Huntsville, Alabama, January 9, 2026
Communities across Alabama, including Huntsville, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa, held vigils honoring Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three fatally shot by an ICE agent. The gatherings called for changes in immigration enforcement practices following the tragic event. As tensions rise due to conflicting accounts of the incident in Minneapolis, the vigils serve as a poignant reminder of the need for public dialogue on immigration policies and community safety.
Huntsville
Communities across Alabama, including Huntsville, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa, held vigils on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. These gatherings served as memorials and calls for changes to immigration enforcement practices across the nation.
Vigils Held Across Alabama
In North Alabama, a vigil was observed in Huntsville on Thursday. Simultaneously, dozens of people gathered outside Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham for a similar event. In Tuscaloosa, a candlelight vigil drew approximately 50 attendees to the Shelby Federal Building on Thursday night. Another candlelight vigil was also held in Montgomery. These events underscore the widespread impact of the Minneapolis incident, with tensions reaching communities in North Alabama.
Details of the Minneapolis Incident
The shooting of Renee Nicole Good occurred on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in a residential neighborhood in South Minneapolis, specifically near Portland Avenue between 33rd and 34th Street, during a federal immigration enforcement operation. Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the circumstances of her death. Officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE alleged that Good “weaponized her vehicle” and attempted to “run over” law enforcement officers, characterizing it as “domestic terrorism” and a justified act of self-defense. However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have publicly disputed this narrative. Mayor Frey described the federal agency’s claim of self-defense as “bullshit” and stated that an agent recklessly used power, resulting in a fatality. Videos circulating on social media and eyewitness accounts appear to contradict the federal government’s claims, suggesting that Good was attempting to drive away with her vehicle turning away from agents when shots were fired into her car.
Good, a U.S. citizen and a poet and writer, lived in Minneapolis with her partner and her 6-year-old son, having two older children from a previous marriage. The agent involved in the shooting was reportedly injured in a separate incident six months prior, where he was dragged by a vehicle during another immigration operation. Court records from that incident identify the officer as Jonathan Ross. Following the shooting, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took control of the investigation, reportedly declining the involvement of the Minneapolis Police.
The incident led to ongoing protests in Minneapolis, resulting in clashes with federal authorities and at least 11 arrests on Thursday. Governor Walz also authorized the Minnesota National Guard to be on standby. The reaction from Alabama’s congressional delegation to the shooting has been divided along party lines.
State-Level Developments in Alabama
Online Sales Tax Debate Continues
Meanwhile, a significant State-level debate over Alabama’s online sales tax law is ongoing as the legislative session approaches next week. The controversy centers on the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT), an 8% tax on online purchases that was enacted in 2015.
Lawsuit and Fiscal Concerns
The City of Tuscaloosa filed a lawsuit in July 2025, challenging the State’s method of distributing SSUT revenue between counties and municipalities. Tuscaloosa officials estimate the city will lose $14.6 million in the current fiscal year due to the present SSUT structure. Other major Alabama cities, including Montgomery, Mountain Brook, Mobile, and Pritchard, along with the Alabama Education Association, have joined or intervened in this lawsuit. These cities contend that the SSUT, which collects a flat 8% statewide regardless of local sales tax rates, prevents them from receiving their equitable share of revenue compared to traditional in-store sales. The lawsuit further argues that the SSUT may no longer be valid following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling concerning internet sales taxes. For instance, the City of Mobile estimates it missed out on $34 million in fiscal year 2024 because of the current system.
County Opposition and Revenue Impact
Conversely, the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) strongly supports the existing SSUT program. The ACCA, representing all 67 counties in the state, has intervened in the lawsuit, arguing that modifications to the SSUT could jeopardize an estimated $850 million in annual revenues that support state, city, and county governments. Sonny Brasfield, executive director of the ACCA, stated that there are no plans to propose legislation to alter the SSUT, asserting its constitutionality. Montgomery County leaders, including Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, have warned that a loss of SSUT funding could directly impact public safety by forcing cuts, such as reducing the sheriff’s department by 12 deputies.
Broader Tax Context
The SSUT revenue is distributed with 50% going to state funds (75% to the General Fund and 25% to the Education Trust Fund) and the remaining 50% allocated to local governments, with municipalities receiving 60% and counties 40%, distributed based on population. Recent reports indicate that while Alabama collects less in taxes per resident than most other states, it relies more heavily on regressive taxes like sales tax, with local governments deriving about 50% of their revenue from sales taxes, compared to a national average of approximately 19%. State-level revenue growth in Alabama is generally projected to slow in 2025-2026 after several years of significant increases, partly due to the reduction of federal COVID-19 relief funds and declining interest rates. However, the SSUT itself showed robust growth of over 13% in December.
Frequently Asked Questions
What event prompted vigils in Alabama cities?
Vigils were held in Alabama cities following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Who was Renee Nicole Good?
Renee Nicole Good was a 37-year-old mother of three and a U.S. citizen who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. She was a poet and writer who lived in Minneapolis.
Where in Alabama were vigils held?
Vigils were observed in Huntsville, Birmingham outside Highlands United Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa at the Shelby Federal Building, and Montgomery.
What is the current debate in Alabama about?
The current debate in Alabama is about the State-level online sales tax law, specifically the distribution of revenue from the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) between cities and counties.
What is the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT)?
The Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) is an 8% tax on online purchases in Alabama, enacted in 2015.
Why are some cities challenging the SSUT?
Cities like Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Mountain Brook, Mobile, and Pritchard are challenging the SSUT because they believe the current distribution method causes them to lose significant revenue compared to conventional sales tax rates, and some argue the SSUT’s validity is in question after a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
What is the stance of county commissions on the SSUT?
The Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) fully supports the existing SSUT program, arguing that any changes could jeopardize an estimated $850 million in annual revenues that support state, city, and county governments.
Key Features of Recent News
| Event/Topic | Key Details | Scope | Date/Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis ICE Shooting | Fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, 37, a mother of three and U.S. citizen, by an ICE agent. Conflicting accounts on incident circumstances. FBI investigating. | Nationwide | January 7, 2026 (shooting) |
| Vigils in Alabama | Vigils held in Huntsville, Birmingham (Highlands United Methodist Church), Tuscaloosa (Shelby Federal Building), and Montgomery in response to the Minneapolis ICE shooting. | State-level | January 8, 2026 |
| Alabama Online Sales Tax Debate | Ongoing dispute over the distribution of the 8% Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) revenue between cities and counties. Lawsuit filed by Tuscaloosa. | State-level | Ongoing (latest developments Jan 8-9, 2026) |
| SSUT Financial Impact (Cities) | Tuscaloosa estimates $14.6 million loss; Mobile estimates $34 million loss (FY2024). | State-level | Current Fiscal Year (Tuscaloosa); Fiscal Year 2024 (Mobile) |
| SSUT Financial Impact (Counties) | ACCA warns changes risk $850 million annual revenue; Montgomery County Sheriff warns of 12 deputy cuts. | State-level | Annual (ACCA); Immediate (Montgomery County) |
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Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
