Alabama News

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How Katie Britt came to be one of the US Senate’s ‘most effective leaders’

Just hours after Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the new Defense Secretary, Alabama’s U.S. Senator Katie Britt reached out to him on social media regarding an Air Force instructional video about the Tuskegee Airmen.

Britt expressed confidence that Hegseth would “correct and get to the bottom of the malicious compliance” seen in recent days.

Hegseth publicly responded within 20 minutes, assuring the senator the situation would be resolved.

By Monday, the Air Force confirmed the story of the Tuskegee Airmen will be part of basic military training, and recognition was given to Britt for her swift action in quashing the brief controversy.

“Kudos to my friend @SenKatieBritt and leadership at the Pentagon for recognizing the importance of the Tuskegee Airmen,” tweeted Mississippi U.S. Senator Roger Wicker on Tuesday.

Britt’s handling of this bipartisan dispute could preview her elevated role in the Senate during the second Trump administration.

Later this week, she is expected to join Trump for the signing of the Laken Riley Act, a bill she sponsored enabling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain unauthorized immigrants arrested and accused of certain crimes like burglary and theft.

“Senator Britt, in record time, has established herself as not only one of the most effective leaders we’ve ever seen from the Senate in this state, but one of the most effective leaders in the Senate, period,” said Angi Horn, a Republican Party strategist based in the Montgomery area.

“She is someone who is trusted, respected, and is seen not just as a woman or someone from Alabama, but as one of the hardest workers and most policy-intelligent people in the body.”

Tuskegee commitment

Britt’s actions in restoring the Tuskegee Airmen video demonstrate her ongoing commitment to honoring the historic all-Black military fighters who played a crucial role in integrating the segregated military during World War II.

It also highlights her work in securing federal funding for the predominately Black and Democratic-voting Tuskegee area.

Britt, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee last August, announced a $5.29 million federal award to Tuskegee University to support a new flight school degree program aimed at reducing an industry-wide pilot shortage.

University president Mark Brown praised the effort and Britt’s backing in addressing the pilot shortage, just as the Tuskegee Airmen did during World War II.

All of the nearly 1,000 Black military pilots were trained in Tuskegee, which today consists of 8,700 residents and is 87% Black. It’s also the heart of Macon County, where the largest percentage of voters in Alabama backed Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris during November’s presidential election.

Months later, Britt was the first Republican to defend the Tuskegee Airmen from perceived attempts to undermine President Donald Trump’s executive orders limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

“Her political radar and her political antenna shows a high level of maturity,” said Jess Brown, a retired political science professor at Athens State University and a long-time observer of Alabama state politics.

“I think she was clearly, in the terms of public opinion, on the right side of that issue. I would imagine that when she raised the issue, Hegseth knew intuitively, that given the (racial) composition of the Armed Forces, that I cannot be seen as anti-Black veterans. That’s the road they could have potentially gone down with that.”

While Democrats have acknowledged Britt’s role in resolving the controversy, they also criticized Trump for creating confusion around his executive orders. Still, figures like U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, thanked Britt and Hegseth for addressing the issue on social media.

“This is a different generation of leaders,” said Brent Buchanan, a Republican pollster based in Alabama.

“They’re connected. They’re listening. Senator Britt is also a very amenable, likable, relatable person who builds actual friendships, the way the Senate and government in general used to work.”

Senate growth

Britt, 42, took office on Jan. 3, 2023, and is currently 85th in Senate seniority.

But she also has seats on some powerful committees, including Senate Appropriations and Senate Rules. On Appropriations, she’s a ranking member of the Homeland Security subcommittee, and has made immigration reform a top priority.

Her work on the Laken Riley Act was called the “most significant” immigration enforcement legislation since 1996, according to state Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, in an AL.com Op-ed.

Britt, former chief of staff under retired Senator Richard Shelby and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, remains viewed as a rising star among Republican lawmakers in Congress.

This comes less than a year after a controversial response to the State of the Union Address delivered inside her kitchen that was met with criticism and mockery.

During the speech, Britt cited an unnamed woman who had told her that she was “sex trafficked by the cartels starting at the age of 12,” while criticizing President Joe Biden’s immigration policy.

A journalist later identified the woman as someone whose tragic experience occurred in 2004, when George W. Bush was president.

Trump, however, praised Britt’s speech, posting on Truth Social that she was “GREAT” in contrast to Biden’s delivery during his State of the Union address. Months later, Britt joined Trump at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Alabama-Georgia game.

That speech aside, Brown said it’s Britt’s savvy in the Senate that is generating bipartisan acclaim, and right-wing approval – much in the same way as her predecessor, Shelby, the legendary earmarker.

Brown said Britt’s recent comments during the California wildfire were reassuring to both Democrats and Republicans, telling state residents affected by the devastation that they have the support of Congress.

Her comments came one day after Alabama’s other U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville suggested California doesn’t deserve federal support unless they “changed their ways.”

“She handled it in a way that, in my view, won’t cause the members of the California delegation to just have rage in their spirit when they hear her name and the references to the state of Alabama,” Brown said.

“She manifested a degree of some compassion on what happened out there in a way that some other senators did not.”

He said that same approach is winning key votes on legislation embraced by Trump. The Laken Riley Act will be the first of the bills Trump will sign into law since he was inaugurated.

“I’m not so sure if Tuberville had a bill honoring motherhood, he could get 10 Democrats to co-sponsor him,” Brown said. “She is maintaining relationships with people from not only the R’s but some, if not several, D-sides of the aisle.”

Horn said that Britt, her committee assignments, and illustrate a profile that Alabamians should embrace.

“If the U.S. Senate had a draft, there would be 49 other states trying to get her right now,” Horn said. “That’s just the truth.”

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ESPN projects next season’s CFP; Here’s where Alabama stands

It’s never too early to look ahead to next year’s College Football Playoff, even if the first edition of the 12-team postseason just ended.

Good news, Crimson Tide fans, at least one publication has your Alabama team on schedule for a postseason run.

ESPN took a look at what season’s CFP will look like and had this to say about Kalen DeBoer’s team:

“Alabama is in because I’m giving Kalen DeBoer a mulligan,” Bill Connelly writes. “The Crimson Tide suffered a couple of statistically fluky losses while stumbling to 9-4 last season — they averaged 6.1 yards per play against Vanderbilt and Michigan and allowed 4.3 but fell to both teams — and though the Bama offense cratered late in the season, DeBoer’s offensive track record is strong, and he was working with inherited personnel. Bama will have an inexperienced QB in 2025, but everyone should understand each other a bit more, and the talent levels will still be ridiculously high. That gives the Tide the edge over a Florida team with another brutal schedule, a Tennessee team with a rebuilding offense, an A&M team with a rebuilding defense and, well, a rebuilding Ole Miss.”

Check out the criteria ESPN used for the projections.

Alabama’s season ended with a loss to Michigan for the second year in a row. The Wolverines and the Crimson Tide (9-4, No. 11 CFP) met in a College Football Playoff semifinal at last season’s Rose Bowl, with Michigan winning on the way to capturing the national championship.

This season’s 19-13 loss in the ReliaQuest Bowl ended Alabama’s string of 16 consecutive seasons with double-digit wins. DeBoer inherited the streak from seven-time national championship-winning coach Nick Saban, who retired after last season.

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Blue Origin scrubs planned New Shepard rocket launch

Blue Origin scrubbed a planned launch of its New Shepard rocket Tuesday due to persistent cloud cover at the west Texas launch site.

In a post on social media, the company said an additional issue with the rocket’s avionics was discovered during the 90-minute-plus launch hold. No further details were given, and a rescheduled launch window was not immediately announced.

Earlier this month, the company, founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, launched its first New Glenn heavy-lift vehicle, a milestone in its plans to contribute to NASA’s Artemis moon program. Blue Origin builds and tests its rocket engines in Huntsville. Some of its engines are also used on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rockets.

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How parents, providers can apply for Alabama’s new child care tax credit, $15 million available

If you are an Alabama parent or caretaker, own a business or child care facility, there may be new financial child care resources available to you.

In 2024, Gov. Kay Ivey signed the “Working for Alabama” legislative package, which included a state child care tax credit bill that legislators said will help increase the state’s low labor force participation rate. Eligible businesses and child care facilities can apply now.

“The goal was really to create support for expansion, improvement and operation of child care facilities and really targeting underserved areas and working families,” Kim Cochran, spokesperson of the Women’s Foundation of Alabama, told AL.com.

“This is an example of good public policy. The legislature did its part, advocates and organizations across the state supported it, the governor signed it into law. However, it is only as strong as its utilization and take up rate. In order for this tax credit to work in the way it was intended, it has to be utilized by businesses and child care facilities.”

As many as 19% of working parents in Alabama said they had to miss work due to child care issues, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found in 2021. In 2022, almost 85,000 Alabama families needed access to child care but had no affordable, quality options in their communities, according to the Women’s Foundation of Alabama.

The state tax credit is different from similar federal tax credit programs.

What you need to know about the Alabama child care tax credit:

The Alabama Child Care Tax Credit law was created to incentivize investments in child care infrastructure and services and increase accessibility and quality.

The law targets businesses and child care facilities in an effort to improve workforce participation by ensuring parents and caretakers have accessible child care when they are at work.

The Alabama Child Care Tax Credit law contains tax credits for employers and child care providers.

There is a priority allocation that ensures a portion of funds are reserved for small businesses, child care providers in rural areas and nonprofit providers in rural areas.

The law provides a tax incentive to Alabama employers who support their employees’ child care needs by offering financial assistance for child care expenses or establishing and operating child care facilities for their employees with children five years old or younger.

An employer can claim a tax credit for 75% of the eligible child care expenses. And small businesses with fewer than 25 employees are eligible to claim a credit for 100% of their eligible expenses.

An employer is eligible to receive a tax credit for qualifying expenses up to $600,000 per year.

The tax credit has an annual aggregate cap at $15 million for 2025, $17.5 million for 2026 and $20 million for 2027, of which 25% of each annual cap is reserved for small businesses and businesses in rural areas.

The law also provides a tax incentive to Alabama child care providers who own and operate a qualified child care facility licensed by the Alabama Department of Human Resources and participate in the Quality Rating and Improvement System and Child Care Subsidy Program.

According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, an eligible employer and child care provider may receive a tax credit of up to $25,000 per year to be used for:

• Income taxes
• State portion of the financial institution excise tax
• Insurance premiums tax
• Utility license tax

The credit will be based on the average monthly number of eligible children enrolled in the program and the facility’s quality rating under the Alabama Quality STARS program:

• Five-star rating: $2,000 per child.
• Four-star rating: $1,750 per child.
• Three-star rating: $1,500 per child.
• Two-star rating: $1,250 per child.
• One-star rating: $1,000 per child.

Additional resources for employers and child care providers are available on the Women’s Foundation of Alabama website.

For parents and caretakers, the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit helps working parents offset the cost of child care. However, the current Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit benefit levels were set in 2001 and have not been adjusted with inflation or the current cost of child care, according to the First Five Years Fund.

How to apply for the Alabama child care tax credit as a provider or parent:

The tax credit is applicable beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2027.

Starting March 1, 2025, eligible employers and child care providers can reserve their credit allocations through My Alabama Taxes.

Once a credit is reserved, employers and child care providers must submit documentation of their qualifying expenses to claim the refund on their tax returns.

Child care providers must provide documentation including ownership verification, quality rating of the facility and the average number of eligible children attending each facility monthly for the calendar year.

Employers must provide documentation including receipts, contracts with child care providers and payroll records.

It is best to file early, as the tax credit is first-come, first-serve.

Additional questions regarding how to apply for the employer and child care facility tax credit can be directed to [email protected].

If you are a parent or caretaker and paid someone to care for your child so you, and your spouse if filing jointly, could work or look for work, you can apply for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.

The credit is calculated based on your income and a percentage of expenses that you incur for the care of qualifying children to enable you to go to work, look for work or attend school.

To claim a Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, complete Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses and include the form when you file your federal income tax return. You will need to provide a valid taxpayer identification number, such as a social security number, for each qualifying person.

For more information about the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, visit the First Five Years Fund website.

For more information on how to apply for a tax credit as a parent or caretaker, visit the IRS website.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry out of Pro Bowl Games

After leading the AFC in rushing yards in 2024, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry will not be with the conference’s team for the Pro Bowl Games.

On Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills announced running back James Cook had replaced Henry on the Pro Bowl roster. No reason was given for Henry’s absence.

Henry becomes the second former Alabama player replaced for this week’s Pro Bowl Games. Chosen as an NFC guard, Landon Dickerson will not be at the all-star event because the Philadelphia Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl.

RELATED: EAGLES’ LANDON DICKERSON, CAM JURGENS: ‘THEY’RE TOUGH AS – I ALMOST CUSSED’

In his first season with the Ravens, Henry ran for 1,921 yards – the 11th-highest single-season total in NFL history – on 325 carries in 2024. He tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns. With two TD receptions, Henry set the franchise single-season record for touchdowns with 18. Henry had 19 receptions for 193 yards in 2024.

Henry followed his regular-season output by running for 270 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries in two NFL playoff games.

RELATED: RAVENS COACH WON’T ‘SECOND GUESS’ USE OF DERRICK HENRY IN POSTSEASON LOSS

Henry led the AFC in rushing yards for the second straight season and fourth time in the past six years. He was the runner-up in 2022 and finished fifth in 2021, when a broken foot limited him to eight regular-season games. Henry also had the second-most rushing yards in the AFC in 2018. In 2019 and 2020, Henry also led the NFL in rushing yards.

Henry has been selected for five Pro Bowls.

The original Pro Bowl selections included 11 players from Alabama high school and colleges. In addition to Henry and Dickerson, the players with Alabama football roots picked for the Pro Bowl Games included:

• Detroit Lions strong safety Brian Branch (Alabama)
• Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville)
• Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama)
• Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama)
• Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Alabama)
• Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (Alabama)
• Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)
• Green Bay Packers free safety Xavier McKinney (Alabama)
• Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Alabama)

Since the original selections, New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama) has been added to the AFC roster to replace Chris Jones, who is headed to the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 7-on-7 flag football game featuring the Pro Bowl players will be held on Sunday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, as the culmination of a multi-day AFC vs. NFC competition in which all-stars will demonstrate their football and non-football skills in a variety of competitions.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

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Alabama school employee tells coworkers how to protect students from ICE agents: ‘Do no harm’

An internal email has been retracted after Mobile Public School Systems employee provided directives for keeping children safe if an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid occurred on a school campus.

In the email obtained by WKRG, the worker advised other school employees to let families know they will not be penalized if their children are kept at home.

The employee then provides a list of things to do in case ICE comes to a school campus including to, “do no harm,” “be a helper” and “text me on my cell if ICE shows up anywhere closeby.”

Terrence Mixon, MCPSS Assistant Superintendent, provided a statement saying the email was retracted and said it was sent without MCPSS Leadership approval.

“This is now a personnel matter that will be handled according to our policies and procedure,” Mixon said.

Mixon added that MCPSS will follow federal mandates if federal agents were to come onto any of the school systems campuses.

“As always, MCPSS will follow all federal mandates, to include dealing with federal agents when and if they come onto any of our campuses,” Mixon said.

“All students are to report to school daily, and no authorization has been given stating that students will not be penalized for unexcused absences. We will continue to follow our normal enrollment and withdrawal procedures through our Student Support Services Division.”

The anxiety around whether ICE will conduct raids or operations at schools was fueled by President Donald Trump’s administration rescinding a policy that created “protected areas” from immigration authorities.

This designation restricted agencies from conducting raids and arresting people at schools, churches and other protected locations.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the policy change stating in a press release, “criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said Monday that he would help ICE, “in any way he can,” as the agency begins ramping up its nationwide immigration crackdown.

AL.com contacted ICE for comment but have not received a response.

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Target just dropped a motherlode of deals on Apple iPads

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New $1.4 million downtown park honors unsung Mobile civil rights leader

Officials plan to celebrate the opening Wednesday morning of a new downtown Mobile park celebrating the fight for civil rights in the city.

In November 2023, city and county leaders broke ground on the planned Isom Clemon Civil Rights Park. It’s a roughly triangular lot at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Hamilton Avenue and Congress Street; the property is owned by the city and the investment of about $1.4 million to develop it has come from the downtown TIF (tax improvement fund), the City of Mobile, the Mobile County Commission and other sources. It’s across from the longtime home of International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1410, founded in 1936 to represent African American dock workers.

As a longtime leader of the union and a founder of the Alabama Democratic Conference, Clemon was a leader in the push to win civil rights in general, and voting rights in particular, for Black citizens of Mobile County. The union hall was a critical meeting place as that effort moved forward.

At the groundbreaking, Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood said it was sad that more people weren’t familiar with Clemon’s legacy. “His story is the heart of the story of ILA Local 1410,” she said at the time. “It is the story of voting rights and civil rights in Mobile County. Just to have this time and this place to do that, I think is just extraordinary.”

The park is part of a larger plan to develop a Mobile County Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage District along MLK Avenue, a corridor that boasted a thriving community of Black-owned businesses prior to desegregation, when it was named Jefferson Davis Avenue.

Among other related landmarks, the new park is close to the former Davis Avenue Branch library, a much smaller clone of the Ben May Main Library built when Black patrons were excluded from the larger facility. That building has been turned into the Historic Avenue Cultural Center, which serves as an exhibition and gathering space.

The dedication ceremony for Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park will take place at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Historic Avenue Cultural Center, 564 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

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‘Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta’ season 12 episode 18: How to watch, where to stream free

Season 12 episode 18 ofLove & Hip Hop: Atlanta is set to premiere on MTV Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 8/7c.

During this week’s new episode, momma Dee invites a surprise guest to the palace so she can find out what to expect now that Scrappy’s expecting.

Meanwhile, Zane finds himself in a royal mess after Amy spills the tea about his ladies in London.

Where can I watch Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta season 12?

Those without a regular cable subscription can still live stream new episodes of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta on Tuesdays with Philo, Fubo or DirecTV Stream.

All three streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers who watch for free before committing to a paid subscription. However, Philo is the cheapest option at $28 a month after its 7-day free trial.

What is Philo?

Philo is considered one of the cheaper live streaming services available as it allows users to stream over 70 live TV channels for just $28 a month after its free trial.

Popular channels offered with Philo include the Hallmark Channel, MTV, AMC, HGTV, History Channel, Discovery Channel, CMT, TLC, BET and more.

The streaming service also offers unlimited DVR along with various movies and TV shows users can watch on-demand.

What is Fubo?

Fubois also an alternative to basic cable, but with better channel options that Philo does not offer.

Fubo considers itself a sports-focused streaming service, but overall, its standard package comes with over 100 live channels for $79.99 a month after its free trial. These channels include ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, TLC, MTV and much more.

Fubo also comes with a variety of shows and movies users can watch on-demand along with the option to record your favorite TV shows.

What is DirecTV Stream?

DirecTV Stream is similar to Fubo in that it offers many of the same channels and features. At $101.98 a month after its free trial, the base package comes with a little over 75 live TV channels.

Those interested can check out all of DirecTV Stream’s channel packages here.

What is Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta about?

The official series description for Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta is as follows:

The second installment in VH1′s (now MTV’s) “Love & Hip Hop” docu-soap franchise takes to Atlanta the tale of striving for stardom in the rap game while trying to survive relationship and family struggles.

The Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta cast includes Mimi Faust, the ex-girlfriend of Grammy-winning producer Stevie J; Trinidadian R&B singer Karlie Redd; “raptress” Jessica Dime; and Atlanta rapper/entrepreneur Rasheeda. The competition to take the next step in the careers of these fiery women is fierce, and they’re not about to let any obstacle — be it personal or professional — stand in their way.

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This Skechers sneaker is the perfect On Cloud dupe, and it’s on sale

Skechers has rolled out a surprisingly stylish sneaker that features easy slip-on technology, and it just so happens to be on sale.

This week, DSW is offering 25% off Skechers sneakers. This sale includes a markdown on the Sketchers Glide-Step Altus Sneaker in Natural Beige that is on sale for just $78 compared to the usual $105.

RELATED: DSW is offering a major deal on Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS 23 running shoe

The Skechers Glide-Step Altus Sneaker gives a similar look to the popular On Cloud running shoes, but comes with a comfortability level that On typically does not offer. Tying one’s shoes is also a thing of the past its Skechers exclusive Heel Pillow™.

Those who shop this shoe at its regular price can also find them in extended sizes on Skechers website along with more colors/designs to choose from.

“Break the mold in easy-wearing cushioned comfort wearing Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins®: Glide-Step® Altus. Designed with our exclusive Heel Pillow™, this sporty slip-on vegan style features a Stretch Fit® engineered mesh upper with adjustable laces, a Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam® comfort insole, and a Glide-Step® geometric cushioned midsole,” the product descriptionstates.

Those interested in this deal can checkout the full rundown on DSW’s website here.

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