
West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, February 5, 2025. This is the 36th day of the year with 329 remaining.
In today's Edition of Morning Briefing
- Morning Observations (Opinion)
- Weather
- Topping the News
- Topping the Sports News
Morning Observations:
The 2025 session of the Alabama Legislature got underway yesterday as the gavel fell in both legislative chambers. Then last night lawmakers got their marching orders from Governor Kay Ivey as the delivered her eighth State of the State Address since becoming governor.
As expected, Ivey declared the state of the state as strong. She praised improvements in education, infrastructure, economic development and in the increased percentage of Alabamians working.
Then the 80-year-old chief executive turned to her legislative agenda for the session. Her top priorities are public safety, support for law enforcement and continued improvements in education.
The top priority for the governor is her "Back the Blue" slate of legislative bills.
Ivey endorsed a legislative package aimed at increasing penalties for felons caught with firearms; expanding the list of offenses covered by Aniah’s Law, allowing judges to deny bond to those arrested for violent offenses, and banning Glock switches, which convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons.
“To back the blue, we will provide law enforcement with enhanced legal protections that allow them to carry out their duties courageously and effectively without fear of Monday morning quarterbacking in the courts,” Ivey said.
The "Glock Switch" ban is support for a Democrat bill that failed to get enough GOP support in the senate the last two years. With the chief executive's backing, it may pass this time.
Ivey also backed President Trump's roundup and deportation of illegal immigrants. She called it the “top security concern of every American,” adding that “securing the southern border is securing Alabama’s border.”
The main criticism from Democrats was that the speech's lacked specificity on how she is going to achieve her goals. They also voiced concern over the speech not placing emphasis on healthcare shortfalls, especially on hospital closures and financial difficulties.
Greensboro Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton is giving tentative backing to Ivey's get tough on crime bills, but he wants more specifics, “I want protection in my community, just like anyone else. But I want to make sure that what’s in that package is going to be something that we can live with in our communities,” he told reporters.
The biggest sticking point may well be Ivey's proposed additional legal protection for law enforcement. Some Democrats worry that the proposals could grant police too much immunity from violent actions.
There are two contentious bills proposed by the governor. One identifies gender as man or woman only. The other would ban smart phones in schools. Whatever their fate, they are sure to be challenged in court.
The constitutional reason for the legislative session each year is to pass the state's budgets. Ivey called for “responsible budgets that do not grow government” and continued investment in job creation.
“The people of Alabama deserve our very best,” she said. “Future generations of Alabamians deserve our hardest work today. This is our opportunity—so let’s not waste a moment.”
The curtain is up, the actors are on stage, and it should be high drama and a little humor on "Goat Hill" through May 15th.
(Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Weather:
A Dense Fog Advisory has burned off but moving in are Increasing clouds with scattered showers and some thunderstorms, generally near and north of the I20/59 corridor. Scattered showers are possible south of there. Any rainfall will help reduce drought conditions.
There is a Limited Risk for lightning across all of West Alabama today with an Elevated Risk covering Northern Pickens, most of Lamar and West Fayette counties.
The Forecast:

Topping the News:
Singleton also wanted to hear more about improving healthcare from the governor last night. He is concerned that more hospitals could close and/or face extreme financial problems this year. He warns it is not just rural hospitals that are struggling.
This week Jackson Hospital and Clinic in Montgomery announced a bankruptcy filing in the face of defaulting on $60 million in debt. Jackson blamed the state’s refusal to expand Medicaid as one of the key factors behind the hospital’s current financial struggles.
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Developers missed earlier deadlines, but the city council's Administration and Police Committee has recommended passage by the full council.
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Topping Sports News:
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