Alabama News

Garden & Gun recently released its “Hot List” of new restaurants throughout the South that are worth a visit, and three Alabama eateries were among the eateries featured.

Bayonet, Salud and Golden Age Wine Garden, all located in Birmingham, garnered a spot in the Garden & Gun feature, which listed, in no particular order, standout restaurants that opened in 2023 or later throughout the South, ranging from meat-and-threes to upscale dining.

Celebrated Alabama chef Rob McDaniel opened Bayonet, a raw bar and seafood-focused restaurant, in March 2025 in downtown Birmingham. It offers oysters from the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coasts as well as from along the Atlantic Coast. In addition, its menu includes unique offerings like a tuna burger, swordfish chop and egg salad sandwiches topped with caviar.

“The ambience broadcasts the same mix of elevation and fun, from the vintage oyster plates decorating a wall to the octopus wallpaper in the restrooms to the raw-bar shucker’s seahorse tattoo,” the article said of Bayonet’s atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Salud Taqueria, opened by Jesus “Chuy” Mendez, offers a memorable meal of tacos, burritos, tortas and more, served in a relaxed and stylish setting. The Pastor Al Trompo tacos, which Salud prepares 50 pounds of daily, features thin-sliced pork shoulder tossed in a dobo de la casa, while its birria menu, available only on the weekends, offer a range of dishes made with its flavorful beef brisket.

“Tacos al pastor come with oversize wedges of fresh pineapple,” Garden and Gun wrote of Salud’s menu. “Tortas are layered with brisket and pinto beans and red onions. Regulars go heavy on the avocado salsa from the condiment bar.”

Last but not least, Golden Age Wine Garden is the perfect date night spot for wine lovers, offering a charming and elegant space to share a bottle of wine (or two) as well as charcuterie boards, fresh bread served with homemade butter, pimento cheese and more.

“…bistro tables, twinkle light strands, and a comfortably continental ambience make it hard to resist a glass of bracing Spanish white with French bread and Belgian cheese (or, if you prefer, crackers and pimento cheese),” the article says about the wine garden.

Other restaurants featured on the list include Kisser in Nashville, Tenn.; Mothers Best Fried Chicken in Decatur, Ga.; Hot Stuff in New Orleans, La.; Pulito Osteria in Jackson, Miss. and more.

Read the full Garden & Gun article.

This is a guest column

Serving in law enforcement is more than just a job, it is a continuation of service, a commitment that often begins in the military and extends into civilian life. Many police officers are proud veterans who have already answered the call to defend our nation, only to return home and face new battles on our streets and within themselves. The ongoing exposure to trauma, violence, and human suffering can take a heavy toll, leaving many veterans who serve in law enforcement struggling with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. As a retired police chief and someone who has served alongside these brave men and women, I understand the weight of this invisible burden and the resilience it takes to carry it.

For many veterans, cannabis is essential in managing PTSD and chronic pain—and it offers relief without the harsh, often addictive side effects of other medications. However, the existing federal regulations create substantial obstacles to safe and legal access, often forcing veterans to choose between their health and their benefits. That is why rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substance Act is a necessary and long-overdue step toward ensuring veterans can access the treatments they need without fear of losing the benefits they have earned.

Reclassifying cannabis would bring federal policy in line with the views of most Americans, including many Republicans. This move is supported by President Donald Trump and acknowledges that the current federal classification of cannabis is obsolete and harmful.

The current federal framework creates significant barriers for veterans seeking safe and legal access to cannabis. Physicians at VA medical centers, for instance, are currently barred from recommending cannabis-related treatments. This restriction leaves former service members with limited and inadequate treatment options. Rescheduling cannabis would enable VA doctors to discuss alternative cannabis-based treatments with their patients, ensuring veterans receive the comprehensive care they deserve. Medical cannabis is a proven, safe, and common-sense personal health management option, often without the devastating side effects associated with opiate-based drugs.

Rescheduling cannabis is also essential to advancing scientific research and unlocking its full medical potential. Under its current Schedule I classification, researchers face significant barriers that hinder critical studies into cannabis’s therapeutic properties. Moving cannabis to Schedule III would remove many of these obstacles, enabling universities and research institutions to conduct rigorous, large-scale studies. This shift would pave the way for evidence-based breakthroughs in treatment, deepen our understanding of both benefits and risks, and ensure that future medical use is guided by high-quality scientific data rather than outdated stigma or speculation.

Make no mistake—this is not about legalizing cannabis. Rescheduling is a common-sense, evidence-based step to ensure veterans suffering from PTSD, chronic pain, and traumatic brain injuries can access the care they need. It is about fulfilling our duty to those who have already fulfilled theirs.

Veterans deserve every possible avenue of relief, including promising cannabis-based treatments. The science is clear, the need is urgent, and bipartisan support is strong. It is time for the White House and federal agencies—especially the DEA—to act. Rescheduling is not just a policy shift; it is a moral obligation. Our veterans have waited long enough.

Randy Stroup is the former chief of police for the town of Jackson’s Gap and nineteen-year veteran of the Alexander City Police Department. He is also the Founder of Cater2Cops, an Alabama based non-profit that serves law enforcement members and their families.

With the 2025 WNBA All-Star over, teams are now preparing for the second half of the season. One of the most intriguing games this week will be between the Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks.

The Sparks have been on a tear as of late, winning their last five games and have gone 7-3 in their last 10. A few nights ago, Rickea Jackson hit the game-winning shot against the defending champion New York Liberty.

The Sparks will get even more reinforcements back, as Cameron Brink is set to make her long awaited return to the court on Tuesday. Brink, who was the No.2 overall pick in last year’s draft, tore her ACL as a rookie.

The Aces still have been pretty average this season, which is surprising. Reigning MVP A’Ja Wilson is doing everything to keep Las Vegas afloat.

Fans looking to tune into the Aces vs Sparks game can do so on Fubo, who’s offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Here’s everything you need to know before the Aces and Sparks tipoff:

When: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Time: 10 p.m. E.T.

Fans looking to tune into the Aces vs Sparks game can do so on Fubo, who’s offering a free trial to new subscribers.

An investigation is underway after a woman’s body was found in the front yard of a Blount County home.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched shortly after 6:30 a.m. Tuesday to a residence on Timmerman Circle in the Royal area.

The homeowner called 911 to report the woman unresponsive in the yard.

People across Madison County are urged to take precautions on Tuesday. The county and much of the North Alabama area are under an “Extreme Heat Warning” until 9 p.m.

The U.S. National Weather Service in Huntsville, Alabama, reports that heat index values, or the feels-like temperature, can reach up to 112 degrees.

NWS forecasts that there will be oppressive heat with a lot of moisture in the air.

READ MORE: Alabama faces extreme heat warning today: Records set in some cities

Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely on days with a high heat index like 112 degrees. The weather service recommends keeping an eye out for severe symptoms that lead to heat exhaustion, like fainting and vomiting, to mild symptoms like heavy sweating, weakness and cold, pale and clammy skin. If someone is experiencing these symptoms, they should get out of the sun immediately, lie down, loosen clothing and apply wet cloths.

Huntsville was one of the hottest spots in the state on Monday with a high temperature of 98 degrees.

Saving on energy bill during extreme weather

Energy use usually skyrockets during weather events like high heat indexes. Experts recommend setting the thermostat as high as possible that is still comfortable and safe, using ceiling and floor fans and keeping shades and curtains closed.

Plus, they should avoid running heat-generating appliances, securely close doors and windows and replace HVAC filters if they are dirty.

READ MORE: Which way should your ceiling fan blades turn to help cool your room?

Wednesday’s temperature is set to slightly cool down. It will be in the lower 90s instead of the upper 90s and chances for rain will increase throughout the week.

Many coaches would consider their middle linebacker the “quarterback” of their defense.

But, Faith Academy coach Gaines Sullivan was quick to point to one of his seniors on the defensive line: Jaxon Villegez-Williams.

Ronnie McDowell is recovering from surgery as a result from a stroke he suffered while performing last month.

The country music singer posted a video message to fans on Monday.

“Well, as you can see, I’m still walking,” he said with a grin. “I’ve still got swelling and it looks like a shark bit me.

“But thank everybody for all the cards, thoughts and prayers.”

The country music singer had surgery last week, but it did come with its share of scary complications, his family revealed.

“Today was quite the chapter,” his son Tyler Dean McDowell posted on Facebook.

“Tears, shaking, prayers — some shared with family, others alone. A couple of times, I walked outside, because everything unfolding made me believe he was gone.”

Tyler McDowell shared that his father underwent a minimally invasive procedure to remove approximately 70 percent blockage in his carotid artery.

“I have spoken to my Dad several times a day,” he posted again on Sunday. “He is recovering at home and sounding better each day.”

Tyler Dean and McDowell, Jr. shared there were some scary moments in the aftermath.

Dean said McDowell’s complication was “likely related to the blood thinners,” and that it was “handled quickly.”

Last month, country music icon was taken to a Pennsylvania hospital after an onstage medical event left him slurring his words.

McDowell, who reached No. 1 on the country charts with “Older Women,” was “three or four songs” into his set at Oley, Pennsylvania, Summer Solstice Music Festival when issues started.

McDowell, the “You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation” singer, was “not making sense.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

Gulf Shores International Airport announced Tuesday the addition of a twice-weekly non-stop flight to Nashville starting in November, marking the ninth destination to the new facility that opened its doors in late May.

The service to Nashville International Airport begins on Nov. 20, according to Allegiant Air’s website. The fare for the initial flight is $44.50 for one passenger, with the return trip on Sunday, Nov. 23, at $49.

Tickets are on sale through February 2026, though it’s unclear whether the route will continue into the spring and summer.

“This is a home run,” said Jesse Fosnaugh, director of Gulf Shores International Airport.

He anticipates the schedule going beyond next February.

“The flights are currently marketed as ‘seasonal’ however, that is primarily because the Allegiant flight schedule is published system-wide through mid-February,” Fosnaugh said. “I fully expect flights to continue longer based on the popularity of this route.”

He said that there are on average 380 people who travel daily between Gulf Shores and Nashville by vehicle – a 14-plus hour roundtrip. He said that data from a 2023 study based on cell-phone data shows where cell phones originate, and where they end up and how long they spend at a specific location.

Fosnaugh said eliminating the drive will give “visitors more vacation time, reduce their travel fatigue, and give back disposable income previously spent on fuel and vehicle expenses.”

Fosnaugh added, “Not to mention, our residents will have easy access to the Music City on a flight that takes a little more than an hour.”

The news follows an announcement earlier this month that Lulu’s is opening a food and beverage operation at the airport. The service begins sometime this week.

Lulu’s is a coastal institution with its venue located in Gulf Shores not far from the airport. Sister restaurants are in Destin, Fla., and North Myrtle Beach, S.C. It’s owned by Lucy Buffett, sister of the late legendary performer Jimmy Buffett.

An expansion plan is also in the works. The Gulf Shores Airport Authority recently entered into an agreement with Vasey Aviation Group to evaluate a design for terminal enhancements. If pursued, the improvements would include an expanded gate area, added curbside space, and enlarged baggage claim facilities. A final decision on whether to pursue the project will be determined later this fall.

The airport has welcomed 10,000 passengers in less than two months since opening officially on May 21. Those initial figures, reported in early July, represent a 25% boost over the projections.

Allegiant Airlines offers direct connections to airports in Knoxville, Tenn.; Cincinnati; Houston; Kansas City; Fayetteville, Ark; and Belleville, Ill., which is near St. Louis.

Starting in October, the Las Vegas-based airline will add two new seasonal services from Gulf Shores to Appleton, Wis., and Des Moines, Iowa. Those two new routes were announced at the same time the airport opened in late May.