Shoals Ready to Rock (and Roll!) Again!

Big news, ChumCity! The Shoals area is about to play a HUGE role in bolstering America's defense. This announcement? Years in the making, and a belief I've held tight: Northwest Alabama is ready to LEAD!

Remember When...?

Alabama's ALWAYS stepped up. WWI nitrates, TVA power during WWII, rockets to the moon - we’re no bystanders! And the Shoals? It's where our awesome past meets a future brighter than ever.

Music to Our Ears (and Industry!)

For ages, The Shoals' sound has captivated the world. FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound? Iconic! Artists flocked here for that special "Singing River" magic - craftsmanship, grit, pure excellence.

That same magic fuels our industry: innovative, tough, and built to LAST. Think American-made weapons, sturdy railcars - that spirit's still kickin' as we forge ahead.

No More Playing Small

For too long, we heard "overseas savings" were the only way. I NEVER bought that decline was inevitable. With my Alabama crew and the Appropriations Committee, I've fought to make sure Alabama – ESPECIALLY the Fourth District – is a PRIORITY when America rebuilds.

Shoals Got What It Takes

That means fighting for defense investments, supporting maritime dominance, and steering major resources to communities ready to lead. Guess what? The Shoals checks ALL the boxes!

• Skilled workers? Check!
• Available space? Check!
• River access & location? Check!
• A "build it to last" culture? HUGE check!

Anchors Away!

That's why I'm thrilled to announce the U.S. Navy is cutting the ribbon on a new defense facility in Muscle Shoals! This massive 2.2 million sq ft site will anchor shipbuilding and maritime production right here. Major investment in security AND our future!

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Massive shoutout to AE Shoals for their role in developing this project. Also, big thanks to the Retirement Systems of Alabama for investing in this site to bring new economic opportunity. Super excited to welcome Hadrian, the company handling the advanced manufacturing!

This is Just the Beginning

This project didn't happen overnight - six years of hard work! This is a transformative step! Thousands of manufacturing jobs and renewed American strength are coming our way!

The Future is Here

I'm dedicated to expanding the Shoals into a collaborative hub for national and international partners with the Navy and Department of War.

National security? It's not just uniforms. It's welders, engineers, machinists, the next generation of skilled workers powering America's comeback.

Think advanced manufacturing, automation, digital engineering, and cutting-edge tech.

The Sound of Industry is Coming

Just like The Shoals once blew the world away with its music, we're ready to do it again. Strengthening America's maritime power and securing good-paying jobs!

When America calls, The Shoals answers! And I'm proud to help write this next great chapter!

Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) represents Alabama’s 4th Congressional District. He is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Alabama AG Slams Filmmaker's "Publicity Stunt"

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall isn't holding back! He's fired back at a left-leaning filmmaker who recently took aim at the state's justice system.

The Oscar "Invitation" Heard 'Round the State

Andrew Jarecki, who plugged his film "The Alabama Solution" on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," claimed he invited Marshall to the Oscars. But Marshall's having none of it.

Marshall's Rebuttal

According to Marshall, just before Jarecki's late-night appearance, an aide showed up at the AG's office practically demanding a staffer sign an "invitation" for Marshall to join the director at the Oscars. Marshall calls it a blatant "publicity stunt" for a "biased" film, supposedly made by sneaking contraband cell phones to inmates.

Soft on Crime?

Marshall argues Jarecki is pushing a "soft on crime" agenda. "It is radicals like Jarecki and Fallon who are simply soft on crime," he stated, adding they seem more concerned with releasing prisoners than ensuring public safety. He questioned why the film didn't include perspectives from victims' families.

Not Backing Down

Marshall, who's also vying for a U.S. Senate seat, made it clear he won't be changing Alabama's approach to justice. "I’m not going to be intimidated by any kind of Hollywood insiders," he declared. "Keep your Oscars. We’ll keep our values: protecting victims and not celebrating criminals."

Epic Fury Escalates: Middle East on Edge

The U.S. and Israel are ramping up strikes on Iran in Operation Epic Fury, sparking serious concerns. Iran’s firing back threats, even hinting at shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. Get ready for potential pain at the pump – they're predicting oil could skyrocket to $200 a barrel! Retired Gen. Petraeus is calling it "missile math," and Trump's hinting at a possible wrap-up. Buckle up, ChumCity, this is getting intense.

Tuberville's Filibuster: Ready to Talk for Days

Senator Tommy Tuberville is gearing up for a marathon talking filibuster to get the SAVE America Act passed. He's promising to hold the Senate floor for days, if needed, to push for border and election reforms. Looks like the former coach is ready to play hardball!

Britt Blasts Dems: Border Security Standstill?

Senator Katie Britt isn't holding back, accusing Democrats of refusing to negotiate on DHS funding amidst shutdown threats. She claims they won't even come to the table to discuss border security. Is bipartisan cooperation dead, leaving us heading for chaos?

Alabama AG Fires Back: "Alabama Solution" Slammed

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is blasting the Oscar-nominated documentary "The Alabama Solution," calling its director soft on crime. He’s making it clear the state will stick to its values, despite prison reform pushes. The criminal justice debate is raging on!

Power to the People Act: Utility Rate Overhaul?

Alabama Senator Clyde Chambliss and others are pushing for a massive overhaul of the Alabama Public Service Commission. The goal? To give consumers more control over those pesky utility rates after recent price spikes. Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger's "Power to the People Act" is aiming to freeze rates and put ratepayers first. Will this finally give us a break?

Alabama Schools: Prayers and Pledges Return

The Alabama State House just passed a bill to bring prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance back into public schools. Students can now have moments of silence or lead faith-based and patriotic expressions, but the bill prohibits school-sponsored coercion.

California Gas Prices: Newsom Blames Trump?

California Governor Gavin Newsom is catching heat for pointing the finger at President Trump for California's sky-high gas prices. Meanwhile, Californians are already paying around $2 more per gallon than the rest of the country. Ouch!

Watch Out, ChumCity! Scammers Are Getting Crafty!

In today's lightning-fast financial world, crooks are moving even faster! They're taking advantage of technology and our trust to pull off some seriously slick scams. Regions Bank's Jeff Taylor is dedicated to fighting these fraudsters, and he's got some warnings we all need to hear.

The Key? They Build Trust... Then Pounce!

Whether they're targeting big businesses or your personal piggy bank, scammers rely on tricking you into lowering your guard. Taylor's highlighting two particularly nasty scams: the "Evolving Trusted Partner Scam" and the "Spoofed Website Scam."

"Evolving Trusted Partner Scam": Impersonation Masters

Imagine getting a call, email, or text from someone pretending to be a government official, your bank, or even the police! They'll claim there's a "fraudulent transaction" or a "data breach" and pressure you to act fast. Armed with stolen info, they sound super legit!

Taylor warns that believing these scammers can lead you to willingly handing over your passwords or clicking malicious links. It's like giving them the keys to your kingdom! The FBI says scams like these racked up billions in losses last year, and they're only getting more sophisticated.

The Solution? STOP-CALL-CONFIRM! Hang up, end the message, and call the REAL number you know for the organization they're pretending to be. Legit places will NEVER ask for your passwords over unsolicited calls!

"Spoofed Website Scam": Fake Sites Look REAL

These tech-savvy scammers create near-perfect copies of websites you trust, like your online banking portal. Even worse, they buy ads on search engines so their fake site shows up FIRST when you search for "online banking login"!

Taylor says NEVER search online for your bank's login page! Always type the official URL directly into your browser or use a bookmark. A spoofed site will look convincing, but the URL might be slightly off. Entering your info there gives the bad guys everything they need.

These Scams Work Together to Maximize Damage!

Taylor points out that these scams often team up! A fake website can steal your login info, and then a "Trusted Partner" call can trick you into approving a fraudulent transaction. It's a one-two punch of deception!

How to Protect Yourself in ChumCity:

• Verification is Key: Always double-check unsolicited requests through trusted channels.
• Safe Surfing Habits: Bookmark legit sites, scrutinize URLs, and avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive stuff.
• Training and Awareness: Learn the red flags of phishing and scams. Remember, banks won't call you out of the blue asking for your private information!
• Technical Defenses: Use multi-factor authentication and advanced email filtering.

Stay Vigilant!

These scams thrive on speed and trust. Counter them by slowing down, verifying everything, and staying educated. By following these tips, we can all protect ourselves from these digital crooks!

Pringle Talks New State House, Workforce Needs

House Pro Tem Chris Pringle (R-Mobile) gave the Business Council of Alabama a peek behind the curtain Tuesday, covering everything from the new state house's beefy bomb-resistant walls to the pressing need for a skilled workforce.

Inside the New Digs

Pringle, who's been steering the transition, dished out the most detailed info we've seen on the new state house's design, how it's being paid for, and when we can expect the big move.

The Retirement Systems of Alabama is building the place and will own it under a sweet 25-year rent-to-own deal. Alabama fronted about $150 million, letting RSA invest those funds and cutting the state's yearly payments from around $50 million to a cooler $30 million.

Bigger and Better (and More Secure!)

The new chambers will be 30% larger, with the House and Senate right next to each other. Get this: every official meeting room will be live-streamed, and the Wi-Fi? Finally, good!

Security's getting a major upgrade. Think single entry point with scanners, instant lockdown capabilities, and even a fast-pass system for the regulars. Plus, there's more State Trooper presence around the Capitol complex.

Members have until July 31 to clear out their old offices.

Old Capitol Flashback?

Pringle even floated the idea of a quick visit to the original state capitol before the session wraps up. That'd make Speaker Ledbetter the only speaker to preside in all three buildings!

Workforce Woes and Mobile's Massive Need

On the workforce front, Pringle pointed to Mobile as a prime example of why Alabama needs to invest in career and technical education now. Mobile's asking for $30 million from the CTE package because they're expecting 15,000 jobs – many high-paying welding jobs tied to Navy submarine expansion – to pop up soon.

"We've got a real problem to train the workforce we need," Pringle said. "The Navy is coming to Mobile. It's expanding and growing all over the state."

Infrastructure: Not Sexy, But Essential

Pringle emphasized that infrastructure investment – things like grid capacity, water, sewer, and highways – is the unglamorous but crucial foundation for economic growth.

"It's not sexy," Pringle said. "It doesn't make for good TV commercials. But it's the responsible thing to do."

Budgets on Deck

Pringle said passing the budgets is still priority number one. The Education Trust Fund budget sits at $9.9 billion, and the General Fund at $3.7 billion.

"We need to take our number one primary responsibility and get these budgets passed."

With only 10 legislative days left, time's ticking!

Lipscomb City Hall in Chaos: Mayor Sued!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity citizens! Lipscomb is serving up some serious small-town drama. The City of Lipscomb has officially slapped Mayor Robin Sims II with a lawsuit, and things are getting spicy!

What's the Beef?

The lawsuit, filed March 10th, is all about who's really running the show – specifically, who's the actual police chief and which city officials get to do their jobs. Lipscomb wants a judge to force Sims to recognize Lanita Neal as the rightful police chief and let the council-approved folks, well, govern.

A Timeline of Turmoil

This isn't some overnight feud; this has been brewing since 2024! It started with disagreements over personnel, the council's power, and who controls City Hall's daily grind. Remember when Chief Neal got suspended back in September 2024? The council overturned it, but she stayed sidelined. Fast forward to September 2025, and rumor had it the city was paying two police chiefs while the general fund was scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Residency Woes & Reinstatements

Then, in December 2025, a judge ruled some council members weren't living where they were supposed to! This temporarily left the council unable to function properly. But the drama didn't stop there. This February, after the members were reinstated, the council voted to boot the Interim Chief and bring Neal back.

The Battle Spreads

The fight has spread beyond the police department. Sims allegedly told City Clerk William Baylor he wasn't the clerk anymore! So, the council held an emergency meeting, reaffirmed Neal and Baylor, stripped Sims of bank account access, appointed a new treasurer, and authorized the lawsuit.

What's Next?

The lawsuit wants the court to stop Sims from interfering with the council's choices and make him sign the paperwork that makes Neal officially recognized by state law enforcement. The city claims Sims' actions are disrupting everything. They are asking the court to force him to comply. Stay tuned, ChumCity, because this saga is far from over!

Chuck's Chatter Heads to Podcasts!

Get ready, ChumCity! Sir Charles Barkley, the Auburn legend and king of courtside commentary, is diving headfirst into the podcast game!

"So U Think U Can Sports?" is Coming!

Barkley's Round Mound Media is teaming up with ChangeUp Productions and Lemonada Media for a brand-new show called "So U Think U Can Sports?" Joining him will be none other than Justin Hartley, of "Tracker" fame.

Comedy Meets Competition

The podcast will be hosted by comedian Eliot Glazer, who hilariously admits to knowing next to nothing about sports. He'll be interviewing athletes, including the Round Mound of Rebound himself, to get their unfiltered perspectives. Expect laughs and maybe even some head-scratching takes!

Everyone's Pumped!

Justin Hartley is thrilled to be part of the project, saying that "Comedy and sports go hand in hand, and Eliot is the perfect host to bring these two worlds together." Glazer playfully added a mixed-sport metaphor about the whole team effort. Round Mound Media co-founder Marc Perman believes this show fills a gap in the sports media landscape with a host who provides a unique and entertaining perspective.

Ambulance Bill Heads to Alabama House: Will it Help or Hurt Rural Areas?

A bill aimed at stopping surprise medical bills for ground ambulance rides is making its way through the Alabama legislature. After passing the Senate, SB269 is now in the House, but it's facing some serious headwinds.

The Goal: No More Shocking Ambulance Bills

The bill, sponsored by Senator Bobby Singleton, wants to protect Alabamians from getting stuck with massive bills after an ambulance ride. It would require insurance companies to pay ambulance providers a set rate – 200% of the Medicare rate for in-network, and 180% for out-of-network, starting in late 2026. Ambulance companies couldn’t then bill patients beyond their normal in-network cost. The bill also focuses on "treat in place," meaning EMS could get paid for treating you at the scene, instead of just when they transport you to the hospital. This could free up ambulances for real emergencies!

But There's a Catch!

The Alabama Farmers Federation (think Alfa Insurance) is strongly opposing the bill. They're worried that it will lead to higher insurance premiums, especially for folks in rural areas who can least afford it. They point out that Medicare and Medicaid patients are exempt, and federal law limits the state's power over employer plans. That leaves farmers, small business owners, teachers, and state employees potentially footing the bill.

Who Really Benefits?

Alfa argues that most of the money from this bill would flow to big ambulance companies in metro areas, not the struggling rural providers it's supposed to help. They claim that 90% of the extra cash would go to a few large companies, with a tiny fraction reaching rural EMS providers.

A Pricey Ride?

According to Alfa, only about $2 million of the estimated $21 million the bill would generate annually would actually reach rural Alabama! They fear that a New York private equity firm could make as much as all 28 rural counties combined.

A Call for Alternatives

Alfa says they’re open to finding other ways to improve rural EMS access, but they don't support this bill in its current form. The bill is set to expire in 2029. If it passes, the state would hire a consultant to study its impact on EMS access and report to the legislature. It's a complicated issue with passionate arguments on both sides.

Samford U. Boasts Record-Breaking Year!

Hold onto your hats, ChumCity! Samford University just dropped its 2025 Annual Report, and it's bursting with good news. Think overflowing classrooms, a hefty piggy bank, and bragging rights for getting grads ready to slay in the real world. This Birmingham institution is seriously on a roll!

Enrollment Explosion!

Samford's busting at the seams with a record-high 6,324 students, including a whopping 1,156 fresh-faced freshmen. Plus, their endowment's ballooned to a cool $539.7 million. Cha-ching! They're also flashing some shiny new national rankings, awesome academic programs, and a campus that's had a major glow-up.

Student Success Stories

These Bulldogs aren't just showing up; they're sticking around! A staggering 92.18% of freshmen came back for round two (that's way above the national average!). And get this: Samford snagged the NCAA's third-highest Graduation Success Rate. Talk about a winning team!

National Spotlight

Samford's earning some serious street cred, folks. The Wall Street Journal ranked them #3 in the nation for career prep! They also snagged high marks for being recommended and for killer learning experiences.

Program Powerhouses

It's not just the whole school shining; individual programs are crushing it, too! Cumberland School of Law is living the good life, ranked #5 for Best Quality of Life by The Princeton Review. And the Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing? Officially one of the best online nursing master's programs around.

Campus Construction Craze

Samford just wrapped up about $300 million in construction projects, including two snazzy new dorms, Gaston Hall and Mann Hall. That's 512 extra beds for students to crash in and soak up that vibrant campus atmosphere.

Faith-Focused Future

The university is doubling down on its mission with the launch of the Mann Institute for Christian Faith and Learning, thanks to an $11 million gift. Get ready for even more awesome theological programs!

Global Goals

Samford's spreading its wings internationally with a new study center in Costa Rica called Finca de Samford. It's all about serving and learning, giving students a chance to make a real difference in the world.

Prez Says...

"Samford is a growing and thriving community of faith and learning," says President Beck A. Taylor. "We need to remain faithful to meeting the present moment with intentionality and humility.”

Tuberville Sounds the Alarm on Chinese Drug Dependence

Senator Tommy Tuberville is raising concerns about America's reliance on China for drug manufacturing, arguing it leaves us dangerously exposed. At a recent Senate Committee on Aging hearing, Tuberville grilled experts on how to bring pharmaceutical production back to the U.S.

The Danger of Dependence

Rosemary Gibson, an expert on pharmaceutical supply chains, painted a grim picture. She stated that China controls about 90% of the key ingredients needed to make generic drugs! If China cut off these exports, Gibson warned, "A lot of people would die in this country. Our healthcare systems would cease to function." Yikes!

Breaking the Monopoly

Gordon Chang, another witness, emphasized that breaking China's grip on the pharmaceutical industry won't be easy, requiring emergency action. He believes China has been able to "outmaneuver the FDA" because of its control over the entire supply chain. Chang suggested tactics like tariffs and invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production.

Time is Ticking

Chang warned that the U.S. faces "extreme vulnerability" within just a few years if we don't act fast. Tuberville also highlighted the Clear Labels Act, supported by Senator Katie Britt, which would require drug labels to show the country of origin for ingredients. Former Congressman Ted Yoho framed the issue as a matter of national security, saying we can't be "beholden to another country, i.e. China." This is something we NEED to get right!