Alabama News

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BetMGM bonus code code ALCOM1500 unlocks up to $1,500 first-bet for Steelers vs. Browns

The Week 12 installment of Thursday Night Football should be good when AFC North rivals Pittsburgh Steelers meet the Cleveland Browns. New users can enter the BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500 to unlock up to $1,500 for Steelers vs. Browns on Thursday Night Football.

BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500 at a glance

BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500: How to unlock your $1500 in bonus bets

Newly verified BetMGM sports betting accounts using BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500. Follow these five steps to unlock either bonus:

1. Press any of our BetMGM banners or links, and you’ll be redirected to the BetMGM sign-up page.
2. Complete each required field, including SSN, and show proof of age with a valid state-issued photo ID, passport, or military ID. When prompted, enter BetMGM promo code ALCOM1500.
3. Choose a banking option and make a deposit of at least $10 into your newly verified BetMGM account.
4. Place a minimum $10 bet, and if the bet loses, BetMGM will place a bonus bet good for one wager in the amount of the bet up to $1500.

BetMGM Sportsbook existing user promos

The BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500 bets will expire, but BetMGM offers multiple theme-based betting promotions 365 days a year like these existing user NFL promos.

• NFL First TD Scorer Second Chance: If your first touchdown scorer bet doesn’t win, but the scores the second TD, you win your bet.
• Refer a Friend $100 Bonus: Get up to $100 in bonus bets if your friend registers for a new BetMGM account and makes an initial $100 deposit.
• NFL Odds Boosts: Receive odds boosts on select NFL regular season games, including tonight’s Steelers vs. Browns AFC North matchup.

How to use your BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500

BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500 requires a losing minimum of $10 wager. I would take the Cleveland Browns to win this game if it were my bet.

Cleveland doesn’t have much to play for, but most of their previous 10 meetings have been close, hard-hitting affairs. The home team has also won eight of their last 10, and the Browns have the edge playing a home game on a short week.

A $1500 bet maximizes this bonus. If the Browns win, that $1500 bet would pay $3975 plus the $1500 stake. If the Browns lose, the BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500 has you covered with a bonus bet of up to $1500.

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Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration.

Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial, when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tried to condition U.S. military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former Vice President Joe Biden.

Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. She’s been a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers.

“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” Trump said in a social media post. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”

Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. told Fox Business on Sunday that the transition team had backups in mind for his controversial nominees should they fail to get confirmed. The swift selection of Bondi came about six hours after Gaetz withdrew.

Gaetz stepped aside amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer.

That announcement capped a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies.

“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement.

“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” he added. Hours later, Gaetz posted on social media that he looks “forward to continuing the fight to save our country,” adding, “Just maybe from a different post.”

Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”

Last week, Trump named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible attorney general contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO.

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Belleville 5-star QB, nation’s top recruit, flips commitment to Michigan from LSU

Michigan football has secured a commitment from the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class.

Belleville five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his verbal pledge from LSU to the Wolverines on Thursday night in a historic moment for Michigan on the recruiting trail.

Underwood’s decision, which he posted on Instagram, comes amid Michigan’s public push to pry him away from the Tigers over the past month.

Multiple recruiting services reported that the Wolverines had pitched NIL offers in the millions. Underwood posted on his Instagram page last week a graphic of him in LSU gear that said he was “likely to decline Michigan’s $10.5M NIL offer.” Although he deleted the post shortly after, many viewed it as an indication that he would sign with the Tigers on national signing day Dec. 4.

Underwood took an official visit to LSU on Nov. 8 when it faced Alabama, and many recruiting experts reported following the trip that they expected him to remain in the Tigers’ class. But LSU has lost three straight games to fall to 6-4 this season, and Michigan continued to recruit the top-ranked prospect nationally.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder was a four-year starter at Belleville, leading the team to three straight state title games, winning two. His senior season ended last week in a 35-21 loss to Detroit Catholic Central.

“YES SIR!” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore posted shortly after Underwood’s announcement. “The Best players in Michigan go to Michigan.”

Michigan’s passing game has struggled throughout 2024 and badly needed an infusion of talent at the position. The Wolverines lost a commitment from Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot four-star quarterback Carter Smith earlier this month, another indication they were all-in on Underwood.

Underwood becomes the second five-star recruit for the Wolverines this cycle and 19th commit overall. By landing Underwood, Michigan’s class catapulted from No. 14 to No. 9 in the 247Sports Composite national rankings. Since the 247Sports Composite launched in 2000, Underwood is the second No. 1 overall recruit to commit to Michigan, joining defensive lineman Rashan Gary in 2016.

“Potential franchise signal caller with the ideal blend of size, arm talent and athleticism,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote in his scouting report. “Has continued to improve as a passer and has gotten much more in tune with his mechanics. However, the biggest revelation in his final prep campaign has been his ability to move the chains with his legs as he builds speed and dodges defenders as an open-field runner with a frame that’s north of 6-foot-3 and pushing 215 pounds. Displays excellent pocket awareness for his age and isn’t one that panics as pressure builds. Does best to stay on schedule and hit his marks with authority, showing the ability to not only challenge tight coverage windows with velocity over the middle, but also throw with both touch and anticipation to the second and third levels.”

Underwood’s commitment comes one day after his teammate, 2025 four-star safety Elijah Dotson, flipped to Michigan from Pitt. The Wolverines now have four of the top five-ranked players in the state this cycle.

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Katt Williams buys former Alabama military base to launch movie studio

Katt Williams’ dreams of being a movie mogul have taken him to Alabama, where the comedian purchased a former military base with the intention to launch a movie studio.

“I can’t disclose the amount or exact location just yet, but I can confirm that he has purchased a former military base in Alabama,” Williams’ publicist, Amy Sisoyev, said in an email Thursday to AL.com.

While the comedian is mum on the property he purchased, Fort McClellan’s Cold War-era barracks in Anniston have been up for sale at a $1.5 million asking price by the Luxe Group.

Known locally as “Starships,” the barracks and surrounding property consists of 30 concrete buildings with three million square feet of indoor space. There are 10 barracks with 20 rooms each, two large gymnasiums, and more than 90 acres of usable flat land on the old Ft. McClellan site.

Efforts to reach the Luxe Group and the McClellan Development Authority — a non-profit public corporation made to speed economic development of the former fort — were unsuccessful.

In an interview published by GQ on Wednesday, Williams said he purchased a former Alabama military base sometime this year.

The comedian’s January appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast “Club Shay Shay” holds the YouTube interview record with more than 83 million views. Williams put several entertainers, including Kevin Hart, Rickey Smiley and Tyler Perry, on blast.

In the GQ interview, told GQ he has ambitions of becoming a movie mogul à la Perry.

“It’s just not fair to put all that pressure on Tyler Perry,” he said. “He can only do so much.”

Williams was in Alabama earlier this year for stops on his ‘Dark Matter’ tour, where he performed sets in Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile.

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Man shot to death in ambush in Birmingham apartment parking lot, possibly by multiple shooters

A man died in a barrage of gunfire Thursday afternoon in the parking lot of a Birmingham apartment complex.

Shots rang out at 3:51 p.m. at Park at Wood Station apartments. That is in the 6000 block of Wood Station Drive, which is off First Avenue South in Woodlawn.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said police were dispatched to the complex on a report of a person shot.

They arrived to find the victim, identified only as a young adult male, dead inside a vehicle from multiple gunshot wounds.

Fitzgerald said it appears the victim was ambushed, possibly by multiple shooters.

At least 15 to 20 rounds were fired, if not more, he said. Witnesses said the victim’s vehicle was peppered by gunfire.

A massive crowd gathered at the crime scene where the victim’s loved ones hugged and cried.

Fitzgerald said the victim may have been visiting someone at the complex.

A motive has not been determined and no arrests have been made.

“This happened in a heavily populated complex,’’ he said.

“We’re urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. You can remain anonymous, and you will receive up to $5,000 I a cash reward.”

“We want to stress how important home surveillance footage may be in this investigation,’’’ he said.

“If you have any that captured this incident, or the events leading up to or after, you can receive a cash reward the same way you would if you called in a tip.”

The victim is Birmingham’s 142 homicide this year. Of those, 10 have been ruled justifiable and aren’t deemed criminal.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 177 homicides, including the 142 in Birmingham.

The city ended 2023 with 135 homicides.

The number to Crime Stoppers is 205-254-7777.

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Alabama braces for bitterly cold night: Frost and freeze warnings issued as temperatures plummet

A cold night is in store for all of Alabama, and frost and freeze warnings will go into effect for parts of the state.

The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures to fall to the freezing point or possibly even below freezing overnight.

That could mean the end of anything still left in the garden, and should effectively end the growing season for parts of the state.

Another possibly colder night is in the forecast for Friday night into Saturday morning, and more freeze warnings or frost advisories could be coming.

Here’s a look at the warnings and advisories for various parts of the state:

CENTRAL ALABAMA

* Freeze warning from 3 a.m. until 8 a.m. Friday for Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Randolph, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker and Winston counties.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said temperatures could fall as low as 30 degrees tonight in those areas.

* Frost advisory from 3 a.m. until 8 a.m. Friday for Autauga, Bibb, Chambers, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Shelby, Tallapoosa and Tuscaloosa counties.

The weather service said temperatures as low as 33 degrees will be possible in those areas.

SOUTH ALABAMA

* Frost advisory from 3 a.m. until 8 a.m. Friday for Choctaw, Washington, Clarke, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler and Crenshaw counties.

The National Weather Service in Mobile said temperatures could fall as low as 36 degrees in those areas overnight.

More cold temperatures are expected Friday night into Saturday morning. Here is a look at tomorrow night’s expected temperatures:

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23-year-old charged with capital murder in death of baby boy in Montgomery

A 23-year-old man has been charged in the death of a 6-month-old Montgomery boy.

Johnnie Taylor Sr. is charged with capital murder, police announced Thursday.

Montgomery investigators launched their investigation earlier this month when the infant was hospitalized at Children’s of Alabama with undisclosed, but life-threatening, injuries.

The child died on November 10.

Major Saba Coleman earlier this week said an autopsy by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences deemed the boy’s death a homicide.

Authorities have not released the baby’s name nor said how he was killed.

They also have not disclosed the relationship between the suspect and the victim.

Taylor, jailed Thursday, is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Detention Facility.

Anyone with additional information is asked to Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP, Secret Witness at 334-625-4000, or Montgomery police at 334-625-2831.

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Kendra Scott has huge 30% off Black Friday sale

It’s time to start crossing names off your Christmas list.

Kendra Scott’s holiday sale has 30% off all fashion jewelry, including some of the best-selling earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more. You can even get 25% off fine jewelry.

One great gift option is the Letter Pendant Necklace in Gold. It’s normally $65 but is on sale for $45.50. It would be a perfect keepsake for a special initial.

Another great choice is the Ari Heart Gold Huggie Earrings. Normally $65, they are on sale for $45.50. Our top pick is the Iridescent Drusy, a glittery white that would go with anything, but they come in a variety of other shades varying from pink to black.

Another great earring choice with a wide variety of stone choices is the Lee Gold Drop Earring. Normally $55, they are on sale for $38.50. The Opaque Black is stunning, with other choices including Ivory Mother of Pearl, Rose Quartz, Abalone Shell and others.

More Kendra Scott sale choices:

Cross Gold Pendant Necklace in White Crystal – $52.50, normally $75

Cailin Gold Crystal Band Ring in Green Peridot Crystal – $45.50, normally $65

Livy Gold Rings Set of 3 in White Crystal – $63, regularly $90

Bailey Gold Pave Chain Bracelet in White Crystal – $59.50, regularly $85

Daphne Gold Pave Frame Drop Earrings in Berry Mica – $59.50, regularly $85

Colette Large Hoop Earrings in Gold – $49, regularly $70

Alexandria Gold Satellite Multi Strand Necklace in Green Glass – $52.50, regularly $75

Ari Heart Silver Short Pendant Necklace in Bubblegum Pink – $59.50, regularly $85

Sophia Drop Earrings in Gunmetal – $38.50, regularly $55

Leighton Gold Pearl Strand Necklace in Freshwater Culture Pearl – $56, regularly $80

Abbie Gold Pave Frame Cuff Bracelet in Navy Abalone – $56, regularly $80

Krista Gold Statement Earrings in White Mix – $138.60, regularly $198

You can see all the Kendra Scott sale items here.

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Beloved Birmingham theater opens new $2.3 million home in historic building: ‘The sky’s the limit’

Tamara DeBolt takes a seat in the elegant, brand-spanking new lobby of Terrific New Theatre and takes a deep breath.

DeBolt, TNT’s executive director, is thinking about a $2.3 million project that has dominated her life for the past four years, testing her mettle and marking a new direction for the small nonprofit theater.

It’s a joyful time right now for folks who love the theater, DeBolt included. But she admits that finding a new home for TNT and renovating a historic building in downtown Birmingham has been stressful.

“It’s been very hard,” DeBolt said in an interview with AL.com. “I don’t remember the last time I slept through the night, honestly. I have categories in my mind. I have a money category. I have a building category. I have a props category. I have a costume category. I had this electrical thing to worry about. We’re trying to get a liquor license reinstated.

“It’s just, you know, a thousand things,” DeBolt said. “But I cross things off my list, and I make a new list. Sometimes I wake up at 2:30 in the morning and think about my list. Sometimes I never go back to sleep. It’s just been a lot, but I think it’ll be worth it. It’ll be worth all the time and the effort.”

Terrific New Theatre returns to the city’s entertainment landscape on Thursday, Nov. 21, launching its 2024-205 season with a production of “Sunday in the Park with George.” Opening night is sold out at the 100-seat theater, and organizers, volunteers and other supporters are ready to celebrate TNT’s rebirth.

TNT’s new home at 2112 Fifth Ave. North is a significant milestone for the grassroots organization, founded in in 1986 by Birmingham’s Carl Stewart and his partner, Steve Stella. Aside from a change in location and a sleek, modern interior — TNT always prided itself on being rather scrappy and bohemian — it’s the first time the theater has owned its space, instead of leasing, in its 38-year history.

“I am relieved. I am thrilled. I am excited for Birmingham,” DeBolt told AL.com in May 2023, when the news was announced. The theater had been without a bricks-and-mortar location for three years at that point, after leaving its longtime home at Pepper Place in March 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers offered some online events during COVID, and presented the play “Circle Mirror Transformation” at The Dance Foundation in Homewood. But it was a difficult time for the community theater, and its future remained uncertain.

“From the time the board (of trustees) made the decision to vacate Pepper Place — that was tough, lots of tears,” DeBolt said. “I almost quit about five times. But I felt like I had a responsibility, you know? I couldn’t let the theater die on my watch.”

TNT’s fortunes changed for the better when two philanthropic angels appeared, offering funding, ideas, support and goodwill. John and Louise Beard, longtime supporters of arts organizations in Birmingham, came to the theater’s rescue in a very real way, buying the property at 2112 Fifth Ave. North as a gift for TNT.

READ: Historic building in downtown Birmingham gets new life, via gift to local theater

The building, a one-story structure, covers 7,500 square feet and previously was known as the Alabama Auction Room. The Beards worked with Harbert Realty Services to purchase the building, which dates back to 1925 and sits across the street from the Redmont Hotel, a local landmark.

“John and I are extremely happy to support TNT in acquiring this historic building at 2112 Fifth Avenue North,” Louise Beard said via a press release. “My love of Birmingham’s community theater was nurtured by Carl Stewart, an original TNT founder. Seeing TNT return to actively participate as one of Birmingham’s essential community theaters feeds my soul.”

In the past, the Beards have pledged money for renovation projects at the Virginia Samford Theatre and Lyric Theatre in Birmingham. Louise Beard also is a Broadway producer, and won a 2014 Tony Award as one of the producers for “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.”

The purchase of a new building for TNT is a major part of $2.3 million capital campaign that’s ongoing, DeBolt said. (According to the theater’s website, the specific goal is $2,303,209.) As of mid-November, DeBolt said, the campaign is close to reaching its goal, and has about $180,000 to go.

DeBolt declined to be specific about the total amount the Beards have donated to TNT, but said she never expected such generosity to be bestowed upon the theater.

“Another theater leader asked me, ‘How did you get them to give you that kind of money?,’” DeBolt recalled. “I said, ‘I didn’t get them to do it. It just happened.’ … It was crazy. I think it was all final in May, and then before renovation started, the building had to be in our name so that we could have builder’s risk insurance and all that. So they deeded the building over to us officially in November 2023.”

The Beards supported TNT’s revival in other ways, DeBolt said. John Beard, for example, took part in the search for a new location, teaming with DeBolt for exploratory visits to more than 80 buildings in the Birmingham metro area. He remained involved throughout the renovation process, as well.

“Every time we had an owner, architect or contractor meeting, he was always here, hard hats and all,” DeBolt said. “He was here every time, so he was a big help. And just for emotional support, like, ‘We really can do this.’”

Renovations started in January 2024, DeBolt said, with LIVE design group as the architect and Locke General Contractors as the construction company.

DeBolt was the point person for the project, which she calls “a huge undertaking” for TNT. Still, DeBolt emphasizes that she relied on help from others along the way, including a four-person renovation committee.

“Part of that renovation committee was a special group that did all of the design elements,” DeBolt said. “So I didn’t have to pick one color, one lighting fixture, one tile, toilets, sinks … They did all of that, and thank goodness. I had two that were focused on renovation issues. Two of them focused on design elements. Without that group of four people, I would have lost my mind.”

Organizers were excited about the idea of creating a fresh, contemporary space for the theater, which had existed in fairly cramped quarters at Pepper Place. The new TNT has a spacious lobby, a box office area, offices, expansive storage space and updated technology. Providing more bathrooms for theatergoers was a must, as well.

At the same time, however, DeBolt wanted to make sure that TNT’s longtime fans would feel right at home. Cast photos from previous productions, which were prominently displayed at Pepper Place, are easy to see in the new building. Pictures of the theater’s founders, Stewart and Stella, also have a place of honor.

“It’s bigger and better,” DeBolt said, “but I want people to feel like it’s still Terrific New Theatre. So when they walk in the building, they’re going to see the box office. They’re going see all the photos up on the wall. When they walk into the theater, it still feels like TNT. We have almost the same number of seats in the theater. We had 98 before; we have 100 now.

“We brought what we could from the old theater and incorporated it into this project,” DeBolt said. “We could have just said, ‘Let’s just throw it all away and start over,’ but we didn’t want to do that. That’s not what the purpose of the project was. The purpose was to revive the theater and to find a new home, not to make a new organization.”

Stewart, a legend in Birmingham’s theater world, was the artistic chief of Terrific New Theatre for 30 years, He had a strong vision for the theater and directed every production there — comedies, dramas, musicals, theater spoofs and more — before retiring in 2016. DeBolt, an actress and director, took over the helm when Stewart retired. He died in 2022 at age 80, prompting tributes from fans and fond recollections on social media.

What would Stewart — a colorful character and famously outspoken boss — think of the new TNT, with its wide-open spaces, streamlined design and stylish decor?

“It depends on who you ask,” DeBolt said, laughing. “Some people think he would love it. I’m not so sure. … He always kind of reveled in the fact that it was very bohemian and they squeaked by every month. If he couldn’t pay rent, he’d call somebody and say, with that (raspy) voice of his, ‘Hey, I need $1,000. Can I come by and pick up a check?’

“There would be some things I’m sure he would like, and some things I think he would hate,” DeBolt said. “But I would like to think that he would be glad TNT is still alive.”

Reactions from supporters who’ve visited the new theater have been uniformly positive, DeBolt said, and big-money donors were all smiles during a sneak peek they received at a Nov. 9 preview party.

Now, as TNT opens its doors to the public for the first production in its new building, organizers are primed for a bright future. Four shows are planned in a “mini-season” that runs from November through June, starting with “Sunday in the Park with George.”

“It’s been a huge undertaking,” DeBolt said. “But I think we can finally exhale. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. And people have already asked about renting the space. We can have storytelling nights; we can have improv groups. We hope people in the community will want to use it. The sky’s the limit here.”

If you go: “Sunday in the Park with George” runs Nov. 21-Dec. 8 at Terrific New Theatre, 2112 Fifth Ave. North in Birmingham. Eleven performances are planned, Thursdays through Sundays. Tickets are $25, except for Thursday, Dec. 5, which is a “pay what you can afford” night. Visit the theater’s website or call 205-328-0868 for more info.

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