Alabama News

The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 5:22 p.m. on Tuesday for strong thunderstorms until 5:45 p.m. for Marion and Lamar counties.

Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 5:21 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Beaverton, or 10 miles south of Hamilton, moving northeast at 10 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Guin, Beaverton, Twin, Marion County Public Lake and Pikeville.

The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To guarantee your safety in the midst of a thunderstorm, take into account the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
• Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of swollen waterways:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Visibility matters:

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Scott Frost appears to be back where he belongs as the coach at UCF.

Nebraska clearly wasn’t the place.

The former Cornhuskers coach and star player made that very clear Tuesday during Big 12 Media Days.

Frost, who had a 16-31 record over four-plus years in Lincoln, was asked what he learned from his tenure.

“Don’t take the wrong job,” Frost said, via The Athletic’s Chris Vannini.

Frost was fired just three games into the 2022 season. He was as hot as any coach in the country before he took the Nebraska job, leading UCF to a 13–0 season in 2017.

Frost, however, sees himself more as a victim of circumstance than the architect of his own downfall.

“I said I wouldn’t leave (UCF) unless it was someplace you could win a national championship,” Frost said, per Vannini. “I got tugged in a direction to try to help my alma mater and didn’t really want to do it. It wasn’t a good move. I’m lucky to get back to a place where I was a lot happier.”

Frost told Sports Illustrated in June he expected to stay in the NFL, where he worked last season as a senior analyst with the Los Angeles Rams.

However, when Gus Malzahn left UCF for a coordinator job at Florida State, Frost jumped back into the college game.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

A judge has ruled that the Alabama Public Service Commission does not have to allow public input when deciding how much Alabama Power can charge customers for fuel costs.

“This is a disappointing outcome for Alabamians who have no choice but to pay the high cost of fossil fuels on their Alabama Power bill,” said Daniel Tait, executive director of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy. “Citizens deserve a seat at the table where regulators are making big decision about their bills, like fuel cost proceedings.”

On Monday, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Brooke Reid denied an appeal from Energy Alabama to give public input in the commission’s proceedings for Alabama Power’s “Rate Energy Cost Recovery,” or Rate ECR.

Rate ECR is a significant factor in every ratepayer’s bill. It’s the way Alabama Power can recoup what it spends on fuel, including coal, natural gas, or power from another utility.

Because fuel costs fluctuate frequently, the Rate ECR is meant to be adjusted from time to time. The public service commission sets the rate.

Energy Alabama had petitioned to be able to give public input in the commission’s Rate ECR docket. But the commission denied the group’s request twice: first in May of last year, and again in November.

The nonprofit then appealed the commission’s denial to the circuit court. But in her Monday ruling, Reid said Energy Alabama did not show that its rights had been violated by the commission’s denial, nor did the group show that the commission’s decision was based on facts contrary to “the substantial weight of the evidence.”

A representative for the public service commission did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday afternoon.

Terah Boyd, a spokesperson for the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represents Energy Alabama, said the groups had not decided whether to appeal the ruling to a higher court.

The commission argued that Energy Alabama could not intervene in the Rate ECR docket because there was no “proceeding” in which they could participate. The commission has not held a formal proceeding on Alabama Power’s Rate ECR since 2008.

“The commission is not prepared to find that the routine status reports and intermittent consent orders issued in [the Rate ECR docket] since the last proceeding in that cause in 2008 are equivalent to the commencement, reactivation or continuation of a proceeding per the commission’s rules,” the public service commission’s November denial states.

Alabama Power also argued against Energy Alabama’s petition. A representative for the utility declined to comment for this story.

Since 2000, the commission has adjusted the utility’s Rate ECR at least 16 times, according to an AL.com review of available records.

Energy Alabama argued that the public service commission is breaking its own rules by not allowing the public to give input in Rate ECR proceedings. According to a news release from the environmental groups, when the rate needs to be adjusted upward or downward, the commission must hold a formal proceeding and allow public input.

“While other southern states have meaningful public engagement in fuel cost proceedings, Alabama Power customers will continue to be shut out of the process,” said Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Unfortunately, the commission and Alabama Power will continue adjusting the rates customers pay without transparency and accountability.”

A University of Alabama student killed when he and a friend were crossing a Florida road is being remembered as a much-loved young man who was known for always encouraging others.

Jackson Cunningham, of Hoover, and Nicole Moore, of Calera, both died early Saturday when they were struck by an off-duty Escambia County sheriff’s deputy who was on his way home from working an off-duty job.

Cunningham and Moore, both 20, were dead on the scene.

“He was amazing,’’ said father Les Cunningham. “He was well-loved, and he always brought people together.”

“He had the whole world ahead of him,” he said.

The crash happened at 2:57 a.m. on State Road 292 and River Road in Florida’s Escambia County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, the 47-year-old driver from Pensacola was traveling east on State Road 292 when he struck the pedestrians while they were crossing the road.

“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee was not actively patrolling nor on duty,” said FHP Capt. Jason King. “The Florida Highway Patrol remains diligent and focused on our investigation into this crash, as we are with all of the ones we unfortunately must investigate.”

Cunningham was taking a year off from college after finishing his sophomore year at UA, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity.

“He was a man of unwavering character, faith, and kindness, and his impact on the lives of others will last forever,” Theta Chi posted on social media. “His laughter and smile was felt in every corner of the room he was in, and his absence leaves a hole in our brotherhood that words can’t fully express. Until we meet again, brother.”

Moore was a cosmetology student at Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham

“Our hearts are heavy as we remember Nicole Moore, one of our bright and beautiful future professionals,” the school posted on Facebook. “Nicole brought laughter, light, and warmth to every room she walked into. Her sense of humor, talent, and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone students and staff alike.”

Cunningham graduated from Hoover High School where he had played basketball.

After two years in college, he was preparing to take a break and was working installing fiber optic cable.

“He had done really well in school but said he wasn’t sure college was for him,” Les Cunningham said. “He didn’t want to burden us with something he didn’t think he was getting value from.”

“The past six or eight months, his maturity level was just off the chains,” his father said. “I finally had peace as a parent with decision making.”

Just last week, Les Cunningham said, he was having dinner with his son, and his son learned that one of his friends had died. Cunningham and the friend were supposed to play in a poker tournament together last weekend.

“He was really shocked by it, and we started talking about how fragile life was and how lucky we are when our foot hits the ground every morning,” Les Cunningham said.

“He said, ‘I gave my life to Christ.’ He was planning to get baptized at Church of the Highlands in August,” Les Cunningham said. “I was like wow, he was on a spiritual journey of his own.”

“When this happened, I knew he was prepared but I was not,” the grieving father said. “But it did give me peace.”

Cunningham, his father said, was very close to his family, including his mother, Kelly Borganelli. He was best friends with his older sister, and father figure to his 13-year-old sister.

“We had such a close relationship. He could tell me anything,” Les Cunningham said. “We were best friends.”

Cunningham still loved to play basketball recreationally and spent a lot of time working out.

“He was a man’s man,” he said. “His friends looked up to him.”

“If you ask his friends what they thought, he pushed them to be a better person,” Les Cunningham said. “He was competitive, and he pushed them to be a better person.”

“He was very encouraging to them, helping them with their workouts and leading them to Christ, getting them to think about their futures,” he said. “He was just such a positive influence.”

Cunningham went to the beach last weekend with a group of friends. They had bumped into Moore and one of her friends on the beach earlier in the day, and Cunningham had known them from college, his father said.

When the crash happened, they were heading to the beach access to go crabbing.

The vehicle missed two of Cunningham but struck him and Moore. “It killed them instantly,” Les Cunningham said.

Les Cunningham said following his son’s death, a neighbor shared with him that he had lost his own son more than a decade ago and said he still thinks about him every day.

“Right now, I’m thinking about him every minute, so I hope it gets to every day,” Les Cunningham said. “But I’ve found peace because I know he was ready for that day.”

“I just thought I’d get to see him again,” he said. “I’m heartbroken because I can’t see him as a father because I know he’d be the best dad ever.”

The brand new reality special Evict My Kid premieres on A&E Tuesday, July 8 at 10/9c.

Those hoping to watch the hour-long special can catch the premiere available for streaming through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What is Evict My Kid about?

Evict My Kid centers on two fed-up families who, with all efforts exhausted, take on a 30-day eviction process to finally push their adult children out of the nest.

Before beginning this painful but necessary process, both families have urged their adult children to try and make it on their own, but their efforts have unfortunately proved futile. Now, the families are getting help and are ready to give their all in their last opportunity to evict their kids.

How to watch Evict My Kid

Those interested in streaming the new A&E reality special can stream the premiere of Evict My Kid through Philo, DirecTV or Sling.

Both Philo and DirecTV offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy before committing to a paid plan while Sling offers those that commit to a paid subscription half off their first month and one month free of AMC+.

Out of the three watch options listed above, Philo is the cheapest at just $28 a month after its 7-day free trial concludes.

What is Philo?

Philo is considered one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market. Known as an entertainment-focused streaming service, Philo offers its subscribers access to over 70 top-rated TV channels such as TLC, MTV, BET, AMC, CMT, Investigation Discovery and more.

New users can enjoy Philo’s 7-day free trial and continue to stream top channels, hit TV shows and movies on-demand for just $28 a month once the free trial expires.

Those looking to customize their flow of content even further on Philo can consider including add-ons such as MGM+, STARZ, and AMC+ in their subscription.

What is DirecTV?

DirecTV is a top streaming service perfect for those looking to access a plethora of live TV channels and enjoy helpful features. The 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.

DirecTV has also recently introduced a lineup of genre packs, which allows subscribers to choose their favorite viewing options based on what genre they watch the most. With genre packs, users can get the channels and content they want without filler channel overload. Packs start at just $34.99 a month.

Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages and the new genre packs can check them out here.

What is Sling?

Sling is another streaming service to consider if you want to access top-rated TV channels like A&E. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month and one month free of AMC+.

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).

A battle of first-year head coaches will face off to begin ‘Ballin in Boutwell’ in October.

Samford and Alabama A&M will face off in an exhibition matchup to open the event at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.

The matchups were officially announced at a press conference inside the Boutwell Auditorium lobby on Tuesday.

The game will tip off an event that also includes Auburn’s men vs. Oklahoma State on Oct. 15 and Alabama’s women and men facing Florida State the following day.

Last season, the event was called ‘Bama in Boutwell,’ with Alabama facing Wake Forest in a 98-77 exhibition win for the lone game of the event. Now, the event will expand to include four games and five in-state teams.

Tickets for each of the four games can be found here.

The matchup of two in-state mid-majors will feature a pair of new coaches for both programs, including new Samford coach Lennie Acuff and Alabama A&M coach Donte’ Jackson.

Acuff, a Huntsville native who led Lipscomb to an NCAA tournament appearance this season and was the head coach at UAH for 22 seasons, was hired in April to replace Bucky McMillan, who departed Samford to take over as the head coach at Texas A&M.

Alabama A&M hired Jackson in April after eight seasons as the head coach at Grambling State, where he led the program to a 2023-24 NCAA tournament victory in the First Four over Montana State and was a three-time SWAC Coach of the Year honoree.

Samford is 6-1 against Alabama A&M, including a 97-90 victory in Huntsville on Dec. 21, 2024.

Retiring Alabama State Senator Tom Butler expects to spend a lot of time mowing grass once his time in Montgomery is done.

But the Madison Republican’s time of focusing on just lawn care will have to wait.

“I still have a year-and-a-half in service to the state,” said Butler, whose final term in office will end after the 2026 elections. “And I intend to make the most of that. I’m not going to be a lame duck.”

Butler, who represents parts of Madison and Limestone counties, said his focus will be on the state’s general fund and education budgets.

“So, the next year-and-a-half I will be focused on what’s in the budgets, what I can cram into the budget in both the education and general fund,” he said.

He won’t be alone in focusing on the budgets. State Rep. Andy Whitt and State Senator Wes Kitchens both mentioned the budgets being the top priority next session.

Whitt said he is concerned about how the federal budgets will impact things on the state level, particularly with the passage of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”

“I think that’s yet to be known,” Whitt said. “How it will affect the general fund, that’s something we will have to take a look at and make the appropriate corrections.”

Kitchens said lawmakers will have to make sure “we have healthy budgets that are sustainable and make sure that we don’t overextend ourselves.”

“From a budget perspective, we’re going to be looking at numbers,” the senator from Marshall County said. “We’re getting some of those in right now.”

Whitt said he doesn’t believe there will be many controversial issues with the session being during an election year. But he does believe a familiar topic will come up: gaming.

“As far as gaming, we’ve been very clear that it will have to come out of the Senate,” he said. “It did not last year. I don’t know what happened up there.”

State Rep. Parker Moore believes momentum is building to reduce taxes in certain areas.

He believes the overtime tax cut sponsored by Huntsville Rep. Anthony Daniels that this past legislative session let lapse will be revisited.

“We’re going to review that and see where that situation stands,” Moore said.

Moore said legislators will also likely continue to address mental health issues.

“We’re starting to see still a lot of adolescent mental health issues, especially in our school systems,” he said. “A few years ago, we allocated mental health funding for at least one mental health professional in each school district in our state. And I think we need to look at trying to prioritize some more of that funding to increase that to maybe two or three per school district.”

Moore said the additional mental health professionals would not only be beneficial for students, but educators as well.

“We’re hearing from more of our educators that some of these students are showing more and more behavioral issues,” he said. “They need help with trying to cope with how to address those as well.”

Whitt and Kitchens said lawmakers will also be focused on getting bills through the legislature that did not make it to the finish line this past session. That includes a bill sponsored by Kitchens that would reduce some limitations to veterans’ benefits.

And Butler said he would continue to support legislation that would meet the needs of Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties. He also encouraged his colleagues to help recruit potential legislative candidates among high school students in the Huntsville area who are interested in government classes, serving others and are active in church.

“We need new blood to come in and replace us as we retire,” Butler said.

There are few things better than enjoying a nice evening outdoors. And what better way to do that than with the perfect set for an amazing price.

Walmart has Gymax’s 4-piece Patio Ratton Conversation Set for only $137, a savings of $181 off the regular price of $318. The best deals are for cushion colors Khaki, Gray, Navy, Red and Turquoise. A set with black cushions is also on sale – it’s $199, a savings of $60 off the regular price.

The set features four pieces – two chairs, a two-person sofa and a coffee table with tempered glass for convenient use and storage. The set’s steel frame ensures sturdiness while the anti-slip pads on the legs make it easy to move while protecting the ground.

The comfortable cushions are filled with high density foam and have removable covers, making clean-up a breeze.

You can see all your options and order your set here.

Auburn men’s basketball will play an exhibition game at the Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham this season in the ‘Ballin in Boutwell’ exhibition event.

The Tigers will face Oklahoma State on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in one of four exhibitions to take place at the auditorium throughout the week. The matchups were officially announced at a press conference inside the Boutwell Auditorium lobby on Tuesday.

The other games start with a matchup between Alabama A&M and Samford on Oct. 13. Two days after Auburn faces Oklahoma State, Alabama will face Florida State on Oct. 17, with the women’s teams playing in the afternoon and the men’s teams that evening.

Tickets for each of the four games can be found here.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkusor email him at [email protected]m