Senators Aim to Stop the Scroll with New Legislation

In a move timed with Mental Health Awareness Month, Senators Katie Britt and John Fetterman are back with the "Stop the Scroll Act," hoping to shield Americans from social media's darker side.

Warning Labels Incoming?

Remember those Surgeon General warnings on cigarette packs? The idea here is similar. This bill aims to slap warning labels onto social media platforms, highlighting the potential mental health pitfalls of endless scrolling.

Britt's Take: Knowledge is Power

Senator Britt emphasizes that this isn't just about scaring people. It's about arming them with knowledge and providing resources. "This simple solution," she says, "will help parents and kids thrive." The goal is to empower users to address any mental health challenges arising from social media use.

Fetterman's Fatherly Concerns

Senator Fetterman, a father of three, is passionate about this issue. He sees the impact firsthand: "Addiction, anxiety, depression, and suicide rates are on the rise, and it’s directly linked to these platforms." He believes it's time for our laws to catch up.

How Would It Work?

The Surgeon General would craft the warning label, and the FTC would bring it to life. Imagine logging into your favorite app and being greeted by a pop-up box warning you about potential mental health risks. You'd have to acknowledge the warning before diving in. And the best part? It would point you to helpful resources if you're struggling.

ChumCity Bites: Alabama's Buzz

Here's a quick roundup of what's been shaking in Alabama:

Fluoride Fiasco

Turns out, ditching fluoride in six Alabama cities led to some not-so-peachy outcomes for the kiddos' teeth. Ouch!

Tuberville Stands with Rubio

Senator Tommy Tuberville hopped to Marco Rubio's defense after some seriously heated hearings, championing Rubio's commitment to good ol' American values and sticking to the promises voters wanted.

MTG Sparks Mayhem in Huntsville

Marjorie Taylor Greene's Huntsville shindig with Moms for Liberty stirred up a hornet's nest on Reddit. We're talking threats of violence (ew!) and attempts to sabotage the event. Of course, the media's playing it cool, downplaying the bad vibes.

Redistricting Rumble Continues

Alabama's Attorney General Steve Marshall thinks a Supreme Court decision in Louisiana could throw a wrench in Alabama's never-ending redistricting saga. Buckle up, folks, this one's gonna be a long ride.

Gator Gone

A 10-foot gator that got a little too close for comfort to a young girl in Huntsville was put down. Naturally, the gator activists came out swinging, defending the prehistoric chomper like it was their own kin.

ICE Encounter in Foley

A construction worker's claiming ICE wrongly snagged him during an immigration raid in Foley. The Trump crew says he was resisting arrest, but, you know, the usual suspects are screaming about how we gotta let everyone go because accountability is apparently a dirty word these days.

Trump's Memorial Day Message

President Trump's Memorial Day shout-out included calling his opponents "scum." Predictable, right? Cue the outrage and pearl-clutching. Business as usual, folks.

Your ChumCity Insider

Dale Jackson, the brains behind Yellowhammer News and WVNN's morning talk show (5-9 a.m. weekdays), keeping you in the loop!

Foley Mayor Announces Re-Election Bid!

Mayor Ralph Hellmich, a Foley native, is throwing his hat in the ring for another term! He made the announcement late last week, looking to continue his leadership of the city.

From Council to Mayor

Hellmich isn't new to the game. He served on Foley's city council starting in 2004, before becoming mayor in 2020. Before his time in city government, he spent almost four decades with the State of Alabama Oil and Gas Board.

Making a Difference

"I’m excited to officially announce that I’m running for re-election," Hellmich said on Facebook. He highlighted progress made over the past five years, including upgraded intersections, improved public safety, school investments, and park expansions.

"Your Mayor. Your Voice."

Despite Foley's growth, Hellmich believes there's more to do. His campaign message, "Your Mayor. Your Voice.," emphasizes his commitment to being accessible and responsive, always putting Foley residents first. He aims to keep Foley safe, thriving, and welcoming, preserving its uniqueness while planning for the future.

Focusing on Key Areas

Hellmich's campaign focuses on Infrastructure, Public Safety, Education, and Quality of Life. Under his leadership, Foley has already upgraded intersections and boosted pedestrian safety, not to mention investing in modern fire equipment and police technology.

Campaign Kickoff!

The campaign officially launches June 5th at The Hotel Magnolia, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mark your calendars!

Election Day

Election Day is August 26 at the Foley Civic Center. Don't forget to vote!

Decatur Mayoral Race Heats Up!

Longtime Decatur City Councilman Billy Jackson has thrown his hat in the ring for mayor! Get ready, Decatur, because the race to lead our city is officially ON!

Jackson's Ready for the Top Spot

Jackson, representing District 1 since way back in '96, is the council's seasoned vet. This Austin High and Alabama A&M grad is a Decatur lifer. He says his years on the council have given him the inside scoop on what makes Decatur tick – and what needs a little (or a lot!) of work.

Priorities and Promises

So, what's Jackson's plan? He's talking about fixing our infrastructure, tackling homelessness, expanding mental health resources, and boosting the local economy. He's also promising more transparency and accountability in City Hall, saying he'll start by setting clear expectations with department heads.

Why Now?

Jackson told WHNT News 19 he's been thinking about a mayoral run for a while, but recent events pushed him to go for it. He's concerned about what he sees as a leadership void and a lack of openness, leading to a disconnect with us, the community.

The Field is Crowded!

Jackson's announcement follows Mayor Tab Bowling's decision not to seek re-election. But Jackson's not alone! Planning Commission Chairman Kent Lawrence, Personnel Board Member Suzie Wiley, and former City Councilman Butch Matthews are also vying for the top spot. Plus, local businessman Justin Weil just bowed out and endorsed Jackson, citing their shared vision for Decatur.

Mark Your Calendars!

Decatur voters, get ready to head to the polls on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, to choose our next mayor! It's gonna be a wild ride!

Tuberville to Toss Hat in Guv's Ring?

Hold on to your hats, ChumCityizens! Word on the street is that U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) is about to announce his bid for Alabama governor this afternoon! That's right, folks, we could be looking at a wide-open Senate seat come 2026, and things are about to get interesting.

Ainsworth Out of the Running?

Remember all that buzz about Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth potentially gunning for the top spot or Tuberville's Senate seat? Well, pump the brakes! Ainsworth has officially nixed any Senate dreams and ruled out a run for governor. So, who's next in line?

Marshall Mulling a Senate Run?

Enter Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall! He recently hinted that his future is tied to Tuberville's decision. On Alabama Public Television’s "Capitol Journal," Marshall stated he wouldn't challenge Tuberville for Senate. But if Coach T throws his hat in the gubernatorial ring? That's when the fun begins!

AG Experience a Senate Launchpad?

Marshall feels his time as Attorney General has prepped him to represent Alabamians in D.C., highlighting the many cases and issues that have overlapped with Washington matters. He’s been "pretty aggressive in asserting Alabama’s interest," he claims.

Waiting on the Dominoes

So, what's Marshall's next move? He's playing it cool, saying he'll decide after Tuberville makes his announcement. "There’s an interest there," he confessed, "but we’ll wait and see what Coach Tuberville does, and then be prepared to answer that question fully as the dominoes fall."

CFP Playoff Seeding Gets a Major Overhaul!

Hold on to your helmets, folks! The College Football Playoff is shaking things up this season with a brand-new seeding system. Forget about automatic byes for conference champs! The CFP is ditching that old model and moving to a straight-up seeding system, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

What Changed?

Remember all that head-scratching over teams snagging byes despite less-than-stellar resumes? (Looking at you, Boise State and Arizona State!) Well, the CFP seems to have heard the grumbles. They're tossing out the old rules, even though the current agreement only has one year left.

Why Now?

Everyone thought this change was coming in 2026 with the expanded playoff. But nope! The CFP is rolling it out now, making this year's 12-team playoff potentially the most exciting and fair yet.

Last Year's Field: A Glimpse of What Could Have Been

On3 shared a mock-up of what last season's bracket would have looked like with the new seeding. It makes way more sense, right?

What About Penn State?

Last year, Penn State snagged the cushy No. 5 seed despite losing the Big Ten title game. They cruised to the semi-finals thanks to those easy bye-week wins. Under the new system, they'd have faced a much tougher road, battling the winner of Clemson and Notre Dame right off the bat.

Could the Outcome Be Different?

While the ultimate champion might still be the same, this new seeding promises some seriously intriguing and exciting matchups. Imagine the possibilities!

Get Ready for a Wild Ride!

The next six months are going to be a roller coaster as teams jockey for position. One thing's for sure: the playoff field will be seeded in a way that's both equitable and reflects the true strength of the teams. Buckle up, ChumCity! This is gonna be good!

Is DOGE Dead? Think Again!

Elon Musk may be focusing on his other ventures, and some folks are saying DOGE is done for, but hold on! DOGE represents a crucial challenge to the way Washington loves to spend our money.

The Spending Problem Isn't Small

Let's be clear: DOGE alone can't magically slash trillions in spending. Congress controls the purse strings, approving a whopping $1.8 trillion in discretionary spending annually, on top of the $5 trillion in entitlements and interest. Massive cuts require Congressional action.

More Than Just a Number

Musk's talk of a $2 trillion cut wasn't about just finding a number, it was about identifying wasteful spending. But this is not DOGE's singular contribution. Senator Rand Paul's annual Festivus report spotlights waste, and Senator William Proxmire did the same with his Golden Fleece awards.

DOGE's Secret Weapon: AI!

DOGE's real power lies in two key areas. First, it is using AI to track all the ways our money is being misspent. The sheer size of the Federal government makes this an almost impossible task for regular folks.

Leveling the Playing Field

AI analysis of Federal databases puts the power of information back in our hands, challenging the "deep state" bureaucrats. This gives fiscal conservatives like Senator Paul and Representative Massie a serious new weapon in the fight for fiscal responsibility.

The Political Game of Spending

To understand if anything will actually change, we have to look at the political forces that encourage spending. It's all about the political equilibrium – the balance between those who favor and oppose spending.

Spending = Support

Politicians get votes and campaign cash by spending money. People love "free stuff," and Congress is happy to play Santa Claus... with our money!

Taxes vs. Spending: A Lose-Lose Situation?

Nobody likes taxes, so raising them creates political backlash. Politicians prefer to spend without taxing, which threatens our financial stability. Look at the state bankruptcies of the 1830s or city bankruptcies after the Civil War.

Winners and Losers

Spending benefits a small, targeted group who clearly see the benefits (think Social Security recipients). Taxes, on the other hand, hit a broad range of people and businesses. Figuring out who actually pays those business taxes is even trickier.

The Allure of Spending

Spending $1 million gets politicians more political gain than $1 million in taxes costs them politically. Plus, spending can benefit politicians and their families directly. This makes them even less interested in cutting back!

Disrupting the Equilibrium

We need to disrupt the current system to take back control of our spending. How? There's no easy answer. Javier Milei in Argentina has shown dramatic action can work, and DOGE's unconventional approach has had some success.

DOGE's Impact So Far

USAID and parts of the Department of Education have seen major cuts. Seventy-five thousand Federal employees took DOGE's buyout, and thousands of probationary workers were let go. Reports say DOGE has cut $160 billion (though Congress or the courts could restore it). These cuts hit programs that progressives use to push their agenda.

Targeting Progressive Agendas

For example, grants to progressive NGOs funded lawsuits that blocked new factories and pushed progressive cultural values. Universities used overhead charges on NIH research grants to fund "woke" administrators.

The Path Forward: Recission Bills & Refunds!

Going forward, DOGE should prepare annual recission bills for Congress, which ultimately decides on spending cuts. Returning some of those savings (maybe 20%) to taxpayers as refunds would generate new support for spending cuts. While deficit reduction is key, combining spending cuts with refunds is a powerful strategy.

Time to Disrupt!

Uncle Sam spends $7 trillion and owes over $36 trillion because politics rewards spending, not fiscal responsibility. Musk and DOGE deserve serious credit for trying to shake things up and disrupt Washington's spending addiction.

Huntsville Considers Sewer Rate Hike After 20 Years!

Get ready for a change, ChumCity! Huntsville is mulling over its first sewer rate increase in two decades. The city wants to pump some much-needed cash into upgrading our sewer collection system and those five wastewater treatment facilities we've got.

What's the Deal?

Right now, the average residential sewer bill is $24.15 a month. The proposal would bump that up to $29.15. But hey, even with the jump, we'd still be way below the Alabama average of $52.14 a month!

Gradual Changes

Hold onto your hats! Starting in 2026, expect a little dollar bump each month, every year, until 2034. By then, your average bill will be $39.15 – still cheaper than what most Alabamans are shelling out right now.

Why the Increase?

Huntsville says the rate change will help fund a massive $150 million infrastructure investment over the next 10 years. Think new pipes, updated systems – the works!

Age is Just a Number (Except for Sewer Systems!)

Let's face it, our wastewater infrastructure is getting a bit… vintage. Some of it dates back to the 1950s! Reinvesting keeps things running smoothly, meets all the regulations, and prevents some, uh, unpleasant surprises.

Mark Your Calendars!

The proposal was introduced at Thursday's City Council meeting, and the big vote is happening on June 12th. Stay tuned!

Lt. Governor Ainsworth Hails Pro-Military Legislation!

Alabama's Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth is giving a massive shout-out to state lawmakers after a productive legislative session in Montgomery! He's especially stoked about the passage of a powerhouse package of pro-military bills. These new laws are designed to benefit Alabama's service members, veterans, and their families for years to come!

A Moral Obligation?

Ainsworth says this legislation is a vital step in fulfilling what he sees as a "moral obligation" to those who've served and continue to serve our nation. He emphasized the importance of supporting the men and women in uniform, past and present, and their families.

Making Alabama Military-Friendly!

The goal? To make Alabama the most military-friendly state in the entire country! Here's a quick rundown of some key bills:

• Alabama Veterans Resource Center: Helping vets transition to civilian life with job services, benefits info, education, and mental health support.
• Expanding Veterans Treatment Courts: Giving veterans a helping hand in the justice system.
• Easier School Enrollment: Allowing military families to use existing medical records for school vaccinations.
• Protecting Military Bases: Updating the Military Planning Act to prevent construction near military installations.
• Combating Predatory Practices: Shielding veterans from scams when seeking benefits.
• Purple Star Schools Program Expansion: Letting private schools get involved in supporting military families.
• Interstate Compacts: Making it easier for military spouses in respiratory care and school psychology to get licensed in Alabama.
• Alabama Military Stability Commission Update: Keeping this important group up-to-date.
• Supporting the 117th Air Refueling Wing: Showing love for the KC-46A aircraft in Birmingham.
• Updating the Alabama Code of Military Justice: Ensuring things are squared away with the Alabama National Guard.
• Legal Services for National Guard Personnel: Clarifying the ability of Judge Advocate Generals to provide legal help.

Basically, Alabama is doubling down on its commitment to our military community! Way to go, Alabama!

Longshore and McKnight: Back in Action!

John and Barry roared back from Memorial Day with a show absolutely stuffed with college baseball and football chatter!

Barry kicked things off, venting about Troy getting snubbed from the NCAA baseball tourney. He thinks it shows how tough it is for Group of Five schools to muscle their way in over the big dogs. Meanwhile, Auburn snagged a sweet No. 4 national seed! Brian Matthews from AuburnSports.com joined the party, crediting the Tigers' rise to a killer schedule, roster revamp, and roaring home crowd. "They've shattered attendance records four years running!" Brian exclaimed. Home-field advantage is REAL.

SEC Tournament Throwdown!

Vanderbilt and Ole Miss slugged it out in the SEC Tournament finale in Hoover, AL. Vandy jumped out to an early lead and hung on tight, even with Ole Miss's late-inning surge.

SEC Football Shenanigans

The guys then dove headfirst into SEC football spring meetings. They dissected potential tweaks to the non-conference schedule and the possibility of a nine-game conference gauntlet. Commissioner Sankey's words were carefully analyzed, and they even dared to dream about a 16-team playoff by 2026. Plus, a quick recruiting update and a check-in on Auburn freshman guard Tahod Pettiford's NBA decision!