General

‘It has beat me down’: Birmingham woman seeks answers in son’s 2022 disappearance

It’s been more than two years since a 41-year-old Birmingham man vanished, and his family is pleading for answers in his disappearance.

Lee Curtis Vanderbilt was last seen Wednesday, July 20, 2022, when he left home in the 1600 block of 31st Street in Ensley.

“It has beat me down,’’ said his mother, Joe Ann Walton. “I just can’t for the life of me figure out why he hasn’t come visit me. Bleeding, shot, whatever, he would come visit me.”

Walton said she last saw her son the day before he disappeared. He had stopped by her house, like he always did. He got something to drink and $5.

“It was a dreary day,’’ Walton recalled. “He wasn’t acting right. He was anxious or nervous about something.”

Walton had to go into the hospital the following day. It was then Vanderbilt’s girlfriend called her and asked Walton if she had seen him.

She had woken him up that Wednesday morning before she left for work about 8:30 a.m. No one has heard from him since then.

“When I got back home, he still hadn’t showed up,’’ Walton said. “It’s been hard on me because I’m used to seeing him every day, or at least every other day.”

Walton said it’s very much unlike her son to disappear.

“He wouldn’t leave the area without saying something to me or his girlfriend,’’ she said. “They had been together for years and were together all the time.”

“He was a goodhearted person,’’ she said.

Walton said she and the rest of the family need answers.

“I just feel like he’s gone,’’ she said. “Because whatever was going on, my son would have been back to my house.”

“It’s been on my mind every day since that day,’’ Walton said.

Police said Vanderbilt’s disappearance is suspicious.

He is described as a Black male, 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black shirt with camouflage sleeves, camouflage shorts, and Nautica sandals.

Anyone who has information about Vanderbilt’s disappearance is asked to call police 911 or 205-328-9311.

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Shouting, jumping banned at Beverly Hills High School after ‘spirited’ students cheer Trump election

Beverly Hills High School in California has limited students’ ability to congregate in the wake of “spirited demonstrations” by pro-Trump pupils following Tuesday’s elections.

The high school’s principal, Drew Stewart, sent a message to families announcing that the school would not restrict students’ individual exercise of their free speech rights, but would limit their ability to congregate in large groups so that all students would feel safe on campus. The message came after a TikTok video went viral showing many students in a Beverly Hills High School courtyard rowdily celebrating Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.

The video shows dozens of students — mostly boys — dancing, cheering and crowding against each other. At one point, a school security guard holds up a Trump banner to raucous applause.

“We have had ongoing exercises of student political speech over the past 2 days. Starting tomorrow, students will continue to be able to exercise this right individually, but will be restricted in their right to assemble,” said Stewart in the email. “These assemblies have ended up creating a disruption to normal school activities and has also left many students feeling unsafe and unwelcome.”

Stewart then told students they could no longer “congregate, circle up, shout, jump, etc.,” according to the email.

Beverly Hills is a red island in the middle of predominately blue Los Angeles County, a community where voters largely supported former President Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris. In one Beverly Hills precinct, Trump won 63% of the vote compared to Harris’ 33%, according to voting data.

Divisions during the 2024 election season were particularly sharp, with Trump issuing harsh invective against Democrats, immigrants, the press and numerous other groups while Harris’ camp blasted Trump’s character and spoke apocalyptically about the threat he posed to democracy. Trump defeated the vice president handily Tuesday.

Beverly Hills Unified School District Superintendent Michael Bregy said the decision was made to foster a safe, supportive environment for students.

“We value students’ freedom of expression and encourage respectful civic engagement,” he said.

Bregy said staff consistently monitored the “spirited demonstrations” this week and “acted swiftly to de-escalate when expressions crossed into disruption.”

A source in the district, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said that students were bringing flags on poles, which is against education code. Administrators were present with the group of revelers, trying to make sure no one was injured.

“We have to stand within the group and until they start, you know, physically compressing on one another with their jumping, then that becomes dangerous,” the source said. “Then we’re crossing into the area where it’s way beyond education code.”

___

©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Jaguars QB Mac Jones on starting opportunity: ‘You just go let it rip’

Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson said it’s looking more and more as though Mac Jones will be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. If that’s the case, Pederson said he’s confidence the former Alabama All-American can get the job done in place on Trevor Lawrence.

“He’s somebody that prepares extremely hard, extremely well,” Pederson said. “He’s a smart kid. You go back to even some of the preseason stuff and what he did then as far as preparation and all that and how he played. He’s going to be fine. He’ll be excited, obviously – home game, home crowd, home fans, his people, so to speak. But a lot of confidence in him.”

Lawrence has an injury to his non-throwing shoulder and has been a limited participant in practice this week. Jacksonville’s injury report lists his status as questionable for Sunday’s game.

“He’s been very limited all week,” Pederson said on Friday. “It is trending, obviously, in a way that’s probably to not playing or leaning towards not playing. …

“If you’re not getting the reps during the week, it’s just hard to go. And it’s with any player, but I think at the quarterback position, especially.”

A Jacksonville native, Jones joined the Jaguars in March in a trade with the New England Patriots. A first-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2021, Jones served as New England’s starter when healthy until being benched with six games remaining in the 2023 NFL season.

“He’s been a starter in this league,” Pederson said. “He’s done that. I’d be different if it was a rookie, a true rookie that was having to maybe play, and you’re trying to get that person ready. But with Mac, this week I’ve seen it with just the conversation and how he’s worked with the offense in practice and the reps he’s gotten and the communication there. It’s different, but at the same time for a coach it gives you a little bit of peace of mind that this is a veteran player that has kind of been there and done it.”

Jones said he would be ready to play if needed.

“It’s NFL football,” Jones said, “and as a backup quarterback, you got to be ready, and, you know, you plan out your week like a starter, so I’ve been fortunate to kind of adjust that each week and figure out what works for me, to feel confident on Sunday, and whether you’re taking the first snap, you’re taking 10 snaps, zero, 50, 60, 70, it doesn’t matter, but you have to have that mentality of, ‘Hey, I did all the work, and I feel comfortable,’ and I feel like I’ve gotten the reps visually, or however I get them, and then from there, you just go let it rip.”

Jones has started 42 NFL regular-season games and one playoff contest and thrown for 8,946 yards and 46 touchdowns. But he’s taken only 17 snaps and completed 6-of-9 passes for 28 yards in 2024. But Jones said the preparation before the season started is still with him.

“Just in OTAs and preseason, the reps are divvied up really fairly and you get a lot of experience,” Jones said, “and I was fortunate to have those minicamp days where I was the only quarterback and go through the offense, and you look back on those reps in the preseason and how we were operating as an offense and I pride myself in that. …

“We’ll see how it goes.”

The Jaguars play the Vikings at noon CST Sunday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.

Minnesota has a 6-2 record. The Jaguars are 2-7, with the two victories coming in the games in which Jacksonville scored more than 27 points.

“It’s just going to click one of these days,” Jones said of the Jaguars offense, “and we just got to keep bringing the juice and execution. And once you do that together as 11 people, then good things will happen. And you can’t really chase it. You can’t drink a magic potion or something. You got to just do the hard work and trust each other and that will happen.”

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 Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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General

Sites like McLuck Casino offer slots, promo codes & no deposit bonuses

The US online gambling industry continues to evolve every year. Recently, sweeps casinos have begun to grow extremely popular around the country.

Sweeps casinos, also known as sweepstakes casinos or social casinos, are free-to-play casino platforms that provide many of the same types of games found at real money online casinos.

McLuck Casino stands as one of the most popular social casinos operating today and is among the best Alabama sweepstakes casinos. It provides hundreds of games and a great welcome bonus to all new players.

There are plenty of other fantastic sweeps casinos like McLuck. On this page, we highlight 12 of the best social casinos operating in the US and provide information on what each one has to offer.

Table of contents

How sweepstakes casinos like McLuck work

Online casino gambling is legal in seven states around the country. Unfortunately, for those located outside of these states, playing casino games online for real money is simply unavailable.

As an alternative, unique platforms called sweepstakes casinos began operating around the country.

At first glance, these appear much like a traditional online casino you would find operating in states such as Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Unlike those platforms, however, sweeps casinos are completely free to play.

These unique gaming platforms utilize two forms of digital currencies. The first (often called Gold Coins) are used to wager on games. These are awarded to players for free, every single day. Players also have the ability to purchase these in bundle packs via a sweeps casino’s digital store.

The second currency is called Sweeps Coins. These can be earned from promotions, by making purchases and by winning game jackpots. Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for prizes, including real money.

These games often provide the same game options provided by real money online casinos. That includes slots, table games and, sometimes, live-dealer games.

Because sweeps casinos are free to play, they are able to legally operate throughout much of the country. Many of them are available in all but just a few states.

McLuck Casino is considered one of the best sweepstakes casinos currently operating. Of course, it is far from the only one available to US casino players. Learn about some great alternatives below.

Best sites like McLuck

The US sweepstakes casino industry has evolved tremendously over the past few years. Our experts have reviewed each of the platforms below and found them all to be safe, easy to use and fun.

Crown Coins

Crown Coins Casino screenshotCrown Coins

Crown Coins launched in 2023 and has quickly gained a huge user base in each of the states it operates. It claims to be the #1 social casino in America and certainly appears on its way to getting there.

Like several other sweepstakes platforms, Crown Coins only provides slot games. It is somewhat lacking in the game department, with fewer than 200 titles to choose from. It makes up for that, however, with a generous welcome bonus and a diverse banking system.

  • Number of slots at Crown Coins: 170+
  • Does Crown Coins have live-dealer games? No
  • Prize redemption options at Crown Coins: ACH transfer, Skrill
  • Crown Coins app ratings: 4.8/5 in the Apple App Store; not available in the Google Play Store
  • States where Crown Coins is available: All US states except Washington, Michigan, Nevada and Idaho

RealPrize

RealPrize Casino

RealPrize Casino screenshotRealPrize Casino

RealPrize is a fun social casino operating across much of the country. It is still very new, yet still offers a great selection of games. Members here have access to both slots and a decent selection of table games.

As one might expect from a new platform, RealPrize has a modern design and user interface. Users easily can navigate this platform and find the specific games they are looking for.

In addition to this great design, it provides a very generous welcome bonus and multiple options to purchase Gold Coins and redeem Sweeps Coins.

  • Number of slots at RealPrize: 300+
  • Does RealPrize have live-dealer games? No
  • Prize redemption options at RealPrize: ACH transfer, gift cards,
  • RealPrize app ratings: No mobile app is available
  • States where RealPrize is available: All US states except Washington, Nevada, Idaho and Michigan

High 5 Casino

High 5 Casino screenshot.

High 5 Casino screenshot.High 5 Casino

High 5 Casino is a slot-only sweepstakes casino that launched in 2012. It’s one of the most comprehensive social casinos on the market, offering over 1,000 slot titles to players.

Very few competitors offer as many game options as High 5 Casino. That includes several live-dealer games, a rarity among sweeps casinos.

  • Number of slots at High 5 Casino: 1,000+
  • Does High 5 Casino have live-dealer games? Yes
  • Prize redemption options at High 5 Casino: ACH transfer, gift cards, Skrill
  • High 5 Casino app ratings: 4.6/5.0 in the Apple App Store; 4.5/5.0 in the Google Play Store
  • States where High 5 Casino is available: All US states except Idaho, Michigan, Nevada and Washington

WOW Vegas

The WOW Vegas Casino lobby page screenshot.

The WOW Vegas Casino lobby page screenshot.Wow Vegas Casino

WOW Vegas is another new sweeps platform that focuses solely on slots. It offers more than 700 slot titles from top developers such as Pragmatic Play and NetEnt. Those looking for table game options may want to look elsewhere.

New and existing members of WOW Vegas have access to a large number of great promotions. A great loyalty program is also in place, offering unique perks to players that include special bonuses and VIP customer support options.

  • Number of slots at WOW Vegas: 700+
  • Does WOW Vegas have live-dealer games? No
  • Prize redemption options at WOW Vegas: ACH transfer, gift cards, Skrill, Trustly
  • WOW Vegas app ratings: No mobile app is available
  • States where WOW Vegas is available: All US states except Idaho, Michigan, Nevada and Washington

Pulsz Casino

Pulsz Casino games screenshot.

Pulsz Casino games screenshot.Pulsz Casino

Pulsz Casino has been operating in the US since 2020. It’s now one of the most popular social casinos in the country. Users have access to more than 600 games, including a variety of slots and table games.

Pulsz Casino is also well-known for offering excellent promotions. Users have access to unique free bonus offers, every single week. Its design is a little more simplistic than some competitors, yet many enjoy how simple this platform is to navigate through.

  • Number of slots at Pulsz Casino: 500+
  • Does Pulsz Casino have live-dealer games? No
  • Prize redemption options at Pulsz Casino: ACH transfer, gift cards, Skrill
  • Pulsz Casino app ratings: 4.4/5.0 in the Apple App Store; 4.1/5.0 in the Google Play Store
  • States where Pulsz Casino is available: All US states except Washington, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Montana, Alabama and Tennessee

Hello Millions

Hello Millions

Hello Millions screenshotHello Millions

New sweeps platforms are constantly launching, and Hello Millions is one of the best new ones to go live in the country. It launched in November 2023 and is consistently ranked as one of the best new social casinos operating.

The game selection at Hello Millions is truly impressive. It provides more than 700 game titles, including slots, table games and even a few live-dealer games. Hello Millions is also great with promotions, offering unique offers to new and existing members.

  • Number of slots at Hello Millions: 600+
  • Does Hello Millions have live-dealer games? Yes
  • Prize redemption options at Hello Millions: ACH transfer, gift cards
  • Hello Millions app ratings: Not available in the Apple App Store; 4.2/5.0 in the Google Play Store
  • States where Hello Millions is available: All US states except Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada and Washington

Funrize

A screenshot of Funrize Casino.

A screenshot of Funrize Casino.Funrize Casino

Funrize is one of the most unique social casinos operating today in the US. It went live in 2024 and has taken a special approach to its game offerings. Users have two game modes to choose from: Tournament Mode or Promotional Mode.

In Tournament Mode, players use a free digital currency called tournament coins to play their favorite casino games.

In Promotional Mode, players can use promotional entries to enter jackpots and additional tournaments. With enough credits in your promotional account, you can make redemptions for things such as gift cards and real money.

  • Number of slots at Funrize: 150+
  • Does Funrize have live-dealer games? No
  • Prize redemption options at Funrize: ACH transfers, gift cards
  • Funrize app ratings: 3.2/5.0 in the Apple App Store; 4.0/5.0 in the Google Play Store
  • States where Funrize is available: All US states except Idaho, Michigan, Washington or Nevada

FunzCity

A screenshot of FunzCity Casino.

A screenshot of FunzCity Casino.FunzCity Casino

FunzCity is a world-class social casino that has operated since 2024. It’s a great-looking gaming platform with a sleek UX that makes finding games and claiming promotions extremely easy.

The game selection at FunzCity is not overly impressive. A little over 100 game titles are available to players. It’s a slot-only platform, yet could begin offering table games sometime in the near future.

  • Number of slots at FunzCity: 100+
  • Does FunzCity have live-dealer games? No
  • Prize redemption options at FunzCity: ACH transfers, gift cards
  • FunzCity app ratings: No mobile app is available
  • States where FunzCity is available: All US states except Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and Michigan

NoLimitCoins

NoLimitCoins

NoLimitCoins screenshot.NoLimitCoins

NoLimitCoins is an exciting social casino that has been live since 2022. It provides more than 100 games, all of which are of the slot variety. While the low number of games is a little disappointing, all of the titles here are provided by reputable game developers such as NetEnt.

The design of NoLimitCoins is fantastic. It looks and works extremely well using a desktop computer or a smartphone. No dedicated mobile app is available, yet mobile users can easily play this sweeps casino using their phone’s web browser.

  • Number of slots at NoLimitCoins: 100+
  • Does NoLimitCoins have live-dealer games? No
  • Prize redemption options at NoLimitCoins: ACH transfers, gift cards
  • NoLimitCoins app ratings: No mobile app is available
  • States where NoLimitCoins is available: All US states except Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and Michigan

PlayFame

PlayFame

PlayFame Casino screenshotPlayFame Casino

PlayFame is a brand-new social casino, having launched in 2024. It has many unique features, including daily tournaments that can offer huge payouts to winners.

PlayFame offers one of the most comprehensive gaming platforms in the country. It provides more than 800 game titles, including slots, table games and live-dealer games.

Interestingly, PlayFame is not as widely available as some competing platforms and is currently unavailable in 10 states around the country.

  • Number of slots at PlayFame: 700+
  • Does PlayFame have live-dealer games? Yes
  • Prize redemption options at PlayFame: ACH transfers, gift cards
  • PlayFame app ratings: No mobile app is available
  • States where PlayFame is available: All US states except Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Nevada, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana and Washington

Spree Casino

A screenshot of Spree Casino.

A screenshot of Spree Casino.Spree Casino

Spree Casino launched in 2024 and has rapidly expanded its game offerings. Initially, this platform only provided its users with slot games. It now has a great collection of live-dealer games, too, boasting one of the largest varieties of live-dealer games of any sweeps casino our experts have come across.

The bonus offers at Spree Casino are extremely generous, too. These are found by clicking the “Events” tab on the homepage. New customers have access to a massive welcome bonus, and existing players are given free rewards daily.

  • Number of slots at Spree Casino: 800+
  • Does Spree Casino have live-dealer games? Yes
  • Prize redemption options at Spree Casino: ACH transfers, gift cards
  • Spree Casino app ratings: No mobile app is available
  • States where Spree is available: All US states except Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Nevada and Washington

The Money Factory

The Money Factory Casino

Money Factory screenshot.Money Factory

The Money Factory is another social casino that went live in 2024. It’s succeeded in generating a large user base, likely because of its huge game variety. More than 1,000 games are available. This includes an impressive selection of slots and live-dealer games.

The design of this platform is extremely modern, yet simplistic. It has a slick black-and-yellow theme that looks incredible using a computer or a smartphone. For now, however, this platform does not have a dedicated app available.

  • Number of slots at The Money Factory: 900+
  • Does The Money Factory have live-dealer games? Yes
  • Prize redemption options at The Money Factory: ACH transfers, gift cards
  • The Money Factory app ratings: No mobile app is available
  • States where The Money Factory is available: All states except Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada and Washington

Comparing casinos like McLuck

McLuck Casino has been one of the best and most popular sweepstakes casinos in the country since launching. It is now facing more competition than ever before.

Below is a comparison of some of the best casinos like McLuck.

Casino Welcome Bonus Daily Bonus Number of Games Fastest Cash Redemption Slingo Games? Megaways Games?
McLuck Up to 57,000 Gold Coins + 27.5 Free Sweepstakes Coins 1,500 Gold Coins + 0.20 Sweeps Coins 500+ Bank transfer Yes Yes
Crown Coins 100,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins Up to 40k Crown Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin 170+ Bank transfer No Yes
RealPrize Get Up to 575K Golden Coins + 105 SC FREE +
1000 VIP Points
5,000 Gold Coins + 0.3 Sweeps Coins 300+ Bank transfer No No
High 5 200 Gold Coins + 40 Sweeps Coins + 100 Diamonds Random wheel spin offers: Sweeps Coins, Gold Coins, etc. 1,000+ Bank transfer Yes Yes
WOW Vegas 35 Free Sweepstake Coins with 1.5 million WOW Coins Purchase 1,500 WOW Coins + 0.3 Sweeps Coins 700+ Skrill Yes Yes
Pulsz Up to 367k Gold Coins + 32.2 FREE Sweepstakes Coins 5,000 Gold Coins 600+ Bank transfer Yes Yes
Hello Millions 15,000 GC + 2.5 Free SC on signup
& Up to GC 230,000 + FREE SC 115 With your first 3 purchases
1,500 Gold Coins + 0.2 Sweeps Coins 700+ Bank transfer Yes Yes
Funrize 1.1 Million Gold Coins + FREE 3,600 Sweeps Coins Random prize wheel spin 150+ Bank transfer No No
FunzCity Get Up To 200% Bonus Coins
with Your First Purchase
Mystery box prizes 100+ Bank transfer No Yes
NoLimitCoins 1.65 Million Gold Coins + FREE 7000 Super Coin Random prize wheel spin 100+ Bank transfer No Yes
PlayFame Get Up To 80K GC + 30 Free SC 1,000 Gold Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin 800+ Bank transfer Yes Yes
Spree Casino 32.5 SC FREE and 1.03M Gold Coins 2,000 Gold Coins + 0.4-2.5 Spree Coins 300+ Bank transfer Yes Yes
The Money Factory Get Up To 30,000 GC + 30 SC Free 1,000 Gold Coins + 0.2 Sweeps Coins 1,000+ Bank transfer Yes Yes

Can you trust sweepstakes casinos?

Sweepstakes casinos are still a fairly new phenomenon in the US. Fortunately, these platforms are 100% legal. As free-to-play platforms, sweepstakes casinos are able to operate across most of the country without breaking any gambling laws.

On a federal level, sweepstakes casinos fall under the oversight of the FTC. It is this government body that ensures these platforms do not engage in any fraudulent or unfair business practices.

More specifically, the FTC regulates social casinos to ensure they are always free to play and that no purchases are necessary to win.

Individual state attorney generals are also responsible for monitoring sweeps casinos. They help to enforce local state laws related to sweepstakes. Not long ago, a sweeps casino was shut down by an Michigan attorney general, as it proved too similar to a real money online casino.

Any of these sites caught breaking the rules are immediately blacklisted.

Of course, it’s important to only play at reputable social casinos. It’s always recommended to read reviews of any gaming platform you are interested in joining. Each of the sweepstakes casinos like McLuck featured on this page is well-known for offering a great game selection and safe, fast payments.

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A 198-year-old Methodist church in Alabama asks judge to drop ‘United’ off trust

The 198-year-old Williams Chapel Methodist Church in Brundidge has petitioned a Pike County judge to approve removing the word “United” from its property trust documents.

The congregation voted Oct. 6 to leave the United Methodist denomination, according to the court document.

Founded in 1826, it’s the oldest Methodist church in Pike County. Brundidge is southeast of Troy, and north of Enterprise.

While at least a dozen other congregations are suing the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church asking courts to rule that they have sole ownership of church property, Williams Chapel simply asked the court to approve the name change on its ownership documents.

Most recently, on Nov. 5, Ham Chapel Methodist Church in Elba filed a lawsuit against the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church in Coffee County Circuit Court.

It’s similar to nine other lawsuits filed by churches on Oct. 31 against the Alabama-West Florida Conference, asking judges in various counties to rule on whether the congregation or the conference owns the property.

Ham Chapel was among 44 churches that previously sued the conference as a group in an effort to force the conference to allow them to disaffiliate. The latest round of lawsuits by individual churches were filed on Oct. 31 in seven different counties.

In Mobile County, Theodore and Trinity churches sued. In Conecuh County, Baggett Chapel sued. In Clarke County, Coffeeville Church sued. In Coffee County, Elba Methodist Church sued. In Dale County, Pleasant Hill and Westview Heights churches sued. In Houston County, Highland Park Church of Dothan sued. In Lee County, Gold Hill Church sued.

They are making a similar argument, that the congregations own their own property, rather than the conference, which claims to hold it in trust.

The churches say property disputes are subject to civil court jurisdiction.

In their previous group lawsuit, they had asked Montgomery Circuit Court to force the conference to allow them to disaffiliate. The court ruled that was a church matter to be decided by the denominational court.

The United Methodist Judicial Court ruled last month that after the expiration of a special disaffiliation rule at the end of 2023, that no other church policy allows the churches to disaffiliate.

The denomination’s Book of Discipline had a temporary disaffiliation clause that ended Dec. 31, 2023, that had allowed churches to negotiate for their property and leave the denomination. After that expired, some churches that still wanted to leave argued for using another provision, Paragraph 2549, as a route to disaffiliation by closing a church, then selling it to the congregation that voted to leave.

“Within our structure, the conference board of trustees plays a pivotal role as they work in tandem with the bishop and cabinet to safeguard the interest and rights of the annual conference in all matters relating to property,” said a statement released by the conference after that ruling.

Ham Chapel this week and the nine churches who filed lawsuits Oct. 31 are in addition to four that had previously sued.

Harvest Church in Dothan, not a part of the group lawsuit, was the first to sue individually in Houston County, arguing that it could prove its historic ownership had never been signed over in a trust clause. While other churches negotiated payments to the conference, Harvest argued it owed no money to keep its own property. The state Supreme Court sent that case back to a lower court for a ruling, denying the conference’s request that the lawsuit be dismissed. Lead Pastor Ralph Sigler said he expects it to go to trial in spring 2025.

Selma Methodist Church, founded in 1835, is the most recent of the group of 44 churches to file its own lawsuit, saying it never signed a trust clause giving the denomination authority over its property and asking a Dallas County judge to declare that the congregation’s trustees had the only legal claim to the property.

The First Methodist Church of Demopolis, founded in 1847, sued in August saying it has owned its own property throughout its history and has never signed a trust clause giving ownership to the denomination. The 177-year-old Demopolis church, one of the 44 plaintiffs in the group case, filed its new solo lawsuit on Aug. 16 in Marengo County.

Guy’s Chapel, a 114-year-old church in Baldwin County, sued the conference in July saying it could prove its historic ownership of its property had never been relinquished by signing documents for the denomination to hold it in trust.

For years, conservative churches complained that the denomination’s rules banning same-sex weddings and ordination of LGBTQ clergy were not enforced. United Methodists elected their first openly LGBTQ bishop in 2016, Bishop Karen Oliveto. This year at the United Methodist General Conference, the denomination officially dropped the bans on same-sex weddings and LGBTQ clergy.

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Kansas-North Carolina free livestream: How to watch college basketball game, TV, schedule

The No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks play against the No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels in a college basketball game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN 2. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Jayhawks enter this matchup with a 1-0 record, and they are coming off an 87-57 win against Howard. During the victory, Kansas held a 27-point lead at halftime.

Zeke Mayo led the Kansas offense, as he scored 19 points and shot 7-12 from the field. Notably, he scored more than 18 points per game last season, so he will be a key player to watch tonight.

The Tar Heels also enter this matchup with a 1-0 record, and they are coming off a 90-76 win against Elon. During the victory, four North Carolina players scored double-digit points: Jae’Lyn Withers, Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble, and RJ Davis.

Davis led the North Carolina offense with 24 points against Elon. However, he struggled to shoot efficiently. The senior guard shot 3-11 from three-point range, so he will try to bounce back tonight.

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

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Where to watch ‘Yellowstone’ season 5 part 2 premiere

The highly-anticipated season five part two premiere of Yellowstone is set to air on the Paramount Network Sunday, Nov. 10 at 10/9c.

The megahit series Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.

In the second installment of Yellowstone season five, as John Dutton’s role as Montana’s governor brings fresh challenges and powerful adversaries, the family’s fight to protect their land intensifies and deepens internal conflicts.

Meanwhile, with strained relationships testing their unity, the stakes for the ranch are higher than ever, setting the stage for more drama and showdowns ahead.

Where can I watch Yellowstone season 5 part 2?

Those without basic cable can live stream the season five premiere of Yellowstone on Sunday with Philo. New subscribers can watch the premiere for free with Philo’s 7-day free trial.

Those willing to wait can watch new episodes of Yellowstone the day after they premiere with Peacock, however, it does not come with a free trial.

What is Philo?

Philo is considered one of the cheaper live streaming services available as it allows users to stream over 70 live TV channels for just $28 a month after itsfree trial.

Popular live channels offered with Philoinclude the Lifetime, Hallmark Channel, MTV, AMC, HGTV, History Channel, Discovery Channel, CMT, TLC, BET and more.

Philo also offers unlimited DVR along with various movies and TV shows users can watch on-demand.

What is Yellowstone about?

The official series description of Yellowstone is as follows:

Oscar and Emmy winner Kevin Costner is the marquee attraction of the ensemble cast in this drama series, starring as the patriarch of a powerful, complicated family of ranchers. A sixth-generation homesteader and devoted father, John Dutton controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. He operates in a corrupt world where politicians are compWhere can I watch Yellowstone season 5 part 2?romised by influential oil and lumber corporations and land grabs make developers billions.

Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds and hard-earned respect, Dutton’s property is in constant conflict with those it borders — an expanding town, an Indian reservation and America’s first national park.

Is Yellowstone season 5 the last season?

Yes, season five will be the final season of the hit drama series Yellowstone.

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Legendz sweepstakes casino promo code (Nov. 2024): Grab exciting pre-launch giveaway now

The US sweepstakes casino industry continues to grow at a rapid pace. Legendz Social Casino stands as the newest entry into this market. It has yet to officially launch, yet players can use the Legendz promo code offer to take part in an exciting pre-launch giveaway.

Much about Legendz Casino is still unknown. A huge number of casino fans are eager to see what this new platform has to offer. Read on as I break down everything you need to know about the country’s newest social casino platform, along with information on its exciting pre-launch offer.

What does the Legendz promo code offer new users?

Legendz has yet to officially launch online. It remains in a pre-launch stage, meaning it’s not entirely clear what the Legendz promo code for new users will offer. For now, Legendz is offering a unique pre-launch giveaway that promises thousands of Sweeps Coins to lucky winners.

To take part in the pre-launch giveaway, follow the steps below.

  1. Click any of the Legendz Casino promo code links or banners featured on this page.
  2. Register your email where prompted and wait for the results.

It appears that winners of the Sweeps Coins giveaway will be chosen at random. It’s difficult to predict what the exact welcome offer of this platform will be. I can, however, make some educated guesses based on what competing platforms offer.

It’s extremely likely that new members will receive a set number of Gold Coins just for signing up. For those unaware, this is one of the virtual currencies that social casinos use for games. Players receive Gold Coins for free every single day and use them to play any available game being offered.

It’s also reasonable to assume that new members will receive a small number of Sweeps Coins. These are different, as they can be redeemed for prizes such as gift cards and even real money. Generally, players can only redeem these when they have enough in their account, such as 25 or 50.

The fact remains – no one will know what the true Legendz promo code offer is until after the site launches. Everything is speculation until then. As a new platform, it’s likely to be a great offer that all new members can take advantage of.

What is Legendz Casino?

Legendz Casino is a social casino, also often referred to as a sweepstakes casino. Platforms like these look and feel much like a real money online casino. The difference is that they are always free to play.

As I mentioned earlier, Legendz will utilize two forms of virtual currencies.

Gold Coins are used to play games. They are awarded for free every single day and can never be redeemed for prizes. Players always have the option to purchase additional Gold Coins, yet this is never a requirement.

Sweeps Coins are also awarded to players for free, albeit in much smaller quantities. Players can also earn Sweeps Coins in a variety of ways, such promotions, social media contests, or by winning game jackpots. Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for a variety of prizes, including cash.

Legendz is entering the US sweeps market with full force. According to the pre-launch website, this social casino will offer both slots and live dealer games. This gives nearly every type of casino fan something they can enjoy.

Why sign up for Legendz Casino?

Social casinos have grown hugely popular around the country. Real money online casino gambling is only legal in six states. That includes Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Until fairly recently, those located outside these states had no legal way to play their favorite casino games online. The emergence of sweeps casinos changed that. These platforms look and feel almost exactly like traditional real money online casinos.

Legendz Casino will be the latest social casino to enter the market. The platform is expected to be fantastic. It will offer a large variety of games, including both slots and live dealer table games.

New platforms are always working hard to grow their user base quickly. That means new members are often given excellent bonus offers. The Legendz promo code bonus offer is not yet known, yet it is likely to be very generous.

All casino fans are likely to love what Legendz has to offer. With hundreds of slots, a great variety of table games, and a modern UX, it could grow to become one of the top new social casinos on the market.

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Suspect charged in killing of Birmingham 20-year-old who died on grandfather’s porch

A suspect has been charged in the shooting death of a 20-year-old who collapsed and died on his grandfather’s front porch earlier this week.

Malik Farris, a 21-year-old Trussville man, is charged with murder in the death of Amauria Caffey.

He is also charged with first-degree theft property and first-degree criminal mischief stemming from actions after the shooting involving the victim’s property, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

Additional details were not released, and online court records on those charges were not yet available.

A young Birmingham man was killed in a Nov. 4, 2024, shooting in Birmingham’s Enon Ridge neighborhood.(Carol Robinson)

The shots rang out at 12:12 p.m. Monday in the 1600 block of Fifth Street North. That location is in the Enon Ridge neighborhood.

Police said more than 20 shots were fired.

Fitzgerald said the deadly shooting happened during argument over a previous incident that involved neither the victim nor suspect.

More than a dozen distraught family and friends flocked to the scene, visibly emotional.

Caffey’s father ran through the police perimeter trying to get to his son, but police were able to get to him and stop him from going any further.

A man at the scene identified himself to AL.com as the victim’s grandfather and said he died on his front porch.

Farris turned himself into police. He is being held without bond.

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Elon Musk

There’s no doubt that Donald Trump’s election landslide victory over Vice President Kamala Harris is a disaster for climate change and the environment in the U.S. and around the world.

Just like in 2016, Trump has promised to promote fossil fuel policies aggressively, reduce climate disaster preparedness, dismantle key environmental agencies, and roll back clean energy initiatives and environmental oversight.

“You are looking at, overall, a ‘drill baby drill’ philosophy,” Dan Eberhart, chief executive officer of oilfield services company Canary LLC, told Bloomberg News. “You are going to see offshore lease sales, you are going to see pipelines move much quicker, you are going to see fracking on federal lands and a mindset that is focused on lowering energy costs for consumers.”

But with just days before the start of the UN’s COP 29, the most important annual climate conference, Trump’s victory will have major consequences that could severely hobble international efforts at tackling climate change.

“The US at this COP is not just a lame duck, it’s a dead duck,” Prof Richard Klein, an expert on climate change policy for the Stockholm Environment Institute, told the BBC. “They can’t commit to anything and that means that countries like China will not want to commit to anything.”

Under Trump, the United States will again take a step back from its position as a leader on global climate policy to embrace the murky and economically lucrative world of oil and gas. Trump will likely withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time. At the same time, domestic issues around environmental justice, water, and air pollution will also fall in the list of priorities if the Heritage Foundations’ extreme-right Project 2025 governance playbook is enacted.

But even with such an undeniable mandate from the electorate, there are more than a few encouraging environmental gifts nestled among the many piles of coal. There could be a major ecological reprieve in the unlikely shape of Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, who endorsed Trump in July.

While Musk started his entrepreneurial life as a gung-ho climate change believer and environmental guardian, even stepping down from Trump’s advisory council in 2017 after the Paris climate withdrawal, he has since changed his views somewhat.

Not least when he became a major donor for climate deniers Trump and his VP pick J.D. Vance, but don’t be fooled, Musk is still very much in favor of the environment, climate change mitigation and clean energy. Trump seems to be listening.

Trump said earlier this year that he had “no choice” but to support electric vehicles because “Elon endorsed me.” In September, Musk said in a series of tweets that the world wasn’t using enough solar and that it would eventually become the only energy source.

If Musk can convince Trump to embrace his energy ideology, which advocates shifting away from oil and gas without vilifying it, it could gain the trust of skeptical Conservatives and lift the GOP’s anti-renewable energy veil.

“Elon may be able to help Trump think through this a little bit differently,” U.S. Rep. Garret Graves of Louisiana told Politico in August. “How do you do this in a way that actually makes sense, checking both an economic sustainability box and an environmental sustainability box?”

But even if Musk doesn’t come out good, there are still things to be hopeful about.

Among what will appear to be a congressional bloodbath for Democrats, losing control of both chambers, dozens of pro-climate members retained their seats and won open elections. At the ballot box, even in red states, voters put their weight behind green initiatives aimed at environmental conservation, clean water, infrastructure, and extreme weather, totaling billions of dollars.

“When the issue of conservation and climate is highlighted and elevated on the ballot, we find time and again that voters overwhelmingly support these initiatives,” said The Nature Conservancy’s senior director of strategy Adam Snyder. “This year is no different, with 66% of voters supporting conservation and climate proposals.”

At the ballot box, voters overwhelmingly sided with the environment.

State and Local Ballot Measures

Arizona: win

Preserved the governor’s emergency powers at 120 days, allowing greater flexibility in dealing with climate and environment emergencies without requesting permission from Congress every 30 days. The state consistently experiences drought and weeks of 100F heat.

California: win

Authorized a $10 billion climate bond that funds climate resilience, protecting clean drinking water and preventing catastrophic wildfires.

Colorado: loss

Maintained the legal right to trophy hunt mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx.

Colorado: win

Removed the cap for water funding from an existing tax on sports gaming revenue, which will generate an additional $2 to $5 million.

Dupage, Kane and Lake counties, Ill.: win

Authorized more than $500 million for conservation and forest preserve districts to buy land, maintain existing public places and improve public recreation opportunities.

Florida: loss

Added the right to hunt and fish to the state constitution, potentially weakening wildlife protections and property rights, and prioritizing hunting over sustainable conservation methods.

Jasper County, S.C.: win

Added a sales tax for transportation, including a greenbelt component for land conservation that totals $94 million over the program’s life.

Louisiana: win

Chose to direct federal revenues received by the state from energy production (such as wind, solar, tidal, wave and other alternative or renewable energy sources) to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund.

Maine: win

Authorized $30 million in bonds over four years to design, develop, and maintain trails across Maine.

Minnesota: win

Renewed of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for another 25 years. The fund will provide $2 billion ($80 million per year from state lottery proceeds) to protect water, land, and wildlife across the state.

Rhode Island: win

Allowed $53 million environmental bond to fund various programs, including open space and parks, coastal resilience, forest management and restoration, farmland protection, brownfield reclamation and upgrading a port facility to support offshore wind development.

South Dakota: loss

Repealed a carbon dioxide pipeline regulation that weakens environmental and safety standards.

Suffolk County, N.Y.: win

Approved a ballot measure that will generate $6 billion for clean water and conservation over the next 30 years.

Washington: win

Defeated an effort to roll back the state’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA provides millions for conservation, climate and wildfire funding, including funding for Tribal nations and at-risk communities.

Washington: loss

Preserved access to natural gas, landing a blow to advocates who want the state to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

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