Land Trust Gets a Big Boost!

Looks like the Land Trust of North Alabama is one step closer to opening their awesome new Nature Discovery Center, thanks to a major contribution!

Senator Livingston Steps Up

State Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) chipped in a whopping $50,000 to help make this dream a reality.

"A Vital Step"

Caroline Kennedy, the Capital Campaign Director, is beyond thrilled! She says Senator Livingston's support is "a vital step" in creating a space that everyone in the region can enjoy.

What's the Nature Discovery Center All About?

Get ready for hands-on exhibits, outdoor classrooms, and programs galore! The Nature Discovery Center is all about getting folks connected with North Alabama's incredible natural world. It's the Land Trust's way of inspiring the next generation of nature lovers!

Courtesy of 256 Today

Big News for Mental Wellness in Alabama!

Longleaf Recovery & Wellness is spreading the love (and much-needed mental health support!) by expanding its Mental Health Wellness Program to Huntsville and Baldwin County! This is HUGE for folks who need accessible, top-notch care.

What's the Buzz?

These new spots are bringing services that are usually tough to find outside a hospital setting. We're talking serious support for anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, and all sorts of mental health challenges.

Real Care, Real Life

"Too many Alabamians miss out on the mental health care they need," says Colin Harris, CEO of Longleaf Recovery & Wellness. "We're meeting people where they are, offering real clinical care without uprooting their lives." Sounds pretty awesome, right?

Intensive Support, Flexible Options

Longleaf's expanded programs include Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) care – think of it as a bridge between weekly therapy and full inpatient treatment. That means individual therapy, group counseling, psychiatric care, medication management, and personalized wellness plans!

Caring Professionals, Community Focus

Each center boasts a team of licensed professionals trained in trauma-informed care. They're all about supporting emotional and psychological recovery while letting you keep up with work, family, and everyday life. With flexible scheduling and a community vibe, these new Huntsville and Baldwin County centers are stepping up to meet the growing need for accessible mental health treatment across Alabama.

Troopers Tee Off for a Cause!

The Alabama State Trooper Association (ASTA) is hitting the links to support their own! They're rallying around two troopers battling cancer, either directly or as caregivers, and they're doing it with a golf tournament!

Golfing for Good

On June 11th, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill in Prattville will host a charity golf tournament. Every single penny raised will go straight to the troopers' families, helping ease their financial burdens during this tough time.

More Than Just a Game

"This is more than just a game—it’s a chance to come together as a community and show our support for our fellow colleagues during this difficult time," ASTA posted on Facebook. "Whether you’re an avid golfer or just want to make a difference, we hope you will join us!"

Don't Miss Out!

Registration closes May 16th, so dust off those clubs and sign up ASAP!

Comey's Cryptic Seashells?

Remember James Comey, the ex-FBI director? Word on the street is he snapped a pic of seashells arranged to spell out "8647" on a beach! Some folks interpreted this as a veiled threat against Trump. Supposedly, Comey played coy, leading to an FBI probe. Seriously?

Aderholt's Rx for Healthcare

Alabama's own Rep. Robert Aderholt is pushing RFK Jr. to focus on fixing American healthcare. Aderholt's urging for systemic reforms—more than just throwing money at the problem—and champions innovation and access for all. Makes sense, right?

GOP Confidence Soars

Looks like Republicans are feeling pretty good these days. A recent Rasmussen poll showed a whopping 52% of voters trust the GOP more than the Dems in Congress. This is great news for them as Trump continues to push his agenda.

Birthright Citizenship Under Fire?

The Supreme Court is diving headfirst into a constitutional showdown. They're considering Trump's proposal to end birthright citizenship via executive action, and the whole mess with nationwide injunctions. This is gonna be a big one!

Hemp Hassle in Alabama

Potheads and hemp retailers are fuming! Alabama's new law giving the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board control over hemp products is being blasted as "cruel" and economically devastating. Get ready for a legal fight!

Tuberville Shrugs Off Rumors

Senator Tommy Tuberville is playing it cool. He's brushing off media buzz about a possible 2026 run for governor. He says it's "nothing new" and wants to focus on his Senate duties. And he is brushing off more stock trading stories.

Trump's Middle East Moves

Trump's making waves in the Middle East! We're talking billions in defense deals, trade agreements, and sanctions relief. Oh, and military pay raises, too! The kicker? Even former Biden officials and the media are giving him props for it. Whoa!

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

Brasfield & Gorrie Doubles Down on Birmingham!

Big news, ChumCity! Birmingham's own Brasfield & Gorrie just got bigger and better with a massive expansion of their headquarters in the Lakeview District. We're talking a $18.9 million investment into a brand-new, three-story, 28,500-square-foot space!

Commitment to the Magic City

Founded right here in 1964, Brasfield & Gorrie has been exceeding expectations in construction for decades. This expansion isn't just about square footage; it's a testament to their unwavering commitment to Birmingham.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

The new headquarters is already making waves. It's responsible for creating 64 new Birmingham jobs, and they're on track to smash their goal of adding 85 HQ positions within five years. Amazing!

Leaders Speak Out

"I’m energized by the company’s growth, and we’re collectively committed to Birmingham," says CEO Rob Blalock. They're invested in the communities they serve across eight states, and this expansion shows their dedication to their hometown.

Supported by the Community

This expansion was made possible with the help of the City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, and the State of Alabama. Talk about teamwork making the dream work!

Pylon Building Group's Big Win

The construction was spearheaded by Pylon Building Group, Brasfield & Gorrie's subsidiary. Pylon President Reggie Torbor expressed gratitude for the project, noting its importance to Pylon's growth as an independent company.

By the Numbers

Brasfield & Gorrie now employs roughly 1,400 folks at their Birmingham HQ and over 4,100 nationwide! With $6.4 billion in revenue in 2024, they're sitting pretty as the 22nd largest contractor on Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 list.

Building More Than Buildings

But wait, there's more! Brasfield & Gorrie isn't just building structures; they're building careers. They recently opened a Field Training Center near Irondale, offering accredited training and certifications to employees. Now that's investing in your people!

NIL Era Stirring the Pot in College Athletics

College sports are morphing faster than ever, and the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era is a HUGE reason why. Basically, it's a legit pay-for-play world now, forcing programs to hustle for serious cash just to stay competitive.

Barkley Weighs In

Where's all this moolah coming from? Mostly deep-pocketed donors, like Auburn's own legend, Charles Barkley. But Chuck ain't shy about setting expectations straight.

"Stupidest Thing I've Ever Heard"

Barkley recently spoke his mind, saying folks are expecting way too much from him financially. Talking to WJOX-FM, he dropped this truth bomb: "I’ve given more money to Auburn, legal or illegal, than any athlete in the history of the school." He even admitted to giving before NIL was a thing! But the idea he's gonna drop millions every year just to keep Auburn competitive? "That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard."

Keeping It Real

Never one to mince words, Barkley made it clear he's not going broke to fund Auburn's sports ambitions. "Black and broke don’t work," he quipped, adding, "I plan to stay that way...I'm not going to give them millions of dollars every year so we can be good at sports. That’s just stupid."

Honoring Our Heroes: Alabama's Backing the Blue

As National Police Week wraps up, let's give a shout-out to some seriously awesome moves from our Legislature. They've been working overtime this session to show some major love to our incredible law enforcement officers. Think: stronger support, better recruitment, and a safer Alabama all around, thanks to the Safe Alabama Package!

Supporting Law Enforcement Families

One thing I'm super stoked to have helped with is the Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship Act, championed by Rep. Allen Treadaway (R–Morris), who knows his stuff from his days as Birmingham's Assistant Police Chief.

Let's be real, behind every badge is a family cheering them on. Our officers are moms, dads, husbands, and wives, all putting their lives on the line every day to protect us.

This act would have helped those families put their kids and spouses through college or trade school with a "last-dollar" scholarship – basically, covering what's left after federal aid, up to $3,000. The House gave it the thumbs up, but the Senate stalled. Don't worry, though! It's coming back next session with even more support.

Ending Anti-Police Shenanigans

Another bill that was WAY overdue aimed to put the brakes on frivolous lawsuits against our officers.

After talking with tons of law enforcement folks, one thing was crystal clear: they're hesitant to do their jobs for fear of being slapped with a lawsuit or investigation.

They just don't feel supported enough to fully enforce the law. The Back the Blue Protection Act puts an end to that nonsense, offering stronger legal protection for officers acting within the lines of the law. They shouldn't be sweating a courtroom just for doing their duty and keeping us safe! Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) was a total champ, pushing this through every step of the way.

Cracking Down on Crime

Public safety is everything! Sadly, some areas are struggling with crime. But get this: a task force of city, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies has been crushing it in the River Region, ramping up police presence and taking a proactive stance.

The Montgomery Area Crime Suppression Unit has been on fire. They've done thousands of traffic stops, served hundreds of arrest warrants, and made a ton of arrests. Plus, they've seized drugs, guns, cash, and recovered stolen vehicles. HUGE impact!

That's why the Legislature's funding the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to make this a full-time, statewide unit called the Alabama Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit. They'll have dedicated troopers partnering with local agencies to target violent crime hotspots and go after the bad guys!

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

All of this is thanks to partnerships with awesome leaders like Governor Kay Ivey, ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor, Montgomery Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, Alabama Sheriffs Association President Hoss Mack, and all the House members with law enforcement backgrounds.

Together, these efforts – and others in the Safe Alabama Package – show our rock-solid commitment to public safety and solidify Alabama as a state that truly backs the blue!

Nathaniel Ledbetter is the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives.

Wahl Rallies Republicans in Madison

Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl fired up the crowd at the 5th Congressional District ALGOP meeting this week, laying out his vision for the party's future and tackling media bias head-on.

Taking on the "Liberal Media"

Wahl directly addressed a recent AL.com column questioning whether he even possessed an Alabama driver's license. The article became a talking point at the meeting, with attendees decrying it as "another example of biased media" targeting conservative leaders.

Wahl's Response

"These hit pieces are absolute rubbish," Wahl declared, calling out the writer as an "extremely liberal writer" pushing an agenda.

Proof in Hand

Responding to a playful question, Wahl dramatically produced his Alabama driver's license, earning laughter and applause from the room.

Standing Firm

Wahl emphasized the importance of unwavering commitment to conservative values, regardless of criticism. He slammed "liberal reporters" for disliking the Republican Party's support for Donald Trump and his stance on protecting children in libraries. "They hate me because they know I won't back down and I won't surrender!" he exclaimed.

Fighting "Wokeness"

The chairman reiterated his dedication to combating "wokeness" in public institutions, especially schools and libraries.

The Library Battle

Joking about his appointment to the state library board, Wahl praised the Alabama Public Library Service's new definition of sexually explicit content. He vowed to remove inappropriate material from children's sections, emphasizing the need to "put parents back in control."

A Call to Action

Wahl concluded by thanking local party members and urging them to continue fighting for conservative values. "If we are going to save this country, it's going to take freedom fighters like you," he stated. "Thank you for being part of the Alabama GOP and standing for Alabama values."

Regions Tradition Kicks Off in the Magic City!

The annual Regions Tradition pro-am teed off Wednesday at Greystone Golf and Country Club, and it was a blast!

Celebs and Champions!

The event brought together a mix of big names, from college sports heroes to political figures and even some country music stars, all hitting the links alongside pros from the Champions Tour.

Oats on the Green (Sort Of)

Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats is a regular at the Tradition, but he had a hilarious confession about his golf game.

The Magic Number: 100

Oats joked that his golfing goals are similar to his coaching aspirations: reaching 100! "My goal in coaching and my goal in golf is very similar — 100 is the number," he quipped. "If we don't get to 100, I'm a little disappointed. My goal in golf is similar, it's just I'm trying to get down to 100 instead of up to 100...I'm not a very good golfer, so 100 is the number."

Let's hope Coach Oats' team keeps racking up the points, and maybe one day his golf score will catch up!

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