Galaxy of Lights Eyes the Crown!

Huntsville Botanical Garden's dazzling Galaxy of Lights is back and brighter than ever, setting its sights on the coveted No. 1 spot after two years of runner-up glory! Can 2025 be the year it finally snags the title?

Your Vote Counts!

The polls are officially open, and your daily vote can make all the difference! Let's rally the ChumCity crew and help Galaxy of Lights shine the brightest in the USA TODAY's 10 Best Travel Awards, just in time for its epic 30th-anniversary bash.

A North Alabama Holiday Tradition

"We were blown away by the incredible support last year," exclaimed Sue Wagner, CEO of Huntsville Botanical Garden. "This year, we're aiming for the top spot!" Galaxy of Lights is up against some stiff competition, but with your help, we can make it happen.

What's New This Year?

This year's Galaxy of Lights is packed with fresh experiences! Stroll through the enchanting Icicle Forest, hop aboard the Evergreen Express, indulge in s'mores at The Gathering, sip hot cocoa from the Cocoa Castle, and wander through the magically lit Purdy Butterfly House.

Holiday Magic for Everyone!

Galaxy of Lights has become a cherished holiday tradition in North Alabama. This 1.5-mile spectacular boasts choreographed music, interactive displays, walking nights, driving nights, and even special evenings for our furry friends! Let's make this year's Galaxy of Lights the best one yet!

Gamecocks Score a Major Coaching Addition!

Big news out of Jacksonville State! Remember that buzz about the Gamecocks trying to snag former Alabama defensive guru and Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt as an analyst? Well, it's official – the NCAA has given the green light!

Pruitt's Back in the Game

Pruitt, still under that six-year show-cause order due to recruiting violations at Tennessee, needed special permission to join JSU. He even took legal action, seeking an injunction to clear the way. JSU President Don Killingsworth and AD Greg Seitz threw their weight behind the effort, requesting the NCAA grant them the go-ahead.

NCAA Gives the Thumbs Up!

"We applaud the intentional effort that JSU put into its proposed plan," the NCAA stated, highlighting JSU's commitment to compliance. It seems like everyone's happy.

Restrictions Apply

Don't expect Pruitt on the recruiting trail or on the sidelines just yet. He'll have limited involvement, and JSU is implementing a strict monitoring program, keeping the compliance staff, head coach, AD, and even the university president involved. The program will have to report with the NCAA.

A Win for JSU

Despite the restrictions, landing a defensive mind like Pruitt is a huge win for the Gamecocks. Plus, it's a step on Pruitt's road back to major college football. Exciting times ahead in Jacksonville!

Alabama Gets a Biotech Boost for Agriculture and Forestry!

Governor Kay Ivey just dropped over $2 million on HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, using the Alabama Research and Development Advancement Fund! This awesome investment will fuel three exciting projects, all aimed at making Alabama's agriculture and forestry sectors even stronger using the power of biotechnology.

Auburn University and the University of Alabama are also getting some love in this round, as announced by ADECA. Gov. Ivey said, "Researchers at these institutions are rockstars when it comes to innovation, improving lives both here in Alabama and beyond." She added that these research projects cover everything from groundbreaking technology to preserving our precious forests.

TRIALS: Testing New Tech on Alabama Farms!

HudsonAlpha, along with agtech startups Chonex and SouthGen Solutions, is launching a cool two-year pilot program called TRIALS (Technology & Research for Innovation Ag Leaders). Led by HudsonAlpha's Josh Clevenger, PhD, TRIALS wants to speed up the adoption of new agricultural technologies right here in Alabama's Wiregrass region.

Farmers can be hesitant to try new stuff because of tight profit margins and environmental risks. TRIALS tackles this head-on by connecting growers with researchers and agtech companies to run side-by-side field trials. They'll be tracking yields, soil health, and economic results! Expect innovations like Chonex’s StrongSoil® bio-fertilizer and SouthGen’s precision agriculture tools to get a close look.

Supercharging Alabama Crops with Biotech!

Kankshita Swaminathan, PhD, another HudsonAlpha superstar, is leading a $1.87 million initiative to make Alabama's crops even better using advanced plant genetics and biotechnology. This project is supported by ADECA, Mars Inc., and the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI).

The goal? Develop plant transformation technologies that create improved crop varieties perfectly suited to Alabama's environment. This means more resilient, higher-yielding, and more sustainable crops for our farmers! Plus, programs like the Genes & Greens summer academy and hands-on research gigs will get students hyped about plant science, biotech, and real-world lab skills.

Protecting Alabama's Wild Forests!

HudsonAlpha is teaming up with the Paint Rock Forest Research Center to safeguard Alabama's multi-billion-dollar forestry industry. Led by Jeremy Schmutz, the team at the HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center will dive into the genetic diversity of at least 10 tree species (with the potential to expand to 90!), looking for traits that make them resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental changes. The project will focus on species like elms, ash, black walnut, and shortleaf pine.

This project will not only support local forest businesses and landowners but also solidify Alabama's spot as a national leader in conservation genomics and forest biotechnology!

HudsonAlpha President Neil Lamb, PhD, is stoked about the grants, calling them a "powerful vote of confidence" in HudsonAlpha's ability to innovate through collaboration.

Trump's Endorsements Shake Up Alabama... Except for One Race!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity citizens, because the Alabama political scene just got a whole lot more interesting! Former President Donald Trump threw his weight behind four incumbent Republican U.S. Representatives in the state – but notably left one race completely untouched.

Who Got the Trump Bump?

Trump gave his "Complete and Total Endorsement" to U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers, Gary Palmer, and Dale Strong. He's clearly happy with their work on what he calls his "America First" agenda.

• Mike Rogers: Trump praised his work on defense and securing peace through strength.
• Robert Aderholt: Touted as a champion for jobs, energy dominance, and American farmers.
• Gary Palmer: Hailed as a conservative warrior focused on the economy and border security.
• Dale Strong: Lauded for his support of farmers, economic growth, and the military.

The Elephant Not in the Room: District 1

So, who didn't get the Trump love? That would be Alabama's 1st Congressional District. With Rep. Barry Moore making a play for the Senate, the seat is wide open in 2026.

Who's Battling for the Open Seat?

The race to replace Moore is heating up fast! Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl is trying to make a comeback, and State Rep. Rhett Marques is already making waves with some impressive early fundraising and backing.

What Does It All Mean?

Trump's silence on the 1st District is raising eyebrows. Does he have someone else in mind? Is he staying out of it altogether? Only time will tell, folks! But one thing's for sure: this is going to be a race to watch! The Alabama Republican primary is set for May 19 – less than 200 days away!

Auburn's Coaching Carousel Spins!

Whoa, talk about a shakeup! Auburn just dropped a bombshell, parting ways with head coach Hugh Freeze after a rocky two-and-a-half-year stint.

Durkin's Audition, Sumrall's Buzz

Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin gets the rest of the season to show what he's got. But the real buzz? A nationwide coaching search is ON, and everyone's got an opinion.

Sumrall: The Hottest Name in the Game?

The name echoing the loudest? Tulane's Jon Sumrall. This guy's a rising star, a Group of 5 standout with deep Alabama roots. Huntsville native, Kentucky linebacker – he's got the pedigree.

From Troy to Tulane: A Winning Formula

Sumrall turned Troy into a Sun Belt powerhouse, snagging back-to-back titles. Now at Tulane, he had the Green Wave dreaming of the College Football Playoff. His record speaks for itself.

Why Sumrall Fits on The Plains

Adaptable, successful, and with SEC experience both on and off the field, Sumrall checks all the boxes. He gets the modern game, and he knows how to recruit.

The Competition is Fierce!

Here's the catch: LSU and Florida might also be calling. If Auburn wants Sumrall, they need to move FAST, not wait around.

The Verdict? Go Get Him!

The consensus seems clear: Sumrall's the top pick. If Auburn agrees, it's time to pull out all the stops and make it happen.

Governor Ivey's Alcohol Crackdown: A Questionable Move?

Alabama's Governor Kay Ivey is eyeing a crackdown on alcohol consumption in specific areas, and that raises some eyebrows here at ChumCity. While we acknowledge the potential problems associated with alcohol, we can't help but wonder about the simultaneous push for gambling and marijuana legalization.

Mixing Vices: A Recipe for Disaster?

Look, nobody's advocating for a return to prohibition. But if the argument is that alcohol is fueling violence and other societal ills, does it really make sense to throw even more vices into the mix? Seems like pouring gasoline on a fire to us.

Dale Jackson's Take

This perspective comes from Dale Jackson, a sharp mind at Yellowhammer News. You can catch his insightful takes on WVNN weekdays from 5-9 a.m.

Catch Longshore and McKnight dropping truth bombs daily! Find 'em on YouTube, Spotify, and Yellowhammer News. You don't wanna miss this! 🎙️🔊

Today's Hottest Takes:

• Auburn's Meltdown: (0 Did Auburn just press the self-destruct button with Freeze after that Kentucky beatdown? The college football world is buzzing!
• Boo Birds: (4:44) Pat Dye Field echoed with boos as Kentucky snapped their SEC losing streak. Is this the end of an era?
• Coaching Carousel: (8:22) Durkin? Butch Jones? The rumor mill is churning out names for Auburn's next head coach. Get ready for some wildcards!
• Control Issues: (14:28) Has Auburn lost its grip on its own football program? The panel goes head-to-head on this burning question.
• ACC Power Outage: (19:32) Clemson and Miami are spiraling. What's happening to these former ACC giants?
• Ole Miss Alert: (244) Don't you dare blow it now, Ole Miss! The playoff dream is still alive. Barry sounds the alarm!
• Coaching Crossroads: (26:19) Kiffin and Somerall – two coaches heading in opposite directions. Who's hot, and who's not?
• Arkansas Bound? (339) Luginbill suggests Jeff Traylor to Arkansas? It could be the "perfect fit for East Texas."
• Prime Job Openings: (38:44) Luginbill ranks the top coaching destinations: LSU, Florida, and Penn State are leading the pack!
• Colorado Crisis: (459) Prime Time in Boulder? More like problem time! Is the Colorado experiment failing?
• Dabo's Dilemma: (46:32) Has Dabo lost the locker room? A heated sideline exchange sparks major debate.
• Mullen MIA: (50:4 Why isn't anyone talking about Dan Mullen? Maybe they should be...
• Overpaid Alert! (1:15:22) SEC's most overpaid coach? You voted, we counted. Prepare for some outrage!
• Longshore's Lock: (1:35:12) "LSU over Bama would shake up everything!" Bold prediction alert!
• Auburn Roast: (1:41:18) Longshore's savage takedown: "Only Auburn could fire a guy for scoring three points!" Ouch!

Chip Brown Seeks Another Term in the Alabama House!

Get ready, ChumCity! Our own Representative Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island), representing District 105 – that's the super southern stretch from just below Mobile to our beautiful Gulf Coast – has announced he's running for a third term! Mark your calendars for the primary in May 2026, followed by the November general election.

Champion of the Coast

Brown is touting his record of passing impactful bills that benefit both the Gulf Coast and the entire state.

"From safeguarding our commercial seafood industry to keeping violent offenders behind bars and offering tax relief to small businesses, the measures I've championed are making a real difference in Alabama," Brown stated. "But our work's not done yet, and I'm eager to continue fighting for conservative values and pushing for more positive change in the House."

A Look at His Legislative Wins

Since joining the Legislature in 2018, Brown, who heads the House Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit Committee, has been busy:

"Aniah's Law"

This constitutional amendment empowers prosecutors and judges to deny bail to those accused of violent crimes. Named after Aniah Blanchard, tragically killed after her alleged perpetrator was released on bond, the amendment received massive support in a statewide vote. An expansion of the law is slated for the ballot in May 2026.

Seafood Labeling Law

A win for our Gulf Coast! This law mandates that restaurants and grocery stores across Alabama inform customers about the country of origin for their seafood.

Small Business Tax Cut

Brown helped secure a tax cut for small businesses by raising the tax-exempt threshold on business personal property from $40,000 to $100,000!

More Than Just Legislation

As Mobile County's sole representative on the House Insurance Committee, Brown is also working to lower insurance premiums for us coastal residents. He's also on the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee. Plus, his fellow Republicans have elected him Vice Chair of the House Republican Caucus.

Service and Roots

Brown's a longtime member of the Alabama National Guard, with deployments overseas. He's also a small business owner, and his father was the mayor of Daphne for many years.

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