Hijacking More Than Moonshine These Days

Back where I come from, "hijacking" meant somebody made off with a batch of shine before it hit the market. Simply put, it's taking something without permission, sometimes without the owner even knowing it's happening. It's a straight-up steal.

Turns out, hijacking goes way beyond backwoods liquor these days. Outsiders, some from as far as California and even China, have set their sights on the Southeast as prime hijacking territory.

Georgia Gets Got

Last year's Georgia elections saw a flood of outside money pour into the Public Service Commission (PSC) races. The result? Two Republican incumbents got walloped, losing by a significant margin. It was the first time a Democrat snagged a PSC seat since way back in 2000. That, friends, was a full-blown hijacking.

The culprit? The Georgia League of Conservation Voters, backed by their national parent, the League of Conservation Voters, pumped serious cash into those races.

The Alabama Target

These groups, flush with cash from across the country (and potentially beyond), figured a little money in the down-ballot races would slip under the radar and sway the outcome. They were right in Georgia. Now, they're setting up shop for a similar play in Alabama. And get this: an outfit based in Beijing is allegedly involved in funneling funds to the League of Conservation Voters for their Alabama efforts.

Fighting Back in Alabama

Conservation Alabama and Energy Alabama are working together, carrying the water for the same folks who pulled off the Georgia hijacking. But Alabama is fighting back.

Last week, the State Senate passed SB360 unanimously, a bill aimed at tackling rising power bills and curbing the influence of those California-based environmental groups in our elections.

What SB360 Does:

• Freezes Alabama Power rates for three years: Unprecedented protection for families and businesses.
• Expands the Public Service Commission: Seven commissioners, elected by Congressional District, meaning more power to the people.
• Creates a Secretary of Energy: A cabinet-level position to prioritize affordable, reliable energy. Importantly, elected commissioners can override the Secretary - keeping the power with the people.

These out-of-state interlopers may have crossed the Chattahoochee, but with seven elected commissioners instead of three, their plans will be much harder to execute.

What's Next?

The House is taking up the legislation this week. Let's show a united front against these pirates and send them packing back to California, making it clear that Alabama can't be hijacked by paid trolls and deception.

Wintzell's Oyster House: An Impossible Dream Comes True!

For ages, folks at Wintzell's Oyster House in Mobile have chuckled at a legendary sign: "Free oysters to any man 80 years old accompanied by his father." It seemed like a joke, a fun impossibility... until now!

A Family Goal Realized

Jimmy Rush, celebrating his 80th, strolled into the downtown Mobile spot with his 99-year-old father, Jim Rush, in tow! Yep, they finally cashed in on the decades-old offer, making history (and oyster-eating dreams) come true!

Decades of Tradition

The Rush family's connection to Wintzell's goes way back. Since '72, Jimmy and his dad have been regulars, hitting the restaurant before Mardi Gras parades. That sign became a family legend. Jimmy's brother, Carl, shared how they'd joked for years about whether their dad would live long enough to see one of his sons qualify.

A Celebration for the Ages

When the big day arrived, it was a party! Sixty friends and family packed Wintzell's, where they honored the sign by serving Jimmy a dozen free oysters! Wintzell's even celebrated the Rush family on Facebook, calling them a part of the restaurant's story.

Spotlight on a Seafood Legend

The story's gone national, even landing the father and son on ABC World News Tonight! This moment also shines a light on Wintzell's Oyster House, a true Alabama institution. Starting as a humble six-stool bar in 1938, it's now a landmark famous for its oysters, seafood, and walls plastered with the founder's sayings.

What's Next?

And get this, Jim Rush, the 99-year-old legend, is a WWII and Korean War vet, still going strong with no meds! The family's already looking ahead! Carl Rush turns 80 in 2028 (when his dad would be 102), and they're hoping to do it all again!

An Oyster Dream Fulfilled

For generations, that free-oyster sign has been a part of Wintzell's charm—an impossible claim. But thanks to the Rush family, the impossible became a delicious reality!

Alabama Babies Get a Boost! Target's "Baby Boutique" is Coming!

Hey Alabama parents! Get ready to level up your baby gear game! Target is rolling out its awesome new "Baby Boutique" in select stores right here in the Yellowhammer State. Forget stressful shopping trips – this is designed to make prepping for your little one a breeze!

What's the Buzz?

Think tons of new baby goodies (we're talking nearly 2,000 new items!), and a revamped shopping experience. Target gets it: researching baby stuff can be, well, overwhelming. They're aiming to simplify things and help you find exactly what you need.

Premium Gear, Easy Access

Big news! UPPAbaby products are hitting Target stores for the FIRST time! Plus, you'll find other top-notch brands like Bugaboo, Stokke, and Doona. No more specialty store hunts – premium strollers and travel systems are now easier to snag.

Experience the Boutique

Imagine a dedicated "Baby Boutique" section where you can actually SEE, TOUCH, and COMPARE strollers, monitors, and car seats. It's like a specialty baby store, but inside your friendly neighborhood Target. Pretty cool, right?

Expert Advice

Need help navigating all the options? Target's got you covered. They're expanding their appointment-based service, where you can chat with trained staff for product advice and registry planning. Think personalized guidance, without the boutique prices.

New Brands & More!

Beyond the big gear, expect a massive influx of new products – skincare, feeding essentials, nursery must-haves, you name it! Keep an eye out for brands like Joie, Nanit, Tubby Todd, and Little Spoon. Plus, seasonal gift displays will be popping up to help you find the perfect baby shower gifts.

Alabama's Growing!

With Alabama's population on the rise and more young families settling in, Target's expanded baby selection is a welcome addition. Retailers are stepping up to meet the needs of first-time parents, and we're here for it!

Governor Ivey Spotlights Alabama Family Thriving with CHOOSE Act

Governor Kay Ivey shone a spotlight on the Doty family from Rainsville, showcasing how Alabama's CHOOSE Act is empowering parents to hand-pick the education that best suits their kids. It's all about giving families the power of choice!

Meet the Dotys

Daniel and Hannah Doty, a vibrant family with three kids – Harmony, Isaac, and Judah – are using the CHOOSE Act to enroll their children at Cornerstone Christian Academy. Harmony is rocking fifth grade, Isaac is acing second, and Judah is having a blast in Pre-K.

Faith and Education: A Winning Combination

Governor Ivey praised the Dotys, highlighting their strong Christian values and dedication to serving others. She noted that the CHOOSE Act enables Daniel and Hannah to provide an education that not only meets their children's needs but also nurtures their faith.

Overcoming Financial Hurdles

The Dotys, with Daniel working as a student pastor and Hannah working part-time, were concerned about affording private school for all three kids long-term. The CHOOSE Act has been a game-changer, allowing them to continue providing the faith-based education they cherish.

More Than Just Tuition

The CHOOSE Act funds also support reading tutoring for Harmony, which Hannah says has made a world of difference. She became emotional discussing Harmony's reading success thanks to this extra support.

A Recommendation for Alabama Families

The Dotys are passionate advocates for the CHOOSE Act. They encourage other Alabama parents to apply, emphasizing that it provides the freedom to choose an education that aligns with their values. For families like theirs, that means weaving faith into learning.

"Perfect Chaos" and Making a Difference

Hannah describes their home as "perfect chaos" – full of life, laughter, and a shared commitment to making a positive impact on their community and school.

Each Child's Unique Spark

Harmony is a social butterfly who loves spending time with her friends and enjoys dance. Isaac is a learning enthusiast, especially when it comes to reading, writing, and science, and he's equally at home in the classroom or on the basketball court. Judah brings plenty of energy and personality to the mix, eagerly anticipating lunchtime, P.E., movie time, and library day.

Feeling Seen and Supported

Hannah Doty expressed gratitude, stating that the CHOOSE Act makes their family feel "seen and supported" by state leadership. She emphasized the importance of having the ability to choose the right education for their children, calling the opportunity a "life changing" blessing.

What the CHOOSE Act Covers

The CHOOSE Act provides education savings accounts that can be used for instructional materials, supplies, curriculum, textbooks, educational software, computers, school supplies, and tutoring fees.

Applications Open!

Applications for the CHOOSE Act are now open for both renewing families and new applicants.

Boston's Big "Adios!" - 250 Years Ago!

Can you believe it's been 250 years since the Redcoats packed their bags and high-tailed it out of Boston? That's right, on March 17, 1776, the Continental Army scored a HUGE win, and we're still talking about it!

Trapped in Beantown

Remember those scrappy militiamen who'd surrounded the British after Lexington and Concord? They had the British bottled up, but Boston was still under British control. Enter George Washington!

Washington's Woes (and Wins!)

Our future Prez inherited a ragtag army with rusty weapons and even rustier discipline. Washington knew a frontal assault was suicide. He needed a plan, and FAST.

Ticonderoga's Treasure Trove

Luck (and some seriously brave soldiers) were on his side! Fort Ticonderoga, way up in New York, had been captured, and it was LOADED with cannons! Enter Henry Knox, a mastermind who proposed dragging those cannons through the winter wilderness!

Knox's Cannonball Run (Winter Edition!)

Sixty tons of artillery, frozen rivers, snowy mountains...Knox and his crew pulled off the impossible and delivered the big guns to Washington in January 1776!

Dorchester Heights: The Key to Kicking Butt

But having cannons wasn't enough. Washington needed a spot to use them strategically. Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston, was perfect. Control the Heights, control the harbor!

Operation: Fortify Under the Cover of Night!

In a brilliantly planned operation, under the cloak of darkness, American soldiers moved artillery, timber and tools, FORTIFYING the heights with Fort Ticonderoga's BIG GUNS! The British woke up to a serious problem. Their position in Boston was OVER.

"Bye Bye, Boston!"

On March 17, 1776, the British troops and Loyalists piled onto ships and sailed away to Halifax. Boston was FREE!

Morale Boost & Lessons Learned

This victory was HUGE! It gave the Continental Army confidence and experience, showed the world that the American cause was legit, and boosted morale throughout the colonies. Washington transformed the ragtag army into something approaching an actual fighting force!

Washington's Genius

He showed incredible patience, strategic thinking, and a willingness to take calculated risks. His support of the cannon retrieval was genius.

Consequences of Freedom

Boston's liberation was a game-changer. It was the first major win, it boosted morale, and it gave Washington invaluable experience.

A Turning Point

The British evacuation of Boston wasn't just a retreat. It was a sign that the Continental Army could actually win this thing! It gave momentum to the revolutionary cause and paved the way for the Declaration of Independence!

Rural Alabama's Ambulance Crisis: Still Waiting

For decades, rural Alabama has been left behind, desperately needing affordable health services. Despite promises and a bill throwing millions at big ambulance companies, we're still stuck waiting.

Heartbreak is Real

The stories of loss are all too real. We've seen them firsthand. The families who rely on these rural ambulance services aren't just numbers; they're our families, our neighbors, our community.

Fighting for What's Right

The Alabama Farmers Federation has stood up for rural Alabama for over a century. We're not against SB 269 and HB 400 because we don't care about rural EMS – we're against them because we do!

The Numbers Don't Lie

The cold, hard truth is that Alabama's most rural counties would get less than 10% of the money from this bill. It's advertised as helping rural areas, but it actually sends more funding to big-city ambulance companies than to the 28 most rural counties combined. These are the very counties that need the most help!

Pennies for the Countryside

Of the estimated $21 million in new revenue, only a measly $2 million reaches Alabama’s most rural counties. Even if we accept the bill's supporters' inflated number of $34 million, those counties would still get less than 10%. Rural Alabama is being used as a pawn, while families will pay more and get far less.

Who Really Benefits?

The reimbursement formula is even based on a single "super-rural" ZIP code, yet that county only gains a pittance while big players like Huntsville Hospital and a New York private equity firm rake in millions. This bill sends pennies to rural areas while padding the pockets of a few large companies.

A Hidden Tax

Alabama families deserve to know the truth. SB 269 and HB 400 would raise insurance premiums for the 10% of Alabamians who are already struggling the most. Because most ambulance rides are exempt, this bill barely scratches the surface of the funding gap.

A Broken System

This legislation is a hidden tax, sending 90% of the money from your higher premiums to big companies in metro areas, while only 10% trickles down to rural EMS.

Time for Real Solutions

We need a REAL solution! Alabama farmers and rural families deserve answers that address affordable health care, not this band-aid that benefits a few at the expense of many.

A Brighter Future?

Alabama is receiving substantial funds through the Rural Health Transformation Program. It's time to address the health care crisis effectively, not by enriching a few companies with higher insurance premiums. Rural Alabama is still waiting... for genuine change.

Brian Hardin is the External Affairs Department Director for the Alabama Farmers Federation.

Phil Williams Inches Closer to Becoming U.S. Attorney

Big news, ChumCity! Former Alabama State Senator Phil Williams is one step closer to becoming the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama! The Senate Judiciary Committee just gave his nomination the thumbs-up.

Waiting in the Wings

He's not alone! Longtime prosecutor Thomas Govan Jr. is right there with him, both waiting for the full Senate to make their move.

A Veteran and Leader

Williams, initially nominated by President Trump, would serve a four-year term if confirmed. The Northern District is a big deal, covering 31 counties and most of Alabama's population! Besides being a trial attorney for over two decades, he's a combat veteran and U.S. Army Colonel. Thirty years in the Army reserve, Airborne Ranger, decorated tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and time at the Pentagon – impressive, right?

Senator Britt Champions Williams

Senator Katie Britt, a member of the Judiciary Committee, vouched for Williams' experience during the hearing, highlighting his 700+ court appearances and 30+ trials.

Partisan Pushback

Of course, not everyone's happy. Some Democrats launched attacks, but Senator Britt skillfully steered his nomination to a 12-10 victory, with Democrats as the sole opposition.

What's Next?

The full Senate is expected to vote on Williams and Govan's confirmations soon!

"The Honor of a Lifetime"

Williams recently called his nomination "the honor of a lifetime," adding "The rule of law is the cornerstone of a free society, and the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is to make sure that justice is applied fairly and consistently. My goal is to support law enforcement at every level and work to ensure that Alabama families can feel safe in their communities."

He emphasized a proactive approach, stating, “Federal prosecutors must be partners, not spectators,” pledging close collaboration with law enforcement to combat violent crime, public corruption, and exploitation of the vulnerable. And in civil matters, he promises to defend the interests of the citizens and the federal government with vigor.

Oscar Snub! Alabama Prison Doc Goes Home Empty-Handed

Remember that Alabama prison documentary, "The Alabama Solution," up for Best Documentary at the Oscars? Well, it didn't take home the gold! Despite director Andrew Jarecki's bold invite to Governor Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall to join him at the awards, the film lost out Sunday night.

The Invitation Heard 'Round Alabama (But Ignored)

Jarecki, you might recall, even took his invite to the national stage, asking Ivey and Marshall to join him at the Oscars during a visit to "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon." His hope? A "realistic meeting of the minds." Sadly, crickets from the Alabama officials.

Marshall's Fiery Response

Attorney General Marshall didn't mince words when he responded, suggesting the invite was a publicity stunt. In a heated statement, Marshall accused Jarecki and Fallon of being "soft on crime" and prioritizing criminals over public safety. Ouch!

Values vs. Oscars?

Marshall capped his retort with a zinger: "Keep your Oscars. We'll keep our values. Protecting victims and not celebrating criminals.” So, no Oscar, no meeting, and a whole lotta Alabama drama!

Alabama Gives Green Light to Retired Heroes Returning to Duty!

The Alabama Legislature just gave a HUGE thumbs-up to a bill that could solve some serious staffing headaches! They've approved a plan letting retired public employees jump back into crucial roles like school bus drivers and public safety officers WITHOUT sacrificing their hard-earned retirement benefits.

HB138: A Dynamic Duo for Public Service

This awesome bill, championed by State Rep. Kenneth Paschal and State Sen. Chris Elliott, merges two separate ideas aimed at tackling staff shortages in school transport and public safety. It's like peanut butter and jelly – two great things that are even BETTER together!

Keeping Our Communities Safe and Sound

“Getting kids to school safe and keeping our neighborhoods secure are top priorities," Paschal stated. "HB138 helps provide these vital services while offering experienced retirees a chance to step up where they are desperately needed."

Who Can Answer the Call?

The new law lets eligible retirees from the Employees’ Retirement System and Teachers’ Retirement System return as school bus drivers, resource officers, deputies, police officers, correctional officers, and even assistant district attorneys while still getting their retirement checks.

Some Rules Still Apply

Earnings limits still exist, but there are exemptions for certain positions up to $52,000. Importantly, retirees won't earn additional benefits while re-employed and must meet all certification requirements. The bill is set to expire on December 31, 2032.

On Its Way to the Governor!

After the House agreed with some tweaks made by the Senate, the bill is now headed to Governor Kay Ivey's desk for the final stamp of approval. This exciting news comes on the 22nd day of the legislative session, with eight more days to go in 2026!

Alabama Hoops News!

Crimson Tide fans, rejoice! Alabama basketball is heading to the 2026 NCAA Tournament as they face Hofstra. But, on the Plains, Auburn’s season ended without a tournament bid despite all of Bruce Pearl's hustle to get them in.

Gulf Coast Tourism BOOMS!

Cha-ching! Alabama's Gulf Coast smashed records in 2025, raking in $923 million in lodging! Tourism is not just about the beaches, folks! Retail spending is up, too!

School Choice Success Story!

Governor Ivey spotlighted a DeKalb County family thriving thanks to the CHOOSE Act. Education savings accounts are empowering parents to give their kids the best shot at a great education!

"The Alabama Solution" Update

No Oscar for "The Alabama Solution." But the film is still sparking debate about prison reform. Attorney General Steve Marshall wants to stay tough on crime, not get caught up in Hollywood hype.

Tragic Loss for Alabama National Guard

We're heartbroken to report that three Alabama airmen from a Birmingham-based National Guard unit were killed in a plane crash in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. Let's remember their service.

Protecting the Strait of Hormuz

The Trump administration is rallying a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran's threats. Expect Gulf nations and others to join in keeping commercial traffic safe and countering any disruptions to global energy.

Trump Claims Decimation of Iranian Military

President Trump is claiming U.S.-Israel strikes have decimated Iran's military during Operation Epic Fury. He says it'll take them a decade to rebuild, but won’t declare victory just yet! Plus, the Trump Adminstration is telling the media to stop hoping Iran wins!

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