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Record temperatures in Alabama on Thursday

At least two Alabama cities had record high temperatures on Thursday.

The National Weather Service reported that Birmingham and Huntsville both added to the record books for Nov. 7.

Birmingham’s high temperature of 86 degrees broke the record of 85 degrees set in 2022. It was also 18 degrees higher than the average temperature for Nov. 7.

Huntsville had a high temperature of 84 degrees and broke the record of 82 degrees also set in 2022. It was 17 degrees above average for the date.

Other cities didn’t break records but were 4-15 degrees above normal for highs. Here are a few high temperatures from Thursday:

* Anniston: 81 degrees, 13 degrees above average

* Dothan: 78 degrees, 4 degrees above average

* Mobile: 80 degrees, 7 degrees above average

* Montgomery: 81 degrees, 8 degrees above average

* Muscle Shoals: 80 degrees, 13 degrees above average

* Troy: 79 degrees, 8 degrees above average

* Tuscaloosa: 83 degrees, 15 degrees above average

It’s also been very warm at night, and low temperatures in many places in the state would be the normal high temperatures, according to the weather service:

Lows Thursday night into Friday morning are expected to range from the low to mid-60s in north and central Alabama to the low 70s in south Alabama:

More warm temperatures are expected through the weekend, but possibly not as warm as Thursday’s because of higher rain chances for some areas and an expected cold front this weekend.

However, a longer-range outlook points to a good probability of more above-average temperatures into next week. Below is the six- to 10-day temperature outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center:

The CPC is forecasting a 60-70 percent probability of above-average temperatures through Nov. 17.

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Montgomery woman killed, man injured after vehicle hits tree

A Montgomery woman was killed and a man was injured after the vehicle they were in left the road and struck a tree early Thursday morning, authorities said.

Carol W. Lowe, 63, was a passenger in a 2007 Honda Pilot traveling on Highway 80 near Montgomery when the single-vehicle wreck occurred, said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Lt. Jeremy Burkett.

Lower was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 63-year-old man who was driving the Pilot was taken to Baptist Medical South in Montgomery for undisclosed injuries.

The crash occurred near the 122-mile marker, about three miles west of Montgomery.

Further information was unavailable as state troopers continued to investigate the fatal wreck.

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MSNBC’s Joy Reid: Alabama’s newest Congressman among ‘biggest stars’ of freshman class

Alabama’s newest Congressman-elect was praised by MSNBC’s Joy Reid Thursday who, at the end of her show called Shomari Figures likely to be one of the “big stars” of the freshman class in 2025.

Figures, 39, a Mobile Democrat, was elected on Tuesday to serve the 2nd congressional district by defeating Republican Caroleene Dobson. He won a seat redefined last year through court-ordered redistricting and flipping a congressional seat that had been in Republican hands for the past 14 years.

Figures was interviewed by Reid during her nightly “Reid Out” show.

He touched on a couple issues, including raising concerns about hospital closures that have occurred throughout rural Alabama over the past couple of years. Figures made health care and rural hospital closures a top policy concern during the campaign.

The Figures win is crucial to the Democratic Party’s hopes to flip the U.S. House. Going into the election, the House was at a razor-thin Republican majority of four seats.

As of Thursday night, there were 26 seats that still needed to be called, according to The Associated Press. Republicans held onto a 210-199 advantage, with 218 seats needed to claim the majority.

The Figures win was also historic for Alabama.

For the first time, the Figures win coupled with Birmingham Democrat U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell’s victory in the 7th district, means Alabama — for the first time since at least Reconstruction — will have two Black members of Congress serving at the same time.

Figures is the first Black person to be elected to Congress from Alabama outside the 7th district. About 27% of Alabama residents are Black, according to census data reported last year.

Figures is also the first Black man elected to Congress from Mobile.

The district, once reliably red, was redrawn by three federal judges last October after the U.S. Supreme Court, in a shocking 5-4 decision in Allen v. Milligan, agreed with a lower court’s determination that Alabama should have at least another congressional district in which Black voters were a majority or were close to it.

The Supreme Court’s verdict also suggested that Alabama Republicans violated the Voting Rights of Act 1965 when they approved the original congressional map.

In short, the Supreme Court agreed that Alabama’s Legislature had diluted the influence of Black voters when drawing congressional lines, tossing the final decision for the congressional lines to the three-judge panel.

The congressional map was redrawn to give Black voters an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choosing within the 2nd district.

According to the latest Associated Press figures, 56 U.S. House seats remain undecided on Wednesday. Republicans hold a 199-180 advantage. It takes 218 seats to claim a House majority. Republicans entered Tuesday’s election with a four-seat advantage.

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Girl fighting for life after being hit by vehicle in Montevallo; GoFundMe launched for medical bills

A girl is fighting for her life in Children’s Hospital after she was hit by a vehicle early Tuesday evening in Montevallo.

Community members have come together to raise money to help pay the medical bills for Ember Poe’s family.

Montevallo police and fire units were called to traffic accident in the 300 block of Spring Creek Road around 5:13 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

At the scene, authorities found a juvenile with life-threatening injuries. The juvenile was taken to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

The Shelby County Traffic Homicide Task Force has been called to help investigate the incident.

Police did not publicly identify the victim, but Montevallo resident Michele Mickwee, who created the GoFundMe, said the fundraising effort was “for Ember Poe and her family.

“Ember was in a terrible accident involving a vehicle striking her. She is in critical condition at Children’s Hospital,” the GoFundMe stated. “The funds from this fundraiser will go towards bills and medical expenses. Please donate whatever you feel like you can. Thank you for supporting this precious family.”

As of Thursday evening, more than $6,600 has been raised for the Ember’s medical bills.

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Caesars Sportsbook promo code ALCOM1000: $1K first-bet bonus for TNF Bengals vs Ravens

Week 10 of the NFL season kicks off tonight as the Cincinnati Bengals travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football. Those looking to wager on the action can use our Caesars Sportsbook promo code ALCOM1000 to get a $1K safety net on their first wager. Ahead of what should be an exciting showdown between two AFC North rivals, this is an excellent opportunity to make some money without risking losing your bankroll.

Caesars Sportsbook promo code ALCOM1000 at a glance

Caesars ALCOM1000 promo code: How to claim the $1K first-bet bonus

With just a $5 minimum wager, you can activate one of the best promotional offers the sports betting industry has to offer. Taking the stress of your first wager can go a long way in setting you up for success.

Just take these short steps to get an account set up today:

1. Press on one of our Caesars Sportsbook promo code ALCOM1000 banners on this page, and you’ll be redirected to the Caesars signup page, where you will enter the code ALCOM1000.
2. Once you choose a deposit option, make a minimum $5 deposit.
3. Place a minimum $5 bet on Sunday’s Cowboys vs. Falcons contest or any other market on Caesars odds board. Caesars will award you a bonus bet in the amount of the original stake, up to $1000.

Caesars Sportsbook existing user promos

The $1k first-bet safety net offer is for new users, but those with Caesars will quickly learn that the sportsbook offers plenty of great promos throughout the season.

• 100% SGP Live boosts: Get special odds boosts for their same-game parlay (SGP) markets on select Week NFL 9 matchups on the Caesars Sportsbook odds screen.
• NFL Longshot Parlay Contest: Opt in for as little as $5; you could win as much as $10,000 by placing your minimum three-leg parlay card in the top three.
• 10% Deposit Match: Get 10% of your deposit up to $1010 matched, paid out in Caesars bonus bets.

How to use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code ALCOM1000 for Bengals vs. Ravens

The Cincinnati Bengals are +5.5 (-110) road underdogs when they meet the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, November 7, at M&T Bank Stadium.

Cincinnati is looking to get back to .500 for the first time this season as winners of three out of their last four games. While the Ravens are looking to close on the Steelers for the lead in the AFC North standings.

The Caesars Sportsbook promo code ALCOM1000 only returns a bonus bet if your first wager loses, so I like the upside of the Bengals’ moneyline at +215 at Caesars to maximize your potential earnings. If you win, you’ll make back a pretty penny. If you lose, you’ll be given bonus bets up to the amount wagered.

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‘Idiotic and archaic’: PETA slams LSU’s decision to bring live mascot into stadium for Alabama game

National group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is urging Louisiana State University to reconsider their decision to bring a live tiger into the stadium for this Saturday’s Alabama football game.

The university (LSU) previously discontinued the practice after the 2016 death of previous mascot Mike VI. Their decision to bring a tiger in this Saturday follows ongoing public advocacy from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.

Landry helped facilitate a tiger’s delivery from an out of state refuge to be used for the game while the university’s current eight-year-old mascot, Mike VII, will be kept in his 15,000 square foot habitat across the street from the stadium, according to a report from Louisiana Sports.

“It’s shameful and out of touch with today’s respect for wild species that LSU has bowed to Gov. Landry’s campaign to display a live tiger at its football games to amuse the fans,” reads a statement from PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Wildlife Research Klayton Rutherford.

“LSU rightly ended this idiotic, archaic practice nearly a decade ago after recognizing that it was cruel to subject a sensitive big cat to the noise, lights, and crowds in a football stadium.”

“Whether the tiger is confined to campus or shipped in from elsewhere, no reputable facility would subject a tiger to such chaos and stress, and PETA and nearly 50,000 of its supporters have already called on Landry to let up and leave big cats alone—and are now urging LSU to grow a spine and just say no.”

LSU representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Fifth, sixth suspects charged with murder in Huntsville shooting that left man dead, another injured

Huntsville police announced Thursday that two more suspects have been charged in connection with a shooting last month that left a man dead and another person injured.

After the arrests of Huntsville residents Dion Earl Ernest Roos-VorHauer, 19, and Jordan C Lakes, 20, a total of six suspects have been charged with reckless murder in connection with the fatal Oct. 12 shooting at 3310 Meridian St. that left Damien Obrien Manning, 22, dead.

Roos-VorHauer was booked into the Madison County jail Monday while Lakes was sent to the lockup on Thursday, police said.

More arrests are expected in the ongoing investigation.

Last month, Huntsville police announced that Tyler O’Neal Andrade, 21, of Huntsville, was booked into the Madison County Jail on reckless murder charges.

Police also charged Kennedy Thomas Turner, 20, of Huntsville, on Thursday with reckless murder.

Jordan Latrell Smith, 21, of Huntsville, was booked into the Madison County Jail at 2 p.m. Wednesday on the same charge.

The three were arrested in connection with a shooting at a gas station at 3310 Meridian St. at about 9:50 p.m. Oct 12.

A second victim, whose name had not been released, required hospitalization.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Investigator Matthew Edger at (256) 427-7247. To provide an anonymous tip, call (256) 532-7463 or submit a tip to Crimestoppers at 53-CRIME.

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Who is Susie Wiles? Trump names Florida strategist as first female White House chief of staff

President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles, the manager of his victorious campaign, as his White House chief of staff, the first woman to hold the influential role.

Wiles is widely credited within and outside Trump’s inner circle for running what was, by far, his most disciplined and well-executed campaign, and was seen as the leading contender for the position. She largely avoided the spotlight, even refusing to take the mic to speak as Trump celebrated his victory early Wednesday morning.

Wiles’ hire is Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration, as he must quickly build the team that will help run the massive federal government. Wiles doesn’t bring government experience to the role, but has a close relationship with the president-elect.

She was able to do what few others have been able to: help control Trump’s impulses — not by chiding him or lecturing, but by earning his respect and showing him that he was better off when he followed her advice than flouting it.

“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again,” Trump said in a statement. “It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”

Trump went through four chiefs of staff — including one who served in an acting capacity for a year — during his first administration, part of record-setting personnel churn in his administration.

Successful chiefs of staff serve as the president’s confidant, help execute a president’s agenda and balance competing political and policy priorities. They also tend to serve as a gatekeeper, helping determine whom the president spends his time with and whom he speaks to — an effort Trump chafed under inside the White House.

The chief of staff is “absolutely critical to an effective White House,” said Chris Whipple, whose book “The Gatekeepers” details how the White House chief of staff role shapes and defines a presidency. “At the end of the day the most important thing is telling the president what he doesn’t want to hear.”

“On the plus side, she’s shown that she can manage Trump, that she works with him and can sometimes tell him hard truths, and that’s really important,” said Whipple. “On the minus side, she really has no White House experience and hasn’t really worked in Washington in 40 years. And that’s a real disadvantage.”

Wiles is a longtime Florida-based Republican strategist who ran Trump’s campaigns in the state in 2016 and 2020. Before that, she ran Rick Scott’s 2010 campaign for Florida governor and briefly served as the manager of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman’s 2012 presidential campaign.

Chris LaCivita, who along with Wiles served as a co-manager of the campaign, posted on X, “So Happy and proud of one of the fiercest and most loyal warriors i’ve ever had the pleasure of working with !!!”

Trump often referenced Wiles on the campaign trail, publicly praising her leadership of what he said he was often told was his “best-run campaign.”

“She’s incredible. Incredible,” he said at a Milwaukee rally earlier this month,

At a rally in Pennsylvania where Trump made one of his last appearances before the election, he launched into a profane and conspiracy-laden speech. Wiles was spotted standing offstage and appearing to glare at him.

Later, at a rally in Pittsburgh, Trump seemed to acknowledge his adviser’s’ efforts to keep him on message.

After complaining that men aren’t allowed to call a woman “beautiful” any longer, he asked if he could strike that word from the record. “I’m allowed to do that, aren’t I, Susan Wiles?” he mused.

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13-year-old boy brought loaded gun to middle school in north Alabama, police say

A 13-year-old boy is facing charges after police say he brought a loaded gun to a middle school Thursday in north Alabama.

Madison police responded to a report Wednesday night of a 13-year-old child who was carrying a pistol at a local apartment complex, the department said.

While police were unable to confirm the child had a gun, the department notified the school resource officers at Liberty Middle School, where the child attends, about the report.

On Thursday, school resource officers made contact with the student and officers and school staff searched the boy

During the search, a loaded 9-millimeter hand gun was found on the student and taken as evidence, police said.

An investigation into the incident was ongoing as of late Thursday afternoon.

The boy, whose name was withheld because of his age, was charged with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm — a felony under state law.

He was taken to the Neaves-Davis Juvenile Detention Center.

Further information was unavailable.

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Cameron Smith: Americans prefer Republican offense to Democratic condescension

This is an opinion column

If you need a safe space to process the election results, you’re the reason Democrats got lit up like a Christmas tree in November’s election. For most Americans, reality doesn’t afford time or space to melt down over politics and record it for social media. Liberals blame their electoral failure on racism, misogyny, or climate change. The truth is a bitter pill: Americans prefer offensive Republicans to condescending Democrats.

For the last four years, the American middle class has told politicians they’re concerned about the economy, rampant illegal immigration, and violent crime. Put positively, Americans want stable jobs that put bread on the table in safe communities. That’s not just a MAGA dream; it’s an American one.

Trump’s exaggerations and untruths weren’t the lies that shaped the elections. Democrats said inflation was transitory. It wasn’t. They claimed that the flood of undocumented immigration was part of normal fluctuations. That wasn’t correct. Biological sex is meaningless. Joe Biden’s capacity isn’t diminished. This will be the last American election if Trump wins.

I could go on.

Leftist politicians including Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris begged voters to ignore their own eyes and ears in service to a partisan narrative that didn’t ring true. Then they had the audacity to tell voters that the real problem was the average voters lack of understanding.

Let’s just stipulate that all the horrible things Democrats said about President-elect Donald Trump are accurate, so we don’t have to argue about them. The presidential candidate Democrats called “Hitler” is more preferable to a majority of American voters than having Democrats explain away one critical issue after another.

Over the last several years, I’ve been consistent about my concerns with Trump’s policies and character. I’m a boring Reagan conservative who generally tries to treat people with respect. That led to numerous public and private clashes with my Republican brethren. I’ve taken my lumps and delivered a few as well. Nevertheless, I haven’t lost my seat at the table or been canceled in spite of my conservative perspectives and personal character being occasionally at odds with Trump’s populist majority within the GOP.

Since Trump’s rise in 2016, Democrats have been willing to welcome people like me with open arms. Anyone willing to criticize Trump is a praiseworthy novelty. To many liberal’s, I’m a “reasonable” conservative who doesn’t particularly enjoy performance politics regardless of party. There’s just one problem: I won’t check my conservatism at the door. I actually support life, love Jesus, and refuse to believe that the winners of a popularity contest should dictate my life and opportunities.

When confronted by my political and policy perspectives, one Democrat after another has determined our disagreement is actually due to my lack of information. Rather than fight with me like my Republican friends, they speak slowly and politely explain their point of view to me again and again. It simply doesn’t occur to them that we could possibly disagree given access to the same information.

As it turns out, many Democrats can stomach just about every kind of diversity that isn’t ideological. You can be a man dressed as a woman identifying as the ghost of Harambe the gorilla, and Democrats will applaud you finding your truth. Argue that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the workplace harm merit-based professional advancement, and Democrats will cast you out like yesterday’s garbage.

Against the backdrop of the Democratic echo-chamber, those of us who disagree are indeed unwashed deplorables in need of perpetual education. If we resist, we’re a threat to democracy itself. Those are the only options.

The problem for Democrats isn’t that America needs more or better partisan explanations; it’s that voters don’t like what they’re hearing. Even in the face of electoral defeat, Democrats remain stubbornly focused on protecting the institutions, bureaucrats, and democratic norms just rejected by voters who really only want a fair shake at the American dream.

Americans will take an offensive punch to the nose much easier than a condescending civil lecture from partisans who aren’t paying attention. Democrats must confront that reality before they’ll understand why they lost.

Smith is a recovering political attorney with four boys, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and an extremely patient wife. He’s a partner in a media company, a business strategy wonk, and a regular on talk radio. Please direct outrage or agreement to [email protected] or @DCameronSmith on X or @davidcameronsmith on Threads.

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