Superintendents and School Board associations blocked its passage," Ainsworth stated. "No taxpayer dollars would have been used, and other states are already offering similar electives."

Opposition from School Groups

The School Superintendents of Alabama and the Alabama Association of School Boards actively opposed the bill.

"They Should Be Ashamed"

Ainsworth didn't mince words. "The legislators who allowed paid lobbyists to influence their votes should be ashamed," he said. He argued that if students can leave for career tech, they should also be able to leave for Bible instruction.

Ainsworth Vows to Fight On

Despite the setback, Ainsworth isn't giving up. "I'm going to make sure that this legislation is introduced again and again and again until our students are given this elective option."

FBI Director Says: Head to Huntsville!

The FBI Director is practically shouting it from the rooftops: if you want to see a cutting-edge law enforcement hub, get yourself to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama!

Huntsville: The FBI's Not-So-Secret Weapon

During a recent hearing, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) quizzed FBI Director Kash Patel about Huntsville's vital role in keeping the U.S. safe. Patel's response? A full-throated endorsement of the Alabama facility.

"The Best Example"

According to Patel, what he witnessed in Huntsville was "the best example" of what happens when budget folks work with the FBI to defend the nation. He emphasized it's a "premier, experienced law-enforcement capability center and training facility" that other agencies are envious of.

More Than Just Training

Patel highlighted the cutting-edge work being done in cyber security and long-range missile defense in conjunction with NASA and the Department of Defense. He also mentioned the terrorism explosive device center, a globally relied-upon resource for preventing bomb attacks.

A Smart Investment

The Director pointed out that locating this critical infrastructure in Huntsville, rather than Washington D.C., was a brilliant cost-saving move. That's why they're relocating 500 FBI employees to Huntsville – the technical expertise is there, and they want to keep it within the Bureau.

Redstone: The Place to Be

Patel concluded by saying that other intelligence agencies are already clamoring to visit Redstone.

Strong's Spotlight on Huntsville

Rep. Strong also emphasized Huntsville's importance, noting that the FBI's presence at Redstone Arsenal dates back over 50 years. The facility currently houses over 2,000 personnel from 20 of the FBI's 30 sections. He affirmed North Alabama's commitment to supporting the FBI with a top-notch facility and ample room for growth.

Alabama: Powering America's Future, Today!

America's economic future relies on affordable, reliable, and accessible energy. And guess what? Alabama's leading the charge! Forget the debates; we're doing. We're building a rock-solid energy foundation that's fueling our own growth and setting a national example. We're not followers; we're trendsetters, y'all!

Powering Growth: A Game Changer

This year, Alabama took a giant leap forward with the "Powering Growth" legislative package, soon to be signed by Governor Ivey. This landmark initiative positions our state to DOMINATE the global race for top-notch jobs, advanced manufacturing, and cutting-edge industries.

Energy Strength = Economic Strength

The core of "Powering Growth" is simple: a strong economy needs strong energy. That's why we're investing in infrastructure that powers everything, from rural communities to robotics, from advanced manufacturing to bringing jobs back home.

What Makes Alabama Different?

• Proactive Planning: We didn't wait for a crisis! We worked with the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Alabama Growth Alliance, and our energy providers to get a top-notch, independent study guiding our every move. Smart, data-driven, and built for long-term success.

• Private-Sector Focused: No big government bloat here! We're using market forces and private investment to get results, especially in those rural communities that often get overlooked.

• Real Infrastructure, Real Jobs: The Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank (AEI gives us a fiscally responsible way to speed up power system construction for industrial sites. Faster permits, fewer delays, and shovel-ready opportunities for American businesses ready to GROW.

• Conservative Values in Action: This isn't just smart economics; it's Alabama economics: smaller government, smarter investment, energy independence, and national security. It’s an "America First" strategy for the 21st century.

Leading the Way

Sure, other states are making moves on energy. But Alabama's matching that energy with smart, agile legislation. And industry leaders? They're noticing our pro-business climate and energy readiness.

More Than Just Keeping the Lights On

This is about keeping America on track. From Huntsville's aerospace powerhouses to auto manufacturers across our rural areas to our bustling ports down south, Alabama's economy is booming, and we're making sure our power grid keeps up.

No More Waiting for a Crisis

We've seen what happens when infrastructure gets neglected: blackouts, delays, and job creation grinding to a halt. Alabama's not waiting for disaster. We're getting ready for a future of growth, resilience, and world-class competition.

Sweet Home Alabama: A Model for the Nation

"Powering Growth" promises our citizens that Alabama will lead with vision, act with discipline, and compete with confidence. The message is clear: want to see how energy and economic policy should work? Come on down to Sweet Home Alabama!

We're not just powering Alabama—we're powering what's next!

Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) is the Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore, Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) is the Alabama Speaker of the House, and Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) is the Chairman of the Alabama Senate Ways and Means Education Committee.