7. Non-fired ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith called for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s firing before the 2026 season has even started amid ongoing criticism of the Crimson Tide’s performance and direction under the new coach.

6. Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) urged U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) before the current three-week Senate session ends, noting the need for his vote amid a slim Republican majority and expressing concern over the lack of information on McConnell’s condition.

5. Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District is drawing increased national GOP attention with the Defending Our Values PAC pumping money into the campaign of Alabama State Rep. Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise) in the special primary as part of their $15 million effort focused on AI and Big Tech policy, while the NRCC added the district to its target list for the 2026 elections.

4. The Alabama Supreme Court has expedited the appeal of the residency challenge against Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), with briefs due soon and the campaign touting a “5-0” record in previous challenges while expecting the court to uphold his eligibility.

3. Alabama Democrat Party vice chair Tabitha Isner doubled down on calls for Democrats to vote in the upcoming GOP primary to “knock off” frontrunners including former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), Alabama State Rep. Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise), and Ammie Akin, citing low turnout and the one-and-done nature of the race to influence Republican nominations.

2. U.S. Senators Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) continued their push for the SAVE America Act, with Tuberville stating “If you oppose the SAVE America Act, you clearly want people to cheat in our elections” amid reports of noncitizen voter registrations in New Jersey and other issues.

1. President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Pickaxe Mountain, an Iranian underground nuclear facility, as part of expanding conflict, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. remains willing to negotiate an end to the crisis as the conflict continues with ongoing military actions.

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.