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Lakers-76ers free livestream: How to watch NBA game tonight, TV, schedule

The Los Angeles Lakers play against the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on TNT. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Lakers enter this matchup with a 26-18 record, and they have won four consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Lakers defeated Charlotte 112-107.

During the victory, Anthony Davis and LeBron James led the Los Angeles offense. The two players combined to score 64 points and shot 26-45 from the field.

The 76ers enter this matchup with a 17-27 record, coming off a 109-97 win against Chicago. During the victory, Tyrese Maxey led the Philadelphia offense. He scored 31 points and shot 12-23 from the field, so he will be a key player to watch this evening. Maxey leads the team, averaging more than 26 points per game.

Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

General

Tennessee-Kentucky free livestream: How to watch SEC basketball game tonight, TV, schedule

The No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers play against the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats in an SEC basketball game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Volunteers enter this matchup with a 17-3 record, but they have lost two of their last three games. In their most recent game, the Volunteers lost 53-51 against No. 1 Auburn.

During the loss, Tennessee struggled offensively. The team shot less than 32% from the field and less than 19% from three-point range.

The Wildcats enter this matchup with a 14-5 record, but they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Wildcats lost 74-69 against Vanderbilt.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Wildcats will need to rely on their star guard Otega Oweh. He currently averages more than 15 points per game, which leads the team.

Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

General

Trump may have revealed the truth behind the drones flying over New Jersey

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered an update from President Donald Trump during a briefing Tuesday, saying the Federal Aviation Administration approved the flights, which captured the public’s attention over a month ago.

“After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons,” Leavitt said. “Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones.

She added: “It got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy.” She said the news came directly from the president.

The drones led to widespread curiosity as well as some confusion and worry last month. State and Biden administration officials had said there was no evidence of anything nefarious with the sightings.

Trump had said the “government knows” what was happening with the drones. He said at the time, “I can’t imagine it’s the enemy because if it’s the enemy they’d blast it out.”

General

Trump federal funding freeze: What pause means for student loans, Pell Grants

President Donald Trump’s administration issued a national freeze on federal grants and loans, beginning Jan. 28.

Education funding for K-12 and colleges is under review, but a Department of Education spokesperson said Tuesday that student financial aid is still operating under normal conditions.

“The temporary pause does not impact ‘assistance received directly by individuals,’” Madison Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communication strategy, told USA Today. This includes higher education funding such as federal Pell Grants and direct loans.

There was initial concern and “widespread confusion” about student aid being affected since federal grants and loans are awarded via the student’s selected college or university, according to USA Today.

Nationally, some state agencies and nonprofits reported issues accessing federal funds related to preschool, housing and veteran’s services.

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education is monitoring how this “impact grants awarded to campuses for research or public services but have no details at this time,” according to executive director Jim Purcell.

General

Check your fridge: FDA issues Class 1 recall for salmon sold at popular retail chain

Packages of smoked salmon sold last year at Costco are being recalled due to possible listeria contamination.

New York-based Acme Smoked Fish Corporation is issuing a recall of 111 cases of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon in twin 12-ounce packages. The salmon is vacuumed sealed in a black-bordered plastic package, with a blue name of “Smoked Salmon” and an illustration of a salmon fish on the front. The product has a best by date of Nov. 13, 2024. The UPC number is 0 96619 25697 6. The lot code listed on the front of the bag is 8512801270.

The fish was initially recalled in October due to laboratory testing confirming Listeria monocytogenes on Oct. 21, 2024, according to a report from the FDA. The recall is a Level 1, the highest risk level available.

This product was distributed between Oct. 9, 2024 to Oct. 13, 2024 to the Southeast Costco Distribution Center located in West Palm Beach, Florida and Costco Warehouse stores in Florida.

According to USA Today, ACME smoked fish removed the potentially affected packages of salmon from grocery shelves in October.

There have been no reported illnesses to date linked to the recall, according to the FDA.

Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume them and are urged to discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

General

Alabama police department faces $20 million lawsuit after handcuffed man hit with stun gun

Attorneys for an Alabama man who was hit with a stun gun while he was handcuffed and face down on the hood of an officer’s police car have filed a $20 million lawsuit against the city of Reform and two officers.

“The lawsuit highlights the excessive force, deliberate indifference, malicious prosecution and wrongful detainment and arrest” of Micah Washinton, who is now 25, and two others, said attorney Leroy Maxell Jr.

The suit is filed on behalf of Washington, his friend Jacorien Henry, and Washington’s brother, Shakeem, who was 17 at the time. It names as defendants the city, Reform police Officer Dana Elmore and her husband, former Pickens County Sheriff’s Deputy Jody Elmore.

Reform city and police officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ordeal began Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, when Washington was changing a flat tire on a Pickens County roadway, not far from his aunt’s house, Maxwell said. Washington and others were going back and forth to the house to get equipment needed to change the tire when Dana Elmore stopped to question Johnson.

Maxwell said the officer asked him what was going on and asked him for identification. Washington told the officer he was not doing anything wrong, knew his rights and didn’t have to provide that information if he wasn’t detained.

Washington pulled out his phone to start recording and Elmore used a stun gun on Washington, which caused him to drop to the ground. He was then handcuffed.

What happened next was caught on the now-viral video recorded by one of Washington’s family members.

Micah Washington(Contributed)

The video began with Dana Elmore ordering Washing to “stand up” after he was handcuffed in the roadway in Pickens County.

She then told him to lay down on the front of a vehicle, which he did face down.

The officer then held a stun gun to Washington’s back while she went through his pockets. She told him to “stay still” at which point he said, “I ain’t doing shit, bro. I got a gun right there.”

Dana Elmore laughed as she retrieves the gun and says, “Oh yea.”

She then deployed the stun gun directly into Washington’s back, telling him to “shut the (expletive) up” as he screams.

Washington then began to cry, repeatedly saying, “Oh my God.”

The officer then said, “Do you want it again?” as Washington continued to cry. “Shut your bitch ass up,’’ the officer says.

That’s where the video ended.

Reform police Chief Richard Black and Mayor Melody Davis in a previous statement said Dana Elmore was placed on leave with pay. They have not provided any update since then on her employment status.

Washington was initially charged with trafficking fentanyl, obstructing government operations, resisting arrest and first-degree possession of marijuana. The trafficking charge was later dismissed.

His friend, Jacorien Henry, was also arrested but all of his charges were dismissed.

“We fully expect the remaining charges against Mr. Washington to be dismissed as well,’’ Maxwell said Tuesday.

Maxwell said there needs to be accountability for the officers.

“They must be held accountable for the irreparable physical, mental and emotional injuries they caused,’’ he said. “My clients are clear victims of police misconduct, racial bias, and systemic racism.”

“They were targeted for simply existing as African American men,’’ he said.

General

5 Alabama destinations in running for nationwide bragging rights

What do a battleship, a beer bar, a planetarium, a museum and a beach town have in common? They’re all Alabama institutions on the ballot in USA Today’s 10Best ratings.

Voting is open now. Aside from bragging rights, the contenders – which are scattered from north Alabama to the Gulf of Whatever coast – stand to gain prominence as tourism destinations in the year ahead, should they make it into the final Top 10.

Top 10 winners will be announced in March; voters are allowed to vote once per day. Here’s what landmarks and locations are included in the current slate of categories.

Africatown Heritage House: Best History Museum – 10Best planners say this museum, which opened in July 2023, “holds a significant place in American history due to its connection with the Clotilda, the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States in 1860, despite the ban on the international slave trade. Exhibits, events, lectures, and community programs engage visitors and foster dialogue about African American history, social justice, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.” The other 20 finalists include The Academy of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C.; and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Voting continues through 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 10.

Note: The Heritage House is less than two years old but it’s already a 10Best winner. A year ago, it made the list of 10 best new museums to visit.

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: Best Museum Ship – The category includes sailing ships, steel ships and submarines, and they’re praised (without apparent irony) for offering “immersive” experiences. The Alabama park’s competition includes the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Honolulu; the Elizabeth II at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, N.C.; and Battleship Cove in Fall River, Mass., home of one of the Mighty A’s South Dakota-class sister ships, the USS Massachusetts. Voting continues through 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 10.

INTUITIVE Planetarium at U.S. Space & Rocket Center: Best Planetarium – This Huntsville attraction gets credit for “multiple shows each day, including state-of-the-art films about asteroids and the James Webb Telescope,” as well as for “Cocktails and Cosmos events, in which stellar shows are accompanied by ‘cosmically created’ cocktails.” The field of 20 finalists includes planetariums in Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Voting ends at 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 10.

Orange Beach: Best Small Town Arts Scene – Orange Beach is among 20 arts-friendly destinations with populations of fewer than 30,000 people. “What each of these towns lack in size, they make up for with big arts scenes — museums, art galleries, performing arts, and busy event calendars,” says the 10Best guide. Alabama’s southeasternmost city gets credit for its Coastal Arts Center and the Orange Beach Festival of Art, among other attractions. Competitors include Laguna Beach, Calif.; Homer, Alaska; and Sarasota Springs, N.T. Voting continues through 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 17.

Hop City Beer & Wine: Best Beer Bar: This Birmingham venue is praised as “a must-stop for beer lovers in Birmingham, Alabama,” that offers something for everyone with “more than 1,200 varieties of craft and imported beer to shop and 66 rotating draft beers to choose from. The field of nominees including venues in craft beer epicenters across the country. Voting ends at 11 a.m. Central time on Monday, Feb. 24.

General

Saraland QB, Texas signee KJ Lacey named Alabama’s 2024 Mr. Football

KJ Lacey kept the Mr. Football Award in the Saraland family.

The senior quarterback and Texas signee was named the state’s top high school football player for 2024 by the Alabama Sports Writers Association at the annual Player of the Year Banquet in Montgomery on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s the third straight Mr. Football Award for Saraland after Ryan Williams won in 2022 and 2023. No school had previously won two in a row in the 43-year history of the Award.

“The kid controls the whole game,” Theodore coach Steve Mask said of Lacey. “I haven’t seen anyone in a long time that completely takes it over like he can. The moment is never too big for him, and he makes play after play. I already knew he was really good, but the performance he put on in the Alabama-Mississippi (All-Star) Game was just unreal. That told me how really great he is.”

Lacey completed 21-of-36 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns under heavy pressure in leading Alabama to a 35-29 win over Mississippi in Mobile last month. He was named the team’s offensive MVP.

“He had a great week and played extremely well on a field that was full of talented and highly rated guys,” said Saraland coach Jeff Kelly, who also served as head coach of the Alabama team. “He was by far the reason we had success. The thing that stuck out to me in that game was his ability to buy time and create when the pass rush got to him. He was able to move around and do all the things he’s always been able to do with us and create opportunities to throw the football against a bunch of talented guys.”

Lacey also was named Class 6A Back of the Year on Tuesday at the annual ASWA banquet sponsored by ALFA Insurance and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.

Though he missed two games due to injury, he completed 62 percent of his passes in 2024 for 3,042 yards and 40 touchdowns in leading the Spartans to a third straight Class 6A title game. He was intercepted seven times.

“He’s been an absolute joy to coach,” Kelly said. “The physical ability and the physical talent that he has is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. He has the ability to make all the throws. He has the creative ability to make something out of nothing. He has the football IQ to really dissect a defense and do a great job of having a plan of how to attack and the ability to be really accurate. All that is unlike anything I’ve ever coached.”

Saraland went 41-3 in Lacey’s three years as the starting quarterback and played in three straight 6A title games, winning the championship in 2022. He finished second in career passing yards in AHSAA history behind only Piedmont’s Jack Hayes with 10,985 yards.

“His leadership, his competitiveness, his ability to make everyone around him better – I think will be what allows him to continue to do great things while playing quarterback,” Kelly said. “I’ve never seen him in a situation where he’s stressed or where the moment seemed too big. He has the ability to be his best in those pressure-packed moments and has the ability to slow down the game and make the big plays at the big time. He always seems calm, cool and collected and that rubs off on everyone around him.”

Coaches and scouts have long compared Lacey’s style to that of former Alabama QB and current Carolina Panther Bryce Young.

“KJ is super twitchy, instinctive. He’s like a point guard out there who distributes the ball so well,” said David Morris, founder of QB Country. “He’s very athletic, though he doesn’t run around a ton. At Saraland, they didn’t do a lot of QB runs, but he can do that and he may be at his most dangerous when a play breaks down a little and he has to improvise.”

Also of note Tuesday, Elba senior and Auburn signee Alvin Henderson was named Class 1A Back of the Year for the third straight season. The Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year rushed for 3,620 yards and 61 touchdowns and became the state’s all-time leading rusher with 10,894 yards.

Fellow Auburn signees Anquon Fegans (7A Back), Jared Smith (7A Lineman), Jourdin Crawford (6A Lineman) and Jakaleb Faulk (2A Lineman) also were winners.

Lacey, Henderson, Fegans and Crawford were all named to the Super All-State team, the top 12 players in the state regardless of class or position. They were joined by Jackson’s Landon Duckworth and EJ Crowell, Parker’s Na’eem Offord, Thompson’s Trent Seaborn, Cherokee County’s Tae Diamond, Russellville’s Cam Phinizee, Tuscaloosa Academy’s Preston Lancaster and St. Michael’s Gunner Rivers.

This year, 1,265 players were nominated for All-State consideration from 267 schools.

COMPLETE LIST OF TUESDAY’S WINNERS

BACKS OF THE YEAR

7A: Anquon Fegans, Thompson

6A: KJ Lacey, Saraland

5A: Cam Phinizee, Russellville

4A: Landon Duckworth, Jackson

3A: Kadyn Mitchell, Houston Academy

2A: Preston Lancaster, Tuscaloosa Academy

1A: Alvin Henderson, Elba

AISA: Luke Tarver, Chambers Academy

LINEMEN OF THE YEAR

7A: Jared Smith, Thompson

6A: Jourdin Crawford, Parker

5A: Jabarrius Garror, Vigor

4A: Tae Diamond, Cherokee County

3A: Tucker Wilks, Fyffe

2A: JJ Faulk, Highland Home

1A: Hayes Farrell, Donoho

AISA: Ashton Yelder, Lowndes Academy

MR. FOOTBALL

KJ Lacey, Saraland

COACHES OF THE YEAR

(originally named Dec. 22)

7A: Chip English, Hoover

6A: Tim Vakakes, Spain Park

5A: Kirk Johnson, Montgomery Catholic

4A: Drew Phillips, West Morgan

3A: Darrell Higgins, Mars Hill Bible

2A: Caleb Simmons, Winston County

1A: Shenan Motley, Wadley

AISA: Stacy Luker, South Choctaw Academy

ALL-TIME MR. FOOTBALL WINNERS

1982: Tommy Compton, Vigor

1983: Freddy Weygand, Emma Sansom

1984: Rod Green, Gardendale

1985: Pierre Goode, Hazlewood

1986: Larry Ware, Lee-Montgomery

1987: Robert Jones, Parker

1988: Darrell Williams, Vigor

1989: Steve Coleman, Pike County

1990: David Palmer, Jackson-Olin

1991: Robert Davis, Homewood

1992: Freddie Kitchens, Etowah

1993: Thomas Banks, West Jefferson

1994: Dawud Rasheed, Shades Valley

1995: Gorman Thornton, Jeff Davis

1996: Antoneyo Williams, Central-Tuscaloosa

1997: Mac Campbell, Alexandria

1998: DeMarco McNeil, Blount

1999: Cory Whisenant, Springville

2000: Carnell Williams, Etowah

2001: Brandon Cox, Hewitt-Trussville

2002: JaMarcus Russell, Williamson

2003: Chris Nickson, Pike County

2004: Jarod Bryant, Hoover

2005: Andre Smith, Huffman

2006: Larry Smith, Prattville

2007: Julio Jones, Foley

2008: Clint Moseley, Leroy

2009: Coty Blanchard, Cherokee County

2010: Jamal Golden, Wetumpka

2011: T.J. Yeldon, Daphne

2012: Jeremy Johnson, Carver-Montgomery

2013: Roc Thomas, Oxford

2014: Kerryon Johnson, Madison Academy

2015: Tyler Johnston, Spanish Fort

2016: La’Damian Webb, Beauregard

2017: Asa Martin, Austin

2018: Bo Nix, Pinson Valley

2019: Kristian Story, Lanett

2020: Ga’Quincy McKinstry, Pinson Valley

2021: Ryan Peppins, Thompson

2022: Ryan Williams, Saraland

2023: Ryan Williams, Saraland

2024: KJ Lacey, Saraland

General

Legendary musicians return to Alabama on 2025 tour: ‘One of the biggest bands in the world’

Dave Matthews Band has announced more than 30 dates for its spring and summer tour, including a show in Alabama.

The iconic jam band — and recent inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — is set to perform on June 24 at the new Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert go on sale Friday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketmaster/Live Nation. Prices are $95, $135, $149.50 and $179.50, according to promoter Live Nation.

If you don’t want to wait a month to buy tickets, members of the band’s fan club, the DMB Warehouse Fan Association, have access to a pre-sale that started at noon today. (Membership costs $35 per year.)

DMB’s 2025 tour begins April 27 with an appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and runs through Aug. 31, with a three-night stint at The Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, Washington. The Birmingham show is the only tour stop listed for Alabama.

DMB also is set to play in Southern cities such as Charleston, South Carolina (June 20-21, Credit One Stadium); Alpharetta, Georgia (June 25, Ameris Bank Amphitheatre); and Richmond, Virginia (July 15-16, Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront). See the full list of tour dates here.

Dave Matthews Band is a favorite in Alabama, with a long history of concerts in the state. The band performed in recent years at The Wharf in Orange Beach and the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, and made its last appearance in the Birmingham area in May 2019 at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham.

DMB features singer-guitarist Matthews, guitarist Tim Reynolds, bassist Stefan Lessard, saxophone player Jeff Coffin, trumpeter Rashawn Ross, drummer Carter Beauford and keyboard player Buddy Strong.

The band has 10 studio albums to its credit, 1994-present, along with several live albums and an extensive Live Trax series that’s available via the DMB website. Signature songs include “Ants Marching,” “Jimi Thing.” “Satellite,” “Crash Into Me,” “Two Step,” “Tripping Billies,” “Don’t Drink the Water,” “Dancing Nancies” and more.

“Dave Matthews Band harnessed an eclectic sound and relentless touring schedule to become one of the biggest bands in the world,” the Rock Hall website says. “Long, intricate solos, non-traditional rock & roll instruments, unique time signatures and an electric live show trademark their unique sound.”

DMB is the first jam band scheduled for the Coca-Cola Amphitheater, a $46 million concert venue that’s currently under construction in Birmingham.

The 9,380-seat amphitheater should be ready for the public in June 2025, according to organizers. Up to 20 shows are expected for the debut season, focusing on country, classic rock, rap and more.

The amphitheater — owned by the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex and managed by Live Nation — previously announced 12 concerts for 2025, ranging from comedian Matt Rife (June 22) to country star Jason Aldean (Sept. 26).

General

Major Huntsville employer announces largest losses since pandemic, with ‘pruning’ ahead

Boeing’s CEO said Tuesday that the aerospace giant will be “pruning the portfolio” over the next year after announcing nearly $12 billion in annual losses.

The company’s year was its worst since 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic all but grounded the aviation industry.

But Boeing is “going to continue to be in our core areas” of aircraft and defense, President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said during a conference call with investors. Any trims will “not be a major restructuring … think more pruning the portfolio, not cutting down the tree,” he said.