Auburn's New Era Under Golesh: Get Ready for Fun!

Auburn fans, a fresh chapter is unfolding! After a few tough seasons under Bryan Harsin and Hugh Freeze, the Tigers are revving up under new head coach Alex Golesh.

Offense Overhaul: Speed and Excitement

Let's be honest, the offense has been a pain point. But Golesh is here to inject some serious juice! He's bringing a modern, high-octane offense that should have quarterbacks lighting up the scoreboard.

Golesh Promises Aggressive, Fun Football

So, what can we expect this season? Golesh says get ready for some FUN! "It’s going to be a fun brand of football," he promised. "I think it’ll be complimentary in the sense that what you saw hopefully was an aggressive approach on both sides… We’re so aggressive and multiple defensively; we’re so aggressive and multiple offensively."

Spring Game Hints, More to Come

He also hinted that the spring game wasn't the whole story, not wanting to reveal too much. But it's clear: Golesh is confident that Auburn fans are going to LOVE watching this team.

Can Golesh Bring Back the Wins?

If Golesh delivers on his promise, he's got a real shot at restoring that winning feeling to The Plains. War Eagle!

Tuscaloosa Pastor's Heartfelt Wisdom After Loss

A Tuscaloosa pastor is offering a powerful message of faith and resilience after the passing of his wife. Pastor Billy Joy of Valley View Baptist Church is sharing "7 Rules for Life as You Get Older" following the death of his wife, Mary Jacque Joy, earlier this year.

A Time of Reflection

Pastor Joy described the loss as a moment of profound clarity, leading him to reflect on life, aging, and faith. "With the death of my wife... God has been speaking loud and clear to my heart, 'So… this is the beginning of the final stretch,'" he shared.

7 Guiding Principles

This experience led him to outline seven principles for navigating life's later years:

• Rule 1: Be wise with money, but trust in God, not wealth. Love and bless your children, but don't make them your retirement plan.
• Rule 2: Your health is part of your calling. Strengthen yourself to remain independent. Move, walk, stretch, sleep, and eat cleaner. Honor your body.
• Rule 3: Create joy rooted in gratitude. Notice the gifts around you. When your joy comes from the Lord, loneliness loses its power.
• Rule 4: Aging isn't permission to give up. Strength and resilience are inspiring. Stay engaged and useful.
• Rule 5: Release the past. The good old days were beautiful, but they're gone. God is still creating moments worth living.
• Rule 6: Guard your peace fiercely. Not every argument needs your voice. Protect your heart from drama and chaos.
• Rule 7: Keep learning, growing, and serving. The day you stop learning is the day you start shrinking. Growth honors God.

A Renewed Sense of Purpose

These lessons, shaped by grief and a renewed sense of purpose, encourage us to lean on the Lord, steward our lives well, and continue serving with what we have. Even after loss, a future anchored in faith and gratitude can still be fulfilling and bright.

Smart Says Bama Would Roll Today's Teams!

Since ditching Tuscaloosa, Kirby Smart's basically become the coaching guru, turning Georgia into a gridiron goliath. With a couple of national championship rings, he knows a killer team when he sees one. But that doesn't mean he's forgotten how beastly his Alabama defenses were back in the day!

The Good Ol' Days?

Smart recently hopped on "The Next Round" and dropped a bombshell: those stacked Tide squads from the early 2010s would absolutely dominate today's college football scene. He claims the way you can build insane depth has changed the game.

"Clubber Lange Somebody"

"Our best Alabama teams, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, would be the dog out of all these teams right now," Smart declared. "They could practice different and they were deeper...those teams would Clubber Lange somebody. They would physically beat you."

Depth Issues Today

Smart confessed that even his current Georgia teams sometimes lack the depth of those Alabama powerhouses. He pointed to NIL and the transfer portal for spreading talent around. "I'm playing younger players...because you don't have enough."

The Saban Era: Unmatched?

Smart makes a solid point. That level of dominance seen in the Saban era? We might never see it again!

Jimmy Rane: From Timber Woes to Business Titan!

Local legend James W. "Jimmy" Rane, the brains behind the world's biggest treated lumber company, just snagged an honorary Doctor of Commerce from Samford University! Word is, the Brock School of Business was super impressed with his "extraordinary character, merit, and impact."

From Law to Lumber?

Before Rane became a business whiz, he actually got his law degree from Samford back in '71. He called those days "challenging" but loved the tough classes and the friendships he made. "It’s a joy to be back on this campus," Rane shared. He noted how life rarely goes as planned and how Samford helped him learn to rewrite his plans.

The Accidental Lumber Baron

Fresh out of law school, Rane planned on a fancy Birmingham law firm. But fate had other plans! After a family tragedy, he ended up managing a small, failing wood-treatment plant. He couldn't find a buyer, so he juggled a law office with the plant. Today? He's running a whole empire of companies!

YellaWood and Beyond

Rane is the big cheese at Great Southern Wood Holdings, known for YellaWood pressure-treated pine. His company has locations all over the US and even internationally. "Life will not always follow your plan," Rane wisely stated. "Some of your greatest opportunities may come from the paths you never intended to take."

Abbeville's Champion

Born in '46, Rane's always kept his HQ in Abbeville, Alabama. He's been working hard for 30 years to restore the city's historic buildings and turn them into company facilities. He even turned a Peppermill facility into a huge sawmill, marking the largest economic development investment in Henry County history! "Mr. Rane's company has become an economic powerhouse for the city," Samford trustees pointed out.

Lifelong Learning and Giving Back

Rane credits his success to his education at Marion Military Institute, Auburn University, Cumberland School of Law, and Harvard Business School. "The key thing I’ve taken away...is that learning should never stop," Rane said. He's also a big philanthropist, founding the Jimmy Rane Foundation in 2000, which has helped 830 students get to college! Rane left the graduates with a charge, to live a life that serves others and to always “pursue it with excellence.”

ChumCity Hot Takes!

Here's the deal, folks! We're diving headfirst into the madness with some piping hot takes from the one and only Dale Jackson! Buckle up!

"Animal Farm" Fiasco?

Hold your horses! That new "Animal Farm" flick with Andy Serkis and Seth Rogan? Some folks are calling it family-friendly gold. But we're saying, neigh! It sounds like a betrayal of the source material! Stick to the original book or the classic cartoon. You'll thank us later.

Auburn U's Alleged Bias?

Whoa! A new report claims Auburn University's counseling program had a serious bone to pick with white males. One student alleges that every module, from racism to ageism, painted them in a negative light. Something smells fishy there.

Alabama Politics: Mud Slinging Time!

The Alabama Attorney General race is getting down and dirty! Jay Mitchell is screaming "defamation" at Katherine Robertson, demanding a retraction for what he calls blatant lies. And in HD20, James Lomax and Mo Brooks are throwing similar shade. It's a political cage match!

Stacey Abrams Drops Truth Bombs?

Stacey Abrams, still not Governor of Georgia, swung through Birmingham, telling sorority sisters that democracy is under attack. She's stumping for Doug Jones, who looks like he's perpetually borrowing clothes. Ouch!

Trump and Treason Talk?

President Trump might be onto something! Is it treason? The U.S. is now escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz amidst the Iran situation. Senate Dems are pushing back, but the conflict simmers.

Redistricting Rumble!

The Supreme Court weighed in, and now states are scrambling to redraw district lines. One simulation suggests this could give Republicans a massive advantage in the House. Could this be the calm before a major political storm?

Alabama's Map Mess!

Governor Ivey's calling a special session to redraw Alabama's congressional maps. Maybe they should go with the Ainsworth map! But watch out, the virtue signalers are already bringing up the blackface incident from her past. Can't we just draw fair districts based on geography?

Dale Jackson here, your daily dose of truth, served fresh every morning on WVNN from 5-9 a.m.!

Alabama AG Fires Back in Redistricting Battle

Attorney General Steve Marshall isn't backing down in the Alabama redistricting saga! On Monday, he launched an emergency legal offensive, asking the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to toss out court orders that are blocking the state's 2021 Senate map.

Time is of the Essence

Marshall's move comes just before Alabama lawmakers are set to huddle in a special session to redraw district lines, a session triggered by the recent Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais. "Time is of the essence," Marshall declared. He wants a ruling ASAP, specifically by May 8th, to ensure Alabamians get to vote using the state's own maps in the upcoming primary.

Shifting Legal Landscape

Marshall argues that the legal landscape has changed, thanks to the Callais ruling. He believes Alabama's race-neutral districts should be the blueprint for future redistricting, unshackled from a framework rooted in the past.

A Controversial Map

The legal fight centers on a court-imposed map that could flip a historically Republican Senate district, currently held by State Sen. Will Barfoot, to favor Democrats. But Marshall insists the Callais decision pulls the rug out from under the legal foundation of that map.

Deadlines Loom

Marshall wants a ruling by May 8th, just days before Alabama's primary. The case is Alabama State Conference of the NAACP v. Secretary of State.

Broader Legal Push

Marshall, alongside Secretary of State Wes Allen, has also filed emergency motions in multiple congressional cases, seeking to lift injunctions against Alabama's 2023 congressional map.

Special Session Scramble

The Alabama Legislature is kicking off a special session today, called by Governor Kay Ivey. Lawmakers are expected to prepare for potential special primaries, just in case Marshall scores victories in court.

A Political Chess Match

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger have made it clear that Alabama's goal is to send as many Republicans to Congress as possible. The current court-drawn map sends two Democrats to Washington, but that could change if the state's legal strategy pays off.

Big News from the Supreme Court: Redistricting in Focus!

The Supreme Court just shook things up with redistricting, and it's HUGE. For too long, Alabama's been told what to do by outsiders who don't live, vote, or share our values. That's not how it should work! Now, we've got a real chance to get it right, and we need to act fast!

Governor Ivey Leads the Charge

Props to Governor Ivey for stepping up and calling a special session. She's not waiting around – she's making sure Alabama is ready to roll! As I always said on the football field, "Don't wait for the whistle!" Get lined up, be prepared, and move FAST when the opportunity strikes!

It's About Results, Not Just Maps

Alabama needs to be ready. Speaker Ledbetter and the legislative team have a big task ahead, and they've got my full support. But this is more than just redrawing lines. It's about getting results! Alabama is a conservative state, and we vote that way. We believe in hard work, common sense, and doing things right. When we have leaders in Washington who reflect those values, our state thrives!

The Trump Era Impact

Remember President Trump and the Republican Senate? Roads and infrastructure projects funded across our state, federal dollars flowing back home, strong military support, and job creation right here in Alabama! That's what happens when we're aggressive on offense!

Time to Take the Field

Right now, we're playing with a court-drawn map, not one that truly represents the people of Alabama. That means less influence, fewer opportunities, and missed chances to bring jobs and growth home.

Let's Finish What We Started!

Other states have been playing this game for years, making sure their voices are heard. Alabama deserves the same – fairly, legally, and in a way that reflects who we are. We can't afford to sit on the sidelines.

Our Future is on the Line

As your senior U.S. Senator, and as someone hoping to be your next Governor, I'm telling you this matters! It matters for our economy, our jobs, and the future of our state. We need to be ready to act, and when the chance comes, get the job DONE! That's how you win, and that's what Alabama is going to do!

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, representing Alabama and candidate for Governor in 2026.

Alabama Redistricting Drama!

The League of Women Voters of Alabama isn't holding back, calling the upcoming redistricting special session an "embarrassment." Ouch!

Zeigler Takes a Stand

Meanwhile, former State Auditor Jim Zeigler is skipping a debate hosted by the LWV. He's accusing them of being a "front for the Democrat Party." Talk about fireworks!

LWV's Accusation

The League claims the Legislature is trying to erase Black representation in the state's congressional map, where Black residents make up over 25% of the population.

Supreme Court Says What?

But here's the twist: The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that race-based redistricting is unconstitutional. Cue the head-scratching.

Zeigler's Reasoning

Zeigler says he won't legitimize an organization fighting the "proper" districting of Alabama's congressional districts. He wants to give the power back to the elected officials and away from those pesky federal courts.

Governor Ivey's Move

Governor Ivey called the session after that Supreme Court ruling, giving Alabama Republicans a chance to redraw the map without court intervention.

Session is On!

State legislators are back at it! The session kicked off today at 4 p.m.

Who's Running?

Zeigler will face off against Chris Beeker, Brent Woodall, and Priscilla Andrews in the Republican primary on May 19th. Get ready to rumble!

Big Boost for North Baldwin Infirmary!

Bay Minette's North Baldwin Infirmary is about to get a serious injection of cash – over $450,000, to be exact! This windfall comes courtesy of the Rural Hospital Investment Program, a super innovative initiative that got a major push from State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine).

Elliott's Championing the Cause

Elliott, who's vying for another term and has snagged an endorsement from the Alabama Hospital Association, was a key player in getting the Rural Hospital Investment Program off the ground back in 2025. It's a simple concept: the program provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit to folks and businesses who donate to rural healthcare facilities. Smart, right?

How the Money Breaks Down

So, of the hospitals eligible for this sweet funding, North Baldwin Infirmary is set to receive $453,838.42 this year. Not too shabby! Baldwin Health in Foley is also getting a boost, raking in $145,040 through the same program.

Inspired by Georgia's Success

Alabama's hospital tax credit idea is based on a similar initiative in Georgia that's been a huge hit, generating nearly half a BILLION dollars for rural hospitals since it launched. Talk about a winning formula!

Weaver's Kudos to Elliott

State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield), who sponsored the legislation, gave a shout-out to Elliott for his early and enthusiastic support.

Weaver said Elliott immediately grasped the potential of the program to benefit Baldwin County and other communities, offering tax breaks to those who support their local healthcare. "He was one of the Senate’s biggest cheerleaders," she added.

Elliott's Enthusiasm Remains High

Elliott is still pumped about the program. He believes it will bring in millions more for North Baldwin Infirmary in the coming years.

"The Rural Hospital Investment Program rewards those who contribute to North Baldwin Infirmary and other community hospitals by giving them meaningful state tax cuts in return," Elliott explained.

He added that donors can apply the tax credit reductions to state income taxes, financial institution taxes, insurance premium taxes, and more, making it super flexible.

"The sky is the limit when it comes to new funding that North Baldwin Infirmary will receive from this innovative tax credit program," Elliott declared.

More Good News on the Horizon

Elliott also mentioned that local legislation to continue existing funding for North Baldwin Infirmary will be introduced in the 2027 regular session. Stay tuned for more updates!

Solar Power in Sweet Home Alabama? You Betcha!

Let's talk solar, y'all. It's time Alabama got serious about harnessing the sun's power. While some folks try to throw shade on solar, the truth is it's one of the cheapest and easiest ways to boost our energy supply. And Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth recognized that fact when he pushed back on efforts to ban this power source.

Regenerative Energy: It's the Alabama Way

Think beyond just plopping down solar panels. Let’s talk about regenerative energy – powering our lives and being good stewards of the land. Projects like the Stockton Solar Project in Baldwin County are showing how it's done. They're combining energy production with wetland conservation and even grazing sheep!

Solar: Good for the Land, Good for the Farmers

Unlike some developments, solar farms let the land breathe. It stays permeable, biologically active, and even keeps up with farming. Other states like Texas and Georgia are doing it too, supporting biodiversity and helping farmers.

Private Investment, Public Good

This isn't about mandates; it's about property rights and smart investing. Local energy development creates jobs and boosts our economy, especially when we use Alabama-made tech.

Alabama: The Next Energy Manufacturing Hub?

We're already killing it in auto manufacturing. Let's do the same with energy! First Solar's plant in Lawrence County is already cranking out American-made solar panels, using steel made right here in the state. This is the kind of economic development we should be cheering on!

Let's Add Some Energy!

Demand and prices are soaring. Instead of fighting every new power plant, let's lead the way with innovative projects like Stockton.

Every Project Needs to Earn Its Keep

Not every solar farm is a perfect fit, but let's judge each project on its own merits. Every energy source, whether it's solar, nuclear, or something else, needs to meet high standards and benefit our communities. It's about honoring Theodore Roosevelt's conservation spirit and leaving Alabama better than we found it.