It's a somber anniversary, particularly in Alabama and across the South. It was 15 years ago today when at least 62 tornadoes touched down in Alabama and killed around 250 people. Check the website for more on that today.

Today's report follows. Thanks for reading,

Ike Morgan

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Is sports gambling in Alabama inevitable?

Gambling wasn't seriously discussed during the 2026 Alabama Legislative Session. Of course, that doesn't mean political wheels haven't been spinning.

AL.com's Mike Cason reports that the Sports Betting Alliance has given $2.3 million to Alabama political action committees over the past year. The Sports Betting Alliance includes Bet 365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel. The PACs that receive the contributions distribute the money to political candidates.

In the short term, they may be betting on a longshot. Alabama is one of around a dozen states that hasn't legalized sports betting since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law that lets the states legalize it. And, here, it would require both chambers of the Legislature to pass a proposed constitutional amendment, the governor to sign it and the state's voters to approve it.

A practically annual effort in the Legislature to find support for some combination of lottery, casinos and sports betting has failed year after year.

But in the future, it may not be such a longshot ... if the investments keep coming. Since fundraising for the current legislative races began in May 2025, SV&B PAC has contributed around $750,000 to 80 candidates -- with $20,000 or more going to 11 candidates.

State Sen. Greg Albritton, an Atmore Republican, said he hasn't kept up with how much in campaign contributions he's received from the PAC. Records show it's $42,500.

Albritton not new to supporting some forms of gambling.

“It is illegal, but it’s all over the place here, and particularly the sports gaming,” he said. “Alabama has got to take control of this industry. Alabama’s got to exercise sovereign control here and protect the public in this regard.”

Quoting

“To the anti-American Democrats, it is time to get your head out of your ass and fund our national law enforcement. ALL Americans deserve to live in safety and without fearing for their lives.”

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, well into short-timer status in his current job to negotiate policy outcomes with other senators.

Rail collision

Amtrak said several crew members were injured when the Mardi Gras service and a semi-trailer with an auto rack collided Sunday morning, reports AL.com's Heather Gann.

The company said the crew members were treated at the scene and that there were no reported injuries to the 48 passengers aboard.

The Mardi Gras line runs from Mobile to New Orleans. Amtrak officials said they were returning passengers back to Mobile. Amtrak and local law enforcement are investigating.

Rail in demand (maybe)

Meanwhile, AL.com's Scott Turner reports that the City of Huntsville has approved a nearly $350,000 contract with a company to study the possibility of connecting to an Amtrak-style rail service.

The study is expected, by September 2027, to recommend and prioritize corridors for further study and identify possible places for a train station.

Huntsville Manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning Dennis Madsen said the study isn't about local transit but to involve booming Huntsville with developing national rail plans.

Picture That

Precious little brings joy like a well-tossed mullet. The Interstate Mullet Toss was this weekend at the Flora-Bama Lounge where Alabama's Gulf Coast meets Florida's Gulf Coast. (Photo by AL.com's Will McLelland)

Beware ticks

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth was bitten by a tick on a turkey hunt early this spring, and it turned out even worse than it sounds.

AL.com's Heather Gann reports that Ainsworth said a couple weeks later he tested positive for Rocky Mountain Fever.

Rocky Mountain Fever is the result of a bite from a tick that's been infected with a bacteria known as rickettsia rickettsii (that was fun pronouncing on the podcast).

Symptoms for Rocky Mountain Fever include high fever, headache, lack of appetite, muscle pain or soreness, nausea, vomiting, stomach paint, sensitivity to light and a rash. Later on, you're more likely to have confusion, shortness of breath, anxiety, nervousness or agitation, seizures, numbness or weakness.

According to CDC data, it may be fatal in 5-10% of cases. And the longer you wait to be treated, the worse those odds become.

Fortunately, Ainsworth said a doctor put him on antibiotics and he was fine.

So add Rocky Mountain Fever to Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome on the list of reasons to not get yourself bitten by ticks.

Good insect repellent, treated clothing and checking each other for ticks really well can help you avoid it.

As of deadline we had not heard back from the lieutenant governor regarding whether he at least got a turkey.

More state and national politics

Born on This Date

In 1927, civil-rights activist and the wife of MLK Jr., Coretta Scott King of Perry County.

In 1941, College Football Hall of Famer Lee Roy Jordan of Excel.

Alabama News Quiz

Who has had the highest-paying contract (base salary) with the University of Alabama?

Kalen DeBoer (CORRECT) 80%

Nick Saban 17%

Nate Oats 3%

Big Al 0%

This was seen printed on Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin's t-shirt in an image he shared to social media this week.

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" 9%

"D.A.R.E. to keep kids off drugs" 7%

"Legalize Alabama" (with a pot leaf) (CORRECT) 84%

"Make 7 Up Yours" 0%

Wintzell's Oyster House plans to open a restaurant in this state.

Georgia 23%

Florida 17%

Tennessee (CORRECT) 53%

Mississippi 7%

State health officials say this has been on the rise since 2022.

COVID-19 5%

Syphilis (CORRECT) 81%

Obesity 13%

Masculinity 1%

Where did short-timer Apple CEO Tim Cook earn his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering?

University of Alabama 5%

Auburn University (CORRECT) 91%

Troy University 4%

Trump University 0%

On the Podcast

You can find “Down in Alabama” wherever you get your podcasts, including these places:

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