Double-swatted
It’s old news that U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s Auburn home was swatted on Christmas Day 2023.
“Swatting” is making fake calls to authorities to try to get a response from law enforcement. Think false reports of active shooters and SWAT teams surrounding the house of a public official. The troubles that can cause are obvious: It costs public resources, it can put first-responders and others in a dangerous situation, and, for the people causing the mischief, it could mean terrorism and false-report charges.
Now, AL.com’s John Sharp reports that Tuberville’s home in South Walton, Florida, was also the target of a swatting just a few hours before the one in Auburn.
The report from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said a male voice that “sounded Russian” reported that, at Tuberville’s residence, a woman had been shot in the head with an AR-15, a man was tied up inside, and someone was demanding $10,000.
That call was made shortly after 5 p.m. Tuberville was not present at the time, but he arrived back at his beach home around 6:37 p.m. The swatting incident in Auburn happened later that night.
Walton County authorities believe the swatter might’ve been an 18-year-old from California who has since been sentenced to 48 months in prison for crimes in connection to hundreds of swatting and threatening calls.
Tuberville is co-sponsoring legislation that would impose strict federal penalties against swatters. Penalties would include 20 years in prison for a swatting attack that causes somebody to be seriously hurt.
Defending Fetterman
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, an Enterprise Republican, has voiced her support for colleague John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, in the face of scrutiny of his mental health and criticism of his willingness to part with party, reports AL.com’s Patrick Darrington.
That his voting with Republicans has rankled Democrats is no surprise in increasingly “you’re either with us or against us” Washington. His state of mind is a subject again after news reports last week: The Associated Press reported on an outburst at a meeting in which Fetterman reportedly asked why everybody hates him, and New York Magazine cited staffers and advisers questioning his mental fitness.
Britt and Fetterman both were elected to the Senate in 2022 and have developed a friendship. Britt took to social media to say that Fetterman “is a tremendous friend and colleague. It’s a complete disgrace what agenda-driven members of the media and his own party are doing to attack him, all because he dares to be an independent thinker and voice. Proud to stand with John.”
Defending Fetterman
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, an Enterprise Republican, has voiced her support for colleague John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, in the face of scrutiny of his mental health and criticism of his willingness to part with party, reports AL.com’s Patrick Darrington.
That his voting with Republicans has rankled Democrats is no surprise in increasingly “you’re either with us or against us” Washington.
His state of mind is a subject again after news reports last week: The Associated Press reported on an outburst at a meeting in which Fetterman reportedly asked why everybody hates him, and New York Magazine cited staffers and advisers questioning his mental fitness.
Britt and Fetterman both were elected to the Senate in 2022 and have developed a friendship. Britt took to social media to say that Fetterman “is a tremendous friend and colleague. It’s a complete disgrace what agenda-driven members of the media and his own party are doing to attack him, all because he dares to be an independent thinker and voice. Proud to stand with John.”
A timely gift
An Emmy Award winner has donated a million dollars to Talladega College, reports AL.com’s Hannah Denham.
S. Epatha Merkerson may be best known for playing Lt. Van Buren on Law & Order. She’s also been Sharon Goodwin on Chicago Med and Reba the Mail Lady on Peewee’s Playhouse.
She was the keynote speaker for the HBCU’s commencement on May 4, and the school gave her an honorary doctorate.
The school has struggled financially in recent years but recently secured a $15 million loan.
Talladega College’s 2023 budget was $34 million, according to the college’s Year in Review, so a million is nothing to sniff at.
Quoting
“Please consider kindness before attacking meteorologists for words or graphics that describe ‘the Gulf.’ We are just trying to forecast the weather and tell you when dangerous storms are coming.”
ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann, in a Facebook post.
Today’s Barkley-ism
“I don’t even think that’s controversial … I don’t wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don’t wanna hear it. I’m not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn’t play sports against woman. I’m done.”
Charles Barkley, on Outkick’s “Don’t @ Me With Dan Dakich,” explaining that he is supportive of the transgender community but doesn’t believe biological males should be permitted to play in women’s sports.
More Alabama News
Alabama News Quiz results/answers
Overall results:
Five out of five: 44.1%
Four out of five: 39.7%
Three out of five: 12.3%
Two out of five: 2.7%
One out of five: 1.1%
None out of five: 0.0%
Similar to Amber alerts, these cellphone messages have been approved by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Shark-attack alerts (CORRECT) 96.2%
Cases of eastern equine encephalitis 1.9%
Kangaroo sightings 1.1%
Quarter-by-quarter scores during the Iron Bowl 0.8%
While an RFK Jr.-sparked debate simmers over fluoridation of water systems, how many of Alabama’s largest 10 cities add fluoride to their water?
All ten (CORRECT) 65.5%
Eight 15.1%
Four 14.5%
None 4.9%
Demolition is underway on this long-time Alabama venue that has hosted major music acts since the 1980s.
Oak Mountain Amphitheater (CORRECT) 87.9%
Legion Field 4.4%
Montgomery Performing Arts Center 4.4%
Wharf Amphitheater 3.3%
It’s been reported that former Alabama football coach Nick Saban may soon serve in this group.
Presidential Commission on College Athletics (CORRECT) 91.5%
College Football Playoff Selection Committee 7.4%
Department of Government Efficiency 1.1%
Future Farmers of America 0.0%
What’s the name of the bill signed into law by Gov. Ivey that prohibits the use of cellphones in public-school classrooms?
FOCUS Act (CORRECT) 81.9%
ENGAGE Act 8.8%
SMARTER Act 8.8%
Bring Back the 1980s Law 0.5%
Born on This Date
In 1943, guitarist David Walker of Montgomery. He was an original member of Gary Lewis and the Playboys.
The podcast
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