Huntsville police have charged a man with second degree human trafficking after investigators said he manipulated a woman into “sexual servitude” with promises of improving her life.
Sgt. Chris Jackson of Huntsville police said Michael McDougal, 64, was arrested following complaints.
According to Jackson, McDougal appeared to be offering support services for people “in vulnerable situations.”
However, Jackson said McDougal had “manipulated a victim into a situation of sexual servitude by falsely promising to help her improve her life.”
He was arrested on July 2 after the investigation’s results were presented to the Madison County District Attorney’s Office.
McDougal is being held in the Madison County Jail on $250,500 bond.
A hearing is scheduled for July 16.
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National civil rights attorney Ben Crump has joined to fight for any footage to be released in the killing of a beloved Alabama teen who was shot to death by police in a Homewood city soccer park.
Crump, known for his work on cases such as the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, was joined by Birmingham attorneys Leroy Maxwell and Rodney Barganier, Black Lives Matter and other community activists at a Tuesday press conference.
Crump said he is getting involved because 18-year-old Jabari Peoples was doing everything right in life when he was shot to death June 23.
Peoples was a 2024 graduate of Aliceville High School where he was standout track athlete and football player.
Peoples had just finished his freshman year at Alabama A & M where he was studying computer information and criminal justice with hopes of becoming a law enforcement officer, specifically a detective.
He had no prior arrests, Crump said.
“There’s nothing in his history that would suggest that he’s going to try to shoot a police officer,” Crump said.
“This is a tragedy of unimaginable circumstances,” Crump said.
“His mother and father should be given a gold medal for the child that they were raising.”
Jabari Latrell Peoples, 18, was shot to death June 23, 2025, by a Homewood police officer in a city soccer park.(Facebook)
Maxwell said he’s thankful Crump is joining the legal team.
“In all this tragedy, today is actually a good day,” Maxwell said. “I’m glad we brought in a big gun. We needed it here.”
“One of the things he brings is that coalition,” Maxwell said.
“(The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) typically acts in a certain way and oftentimes they won’t release these videos under pressure, but they haven’t felt pressure like this in what attorney Crump brings to the table.”
Homewood police say a veteran officer, who has not been publicly identified, approached the vehicle to investigate because of a recent increase in criminal activity in and around the city’s athletic complexes.
The officer, police say, smelled marijuana and ordered Peoples and his female friend out of the vehicle.
Police say the encounter ended with Peoples resisting, breaking away from the officer as he tried to handcuff him, and grabbing a gun from the driver’s side door pocket.
The officer shot Peoples, who was pronounced dead a short time later at UAB Hospital.
Peoples’ family and attorney Maxwell disagreed with that narrative, saying that Peoples wasn’t armed and didn’t resist.
The Homewood Police Department turned the investigation over to ALEA, which is standard policy for many officer-involved shootings.
ALEA denied the family’s request to see the footage, saying release of the video footage would jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
Jabari Peoples, 18, of Aliceville, was fatally shot by police in the Homewood Soccer Park on June 23, 2025.(Carol Robinson)
There have been several protests following the fatal shooting, including at the Homewood Police Department, ALEA’s office in west Homewood, Homewood City Hall and during the World Police and Fire Games last week in the Birmingham area.
Though Alabama state provides a way for families to view body camera and dash cam videos, the same law also allows law enforcement to withhold the footage for investigative purposes.
Crump said he is grateful for all lawyers who take up the mantle to fight against injustice, to fight against the system for people who others think can be swept under the rug.
“You won’t sweep Jabari Peoples under the rug,” Crump said.
“His family is just asking for answers. Is that so much to ask for?” he said.
“Your 18-year-old son who’s never convicted of any crime, he’s never even been arrested, was doing everything right that you would want for a child and he’s killed by the police, the people who are supposed to protect and serve him. Wouldn’t you want answers?”
The attorneys said trust and transparency are on the line.
“This is very straightforward,” Maxwell said.
“If we’re about trust and transparency, honoring Jabari and his family, honoring the community and honoring the relationship that we want so deeply with law enforcement, it is necessary to release the footage.
“This is not a hard investigation,” Crump said. “I mean, you got a video, you got an autopsy and you got an eyewitness. It shouldn’t take you a year to finish this investigation.”
“Show the video. You can shut all of us up, shut me up, shut Black Lives Matter up, shut up attorney Maxwell, shut up (community activist) Frank Matthews, shut up everybody,” Crump said.
“Show us the officer did nothing wrong. Show us that it was justified.”
“If the officer did nothing wrong, we’ll be quiet,” Crump said.
“We won’t say a word. But if he did something inappropriate, then we want justice for Jabari.”
Crump said the family is seeking to have a private autopsy done before Peoples’ funeral which is set for Saturday at Aliceville City Hall.
“Because we don’t have the autopsy from the medical examiner, the family has to go through extraordinary lengths to have an independent autopsy performed before the funeral and that’s exactly what they are going to do because we need to know,” he said.
“We know the cause of death was a gunshot, we want to know the trajectory, the point of entry, the point of exit.”
Peoples’ parent, siblings and other family members joined Crump at the press conference at Friendship Baptist Church in Homewood and spoke of their slain son.
“He had a lot of dreams, and he was willing to work for those dreams,” his mother, Vivian Sterling, said.
“Sometimes I thought he wanted to do too many things. He’d pass the airport and say, ‘Mama, I’m going to get my pilot’s license, but I don’t know if I’m going to do it before or after I go into the military.’”
“He wanted three different degrees, computer engineering, electrical engineering, criminal justice,” Sterling said. “He wanted to do all sorts of things, and he knew he could do it.”
“Jabari was one of the brightest kids, one of the loveliest kids,” father William Peoples said. “We don’t know how we’re going to go on without Jabari but we’re going to fight for Jabari until our last breath.”
Crump said the fight is far from over.
“We refuse to be well-behaved victims,” he said. “Jabari is going to continue to be a priority for us.”
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Lollapalooza, dubbed one of the biggest music festivals of the year, is set to return to Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois this month.
Kicking off July 31, the four-day festival includes over 170 artists on this year’s lineup including fan-favorite headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler, The Creator, Oliva Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, Korn, A$AP Rocky, Doechii, Twice, Luke Combs and Rüfüs Du Sol.
In addition to the highly sought-after headliners for Lollapalooza 2025, the lineup also includes performances from other A-list artists such as Dom Dolla, Cage The Elephant, Dominic Fike, Finneas, Young Miko and more.
To see the full lineup for Lollapalooza 2025, visit the festival’s official website here.
Lollapalooza 2025 tickets
In typical music festival fashion, Lollapalooza 2025 sports a variety of ticket options including the highly coveted four-day passes, two-day passes and single-day passes.
Those hoping to snag last minute passes can find all three types of tickets available for purchase through secondary market sites such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek.
Where can I find the cheapest four-day passes?
Those interested in attending all four days of Lollapalooza 2025 can find the current four-day ticket prices available below.
Those interested in checking out the single-day passes can find them available on the sites mentioned above. The current price of the Lollapalooza 2025 single-day passes available for purchase on Vivid Seats can be found below.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers play against the Milwaukee Brewers in an MLB game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6:40 p.m. CT on TBS. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Dodgers enter this matchup with a 56-36 record, and they currently have a six-game lead in their division. The team has lost four consecutive games, so Los Angeles is looking to bounce back this evening.
In order to win this game, the Dodgers will need to rely on their star player Shohei Ohtani. He leads the team with 30 home runs and 99 hits, which highlights his offensive prowess.
Notably, Ohtani was 2-4 at the plate in his last game.
The Brewers enter this matchup with a 51-40 record, and they have won three of their last four games. In their most recent game, the Brewers defeated the Dodgers 9-1.
In order to win tonight’s game, the Brewers will need a great performance from their star player Christian Yelich. He currently leads the team with 18 home runs and 63 RBI.
Fans can watch this MLB game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
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Birmingham has declared an emergency war on weeds.
The City Council on Tuesday passed an ordinance authorizing the mayor to suspend notice requirements for cutting back weeds on private properties that have been neglected by owners.
Citing “hazardous vegetative overgrowth throughout the City of Birmingham caused by excessive rainfall,” the emergency declaration gives the the city 45 days to mowing and weed-cutting on private lots.
The new city budget allots $3 million for weed abatement, an increase from previous years. The city’s crews will be augmented by 18 private lawn service contractors that will help.
The city has nearly 15,000 tax delinquent lots which are neglected by their owners and overgrown with vegetation, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.
“We still couldn’t cut every one of them this year,” Woodfin said, but the emergency declaration will cut out some of the red tape.
“We believe we’ll be able to make a significant dent,” he said.
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The New York Liberty play against the Las Vegas Aces in a WNBA game tonight. The matchup will begin at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Liberty enter this matchup with an impressive 12-6 record, but they have lost three of their last four games. In their most recent game, the Liberty lost 79-70 against Seattle.
In order to bounce back this evening, the Liberty will need a great performance from their star player Breanna Stewart. She leads the New York offense in scoring, as she averages nearly 20 points per game.
Notably, Stewart also leads the team with more than six rebounds per game.
The Aces enter this matchup with a 9-9 record, and they are coming off an 86-68 win against Connecticut.
During the victory, A’ja Wilson led the Las Vegas offense. She ended the game with 19 points, and she shot 8-10 from the field. If Wilson continues to find offensive success this evening, then the Aces will be a difficult team to beat.
Fans can watch this WNBA game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
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A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 2:36 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 3:15 p.m. for Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan counties.
Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
“At 2:36 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Trinity, or 7 miles southwest of Decatur, moving northeast at 25 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Decatur, Hartselle, Moulton, Priceville, Trinity, Falkville, Hillsboro, Mooresville, Belle Mina and Chalybeate Springs.
The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.”
Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.
To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:
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 a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
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 without 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 wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not 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.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:
Beware of swollen waterways:
Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.
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.
Slow down and drive with care:
On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
Visibility matters:
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
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 limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected 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.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
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.
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The Atlanta Braves play against the Athletics in an MLB game tonight. The matchup will begin at 9:05 p.m. CT on MLB Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
The Braves enter this matchup with a 39-50 record, and they have lost four consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Braves lost 2-1 against Baltimore.
In order to bounce back this evening, the Braves will need a great performance from their star player Matt Olson. He leads the Atlanta offense with 17 home runs and 58 RBI, which highlights his offensive prowess.
Olson was 0-4 at the plate in his last game, so he will look to turn things around tonight.
The Athletics enter this matchup with a 37-55 record, and they have lost three of their last four games. In their most recent game, the Athletics lost 6-2 against the San Francisco Giants.
In order to win tonight’s game, the Athletics will need to rely on their star player Jacob Wilson. He leads the team with a .335 batting average, so he will try to continue his offensive success this evening.
Fans can watch this MLB game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The National Weather Service issued an updated report at 2:23 p.m. on Tuesday for strong thunderstorms until 3:15 p.m. for Jackson County.
Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
“At 2:22 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 9 miles south of Cowan, or 13 miles southeast of Winchester. This thunderstorm was nearly stationary,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Winchester, Cowan, Sewanee, Anderson, Hytop, Jericho and Sherwood.
The weather service comments, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”
Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines
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.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
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 without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded 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. Although water and metal do not 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.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:
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:
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Reduce speed and drive cautiously:
On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator 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:
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
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:
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on 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.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The Huntsville Museum of Art (HMA) will reopen at the end of summer.
Museum leaders closed their doors on March 2, 2025, to make updates to the building.
They announced that they will open on August 31, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Betsy and Peter Lowe Community Free Day.
They installed a new state-of-the-art HVAC system. They need the system to preserve and conserve their permanent collection.
Its “Keep it Cool” community-driven fundraising initiative raised $50,000 to cover operating costs during the museum’s closure.
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