Weekly News Update
7. Governor Kay Ivey has extended an invitation to Alabama students to join the third annual summer reading initiative aimed at bolstering their literacy skills while offering rewards like tablets and gift cards.
6. Birmingham saw a notable reduction in murders in 2025 compared to the previous year, though the city still experienced some violent incidents, including a nightclub shooting that left two injured this past weekend.
5. Alabama lawmakers, including Senators Arthur O. (R-Decatur), Parker Moore (R-Hartsell), and Arnie Yarborough (R-Trinity), signed a pledge with Moms for Liberty regarding parental rights. This week, the group is welcoming U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) for an online event, stirring some discussions, to say the least.
4. A federal judge ordered the release of Kilmer Abrego Garcia, noted for his serious criminal activities. In a similar case, another judge granted release to anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, who received backing from U.S. lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
3. President Donald Trump authorized military operations against Iran, reportedly to disrupt its nuclear enrichment program. This has sparked varied reactions within GOP circles, with some members voicing grievances, while others joined Democrats for a vote on the matter.
2. As of now, Iran hasn’t retaliated following the U.S. strikes. There are concerns that the open borders under the Biden administration may have allowed vulnerable situations for Iran to respond. Both Russia and China claim to be prepared to supply nuclear weapons to Iran, adding to the tension.
1. Alabama Republicans in Washington have praised President Trump’s decisive military strike on Iran. Senator Robert Adderholt (R-Haleyville) emphasized that Iran wouldn’t think twice about using nuclear weapons against the U.S., while Senator Mike Rogers (R-Saks) branded any retaliation by Iran a “significant mistake.”
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