A 20-year military veteran has been named as police chief in Harpersville.
The mayor and town council this week appointed Chief Timothy “Trent” Dennis as the department’s top cop.
He replaces Chief Theo Smith, who took a position with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
“Harpersville police is officially open for business,” Dennis told the public at a Monday’s town council meeting.
“I’m grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by the mayor and council on behalf of the citizens to lead this agency,” said Chief Dennis. “My priority is to provide the best law enforcement services using a common sense, professional approach to keep the public and our officers safe.”
Dennis is an honors graduate of the Alabama Advanced Criminal Justice Academy with decades of law enforcement service and leadership with various agencies across Alabama, including the Mountain Brook Police Department, the Gulf Shores Police Department, the Silverhill Police Department, and the Summerdale Police Department where he served as assistant chief.
He joined force at Harpersville in 2024 where he was assigned to the Operations Division.
Under his direction, the police station lobby will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to answer questions, meet with the chief, receive a tour, file a report, obtain a copy of a report, or request law enforcement services.
A special area for younger children equipped with toys has been created in the lobby to help foster a stronger relationship with the community while visiting the police station.
Dennis also announced that for the first time in the department’s history, police reports will now be available to the public at no cost.
While Dyson has offered this deal in the past, it is not often that the Dyson Airwrap can be found at a discount, and so far, $100 is the biggest discount you’ll find.
Highlighted Product Feature: One standout feature of the Dyson Airwrap™ is its ability to style hair with no heat damage. This is achieved through its unique Coanda airflow technology, which uses a stream of air to curl, wave, and smooth hair while reducing frizz and flyaways. The Dryer+Flyaway Smoother attachment specifically targets flyaways, ensuring a polished finish without the use of traditional heating methods.
Other Features: Another notable feature of theDyson Airwrap™ Multi-Styler is its inclusion of multiple attachments that cater to various styling needs. Users can easily switch between the 1.2′’ and 1.6′’ barrels for creating different curl sizes and the various brushes for straightening and volumizing. This versatility allows users to achieve professional salon-quality hairstyles at home, accommodating a range of hair types and styling preferences.
State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham and Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Abbeville, have prefiled bills that would permanently establish Juneteenth as a state holiday in Alabama.
Rehm’s bill would also provide that state employees must be given the option to observe either Jefferson Davis’ birthday or Juneteenth “in accordance with each state agency’s policy.”
Givan said her previous attempts to get a version of the bill similar to Rehm’s passed had been unsuccessful, and that other Reps. had called it “problematic.”
Efforts to reach Rehm for comment were not immediately successful.
The U.S. declared June 19 a federal holiday in 2021, celebrating the day in 1865 that the last enslaved African Americans were set free in Galveston, Texas. That came two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and months after Congress passed the 13th Amendment.
The governor has previously voiced support for making Juneteenth a permanent state holiday, but said she wants the legislature to approve it first, according to Givan.
“The governor has been quite generous,” Givan said.
“She has said time and time again that of course she did not have a problem signing it if we could get it out of both chambers. And so that’s one good thing that has always been in play. And is to her credit.”
Givan added that she “wanted also to credit her for acknowledging it by way of a proclamation.”
“So, we just want to go ahead and go through the formal process of the true acknowledgment of a holiday, established holiday, and move forward. And I think Alabama will be better for it.”
Another bill, brought by Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, seeks to recognize all federal holidays as state holidays. Juneteenth is the only federal holiday not recognized by the state of Alabama.
Alabama and West Virginia are the only states that have temporarily declared Juneteenth a state holiday. Others observe the holiday but may not count it as a day off.
In a now viral Facebook post, video captured an extremely rare sighting of an endangered whale species along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
Capt. Bobby Kelly, Owner of Miss Brianna’s Fishing Charter, captured the moments he saw two right whales while boating in Perdido Pass on Sunday.
During a Facebook live on Monday, Kelly talked about how great the experience was seeing the massive creatures.
“Totally cool seeing them yesterday,” Kelly said. “Just in awe of seeing an animal that big that god created for us to see.”
Kelly said he was contacted by biologists after posting the video and it started gaining increased attention.
Kelly said he was told by Tom Pitchford, a biologist with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, that the names of the two whales were Kurlew and Koala.
Right whale sightings are extremely rare because there are only about 370 left in the world. Additionally, Kurlew and Koala are North Atlantic right whales, meaning they do not frequent the gulf often,
However, the two female whales were likely in the area looking for prospective places to give birth to calves.
The species was nearly wiped out due to being a primary target of the whaling industry during the 1800s. The whale’s population has struggled to recover since and continues to face issues caused by climate change and vessel strikes.
Guidance on NOAA’s website states provides information to help boaters avoid striking the mammals including that it is unlawful for a vessel to be within 500 feet of right whales.
“Any vessel within 500 yards of a right whale must depart immediately at a safe, slow speed,” the guidance states. “These restrictions are in place to prevent accidental collisions between right whales and boats as well as to protect the whales from disturbance.”
The Mobile Police Department said that an 18-year-old has been arrested in connection with an apartment shooting Wednesday night that left a 5-year-old with non-fatal injuries.
According to a statement from Police Chief William Jackson, Zion Sashington is in custody and has been charged with assault and discharging a gun into an occupied building.
Jackson said that two individuals began shooting at someone else at Oak Ridge Apartments whereupon the child became caught in the crossfire.
The investigation also discovered that 5 apartment units were struck by gunfire during the shootout.
The child was treated and has already been released from the hospital but Jackson said the ordeal could’ve ended, “much differently.”
“Like you, I’m infuriated a child was hurt for no reason in an act of violence in our city,” Jackson said. “I’m relieved to know he suffered a minor injury, but know this could’ve ended much differently. The victim was treated and released from the hospital Wednesday night.
“I assure you my department won’t stop until all subjects responsible are arrested and held accountable. This remains an active investigation.”
Jackson said the department was still searching for other individuals involved in the shooting and asked for community members to contact the department with any information.
Tiffany Moore said her son, 22-year-old Demarious Antwon Cherry, had gone to the store for his aunt and was on the way home when a shootout erupted in the 4600 block of Roscoe Avenue and a gunfight ensued.
“I was asleep, and my daughter called me and told me my son was dead,’’ Moore said. “It’s hard.”
Cherry’s family said they believe he was caught in the fatal crossfire.
Birmingham police said they are in the early stages of the investigation and have not yet determined what happened, but said multiple calibers of weapons were among the at least 40 shots fired.
“They need to stop all this killing and shooting,’’ Moore said.
A man was shot to death in a hail of gunfire Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in the Rev. Dr. Morrell Todd Homes in the Kingston area.(Carol Robinson)
The shooting happened about 9:40 p.m. Wednesday on Roscoe Avenue in the Rev. Dr. Morrell Todd Homes in the Kingston area.
South Precinct officers were in the area and heard the barrage of gunfire. At the same time, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald, Shot Spotter alerted authorities to shots fired on Roscoe Avenue.
“It sounded like a massive shootout to our officers because of how close they were to the shooting,’’ Fitzgerald said.
Neighborhood President Eldrige Knighton agreed.
“I heard the shots. I heard multiple gunshots,’’ Knighton said. “It was different caliber guns going off. Once I heard the sirens, I made my way up here.”
Police arrived to find Cherry near a set of steps at the end of an apartment building. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene at 10 p.m.
“Officers reported to me there was a crowd when they arrived and the crowd scattered,’’ Fitzgerald said.
No one is in custody.
“As with many cases in our housing communities, thanks to the Housing Authority, we have a great surveillance system,’’ Fitzgerald said. “We are going to look into those resources and our Real Time Crime Center is going to look into that.”
Residents reported taking cover when the shots erupted Wednesday night.
“It’s extremely dangerous when you have a densely populated neighborhood like this,’’ Fitzgerald said.
Demarious Antwon Cherry, 22, was shot to death Feb. 5, 2025, in Birmingham. His mother Tiffany Moore, left, said no parent should have to bury their child.(Special to AL.com)
Cherry and much of his family lived in Kingston. Knighton said Cherry was respected in the neighborhood.
“He didn’t me with nobody. He tended to his own business,’’ his mother said. “He was either at my house, his sister’s house, or his brother’s house. He stayed to himself.”
She said her son didn’t own a gun.
He attended Woodlawn High School and graduated from Dupuy Alternative School.
“He was a quiet, caring person,’’ Moore said. “He’d go out of his way to help everybody he could.”
“I’m not supposed to be burying my son,’’ Moore said. “My kids are supposed to burying me.”
She said the family is heartbroken.
A GoFundMe started to help with Cherry’s burial described him as a “bright, loving young man who loved his family and friends.” Donations to the GoFundMe can be made here.
“I love him, and I miss him,’’ she said. “I wish he was still here.”
Wednesday night’s homicide is the fifth slaying in the city since late Friday night/early Saturday morning.
Fortunately, Fitzgerald said, police have arrested suspects in five of the city’s last six killings.
“The message we want out there is we are going to take these killers off our streets for harming our community members,’’ he said.
Cherry is the city’s 13th homicide this year. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 18 homicides including the 13 in Birmingham.
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Casino Click is a new major online sweepstakes casino. See why fans are raving about all the gaming options and promos at Click Casino.
Why choose Casino Click sweepstakes casino?
Varied supply of online slots despite being a newer sweepstakes casino
User-friendly web interface with easily accessible tabs to find your favorite games
Generous no-purchase welcome bonus
Accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as purchase and redemption options
Casino.Click welcome bonus
New players can claim 250,000 Gold Coins (GC) and 25 Sweepstakes Coins (SC) with the welcome bonus at Casino Click. This offer is granted for players on their first GC purchase for $15.
No Casino Click promo code is needed, simply click the Get Bonus tab in any banner on this page to get started. This offer can be claimed only once per account.
New signups also automatically claim 100,000 GC and 2 SC with the no-purchase sign-up promo.
Players who are at least 18 years old in all US states except Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Kentucky and Washington
✅ Bonus Verified For:
February 2025
📅 Date Established:
2024
Other Casino Click promotions and offers
As a newer sweepstakes casino, there aren’t a lot of promos outside of the welcome offer and sign-up promo. The promo section is expected to increase in the coming weeks and months with more ways to earn GC and SC.
DailyGift: Every day when you log in, Casino Click will grant players 20,000 GC and 10 free SC spins for Samba Rio Spins.
Gold Coins can be used only to play games and cannot be redeemed for cash prizes. You earn GC for free through promos and by winning games. You also can purchase GC from the coin store.
Sweepstakes Coins cannot be purchased directly from the coin store. Instead, SC can be collected by winning games or as free gifts with GC purchases. SC is used to redeem cash prizes.
Loyalty program at Casino Click casino
Casino Click does not have a loyalty program. This is disappointing as other prominent sweepstakes casinos, such as McLuck, host loyalty programs.
Hopefully, Casino Click is working on bringing one for players soon.
Casino Click overview
Year Established:
2024
Total Number of Games:
255
Type of Games:
Slots
RTP Percentage:
90%+
Software Used:
Playnetic, Relax Gaming, Fantasma Games, Four Leaf Gaming, Max Win Gaming, 4ThePlayer, Print Studios
Banking Options (Purchase and Withdrawal):
Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin, Tether, Litecoin, Ethereum, USDC, Solana, Cardano, Dogecoin, BNB, Shiba Inu, bank transfer
Payout Time:
1-5 days
Banking options at Casino.Click
This is where Casino Click stands out compared to other sweepstakes casinos.
At Casino Click, you are able to purchase and redeem cash prizes using cryptocurrencies. The list of cryptocurrencies Casino Click accepts is also vast, with 10 different coins:
Bitcoin
Tether
Litecoin
Ethereum
USDC
Solana
Cardano
Dogecoin
BNB
Shiba Inu
You may make purchases using your debit/credit cards and redeem prizes with a bank transfer.
Casino Click does lack in that you cannot make purchases through PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay or by using e-checks.
The variety in cryptocurrencies accepted does make up for it, however.
Purchase options
These are the purchasing methods for buying Gold Coins at Casino Click:
You also can earn GC for free through the sign-up bonus and logging in daily to claim the daily log-in bonus. All games at Casino Click can be enjoyed completely for free.
Redemption methods
Here are the redemption methods at Casino Click. You can redeem Sweepstakes Coins in the form of prizes only when their total amount equals or exceeds $100 (SC 100).
Screenshot of Casino Click games sectionCasino Click Games
Casino games at Casino.Click
Casino Click casino is home to more than 200 unique online slots. Each game offers a great experience for players thanks to their creative art style and sound design. You will not struggle to find a favorite game at Casino Click.
Slots at Casino Click casino
There are 255 unique online slots available at Casino Click. More than 100 of the games are exclusive to Casino Click with new games launching often.
Here’s a look at the five highest RTP slots on Casino Click:
In addition to online slots, Casino Click is also home to popular slingo games. Slingo involves combining traditional slots with bingo. There is a varied selection of slingo options at Casino Click, including:
Shinobi Spirit
Smashing win!
Bear Upswing
Powerspin
Pine of Plinko 2
Casino.Click user experience
The overall user experience of Casino Click is mostly positive. There are some growing pains that are clear for a new sweepstakes casino. When things are working, however, it is a solid sweeps casino.
On desktop, the casino runs with little to no issues outside of a slight lag when loading the games. If you are familiar with sweepstakes casinos, you will feel right at home. If this is your first sweepstakes experience, you easily will be able to navigate the site.
The games are quality slots. Every game I played has been unique in its own way. The music fits the theme for every game. The sound effects when you win are satisfying to hear, motivating you to keep playing.
This is where I truly enjoyed my time on Casino Click, playing the games. Overall, the user experience has been good.
Mobile experience
Casino Click is a new sweepstakes casino, and it shows in its mobile offering. There is no mobile app, and the web browser experience has been mixed.
When it is working, the games run smoothly on mobile. When it isn’t, the site stutters, often crashes and forces players to refresh often. The desktop version is the best way to play for now.
Legal status
Casino Click is available in all US states, excluding Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Kentucky and Washington. With Casino Click being a sweepstakes casino, it is subject to sweepstakes laws.
Customer support and service at Casino Click casino
Customer support at Casino Click proved to be a highlight for me. I was able to get a speedy response with every method I used, be it live chat, email or telephone.
That is not something I can say about other sweepstakes casinos, such as Legendz, which took hours to hear back from customer support.
Customer Support Channel
Details
Live chat
You can discuss your inquiries with the customer support team via the live chat. You can chat directly with the team or upload documents. They responded immediately to me.
You can email customer support with any questions or grievances. They will reply within the hour.
Telephone: +1 855-450-0686
You can call Casino Click directly and a representative will answer. I was able to speak with a representative immediately without running into an automated message.
Casino Click security and trust
You can trust when using Casino Click that the operator takes account security seriously. The system is secure, with no reports of information leaks or breaches.
The site is SSL-secured, meaning your information is protected using encryption technology. Casino Click also uses Norton as its security provider, one of the more respected security agencies.
The Casino Click Terms of Service also caution players to look out for third-party intervention when typing in passwords or other account information. All steps have been taken to ensure your information is safe and secure when you are playing at Casino Click.
Casino.Click casino: A familiar but solid new sweepstakes casino
Casino Click does not do too much that would make it stand out compared with other sweepstakes casinos. You will find only online slots. Live dealer games and table games are not offered. There is no mobile app, so players must use the web browser version of the site to play on mobile devices.
Familiarity does not mean bad, as what Casino Click does have to offer is quality. The games all run well with few technical issues on the desktop version. The mobile version of the site needs work, however.
Casino Click FAQ
Is Casino Click Casino safe?
Casino Click Casino is a safe and secure sweepstakes casino. It operates under sweepstakes laws and thus is subject to following those laws. This includes supplying safeguards for players who participate in gaming on their platform.
Is Casino.Click legit?
Yes, Casino Click is a legitimate sweepstakes casino. You can log on and play games for free, as well as make purchases and trust the site is legitimate.
In which states does Casino Click operate?
Casino Click is available in all US states except Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Kentucky and Washington.
Does Casino Click pay out real money?
Casino Click is a sweepstakes casino and, therefore, does not pay out real money. You can earn real money prizes by collecting and redeeming Sweepstakes Coins. SC can be redeemed for cash and cryptocurrencies.
How long does it take Casino Click casino to pay winnings?
The payment speed depends on the payment method you choose. If you elect to redeem your cash prize via bank transfer, it can take up to five business days. You can redeem using cryptocurrencies as well. This takes up to 24 hours to process.
What is the best game on Casino.Click?
If we had to pick one game that was a favorite at Casino Click, it would have to be Samba Rio Spins. It stands out because of its creative visual art style inspired by tropical Brazil, and the catchy music and sound design. The tune that is played when you win is satisfying.
“The Rivals of Amziah King” is on the lineup for the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival, organizers announced on Wednesday. The movie, a crime thriller that also stars Kurt Russell and newcomer Angelina LookingGlass, will debut in March at the festival in Austin, Texas.
“THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING is officially headed to Austin!” producer Black Bear Pictures said in an Instagram post. “We’re so excited to be premiere this film at @sxsw,”
Screenings of “Amziah King” are planned for March 10 and 13 at the festival, according to the SXSW website. Venues are the Paramount Theatre (March 10, 9:30 p.m.) and ZACH Theatre (March 13, 11 a.m.)
The SXSW Film & TV Festival is set for March 7-15 at several venues in Austin. It runs concurrently with the SXSW conference, music and comedy festivals.
There no word yet on McConaughey appearing at SXSW to promote the movie, but the actor is a Texas native who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He has strong ties to his home state, and is an enthusiastic fan of the University of Texas Longhorns.
When “Amziah King” was filming in Alabama, details on the storyline were hard to come by. A plot synopsis posted by SXSW says:
“Deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, charismatic and musically gifted Amziah King herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. When Amziah’s estranged foster daughter unexpectedly returns, Amziah leaps at the possibility to renew connection and create a family business. But the honey game is ruthless, and Amziah’s rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built.”
Along with McConaughey, LookingGlass and Russell, the cast includes Jake Horowitz, Scott Shepherd, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori, Owen Teague, Bruce Davis and Cole Sprouse, according to the festival site.
Background actors and extras from Alabama were involved in the filming, which took place from June through early August 2023. These roles ranged in age from children to seniors, and included truck drivers, nurses, jail guards, church attendees, elementary school pupils and more.
Matthew McConaughey is spotted on June 30, 2023, in a parking lot in Cordova, at the site of a former restaurant called Jean’s on the River. The Oscar-winning actor is filming a movie in Alabama, “The Rivals of Amziah King,” written and directed by Andrew Patterson. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Mullinax)
McConaughey was spotted at several Alabama locations during the filming, either doing his job on set or enjoying a private meal where admirers approached him for selfies. He often made the “hook ‘em” hand signal for fans when cell phones came out, showing his support for the Texas Longhorns.
Fans have described their brushes with fame as extremely positive ones, as the actor has greeted the public in a relaxed and congenial way. “He could not have been more low-key and nice,” said Denise Grubbs Harrill, who shook McConaughey’s hand and chatted with him as the actor sat in his car between scenes on July 5 at Automotive Friction Material. “He just seems like a good ol’ Texas boy.”
Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey (left) with Jake Ingram at the Frothy Monkey in downtown Birmingham. McConaughey is shooting a new film, “The Rivals of Amziah King,” in the Bessemer and Birmingham areas in summer 2023. (Courtesy of Kate Donaldson)
McConaughey even made time to visit patients at Children’s of Alabama, a pediatric hospital in Birmingham, during his stint here. “Our sincere thanks to Matthew McConaughey for bringing smiles to our patients at Children’s of Alabama,” the hospital said on social media, posting photos of the actor’s visit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The actor, 55, is a household name in the entertainment world. He’s known for movies such as “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Dazed and Confused,” “A Time to Kill,” “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Magic Mike,” “Mud,” “Free State of Jones,” “Interstellar” and more. He won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and other accolades for his role in 2013’s “Dallas Buyers Club.” McConaughey also earned acclaim for his work in the first season of the TV series “True Detective.”
This film wasn’t McConaughey’s first visit to Alabama. He previously filmed scenes for 2006’s “Failure to Launch” in Cherokee and Etowah counties, according to a 2005 report by The Gadsden Times. The actor went rock climbing at Cherokee Rock Village in Leesburg and filmed a mountain-biking scene on a nearby ridge, a producer for the movie said. McConaughey also was spotted in Mobile in February 2015, around the time he filmed “Free State of Jones” in Louisiana.
Actor Kurt Russell discusses work on a car-chase scene being filmed in Marshall County, Ala., on July 18, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Lee Sims)Courtesy of Lee Sims
Also spotted in different corners of central Alabama was fellow A-list actor Russell, who has a supporting role in “Amziah King.” Fans may have seen the “Escape from New York” and “Miracle” star whipping a truck down a dirt road in Marshall County while filming a car chase.
“He was grinning like a possum one time, when he come down through there driving,” said Marshall County Commissioner Lee Sims. “He was sliding the truck sideways and everything, on that dirt road. He was having a time.”
“The Rivals of Amziah King” managed to remain in production despite the writers’ and actors’ strikes that halted some Hollywood productions and press tours. Variety reported that SAG-AFTRA granted approval to 39 independent productions to shoot during its strike, after confirming that they are not tied to AMPTP companies, including “Amziah King.”
A Thursday season opener against a Power Four opponent is one of four weekday games on 2025 Jacksonville State’s football schedule.
Jax State and Conference USA announced the full 2025 slate on Thursday, marking the first schedule for head football coach Charles Kelly’s tenure in Jacksonville.
The Gamecocks will open the season at Central Florida on Thursday, Aug. 28. This will mark Kelly’s first games at Jax State and Scott Frost’s second tenure at UCF.
The Gamecocks’ home opener and Kelly’s first home game will be on Sept. 6 against Conference USA foe Liberty, which will also mark the CUSA opener and the lone league game for Jax State until October.
It will be the only Conference USA game being played in Week 2.
After a road game against Sun Belt Conference foe Georgia Southern, Jax State will return home to face FCS Murray State and head coach Jody Wright.
Wright is a Pickens County native and former Jax State running back who was a staffer at in-state programs Jax State, Alabama and UAB.
The Gamecocks will close out non-conference play with a road game at Southern Miss.
October will feature three weeknight games for Jax State as part of Conference USA’s multimedia rights deal, which features weeknight CUSA games on national television.
CUSA’s broadcast partners will share the October weeknight football games on CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
The Gamecocks will open October at Sam Houston on Oct. 9 before playing its lone home weeknight game on Oct. 15 against Delaware; after a bye, Jax State will travel to MTSU on Oct. 29.
The Gamecocks will close out the season with games at UTEP, at home against Kennesaw State, at FIU before the regular-season finale at home against Western Kentucky.
Conference USA will add Delaware and Missouri State as members in 2025, so Jax State will not play Louisiana Tech, Missouri State or New Mexico State during the regular season.
The Conference USA championship game is set for Friday, Dec. 5 at the site of the regular-season champion and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Jax State beat Western Kentucky 52-12 at home in last season’s Conference USA championship game.
Kickoff times will be released at a later date; home games are capitalized.
A European steel manufacturer announced Thursday it is proceeding with plans to build a $1.2 billion advanced, non-grain-oriented electrical steel plant in Mobile County.
The project, originally announced last year, will be under construction later in 2025 and is expected to commence production in 2027, according to Thursday’s press release. It will create 200 permanent new jobs once it is opened, and 1,300 jobs during construction.
According to the company’s press release, the project promotes U.S. manufacturing “competitiveness and addresses a crucial market need by reducing U.S. dependency on electrical steel imports.” The facility will be able to produce up to 150,000 metric tons of non-grain-oriented electrical steel (NOES) each year.
“We recognize the importance of creating a resilient, sustainable domestic supply chain for this critical material,” said John Brett, CEO with ArcelorMittal North America.
Ivey, in a statement provided by the company, said ArcelorMittla’s investment “not only strengthens Alabama’s position as a key player in the steel industry but also paves the way for innovation in electric motors and renewable energy technologies.”
The governor’s office is expected to release additional information later today. It’s unclear how much in state and local tax incentives were being issued to support the project.
NOES has been identified as a critical material for producing electric motors used in battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and a broad range of energy technologies and applications. The production of NOES requires specialized technical expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities and rigorous quality control to meet “stringent specifications for magnetic and mechanical performance,” according to the company.
The facility will be located near ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel’s joint venture, AM/NS Calvert, a state-of-the-art steel plant that includes a river terminal, hot strip mill, cold rolling mill, hot dip galvanizing lines, rail yard, supporting infrastructure, and a new electric arc furnace (EAF) that is nearing completion.
Plans for the new ArcelorMittal Calvert plant include an annealing pickling line, cold-rolling mill, annealing coating line, packaging and slitter line, and additional ancillary equipment needed for specialized electrical steel manufacturing operations.
