Alabama News

Three Madison teenagers are facing burglary and theft charges in connection with a school break-in.

Madison City schools staff discovered that thousands of dollars of equipment had been stolen from Bob Jones High School. They believe the break-in occurred between June 25th and 28th. It was reported to police on July 2.

Computer equipment, digital camera equipment, musical instruments, furniture and tools were stolen, officials said.

Madison police investigators identified one 19-year-old former student and two 16-year-old current students as the suspects.

The former student was charged with two felony counts of burglary in the 3rd degree and a felony theft of property count in the 1st degree.

The first 16-year-old was charged with four felony counts of burglary in the third degree and one felony count of theft of property in the 1st degree. The other current student was charged with a misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property in the 4th degree.

The names of the suspects are being withheld because of their ages.

Most of the stolen items have been recovered.

Former Alabama standout Grant Nelson showed up at the NBA 2K26 Summer League sporting a shiner.

Nelson said he got the black left eye during preparations for the 11-day event in Las Vegas with his new team, the Brooklyn Nets.

“At our minicamp, I was cutting, and someone’s elbow just came, clocked me on a cut,” Nelson said. “I didn’t really see much after that.”

In two seasons at Alabama, Nelson averaged 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 blocked shots in 74 games.

Nelson signed with Brooklyn after going unselected in the NBA Draft on June 25-26.

“From the beginning, they had interest,” Nelson said. “I figured out I would go undrafted, and then I just saw that this would be the best opportunity. They believe in me. They believe in my development, so I felt like it was a good step for me to come here and learn a lot. And I feel like it’s been going pretty good so far.”

Nelson joined the Nets even though they already had five rookies added during the 2025 NBA Draft – BYU guard Egor Demin at No. 8, French guard Nolan Traore at No. 19, Israeli guard Ben Saraf at No. 26, Michigan forward Danny Wolf at No. 27 and Arkansas forward Adou Thiero at No. 36.

The 6-foot-11 Nelson said he’s hoping to land Brooklyn’s remaining two-way contract for the 2025-26 season. A two-way contract allows the Nets to move a player between the NBA roster and their NBA Gatorade League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, without the need to expose him to waivers.

Brooklyn traded with the Denver Nuggets earlier this month and got a starting power forward in Michael Porter Jr. Former Alabama standout Noah Clowney is on that depth-chart line, too, along with Wolf.

RELATED: NOAH CLOWNEY PUTTING INJURY-FILLED NBA SEASON BEHIND HIM

At center, Nic Claxton is back for a fourth season in the spot for the Nets. Reserve Day’Ron Sharpe returns, with Wolf and former Gonzaga star Drew Timme in the reserve mix, too.

“I try not to think too far ahead,” Nelson said. “For right now, I’m really trying to lock in on the roles I’m told to do. Like I said, rebounding the ball, guarding one through five. …

“But I mean, it’s impossible not to think of what I can become and what I’m trying to be as a player. But I’m really just looking to get on the court right now and do things to get that two-way. I think it’s me focusing on right now what I can do to help this team win.”

Brooklyn’s summer-league team will complete its schedule against the Philadelphia 76ers at 5 p.m. CDT Friday at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

In the Nets’ first four games in Las Vegas, Nelson has averaged 4.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 17.9 minutes per game.

“They said my role going into the game was have my motor that I’ve played with my whole life,” Nelson said after his first summer-league appearance last week, “and then just do things to help the team win, whether it’s crashing the glass or getting stops defensively. I think really just stepping into that, doing what the coaches ask of me and then just going out there trying to do whatever I can to help the team win. I think that’s what’s going to be the best for not only this team, but for myself.”

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

We’re now more than halfway through the month of July and many people are looking to escape the summer heat by staying indoors. This has led to a surge in people playing at various online sweepstakes casinos, almost all of which offer a huge variety of fun games and generous bonuses.

Here, I highlight five of the top sweepstakes casino bonuses for this weekend. These unique welcome offers are provided by world-class gaming platforms and can be claimed in only a few minutes.

Highlighting the best sweepstakes casino bonuses for this weekend

2025 has been a massive year for the online sweepstakes casino industry. A large number of sweeps casinos have gone live. With online real money casinos legal in only a small number of states, these platforms are exploding in popularity.

Every online sweeps casino provides its players with a variety of bonuses. Some provide players with better perks than others. Learn about five of the best welcome bonuses available to claim this weekend:

Crown Coins: 200% first-purchase bonus + spin to win up to 2M Crown Coins, 100 free Sweeps Coins

Crown Coins launched in mid-2024 and has grown into what many consider to be one of the best sweepstakes casinos in the country. It provides an impressive variety of slots and a large number of special bonuses for new and existing players.

There is no doubt that this sweeps casino is built for fans of slot games. It provides more than 220 slots from top developers such as Pragmatic Play and Ruby Play. For now, no other types of casino games are available.

The welcome offer at Crown Coins is fantastic, providing new players with a 200% bonus on their first purchase of Crown Coins (also referred to as Gold Coins). In addition, players will be given the opportunity to spin a mystery wheel that offers a variety of prizes, including a maximum of 2 million Crown Coins and 100 free Sweeps Coins.

Real Prize: Up to 625,000 Gold Coins + 125 free Sweeps Coins + 1,250 VIP points

One of the more established online sweeps casinos in the country is Real Prize. This platform went live in 2023 and now has a huge number of players from around the country.

It is currently offering its new players a great welcome bonus of 625,000 Gold Coins, 125 free Sweeps Coins and 1,250 VIP points for one purchase of $100.

Not everyone is looking to immediately spend $100 on Gold Coins. Fortunately for those with a smaller budget, Real Prize offers a large variety of purchase options for as low as $3.

Much of Real Prize’s success can be attributed to its great game selection. Players will find all types of casino games, including slots, video table games and live-dealer games. This site’s modern UX makes it easy to play all of these games using both a computer and a smartphone.

Spree: Up to 1.03 million Gold Coins + 32.5 free Sweeps Coins

There has been major hype around Spree since it launched in 2024. With a collection of more than 2,130 games, it’s one of the largest sweepstakes casinos in the country. It has also developed a great reputation for providing excellent bonuses.

Spree’s welcome offer is somewhat different from the others already described. New members are able to claim up to 1.03 million Gold Coins and 32.5 free Sweeps Coins in a combination of the free signup offer and one quick purchase.

All new players will receive 1 million Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweeps Coins as a no-purchase signup offer. With one additional purchase of $9.99, new players will earn an additional 30,000 Gold Coins and 30 free Sweeps Coins.

There are very few aspects of Spree that could warrant criticism. It provides a great design and a massive selection of games, such as many high RTP slots and live-dealer tables.

McLuck: Up to 57,500 Gold Coins and 27.5 free Sweeps Coins

Of all of the sweeps casinos listed here, perhaps none has gained the name recognition of McLuck. This gaming platform has a massive number of players around the country and continues to bring in more each month.

The welcome offer may certainly play a factor in that popularity. McLuck’s welcome bonus offers players up to 57,500 Gold Coins and 27.5 free Sweeps Coins. Like the bonus offered by Spree, this can be described as a two-part bonus.

Upon signing up, new players will receive 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweeps Coins with no purchase required. With one quick purchase of $9.99 at the McLuck coin store, players will receive an additional 50,000 Gold Coins and 25 free Sweeps Coins to play with.

The vast majority of McLuck reviews are fantastic. Most members praise its modern UX and large selection of bonuses. The game variety is impressive, too, with more than 1,000 titles, many of which are also provided as real money slots by multiple online casino sites.

Mega Bonanza: 150% first-purchase bonus up to 600,000 Gold Coins + 303 free Sweeps Coins

The final addition to this list of the best sweepstakes casino bonuses for this weekend is Mega Bonanza. This is certainly a good one, providing players with a 150% first purchase bonus of up to 600,000 Gold Coins and 303 free Sweeps Coins.

Mega Bonanza offers a huge variety of Gold Coin purchase options. Players can make purchases for as low as $1.99. To fully maximize earnings, it may be worth claiming the 150% bonus on a purchase of $299.99 to take the full 600,000 Gold Coins and 303 free Sweeps Coins.

Some may notice the similarity in designs between Mega Bonanza and McLuck. Both sweepstakes casinos are owned by the same parent company and have similar layouts. The games slightly differ, however, making it worthwhile to take a close look at what both platforms have to offer.

Learn more about our gaming editorial staff.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.

An updated report was issued from the National Weather Service on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 2:15 p.m. for Geneva and Houston counties.

Residents can look for wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 1:09 p.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 14 miles north of Panama City Beach to 10 miles west of Wewahitchka to 6 miles northwest of Apalachicola. Movement was north at 35 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Panama City, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Cottonwood, Vernon, Bonifay, Geneva, Marianna, Apalachicola, De Funiak Springs, Blountstown, Chipley, Graceville, Springfield, Hartford, Slocomb, Samson, Hiland Park, Stonemill Creek and Chattahoochee.

The weather service adds, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it 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.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

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, 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 in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides 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, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

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:

The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator 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.

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:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

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.

An agreement signed Monday between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Homeland Security has given U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to the personal data of all Medicaid enrollees, according to a report from The Associated Press.

This will give the agency access to 79 million people’s private information, including home addresses and ethnicities, for the purpose of finding “the location of aliens,” according to the report.

The agreement, which has not been publicly announced as of July 17, does not allow ICE officials to download the data, AP News reports.

Instead, they will be allowed to access it for a limited period from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until Sept. 9.

Efforts to reach U.S. Sens. Katie Britt, R-Ala. and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. for comment on the agreement were not immediately successful.

This is the latest move in the President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, which is currently striving to arrest 3,000 people daily, according to previous comments from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Although immigrants who are not living in the U.S. legally, as well as some lawfully present immigrants, are not allowed to enroll in the Medicaid program, federal law requires all states to offer emergency Medicaid, a temporary coverage that pays only for lifesaving services in emergency rooms to anyone, including non-U.S. citizens.

“It’s unthinkable that CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] would violate the trust of Medicaid enrollees in this way,” Hannah Katch, a previous adviser at CMS during the Biden administration, told AP News.

She added that the personally identifiable information of enrollees has not been historically shared outside of the agency unless for law enforcement purposes to investigate waste, fraud or abuse of the program.

Last month, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s advisers ordered the release of a dataset that includes the private health information of people living in California, Illinois, Washington state, and Washington, D.C., to the Department of Homeland Security.

All of those states allow non-U.S. citizens to enroll in Medicaid programs that pay for their expenses using only state taxpayer dollars.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 19 other states’ attorneys general have sued over the move, saying it violated federal privacy laws.

Whether you liked it or not, chances are you were talking about.

Shane Gillis’ edgy monologue Wednesday night at the ESPYs made for some awkward moments inside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

No one was safe from Gillis, who stars in the Netflix series “Tires,” took aim at Donald Trump, Caitlan Clark and Bill Belichick to name a few.

Here are some of the edgier jokes that were met with hesitation by those in attendance but seemed to land with social media:

Caitlin Clark

“When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she’s going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most — fist fighting black women,” he said.

Gillis said he and Clark are similar because they’re “both whites from the Midwest who have nailed a bunch of 3s.”

WNBA

“Four-time WNBA All-Star Brittany Hicks is here. Give it up for Brittany, everybody. I’m just joking around; that’s my friend’s wife, I knew none of you knew WNBA players.”

Bill Belichick

“A bookie is what Bill Belichick reads to his girlfriend before bedtime,” Gillis said. “They read, ‘Very horny caterpillar,’ ‘The Little Engine That Could But Needed A Pill First,’ and of course, the classic, ‘Good Night Boobs.’”

Donald Trump

“Joe Rogan actually wanted me to be here to host this award show so that I could capture Adam Silver because Joe thinks he’s an alien,” Gillis said. “And Donald Trump wanted me to be here to capture Juan Soto for the same reason.”

“Donald Trump wants to stage a UFC fight on the White House lawn. The last time he staged a fight in D.C., Mike Pence almost died,” Gillis said. “… Actually, there was supposed to be an Epstein joke here, but I guess it got deleted. Probably deleted itself, right? Probably never existed. Let’s move on as a country and ignore that.”

Aaron Rodgers

“Aaron Rodgers did not take the vaccine because he predicted that it would be bad for him and then he joined the New York Jets. So maybe he wasn’t right about everything,” he said.

Social media reaction

WWE Friday Night SmackDown heads to San Antonio, Texas this week following an exciting show last weekend. This show was originally scheduled for early June. The rescheduled date was announced back in March. This rendition of SmackDown will take place just a few days after AEW’s All In Texas event.

Last week, a Fatal 4-way match between Alexa Bliss, Roxanne Perez, Kairi Sane and Sol Ruca. Bliss would come out victorious.

In the WWE Tag Team title match, the Wyatt Sicks defeated the Street Profits to become the new set of champions.

Fans looking to watch SmackDown this week can do so for free using a free trial offered by DIRECTV. Also, Sling offers a solid first-month discount to new users.

With last week’s show being in Nashville, Grammy-winning artist Jelly Roll had a segment, which was eventually interrupted by Logan Paul. Jelly Roll would then save Randy Orton from Paul.

R-Truth (Ron Killings) also got back into the win column with an upset win over Aleister Black.

Fans looking to watch SmackDown this week can do so for free using a free trial offered by DIRECTV. Also, Sling offers a solid first-month discount to new users.

SmackDown will take place on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The Alabama Department of Transportation will close lanes on the Tennessee River Bridges for a few nights.

ALDOT is working to rehabilitate bridges on I-65.

Workers will close one lane at a time to work on bridge rails and guardrails. They will be closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, July 17, to 5 a.m. Friday, July 18, and 6 p.m. Sunday, July 20, to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21.

Subcontractors will begin on the northbound bridge first and then shift to the southbound bridge.

Contractor Cekra, Inc. is set to complete the $23.7 million bridge rehabilitation of the 50-year-old bridge in the fall. It consists of repairing concrete and cleaning, painting and repairing the structural steel.

The project is ahead of schedule. It was originally set to be completed in Spring 2026.

Drivers should expect delays while the lanes are closed. According to WHNT, Highway 31 is expected to experience increased traffic. Drivers can take alternative routes like Somerville Road, 4th Avenue SE or Central Parkway to avoid congestion.

Veterans of the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo often throw around the phrase “rodeo weather.” If you know, you know.

“It ain’t gonna be a rodeo without a little rain,” said Jay Loper, vice president of publicity for the 2025 event, spelling it out for those who don’t know.

The 92nd ADSFR runs Friday through Sunday, and there’s certainly a chance of rain in the forecast, thanks to a wobbly tropical system that might or might not develop into a depression and a major rainmaker for some portion of the central Gulf Coast. But, as of Thursday morning, it seemed unlikely to put much of a damper on an event that regularly draws thousands of anglers to the waters of coastal Alabama.

One thing that distinguishes this particular fishing rodeo is that it also tends to draw thousands of spectators. Some come to see whether record-breaking fish or sharks are weighed in (and based on recent years, odds are good).

Some bring the kids for a rare look at the marine life of the Gulf. Thanks to a partnership with scientists from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, who harvest samples and data from the catch, one of the central attractions for visitors is a display area where dozens of fish, including some weird ones, are displayed on ice. And there’s always someone on hand to explain what you’re looking at.

Many come for a festival atmosphere that includes vendors, sponsor displays and live music. Another attraction: for spectators, admission is free.

Back to the subject of records. The 2024 rodeo got off to a slow start thanks to stormy weather, but things picked up fast: by the end of the opening day, observers had gotten to see a 432-pound bull shark – not much short of the state record at the time, which was 448 pounds, 4 ounces. Other opening-day catches included a 107.5-pound swordfish and a 120.7-pound yellowfin tuna.

Big sharks have been a theme in recent years. In the 2023 rodeo, Robert Brett Rutledge of Mobile caught a 1,019-pound tiger shark that has since been certified as a state record. On the final day of the 2024 event, the Bon Secour Butchers team brought in a bull shark that weighed in at 494.5 pounds. It, too, has been certified as a state record, attributed to Tommy J. Bowyer.

Rodeo organizers have an established history of working with scientists, particularly teams from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the University of South Alabama’s Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences. Marine scientists Sean Powers of USA and Marcus Drymon of Mississippi State University have said the catch gives them a vital window into what’s going on with shark populations in the Gulf.

In 2024, Powers and Drymon said the trend of big sharks seemed to show that efforts to end overfishing of sharks in recent decades were having positive results. Loper said he won’t be surprised if the trend continues. Rodeo staffers recently accompanied University of South Alabama scientists on a research trip.

“I can tell you that sharks are plentiful,” he said. “A lot of bull sharks, a lot of tiger sharks. And that’s why, again, we work with South Alabama, to make sure we’re not catching things we aren’t supposed to, protected species or endangered species.”

If you’re visiting as a spectator, you’ll find the Rodeo site on the right shortly after you drive onto the island. It’ll be hard to miss. Parking arrangements are informal but plenty of parking is available along Lemoyne Drive and adjacent streets; the only hard and fast rule is that “No Parking” signs, private property and the lots of nearby businesses should be respected. No tickets are required to enter the site.

The schedule of events:

Thursday, July 17 – Pre-rodeo festivities at the rodeo site start with the annual Capt. T-Bone Liar’s Contest at 6 p.m. The Wrong Terns will perform from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday, July 18 – Fishing begins at 5 a.m., marked by a ceremonial cannon blast at the rodeo site. The weigh station will open at 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The Molly Ringwalds will perform from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 19 – The weigh station will open at 10 a.m. and remain open until 7 p.m. Hamilton Gardner will perform at 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 20 – The weigh station will open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. with a ceremonial cannon blast. The Big Reveal performs at 3 p.m.

Monday, July 21 – The rodeo awards ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. at The Grounds in west Mobile.

For full Rodeo information, visit www.adsfr.com. For updates, visit www.facebook.com/ADSFR.

A U.S. Postal Service worker was killed in a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday in Northport.

Police on Thursday identified the victim as Voncelle Renee Gamble. She was 36 and lived in Tuscaloosa.

The wreck happened at 12:39 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 43, just south of Highway 171.

Northport police and fire medics, as well as NorthStar Ambulance, responded to the crash in the southbound lanes of Highway 43. Assistant police Chief Keith Carpenter said four vehicles were involved.

Gamble was pronounced dead on the scene. Three other people were treated for minor injuries, Carpenter said.

The cause of the deadly accident is being investigated by the Northport Police Department’s Traffic Reconstruction Unit. Carpenter said no criminal charges are pending currently.