Alabama News

5 Republicans who voted against Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

House Republicans lifted President Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill to final passage Thursday. Trump is expected to sign the bill at 5 p.m. today.

The tight roll call, 218-214, came at a potentially high political cost, with two Republicans joining all Democrats opposed.

Along with the two Republican House members who voted against the bill dubbed by Trump as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” three GOP senators voted “no” on Wednesday: Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.

With Democrats unified in opposition, the bill will become a defining measure of Trump’s return to the White House, with the sweep of Republican control of Congress.

Next Alabama execution scheduled

Alabama has set another execution date, planning to put two men to death using nitrogen gas about a month apart.

Geoffrey Todd West will be executed sometime between 12:00 a.m. on September 25, and before 6 a.m,. September 26.

The 49-year-old has been on Alabama Death Row for over 28 years for the March 1997 killing of Margaret Parrish Berry.

At his original trial, a jury voted 10-2 for the death penalty.

West’s execution date is set for about a month after David Lee Roberts, who is set to die by also breathing in pure nitrogen gas on August 21.

Roberts is set to be the fourth man executed in Alabama this year. If he dies, West will be the fifth.

Alabama led the nation in executions last year by executing six people.

Legal fireworks

Planning to light up the sky this Independence Day? In Alabama, your ability to legally enjoy fireworks depends largely on where you live.

While fireworks are generally illegal within incorporated towns and cities across the state, they remain legal in most unincorporated areas. But even in areas where fireworks are permitted, specific ordinances may restrict when they can be used or limit noise levels.

Class C consumer fireworks are permitted for use in Alabama. Those generally permitted include:

-Bottle Rockets

-Roman Candles

-Firecrackers

-Sparklers

-Smoke Bombs

-Wheels and Spinners

The National Weather Service is forecasting hot temperatures and low rain chances for most — but not all — of the state on Friday, Independence Day.

Sunset on Friday will be around 8 p.m., and fireworks shows typically start around 9 p.m.

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The fireworks are physical and metaphoric on an American Independence Day that lands on one of the most cosmically dynamic days of the year. Rapid-fire lunar aspects set the mood, while Venus conjuncts Uranus and changes signs just as Neptune turns retrograde. The celestial upheaval mirrors the shifting screen of American identity itself — a nation in aesthetic, emotional and ideological flux, reinventing its image as different values rise and illusions fall away.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Today’s adventure will bring an insight that changes your angle on life. One fresh detail reframes the whole picture. Afterward you’ll return to something familiar and realize it’s not the same — because you’re not the same.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a rhythm to this day, and you’re drumming it out with a rebel instinct and an electric energy that leads the group, whether you realize it or not. The pace you set is bold but sustainable.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Whether it’s what you want to work on or who you decide to be, you’re sensing there’s no time to wait for someone else to reflect or validate your concept. You’ll slide through the window of opportunity before it closes.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). People will take their cues from your energy — so lead with what you want more of. You’ll get fun moments of awareness that will have you using your power well — setting a tone with a glance, a word or a pause.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You can’t rush transformation. A lot of parts are firing at once; they are communicating with one another to work it all out. You’re just along for the ride. You already did the work; now you just have to trust what you planted back there.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re here to live your life, not to manage people’s moods. Of course, if they feel a little happier being around you, it’s a bonus you can reinvest in your mission. It’s good to know that your smile elevates.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Because of the serial-position effect, people are most likely to remember the first and last parts of an experience (the primacy and recency effects), while the middle tends to blur. Use this to your advantage. Start strong; finish stronger.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ve learned not to waste time explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you. Today you walk differently — like someone who knows their worth and doesn’t owe anyone a tour.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You would rather be known for the interest you show in others than known as a show-off. Still, there will be a moment that opens up for you, spotlight and all. Step into it and do your thing. Everyone will be better for it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The sentiment “no one left behind” is rooted in care, leadership and solidarity. If the group stays committed to each other, adjusts when needed and truly honors that principle, then everyone can arrive together.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s a person or group that seems to have more influence on your life than it should right now. These feelings and opinions you’re forming are valid. Who better to decide what’s good for you than you?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It doesn’t go according to plan, which makes room for something much better. You’ll riff, pivot, adapt — and delight in your own cleverness. You’ll end the day with a story worth telling and a sense of pride in your agility.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 4). It’s your year of follow-through. Actions slip in where words used to be. No hype, promises or performances — no drama, just doing. You’ll be strongly attracted to the goals that improve life for more than just you. More highlights: domestic upgrades and chemistry that’s real; maybe it’s love, maybe it’s creative synergy or practical teamwork — but it lights you up. Virgo and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 4, 24, 31 and 2.

Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed former Alabama All-American Mark Sears to a two-way contract, the NBA team announced on Thursday night.

Sears did not get picked in the NBA Draft on June 25-26 and, as reported by AL.com on June 26, agreed to join the Bucks on a two-way deal.

A two-way contract allows a player to move between an NBA team and its NBA Gatorade League affiliate without needing to pass through waivers. Each team can carry three two-way players who may appear on the active roster of the NBA team for as many as 50 games. A two-way contract is worth $635,000 for the 2025-26 season, which is half of the rookie minimum, and is not guaranteed.

The Bucks’ G League affiliate is the Wisconsin Herd, which is based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The 6-foot-1 guard is set to play in jersey No. 19 for Milwaukee’s entry in the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas. The Bucks open summer-league play against the Denver Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. CDT July 10.

Sears earned All-State recognition for Muscle Shoals for the 2018-19 season, when the Trojans reached the semifinals of the AHSAA Class 6A tournament. Sears played two seasons at Ohio before coming to Alabama for the 2022-23 season.

In his third season with the Crimson Tide, Sears was a first-team consensus All-American as he averaged 18.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in the 2024-25 season.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

A store clerk at a Birmingham Dollar General was shot and seriously injured during a robbery.

The shooting happened just before 8 p.m. Thursday at the store at 2314 Warrior Road in Five Points West.

According to police communications, the male employee sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. He was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Investigators put down at least a dozen evidence markers.

Police blocked off the immediate area surrounding the store, and also a larger perimeter spanning several blocks.

Family members of employees were gathered outside the yellow crime scene tape trying to get more information about their loved ones.

A search was underway for possibly two suspects. As of 9 p.m., no arrests have been made, said Sgt. LaQuitta Wade.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

July 4th is America’s birthday and that means it’s time to party.

Data from the National Retail Federation shows 86% of consumers plan to celebrate Independence Day, spending an average of $92 on food. Twenty-nine percent said they plan to purchase other patriotic items.

Cookouts and barbecues are the most popular ways to celebrate – 61% said the plan to participate – followed by fireworks (41%), parades (12%) and travel (13%).

In all, Americans are expected to spend more than $9 billion on July 4th celebration this year.

Walmart July 4th hours

If you’re one of the millions celebrating July 4th, you will be glad to know Walmart is open.

Walmart stores will be open regular hours – typically 6 a.m.-11 p.m. for Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets. Some services may be limited on the holiday, however, so it’s always best to check ahead.

You can use Walmart’s store finder to get more information about your location.

Walmart-owned Sam’s Club is also open. The warehouses are open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. for Plus members and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for Club members.

You can go here to see Sam’s locations.

Former Alabama All-American Mac Jones is looking forward to getting back to winning in his first season with the San Francisco 49ers.

In his final season with the Crimson Tide, Jones helmed the offense for a team that didn’t lose a game on its way to winning the CFP national championship for the 2020 season. In his first NFL season, Jones started every game for the New England Patriots’ most recent playoff team.

But in the three seasons since, Jones had a 10-22 record as a starting quarterback, and his teams had a 6-13 mark without him in the starting lineup.

In March, the 49ers signed Jones as a free agent to back up quarterback Brock Purdy.

“Like I said when I signed, it’s just a bunch of winners,” Jones told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan while providing an arm for teammate George Kittle’s Tight End University, “and I know that we’re going to get it back on track here this year. And the guys work every day — the coaches and players — and it’s just a really well-run organization, so I’m looking forward to continue to grow and learn.”

After playing in three consecutive NFC Championship games and reaching the Super Bowl for the 2023 season, San Francisco posted a 6-11 record in 2024. The 49ers also won only six games in 2020 before running off 35 regular-season and six playoff victories in the intervening three years.

In addition to helping San Francisco regain its form in 2025, Jones said he aims to “just continue to grow as a player, a person and teammate, and I know it’s going to take care of itself the way I work. And they rubbed off on me, too, so I’m working hard. They’re working hard. And my goal is to be ready to play when I have to go in. And that’s all you can ask for.”

Jones said he made progress toward that goal while working with Purdy and San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan in the 49ers’ offseason program.

“We’ve only had a few months together, but Kyle has been really cool and really smart the way he sees the game,” Jones said. “I mean, I’ve heard the stories. But to be in the room and watch him break down, like, special teams, defense and offense, it’s been really cool for me. And I’ve obviously learned a lot in my past about the defensive side of the ball, but to learn more about offense and defense together, it’s been a big benefit so far.”

Jones entered the NFL as the 15th selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Purdy entered the NFL as the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. But pressed into service as a rookie, Purdy started seven straight victories to get San Francisco to the NFC Championship Game, and he has remained the starter.

“He’s very, like, meticulous about how he goes about his work,” Jones said about Purdy. “And I’ve known him for a decent amount of time. But to really get close with him and see how he operates, and he’s very, like, Type A, very organized, and he wants everything to be perfect. And that’s why he’s had success in the league. He’s done it very consistently. And he’s really striving to do it again. Like, he’s not just satisfied because he had a couple of good years. Like, he wants to be great every day, so it’s pretty cool.”

RELATED: 49ERS QUARTERBACKS MAC JONES, BROCK PURDY SHARE ALABAMA CONNECTION

Jones changed teams last offseason, too, when the Patriots traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Injuries to Trevor Lawrence allowed Jones to start seven games for Jacksonville in the final season of his rookie contract.

Jones started a 12-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 1 and a 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 17. Lawrence’s return to the lineup lasted less than one half, and Jones took the rest of the snaps for the Jacksonville offense after entering a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Dec. 1.

Beginning with that game, Jones completed 134-of-202 passes for 1,395 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions and ran for 77 yards on 21 carries. Over the final six weeks of the regular season, Jones ranked eighth in the NFL in passing yards.

The Jaguars won two of Jones’ final five starts to finish the season with a 4-13 record.

Jones helped at Tight End University during his summer break. The 49ers get back to work when training camp opens, with the rookies reporting on July 15 and the veterans coming in on July 22.

The three-game preseason schedule kicks off against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 9, and San Francisco starts its regular-season slate against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7.

“The attendance was really high,” Jones said about the 49ers’ offseason program. “Been on a few teams, and attendance is always decent in OTAs. But I feel like for a really good team, there’s a lot of guys there — like 99 percent or something — so that was cool. For the young guys, too. I was talking to some of the rookies, like how cool it is to learn from like a Hall of Fame-type player, whether it’s George or, you know, anybody on the team – (linebacker) Fred (Warner). So they take that to heart, hopefully, because if you’re a young player in the league and you can learn from great players, it’ll help you in the long run.”

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

St. Paul’s 5-star linebacker Anthony “Tank” Jones is down to 3 schools.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound senior told On3/Rivals that his final choices are Alabama, Oregon and Texas A&M.

Jones finished his junior season with 84 solo tackles, 38 assists, 18 tackles for a loss and 16 sacks. He also had a pair of interceptions.

On offense, he scored 5 rushing TDs and 3 receiving touchdowns. The first-team Class 6A All-State selection also was a finalist for Lineman of the Year.

The 247 Composite rankings have him as the No. 2 overall 2026 recruit in the state. He is the No.3-ranked player at his position in the nation and No. 16 overall.

Jones told AL.com in January that relationships were one of the keys to finding the right college.

“I want to go somewhere my parents can drop me off and feel comfortable; somewhere I can get a great education and graduate,” he said. “I don’t care about being that close to home, but it plays a part also. It’s like half and half, I guess.”

St. Paul’s coach Ham Barnett said Jones’ humble approach to the game and to recruiting has been impressive.

“Just watching him grow these last three years from watching him be a quiet young man to someone who has come out of his shell and speaks his mind, in a good way, and always is respectful,” he said. “I think that kind of translates to the field. Kids respect him, and he goes out there and plays hard for us.”

Jones is one of two players in the 247 Sports top five who has yet to commit. No. 5 Landon Duckworth has set his commitment for July 18. The other three – Benjamin Russell WR CD Morgan (No. 1), Jackson RB EJ Crowell (No. 3) and Gadsden City DB Zyan Gibson (No. 4) already have committed to Alabama.

Barnett told AL.com Wednesday he believes Jones will commit later this month.

A 58-year-old man has pleaded guilty in the March assault of a well-known Montgomery businessman who was bound, beaten, and robbed in a holdup at his dry-cleaning business.

Zedekiah Sykes was charged federally with armed robbery, carjacking and brandishing a firearm in a federal crime of violence,

Agents also spotted bottles in the vehicle that appeared to be filled with urine, leading them to believe Sykes was living in the Buick.

On Friday, he entered a plea of guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, said Middle District of Alabama Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson.

Sykes faces up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing date has not yet been set.

Sykes, initially arrested in March, was one of two men charged in the attack.

In June, authorities announced the arrest of 57-year-old Spencer “Dragon” Thomas, a Prattville man taken into custody May 27 in Las Vegas.

Authorities described Sykes as the man who orchestrated the robbery and said he had planned it for months.

Massey’s ordeal began at 6:10 p.m. Monday, March 10, when he was inside his business and heard a noise at the door.

When he went to investigate, Massey was confronted by four men dressed as construction workers, including hard hats and high-visibility vests.

The assailants grabbed Massey and forced him into an office where his locked safe was located, according to the federal complaint. Massey told them he didn’t know the combination from memory and would need his phone.

One of the men punched Massey in the eye. Someone else went and retrieved Massey’s phone.

Massey, documents said, opened the safe and stole between $6,000 and $8,000.

After collecting the cash, the men walked Massey back into an office where they bound his feet and hands with zip-ties, ripped the business’s phones from their connections and stole Massey’s cell phone and car keys.

All four left in Massey’s vehicle.

Moments later, all four suspects were captured on home surveillance cameras near Noble Avenue in Montgomery.

That footage showed them walking and one of them told the others to take off their jackets, which they did.

An investigation was immediately launched by Montgomery police, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the FBI and the Metro Area Crime Suppression Task Force.

On March 19, according to the criminal complaint, two men went to Massey’s business and told him they knew what happened.

They wanted money to tell him, saying they would need it to leave town after disclosing the facts.

Investigators then responded to the business, where those two people told them that Sykes orchestrated the robbery and had been planning it for months.

They also said they had been recruited by Sykes to help him carry out the crime. They met Sykes at a pre-determined location and were patted down to make sure they didn’t have any recording devices, the complaint states.

They got into a vehicle and drove by Jim Massey’s Cleaners, learning that would be their target.

Sykes also drove them to Massey’s home and said if they could not get him at the business, they would get him at his home.

The plan, the witnesses told investigators, was for the attackers to dress in all black.

Sykes, they said, later changed that to construction gear “as if they worked with Alabama Power Company since it would be daylight outside during the offense.”

Those two witnesses said they backed out.

“When they saw the news story of the robbery, they felt they need to inform the victim of what happened,‘’ an investigator wrote.

A confidential informant also came forward and identified Sykes as the culprit.

The Metro Area Crime Suppression Task Force then began to conduct surveillance on Sykes on March 21 while he was at the Wind Creek Casino.

Sykes was then followed back to Montgomery and remained under surveillance and under investigation.

Authorities learned that Sykes’ credit card had been used to buy hard hats and safety vests similar to those worn by the suspects in the Massey holdup.

As investigator continued to watch Sykes, they saw him open the trunk to his Buick and spotted a large duffle bag that appeared to be similar to the one used in the robbery.

Agents also spotted bottles in the vehicle that appeared to be filled with urine, leading them to believe Sykes was living in the Buick.

A Montevallo man is behind bars, accused of using a backhoe to bury the body of a missing Shelby County man and his Ford Ranger, both of which had been set on fire.

John Wesley Collum, 56, is charged with corpse abuse, tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution, according to court records.

Collum was arrested earlier this week in connection with the disappearance and suspected death of 36-year-old Oscar De Santiago Soto of Pelham.

Montevallo police earlier this month launched an investigation into the disappearance of Soto, who was last seen about 3:30 p.m. June 18, at Orr Park in Montevallo.

His truck, a 1998 black Ford Ranger, had last been seen heading southbound on Shelby County Road 73 in Montevallo.

On Saturday, June 28, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office officials asked for ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation to launch an investigation into Soto’s case.

Over the course of the investigation, ALEA officials said, the 2000 block of Randolph Road in Montevallo was developed as a location of interest in connection Soto’s disappearance.

It was there, authorities said, they found human remains.

Those remains have been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to confirm the victim’s identity.

Additional details were not released.

Charging documents against Collum state he helped another man bury human remains and Soto’s black Ford Ranger by using a backhoe.

The criminal complaint said Collum set the victim and the pickup truck on fire and then buried both.

ALEA officials said the investigation is ongoing.

Assisting in the probe is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigation, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montevallo Police Department.

Auburn University’s Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine assisted in recovery of the remains.

More arrests are expected.

The New York Yankees play against the Toronto Blue Jays in an MLB game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6:07 p.m. CT on MLB Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Yankees enter this matchup with a 48-38 record, and they have lost three consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Yankees lost 11-9 against Toronto.

In order to bounce back this evening, the Yankees will need a great performance from their star player Aaron Judge. He currently leads the team with 31 home runs and a .363 batting average, so he will try to continue his offensive success this evening.

Notably, Judge also leads the team with 115 hits this season.

The Blue Jays also enter this matchup with a 48-38 record, and they have won four consecutive games.

In order to win tonight’s game, the Blue Jays will need to rely on their star player Alejandro Kirk. He currently possesses a .306 batting average, which leads the Toronto offense.

Fans can watch this MLB game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.