Alabama News

General

Arresting the press? Alabama officials claim legal shield in lawsuit

A federal judge is being asked to decide whether a small Alabama county prosecutor, sheriff and his deputies are immune from arresting journalists and school board members during the fallout of a contentious political vote over a superintendent’s contract.

The issue of immunity was raised in two separate court filings on Jan. 23.

A 19-page filing in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Alabama was made on behalf of the attorneys for Escambia County District Attorney Stephen Billy and argues he should be granted “absolute immunity” from civil liability.

A separate 25-page filing was also made the same day on behalf of the attorneys representing Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson and four sheriff’s deputies – Arthur Odom, Kevin Durden, Matthew Rabren, and Stephen Dereck Lowery.

The filings represent the first legal response by the public officials accused of violating the constitutional rights of the so-called “Atmore 4,” which includes two journalists, school board members and a school employee.

Specifically, Billy should be granted “absolute immunity,” a legal concept shielding government officials from civil lawsuits, regardless of their motives. Billy, Jackson and the four deputies are accused of violations to the First and Fourth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution for actions that allegedly took place during multiple arrests of the Atmore 4 in late 2023.

“Allegations of improper motives, and a lack of probable cause, are simply irrelevant to the immunity analysis and in no way negate the absolute immunity afforded to … Billy,” according to the 18-page response filed on Jan. 23, by Mobile attorney Michael Strasavich.

Jackson, Odom, Durden, Rabren and Lowery should be granted sovereign immunity, a similar legal concept that shields governments from civil lawsuits, according to a separate dismissal request by Fairhope attorney Christopher Williams.

“We’re still digesting the motions to dismiss, but my initial thought is that the defendants’ arguments are what we’ve come to expect in these retaliation cases,” said Jared McClain, an attorney with the Arlington, Va.-based Institute for Justice, which is representing the Atmore 4. There is no scheduled hearing date.

He added, “We’re optimistic that the court will see through these arguments.”

Conspiracy

The civil complaint, filed in November, surfaced about one year after the four were arrested during the fallout over a controversial decision to oust former Escambia County School Superintendent Michele McClung. The four plaintiffs include Atmore News publisher and Escambia County School board member Sherry Digmon, Atmore News journalist Don Fletcher, Escambia County School Board member Cynthia Jackson and Escambia County school employee Vernica “Ashley” Fore.

The complaint alleges that Billy, Jackson and the four deputies conspired with McClung to violate the First and Fourth Amendment rights of the four plaintiffs, who are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. McClung is not named as a defendant.

According to the filing from Williams, the plaintiff’s case should also be dismissed because it lacked specifics on which deputy was responsible for which arrests and was filled with generalizations about the defendants.

“The complaint offers vague and conclusory allegations that DA Billy and Sheriff Jackson reached an agreement and developed a plan to take action against McClung’s opponents, and that certain actions were part of this alleged plan,” Williams wrote. “However, the complaint fails to include sufficient facts.”

The lawsuit focuses on the events leading to the arrests and indictments of the journalists in late 2023, which sparked national attention over press freedoms and the extent to which elected prosecutors can punish the media for publishing confidential information.

Prosecutor’s actions

The case also focuses on the activities of Billy, the county’s longtime top prosecutor, who is accused of making both private and public warnings about punishing “anyone who opposed McClung” during the grand jury process.

Digmon and Jackson, as board members, voted twice against renewing McClung’s contract in September and October 2023. Fletcher was arrested based on a writing a newspaper story that Billy claimed was a violation of the state’s grand jury secrecy law. Fore was arrested for disclosing grand jury secrets.

Billy pursued criminal charges against all four plaintiffs for disclosing grand jury secrets, then issuing a subpoena to the Escambia County School Board pursuant to his powers as district attorney. But the civil complaint suggests that Billy characterized his subpoena as a “secret grand jury document,” when the document “very clearly came from him – not a grand jury.”

Billy recused himself from the case in February 2024. It was forwarded to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, which dismissed all criminal charges.

Immunity focus

The case could highlight the issue of legal immunity in Alabama, a concept that is being challenged in other states following the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

While no state has passed a law eliminating prosecutorial immunity, a few states and New York City have taken on qualified immunity, which shields government officials from civil lawsuits during the scope of their duties.

• In June 2020, Colorado became the first state to remove qualified immunity as a defense for law enforcement officers.
• In April 2021, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act was adopted, and it prohibited public officials from using qualified immunity as a defense for violating a person’s rights.
• In March 2021, the New York City Council eliminated qualified immunity for city police officers.
• The Nevada Supreme Court in 2023, rejected qualified immunity as a potential defense against lawsuits against government officials.

Montana was the first state to ban sovereign immunity through a constitutional amendment in 1974. Ohio voters, this fall, could be the first in the U.S. to end qualified immunity through a public referendum.

In Alabama, state lawmakers pursued an expansion of prosecutorial immunity during last spring’s legislative session. A bill, passed out of the Alabama House, declared a prosecutor’s legal advice to a law enforcement officer during an investigation was within a prosecuting attorney’s authority. The legislation did not get a vote by the Alabama Senate before the end of the session.

The case in Atmore is also occurring around the same time a federal civil lawsuit is proceeding in Kansas. Former Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel is suing multiple Marion, Kan., officials over violations to her First and Fourth Amendment rights during a 2023 raid on her home. The raids, which also extended to a local newspaper, thrust the issue of press freedoms into the national spotlight.

The Institute for Justice is representing Herbel in her federal case. A judge ruled in October that the case could proceed against a former police chief, certain deputies and the city itself.”

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General

Legendary musician dead at 78: ‘She will always be remembered’

Singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull, an iconic figure in the British Invasion pop culture movement of the 1960s, has died.

Her label, Republic Media, issued a brief statement Thursday. It read, in full: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull. Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.”

Faithfull was 1978, according to The Associated Press.

Her impact in the 1960s was considerable: She had a high-profile romance with Mick Jagger, but also was a successful singer-songwriter in her own right, with British Top 10 singles including “As Tears Go By,” “This Little Bird” and “Summer Nights.” She appeared in films and co-wrote and/or inspired several Rolling Stones songs.

After her personal life and career were derailed by heroin addiction in the early ‘70s, she rebounded as an artist. Her 1981 album “Broken English” earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and in later decades she was widely regarded as one of the most influential women in rock, based on her musical and literary output.

Reaction to her death also bore out her status. Keith Richards offered “My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family!” on x.com, saying “I’m so sad and will miss her.” On the same platform, Jagger said, “I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull. She was so much part of my life for so long. She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress. She will always be remembered.”

Appreciation was hardly limited to artists of one era or genre. Faithfull sang backing vocals on Metallica’s “The Memory Remains” in 1997 and the band did not stint on its praise. Drummer Lars Ulrich posted on the band’s x.com account: “Thank you, Marianne … For the good times For your kindness For the great stories For your fearlessness …And the biggest Thank You and F— Yeah for your incredible and unique contribution to our music, and for always being so willing to join us in performing it…and partake in the ensuing shenanigans! Rest in Peace.”

Rolling Stone’s tribute described the unique evolution of Faithfull’s voice and persona. When her first single became a hit “she was only 17 and sang in a voice that sounded frail and very young … [but] imbued the song and its lyrics about feeling left out with a conviction that would point the way toward her later work.”

Her “second act” that began in the ‘80s made her “a singer-songwriter of earned hard wisdom,” said the story, and her deeper voice – a result of damage from illness and drug abuse, suited her embrace of punk rock and more mature material.

Faithfull wrote three memoirs: “Faithfull: An Autobiography;” “Memories, Dreams & Reflections;” and “Marianne Faithfull: A Life on Record.”

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General

Calera man charged in hit-and-run that critically injured woman, 77, in Gulf Shores crosswalk

A Calera man is behind bars in south Alabama, accused in a hit-and-run that critically injured a 77-year-old woman.

Gulf Shores officers on patrol responded at 12:44 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a person injured in the 900 block of West Lagoon Avenue, said Det. Carl Wittstruck.

They arrived to find a woman unresponsive in the road. She was airlifted to a hospital.

Due to the extent of the woman’s injuries and the lack of information about her identity, Wittstruck said, investigators from the Traffic Homicide Unit and detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division responded the scene.

Investigators learned the woman was from Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Authorities said she was in a pedestrian crosswalk when she was struck.

She remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Gustiva Licona-Hernandez, who lives in Calera, was identified by evidence from the scene, Wittstruck said.

He is charged with failure to report an accident with serious injuries. He remains in the Gulf Shores City Jail.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Gulf Shores Police Department at 251-968-2431 or [email protected].

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General

Hawks-Cavaliers free livestream: How to watch NBA game tonight, TV, schedule

The Atlanta Hawks play against the Cleveland Cavaliers in an NBA game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6 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 Hawks have struggled this season, as they enter this matchup with a 22-25 record. Notably, the team has lost six consecutive games.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Hawks will need to rely on their star forward De’Andre Hunter. He currently averages more than 19 points per game, which is second-most on the team.

Since Atlanta’s leading-scorer Trae Young might not play tonight, Hunter will need to play at a high level against Cleveland.

The Cavaliers enter this matchup with a 38-9 record, and they have won back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Cavaliers defeated Miami 126-106.

During the victory, Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland offense. He ended the game with 34 points and shot 14-23 from the field, so he will try to perform similarly tonight.

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.

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General

Albertville anti-ICE protest ‘deeply concerning,’ Alabama official says: ‘A game of dangerous rhetoric’

The demonstration against President Trump’s immigration crackdown Wednesday night on the streets of downtown Albertville was “deeply concerning,” the dean of Alabama’s congressional delegation said Thursday.

“While I respect the right to peaceful assembly and free speech, any rhetoric that threatens or undermines the essential work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is unacceptable,” said Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, whose district includes Albertville.

During the demonstration, demonstrators condemned ICE for placing immigration detainers on undocumented migrants.

“Keep ICE out of schools,” one sign read, a reference to reports of agents conducted stings across the country.

Aderholt suggested demonizing the agency was inappropriate.

“As a staunch advocate for the rule of law and the safety of our communities, I find the recent anti-ICE protests in Albertville deeply concerning,” the congressman said Thursday.

“ICE plays a critical role in targeting violent criminals who are in the country illegally, ensuring that dangerous individuals do not pose a threat to our communities. To say that ICE won’t be tolerated in and around Albertville is a game of dangerous rhetoric.”

The congressman pointed to Trump’s first bill signing to signal that the president is “committed ot immigration enforcement.

“By making the Laken Riley Act the first bill signed under his administration, President Trump shows he is committed to immigration enforcement and seeking justice for the bereaved families of Americans lost to lawlessness at the border.”

More pro-immigrant protests were scheduled for the weekend in Blount County.

Waving American, Mexican and flags from Latin American countries — some of which were worn as capes — protesters on Wednesday night chanted, “el pueblo unido jamas sera vencido,” (the people united will never be defeated,) “nobody is illegal on stolen land” and “no one is illegal, power to the people.”

The demonstration was organized by Michelle Medina and her friends “to champion the rights of those who are hesitant to express themselves,” she wrote in a Facebook post encouraging protesters.

Vehicles honked their horns in solidarity as the protesters held signs on the sidewalk.

Some posters turned Trump’s campaign slogan against him.

“Immigrants make America great,” one of them read.

“MAGA Christianity is anti-Jesus,” read another. “What type of visa does Jesus need?” read a third.

Others advocated for the contributions immigrants make to communities.

“Albertville would be nothing without immigrants,” read one sign.

“Albertville needs immigrants,” was emblazoned on another poster.

While not directly addressing Wednesday night’s demonstration, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who represented the area near Albertville when he was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, referenced the town in a tweet Thursday supporting Trump’s immigration policies.

“I 100% support President Trump’s order to enforce immigration from Albertville, Alabama to Anchorage, Alaska and across the USA,” Ainsworth tweeted. “Illegal immigrants commit a crime when they jump our border and touch U.S. soil. If you don’t respect our borders, you don’t respect our country.”

The north Alabama city became a breeding ground for anti-immigrant sentiment after photos of Haitian migrants being bused to neighboring poultry plants circulated in August.

The photos prompted questions about who the migrants were and where they came from, leading to what city officials called “baseless accusations, and hurtful rhetoric.”

This resulted in a series of community meetings and the formation of a non-profit.

Immigrant workers have been a focus of residents’ concerns in Athens and Sylacauga, with city officials facing questions about the effect on crime, school overcrowding and housing.

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‘We’re putting everybody at risk’: $20 million debt could close Montgomery hospital without city help

New leaders of financially troubled Jackson Hospital & Clinic in Montgomery said the hospital might close unless the city of Montgomery guarantees $20.5 million of its debt.

At a news conference Thursday outside the hospital, interim CEO Ron Dreskin said Jackson has arranged a financing plan with its bondholders that would keep Jackson open while it makes operational changes that are needed.

“However, part of the agreement that we have made requires the city of Montgomery to give a guarantee,” Dreskin said.

“I want to make sure everyone is clear. We are not asking for a dollar of funds from the city of Montgomery. But we are asking them to guarantee the financing that we require to get us through the next period of time.

“If we fail to get the guarantee, it’s going to be very difficult to get the cash we need to go forward. That’s why we’re here today. That’s why we’ve been meeting with our elected officials to explain to them the dire situation we are in, to plead with them to provide not money, but a guarantee.”

Last year, Jackson Hospital defaulted on about $60 million in bonds.

In November, the hospital announced changes in its leadership, bringing in Dreskin as CEO and Allen Wilen as chief restructuring officer.

During Thursday’s news conference, dozens of hospital employees held signs saying “Save Jackson,” “Save our Community,” and “Save our Jobs.”

The hospital, one of three in Montgomery, has about 2,100 employees.

Tynsley Morris, a registered nurse who works in labor and delivery, held a sign that read, “Protect Patients, Keep Jackson Open.” She said Morris is vital to Montgomery and the surrounding area because of the quality of care.

“Our unit is like family,” Morris said. “I think that’s real important in your healthcare, is that you want to know that the people that are taking care of you, they’re taking care of each other. And we’re doing that. We take care of each other. They are my family, 100%.”

Morris said she does not think Montgomery’s other two hospitals, Baptist South and Baptist East, could absorb the loss of Jackson.

“That is a patient safety issue,” Morris said. “It’s a big issue that the city and the state should really focus on because we’re putting everybody at risk.

“Not only that, we have thousands of jobs here, people who rely on this every day.”

The Montgomery City Council is expected to consider the resolution to guarantee part of Jackson Hospital’s debt on Friday. Several members of the council spoke at Thursday’s press conference and promised the employees they would support the plan.

“Jackson Hospital is a critical part of Montgomery’s healthcare system,” City Councilwoman Marche Johnson said. “It’s in everyone’s best interest if a pathway forward to remain open can be found.”

Johnson said Jackson Hospital is important not only to Montgomery, but to Prattville, Wetumpka, Pike Road, and other nearby cities and counties.

Johnson said that while she believes the city council is ready to help Jackson, she said a more long-term solution for Jackson and other financially struggling hospitals will take a broader effort, including the involvement of state government.

Alabama is one of nine states that have not expanded Medicaid as allowed under the Affordable Care Act.

Advocates for Medicaid expansion say it could help keep hospitals open and protect access to care because it would cover hundreds of thousands of uninsured Alabamians, including many who work at jobs that don’t provide insurance.

Read more: What is the ‘coverage gap’ in Alabama Medicaid, health insurance?

“Our state must take action to close the insurance coverage gap,” Johnson said “We must come together as a community and call upon our state leaders to wake up and take action. It’s long overdue.”

Dreskin said Jackson’s financial problems were partly the result of pressures faced by most hospitals, including increased costs, the pandemic, poor reimbursement rates, the large number of uninsured patients in Alabama, and the difficulties of being a stand-alone hospital.

Wilen, the chief restructuring officer, also said the hospital’s problems were the result of poor guidance by previous management. He said efforts are under way to improve operations and efficiency.

Wilen said if the city does not approve the resolution backing the hospital’s debt, the options will be limited.

“Number one, we may need to shut the hospital,” Wilen said.

“Number two, I am also working on other alternative sources of financing that don’t require the guarantee but put a lot more pressure on the process here and on the restructuring overall than if we have the guarantee in place.”

Wilen said if the city agrees to back the hospital’s debt, it is unlikely the city would have to step in and bail the hospital out.

“I’m not asking for a check,” Wilen said. “I’m asking for a guarantee which has the likelihood of being called to be minimal. But it provides third parties who are not in this community the understanding that this hospital is important to this city, the county, and the community as a whole.”

Morris said she is optimistic that the city council will approve the resolution to save Jackson Hospital, which has operated in Montgomery since 1946.

“I hope with my whole heart that the city does what I think that they will do,” Morris said. “I think they will back us up. It’s super important. We’re such a big part of the community.”

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General

Mega Bonanza casino welcome bonus can earn 150% in extra free coins

Mega Bonanza casino is a popular sweepstakes casino that launched in 2024. On this page, our experts provide a comprehensive review of Mega Bonanza.

Why choose Mega Bonanza casino?

• Massive game library: Mega Bonanza offers players more than 1,100 slot games and several live dealer games.
• Generous promotions: New and existing players have access to generous promotional offers. That includes a large bonus on new users’ first purchase of Gold Coins.
• World-class design: Mega Bonanza is extremely modern and easy to navigate using a mobile device or a desktop computer.
• Helpful support options: Users have access to 24/7 live support.
• Secure banking system: Mega Bonanza allows purchases to be made in a variety of ways, including via debit card and Apple Pay. Sweeps Coins redemptions can be made via bank transfers.

Mega Bonanza social casino welcome bonus

Online sweepstakes casinos work differently from traditional online real money casinos. Fortunately, all of the best sweepstakes casinos provide new players with exciting welcome offers.

All new players at Mega Bonanza casino are eligible to receive up to a 150% bonus on their first purchase of Gold Coins (Up to 50,000 Gold Coins and 25 free Sweepstakes Coins for $9.99). This is a fantastic offer that can be claimed in only a few steps:

1. Click any of the Mega Bonanza casino bonus code links or banners on this page.
2. Click the “Sign Up” tab on the Mega Bonanza landing page.
3. Create a new account with Mega Bonanza by filling out the required fields.
4. Agree to the Mega Bonanza terms and conditions.
5. Make your first purchase of Gold Coins.
6. Receive a 150% bonus on your purchase of up to 50K GC and 25 free SC.

Of course, there is never any requirement to make purchases to play at sweepstakes casinos. New players at Mega Bonanza are also eligible to receive a bonus for signing simply up.

The no-purchase bonus at Mega Bonanza social casino offers new players 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins. This is offered free immediately after creating a new account. After this, players will receive 1,500 Gold Coins and 0.20 Sweeps Coins each day they log into their accounts.

Other Mega Bonanza promotions and offers

Mega Bonanza provides a decent selection of promotions and bonuses to its existing players. These are regularly updated to keep things as exciting as possible.

Some of the bonuses and promotions players have access to include:

• Weekly tournaments: Mega Bonanza hosts weekly tournaments. The players who perform the best in specific slot titles are eligible to receive large Gold Coin prizes.
• Jackpot play: Select slot games at Mega Bonanza offer large jackpot prizes to players (Minor, Major, Mega, Grand). These are available throughout the year.
• Refer-a-friend: The refer-a-friend promotion from Mega Bonanza offers users 65 Sweeps Coins. This is only paid after the referred player signs up and makes a Gold Coin bundle purchase.
• Social media promotions: Follow Mega Bonanza’s various social media channels to gain access to fun promotions. These can offer Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.

It’s important to understand the difference between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Both are used as a type of virtual currency at Mega Bonanza, yet their uses are vastly different.

Gold Coins are used as Mega Bonanza’s social currency. To put it more simply, this is the virtual currency used to play games at Mega Bonanza. GC have no monetary value and are awarded to players every day they log in, completely for free.

Sweeps Coins are not used to play games. These are coins that can be redeemed for prizes, including real money. One Sweeps Coin has a value of $1. In order to make a cash redemption at Mega Bonanza, players must have at least 75 Sweeps Coins in their accounts.

See more: Sweepstakes no deposit bonuses

Loyalty program at Mega Bonanza online casino

Mega Bonanza does not currently have a loyalty or VIP program. That may change in the future, however, as this is still a new sweepstakes casino.

Those looking for a social casino with a great loyalty program can consider checking out McLuck Casino. The McLuck Loyalty Club offers exclusive bonuses and specialized perks for players. The higher players move up McLuck’s loyalty program’s tiers, the better the rewards become.

Mega Bonanza casino overview

Banking options at Mega Bonanza social casino

Users of sweepstakes casinos do not need to make standard deposits to play games. As we pointed out earlier, players at Mega Bonanza are awarded with 1,500 Gold Coins and 0.20 Sweeps Coins for free each day that they log in.

Those who do want more Gold Coins to play with can, however, purchase these via the Mega Bonanza online shop. A quick breakdown of the available purchase methods can be seen here:

Purchase options

There are plenty of ways to obtain Gold Coins without making a purchase. The aforementioned welcome bonus provides users with 7,500 GC simply for making a new account. Additional bonuses, jackpots and social media promotions also can allow players to earn Gold Coins.

Redemption methods

Once players at Mega Bonanza have obtained enough Sweeps Coins, they can redeem them for prizes. Players have two redemption options: gift cards and real money.

The redemption options at Mega Bonanza are standard. Most of the top online sweepstakes casinos allow their users to make redemptions via gift cards and real money. While Sweeps Coins redemptions for real money can take up to five days, the majority of users claim to receive their payments within 24 hours.

Casino games at Mega Bonanza

Very few offer as many games as Mega Bonanza. That may come as somewhat of a surprise when considering it is one of the newest online sweeps platforms in the country. The vast majority of games here are slots, yet there are enough live dealer games available to keep most table game enthusiasts happy, as well.

Slots at Mega Bonanza

Nearly all online sweepstakes casinos focus primarily on free slot games. In fact, many of the top ones offer only slots.

There is no doubt that Mega Bonanza prioritizes slots. There are nearly 1,200 slot games available here, all from top developers such as Pragmatic Play and BGaming.

Users here have access to a wide variety of slots including 3-reel slots, 5-reel slots, 6-reel slots, progressive jackpot slots and more. A breakdown of the five most popular slots at Mega Bonanza:

Table games at Mega Bonanza

Unfortunately, there are no standard video table games available at Mega Bonanza. As experienced online sweepstakes casino players know, this is not unusual. Table games are somewhat rare among online sweeps casinos.

Live dealer games at Mega Bonanza

Our experts were pleased to discover that Mega Bonanza has a top-notch social casino in place. A total of eight live dealer games are available to play here.

That includes a variety of popular table games and more unique game-show-style live dealer games. A full list of the live dealer options:

• Crash Live
• Spin a Win
• Fashion TV Mega Party
• Adventures Beyond Wonderland
• Buffalo Blitz Live
• Sic Bo
• Live Roulette
• Gravity Blackjack

Other Mega Bonanza online casino games

There are a huge variety of games available to play at Mega Bonanza. The majority of these are slot games. Some of the more unique variations of these games include Megaways slots and Cascading Reels slots.

Mega Bonanza casino user experience

There are several reasons why Mega Bonanza has managed to quickly develop a large and loyal user base. Arguably the biggest reason is the phenomenal design and UX of this platform.

It’s clear a huge amount of time was spent on the design of Mega Bonanza. The homepage looks excellent, with games categorized to make them extremely easy to find. A helpful search bar also allows users to find specific game titles in seconds.

I spent hours on Mega Bonanza playing games, claiming promotions and testing the support options. Everything worked perfectly with no glitches or lag time.

It’s also nice to see a small number of pop-ups appearing on this social casino. There is nothing that takes away from what users are truly looking for: playing games.

Mobile experience

Mega Bonanza does not have a downloadable mobile app. That’s not a major issue since it runs extremely smoothly using a mobile web browser. I played many games using my iPhone and felt everything ran just as smoothly as it did when playing on my desktop computer.

There is, interestingly, a desktop browser web app that users can download in just a few minutes.

Legal status

Mega Bonanza is legally operating in all US states except Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Louisiana, Michigan and Washington. This is a sweepstakes casino, meaning it abides by sweepstakes laws in order to operate across much of the country.

Sweepstakes casinos such as Mega Bonanza do not need to obtain gaming licenses in order to operate in each state. By sticking to sweepstakes laws, these platforms do not fall under the category of online gambling.

Mega Bonanza is owned and operated by B2Services OÜ, a company based in Tallinn, Estonia. This is the same company that owns McLuck Casino, another one of the top sweepstakes casinos operating in the US. Mega Bonanza went live in 2024.

Customer support and service at Mega Bonanza social casino

Generally speaking, online sweepstakes casinos are not known for having world-class customer support options. I had somewhat low expectations when reviewing Mega Bonanza but ultimately was impressed at the support options that are available.

There are several ways to receive answers to your questions. That includes a request form, an FAQ page and phone support for payment-related questions.

I found each of these options to be great. It took just a few hours to receive a response to a question related to a specific game I was playing at Mega Bonanza. Several of my other questions were answered quickly by looking at the FAQ page.

Users can rest assured if they encounter any issues playing here, someone will be available to help.

Mega Bonanza security and trust

There is nothing more important than safety when playing casino games online. Mega Bonanza can be a 100% free-to-play gaming platform, yet there is always an option for users to purchase additional Gold Coins. I wanted to ensure that all users would be secure when making these purchases and playing games.

Fortunately, it quickly became clear that Mega Bonanza takes security seriously.

This platform does not need to obtain a gaming license, yet it carefully has abided by all US sweepstakes laws. I was also happy to see it has a valid SSL certificate in place. Additionally, this platform has enough customer support options to help users tackle whatever issue they may come across.

Mega Bonanza casino: Great all-around sweepstakes casino with a world-class design

Mega Bonanza has been making big waves in the US online sweepstakes casino industry. It’s still extremely new to the market but has emerged as one of the most popular gaming platforms in the country.

I am impressed with almost every aspect of this social casino. With more than 1,100 games to choose from, it’s one of the most comprehensive sweeps casino sites available right now. Slot fans, in particular, will love how many options are available.

The banking options are very good, too. Users will have no trouble purchasing Gold Coins or redeeming Sweeps Coins. If any issue does happen to arise, expect to have your questions answered quickly thanks to the great support system in place.

Mega Bonanza FAQ

Is Mega Bonanza safe?

Mega Bonanza is an extremely safe, trustworthy online sweepstakes casino. It abides by all sweepstakes laws and provides its users with secure banking options and helpful customer support.

Is Mega Bonanza casino legit?

Mega Bonanza is a 100% legit online social casino. Users have access to more than 1,110 games, including an impressive variety of popular slots.

In which states does Mega Bonanza operate?

Mega Bonanza operates in all states except Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Louisiana, Michigan and Washington.

Does Mega Bonanza pay out real money?

Mega Bonanza is a sweeps casino, meaning the games it offers do not pay real money. It does, however, offer players the opportunity to collect Sweeps Coins. These can be redeemed for prizes, including real money.

How long does it take Mega Bonanza to pay winnings?

Mega Bonanza claims to process Sweeps Coins redemptions in one-five days. Most users report receiving their payment in less than 48 hours, however.

What is the best game on Mega Bonanza?

Mega Bonanza specializes in slot games. It offers more than 1,100 slots, including popular titles such as Buffalo King Megaways, Viking Crusade and Cowboy Coins.

Pros and cons of Mega Bonanza social casino

Pros:

• Massive selection of games
• World-class design and UX
• Fast payout times
• Solid live dealer casino
• Generous welcome bonus

Cons:

• No dedicated mobile app
• No traditional table games
• Large minimum cash redemption limit

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General

Diageo North America to build new $415 million plant in Montgomery, to hire 100

Premium alcohol drink company Diageo North America today announced it will build a $415 million manufacturing and warehousing facility in Montgomery.

The project, slated to be completed by the second half of this year, will create about 100 jobs. An estimated 750 construction jobs will be created during the building phase.

The 360,000-square-foot facility, to be known as “Diageo Montgomery,” will produce a multi-million case capacity annually for the company’s North American supply chain and exports.

Marsha McIntosh, president of North America Supply at Diageo, said the company is “deeply grateful” to city, state and community leaders for supporting the project.

“The new facility will not only bring our business closer to our customers and distributors in the South, but also enable our broader supply network to operate more efficiently and sustainably,” McIntosh said. “This investment underscores our commitment to building greater resiliency into our supply chain across North America.”

Gov. Kay Ivey hailed the announcement as impacting Montgomery “and beyond.”

“Diageo’s decision to open a state-of-the-art facility in Montgomery is a testament to Alabama’s ability to attract world-class companies and foster meaningful economic growth,” Ivey said. “This production and distribution hub not only brings high-quality jobs to our state but also reinforces Alabama’s reputation as a premier location for global investment.”

Globally, Diageo has brands across spirits and beer categories including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

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Former MTV star spotted in Birmingham, shout outs skate park

Reality TV star Bam Margera recently made a surprise appearance at City Walk Skate Park in Birmingham, sharing on social media that the park was “one of the best.”

Margera shared a photo of himself at the skatepark, which is the largest skate park in Central Alabama and offers more than 58,000 square feet of skate-able spaces. The photo was captioned with “Birmingham skatepark, one of the best” on Instagram on Jan. 28.

Margera is a former professional skateboarder that’s also known for starring on MTV’s “Jackass” in the early 2000s as well as a slew of spin-off shows, including “Viva la Bam,” “Bam’s Unholy Union” and more.

In a prior post on his Instagram page, Margera said he was in Birmingham for a podcast and had also been challenged to do an ice plunge for $1,000 while in town.

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Mobile math teacher wins national award, $25,000

A Mobile fifth-grade teacher won a national award and $25,000 Thursday in recognition for her work at Gilliard Elementary School.

Mary Travis teaches fifth grade math and science. Known as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards aims to inspire educators, students and communities and encourage young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career.

“What an exceptional presence Mary Travis is in this community,” said Stephanie Bishop, vice principal, who is also a 2001 Virginia Milken Educator. “From her exciting classroom projects to her remarkable leadership in the school, Mary’s positive influence and spirited nature are felt by all. Congratulations, Mary, and welcome to the Milken Educator Network!”

The awards program cited Travis’ classroom instruction, use of technology and creative assignments. One assignment is a math “breakout,” where students in one class develop problems to solve, answer keys and secret codes for the other class to crack. Travis also supervises student teachers and mentors other educators. She serves as a leader on instructional tools, on the district’s math curriculum writing team and as the school’s math team coach.

She is a graduate of the University of South Alabama.

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