7. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope pleaded for Alabama to be left out of the NCAA Tournament after a judge allowed center Charles Bediako to return to the team, expressing fear that Alabama’s strengthened roster would dominate the postseason.

6. Governor Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for 19 Alabama counties ahead of a winter storm bringing snow, ice, and freezing rain; a winter storm watch was issued for parts of the state over the weekend with potential hazardous travel conditions, including ice and snow in north Alabama.

5. President Donald Trump endorsed Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl for an office he had not even announced he was running for yet, making it clear that Wahl is now running for Lieutenant Governor.

4. Children could lose access to some social media apps under a new Alabama proposal that would require those platforms for minors to protect them from harmful content and addictive features, it will force the app provider to verify the age when a customer opens an account and to connect the account with a parent if they are underage.

3. House Democrats broke ranks with Leader Jeffries to pass DHS funding despite backlash over ICE operations; the vote allowed continued immigration enforcement amid Minnesota tensions and Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the state, where he warned Minnesota politicians to turn down the temperature.

2. The Justice Department arrested church protesters in Minnesota connected to the Renee Good ICE shooting fallout; but a judge rejected charges against failed journalist Don Lemon related to the same anti-ICE church protest; the arrests followed grand jury subpoenas and civil rights violation allegations, but the DOJ says this is not over yet.

1. U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) criticized former Special Counsel Jack Smith during a contentious hearing on Capitol Hill over investigations into President Donald Trump, stating the actions damaged confidence in the justice system and changed public perception of fairness.

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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.