Keonta Hill likes playing EA Sports College Football 26 more than the next sports fan.
In the game, he picked Vanderbilt for his Road to Glory team.
As a senior on Madison County’s football team, he hopes to put up some more video game numbers himself this season.
“I just want to go in and do whatever my team needs to win football games at the end of the day,” Hill said on Monday at Huntsville-area high school football media day.
Last season saw Hill run for 1,530 yards and 16 touchdowns on 210 carries as the Tigers’ lead back, claiming Huntsville Times All-Region honors.
While he was encouraged by his season last year, he looks to do more this year to help his team; the Tigers went 2-8 last season under Chris Hancock, who will enter his second season as the program’s head football coach.
“We won our spring football game. We started off on a high with everybody coming in, working and getting better,” Hill said. “We have more team chemistry, more than last year, so I think we’ll shock some people this year.”
Hancock, who served as defensive coordinator for six seasons at Huntsville before taking the Madison County job and also served as head coach at Columbia and Buckhorn, described the work that Hill has done as “exceptional.”
The coach added that he plans to play Hill at linebacker this season as well for the Tigers.
“Last year, he got a chance to really put it out there,” the coach said. “He’s been the guy who was the second guy going in after some of the backs they’ve had there in the past. Last year, he had a chance to shine. He had 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns; he did a great job. He’ll tell you, he’s got a great offensive line, got a good quarterback coming back.
“A lot of success, all from him, to quarterback and so forth, and then our receivers. He’s going to play a little both ways.”
Along with Hill, Hancock took pride in his offensive line group, which returns plenty of experience. The veterans include Cole Mullins, who represented his team at media day on Monday alongside Hill.
“It starts with those guys up front,” Hancock said. “We’ve got a very seasoned bunch of guys coming back that are young, but they’re all going to come back. Four out of my five guys are going to be back next year.”
Hill, who said his high school career “went by fast” and is excited about his senior year, described Hancock as a “very efficient” head coach.
“We don’t stay in there for hours,” he said of workouts and team activities. We get in and get our work done; we get a lot of work done.”
Hancock said one of the keys to success during his second season is demonstrating a strong work ethic, with the standard and expectations already set high.
“As their coach, you want to be the example,” the coach said. “Having a great coaching staff surrounding us and surrounding those guys and holding them accountable, the expectations have been put out.”
Madison County will open the season at home against Boaz on Friday, Aug. 22.
“Both sides of the ball are seasoned,” Hancock said. “I’ve got a seasoned defensive line, an offensive line, and then, of course, our running backs. It’s going to be fun.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do one game at a time.”
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The Crescent Theater in downtown Mobile has shut its doors nearly 20 years after its reopening.
The theater’s closure has sparked controversy among business owners in the community who seem to have differing perspectives on its cause.
“The Crescent Theater is officially closed,” management announced in a July 17 Facebook post.
“There are chains on the doors. Due to sensitive legal matters, no additional information can be released. It was a great short run and we loved seeing the happy faces coming in and out of the door.”
Another post later that day informed customers that tickets for movies and special events would be refunded, excluding those from Comedy Mobile and its associates.
The local comedy group was mentioned again in a post the following day.
“The Crescent was doing great with a 28 to 30% monthly profit increase,” the post reads.
“With Amtrak coming and the partnership that was in the works, the percentages stood to jump tremendously. The downfall was Comedy Mobile and Whipper Snapper Comedy who saw fit and entitled to the facility.”
“After a meeting with the owner behind closed doors, they cut a deal which railroaded The Crescent Theater’s success path,” the post continues.
Comedy Mobile posted a response to Facebook just a few hours later.
🚨Our next post, in the coming week, will have more info on when The Crescent will be open to show movies and comedy once…
“Comedy Mobile took no part in the decision to end the Crescent’s current management and/or operations,” it reads.
“We were presented with the opportunity to take over management. Said opportunity was only available because the decision to end the previous arrangement had already been made.”
“Allegations of a ‘breach of contract’ or claims that we intentionally excluded anyone are simply not true,” the post continues.
“By the time we received a proposal, the management which we had prior agreements with was no longer in place.”
Whipper Snapper Comedy producers also posted a response that day.
“Recently our name has been misrepresented in a situation we’ve had absolutely no part in,” the post reads.
“Being called ‘entitled’ after years of hard work building Whipper Snapper from the ground up is not only false, it’s unfair.”
“We kindly ask that the Crescent Theater stop misrepresenting us and bringing us into a conflict that has nothing to do with us,” the post continues.
Commentors were initially supportive of Crescent management, but now say they are confused and “exhausted” from the social media dispute.
“Nothing posted by this page has eased confusion,” one woman commented on The Crescent Theater page.
“After reading all these recent posts, I’m looking forward to someone else taking over The Crescent Theater,” another man commented.
“You all seem exhausting.”
A local event organizer said they were sympathetic to Crescent management but added that it seemed like more of an issue with the building’s owner John Switzer.
“If you’re not the building owner and you weren’t in a lease, I’m not sure you can do anything other than cut your losses and keep building your community elsewhere,” they wrote.
Efforts to contact Switzer were not immediately successful.
The Crescent Theater first opened in 1885 and offered vaudeville and burlesque shows before being converted to show silent films in 1912, according to its now defunct website.
Over the next century the space occupied several different restaurants but was closed in 2006 after suffering damage from a nearby fire.
It was reopened as a movie theater by Max Morey in 2008 and has mainly shown independent and arthouse cinema in its operation since.
“It’s like the Crescent is cursed,” wrote one commentor on the closing announcement.
“The theater is really one of the coolest things about Mobile. We just can’t have nice things.”
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After suffering a few recruiting setbacks in June, Auburn football added a blue-chip piece to its 2026 class on Monday.
Four-star prospect Jaquez Wilkes announced his commitment to the Tigers, becoming the 11th player in Auburn’s 2026 class. Wilkes also becomes the highest ranked player in the class, per the 247Sports composite rankings, ranked as No. 90 overall player in the country and the sixth-best player in Alabama.
Listed as an edge rusher by 247Sports, Wilkes is expected to play linebacker at Auburn. As a junior at Wadley High School, Wilkes helped lead his team to an undefeated season and 1A state championship playing on both sides of the ball. That Wadley team was especially dominant too, finishing the 2024 season with a +38.5 average margin of victory.
Wilkes tallied 10 tackles and an interception in the state championship game, to go along with 313 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 38 carries.
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The National Weather Service issued an updated weather alert at 4:48 p.m. on Monday for strong thunderstorms until 5:15 p.m. for Geneva County.
Residents can be ready for wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
“At 4:47 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 7 miles north of Geneva, moving southeast at 15 mph,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Geneva, Hartford, Coffee Springs, Chancellor, Kellys Crossroads, Eunola, High Bluff, Highfalls, Dundee, Geneva Municipal A/P, Hendrix Crossroad, Somerset and Thurston.
The weather service adds, “Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”
Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert 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 protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
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.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly 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, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested 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. Although water and metal do not 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 pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:
Beware of rapid water flow:
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
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:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Visibility matters:
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
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:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
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.
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The Chicago Cubs play against the Kansas City Royals in an MLB game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. CT on MLB Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
The Cubs enter this matchup with a 59-40 record, and they have won four of their last five games. However, the team is coming off a 6-1 loss against the Boston Red Sox.
In order to bounce back this evening, the Cubs will need a great performance from their star player Seiya Suzuki. He leads the Chicago offense with 26 home runs and 80 RBI, which highlights his power at the plate.
Notably, Suzuki also leads the team with 24 doubles this season.
The Royals enter this matchup with a 48-52 record, and they are coming off a 7-4 win against the Miami Marlins.
In order to win tonight’s game, the Royals will need to rely on their star player Maikel Garcia. He leads the Kansas City offense with a .292 batting average and a .347 on-base percentage, so he will try to continue his offensive success this evening.
Fans can watch this MLB game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
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The popular country music group Lady A announced their upcoming 12-stop This Winter’s Night tour which officially kicks off Dec. 5 at the Atlanta Symphony Hall at The woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
The upcoming tour is the group’s first ever Christmas tour and is launching to help celebrate their upcoming album “On This Winter’s Night Vol. 2,” which is set to release on music streaming platforms Sept. 26.
In addition to performing songs from their upcoming album, Lady A is set to include holiday classics in the festive shows.
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The Atlanta Braves play against the San Francisco Giants in an MLB game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. CT on FanDuel Sports Network South/FanDuel Sports Network Southeast. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
The Braves enter this matchup with a 43-55 record, and they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Braves lost 4-2 against the New York Yankees.
In order to win tonight’s game, the Braves will need a great performance from their star player Matt Olson. He leads the Atlanta offense with 18 home runs and 64 RBI, so he will look to continue his offensive success this evening.
The Giants enter this matchup with a 52-48 record, and they have lost five consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Giants lost 8-6 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
In order to bounce back tonight, the Giants will need to rely on their star player Heliot Ramos. He leads the team with 101 hits and a .267 batting average, so he will try to continue his great play at the plate this evening.
Fans can watch this MLB game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
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Family members of an Alabama man who died shortly after police found him running in and out of traffic on an Irondale roadway likened his death to that of George Floyd and said they want accountability and officer arrests.
His family, accompanied by attorneys Henry Daniels and Roderick Van Daniel, held a press conference on Monday outside Irondale City Hall.
They called the news conference after the Alabama law Enforcement Agency allowed them of Friday to see full body camera footage of the incident for the first time in 11 months.
“The Reeder family’s hearts are heavy,” said wife Sandra Lee Reeder. “Phillip David Reeder suffered a painful death.”
“After being Tased by the Irondale Police Department, subdued, handcuffed with his hands behind his back, face down, one officer’s knee is on Phillip’s neck for about three minutes while another police officer had one Phillip’s legs upwards,” Sandra Reeder said.
“Phillip is heard clearly, not once, not twice but three times saying, ‘I can’t breathe.’”
“This was an act against humanity what happened on that day. Mr. Reeder was suffering a mental crisis,” attorney Daniels said. “He didn’t deserve what happened to him. He begged and pleaded for his life.”
Irondale city officials did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, Reeder died of hypertensive heart disease associated with cocaine and restraint during altercation. His death was ruled a homicide, which means he died at the hands of another.
The Jefferson County District Attorney reviewed Reeder’s death, prosecutors said Monday. The D.A.’s office did not find probable cause for criminal charges, prosecutors said.
Irondale police officers were dispatched at 5:10 a.m. that Tuesday on several 911 calls reporting the man’s behavior on Highway 78 near Old Leeds Road.
Officers at the time said they found Reeder who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance and/or behaving erratically.
Officers rendered first aid on the scene until paramedics arrived. Reeder was taken to St. Vincent’s East where he was pronounced dead at 6:34 a.m.
Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said, “The manner of death is best classified as ‘homicide’ for vital statistical purposes.”
Authorities said homicide is not a legal conclusion of fault.
It simply means a death that was caused by another human.
The autopsy showed injuries on Reeder’s body from the struggle with first responders and the subsequent resuscitative efforts.
Abrasions and contusions were identified, but the autopsy found no injuries that would be fatal.
“The heart was enlarged in a manner most likely caused by uncontrolled hypertension,” the autopsy found.
“Toxicological analysis detected cocaine in blood collected from the iliac veins.”
“Although likely painful, the blunt force injuries alone would not account for Mr. Reeder’s death,” medical examiners determined.
“The injuries would have caused catecholamine release which would have been further exacerbated by the exertion from restraint.”
“Given his heart disease, he would be more at risk for developing a dysrhythmia (a kind of heart attack) and the likelihood of a dysrhythmia is increased when a stimulant drug, such as cocaine, is in the blood,” officials said.
“The combination of his heart disease, cocaine, injuries, and exertion from the altercation are the best explanation for Mr. Reeder’s death.”
The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and did not find probable cause for any criminal charges. The case was not presented to a grand jury.
Daniels said they are pursuing justice, accountability and transparency. The family has not yet filed a wrongful death lawsuit but said it is under consideration.
Daniels compared Reeder’s death to the Floyd case.
“This world was captivated and shocked about what happened in 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” Daniels said. “In 2024, the exact same thing happened.”
“And the only difference is one happened in 2020, and one happened in 2024,” he said.
“I know a lot people think I was going to say Mr. Floyd was Black and Mr. Reeder was white. See this is a human issue because both of them…said he could not breathe. That joins us.”
Sandra Reeder said her husband, who owned Reeder Construction, was coming home from a job in Memphis and was headed to Huntsville to start another project.
“He was probably stressed, anxiety, and working around the clock,” she said.
“He was a successful businessman. He was a wonderful provider for all of our family, the breadwinner for our family,” Sandra Reeder said. “Our lives have not been the same and will never be the same.”
Reeder’s officer manager, she said, called 911 to report that he was in a mental crisis. He was not armed and not dangerous, Sandra Reeder said the caller told dispatchers.
“Phillip was clearly seen have a mental crisis that required immediate medical help,” she said. “Phillip did not receive the immediate medical help he desperately needed.”
Sandra Reeder described what she saw on the body cam footage.
“The police officers continued to hold Phillip down. One officer asked the other officer, ‘Are you going to let him up?’ The other officer said, ‘No, he will just try to run,’’’ she said.
Sandra Reeder said after about three minutes, the officers rolled Reeder over onto his back.
“Phillip’s face was bloody with deep, heavy abrasions on his face,” she said, adding officers were seen checking Reeder’s pulse. When there wasn’t one, the officers started CPR.
Reeder was taken to St. Vincent’s East where he was pronounced dead at 6:34 a.m.
Phillip Reeder, a 52-year-old business owner, husband, father and grandfather, died in August 2024, during a confrontation with Irondale police. His wife, Sandra Reeder, said she wants officer’s held accountable.(Contributed)
Sandra Reeder said the footage did not back up what police said happened. She said she did not see Reeder beating and jumping on police vehicles and said she doesn’t believe his bruises and cuts came from him stumbling on the concrete after he was Tased.
“We have a grieving family right here,” Van Daniel said. “But today we fight for justice, we fight for the rights of the family, for the citizens of Irondale, all across the state of Alabama, all across the United States of America. We’ve got to hold them accountable for transparency.”
Daniels said what the officers did was unconstitutional and illegal.
“Just because they wear a badge and star doesn’t put them above the law,” he said. “The should be held accountable to a higher standard.”
“True justice would be going back in time and stopping them from coming to that scene and killing Phillip,” Daniels said. “The only measure of justice that we can receive here …is accountability for those who commit a crime.”
Reeder’s son, Kylee Reeder, said the family fought for 11 months to get the full story. They were prevented from doing so until Friday.
“As a son watching his father be smeared into the ground with blood running down his face, that’s traumatic as it is,” he said. “We had to actually endure that for an hour, me and my brother. It was ridiculous to see what they did and how they handled it.”
“We absolutely need justice,” Kylee Reeder said.
Reeder’s other son, Zechariah Reeder, said what happened to his father is horrible for any family to endure.
“It happened to George Floyd’s, it’s happened to several other families,” he said. “There’s videos everywhere of people getting shot and killed and murdered not just by other humans but by police officers. People that are there to serve and protect.”
“What I have saw, what I have gone through these past 11 months, should not happen to any 19-year-old,” Zechariah Reeder said. “All I want is for justice for him, for his story to be known. He was a good man, and he did everything he could to be a good father.”
“Could they have done something differently? Absolutely. Did they? They did not,” attorney Daniels said. “But hopefully this lawsuit, if we bring one, they would take some accountability and things would change so the next person who is dealing with a mental health crisis will not end up sent to the morgue.”
“A lot of times we see lawyers show up and people think here come the lawyers, here comes the lawsuit, money, but this case is not about money,” he said. “It’s about his family.”
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Hoka’s Mafate Speed 4 sneaker, one of the brand’s most rugged and responsive trail running shoes, is currently on sale for its lowest price to date. This is an especially great deal for those who have been looking a high-performance trail running shoe without a premium price.
With this Hoka sneaker deal, you can score a pair of Mafate Speed 4 sneakers for $147.99 instead of its original list price of $185. This discount applies to both men’s and women’s styles, with 10 total color ways to choose from, but sizes are already selling out quickly.
HOKA Mafate Speed 4 – women’s
$185 $147.99
The Hoka women’s Mafate Speed 4 running shoe is on sale for 20% off this week.
The Mafate Speed 4 is built for serious trail runners. It features a two-part PROFLY+ midsole that offers soft landings and explosive toe-offs, while the Vibram Megagrip outsole (complete with aggressive 5mm lugs) helps you stay grounded on loose gravel, muddy paths and rugged switchbacks. Meanwhile, the shoe’s lightweight jacquard mesh upper provides breathability, and the reinforced toe cap and gusseted tongue keep dirt and debris from creeping in on tough terrain.
“A pinnacle product for technical trail, the Mafate Speed 4 makes its debut, distilling what we’ve seen in the EVO Mafate and Mafate Speed. A familiar HOKA classic, just updated with new textiles and construction, including a breathable, single layer jacquard mesh and two-part PROFLY midsole with our lightest, most responsive HOKA foam just underfoot‚” Hoka’s product details state.
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