Former University of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has entered the race for lieutenant governor, saying the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk inspired him to “get off of the sidelines” and serve his state. “Alabama’s conservative and cultural values are under attack from every direction,” McCarron said in a press release announcing his candidacy. “That’s why Charlie Kirk’s assassination affected so many of us so deeply. His example convinced me to get off of the sidelines, get into the game, and stand tall for our conservative beliefs, so today, I’m announcing my candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.” McCarron was a standout quarterback at the University of Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back BCS National Championships in 2012 and 2013 as a starter. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent several seasons as their backup before brief stints with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons. Most recently, he started at quarterback for the St. Louis BattleHawks in the United Football League. Join us now during our exclusive Deal of the Decade. Get everything for $7 a month. Not as fans. As fighters. Go to DailyWire.com/Subscribe to join now. McCarron endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2016. The ex-NFL player is currently working as a college football analyst and co-owns McCarron Real Estate with his wife, Katherine, who was Miss Alabama USA in 2012. They live in Mobile with their three children. Earlier this year, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), the former head coach at Auburn University, announced he was running for governor of Alabama. “The Montgomery insiders and career politicians have had their chance. It’s time for political newcomers and outsider candidates like me to lead the battle,” his statement said. “When Coach Tuberville is governor, I’ll be the quarterback who helps pass his conservative outsider agenda.” Other GOP candidates in the lieutenant governor race include Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, pastor Dean Odle, and Nicole Jones Wadsworth, per ESPN. The state primaries will be held on May 19, 2026.

U.S. House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to endorse New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Friday, and become yet another Democratic leader to get behind the socialist’s campaign, according to POLITICO. Two people “with knowledge of the situation” told POLITICO that Jeffries is ready to publicly back Mamdani after the House minority leader faced pressure from leftists for months. The endorsement is expected to come just one day before early voting begins in the NYC mayoral race, as Mamdani maintains a significant polling advantage over former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who’s running as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Jeffries told reporters in Washington, D.C., on Friday to “stay tuned.” “I have not refused to endorse. I have refused to articulate my position, and I will momentarily, at some point, in advance of early voting,” he added. Jeffries has already praised Mamdani for focusing on economic issues. In June, shortly after Mamdani won the Democratic primary, Jeffries said that the socialist candidate “clearly out-worked, out-organized and out-communicated the opposition.” Leftist activist Al Sharpton has reportedly been instrumental in setting up discussions between Jeffries’ and Mamdani’s teams. Mamdani boasts the endorsements of other Democrats in the state and around the country, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has also strongly backed Mamdani, campaigning with NYC mayoral candidate last month. Join us now during our exclusive Deal of the Decade. Get everything for $7 a month. Not as fans. As fighters. Go to DailyWire.com/Subscribe to join now. Assuming Jeffries endorses Mamdani on Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will become the only key New York Democratic leader who has not yet endorsed the socialist candidate. Mamdani, who has called for rent freezing, price controls, and city-owned grocery stores, leads Cuomo by double digits, according to the most recent polls. Some Republicans have called on GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race to potentially give Cuomo an extra boost. Sliwa, who stands a 16% in the RealClearPolitics average of polling, said that he will stay in the race, arguing that the effort to push him out is promoted by billionaires, such as hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman. “The billionaires can conspire to pick their candidate,” Sliwa said earlier this week. “I trust the people. They will make the decision. I will not drop out.” President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that even if Sliwa were to drop out, Cuomo would “have a little bit of a chance, but not much.” Trump called Mamdani a “communist,” but he added that he would be willing to talk to Mamdani if he were to become mayor. The president previously threatened to cut federal funding for New York City if Mamdani is elected. “He is going to have problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great City,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last month. “Remember, he needs the money from me, as President, in order to fulfill all of his FAKE Communist promises. He won’t be getting any of it, so what’s the point of voting for him?”

A pioneering electronic music legend passed away just days after completing what would become his final creative masterpiece, marking the end of an era for British synthpop. Synthpop Pioneer’s Final Act Dave Ball, the visionary keyboardist and co-founder of influential synthpop duo Soft Cell, died peacefully in his sleep at home on October 22, 2025, at age 66. The timing of his passing carries profound significance, occurring just days after he completed work on what the band described as their final album. Ball’s death represents the loss of a true innovator who helped define the electronic music landscape of the 1980s and beyond. RIP Dave Ball a true icon of electronic pop and a top guy,you will be missed Soft Cell TorchTop of the Pops 27th May 1982 #RIPDaveBall #DaveBall #SoftCell pic.twitter.com/9pgv2pFOjO — Stu (@Stutweeets) October 23, 2025 Four Decades of Musical Innovation Ball’s journey began in 1978 when he met vocalist Marc Almond at Leeds Polytechnic, leading to the formation of Soft Cell. The duo achieved international fame with their 1981 hit “Tainted Love,” which became a defining anthem of the synthpop era. After disbanding in 1984, Ball continued pushing musical boundaries through projects like The Grid and collaborations with major artists including Kylie Minogue, demonstrating his versatility and enduring creative spirit. Legacy Beyond the Synthesizer Throughout his career, Ball’s technical proficiency and willingness to experiment bridged the gap between underground electronic music and mainstream pop accessibility. His production style influenced generations of electronic musicians, with music historians consistently citing Soft Cell as foundational to the synthpop movement. Ball’s collaborative spirit extended far beyond his partnership with Almond, encompassing work with avant-garde and commercial artists that shaped the broader electronic music landscape. RIP Dave Ball. pic.twitter.com/MFkCaEEUKu — John Sludden (@FACT290) October 23, 2025 The band’s multiple reunions, notably in 2001 and their 40th anniversary show in 2018, demonstrated the enduring appeal of Ball’s innovative approach to electronic music. His final creative act—completing Soft Cell’s last album—serves as a poignant capstone to a career defined by artistic innovation and boundary-pushing experimentation that helped establish electronic music as a legitimate and influential genre. Sources: Dave Ball Tribute – Soft Cell Official Website David Ball (Electronic Musician) – Wikipedia

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President Donald Trump’s sweeping renovation of the White House, a hotspot of outrage for his detractors, is set to include one of the most secure facilities of the U.S. government. Trump is temporarily demolishing the White House’s East Wing — which his administration eventually plans to rebuild and modernize — to construct The White House State […]

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Nearly a year out from the midterms, House Republicans are touting a notable fundraising edge that could help the party maintain House control in 2026. For the first time since 2015, the National Republican Congressional Committee, House Republicans’ campaign arm, has outraised its Democratic counterpart in the first three quarters of an election cycle. Though […]

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