It was another contentious political week (aren’t they all these days?), so fittingly this Friday installment will include a couple items related to Sen. Tommy Tuberville. But we’ll also bring you some alligators new to get you in the mood to jump in that summer swimming hole of yours.

The secretary and the senator

After U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reached out to Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama to try to arrange a meeting about his blocking military promotions, CNN reported that Austin, who’s a retired general from Mobile, was told the senator didn’t have time to meet at any point through the weekend.

But the two did speak over the phone on Thursday after all, the network later reported, and they are planning to speak again next week.

There have been no reports of progress being made toward a resolution. Tuberville has said he’ll block high-level military promotions until either the Defense Department ends its policy of paying for service members to travel for out-of-state for abortions, or Congress votes the policy in.

President Biden again criticized Tuberville on Thursday, calling his tactic “totally irresponsible” and accusing the senator of jeopardizing national security.Also in jeopardy is any chance those two will be exchanging Christmas cards this year.

Huntsville gators

Alligators keep making a splash in the Huntsville area.

Back in May there was an unconfirmed report of a gator killing a golden retriever.

And now, AL.com’s Paul Gattis reports that there’s concern over at least three gators that’ve been hanging out in a south Huntsville neighborhood.

Residents say the reptiles are becoming more bold about moving around their properties.

And that raises a point: Don’t feed gators. They’re remarkably smart and quickly learn where to expect a meal, and you don’t want them to lose their fear of you..

By the Numbers

10

Philip Rivers and his wife, Tiffany, have enough young’ns to nearly field a football team.

Rivers is the former NFL quarterback from North Alabama who now coaches at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope.

Tiffany is due to deliver child No. 10 in October, reports AL.com’s Ben Thomas.

Dad said they’re expecting a boy. That boy will plenty of trouble — I mean company — at home in the form of siblings ages 4 to 21.

Quoting

“This is outrageous. If they wanted to find the culprit, they could. Drug test the entire White House staff right now.”

— U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, after the Secret Serviced closed its investigation into a baggie of cocaine that was found at the White House.

More Alabama news

Born on this date

In 1975, country singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson of Montgomery.

The podcast

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