Longshore & McKnight: Pigskin Politics & More!

Longshore and McKnight just dropped a fresh episode, diving headfirst into the SEC spring meetings buzz! The big topic? That 12-team College Football Playoff shakeup and the growing gap between the SEC, Big Ten, and everyone else.

Barry McKnight wasn't shy about his concerns, basically saying if you ain't SEC or Big Ten, you might be stuck on the sidelines. They even talked about how this whole deal could leave teams like our own Troy University feeling left out. Ouch!

Bama & Auburn On the Diamond

Shifting gears, the boys broke down the NCAA baseball regionals, cheering on Auburn as they host, while Bama is battling it out in Tallahassee. Go SEC!

Beyond the Gridiron

But wait, there's more! The show went deep on Minor League Baseball promotions, debated BBQ (a ChumCity staple!), and even gave away a Dreamland prize pack. Local love! They also tackled a mountain of texts from listeners, with plenty of ranch dressing jokes thrown Barry's way.

Injury Updates, NIL & What's Next

They wrapped things up with Braves injury news, a look at the ever-confusing world of NIL, and predictions for the summer. Tune in to find out what's next!

Navy SEAL Launches Senate Bid in Alabama

Former U.S. Navy SEAL and Alabama native Jared Hudson is diving headfirst into the political arena, announcing his campaign to become the state's next Senator! This Birmingham resident, a veteran who's traded his tactical gear for a chance at the Senate, heads Covenant Rescue Group, an organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking.

"Send a Warrior to D.C."

Hudson kicked off his campaign with a video message, emphasizing his non-politician status as a key qualification. He believes his heart lies in service, aiming to represent the people of Alabama in D.C., not the other way around. His call to action? "Send a warrior to D.C."

More Than Just Talk

His campaign website further highlights Hudson's background, stating his life has been about service and sacrifice, from SEAL Team missions to rescuing trafficking victims. In a time of perceived attacks on traditional values, the campaign promises a bold leader who takes action, not just makes promises.

Faith and a Warrior's Mantra

This week, Hudson also joined Rightside Radio to discuss the race and the importance of faith in his life. He believes the lasting impact we have is "who you are in the person of Jesus Christ."

He also reflected on the necessity of a personal mantra, something to lean on during hardship. "Every warrior... had a mantra," Hudson said, something to hold onto that helps you make it through the toughest times.

A Familiar Face

Hudson previously ran for Sheriff of Jefferson County in 2022.

The primary election for the U.S. Senate seat is slated for May 19, 2026.

Roll Tide! New Crimson Tide License Plates Coming Soon!

Alabama fans are known for their die-hard loyalty, and what better way to show your Crimson Tide pride than with a sweet license plate? Get ready, because the University of Alabama just announced that, starting June 1st, you can rep the iconic 'Block A' or the vintage 'Vault A' logo on your ride!

Upgrade Your Ride, Support UA Students

Already rockin' the 'Script A'? No problem! Now you have even more ways to showcase your love for the Tide. These specialty plates cost $50 more than the standard-issue, but here’s the best part: the extra dough goes directly towards scholarships for Alabama students.

Show Your Spirit, Help Students Succeed

"The new design is a great way for alumni and friends to show their school spirit while helping students reach their goals," says Jimmy Warren, executive director of the UA National Alumni Association. And get this: the program has already generated over $5 million for scholarships!

Get Yours Anytime!

Even if you just renewed your registration, you can still snag one of these collegiate plates anytime. So, gear up, Crimson Tide fans! Let's hit the road in style and support the next generation of Bama grads.

Double Dipping at the Water Works?

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity! It seems some bigwigs at the Birmingham Water Works were juggling more than just water rates. A recent report reveals a couple of officials had side gigs in Greene County, West Alabama.

Mac Underwood's Two-Job Tango

Mac Underwood, the Birmingham Water Works general manager (raking in a cool $446,118 per year), was also moonlighting as the chief financial officer for Greene County! Apparently, Greene County gave him the green light to work remotely – think evenings, weekends, and the occasional county visit. His Greene County paycheck? A tidy $110,240 annually. Underwood has since resigned from his Greene County post, with his last day slated for the end of May.

Parnell's Part-Time Plunge

Then there's Mark Parnell, representing the Birmingham Water Works through his firm, Parnell and Thompson. He scored a sweet deal as deputy general manager and general counsel, complete with a $660,000 yearly salary, a $1,000 monthly car allowance, and instant pension benefits. But wait, there's more! Parnell's firm also represents Greene County. While his waterworks contract allows outside work (with the general manager's okay, of course), Parnell claims he's scaling back his workload, including his Greene County duties. No word yet on when, or if, he's fully ditching that role.

New Board, New Direction?

Good news! A brand-new regional board is now calling the shots at the Birmingham Water Works. They're already taking a close look at those past contract decisions. Stay tuned, ChumCity – things could be about to get interesting!

Alabama AG Sounds Alarm on Meta's AI

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is raising serious concerns about Meta's new AI features, warning they could expose kids to some seriously unsavory content.

Marshall, alongside a coalition of 28 other state attorneys general, fired off a letter to Meta, expressing major worries about the Meta AI chatbot. They argue that Meta isn't doing enough to warn parents about the risks and that the platform could be a breeding ground for adult users looking to engage in predatory behavior – using AI bots to simulate interactions with underage victims. Yikes!

Protecting Kids Over Profits?

"Meta is pushing its AI chatbot to nearly a billion users each month," Marshall stated. "But once again, it's failing to protect children from sexualized content—and worse, from predators who exploit these platforms for hypersexualized role-play. When will these platforms prioritize child safety over profits?" He's calling on Meta to team up with parents and law enforcement to put an end to this exploitation.

AI Gone Wild?

These Meta AI chatbots can create fake identities and interact with users through texts, selfies, and even live voice conversations. The coalition argues that Meta's claim that this AI is safe for children is way off the mark.

The letter highlights disturbing reports of Meta-created and user-created AI companions engaging in sexual scenarios with adults. Even more alarming, some AI personas identifying as adults engaged in sexual role-play with users identifying as children, and vice versa.

Marshall's Fight Against AI Exploitation

Marshall has been a vocal leader in the fight to protect children from AI-facilitated sexual exploitation. Back in 2024, he worked with the Alabama Legislature to pass the Alabama Child Protection Act, which gives the state more power to investigate and prosecute cases involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

The letter, led by South Carolina, also had support from a whole bunch of other states, showing this is a nationwide concern.

Space Command HQ Drama Continues!

Get ready for more twists and turns in the saga of the U.S. Space Command Headquarters! A new report just dropped, and it's got some serious bombshells about the process of deciding where this high-tech hub should land.

GAO Report Highlights Shortfalls

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report requested by U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, detailing issues with the reversal of the original decision to locate the Space Command HQ at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Remember when it was all set to be in Huntsville?

What Went Wrong?

Apparently, the Air Force's selection process didn't exactly follow the playbook. The report suggests there were failures in sticking to "Analysis of Alternatives" (AOA) best practices, which are supposed to ensure fairness and transparency. The GAO basically said these best practices are crucial for unbiased decision-making.

Report Details

The report dives into the period between May 2022 and July 2023, examining the Air Force's reevaluation process and whether it followed those key AOA best practices. While the Air Force did incorporate some elements, the GAO found persistent shortfalls, especially in how selection criteria were weighted.

Huntsville's Hope

Even with this messy situation, many expect the new Air Force Secretary to ultimately bring the Space Command HQ back to Huntsville. But for now, it's all still up in the air!

Congressman Strong Champions Small Businesses in Huntsville Chat

Congressman Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) recently joined Adam Thompson of Americans for Prosperity-Alabama for a lively discussion in Huntsville. The topic? The crucial role small businesses play in our economy, both for owners and their hardworking employees!

Strong's Small Business Roots

Strong knows firsthand the ins and outs of running a small business. "I came from a small business," he shared, emphasizing the difference between signing the front versus the back of a check. His family's ventures included a gas station/grocery store and a fleet of charter buses crisscrossing the nation!

The Backbone of America

The Congressman didn't mince words, calling small businesses "the foundation block of America." He highlighted the direct link between hard work and reward, allowing owners to better care for their teams. He acknowledged the challenges of quarterly taxes and navigating regulations, stressing the need to "get America back to its roots" by supporting small businesses.

Work Ethic & Economic Growth

For Strong, the success of small businesses hinges on good old-fashioned work ethic. He's all about "putting more in the people's back pocket" to fuel economic growth and bringing businesses back to the USA. His goal? To get able-bodied Americans off the sidelines and contributing!

A Word of Caution on the "Big, Beautiful Bill"

Referencing President Trump's signature legislation, Strong urged caution, reminding everyone that "We're not till the goal line yet!" He stressed that final passage requires not just the House, but also the Senate and the President's signature. Patience, folks! We're not there yet!

What's The Current Job Market For Sale Bunk Bed Professionals? | #bunk bed uk

What Can Hinder Online Business Success? | #build your online business personality

Softball Gear And Baseball Gear Advice For New Parents | #proper batting mechanics