Alabama News

Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl has spent time in the headlines this offseason for non-basketball reasons.

It was reported by Semafor in late May that the 65-year-old coach was considering a run for Alabama’s open seat in the U.S. Senate. The opening was left by Tommy Tuberville, a former Auburn football coach, who recently entered the Alabama governor race.

AL.com has asked Pearl in person and sent multiple requests for comment about his potential interest in running for congress, but the head coach has either declined to speak or not responded.

He has addressed the rumors on radio shows and podcasts a handful of times since the Semafor report came out, but hasn’t outright confirmed or denied his interest.

Pearl was a guest on the Scott Jennings Show Wednesday afternoon and was asked again where he was in the decision-making process. Pearl’s answer was long-winded and offered some insight, but still didn’t directly confirm or deny the rumors.

He expressed his concern about the “democratic party and the direction they’re going,” but added that he “loves Auburn” and questioned how much he could achieve in congress.

“The question is, can I also have impact as a basketball coach? I’m graduating kids, I’m teaching kids, I’m ministering, I’m teaching, I’m preaching,” Pearl said. “I don’t know that I have to be a senator to be able to do that, because there’s so many things about Washington that’s so dysfunctional that I don’t even know if I could make a difference there.”

Auburn athletic director John Cohen told AL.com at SEC Media Days that he expects Pearl to be Auburn’s head coach in 2025, but acknowledged that “things can change.”

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkusor email him at [email protected]m

Surrounded by parents whose children died of fentanyl overdoses, President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a bill mandating longer minimum sentences for traffickers of fentanyl-like substances.

“Today we strike a righteous blow to the drug dealers, narcotics traffickers and criminal cartels that we’ve all been hearing so much about for so many years, and very little has been done,” Trump said during the signing ceremony for the Halt Fentanyl Act.

The legislation classifies fentanyl as a Schedule I narcotics. Anyone caught trafficking the fentanyl-like substances face a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years in federal prison.

“So we take a historic step toward justice for every family touched by the fentanyl scourge,” Trump said.

“We’ll be getting the drug dealers, peddlers and pushers off our streets, and we will not rest until we have ended the drug overdose epidemic…,” the president continued.

More than 48,000 people died from synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Trump criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, claiming the former president’s policies contributed to the fentanyl epidemic.

“They did nothing. For four long years Joe Biden surrendered our borders to the most evil and vicious traffickers, networks … allowing foreign drug cartels to carve out a massive footprint on American soil,” Trump said.

He said the previous administration “either didn’t care or were just stupid people.”

Trump touted the 4,500 pounds of fentanyl seized so far during his second term.

The Halt Fentanyl Act takes aim at “the monsters who manufacture illicit fentanyl” and skirt legal restrictions by making minor variations to the drug recipe, developing even more toxic versions of fentanyl.

Anne Funder, whose 15-year-old son, Weston, died after taking fentanyl-laced pills in 2022, applauded the new legislation.

“It is a lifeline for families across America in keeping our families safe, and that’s what you always want — to keep America safe,” she said. “So thank you so much.”

Greg Swan, a Michigan father whose son, Drew, died of a fentanyl overdose, thanked Trump “for stopping the border crossings.

“Full stop, mic drop,” Swan said. “It was amazing what you did. We were being gaslit and you came and lit a fire to that story, and we’re a lot safer for it.”

Alabama football sits in a national-championship drought.

Just ask left tackle Kadyn Proctor.

“We know we haven’t won a championship in a long time,” Proctor said Wednesday at SEC Media Days.

Yes, it’s only been five years, but that might as well be 50 in Tide years. Until now, Alabama had not gone more than three years without winning a title since the gap between Gene Stallings’ last title in 1992 and Nick Saban’s first in 2009.

Saban won his last in 2020, and Alabama hasn’t won another since. The Crimson Tide also hasn’t been back to the game since the 2021 season.

For most programs, that’s nothing. But Alabama isn’t most programs. The Crimson Tide has legitimate national-championship-or-bust expectations, even if Saban is no longer the coach.

So Alabama is working to win another one. The first step: Make the playoff field to have a chance to win it. The Crimson Tide didn’t do that in 2024, struggling to pair big wins with consistency. As a result, Alabama didn’t make the first 12-team College Football Playoff.

That measuring stick is the same one coach Kalen DeBoer used. A reporter asked him Wednesday if Alabama lived up to the ‘Bama standard in his first year.

“I mean, if you internally ask us, no,” DeBoer said. “We fell short of making the playoffs. It’s as simple as that, right? Giving yourself a chance to go compete for a championship.”

Alabama wasn’t far off from making the playoffs. Lose one fewer game, and the Crimson Tide would have all but certainly been in. But against Vanderbilt, Alabama couldn’t shake its hangover from the colossal win over Georgia. Then, the Crimson Tide decided to overlook a struggling Oklahoma team. Alabama lost by a touchdown or less in three of the four losses.

“We’ve got to be better in the big moments,” DeBoer said. “We lost some close games last year. We had chances maybe not even in the fourth quarter, but early in the game to separate ourselves or make a play here or there. Whether it was the belief or whether it was the confidence, a lot of that just comes through repetitions.”

DeBoer and Alabama worked this offseason to figure out not only where Alabama fell short in losses but also the why. Why Alabama struggled to turn a fourth-quarter lead over Tennessee into a win. Why Alabama had to play from behind against Vanderbilt. Why Alabama played uninspiring football against Oklahoma.

“I’m excited about our guys taking those next steps, understanding when we get in those moments this year, those critical times, how to come through and make the play that’s necessary to go win football games,” DeBoer said.

In-game moments are only part of it. They’re often the byproduct, not the source. Proctor pointed to preparation as key to fixing issues from previous losses.

“Maybe sometimes we’re a little lax in that game week, and we’ve talked about that as a group,” Proctor said. “As an offensive line group, as the whole offensive group, we’ve said it needs to be more focused and intent on game weeks.”

That preparation can’t start Thursdays. It must begin after 24 hours have passed.

“You put it behind you and you focus on what you need to focus on for that week,” Proctor said, “going day in and day out, not worrying about the future.”

Do that, and maybe just maybe the future will include winning another national championship. The drought has gone on long enough. After all, Tide years without championships are like dog years.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Dozens of Native American radio stations across the country vital to tribal communities will be at risk of going off the air if Congress cuts more than $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, according to industry leaders.

The U.S. Senate is set to vote this week on whether to approve the Department of Government Efficiency’s plan to rescind previously approved public broadcasting funding for 2026 and 2027. Fear is growing that most of the 59 tribal radio stations that receive the funding will go dark, depriving isolated populations of news, local events and critical weather alerts. The House already approved the cuts last month.

“For Indian Country in general, 80% of the communities are rural, and their only access to national news, native story sharing, community news, whatever it is, is through PBS stations or public radio,” said Francene Blythe-Lewis, CEO of the Lincoln, Nebraska-based Native American video programming producer Vision Maker Media. “If the claw back happens, I would say a good 90% of those stations will cease to exist.”

Native American communities rely on local radio stations

Local radio plays an outsized role in the lives of many who live in Indigenous communities, where cable television and broadband internet access are spotty, at best, and nonexistent for many. That leaves over-the-air TV stations — usually a PBS station — and more often local radio to provide local news, community event details and music by Indigenous artists. Sometimes the news is delivered in Indigenous languages.

“It means we’re not going to hear our language on the radio,” Blythe-Lewis said.

Flagstaff, Arizona-based Native Public Media, which supports the network of 59 radio stations and three television stations serving tribal nations across the country, said about three dozen of those radio stations that rely heavily on Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding will be the first to go dark if funding is cut for the coming fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

Loris Taylor, CEO of Native Public Media, said in an op-ed that the tribal stations reach more than 1.5 million people and “may be the only source of locally relevant news, emergency alerts, public safety announcements, language preservation, health information and election coverage.”

Republicans face pressure to pass the cuts

GOP senators are under pressure from President Donald Trump, who promised last week on his Truth Social platform that any Republican who votes against the cuts “will not have my support or Endorsement.”

Many Republicans say the public media system is politically biased and an unnecessary expense. Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, recently defended the cuts as necessary to hack away at the nearly $37 trillion national debt, adding, “It is critical in restoring trust in government.”

But some Republicans have pushed back, such as Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who questioned the proposed cuts last month during a Senate committee hearing. She said that while some of the federal money is assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting System, most of it goes to locally owned public radio and television stations.

Tribal stations provide lifesaving alerts

Jaclyn Sallee is president and CEO of Koahnic Broadcast Corporation and KNBA, its radio station in Anchorage, Alaska. Koahnic produces National Native News, a five-minute daily newscast that features headline news from across Indian Country, and Native America Calling, a daily hourlong call-in program, for about 190 stations across the nation. It also produces Indigefi, a music program in Indigenous languages.

KNBA is on Native Public Media’s list of those stations that would be most affected by the federal funding cuts — a concern Sallee confirmed, as 40% of the station’s funding comes from CPB.

“What we’re really worried about are the rural stations in Alaska where they may be the only station in the community,” she said. “The people that live there depend on the station for vital weather alerts, emergency alerts; it’s the local hub of the community where people share information. So that is very troublesome because people’s lives are at risk without this service.”

It’s currently fishing season in Alaska, she said, “which means getting out in the ocean or in rivers and going long distances to subsist, and so they really rely on weather reports.”

Having the news reported in a tribe’s language isn’t just about preserving that language, she said. Sallee spent summers in Nome with her mother’s family. Her grandmother, she said, spoke only Inupiaq.

Loss of small stations could hurt the larger system

New Mexico PBS’s signal reaches all but one of the more than 20 tribes and pueblos in the state. It also has signed an agreement with the Navajo Nation, which has the largest reservation of any tribe in the U.S., that allows the tribe to carry the PBS signal and programming on the Navajo Nation Television network, New Mexico PBS general manger Franz Joachim said.

“It’s no question in my mind that, you know, immediately some stations will pretty much go dark,” Joachim said.

When those first stations fail, it won’t take long for others to follow, Joachim said. And as they do, it will mean fewer and fewer stations left to pay membership dues that also help fund all of the stations.

“So now the whole system starts to fracture,” he said. “So for me, the federal funding is really about the system as a whole that keeps us in place.”

That funding also helps produce national content that groups like Vision Maker Media produce. Those include Native American documentaries shown on PBS like “Mankiller,” the story of Wilma Mankiller who became the first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Blythe-Lewis compared the potential loss of tribal stations to the country’s past attempts to erase Native American cultures, such as through federal boarding schools where Indigenous children were sent for generations to assimilate them into white society and where systemic abuse of Indigenous children was carried out.

“We’re erased from public media and therefore invisible and therefore become unknown and unheard of,” she said.

Since his transfer to Auburn, Jackson Arnold has become one of the hottest offseason topics around the Southeastern conference.

With the Oklahoma Sooners speaking at SEC media days Wednesday, there was no ill will towards their former signal caller.

“Jackson is a great player,” R Mason Thomas said. “When Jackson was here, he took things like a pro and I’m glad he was able to find a home. It’s going to be exciting for him to come back to our stadium and play.”

Defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings called Arnold’s return on September 20th a redemption game.

Seeing everything that transpired with the Sooners benching Arnold last season, Spears-Jennings spoke on the positive impact he had on Oklahoma’s locker room.

“He’s got a great staff around him and I think he’s going to have a great time at Auburn,” Spears-Jennings said. “Him coming back to Norman is going to be like a redemption game.”

“I feel like Jackson is a great guy on and off the field. He was just young, and I feel like this year is really his time to shine. He brings all the guys together and his uplifting spirit makes him the great leader he is.”

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports forAL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3or email him at [email protected].

The annual ESPYS Awards is set to premiere live on ABC and ESPN+ Wednesday, July 16 at 8/7c.

Those hoping to tune in for the annual awards ceremony can stream the premiere live through Fubo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Disney+ (plans start at $10.99/month).

What are the ESPYS Awards?

The ESPYS originated in 1993 and was created by ESPN and Jim Valvano to help raise awareness and funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the charity founded by Valvano. Over the past 30 years, ESPN has raised over $250 million for the V Foundation.

Since its inception, the ESPYS has brought together sports and entertainment celebrities together to celebrate major athletic achievements over the past year.

What to know about the 2025 ESPYS

Hosted by popular comedian Shane Gillis, the 2025 ESPYS will continue the tradition of raising funds for cancer research and the V Foundation.

According to an ESPN press release, the star-studded ceremony will “relive the best moments of the year, honor leading athletes, and bring together the sports industry’s fan favorites and biggest stars.”

In addition to honoring the nominees, the night will also be filled with special music performances from Busta Rhymes, Clipse, GELO and Tobe Mwigwe featuring David Michael Wyatt.

During the ceremony, ESPN is set to honor former WNBA player Diana Taurasi and former USWNT player Alex Morgan with the Icon Award in recognition of their impact on the world of sports.

Additionally, former NBA player Oscar Robertson, Penn State University women’s volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, and Greater Los Angeles first responders and former athletes David Walters and Erin Regan will receive special recognition with some of the ESPYS most esteemed awards.

2025 ESPYS presenters

Big name celebrities are gearing up to present this year’s slew of awards including Angela Bassett, Alison Brie, Busta Rhymes, Billie Jean King, Russell Wilson, Pat McAfee, Gabby Thomas, Russell Westbrook, Lindsey Vonn, Matthew Stafford, Chris Berman, Elle Duncan and more.

2025 ESPYS attendees

Some of the most iconic sports personalities and athletes are set to make an appearance at this years ESPYS awards including Simone Biles, Ilona Maher, Terrell Owens, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Lamar Jackson, Alex Morgan, Jonathan Owens, Andraya Carter, Tim Legler and more.

How to watch the 2025 ESPYS

Those interested in joining in on the celebration can stream the 2025 ESPYS live through Fubo, DirecTV or Disney+.

Both Fubo and DirecTV offer free trials for new users to enjoy before committing to a paid subscription.

What is Fubo and DirecTV?

Fubo and DirecTV are two of the top streaming services steadily replacing traditional cable services. Both offer free trials to new subscribers, a plethora of popular live TV channels, on-demand streaming options and helpful features such as unlimited DVR storage.

Fubo considers itself a sports-focused live streaming service, but with over 100 live TV channels available through its base package at just $84.99 after its free trial, it offers much more to its subscribers.

Popular TV channels available through Fubo include ABC, FOX, BET, MTV, CNBC, MSNBC, USA and much more.

DirecTV mirrors Fubo by offering many of the same live TV channels and useful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNN, BET and much more.

Two other DirecTV packages are the Choice package (original price $114.99) and the Ultimate package (original price $129.99), both of which are part of an ongoing promotion that offers new subscribers $10 off the original price for the first three months of their subscription.

Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages can check them out here.

What is Disney+?

Disney+ is a streaming service created by Disney, and with plans starting at just $10.99, it rivals many of the top streaming services on the market now.

Through Disney+, subscribers can access movies, series and originals from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. Subscribers can also tailor their content specific to them by exploring the available bundles which include other streaming services Hulu and ESPN+.

Those interested in exploring all available plans and bundles offered through Disney+ can compare them here.

Ty Simpson is better than Jalen Milroe, so says Paul Finebaum.

For that reason and more, the SEC Network analyst believes it will be Alabama contending with Texas for the SEC championship this upcoming season.

While much talk surrounds Arch Manning and the Longhorns being a favorite to win the league, Finebaum and Heather Dinich joined “Get Up” on Wednesday to discuss which team would challenge Steve Sarkisian’s club.

Dinich looks to Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs.

Paul Finebaum, on the other hand, is rolling with the Tide.

“A lot of people, amazingly, have forgotten about Alabama without Nick Saban,” Finebaum said. “They missed the playoff. They lost more games than they have since 2007, but I think they’re better at QB, and that sounds crazy with Ty Simpson against Jalen Milroe, who was amazing at times but also terrible at times.”

While much has been made about Georgia’s struggles with Alabama in the past, that game will be in Athens this season.

“I think they have elite wide receivers, I think they probably have the second-best wide receiver in the country in Ryan Williams,” Finebaum said.

“Their defense is going to be top-notch, and they also go to Georgia. The problem there is Georgia lost to Alabama, a little bit of a revenge game, but I think (the Tide) manage this season very well.”

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.

KFC is offering free food. Sort of.

The fried chicken chain is trying to regain its spot in consumers’ minds as the number one fast food chicken restaurant in the country with a new offer.

In a news release, KFC said its kitchens are inviting customers back to taste the difference −“crispy, hot, and unmistakably original,” reports USA TODAY.

“We’re well aware of the latest fried chicken rankings and I’m fired up to launch a bold Kentucky Fried Comeback and remind America exactly who we are,” said KFC United States President Catherine Tan-Gillespi. ”If people can give their ex a million second chances, I hope our fans can give us one… Come back and give us a shot −your first bucket’s on us.”

To score the deal, you will need to download the KFC app where you will find the Free Bucket on Us offer. You will also need to spend at least $15 (before taxes, tips and other fees) and the offer has to be redeemed prior to checkout.

The promotion ends Aug. 24.

Chicken competition

KFC has marked competition.

Last week, the Snack Wrap returned to the McDonald’s menu after a nearly decade-long hiatus. The two flavors– available in Ranch and Spicy- are available for $2.99.

Last month, Taco Bell introduced its chicken tacos.

The Original Bomb Pop— the popular rocket-shaped red, white, and blue popsicle– debuted 70 years ago.

To celebrate its 70th anniversary, Bomb Pop is giving it’s fans a chance to score the iconic popsicle at its original price: 5 cents.

“The only thing from 1955 about Bomb Pop in 2025 is that birthday price tag. For 70 years, Bomb Pop has been more than an ice pop — it’s a red, white and blue icon that has been an integral part in making summertime memories across America,” said Elizabeth Zigrang, Senior Associate Brand Manager for Bomb Pop, in a press release. “Bomb Pop will always be the ultimate symbol of summer. This year, we’re excited to celebrate our milestone with the fans who keep coming back and sharing us with their friends and families. They inspire us to keep creating new flavors and making new memories.”

How to get your 5 cent Bomb Pops

Until July 30, 70 lucky fans each day will have the chance to score a 12-pack of Original Bomb Pops for only a nickel. To get the goodies, customers should visit BombPop.com/70Years to fill out an entry form.

Here’s how it works:

1. Buy a 12-pack of Original Bomb Pops.
2. Go here and upload your receipt.
3. Spot the nickel in the lineup of coins to validate your entry.
4. 70 winners per day will be selected and notified weekly for reimbursement via Venmo or PayPal – just like it cost 5¢.

A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 3:31 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 4:15 p.m. for Butler County.

Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 30 mph.

“At 3:31 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 7 miles south of Greenville, moving west at 20 mph,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

The alert is for Greenville and Georgiana.

According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

Preparing for approaching lightning: Expert safety advice

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Mastering wet roads: Safety tips for heavy rainfall

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Slow down and drive with care:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.