Alabama's Schools Getting a Dose of...Morality?

Hold on to your hats, ChumCityzens! Alabama's legislative session just wrapped up, and things got...well, let's just say interesting. ALCAP, a group repping nearly 3,500 churches, is applauding Republicans for passing some faith-based bills. What's the buzz?

Ten Commandments in Class!

Get ready for a little Old Testament wisdom in the classroom. A new bill mandates schools display the Ten Commandments, with a historical context, in history classes for grades 5-12. Supporters are thrilled, with ALCAP President Rev. Greg Davis saying tears were shed over the victory!

Bye-Bye Comprehensive Sex Ed?

Another biggie: Alabama is shifting from comprehensive sex education to "sexual risk avoidance" – aka abstinence-only teaching. According to Davis, they're ditching programs "probably written by Planned Parenthood." The new law bans instruction on abortions, contraceptives, and anything too… explicit. Parents also get more say in whether their kids attend these classes.

Governor Ivey Weighs In

Governor Kay Ivey signed the Ten Commandments bill with a flourish, declaring the commandments "critical to understanding the founding of our country." Are these changes a win for faith-based values, or a step back for education? You decide, ChumCity!

ChumCity's Hot Takes - Your Morning Dose of Alabama Mayhem!

7. Tuscaloosa's Strip Scene Gets Shut Down!

A-Day celebrations got a little TOO rowdy, folks! Tuscaloosa PD had to shut down the Strip on University Boulevard due to extreme overcrowding. One unlucky individual was pinched for underage drinking AND gun possession. City Councilman Kip Tyner initially blamed out-of-towners from Lipscomb, Bessemer, Ensley, and Hale County, then backtracked, deleted the post, and apologized, claiming, "I've never had a racist bone in my body." Yikes!

6. Mobile Bay Gets a HUGE Cash Injection!

Senator Katie Britt just snagged a whopping $34 million funding increase for Mobile Bay in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fiscal Year 2026 Work Plan. That's over a 60% boost! This means more flexibility for dealing with dredged material, expanding beneficial use sites, and supporting the Port of Mobile, all while protecting our natural resources. Go Katie!

5. Madison County DA Calls Out Justice Mitchell!

District Attorney Rob Broussard is firing back! He says Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell's attack on the Attorney General's Office missed the mark. Broussard points out that the cases Mitchell cited were handled by DAs in Montgomery and Morgan counties, not the AG's office. He's emphasizing the need for independent justice, free from political spin.

4. School Board Member ATTACKS State Senator!

Huntsville City School Board member Andrea Alvarez is throwing serious shade! She blasted State Senator Arthur Orr, calling him the "financial albatross of public education." Alvarez also wants the Alabama Policy Institute to lose its nonprofit status after a 38% increase in school choice funding under the CHOOSE Act. Things are heating up in the education arena!

3. Swalwell's Campaign Implodes Amid Allegations!

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Ca.) is in hot water! Facing multiple credible sexual misconduct and assault allegations from women, including interns and staff, he's suspended his California gubernatorial campaign. All 21 of his congressional endorsers bailed, and House Democratic leadership reportedly urged him to drop out. Supposedly, this was an open secret for YEARS.

2. Alabama House Hails "Historic" Session, Senate Kills Bill!

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter is patting the House on the back, praising a "historic" four-year record in education, taxes, public safety, and economic development. However, a bill on closed primaries bit the dust in the Senate, and a Montgomery police staffing bill died in the House. Senator Will Barfoot warned there will be victims and House Democrats aren't impressed. The lottery bill remains a dream.

1. U.S.-Iran Peace Talks FALL APART!

Tensions are HIGH! Peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, led by VP JD Vance, failed after 21 hours of negotiations. No agreement was reached on Iran's nuclear program or reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. blockade of Iranian ports is set to begin this morning, with President Trump announcing the action. Iran is threatening retaliation, and the shaky ceasefire is on life support!

Your Daily Dose of Dale!

Get your daily fix of Dale Jackson, Yellowhammer News thought leader, on WVNN from 5-9 a.m. weekdays!

Senator Britt Fights SNAP Fraud in Alabama!

Alabama Senator Katie Britt is on a mission to protect SNAP benefits from those pesky fraudsters! She's backing the "Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act" to beef up security for SNAP EBT cards.

Protecting Alabama Families

"Families rely on SNAP to feed their families," says Britt. "But shady characters are duplicating cards and stealing benefits! This Act will upgrade SNAP card tech and fight cyber threats."

Modernizing SNAP Security

The bill would replace outdated magnetic stripes with super-secure chip technology. Think "skimming" is slick? Not anymore! The bad guys steal card info to make duplicates, but these new chips will make it much, much harder.

USDA on Alert!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will have to review cybersecurity every five years, staying ahead of any new tricks those crooks might try.

Helping Victims Fast

Got your SNAP card stolen? No worries! States will be able to issue replacement cards within three days if yours gets stolen, cloned, or even just malfunctions. Plus, it helps stores update their systems for these new chip cards.

Prioritizing Those in Need

Senator Britt is serious about making sure SNAP works for those who need it most. She's previously co-sponsored bills to keep SNAP funded during shutdowns and to promote healthier choices with SNAP benefits.

Bipartisan Support

This isn't just a one-person show! Senators from both sides of the aisle are backing this bill.

Big Support from Food Groups!

A whole bunch of organizations, from grocers to anti-hunger groups, are cheering on this bill. Everyone agrees – it's time to protect those SNAP benefits!

Big Win for Conservatives in Alabama!

The Alabama Policy Institute (API) is celebrating a major victory! They're calling the 2026 legislative session their most productive ever. A whopping 29 out of 30 proposals from their "BluePrint for Alabama" became law.

API President Stephanie Smith is calling it a near-sweep of their agenda and the culmination of "a record-breaking 56 conservative victories in the past three years!" That's a HUGE step up from the 17 successes they saw in both the 2024 and 2025 sessions.

What Got Passed?

Smith says the legislature embraced their ideas to fully fund education freedom, boost accountability in higher ed, and bring back good ol' values like the Ten Commandments and prayer to public schools. The BluePrint, which drops before each session, focuses on Free Markets, Limited Government, and Strong Families.

Key Victories:

• CHOOSE Act and AHSAA Reform: School choice got fully funded, and a fix made sure those Education Savings Accounts don't mess with kids' sports eligibility. This was after the AHSAA tried to sideline CHOOSE Act families!
• REINS-Style Regulatory Reform: Lawmakers now get a say on major agency rules and will keep a closer eye on federal grants.
• Tax Relief: Targeted cuts passed, with a promise to keep spending in check.
• App Store Accountability Act: Alabama is now a leader in protecting kids online, requiring parental consent for app downloads.
• Religious Release Time Act: A statewide framework for off-campus religious instruction during school.
• Ten Commandments and Civics: Measures to promote the Ten Commandments and improve civics instruction are headed to the Governor's desk.

Who To Thank?

API gave shout-outs to Governor Kay Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger for pushing the conservative agenda. They also highlighted key legislators:

• Sens. Orr, Elliott, and Givhan for regulatory reform and fiscal transparency.
• Reps. Garrett and Collins for education and higher ed reform.
• Sens. Shelnutt and Kelley, and Reps. Gidley and DuBose for family values and religious liberty.
• Sen. Roberts and Rep. Carns for tax relief.

"We have proven that bold ideas lead to bold results!" Smith exclaimed, hinting at even bigger plans to come.

Alabama Politics This Week: Buckle Up!

Iran's ceasefire: Fact or fiction? We're diving deep.

Alabama Ads: Reaching Peak Absurdity?

Are these political ads for real? Or is it just another week in Alabama politics? Let's dissect the madness!

Huntsville vs. Birmingham: AL.com Stirring the Pot?

Is there a real rivalry brewing, or is it just media hype? We're calling out the elephant in the room.

Tune In!

Get the lowdown on TV, radio, and online. Your weekly dose of Alabama political drama, delivered!

The Team

Mecca Musick (CEO, 256 Today) and Dale Jackson (Yellowhammer News, WVNN) are breaking it all down.

Alabama Sees Immigration Arrests Soar

Hold on to your hats, ChumCityizens! Alabama is seeing a HUGE uptick in immigration arrests! Federal agents scooped up a whopping 1,795 undocumented immigrants by March 10th. If this pace keeps up, we're looking at numbers that could blow past even the records set in 2025 during the Trump administration! Talk about a plot twist!

Numbers Don't Lie!

These recent arrests already represent nearly a third of the 5,746 arrests made in Alabama between January and mid-October last year. And get this: that number was already double the previous year's rate! It's a frenzy!

Criminal Activity

More than half of those apprehended this year have a rap sheet – 281 are convicted criminals, and another 657 are facing criminal charges. ICE is classifying 891 of the arrests as targeted operations.

Secretary of State Reacts

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen gave his two cents. "Great work," Allen posted. "This is what we voted for."

Allen's Immigration Stance

Allen has been working to identify non-citizens illegally registered to vote in Alabama. His efforts have been under scrutiny and even led to a lawsuit from the Biden DOJ in 2024. The effort flagged 186 non-citizens on the rolls, including 25 who voted in prior elections. Every single case was referred for prosecution. Last month, a Mexican national in Marion County was charged for voting in the 2022 and 2024 general elections.

Corey Hill's Pitch for Ag Commissioner!

Douglas Mayor Corey Hill is hitting the airwaves! The Marshall County Republican just dropped his first TV ad, a 30-second spot called "The Farmer's Choice," aiming to win over voters statewide via broadcast and streaming.

What's Hill Saying?

"I'm Corey Hill, and I’m proud to be a farmer!" Hill declares in the ad. He emphasizes his family's three-generation farming history, highlighting beef and chicken production. For Hill, farming isn't just a job – it's life! That's why he believes he's the farmer's choice for Alabama's next Agricultural Commissioner, because what we grow and eat really matters.

Backed by Farm Powerhouses

Hill, a fourth-generation farmer with cattle, poultry, and a grocery store, is entering the campaign's paid-media phase with major support! He's got the backing of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s FarmPAC and BeefPAC.

The Race is On!

Hill is one of three Republicans vying for the open seat in the May 19 primary. Incumbent Rick Pate is term-limited. State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer), a fifth-generation Mobile County farmer and 12-year legislator, has been leading in fundraising and recently secured Manufacture Alabama's endorsement. Baldwin County agribusinesswoman Christina Woerner McInnis, a fifth-generation farmer and founder of AgriTech Corp, completes the GOP lineup. The Democratic candidate, former Commissioner Ron Sparks, is waiting for the GOP winner in November.

One Size Doesn't Fit All: A Mom's Perspective on Special Needs Education

For families navigating the world of special needs, education can't be a cookie-cutter experience. As both a mom and an educator, I've seen this firsthand. Kids with autism, speech delays, or intellectual disabilities need the right learning environment to truly thrive.

My Journey: Finding What Works

I'm a mom of three, and two of my kiddos have unique learning needs. My son Hosea has autism and is nonverbal. His twin sister, Nala, has speech delays and intellectual disabilities. My mission? To find what worked for them, knowing traditional schools wouldn't cut it.

Beyond the Traditional Classroom

Traditional classrooms can be overwhelming for kids with special needs. The structure, pace, and sensory input can be barriers, not pathways. They need an educational model that gets them. That's why I turned to online learning.

A Life-Changing Decision

I enrolled my twins in Alabama Destinations Career Academy and my youngest in Alabama Virtual Academy. As an educator, I knew curriculum was key, but so was flexibility and individualized instruction. These academies offered both. The results? Life-changing!

Thriving in a Supportive Environment

At Alabama Destinations Career Academy, Hosea learns in a calm, distraction-free space. Free from sensory overload, he's engaging in ways I never thought possible! He's recognizing letters and speaking words—huge milestones for our family.

Confidence and Progress

Nala has also blossomed at Alabama Destinations Career Academy. She revisits lessons and receives daily individualized support, boosting her confidence. Now, she reads aloud with pride and actively participates in her learning.

Flexibility for Every Learner

Even my youngest, Samya, benefits from the flexible gifted student program at Alabama Virtual Academy. She learns at her own pace, building confidence every step of the way.

The Power of Choice

These moments might seem small, but for families like mine, they're everything. Educational options matter. Online learning has given my children the opportunity to learn in a way that works for them, not against them. It's about building confidence, developing skills, and moving forward at their own pace.

Educational Freedom: A Necessity, Not a Luxury

It's time to move beyond outdated models. We have the tools to provide flexible, individualized education. For kids with special needs, these options aren't a luxury; they're essential. My children are proof of what's possible when families are given a choice.

Unlock Potential

Let's ensure that every child, regardless of their needs, has access to an education that works. When we provide the right environment, we unlock potential. And every child deserves that chance.

Loviessa Butler is an educator and mom of three enrolled in online academies.

Tide Fans Get First Glimpse of the DeBoer Era

Bryant-Denny Stadium was rockin' this weekend for Alabama's A-Day, and the ChumCity crew was glued to the action! It was a chance to see Coach Kalen DeBoer's vision taking shape in year three. But let's be honest, everyone was there for one reason...

The QB Battle is ON!

The big buzz this spring is the quarterback showdown between Washington transfer Austin Mack and the five-star phenom, Keelon Russell.

Russell Shines

Russell lived up to the hype, going 21-of-33 for 240 yards and tossing four touchdowns! He did throw a pick, but hey, nobody's perfect.

Mack Battles Through Injury

Mack, unfortunately, didn't get as many reps and had a tougher day, completing 6-of-12 for around 100 yards with a TD and an INT. After the game, DeBoer revealed that Mack's been battling an injury, which might explain the struggles.

Don't Crown Anyone Yet!

Mack came in with an edge, knowing DeBoer's system from his time as backup last year. But Russell's talent is undeniable. DeBoer noted that Mack was hampered slightly by injury, suggesting that the competition is still ongoing!

The Race is Far From Over

With summer workouts and fall camp ahead, this quarterback race is still WIDE OPEN. Both guys have plenty of time to prove themselves. But yeah, Russell definitely made a statement this weekend, didn't he?

Nicole Wadsworth's Latest Hook?

Political gadfly Nicole Wadsworth is at it again! This time, she's dropped a new political ad featuring a "bet your bass" pun while out fishing. Is this clever, or just another cast in her ongoing quest for reputation self-destruction?

Wadsworth's Long Shot

Wadsworth is aiming for the Lt. Governor's office, a goal that, let's be honest, seems pretty far-fetched.

Dale Jackson Weighs In

For insightful takes on Alabama politics, tune in to Dale Jackson, Yellowhammer News thought leader. Catch his talk show weekdays from 5-9 a.m. on WVNN.