Alabama Celebrates Farmers with Tomato Sandwiches!

The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) recently dished out its 22nd Annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch in Montgomery, a scrumptious salute to the state's amazing agricultural community.

Farm-Fresh Flavors and Alabama Favorites

The lunch wasn't just about tomatoes; it was a showcase of Alabama-grown goodness! Think sweet corn, onions, and lettuce, all making delicious appearances. Plus, iconic Alabama-made snacks and treats like Golden Flake chips, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Flowers Bakery bread, Milo’s tea, and Buffalo Rock soft drinks were on hand to complete the feast.

More Than Just a Meal

"The Tomato Sandwich Lunch is more than a meal," said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. "It’s a celebration of our state’s agricultural communities and the importance of supporting local farmers." He added, "There’s nothing quite like Alabama-grown produce in the summertime!"

A Political Hotspot

But the event wasn't just about celebrating agriculture. It also drew a crowd from the Alabama political scene.

Who Was There?

The event was buzzing with candidates gearing up for 2026, and other notable figures, including:

• Caroleene Dobson, Candidate for Secretary of State
• Rick Pate, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and candidate for Lt. Governor
• Derek Chen, Candidate for State Auditor
• Eric Mackey, Alabama State Superintendent
• Christina McInnis, Candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries
• Jack Williams, State Senator District 34 and candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries
• Jeremy Oden, Place 1 Commissioner on the Alabama Public Service Commission
• Judge Richard Minor, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
• Pamela Casey, Blount County District Attorney and candidate for Attorney General
• Judge Matt Fridy, Alabama Civil Appeals Court
• Justice Will Sellers, Alabama Supreme Court
• Dan Roberts, State Senator District 15
• Judge Rich Anderson, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
• Doug Harwell, State Senator District 34
• Will Barfoot, State Senator District 25
• Randy Price, State Senator District 13
• Justice Brad Mendheim, Alabama Supreme Court

With its growing list of political attendees, the Annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch is set to remain a key event on Alabama campaign calendars.

Tide's Bernard Leaning on Faith for Gridiron Success

The Alabama Crimson Tide are charging into year two of the Kalen DeBoer era, hungry for a season packed with W's! A key player in this quest? Senior wide receiver Germie Bernard, who lit up the field last year with some serious game-changing performances.

Bernard, a transfer from Washington who followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa, snagged 50 passes for almost 800 yards last season, and he's looking to crank it up even higher this year.

More Than Just a Player

But for Bernard, it's not just about the stats. Faith plays a HUGE role in his life, both on and off the field. He recently opened up about his spiritual side, sharing his unique method for choosing Bible verses for his eyeblack each week.

A Direct Connection

"I just want people to know that God is a faithful God. If you are obedient to his word and what he wants you to do with your life, you’re gonna be blessed," Bernard said.

Finding the Right Words

"Right now, I'm in the book of Matthew," Bernard explained. "I just pray to God each week, whatever comes to You and You want me to be able to show others and lead others to You, please put that on my heart. I think He does that a lot of the time, and I'm so grateful to have that relationship with Him that I can do that."

He added, "I just pray each week and hope and have faith that he's gonna be able to give me the right words to be able to express to somebody else because somebody else does need that."

Bernard is poised for a killer season, and you can bet faith will be right there with him every step of the way!

DUI Deportation Bill Passes House!

Rep. Barry Moore's (R-Enterprise) bill to deport undocumented individuals convicted of or admitting to drunk driving just sailed through the U.S. House of Representatives! That's right, folks, H.R. 875, officially known as The Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025, is one step closer to becoming law.

Moore Speaks Out

"Today's vote in the House sends a clear message," Moore declared. "If you're here as a guest and you break our laws, putting American lives at risk by driving under the influence, there WILL be consequences!"

What's the Deal?

Basically, this bill mandates the deportation of any undocumented immigrant convicted of or admitting to a DUI. Moore emphasized on the House floor that it's a "simple common-sense bill" that should be a "no-brainer" for everyone. He expressed surprise that 160 Democrats voted against it.

Been Here Before

Believe it or not, Congressman Moore pushed a similar bill last year, but it stalled out in the Senate. Will this one fare better? Stay tuned, ChumCity will keep you updated!

MACS Unit: One Year Later and Making Waves!

Governor Kay Ivey is singing the praises of the Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit after its first year battling violent crime in Montgomery! Looks like this collaborative law enforcement initiative is really paying off.

Success Story in Montgomery!

"The results speak for themselves!" Ivey declared. "Violent crime is on the decline, and more criminals are behind bars!" Seems like focusing resources on increased surveillance and enforcement is doing the trick. Montgomery recently reported a whopping 30% drop in violent crime and a 19% dip in overall crime! Keep up the great work, MACS!

By the Numbers: MACS Unit's Impact

In the past year, MACS personnel have been BUSY! Check out these stats:

• 3,100 traffic stops
• 983 arrest warrants served (from traffic violations to Capital Murder!)
• 429 arrests (including 30 juveniles)
• 268 illegal firearms seized
• 164 machine gun conversion devices confiscated
• 69 stolen cars recovered

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

"Preserving public safety is essential," Ivey noted, emphasizing the importance of combining resources from state, federal, and local agencies to tackle violent criminals. She is proud to have supported the creation of the MACS Unit and continued funding during the legislative session. Sounds like MACS is a recipe for success!

Alabama Shines: Huntsville & Auburn/Opelika Snag National Economic Development Awards!

Get ready to cheer, ChumCity! Alabama is making waves on the national stage! Huntsville and the dynamic duo of Auburn/Opelika have just snagged the prestigious 2025 Mac Conway Award for Economic Development Excellence from “Site Selection” magazine!

What's the Mac Conway Award?

Think of it as the Oscars for economic growth! Named after McKinley "Mac" Conway, the founder of "Site Selection," this award recognizes the top dogs in economic development. Judges looked at job creation, big-time investments, and successful corporate projects. They even consulted the experts at the Milken Institute and Heartland Forward.

Why the Hype?

This award proves Alabama is where it's at for companies looking to invest and create jobs. As Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, put it, "Alabama’s communities are delivering results!"

Auburn/Opelika: A Growth Powerhouse

Auburn is booming! Just last year, the city welcomed three new companies and celebrated six expansions, resulting in 350 new jobs and nearly $182 million in investments! Mayor Ron Anders credits Auburn University and the city's vibrant business community for creating an "ecosystem of innovation."

Opelika is right there with them, bringing in over $2.6 billion in capital investment and more than 5,700 new jobs in recent years, according to Economic Development Director John Sweatman.

Huntsville: Rocket City Reaches New Heights

Huntsville continues to solidify its status as an innovation hub, ranking No. 4 nationally on the Milken Institute's list of top-performing cities! From aerospace to life sciences, and even a thriving music scene, Huntsville is on fire!

Lucia Cape, from the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, highlighted exciting growth in life sciences and the area's innovative music initiatives, like the Orion Amphitheater and the South Star Music Festival.

Alabama's Economic Boom is Real

Secretary McNair sums it up perfectly: "Alabama’s momentum in economic development is unmistakable!" These awards prove that strategic investment, a skilled workforce, and collaboration are the keys to creating a lasting economic impact across the state.

Big Splash! Birmingham Water Works Gets a Makeover!

Hold onto your hats, ChumCity citizens! The Birmingham Water Works Board just pulled off a major change at their June 24th meeting. Get ready to say goodbye to the old name and hello to… Central Alabama Water!

The newly restructured seven-member board voted 5-2 to officially change the utility's name. The new name is City of Birmingham Regional Water Works, doing business as Central Alabama Water. Sounds official, right?

Legal Waters Getting Murkier

But the drama doesn’t stop there! Right after the name change, Central Alabama Water hired the law firm Capell & Howard. Why, you ask? Because Mayor Randall Woodfin is challenging the legality of the new state law that shrank the board from nine members down to seven. Looks like a legal showdown is brewing!

Central Alabama Water: A Regional Powerhouse

Did you know that Central Alabama Water is the biggest water utility in the whole state? They're serving around 770,000 thirsty folks across the region. That's a lot of water! Stay tuned, ChumCity, for more updates as this story develops.

Anthony Daniels & Wife: A Story of Faith and Kidney Donation

Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels and his wife, Teneshia, are celebrating a huge win thanks to prayer, faith, and an incredible act of love! Teneshia donated a kidney to Anthony, saving his life. It's a seriously inspiring story of family, strength, and amazing community support.

Speedy Recovery for the Daniels

Anthony was released from UAB Hospital early, just days after his successful transplant. Teneshia, a dentist, also got the green light to head home ahead of schedule. They're now both recuperating in Birmingham.

Unexpected Health Scare

Before late last year, Anthony was living a healthy lifestyle with no hints of trouble ahead. But then, unexplained fatigue and other symptoms hit him hard. After a ton of doctor's visits, the diagnosis finally came: kidney failure. A transplant was needed, like, yesterday!

Teneshia Steps Up!

Finding a matching donor with Anthony's O-positive blood can be tough, but guess what? His perfect match was right by his side. Teneshia didn't hesitate for a second, jumping straight into the donor evaluation process. Talk about a superwoman!

Kids Lending a Hand

Their kiddos, Abigail (9) and Anthony (AG) (7), knew the stakes were high. While Mom and Dad were in the hospital, they became little rockstars, tackling chores, getting ready for summer camp, and keeping things running at home.

Road to Recovery & Huge Support

While Anthony's still got a long road to recovery and ongoing checkups ahead, this transplant is a massive step forward. The Daniels family has been flooded with love and support from all over Alabama. They've been drawing strength from the encouragement and their deep faith.

Love, Sacrifice, Perseverance

The Daniels' journey is far from over, but it's a potent reminder of the power of love, sacrifice, and not giving up, even when things get seriously tough.

Senator Britt Applauds DOJ's Fight Against Antisemitism

Alabama Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is giving props to the U.S. Department of Justice for stepping up to combat the alarming surge in antisemitism nationwide.

Justice Department Takes Action

Back in March, the Justice Department launched Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7). This initiative is laser-focused on bringing justice to the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel and tackling the ongoing threat from Hamas and its pals.

Targeting Terrorism and Antisemitism

The program is also set to investigate terrorist acts and civil rights violations carried out by individuals and groups who are bankrolling and supporting Hamas, related Iranian proxies, and their affiliates, along with acts of antisemitism perpetrated by these groups.

Britt Thanks Attorney General Bondi

During a recent Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Senator Britt personally thanked Attorney General Pam Bondi for launching the Joint Task Force on October 7.

"I was heartened to see your memo creating the Joint Task Force on October 7," Britt stated. "Thank you for your commitment to getting justice for those victims, for addressing the threat posed by Hamas, and for combating antisemitism. We've seen a rise in that in the last two years, particularly on college campuses. I couldn't be more grateful that the Department of Justice is ensuring antisemitism, terrorism, and civil rights violations are properly adjudicated."

Bondi Responds, Emphasizing Safety

Bondi explained the necessity of the effort, emphasizing the need for Jewish students to feel safe expressing their faith on college campuses. She shared a concerning anecdote about a student who felt compelled to remove his Star of David necklace for safety reasons.

"We will continue to do everything through the October 7 task force to protect everyone in this country," Bondi affirmed.

Sewell Stands Up: War Powers Resolution Targets Iran Conflict

Alabama's own Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL07) is stepping up to the plate! She's cosponsoring a War Powers Resolution designed to bring our troops home from hostilities against Iran, unless Congress gives the official thumbs-up. What sparked this? Apparently, the Trump administration pulled a fast one by canceling a scheduled briefing for Congress about recent military moves in Iran. Talk about keeping secrets!

Keeping Our Troops Safe, Keeping Congress Informed

The resolution isn't about tying the hands of our brave men and women in uniform. It makes sure they can defend the U.S. and our allies from immediate danger. The focus is on reigning in broad offensive action that hasn't gotten the go-ahead from Congress.

Bipartisan Concern Over Lack of Transparency

Reps. Jim Himes, Gregory W. Meeks, and Adam Smith – heavy hitters on key House committees – originally introduced the resolution. Sewell's joining their call for transparency and congressional oversight.

Sewell Slams Administration's Actions

Sewell didn't mince words, criticizing the administration for sidestepping Congress and keeping lawmakers in the dark. "The American people deserve to know," she said, demanding answers about strategy, troop safety, and de-escalation plans. According to Sewell, keeping Congress in the dark suggests "he has no coherent plan."

Reasserting Congressional Authority

Sewell is urging Congress to "reassert its authority." The War Powers Resolution, she explains, aims to withdraw our forces from conflict with Iran, while still allowing them to defend us and our friends from imminent threats.

Operation Midnight Hammer: A Triggering Event?

The resolution comes on the heels of reports about Operation Midnight Hammer, a supposed military strike on an Iranian uranium enrichment site, allegedly using B-2 Spirit bombers and a whole lotta GBU-57 bombs. The Department of Defense is reportedly touting it as a major success, years in the making.

Alabama Bingo Busts!

Six bingo halls in Jefferson County got shut down for allegedly running illegal gambling ops! The Alabama Attorney General's Office spearheaded the raids. No more dabbers for now!

Hemp Shop Hullabaloo

Gubernatorial hopeful Chad "Chig" Martin is throwing shade at Gov. Kay Ivey over recent hemp shop raids. He claims it's an overreach, especially since he had to shutter his own shop early to dodge a potential raid!

State House Shenanigans

The Retirement Systems of Alabama hired a company with ties to an illegal immigration raid to build the new mega-expensive State House in Montgomery. Talk about a plot twist!

Tuberville's Tiff with Parliamentarian

Senator Tommy Tuberville wants the Senate Parliamentarian gone for blocking parts of Trump's "big, beautiful bill," but some provisions snuck back in anyway. Drama in D.C.!

Trump vs. Mamdani & Tuberville's Tirade

Trump calls NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a "communist lunatic" after his primary victory. Tuberville chimed in, calling immigrants "inner-city rats." Yikes!

CAIR Invites Tuberville to Mosque

Alabama's CAIR extended an olive branch to Senator Tuberville, inviting him to visit a mosque after he warned Dems about bringing a "Communist, Islamic atmosphere" to the state. Will he take them up on it?

Hegseth Defends Iran Strikes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is standing by Trump's Iran strikes, claiming they delayed Iran's nuclear program. He's also calling out the media for backtracking on their "failure" claims.

Heard it Here First:

Dale Jackson, the brains behind Yellowhammer News, breaks it all down on WVNN weekdays from 5-9 a.m.!