A packed and emotionally charged zoning board meeting this week in Hoover, Alabama, ended with <a href="https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2025/12/heated-alabama-zoning-meeting-ends-with-rejection-of-islamic-school-plan.html?outputType=amp">unanimous rejection</a> of a proposal to relocate a Muslim K-12 school.
The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission <a href="https://hooversun.com/news/hoover-zoning-board-votes-against-islamic-academy-in-meadow-/">voted</a> 7-0 to deny rezoning the property on Corporate Drive from office use to accommodate the Islamic Academy of Alabama, citing concerns about traffic congestion, adherence to long-term city development plans, and the precedent such a zoning change might set. The meeting drew nearly 200 residents, filling the city council chamber and spilling into hallways as opponents voiced their objections — some focused on practical issues, others on cultural unease.
The potential move has sparked both practical and cultural debate in the community.
Several residents insisted their opposition stemmed from concern over already clogged roads. Meadowbrook resident Nancy Cooper pointed out that six schools serving more than 5,600 students already feed traffic into Highway 119, often turning it into what she called “a parking lot.” A petition opposing the plan gathered over 1,700 signatures. “It’s not about religion,” said resident Jeff Wilson, who started the petition. “It’s about traffic.”
Some attendees held signs warning of an Islamic “100-year plan” and comparing Hoover’s future to the Muslim-majority city of Dearborn, Michigan. Others openly suggested the school’s presence would drive away business or hurt property values.
The last speaker read a prepared statement in which she said Muslims had implemented a “long-term cultural takeover” in Britain, drawing applause. Commission Chairman Mike Wood interrupted to say that what she was saying was not germane to the discussion, saying, “We are here to look at whether this school was appropriately placed. We’re not here for that. I’m sorry. We’re not going to listen to that.” Some members of the crowd yelled in response, coming to the woman’s defense.
Though Monday’s vote is only advisory, it sends the proposal to the Hoover City Council, where a final decision will be made.

COLLEGE BASEBALL: MAY 23 SEC Baseball Championship Quarterfinals – Mississippi vs Arkansas

Alabama Town Blocks Islamic Academy From Expanding

Alabama

Islam

Muslim

Former Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones is jumping into the state’s governor’s race, teeing up a rematch between him and Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville. The two first faced off in the 2020 U.S. Senate race, where Tuberville defeated Jones.
Jones was narrowly elected to the Senate in a 2017 special election against Republican Roy Moore, who was facing sexual misconduct accusations during his campaign. But three years later, he lost to Tuberville, who garnered more than 60% of the vote, compared to Jones&#8217;s 39.74% support. In 2022, Jones was the “sherpa” for Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson during her Senate confirmation, according to POLITICO, meaning he guided her through it.
“So I’ve made it official folks: I’ve filed the paperwork to run for Governor of Alabama. It’s time to remind this state of who we are and what we can accomplish together,” Jones, a Clinton-era former federal prosecutor, posted to X on Monday. The Democrat spent more than $32 million compared to Tuberville&#8217;s $8 million in the 2020 race, according to <a href="https://x.com/OpenSecretsDC/status/1993355855446647267?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OpenSecrets</a>.
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Tuberville, the former Auburn University head football coach, announced in May that he would seek to become the next occupant of the Yellowhammer State’s Governor’s Mansion.
“Last time Doug Jones ran against Coach Tuberville, it didn’t go well for Doug,” Mallory Blount Jaspers, Tuberville’s communications director, posted to X.
“Coach has spent the past six months building coalitions across the state, securing endorsements from every key player in Alabama politics, and shattering fundraising records,” she added. “This race is already over — but if Comrade Doug wants to get blown out again, be our guest.”
The last Democratic governor of Alabama was Don Siegelman, who served from 1999 to 2003. If Jones were elected, he would presumably face hefty Republican majorities in both chambers of the Alabama Legislature. Thirty-six states will hold gubernatorial races next year, including highly competitive races in Arizona and Nevada.

Gemini_Generated_Image_qdjwd5qdjwd5qdjw

Tuberville Vs. Jones Again: Alabama Governor’s Race Becomes 2020 Senate Rematch

2026 election

Doug Jones

Elections

Politics

Tommy Tuberville

The University of Alabama at Birmingham football team took the field Saturday afternoon for the final home game of the season despite two players having been stabbed by their teammate earlier that morning at their Football Operations Building.
&#8220;We’re grateful to report that two players injured in an incident this morning at the Football Operations Building are in stable condition. Our thoughts are with them and their families as they recover. The suspect – another player – remains in custody, and an investigation is taking place,&#8221; a UAB spokesperson told The Daily Wire.
&#8220;The team elected to play today’s game. UAB’s top priority remains the safety and well-being of all of our students. Given patient privacy and the ongoing investigation, we have no further comment at this time.”
According to Jefferson County Jail records, Daniel Mincey is in custody with no bond on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault. According to the jail records, UAB campus police arrested Mincey Saturday just before 1:00 p.m. local time.
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1004643" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/mincey-240x300.jpeg" alt="" width="240" height="300" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/mincey-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/mincey-461x576.jpeg 461w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/mincey-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/11/mincey.jpeg 800w" sizes=" (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /></div>
UAB hasn&#8217;t named Mincey as the player involved in the stabbing, nor has the university said whether Mincey is still on the team as of Sunday morning. Mincey is the only UAB football player listed on the jail roster.
Per the UAB football website, Mincey is listed as a redshirt freshman offensive lineman in his first year with the Blazers football program. The Florida native transferred to UAB after one season at the University of Kentucky.
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UAB Athletic Director Mark Ingram hasn&#8217;t addressed the incident that happened at the football facility on Saturday. Instead, UAB&#8217;s interim football coach Alex Mortensen spoke to the media after the 48-18 loss to South Florida.
“I’m going to start with a statement,” Mortensen said. “Before we talk about the game, I do want to address what happened this morning. As you’ve heard, we have one player who is in police custody and two players who are in stable condition after sustaining injuries. More than anything, I’m grateful that those two players are in stable condition. And we will make sure that they have the support that they need. I hope you will join me in lifting them and their families in your thoughts and prayers, as our team is doing right now, too. I also ask that you will please respect their privacy as they deal with what happened.”
Mortensen, who took over the program after UAB fired head coach Trent Dilfer, said the team decided to go through with playing the football game because of the seniors on the team.
&#8220;We spoke as a team, and we spoke with the team, and those guys really wanted to play today, and the conversation went back to the seniors, with today being senior day, they wanted to go play for them, and give them an opportunity to [come] out and compete and play, so that was probably the biggest thing.&#8221;
The two players who were injured haven&#8217;t been identified. Mortensen said counseling is being offered to any player who wants it. The Blazers, who sit 3-8 on the year, have one more game this season on November 29 at Tulsa.

UAB Football Helmet

Alabama Football Player Charged With Attempted Murder After Stabbing Incident

College Football

Crime

U.S.

UAB Football

Former University of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has entered the race for lieutenant governor, saying the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk inspired him to “get off of the sidelines” and serve his state.
&#8220;Alabama&#8217;s conservative and cultural values are under attack from every direction,&#8221; McCarron said in a <a href="https://www.wsfa.com/2025/10/23/former-alabama-qb-aj-mccarron-announces-run-lieutenant-governor/">press release</a> announcing his candidacy. &#8220;That&#8217;s why Charlie Kirk&#8217;s assassination affected so many of us so deeply. His example convinced me to get off of the sidelines, get into the game, and stand tall for our conservative beliefs, so today, I&#8217;m announcing my candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.&#8221;
McCarron was a standout quarterback at the University of Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back BCS National Championships in 2012 and 2013 as a starter. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent several seasons as their backup before brief stints with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons. Most recently, he started at quarterback for the St. Louis BattleHawks in the United Football League.
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McCarron endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2016.
The ex-NFL player is currently working as a college football analyst and co-owns McCarron Real Estate with his wife, Katherine, who was Miss Alabama USA in 2012. They live in Mobile with their three children.
Earlier this year, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), the former head coach at Auburn University, announced he was running for governor of Alabama.
“The Montgomery insiders and career politicians have had their chance. It’s time for political newcomers and outsider candidates like me to lead the battle,” his statement said. “When Coach Tuberville is governor, I’ll be the quarterback who helps pass his conservative outsider agenda.”
Other GOP candidates in the lieutenant governor race include Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, pastor Dean Odle, and Nicole Jones Wadsworth, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46699763/ex-qb-aj-mccarron-running-alabama-lieutenant-governor">ESPN</a>. The state primaries will be held on May 19, 2026.

AJ McCarron

Charlie Kirk Just Inspired A Legendary Alabama Quarterback To Run For Office

Former Alabama QB Announces Bid For Lt Governor, Cites Charlie Kirk As His Inspiration

Charlie Kirk

Football

An LGBT rights attorney has been charged in a federal indictment with lying during a judicial inquiry into whether he and others engaged in &#8220;judge shopping&#8221; in order to challenge Alabama&#8217;s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.
Carl Charles, an attorney at Lambda Legal, was charged in an indictment unsealed on Monday in federal court in Montgomery, Alabama, months after a judge took the rare step of sanctioning him and referring him for a criminal investigation.
It marks a rare instance of charges being brought related to a widespread practice among both liberal and conservative litigants to steer cases challenging government policies to ideologically sympathetic judges.
Federal prosecutors secured the indictment amid a broader push by the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump to investigate providers of medical gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
Charles, who worked in the Justice Department during the tenure of Democratic President Joe Biden, pleaded not guilty on Monday to making a false statement before a court.
Lambda Legal, in a statement, said it stood behind Charles and called the indictment &#8220;an outrageous act of governmental overreach.&#8221; Charles&#8217; lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.
Charles was one of three lawyers sanctioned in February by U.S. District Judge Liles Burke after pursuing legal challenges to Republican-led Alabama&#8217;s ban on the use of puberty-blocking drugs and hormones to treat gender dysphoria in transgender minors.
Burke, a Trump appointee, said the lawyers tried to &#8220;game the system&#8221; by dropping two cases they filed in 2022 when they were assigned to him and then mounting a new legal challenge in a different federal district court in Alabama.
A 2024 report by a three-judge panel that investigated whether the three lawyers engaged in misconduct by attempting to circumvent procedures designed to have cases randomly assigned to a judge found they did so because they viewed Burke as a &#8220;bad draw.&#8221;
The new case was reassigned to Burke, who, despite their concerns, blocked the law&#8217;s enforcement, though an appeals court later reinstated it.
The indictment alleges that during the judicial inquiry, Charles falsely testified that he had not called a judge&#8217;s chambers in April 2022 about the assignment of the lawsuit with which he was involved.
According to Burke&#8217;s ruling, Charles later amended his answers to state he actually called a judge&#8217;s clerk. He apologized for his earlier response.
(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Matthew Lewis)

Brighton Beach Pride march in Brooklyn, New York City

LGBT Rights Lawyer Indicted For Lying During Alabama ‘Judge Shopping’ Inquiry

Children

Donald Trump

LGBT

transgender surgery

President Donald Trump is expected to announce a plan to move the United States Space Force Command Headquarters from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Huntsville, Alabama, on Tuesday.
According to several reports, Trump plans to reverse a Biden-era decision to move the Command HQ to Colorado Springs — a move that was itself a reversal of Trump&#8217;s initial plan to locate the branch&#8217;s command headquarters in Huntsville.
Reuters White House Correspondent Nandita Bose shared the news in a post on X, saying, &#8220;The Trump administration is planning to announce as early as Tuesday that it will relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Huntsville, Alabama, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the deliberations via @MichaelStone The decision would reverse a move made under President Joe Biden&#8217;s administration, which had selected Colorado Springs as the permanent home for the military&#8217;s newest combatant command in 2023.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) &#8211; The Trump administration is planning to announce as early as Tuesday that it will relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Huntsville, Alabama, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the…
— Nandita Bose (@nanditab1) <a href="https://twitter.com/nanditab1/status/1962881908066370016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) suggested the move might be coming soon a week prior to the announcement: &#8220;Space Command coming to Huntsville? Count on it. Huntsville was already chosen once before as the home for U.S. Space Command — and for good reason. I remain confident that Alabama is the right place for this mission to take root and thrive.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Space Command coming to Huntsville? Count on it.
Huntsville was already chosen once before as the home for U.S. Space Command — and for good reason. I remain confident that Alabama is the right place for this mission to take root and thrive. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/alpolitics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#alpolitics</a>
📰: <a href="https://twitter.com/waff48?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@waff48</a> <a href="https://t.co/dU45jWSr7u">pic.twitter.com/dU45jWSr7u</a>
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorKayIvey/status/1961101072052928582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
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A number of Republicans argued that Biden&#8217;s decision to move the Space Force Command HQ from Alabama to Colorado was politically motivated — and part of a concerted effort to only build military installations in states that did not have abortion restrictions.
&#8220;My concern is, it looks like it’s payback from the President of the United States – and payback is a very dangerous game,&#8221; Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) said in 2023 during a hearing about the move with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
Radio host Jeff Hunt suggested that Trump could also be hitting back at Colorado over lawsuits against him and his administration.
&#8220;I&#8217;m not saying Trump is right to move Space Force from Colorado. However, having every statewide official constantly bragging about how many lawsuits they have against the president and a Secretary of State who tried to keep him off the ballot sure didn&#8217;t help the situation,&#8221; he said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I&#8217;m not saying Trump is right to move Space Force from Colorado. However, having every statewide official constantly bragging about how many lawsuits they have against the President and a Secretary of State who tried to keep him off the ballot sure didn&#8217;t help the situation.
— Jeff Hunt (@jeffhunt) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffhunt/status/1962910435734409282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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And OANN White House Correspondent Daniel Baldwin noted that cost could also play a role, saying that Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) had said the move could result in nearly half a billion dollars saved.
&#8220;Moving the Space Force Command from Colorado to Alabama will save taxpayers $420,000,000 per Rep. Mike Rogers,&#8221; Baldwin said. &#8220;Erases a politically motivated move from Biden.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Moving the Space Force Command from Colorado to Alabama will save taxpayers $420,000,000 per Rep. Mike Rogers.
Erases a politically motivated move from Biden.
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/baldwin_daniel_/status/1962899093614739651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Space Force

Trump Plans To Relocate Space Force Command HQ To Red State

Colorado

Military

Military Bases

United States Space Force

Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced on Tuesday that he will run to be the next governor of Alabama.
Tuberville announced his gubernatorial bid from Byron’s Smokehouse in Auburn, Alabama, the same spot he announced his bid for U.S. Senate, his first run for elected office, in 2019. The former longtime college football coach enters the race as the favorite after other notable Republicans passed on entering the race.
“President Trump was a guy that really was behind me in doing the Senate race. He&#8217;s been behind me ever since. And, today, I will announce that I will be the future governor of the great state of Alabama,” Tuberville said during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show.”
Tuberville leaned into his ties to President Donald Trump during his announcement, though the president has yet to make an official endorsement in the Alabama race.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do nationally. I&#8217;m looking forward to that with President Trump. He&#8217;s got us on the right track,” Tuberville continued. “Meantime, I will be running every weekend, doing the things I need to do to make sure that I can get over the threshold and win this governor&#8217;s race, come back to Alabama, and work with President Trump … because he&#8217;s fully supportive of this, to keep making America great again and put Alabama first.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) announces he is running for Governor of Alabama. 
“Today I will announce that I will be the future Governor of the great state of Alabama.”
“I’ve still got 18 months to go with President Trump to Make America Great Again. We’ve got a lot of work… <a href="https://t.co/SfxTyRYEkh">pic.twitter.com/SfxTyRYEkh</a>
&mdash; RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedWave_Press/status/1927461579324264501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tuberville’s announcement has long been expected. Expectations about his eventual candidacy warded off other potential candidates. Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth <a href="https://www.facebook.com/willainsworthAL/posts/pfbid023SfWC35cTtduT4jjN5pRKFnNsH2Q9bYWySrBrfQasKsrnk5ryw31Q8km1XTo7RTxl?rdid=aNURcE1tbwMlobVB#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> last week that he would be forgoing the opportunity to run.
The Alabama gubernatorial race will be to replace outgoing Republican Governor Kay Ivey, who is termed out.
Tuberville began his career in politics toppling Democratic former Sen. Doug Jones from the U.S. Senate in 2020. Jones won a 2017 special election to replace former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who had left the Senate to serve as Trump’s attorney general. Sessions ran to reclaim his old seat in 2020, but lost in the GOP primary to Tuberville.
As for who might replace Tuberville in the Senate, <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/05/27/2025/gop-chatters-about-auburn-coach-bruce-pearl-for-senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Semafor</a> on Tuesday reported that Auburn University&#8217;s men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl seems to be eyeing a run. Pearl is &#8220;an outspoken Israel supporter and opponent of antisemitism,&#8221; Semafor notes.

Tommy Tuberville Announces Run For Governor To ‘Put Alabama First’

U.S. Senate

German automaker Mercedes-Benz announced on Thursday that it will move production of one of its &#8220;core segment&#8221; vehicles to the United States, nearly a month after President Donald Trump&#8217;s 25% tariff on imported vehicles took effect.
Mercedes did not specify which vehicle it will begin producing in the United States, but said that a &#8220;core vehicle segment&#8221; would be manufactured at a factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-01/mercedes-will-move-output-of-key-model-to-us-to-counter-tariffs?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The automotive company plans to shift vehicle assembly to the United States by 2027.
“We are getting even closer to the U.S. customer by localizing a core segment model in Tuscaloosa, strengthening our ties to the North American market where a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, including the GLE and GLS models, have their roots,” <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/01/mercedes-benz-alabama-plant-trump-tariffs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Mercedes-Benz North America CEO Jason Hoff.
The White House celebrated the announcement from Mercedes, saying in a statement, &#8220;Today, Mercedes-Benz announced it will move production of another vehicle to the U.S. — the latest result of President Donald J. Trump’s relentless pursuit of American manufacturing dominance.&#8221;
Mercedes added that the Alabama plant has become &#8220;the global export hub for Mercedes-Benz SUVs.&#8221; The Mercedes GLC sport utility vehicle has become increasingly popular in the United States, seeing a 58% increase in sales last year. Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-01/mercedes-weighs-pulling-us-entry-level-cars-over-trump-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> last month that Mercedes was considering pulling its least expensive vehicles from the U.S. market due to tariffs.
Earlier this week, Trump struck a deal with the auto industry to provide some tariff relief in return for commitments to bring more manufacturing back to the United States. Under new tariff rules, auto manufacturers will continue to pay a 25% tariff on imported vehicles, but they will not be subject to any additional levies, such as those on steel and aluminum.
American auto CEOs thanked Trump for the tariff relief and pledged to continue seeking ways to increase domestic production. Other foreign auto companies have also said they will ramp up investments in the United States following Trump&#8217;s tariffs. Hyundai <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tariffs-very-strongly-work-trump-announces-21-billion-hyundai-investment-in-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a $21 billion investment in the United States over the next four years, starting with a steel plant in Louisiana that is expected to create nearly 1,500 jobs. BMW, another German automaker, is also looking to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2025/04/10/bmw-production-boost-us-plant/83034910007/#:~:text=German%20automaker%20BMW%20BWMG.DE,Research%20and%20confirmed%20by%20BMW.&amp;text=The%20investor%20call%20was%20held,relief%2C%20according%20to%20the%20note." target="_blank" rel="noopener">boost</a> manufacturing in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes Says It Will Make Another Car In The U.S. After Trump Tariffs

Auto Companies

Business

Economy

Tariffs

Auburn University men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl, who led his team to the NCAA Final Four earlier this month, is taking on a new role off the court — chairman of the board of directors for the pro-Israel nonprofit, U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA).
His new role comes after he used his team&#8217;s successful season to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/vocally-pro-israel-coach-leads-auburn-to-the-final-four?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=15&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Vocally+Pro-Israel+Coach+Leads+Auburn+To+The+Final+Four" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promote</a> the release of the 59 hostages still in Hamas captivity, including 21-year-old American Edan Alexander. Pearl will replace former Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), who chaired the House Veterans Affairs Committee from 2017 to 2019 and was the ranking member until 2021.
“I’ve dedicated much of my life to teaching young people about the importance of leadership, values, and understanding different perspectives,” Pearl said in a statement. “My work with USIEA aligns with those principles, and I’m excited to continue building a bridge of understanding between these two great nations.”
<div id="attachment_891963" style="width: 938px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-891963" class="size-large wp-image-891963" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Edan-Alexander-928x576.jpg" alt="This photograph taken on January 21, 2025, shows a poster bearing a portrait of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander held in the Gaza Strip since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas militants. (Photo by AFP)" width="928" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Edan-Alexander-928x576.jpg 928w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Edan-Alexander-300x186.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Edan-Alexander-768x477.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Edan-Alexander.jpg 1000w" sizes=" (max-width: 928px) 100vw, 928px" />Israel-American Edan Alexander was taken hostage by Hamas during the terror group&#8217;s October 7, 2023, massacre. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)</div>
Pearl led the Auburn Tigers to the program&#8217;s first-ever Final Four appearance and has been a <a href="https://auburntigers.com/staff/bruce-pearl">head coach</a> for 29 seasons, with his teams advancing to the NCAA Tournament 22 times.
He and his wife, Brandy, first became acquainted with USIEA when he went on the group’s 2019 Partners Tour to Israel, during which participants had high-level briefings on Israeli defense, artificial intelligence, and U.S.-Israel foreign policy.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/israel-heats-up-ground-offensive-in-gaza-in-effort-to-pressure-hamas-to-return-hostages" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ISRAEL HEATS UP GROUND OFFENSIVE IN GAZA IN EFFORT TO PRESSURE HAMAS TO RETURN HOSTAGES</a>
“My experience in Israel was transformative,&#8221; Pearl said. &#8220;I felt it was my responsibility to become more involved in the mission of USIEA and educating senior government leaders in America on the importance of supporting Israel.” 
The 2025 <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-basketball-ap-coach-of-year-1e4d079d3caaab71ad3d9d6848f6f7de">Associated Press</a> College Basketball Coach of the Year — an award he shared with St. John&#8217;s head coach, Rick Pitino — is expected to help USIEA educate and assist government leaders who are involved in advancing U.S.- Israel relations.
<div id="attachment_900387" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-900387" class="size-large wp-image-900387" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/GettyImages-2207690199-864x576.jpg" alt="Bruce Pearl alongside the court while wearing his Auburn University sweater." width="864" height="576" />Auburn University men&#8217;s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl has called for the release of 59 hostages held captive by Hamas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)d</div>
“Since Coach Pearl and Brandy’s involvement with USIEA, we’ve experienced significant growth and interest in our organization, benefiting from the respect and recognition he commands in both the sports world and the broader community,” USIEA Founder and CEO Heather Johnston said. “But most of all, we’ve been inspired by his generosity, passion for Israel, and unwavering commitment to our mission.”
Johnston added that Pearl’s commitment to Israel and love of America are “at the core of his personal beliefs, topics he frequently addresses in interviews.” 
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/university-apologizes-for-inaction-after-students-antisemitic-abuser-pleads-guilty?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=7&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=University+Apologizes+For+Inaction+After+Student’s+Antisemitic+Abuser+Pleads+Guilty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNIVERSITY APOLOGIZES FOR INACTION AFTER STUDENT’S ANTISEMITIC ABUSER PLEADS GUILTY</a>
Pearl said he has shared his journey of advocating for Israel with his team, including having Auburn University become the first Division I basketball team to play against a professional Israeli team. Pearl described the game as “marking a historic moment in both college athletics and U.S.-Israel relations.”
Pearl, who has been wearing a “Bring Them Home” dog tag as a necklace, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/vocally-pro-israel-coach-leads-auburn-to-the-final-four?row=0&amp;elementPosition=6&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;title=Vocally+Pro-Israel+Coach+Leads+Auburn+To+The+Final+Four&amp;category=News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opened</a> a postgame press conference last month by drawing attention to Alexander. 
“I just felt compelled to say his name when I knew everybody was listening and have the discussion,” Pearl <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bruce-pearl-uses-final-four-spotlight-for-american-hostage-edan-alexander-nobody-knows-his-name?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=8&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Bruce+Pearl+Uses+Final+Four+Spotlight+For+American+Hostage+Edan+Alexander%3A+%E2%80%98Nobody+Knows+His+Name%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told The Daily Wire.</a>
“It just bothers me tremendously that people are gonna pay attention to a basketball coach winning a basketball game when we have an American held hostage in Gaza, named Edan Alexander, and nobody knows his name,” he added.
<div id="attachment_808863" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-808863" class="size-large wp-image-808863" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/GettyImages-2177310884-864x576.jpg" alt="Edan Alexander with Ben Shapiro and Donald Trump at the grave of the leader of the Chabad Lubavitcher movement." width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/GettyImages-2177310884-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/GettyImages-2177310884-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/GettyImages-2177310884-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/GettyImages-2177310884-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/GettyImages-2177310884-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/GettyImages-2177310884-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/GettyImages-2177310884-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Edan Alexander&#8217;s family has met with leaders and influential people around the world, including President Donald Trump and Ben Shapiro. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)</div>
Edan was born in Rockville, Maryland, before moving to New Jersey. He joined the Israel Defense Forces after high school and was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/father-of-american-held-by-hamas-adi-alexander-shares-sons-story-at-cpac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taken captive during</a> Hamas’s October 7 massacre while at a small outpost by Kibbutz Nir Oz. He has been seen in Hamas <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hamas-teases-release-of-last-living-american-hostage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">propaganda videos</a>.
Pearl said that he hopes President Donald Trump is close to crafting a deal that will bring home the remaining hostages still in Hamas captivity.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/yarden-bibas-describes-hamas-brutality-thanks-trump-in-first-interview-since-release?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Yarden+Bibas+Describes+Hamas+Brutality%2C+Thanks+Trump+In+First+Interview+Since+Release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YARDEN BIBAS DESCRIBES HAMAS BRUTALITY, THANKS TRUMP IN FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE RELEASE</a>
Following the remarks, Pearl was connected to Alexander’s father, Adi, and learned that his other son, Roy, was a basketball fan.
“He called me and told me just how much it meant to him,” Pearl recalled. “I said, ‘I’d just love to meet you, I don’t know what else I can do for you.’”
Pearl said he decided to bring him to a basketball game that weekend in Atlanta and invited the whole family as his guests.
“I just wanted to spend time with him and just to let him know that they’re not alone,” Pearl said. “There are so many, so many people, including so many American Jews that are praying for him and his family to bring his son home.”

Bruce Pearl and wife Brandy

Star NCAA Coach Bruce Pearl Takes New Role In Pro-Israel Advocacy Group

Celebrities

College basketball

Hostages

Israel

For the first time in 17 years, the four top-seeded teams in the March Madness tournament will meet in the Final Four — and in the same city as the last time it happened.
On Saturday, the University of Florida Gators beat the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Duke University defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide. On Sunday, Auburn defeated two-seed Michigan State, while Houston defeated Tennessee. Florida and Auburn, both from the SEC, will meet in the semifinals, while Houston plays Duke on April 5 at the Alamodome.
Such a matchup hasn&#8217;t happened since 2008, when Kansas, Memphis, North Carolina, and UCLA met in San Antonio. That year, Kansas defeated Memphis to take the crown.
Duke, coached by Jon Scheyer, is favored to win the title, with star freshman Cooper Flagg seeming a probable choice for the most outstanding player.
However, the Blue Devils face a tough match against Houston; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6243379/2025/03/31/final-four-no-1-seeds-duke-auburn-florida-houston/">according</a> to statistical archivist Ken Pomeroy, Duke has the best offense in college basketball, but Houston has the best defense. Additionally, Houston led the country in 3-point shooting, making almost 40% of their shots. One key difference could be Duke’s youth: their frontcourt of four freshmen will face three players who are 22 or older.
Florida, led by star player Walter Clayton Jr., defeated Auburn earlier in the season 90-81/
Duke has won the national title five times, all coached by Mike Mike Krzyzewski, who also brought the team to the finals four times. Florida won the national title in 2006 and 2007 under Coach Billy Donovan. Houston made the finals twice, in 1983 and 1984.
Auburn has never played in a national championship game.

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – Elite Eight – San Francisco

Final Four Is All No. 1 Seeds For Only The Second Time In March Madness History

Basketball

Duke University

NCAA

An Alabama library board member threatened to “involve the authorities” after a local mother reached out to the library with concerns about sexually graphic books that have been available at libraries around the state. 
Last month, Limestone County resident Rachel Homolak reached out to newly-appointed Athens-Limestone Public Library board member Vicki Hereford to flag several sexually explicit books that have been in circulation at public libraries throughout Alabama. In response to the emails, which contained images from the books, Hereford warned Homolak on Sunday to never contact her again and that she would call the authorities if Homolak reached out to again. 
“The disgusting pronographic [sic] material that you chose to send to me twice via email &#8211; UNSOLICITED &#8211; is filth. Because you choose to send this for whatever reason — shock value, perhaps — you are distributing the very material that you say you fight against. I will not meet with you,” Hereford said in a Sunday email shared with The Daily Wire. “Do not contact me via email, phone call or text, or in person again. Any communication from you will be considered harassment and I will be forced to involve the authorities.”
The response came after a pair of emails on February 10 where Homolak flagged two sexually explicit books aimed at kids for Hereford amid a statewide fight between parents and leftist activists over library control. Hereford responded on March 16, after Homolak reached out to see if her messages had been received. Homolak said she just wanted to make Hereford aware of the issues and flag one book that was in circulation at the Athens-Limestone County Public Library. 
Homolak, who used to live in Missouri, previously <a href="https://www.alreporter.com/2024/05/27/alabama-library-critic-led-defamatory-campaign-in-missouri-lawsuit-claims/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made headlines</a> for arguing that male librarians should not be allowed to wear women’s clothing while staffing the children’s sections of libraries. She told The Daily Wire that she was really disappointed with the response because she was hoping to work with Hereford. 
After being contacted by The Daily Wire, Hereford said that she shared a commitment with Homolak to protecting kids from explicit materials. 
“I understand all too well the challenges that families face in seeking to protect and guide our children and grandchildren,” she said. “It is my goal in this service role to ensure that concerns are addressed and particularly that children are protected. While our methods used to reach that goal may be different, I do believe that this parent and I share a commitment to protect children and guide them toward adulthood. One task in support of that goal is to deliver age-appropriate content within our county library to our patrons of all ages.
The two books that Homolak flagged were “Let’s Talk About It,” and “It’s Perfectly Normal.” The latter contains graphic depictions of sex and is <a href="https://alcpl.bywatersolutions.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=89619&amp;query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520It%E2%80%99s%2520perfectly%2520normal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">available</a> in Athens-Limestone County Public Library within the adult section, though the book itself is aimed at kids. 
&#8220;Please take a stand and make sure these vile books stay out of the hands of our children. You have statewide support through the [Alabama Public Library System] so there is no reason to cater to the loud and obnoxious democrat demons in our county. Stand strong and do what is right,” Homolak wrote in her first email. “I will send you more images from other hot topic books that these leftist lunatics push.”
The second email focused on &#8220;It&#8217;s Perfectly Normal,&#8221; which includes illustrations of kids masturbating.
&#8220;This is porn. It also encourages kids to masturbate with illustrations of kids masturbating. Evil. Can you believe that grown adults draw kids masturbating??&#8221; Homolak wrote.
In her response to The Daily Wire, Hereford focused on the email on the book &#8220;Let&#8217;s Talk About It,&#8221; which is available in the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library System.
&#8220;A person within our community sent me disturbing images from a book, Let’s Talk About It, that is not offered in the Athens-Limestone Public Library,&#8221; she said. &#8220;The constituent noted that our library does not carry that book but that other libraries in nearby counties may have it. I checked again with our library staff regarding the book title in question and they confirmed that we do not have that item in the library. That book had been reviewed prior to my appointment, and it was determined that it would not be added to the books available in our library.&#8221;
Last year, the Athens-Limestone County Library was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/inside-the-fight-to-shield-kids-from-graphic-material-in-a-deep-red-state" target="_blank" rel="noopener">embroiled in controversy</a> after a group of activists raised concerns that the county had no representation on the library board, despite organization bylaws. Recently, two county appointees, including Hereford, were appointed to the board, in response to those complaints.
Under new guidelines established by Republican Governor Kay Ivey, the Alabama Public Library System has directed all libraries receiving state funding to implement policies to keep sexually explicit books out of the kids&#8217; sections of libraries. The policies have been opposed by leftist groups, who claim that such policies are akin to book bans and violate free speech.
Other conservative areas across the country have also taken steps to shield kids from explicit content. In Tennessee on Monday, the Rutherford County library board <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-town-faces-down-liberal-protests-votes-to-remove-books-promoting-transgenderism-to-kids" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved a resolution</a> that all books promoting transgenderism to kids should be removed from the shelves.

US-BOOKS-LITTERATURE-CENSORSHIP

An Alabama Mom Complained About Pornographic Kids Books. The Library Threatened To Call The Cops.

Children's Books

LGBTQ

Library

An Alabama drug dealer who was freed from prison after being granted clemency by former President Joe Biden was arrested again this week. 
Willie Frank Peterson, 52, was <a href="https://www.dothanpd.org/2025/03/18/mugshots-of-the-day-03-17-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> on Monday for alleged drug possession and having a gun. He was arrested in Dothan, a city of about 70,000 people in Southeast Alabama. Peterson faces two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, three counts of illegally being in possession of a gun, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 
Peterson was previously freed from prison in January after Biden <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-pamd-1_14-cr-00070/pdf/USCOURTS-pamd-1_14-cr-00070-23.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">granted clemency</a> to thousands of people convicted on drug charges. 
In March 2023, Peterson <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdal/pr/dothan-man-sentenced-federal-tax-evasion-mail-fraud-and-drug-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pled guilty</a> to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and he was later <a href="https://www.wtvy.com/2025/03/18/dothan-man-arrested-weeks-after-biden-commuted-his-sentence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sentenced</a> to 75 months in prison. Biden committed his sentence to 20 months and he was no longer in Bureau of Prison custody as of January 21, 2025. 
According to the Justice Department, Peterson sold cocaine to a man named Kenneth Cherden Glasgow in 2018 and 2019. Glasgow, the half-brother of leftist activist Al Sharpton, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison for tax evasion, mail fraud, and drug charges. 
Peterson’s clemency came as part of Biden’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-commutes-sentences-of-another-2500-drug-offenders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decision</a> to commute the sentences of more than 2,500 drug offenders in his final days in office. 
Biden said that those whose sentences were commuted were “non-violent” offenders who had been given “disproportionately long sentences.” 
“Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice,” Biden said at the time. “With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.”
Biden said the individuals had “received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine” and “outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes.”
That action came after Biden <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-announces-mass-commutations-after-criticism-over-hunter-pardon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commuted</a> the sentences of 1,500 people, issued 39 pardons for individuals convicted of non-violent crimes, and gave a mass pardon for people convicted of marijuana possession.

Screen Shot 2025-03-20 at 7.27.37 AM

Drug Dealer Let Out Of Prison By Biden Charged With More Drug Crimes

Clemency

Cocaine

Drugs

Joe Biden

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