7. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed that self-governance talks for the Southeastern Conference are “real” with people having discussed breaking away from the NCAA amid frustrations over national legislation and rule enforcement in college sports, though he stressed it is not a leverage point, and the preference remains a solution that works for the entire NCAA.

6. Maine Democratic frontrunner Troy Dale Jackson, no relation, is (again) facing scrutiny over alleged anger outbursts including a 2021 incident where he threw a water bottle at a private meeting and another incident where he got in the face of a black woman, former colleagues describe a pattern of intimidating behavior toward female colleagues while supporters defend his passionate “rabble-rouser” style as necessary to defeat Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in the Senate race.

5. Alabama State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) vowed to fix Alabama’s birth certificate sex change law after a Daughters of the American Revolution dispute exposed how amended certificates have been used by men seeking membership as women, stating “No matter what body parts you chop off or alter, we don’t get to decide our sex, chromosomes, or DNA because God already decided all of that for us.”

4. Incumbent Democratic  U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) out-raised his Republican opponent Rhett Marques in the most recent fundraising quarter in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, but the primary for the GOP is ongoing, raising $468,372 compared to Marques’ $167,793 while both candidates have raised roughly $1.3 million overall since the cycle began.

3. The Alabama Legislature is expected to revisit a police staffing bill in the 2027 legislative session that would set minimum requirements for certain municipal law enforcement agencies, despite strong pushback from Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, who called it an overreach and power grab that undermines local control, which is the point.

2. State Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City) said gambling legislation is needed to regulate prediction markets in Alabama, noting “It is a conversation we have to have” as unregulated platforms like Kalshi continue growing, and lawmakers weigh potential tax revenue amid existing tribal gaming.

1. The U.S. attacked Iran for the 10th straight night while Iran continues to lash out, including Iranian drone attacks on Jordan and the targeting of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while Governor-elect National Championship-winning Coach U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville noted that boots on the ground at Kharg Island could spare a major oil export terminal from destruction and mediators are attempting to put the peace process back on track.

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