With the Legislative Session cranking up next week, we have AL.com capitol reporter Mike Cason on today to give us a sneak peek. Click here to see stories by Mike Cason. Click here for more politics. First, we have news items on a Trump proclamation that could affect a Birmingham plant, the original Foosackley's, the passing of a former state lawmaker, and where salamander love is stopping traffic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a court case over whether police can make you show identification in some instances (other than during traffic stops). Alabama's November's unemployment figure was better than the U.S.'s. And Alabama Music Hall of Famer Jim McBride has passed away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Tuberville made some claims about Jan. 6 that aren't brand-new and largely reflect what President Trump and pro-Trump activists have been alleging. We'll share them here and along with the context of some established reporting regarding that day. We'll also talk about space spending and hopefully mention Ella Cook's murderer for the final time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hyundai production, UAB Health growth, state political personnel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today let's talk about Alabama reaction to the military action in Venezuela, New Years Eve gunfire in Birmingham and a record for Bo Nix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We'll update Birmingham's homicide total for the year, especially since we leaned into that story so much in '24. Also, there's more security coming to the SNAP program, and it was hard for a lot of people to watch Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a rough flu season that's already had some tragic effects and is being accompanied by cases of a superbug going around. We have the end of the publication of a major southern newspaper. And we have the Crimson Tide going after win number ... well, we'll get to that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have an update on the woman who was sentenced to prison after her stillborn child tested positive for meth. The defense has some new evidence that persuaded a judge to take another look at it. We also have an Alabama city where three out of five city council members were unseated by a court. And we have the latest study on more people choosing to move to the South -- including Alabama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today: the Methodist split that's still dragging out, Philip Rivers, a UPS layoff, hikes and a really cold swim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We'll talk about a possible First Amendment-related case, an AI-related Congressional measure, and a camo ballcap from the 1980s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investigative editor Ashley Remkus will join us to talk about "Stories That Made a Difference in 2025." Here are some links to the stories Ashley highlights: DOGE cuts directly affected Alabama institutions. Hugh Freeze's frequent golfing rounds became big news. Columnist Roy S. Johnson shared his prostate-cancer experience, and people are getting tested. Help arrived for students who didn't have beds to sleep in. A citizen who'd been critical of a small city was arrested ... but then released. In a still-developing story, there have been accusations of parking-ticket entrapment. The parole rate plummeted ... and then the board chair was ousted. Some glaring evidence led a judge to call for a new trial for a Death Row inmate (although the Attorney General's Office is still fighting it). A death sentence was commuted. In Alabama. Seriously. The State Legislature acted quickly after a breastfeeding-jurors story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're talking Christmas history with AL.com's Greg Garrison. Also, we have a couple of news items: One's an update on the SS United States, the big ship that's docked in Mobile. The other is on a rabbi at a historic synagogue planning to leave the state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today: a leadership change related to the world's largest rocket factory, a settlement with Mercedes and an alleged illegal surprise in some kindergartners' candy bags. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have some capital punishment facts and figures, the end of the oyster and red snapper seasons, and a message from the TSA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Christmas week so we'll talk about Christmas weather and the growth of Christmas tree farms. And we have the passing of a Birmingham ballplayer who longtime Braves fans will remember. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports reporter Matt Stahl will give us an unusual take on the college football postseason and what it should or shouldn't look like. We'll also talk about Alabama's playoff game today at Oklahoma. Click here for more reporting from Matt Stahl Also, the suspect in the mass shooting that killed Ella Cook was found and identified. We'll let you know why Space Force flags are flying and how some state legislators are looking to change some geographic names. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're down to one famously sports-related statewide political candidate. We'll tick off the ones that've decided not to run and give you the latest on the one who has stayed on. Also, we have updates on some conservation land, homeless-camp teardowns and L.L. Bean. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have the shooting death of a well-known TV sports reporter Christina Chambers, a canceled diversity policy at a water board, and an update on that Moody High football celebration that landed the program in hot water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we talk about the moon, DEI and why flags are lowered this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's briefing, Alabama lost one of its on in the Brown University shooting on Saturday. Medical cannabis is still a thing here, just taking a while to roll out. And there are sports updates on Philip Rivers and Kalen DeBoer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices