General News
Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia? Trump spokeswoman claims ‘lots of evidence’ deported Maryland man in MS-13
An “administrative error” that led to a Maryland man being deported to a brutal prison in El Salvador as part of Donald Trump’s immigration policy has thrust Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia into the national spotlight.
Abrego Garcia’s plight was the subject of a story published Tuesday in the Atlantic, which reported that Trump administration officials claimed they could not bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States because it lacks jurisdiction to do so.
The El Salvadoran national was arrested March 12 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
He was flown three days later to El Salvador’s harsh Terrorism Confinement Center despite an immigration judge in 2019 blocking Abrego Garcia from being deported to his native country amid fears for his safety.
“This removal was an error,” an ICE official stated in an affidavit filed Monday in Maryland federal court.
The filing claimed Abrego Garcia’s arrest last month was “due to his prominent role in MS-13,” but court records did not explain the evidence against him.
On Tuesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there were multiple pieces of proof of Abrego Garcia’s ties to the brutal El Salvadoran gang.
“There’s a lot of evidence, and the Department of Homeland Security and ICE have that evidence, and I saw it this morning,” she told reporters.
The Atlantic story said Abrego Garcia shares a 5-year-old disabled son with his American wife and works as a union sheetmetal apprentice.
Leavitt criticized the outlet’s portrayal of Abrego Garcia while omitting that he illegally entered the United States.
“This individual was an MS-13 ringleader. This individual was also engaged in human trafficking,” she said. “If you just saw the headline from the insane, failing Atlantic magazine this morning, you’d think this individual was the Father of the Year living in Maryland, leaving a peaceful life, when that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Abrego Garcia’s case incensed Democrats on social media who argued the case with Vice President JD Vance.
Jon Favreau, former head speechwriter for Barack Obama and co-host of the podcast “Pod Save America,” called out Trump administration officials and Elon Musk on X.
“Any comment on this, @marcorubio ? How about you, @JDVance? @elonmusk? You just admitted to accidentally sending an innocent father from Maryland to a torture dungeon in El Salvador. And you refuse to do anything about it,” Favreau tweeted.
“Anyone else who supports this administration have anything to say about this? Any of you Republicans? Any of you Fox News hosts or podcasters or other assorted sycophants? This is f—–monstrous,” Favreau added.
Vance responded to Favreau, saying it was “gross” that the podcaster was defending “gang members.”
“My comment is that according to the court document you apparently didn’t read he was a convicted MS-13 gang member with no legal right to be here,” the vice president tweeted. “My further comment is that it’s gross to get fired up about gang members getting deported while ignoring citizens they victimize.”
Conor Lamb, a former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, accused Vance of “lying” about the case.
“The VP is lying about a building trades union member who: a judge ordered not to be removed; never committed a crime in 14 years; has a 5 year old; is now trapped in a Salvadoran prison no one gets out of. Catholics, union members, believers in the Constitution, take note,” he tweeted Tuesday.
Read More
March Madness 2025: Get tickets to see Auburn in the Final Four on Saturday night in San Antonio
Johni Broome #4 of the Auburn Tigers reacts against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half in the South Regional Elite Eight round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at State Farm Arena on March 30, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.Getty Images
Luigi Mangione faces death penalty as Trump abandons Biden execution moratorium
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday she has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4.
It is the first time the Justice Department has sought to bring the death penalty since President Donald Trump returned to office in January with a vow to resume federal executions.
Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, faces separate federal and state murder charges for the killing, which rattled the business community while galvanizing health insurance critics.
The federal charges include murder through use of a firearm, which carries the possibility of the death penalty. The state charges carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to a state indictment and has not entered a plea to the federal charges.
Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state case expected to go to trial first. It wasn’t immediately clear if Bondi’s announcement will change the order.
“Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America,” Bondi said in a statement that described Thompson’s killing as “an act of political violence.”
“After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again,” Bondi said.
A message seeking comment was left for a spokesperson for Mangione’s lawyers.
Thompson, 50, was ambushed and shot on a sidewalk outside the New York Hilton Midtown as he arrived for his company’s annual investor conference.
Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind. Police say the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition investigators found at the scene, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.
Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City, after a five-day manhunt.
Police said Mangione had with him a 9mm handgun that matched the one used in the shooting and other items including a fake ID and a notebook described by authorities as a “manifesto” in which they say he expressed hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives.
Among the entries in the notebook, prosecutors said, was one from August 2024 that said “the target is insurance” because “it checks every box” and one from October that describes an intent to “wack” an insurance company CEO.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest health insurer in the U.S., though the company said Mangione was never a client.
Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman-Agnifilo, has said she would seek to suppress some of the evidence seized during his arrest. She has also taken issue with the parallel prosecutions, accusing “warring jurisdictions” of turning Mangione into a “human ping-pong ball.”
After his arrest, Mangione was whisked by plane and helicopter back to New York and walked slowly up a Manhattan pier in a highly choreographed spectacle by a throng of officers with assault rifles and a contingent that included New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Trump, who oversaw an unprecedented run of executions at the end of his first term, signed an executive order on his first day back in office on Jan. 20 that compels the Justice Department to seek the death penalty in federal cases where applicable.
Mangione’s case is the first time Bondi has ordered prosecutors to pursue the death penalty since she took office in February and immediately lifted a moratorium that that had been imposed under former President Joe Biden’s administration. The Trump administration has signaled it will aggressively push for death sentences for certain crimes, accusing the Biden administration of going easy on violent criminals.
Trump’s administration carried out 13 federal executions during his first term, more than under any president in modern history.
Biden campaigned on a pledge to work toward abolishing federal capital punishment but took no major steps to that end. But in his final days in office, the Democratic president commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on death row, converting their punishments to life in prison.
Read MorePhoenix Suns-Milwaukee Bucks free livestream: How to watch NBA game tonight, TV, time
The Phoenix Suns play against the Milwaukee Bucks 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 Suns enter this matchup with a 35-40 record, and they have lost three consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Suns lost 148-109 against Houston.
In order to bounce back tonight, the Suns will need a great performance from their star guard Devin Booker. He is the second-leading scorer for Phoenix, as he averages more than 25 points per game.
The Bucks enter this matchup with a 40-34 record, and they have lost four consecutive games. In their last game, the Bucks lost 145-124 against Atlanta.
In order to win this evening, the Bucks will need to rely on their star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is the second-leading scorer in the NBA this season, as he averages more than 30 points per game.
Fans can watch this NBA game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
Read MoreAuburn basketball’s Johni Broome named Pete Newell Big Man of the Year
The legend grows for Auburn basketball’s Johni Broome.
After taking home the South Regional MVP award in Sunday’s Elite 8 victory over Michigan State, Broome was selected as the NABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year.
Broome averaged 18.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks per game this season. Broome’s 25 points and 14 rebounds against the Spartans led the Tigers to the Final Four this week in San Antonio.
Auburn’s leading scorer already won the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year along with the Sporting News National Player of the Year.
Bruce Pearl was voted as the NABC Division I Coach of the Year. The first Auburn head coach and player to be honored with the awards.
Auburn will meet the No. 1 seed Florida Gators next weekend, with the winner advancing to the national championship game.
Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].
Read MoreHooters files for bankruptcy: Will it close restaurants?
Hooters, the sports bar and grill known more for its female waitstaff dressed in skimpy orange shorts than its signature chicken wings, has filed for bankruptcy.
The chain filed for Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Dallas, reports The Wall Street Journal.
According to a press release, the company plans to sell all of its 100 company-owned restaurants to two franchisee groups that include the original Hooters founders. The two companies currently operate Hooters restaurants in Florida and Chicago.
Hooters has no plans to shutter all of its restaurants completely. Instead, the move puts dozens of Hooters restaurants back into the hands of experienced operators, the company said.
“For many years now, the Hooters brand has been owned by private equity firms and other groups with no history or experience with the Hooters brand,” said Neil Kiefer, the CEO of Hooters Inc., in the same press release. “As a result of these transactions, the Hooters brand will once again be in the hands of highly experienced Hooters franchisees and we will be well-positioned to return this iconic brand to its historic success.”
Another part of Hooters’ rebound strategy: rebranding its image to become more “family friendly,” including getting rid of its famous “bikini days,” reports the Montgomery Advertiser.
Read MoreBruce Pearl earns additional National Coach of the Year honor
As Auburn men’s basketball prepares for its Final Four game against Florida on Saturday, head coach Bruce Pearl picked up another individual award.
He was named NABC Division I Coach of the Year Tuesday morning, an award voted on by the members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Pearl is the first Auburn head coach to win the award.
Pearl has led Auburn to a program record 32 wins this season and has the Tigers in the Final Four for just the second time ever. The other time was in 2019, also under Pearl’s leadership.
Pearl also led Auburn to a Southeastern Conference regular season championship this season, his third regular season title with the Tigers.
He was named NABC Division II Coach of the Year at Southern Indiana in 1995, becoming the second ever coach to win the award at both the Division I and Division II level, along with John Chaney. When Pearl won the award in 1995, his Southern Indiana team won the Division II national championship.
Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m
Read MoreBanning bushwackers and more Alabama-themed April Fool’s Day jokes
Ready or not, April Fool’s Day 2025 is here, and businesses as well as people across Alabama are getting in on the joke.
Every year, businesses and people from around the state celebrate April 1 with a little trickery. Thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever to pull off an April Fool’s Day prank. (And, in some cases, harder than ever to tell that’s what it is.)
This year is no different, so with that in mind, we wanted to spotlight some of the Alabama-themed April Fool’s Day posts we’ve come across so far.
Prattville Police Department ‘rick rolls’ the community
The city of Prattville’s police department took today as an opportunity to ‘rick roll’ their Facebook followers, sharing a post that claimed they would cease operations and linking to a video statement. That statement was, of course, a YouTube video of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”.
Birmingham Sports pulls one over on Roy Woods Jr. with light rail transit system prank.
Birmingham Sports shared a post on their X, formerly Twitter, account claiming the Birmingham Department of Transportation had approved a light rail transit system in the city’s downtown area. The post, which included a map of the rail’s supposed track, was enough to fool comedian and Alabama native Roy Woods, Jr., who reshared it.
“I was halfway through a long ass tirade about how the west side of Birmingham is not being served at all by this rail system,” said Woods, “…then realized what today’s date is.”
Huntsville Adventurer praises Alabama’s (nonexistent) ski slopes.
If you’re going to sing the praises of Alabama’s ski slopes, April Fool’s Day is a good day to do it. Huntsville Adventurer shared a video on Instagram, asking “Have you ever skied in Alabama? The unknown ski destination.”
The video was actually taken in Winter Park, Colo. Luckily, most people seem to be in on the joke, with one commenter saying “I love Monte Sano!!! The black diamond slopes are tricky!”
Chick-fil-A in Madison teases pickle milkshakes.
Madison’s Chick-fil-A also got in on the fun by sharing a photo of a pickle milkshake with the caption “Here for a very limited time!!” That said, there’s a surprising amount of people in the comments that wish this one wasn’t a joke.
Auburn professor jokes that rolling Toomer’s is victim of DOGE cuts.
Auburn University professor John Carvalho shared a post on X claiming that, due to DOGE’s cuts of grants to local governments, the city no longer has the funding to clean up Toomer’s Corner after rollings and would be moving Final Four postgame celebrations to inside Neville Arena.
Y’all Sweet Tea advertises new flavor.
If you’re a fan of “potlikker” you might be bummed to hear Y’all Sweet Tea’s new “collard greens” flavored tea is an April Fool’s Day joke — at least for now. “Just made a fresh batch and BOY OH BOY,” the brand captioned a photo of the tea, “Are you as excited as we are??”
Lake Guntersville is the state’s newest cruise port.
Marshall County Tourism & Sports shared on their Explore Guntersville Facebook page that, starting today, you can book a four-day, seven-day or even a ten-day cruise right out of City Harbor to travel along the mighty Tennessee River. If the graphic of a massive cruise ship in Lake Guntersville doesn’t make it obvious, the announcement comes with a link that, once clicked, makes it clear exactly what day it is.
Boll Weevil Soap Company has limited new scent.
Boll Weevil Soap Company added a new, limited edition scent to their line-up, and it would be their boldest yet (if it were real, of course). The company described the “Ode to Boll Weevil” as having “hints of fresh dirt, barn dust, and just a splash of tractor grease.” Available today only, of course.
“Perfect for those who want to smell like they just finished plowing a peanut field… without ever leaving the porch,“ the post reads, ”…this fragrance is Unboweevible!”
Dothan’s Sugar Shack gets sold.
Dothan restaurant The Sugar Shack got in on the action by posting that they had sold their business’s building for $850,000. Complete with a real estate graphic that features a big red “SOLD” across the front, this was one prank fans of The Sugar Shack found more frightening than funny.
Bushwackers banned on Alabama beaches.
In a prank that struck fear into the hearts of Alabamians everywhere, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism shared a post on their Visit Alabama Beaches Facebook page stating that bushwackers were no longer allowed. Luckily, they were quick to admit it was a joke.
“JUST KIDDING! Now go order one and celebrate 50 years of bushwackers!” the post reads.
Meteorologist predicts Alabama’s next snow.
WSFA Meteorologist Josh Johnson had a little April Fool’s Day fun by sharing when he thinks our next snow will hit on Facebook.
“Ok so I normally wouldn’t do this, but here is a look ahead to the specific day I think it’s going to snow a lot again… see more”
If you run into trouble clicking on that “see more” link, that’s because it’s not one — and there in lies the joke.
Huntsville airport adds aquarium to its grounds.
Huntsville International Airport conveniently announced on Facebook today that it’ll be adding an aquarium to its grounds. As part of the addition, baggage claim will be a dolphin exhibit as well, the Tower will be converted to an aquarium and you can fish while you wait to board, which all sounds great and also completely fake!
Read More‘Street Outlaws: Locals Only’ season 2 premiere: How to watch, where to stream free
A brand new season of the beloved reality series Street Outlaws: Locals Only premieres on Discovery Channel Tuesday, April 1 at 8/7c.
The season two premiere episode titled “Don’t Knock Doc,” follows locals in Ohio as they compete for a $5,000 cash prize and a chance to take on Street Outlaw Doc for another cash prize of equal value.
According to the episode synopsis, Ohio boasts some fast small tire racers, and with the recent loss of a friend, one competitor is racing for a cause.
What is Street Outlaws: Locals Only about?
The dynamic racing duo and fan-favorite wheelmen Farmtruck and AZN travel to racetracks across the U.S. in search of the fastest local driving heroes. Top local drivers race against each other in a bracket-style, single elimination challenge.
The winner will take home a respectable cash prize and snag a chance to race against a veteran Street Outlaw driver from the No Prep Kings series for another cash prize. Tune in to see the winners face off against Lizzy Musi, Daddy Dave, Jermaine Boddie, Kye Kelley and more.
Where can I watch Street Outlaws: Locals Only?
Those interested in catching the highly anticipated second season of Street Outlaws: Locals Only can stream the series through Philo or DirecTV Stream—both of which have free trials set up for new subscribers. Out of the two, Philo is the cheaper option at just $28 a month after its free trial expires.
Street Outlaws: Locals Only is also available for streaming through Sling, and although there is no free trial, Sling has an ongoing promotion offering new subscribers half off their first month.
What is Philo?
Philo is known for being one of the top entertainment-focused streaming platforms in the space. Subscribers can access over 70 top TV channels such as MTV, TLC, BET, A&E, AMC, CMT, Investigation Discovery and more at just $28 a month after its 7-day free trial concludes.
Explore Philo’s extensive library of hit TV shows and movies and customize your flow of content even more by including add-ons in your subscription.
Along with thousands of hours of content available for streaming, Philo users can take advantage of key features such as the unlimited DVR feature, which allows subscribers to record favorite content easily.
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream offers subscribers with a plethora of live TV channels and helpful features, too. The Entertainment package, also known as DirecTV Stream’s base package, starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular TV channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNBC, BET, CNN and more.
Two other DirecTV Stream packages are the Choice package (original price $114.99) and the Ultimate package (original price $129.99), both of which are part of an ongoing promotion that offers new subscribers $25 off the original price for the first three months of their subscription.
Those interested in comparing all DirecTV Stream’s channel packages can check them out here.
What is Sling?
Sling is another streaming service to consider if you want to stream live TV channels like Discovery Channel. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those interested in committing to a paid plan get half off the first month.
Both the Sling Orange plan and the Sling Blue plan are normally $45.99 a month, but with the current promotion, Sling users will pay just $23 a month for the first month.
For those who wish to access channels from both the Sling Blue and Sling Orange plans can do so by signing up for the Orange + Blue plan, which combines the best of both plans for just $60.99 a month ($30.50 for the first month).
Read More