A bill to charge parents with a crime if their child takes a gun to school that was not secured at home was rejected by an Alabama House committee this morning.
Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, said the intent was to make schools safer and described her bill as “pro-school” and pro-child” instead of a gun control measure.
Drummond said she is a gun owner and that she was careful to keep her firearm locked up when when she had legal custody of a minor for three years.
But several members of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee said that although they supported Drummond’s intent, they did not support holding parents criminally liable.
Drummond’s bill would have made the crime a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000 if a parent or guardian failed to “reasonably secure” a gun at home that their child took to school.
“Reasonably secure” is defined as including, but not limited, to “storing a firearm using a trigger lock or in a locked box or gun safe that requires a key, numerical or alphanumerical combination, or fingerprint to open.”
Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, said he did not think that legal burden was appropriate for parents, partly because households face different circumstances.
“You’ve got a lot of divorced parents,” Wadsworth said. “You’ve got a lot of parents that have joint custody. And you’ve got some wayward children that do those things.”
Drummond said, “I would love to fix the situation of the parents’ household. We can’t fix that.”
Drummond said mental illness and bullying are problems that raise the risk of gun violence in schools. She said her bill is a reasonable safeguard.
“It doesn’t take away anybody’s gun right or 2nd Amendment right. It simply says, lock it up,“ Drummond said.
She said an incident at LeFlore High School last year reinforced the message that the bill is needed.
According to police, a 16-year-old girl fired a handgun and caused injuries to two other students.
Rep. Russell Bedsole, a Republican who is a major with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, said lawmakers should not establish a legal standard for gun storage that applies to all households. Bedsole said when he was a child he knew his grandfather kept a gun in his bedside table.
“I think what’s reasonable in some homes is not reasonable in another,” Bedsole said. “I knew where my grandfather’s weapon was and I didn’t go get it and take it to school.
“I understand we’ve got a problem there, but that problem goes beyond the weapon and where we’re storing it. There’s a problem inside the home that we need to address. Bigger problem than I think any of us can accomplish today.”
Some of the Democrats on the committee expressed support for Drummond’s bill. Rep. TaShina Morris, D-Montgomery, thanked Drummond for the legislation. But Republican’s hold 11 of the 15 seats on the committee.
The committee rejected Drummond’s bill on a voice vote.
The Sony WHCH720N Wireless Headphones features Sony’s lightest Wireless Noise-canceling headband ever. They usually sale for $150, but can be purchased for $50 off with this deal.
Sony WHCH720N Bluetooth Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones – $99.99
Sony WHCH720N Bluetooth Headphones are $50 off for a limited-time.
“Turn down the world’s noise with the long-lasting noise cancellation performance. Featuring Dual Noise Sensor technology and an Integrated Processor V1, the WH-CH720N allows you to fully immerse yourself in music without any distractions,” Target’s product details state.
“The CH720 are ergonomically designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and with up to 35 hours of battery life, you’ll almost forget you’re wearing it.”
Highlighted Product Feature: A standout feature of the Sony WHCH720N headphones is its Adaptive Sound Control, which intelligently adjusts ambient sound settings based on the user’s activities and locations. This smart technology personalizes the listening experience, providing an optimal sound environment tailored to whether you are commuting, exercising, or simply relaxing at home.
Other Features: The WHCH720N offers a Multipoint connection feature, allowing users to seamlessly pair the headphones with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. This capability ensures that when a call comes in, the headphones automatically connect to the correct device, enhancing convenience without the need for manual re-pairing.
The women’s Glycerin StealthFit 21 is available in six colors, including two limited-edition colors. Meanwhile, the men’s style comes in nine colors including three limited-edition colors.
“Super softness meets sleek style in the Glycerin StealthFit 21 running shoe. The streamlined, adaptable upper delivers a near-seamless fit and joins forces with more plush DNA LOFT v3 cushioning than before for unbeatable comfort on the go,” Brooks states.
Highlighted Product Feature: The Glycerin StealthFit 21 features DNA LOFT v3 cushioning, enhancing the softness underfoot compared to previous models. This cushioning technology ensures maximum comfort, making each run feel effortless, particularly on hard surfaces.
Other Features: Another notable feature of the Glycerin StealthFit 21 is its adaptable fit provided by the updated flat knit upper, which combines both stretch and compression. This design ensures that the shoe moves with the foot, accommodating various foot shapes and sizes for a personalized feel and enhanced performance.
The hype for last Saturday’s meeting of No. 1 Auburn at No. 2 Alabama was more than a local phenomenon.
The TV audience for the midafternoon game on ESPN was the most-watched ESPN game of the season, the network told AL.com. Viewership averaged 2.8 million, according to ESPN, with the peak audience hitting 3.5 million.
That audience was the second-highest of any network this season, the network said. It was also the highest-rated game for any SEC contest in the ESPN portfolio since the 2018-19 season.
For context, the highest-rated game of the previous week was Duke at Clemson with 2.1 million viewers, according to the TV Media Blog on Substack. That same night, Alabama’s win at Arkansas drew the second most viewers with 1.48 million.
For more context, the Alabama-Auburn football game last season drew 7.16 million viewers on ABC. That was the 31st-largest TV audience of the college football season, according to the list compiled by Footballscoop.com.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
Pulsz casino is a world-class online sweepstakes casino available in more than 40 states. Pulsz provides its users with more than 300 games to choose from.
Why choose Pulsz casino?
World-class design: The design of Pulsz Casino is fantastic. It’s modern, with clear tabs to navigate between pages. Players easily can find their way around this social casino, using a desktop computer or a smartphone.
Table game options: Pulsz Casino is one of the few online social casinos to provide its users with table game options.
Daily login bonuses: Pulsz players have access daily to great bonus offers. These give players a quick way to immediately earn Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. Various other promotions are available, too.
Wide variety of slot games: Pulsz has an impressive variety of slot games, including Megaways slots, Tumbling Reels slots and Hold and Win slots.
Pulsz sweepstakes casino welcome bonus
Pulsz sweepstakes casino offers a large selection of bonuses to its new and existing players. The Pulsz welcome bonus is extremely generous, offering players 400,000 Gold Coins and 40 free Sweepstakes Coins with a purchase of $19.99.
Social casinos never require their players to spend money. In addition to the Pulsz promo purchase bonus, new players receive 5,000 Gold Coins and 2.3 Sweeps Coins just for creating an account.
Claiming these bonuses is extremely simple. Learn about the steps to do so below:
Click the “Register” button on the Pulsz Casino landing page.
Choose your signup method (Gmail, Facebook, email)
Provide Pulsz with your email address and full name.
Choose a password for your new account.
Complete the registration process by providing Pulsz with the requested personal information.
Instantly receive 5,000 Gold Coins and 2.3 Sweeps Coins.
Make a coin purchase in the Pulsz store.
This entire process should take only a few minutes. It’s worth pointing out again there is never any requirement to spend money at Pulsz. This is simply an additional option for players interested in boosting their bankroll.
400,000 Gold Coins and 40 free Sweeps Coins for $19.99
💰 Sign-up Offer:
5,000 Gold Coins and 2.3 Sweeps Coins
💸 Minimum Amount for Welcome Bonus:
$19.99
🇺🇸 Who Can Claim:
Must be age 18 or older in all states except Alabama, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Tennessee and Washington
✅ Bonus Verified For:
February 2025
📅 Date Established:
2020
Other Pulsz promotions and offers
A number of bonuses are available to existing players at Pulsz casino. Each of them can be claimed in only a few minutes:
Weekly jackpots: Every week, players have two chances to earn massive Gold Coin jackpots. To take part, players need to opt in.
Refer-a-friend bonus: Players who refer friends to Pulsz sweepstakes casino are eligible to receive 6,000 Gold Coins and 30 Sweeps Coins. To earn this offer, the referred player must sign up and make a first purchase of $15 or more.
Pulsz utilizes two forms of virtual currency: Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins:
Gold Coins: Gold Coins are used to play games at Pulsz casino. These have no real monetary value.
Sweeps Coins: Sweeps Coins are used to redeem prizes such as gift cards and real money. They have a value of 1 Sweeps Coins to $1.
Loyalty program at Pulsz
Pulsz Casino has a great VIP program in place. This program, called VIP Loyalty Rewards, offers players unique perks, including multipliers of Gold Coins.
Six tiers are in the Pulsz VIP program:
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Diamond
Royal Diamond
This program is complimentary with membership automatically granted. The more that members play, the higher up the VIP program tiers they will go. Purchasing Gold Coins also allows players to move up the VIP tiers.
This program is great and helps loyal players earn great discounts on coin bundle purchases. It’s fairly similar to the VIP program at High 5 Casino.
Pulsz Casino has a good, straightforward banking system. Players have multiple options to make purchases and redeem Sweeps Coins.
Purchase options
Pulsz provides players with several options to purchase Gold Coins. I was very pleased to find that these purchases can be made using debit cards, credit cards, Skrill and more.
Purchase Method
Fee
Process Time
Minimum Purchase
Debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
None
Instant
$1.99
Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
None
Instant
$1.99
Skrill
None
Instant
$1.99
Apple Pay
None
Instant
$1.99
Google Play
None
Instant
$1.99
Online banking
None
Instant
$1.99
As I pointed out earlier, there is never any requirement to purchase Gold Coins at Pulsz Casino. Players have the ability to claim Gold Coins for free every day that they log into their accounts.
Promotions also can be a great way to earn Gold Coins. Occasionally, Pulsz will hold social media contests that can award players with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
Redemption methods
Pulsz sweepstakes casino allows its players to redeem Sweeps Coins for gift cards or real money. Players will need at least 25 Sweeps Coins in their account for gift card redemptions. Real money redemptions can be made with a minimum of 100 Sweeps Coins.
Redemptions are extremely simple. Before any can be initiated, however, Pulsz will request an additional ID verification. I was able to quickly provide a picture of my ID and proof of my address. The entire process took only a few minutes. Afterward, I was able to quickly redeem my Sweeps Coins for real money.
Redemption Method
Fee
Process Time
Minimum Redemption
Bank transfer (real money)
None
1-2 days
100 Sweeps Coins
Skrill (real money)
None
1-2 days
100 Sweeps Coins
Email (gift cards)
None
24 hours
25 Sweeps Coins
I was very happy with the redemption options at Pulsz casino. Unfortunately, the minimum redemption for real money is fairly high. At 100 Sweeps Coins, it may take casual players a long time to convert their coins into real money.
Once a real money redemption has been initiated, players cannot request another for at least 48 hours.
On a good note, however, Pulsz has some of the quickest processing times of any sweepstakes casino. After accumulating 100 Sweeps Coins, I requested a redemption via bank transfer. The money reached my account in less than 48 hours, far quicker than many competing sweeps casinos.
Casino games at Pulsz online casino
A screenshot of the Pulsz Casino games.Pulsz Casino
The game selection at Pulsz casino is decent. There are over 300 games available, including a variety of slots and table games.
Some competing casinos, such as WOW Vegas, offer far more games. I still feel, however, the game selection at Pulsz is more than enough to keep most casino fans satisfied.
Slots at Pulsz
Like almost all other social casinos, Pulsz focuses primarily on free slot games. There are more than 300 slots available, all from top developers such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play and Relax Gaming.
I am constantly impressed with the variety of slot game types at Pulsz, too. Players have access to nearly every type of slot available. That includes Megaways slots, Hold and Win slots and much more.
Some of the most popular slots available at Pulsz Casino include:
Slot game
RTP percentage
Provider
Max payout
Energy Joker: Hold and Win
95.74%
Playson
5000x
Diamond Strike
97.34%
Pragmatic Play
1246x
Aztec Fire
96.48%
Playson
10000x
Immortal Ways Buffalo
96.29%
Swintt
3221x
Fruit Million
97.34%
BGaming
3000x
Table games at Pulsz
Pulsz is unique, in that it provides its players with real online table games. This is rare among the best sweepstakes casinos in the US. The majority of competing sites offer only a small selection of live dealer games.
I certainly would prefer to see Pulsz expand its table games selection. As of now, only two games are available: Multihand Blackjack and Texas Hold’em.
Live dealer games at Pulsz
Unfortunately, Pulsz social casino does not provide any live dealer games. There is a possibility live dealer games will become available in the future. For now, however, the only table gaming options available are the two listed above.
Other Pulsz sweepstakes casino games
While Pulsz is lacking in the table games department, the casino does offer a good selection of fun, arcade-style games. These can be found by clicking the “Arcade Games” tab on the Pulsz homepage.
The arcade games available at Pulsz include:
Classic Dice
Classic Hilo
Classic Mines
Triple Plinko
Hilo Deluxe
These games differ considerably from traditional slots and table games. Each one has great graphics and runs smoothly using a desktop computer or a smartphone.
Pulsz user experience
The design and user interface of Pulsz casino is world-class. It’s not necessarily the sleekest, most modern-looking social casino. It makes up for that with a simple UX that allows for seamless navigation between pages.
Links are clearly featured throughout the homepage. I also enjoyed seeing how games are organized. I found it incredibly easy to find specific slot games. A search bar featured at the top of the homepage allows players to quickly narrow down specific games.
Pulsz also has a unique “Dark Mode” feature. This allows users to instantly turn the Pulsz theme dark. It’s great for those who tend to play in low-light environments, as it significantly reduces the strain on your eyes.
Mobile experience
Pulsz Casino’s mobile design is impressive. I spent hours playing this sweeps casino using my iPhone’s web browser and via the mobile app.
Mobile users are likely to enjoy Pulsz. It is clearly designed well with mobile in mind, and every game I tested on my iPhone ran extremely smoothly.
Legal status
Pulsz is legal in 43 states across the country. Those located in Alabama, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Tennessee and Washington are unable to play at this social casino.
Sweeps casinos are able to legally operate throughout most of the country thanks to sweepstakes laws.
In order to abide by sweepstakes laws, Pulsz has to abide by several strict rules. That includes being free to play. Pulsz is also unable to offer its players real money for wins.
Pulsz is owned and operated by Yellow Social Interactive Limited, which is based in Gibraltar.
Customer support and service at Pulsz casino
The customer support system at Pulsz is very good. Users have access to three primary forms of support, each of which I found to be helpful.
I was, however, disappointed to see that there is no dedicated live-chat feature at Pulsz. There is a contact form, but it can take days for users to receive responses to their queries.
Answers to questions related to banking, account information, verification and more
Phone support: 424-371-7304
Phone support is available for payment-related questions
Pulsz security and trust
There is no doubt Pulsz takes safety and security seriously. I spent time making sure this social casino provides basic security features to protect players.
I was very happy to see the following features available to ensure this is the case:
SSL encryption: Pulsz utilizes SSL encryption to allow for 100% secure payment transfers.
Reputable game developers: All of the games provided by Pulsz come from world-class developers. These utilize sophisticated RNGs to ensure all games are fair.
Responsible gaming support: All players at Pulsz have access to a Player Safety Policy that offers things such as self-exclusion options.
Pulsz casino: Final verdict
Pulsz Casino is, without a doubt, one of the very best online sweepstakes casinos operating today. It provides nearly everything a casino fan could ask for. That includes a world-class design, great games and generous bonuses.
Nearly every aspect of this casino is great. The game selection is not the largest around, yet there are enough games to keep nearly all players happy. Slot fans, in particular, will love what this platform has to offer.
The banking system is excellent, too. Processing times are quick and a variety of banking options are available.
Pulsz casino FAQ
Is Pulsz safe?
Pulsz casino is a 100% safe, secure social casino. It provides great games from top developers, secure banking options and helpful customer support options.
Is Pulsz casino legit?
Pulsz sweepstakes casino is a completely legit, safe online sweeps casino. It is available in 43 states around the country and has a number of security measures in place to protect players.
In which states does Pulsz operate?
Pulsz can be accessed in all states except Alabama, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Tennessee and Washington.
Does Pulsz pay out real money?
Pulsz does not offer its players real money prizes. Instead, it allows players to collect Sweeps Coins, which can be redeemed for prizes that include real money.
How long does it take Pulsz to pay winnings?
The majority of real money redemptions at Pulsz are paid within 48 hours. Gift card redemptions are typically paid out in less than 24 hours.
What is the best game on Pulsz?
Pulsz provides a huge selection of games, including slots, table games and unique arcade games. Some of the most popular titles include Energy Joker: Hold and Win, Diamond Strike and Multihand Blackjack.
A number of Alabama Power employees have been instructed to spend more time in the office.
According to the company, the announcement this month affects a portion of hybrid employees who were working from the office on some days of the week, and outside the office on others.
A spokesman said the directive affects a little less than 1% of the total workforce. Alabama Power has more than 6,000 employees, with some working in offices and others working in the field.
“Alabama Power has a dedicated workforce that delivers around-the-clock operations to provide reliable service,” the company said in a statement. “The majority of our employees work onsite full time. A portion of roles is designated as hybrid. Expectations for hybrid job roles continue to evolve.”
Alabama Power is not alone. More companies are expected to issue so-called “return to work” orders in 2025, with Amazon, JP Morgan Chase, American Electric Power and AT&T, among those requiring more in-person employee interaction.
Data firm WTW says that more than two-thirds of companies globally have policies requiring employees to be in the office for a minimum number of days each week.
Most companies require employees to be on-site between one and four days per week, with more than a quarter preferring three days. More than half of organizations report having no set rules for on-site work, with employees free to choose, according to Forbes.
A digital infrastructure company is bringing a $135 million data center to Auburn.
Core Scientific is planning the center in the existing AUBix Data Center on West Samford Avenue, and could eventually pump up to $400 million into the project.
The Auburn data center will launch with a capacity of 16 megawatts, with room for expansion. The company will retain AUBix’s 11 full-time employees and plans to grow its team to a minimum of 20 full-time employees.
AUBix opened in 2022. The $120 million, 40,000 square-foot center near the Auburn University campus was built to offer private and public organizations more secure and efficient access to fiber networks.
Gov. Kay Ivey, in a statement, said the announcement is “a testament to our ability to attract cutting-edge technology companies.”
“We are excited to support their growth and look forward to the economic benefits this project will bring to our state,” Ivey said.
Core Scientific currently operates nine data centers in six states, including Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota and Texas, while another facility is under development in Oklahoma.
Core Scientific CEO Adam Sullivan said the Auburn facility is expected to play “a key role in our high-performance computing strategy, and we are grateful for the strong partnership and support from local and state leaders, including City of Auburn officials.”
Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said the company’s eventual investment will result in a local tax generation of $1.5 million a year, supporting schools and public services.
They just can’t keep senior executives at the top of CBS News.
Adrienne Roark, who was named president of the Paramount Global news division in August of last year, revealed Thursday morning to staffers that she plans to leave the company at the end of February to take a role at Tegna, the TV-station group that was once part of Gannett.
A CBS News spokesperson confirmed Roark’s announcement, but declined to offer additional comment.
Roark’s exit was previously reported by Breaker, a newsletter focused on New York media, politics and culture.
Her departure is just the latest in a parade of executives assigned to lead CBS News in recent years. Roark was named to a role previously inhabited by Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, who left the role after a pressing need for cost cuts was revealed. Neeraj Khemlani, who had the role before her, stayed in the position for two years alongside Wendy McMahon, who has since been elevated to CEO of CBS’ news and stations operations. They replaced Susan Zirinsky, the veteran producer whose presence at the helm served to calm troops after a series of claims about the behavior of former morning anchor Charlie Rose, which he has denied.
CBS News is under an array of pressures. The news division is at the center of of a case levied against Paramount Global by now-President Donald Trump, who claims editing of a “60 Minutes” interview of former Vice President Kamala Harris had an influence on the 2024 election. Executives at Paramount Global have mulled settling the case, because they fear the White House could slow down its deal to be acquired by David Ellison’s Skydance Media. The FCC recently asked for transcripts and video tied to the Harris interview. Meanwhile, Paramount, which has already made massive cost cuts, is expected to make more once the Skydance deal is consummated.
The CW’s newest comedy series Good Cop/Bad Cop will premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 9/8c.
Those interested in watching the CW’s new dramedy venture starring Leighton Meester, Luke Cook and Clancy Brown, aren’t in need of basic cable to stream live. Good Cop/Bad Cop is available for on-demand streaming through Fubo and DirecTV Stream, both of which offer a free trial.
What is Fubo and DirecTV Stream?
Fubo and DirecTV Stream are two of the most popular on-demand streaming services. Both offer not only the ability to watch on-demand but also offers exclusive life TV channels and useful features to make streaming content a breeze.
Fubo considers itself to be a sports-focused live streaming service option, but it also includes over 100 channels in the base package. The base package is $84.99 a month, but the streaming platform is offering savings on all plans for the first month if users commit to a subscription once the free trial concludes.
DirecTV Stream is similar to Fubo by offering many of the same channels and features. The base package, priced at $86.99 a month after free trial expires, includes over 90 popular channels to stream.
What is Good Cop/Bad Cop about?
According to the show synopsis released by CW, Good Cop/Bad Cop follows an odd brother and sister detective duo working out of a small Pacific Northwest police department. The series will follow main characters Lou (Leighton Meester) and her brother Henry (Luke Cook) as they contend with questionable residents and battle against a lack of resources.
While primarily the show centers around comedic elements, drama sprinkled throughout the hour-long episodes can be expected as the siblings try to navigate not only their complicated relationship with each other, but also with their dad Big Hank (Clancy Brown) who just so happens to be the police chief. Tune in to see how it all unfolds.
The fourth and final matchup of the season between the Daphne and Foley girls was just as tight as the first three.
Abby Johnson and Vic Moten each made free throws in the final 22 seconds as the No. 6-ranked Trojans held off No. 7 Foley 34-31 in the Class 7A South Regional final at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery.