Alabama News

Briarwood Presbyterian Church of Birmingham has announced that its new senior pastor has been approved by the regional governing body and is in the process of moving to Birmingham.

The Rev. Dr. John Scott Redd Jr., president of Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., was approved July 8 by Evangel Presbytery meeting at Briarwood.

The presbytery conducted a theological examination before Redd’s nomination was approved.

“Dr. Redd’s answers were biblically and theologically sound, concise, clear, and well-informed, and the examination concluded with a unanimous vote in favor of Dr. Redd as Briarwood’s next pastor,” the church announced.

Redd will assume the pulpit and preach his first sermon on Aug. 3.

The congregation had voted in favor of Redd on June 15, pending approval by the presbytery. He was nominated by the pulpit search committee in May.

Redd is only the third full-time senior pastor in the 65-year history of Briarwood.

The Rev. Frank Barker founded Briarwood Presbyterian in 1960, first opening its doors in a Cahaba Heights storefront. He retired in 1999 and died in December 2021 at 89.

During Barker’s tenure the church grew to a membership of more than 4,000, making it one of the state’s churches.

Barker oversaw the construction of a $32 million campus near the Acton Road exit on Interstate 459 in 1988. A decade later, a $5.5 million expansion was added.

Barker also oversaw the creation of Briarwood Christian School and helped found the Birmingham Theological Seminary.

He also had a significant national role in the rise of the conservative Presbyterian Church in America, which was formed in the early 1970s and became one of the country’s largest Presbyterian church organizations.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Harry Reeder III, who was killed in a 2023 car crash. The Rev. Dan Doriani was named interim minister later that year.

Redd grew up in a military family and is a graduate of The College of William & Mary who worked in media consulting before going into the ministry. He and his wife, Jennifer, have five daughters.

The season three finale of the hit reality competition series Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing premieres on the Discovery Channel Sunday, July 13 at 8/7c.

Those hoping to tune in to see which of the three remaining contestants claim the title of Last One Standing can stream the finale through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

Previous episode recap

Last week’s episode titled “Flame on or Flame Out,” caused quite the panic amongst the remaining survivalists, and the friction fire challenge easily shook everyone up.

In addition to the troubling challenge, Patrick was stunned when he was told to give up his gathered materials, leaving him almost completely defenseless and underprepared.

Meanwhile, Patrick was eliminated meaning Cheeney, Darren and Matt are the only three survivalists making their way to this week’s finale.

On the upcoming season three finale episode, Cheeney, Darren and Matt face the final gauntlet of challenges—all of which test each survivalist’s bushcraft, bow and fire-making skills.

With the $100,000 prize and title of Last One Standing on the line, the three competitors push themselves as all are seconds away from claiming this season’s ultimate prize.

How to watch Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing season 3 finale

Those interested in catching the season three finale can stream Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing through Philo, DirecTV and Sling.

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What is Sling?

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Southern Poverty Law Center President and CEO Margaret Huang has resigned from the nonprofit after serving in the role for five years.

SPLC announced Huang’s resignation in a statement on Thursday. The release from the civil rights organization said Huang planned to focus more on her family.

“Margaret has led SPLC with deep care, clarity and conviction, guiding us through moments of growth and moments of challenge,” said Karen Baynes-Dunning, the current chair of the SPLC Board of Directors, in a statement. “Her legacy is woven into the fabric of this organization, and we are well positioned in part because of her leadership.”

More from Alabama Reflector

Bryan Fair, a former board chair and constitutional scholar at the University of Alabama, will succeed Huang as the leader of the organization on an interim basis.

“The board is confident that he will provide steady, familiar and thoughtful leadership throughout the transition and as a national search for a new leader is conducted. With his guidance, the center remains grounded in its values and prepared to meet the future with strength and purpose,” Baynes-Dunning said in the statement.

A message was sent to SPLC on Friday seeking additional comment.

Huang, previously executive director of Amnesty International USA, took the reins of the organization in 2020 after a year of turmoil. The organization ousted co-founder Morris Dees in 2019 amid questions about racial and gender equity in the SPLC. Dees’ ouster was followed by the resignation of several top SPLC executives.

As CEO, Huang tried to steer SPLC to include community organizing in its mission, particularly as an increasingly conservative judiciary made its litigation strategies more difficult. As part of that effort, it has hosted training sessions for individuals and organizations to train them on how to advocate and organize.

But SPLC announced in June 2024 that it would lay off employees in what the organization characterized as “streamlining operations.” SPLC’s employee union indicated that at least 60 people had lost their jobs due to$13 million deficit.

That September, the union overwhelmingly approved a no-confidence motion regarding Huang’s leadership.

A message was sent to the SPLC Union Friday seeking comment.

Fair, the interim CEO, will take leave from the University of Alabama while serving in the role. He has taught constitutional law for 34 years at the law school while also previously serving as a member of several other nonprofits, from the Equal Justice Initiative to Alabama Appleseed.

According to SPLC’s most recent 990 filing, the organization had $129 million in revenue between Nov. 1, 2023 and Oct. 31, 2024, down from $169.8 million in revenue the previous year. It reported expenses of $128.9 million for the period, and total assets of $786.7 million on Oct. 31, 2024.

Huang’s reported compensation from the organization that year was just under $467,000, with another $55,806 listed as “other compensation from the organization and related organizations.”

England plays against Wales in the 2025 Women’s EURO group stage today. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this soccer 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.

England enters this matchup with a 1-0-1 record, and the team currently possesses three points. After a 2-1 loss against France in their opening match, England bounced back with a 4-0 win against Netherlands.

In order to secure their spot in the knockout stage, England will need a great performance from their star player Alessia Russo. She leads the team with three assists in the tournament, so she will try to continue her offensive success this afternoon.

Wales enter this matchup with a 0-0-2 record, so the team currently has zero points at the tournament. The team can still secure a spot in the knockout stage, but Wales will need to win today’s game by at least five goals.

In order to pull off the upset, Wales will need to rely on their star player Jess Fishlock. She has scored the team’s only goal at the tournament this year.

Fans can watch the 2025 Women’s EURO group stage 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 MAGA world is melting down over a Department of Justice memo first reported by Axios that concludes it had no evidence Jeffery Epstein, a convicted sex offender, blackmailed influential people.

President Donald Trump has lashed out at those who insisted Epstein had a ‘client list’ that should be released and are calling for Attorney General Pam Bondi’s firing.

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump scolded those critics and said the “Epstein files” were created by people in the former administration, should not be publicized, and called them “Radical Left inspired Documents.”

Trump wrote: “Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration, who conned the World with the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, 51 ‘Intelligence’ Agents, ‘THE LAPTOP FROM HELL,’ and more? They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called “friends” are playing right into their hands.”

Trump pleaded with those asking for Bondi’s firing to stop. “LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!” he wrote.

He said those going after her should focus on his administration’s achievements.

“We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening,” said Trump, who calls the uproar a distraction.

“We are about to achieve more in 6 months than any other Administration has achieved in over 100 years, and we have so much more to do,” Trump added.

Former Trump ally Elon Musk replied that Trump could end the controversy by releasing files on Epstein.

“He said “Epstein” half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised,” the former DOGE chief posted on X.

The NASCAR Cup Series continues today, as racers compete in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 this afternoon. The race is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CT on TNT Sports. Fans can watch this NASCAR race for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

William Byron enters this race with 632 points, so he currently sits atop the NASCAR Cup Series standings. Byron has struggled recently, as he was unable to finish the race last week. With this in mind, he will try to turn things around this afternoon.

Notably, Byron has secured seven finishes inside the top 5 this season.

Chase Elliott has earned second place in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, as he currently possesses 619 points. He finished last week’s race in 16th place, so he will try to improve his performance today.

Kyle Larson has 613 points this season, so he is only 19 points behind Byron for first place in the NASCAR Cup Series. With this in mind, Larson will look to win his fourth race of the season this afternoon.

Fans can watch the Toyota/Save Mart 350 race for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

A 27-year-old man was shot to death by Alabama state troopers following a chase that began in Elmore County and ended in Montgomery.

ALEA Capt. Jeremy Burkett said Sunday that Jacob Blaze Hutchinson, of Lawley, was shot when he pulled a knife on troopers. No troopers were injured.

The incident began shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday when a trooper tried to stop a Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle on Cobbs Ford Road in Prattville in Elmore County.

The driver – later identified as Hutchinson – refused to stop and a pursuit ensued, Burkett said.

The chase traveled south onto Interstate 65 and into Montgomery. It ended in the 2800 Block of Springfield Drive when Hutchinson ditched the motorcycle and began to run.

A foot chase ensued until Hutchinson pulled out a knife, Burkett said.

“Subsequently, ALEA personnel discharge their weapons, fatally injuring Hutchinson,” Burkett said.

The investigation is ongoing. Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday will attend the FIFA Club World Cup final, a match that will offer Trump a preview of the globe’s premier soccer tournament that North America will host next year.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel from their golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to East Rutherford 40 miles (64 kilometers) away to watch the final match of the U.S.-hosted tournament between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at MetLife Stadium.

Trump’s trip Sunday falls on the first anniversary of the assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania, while campaigning for president.

The president did not have any public plans to mark the date beyond participating in a taped Fox News Channel interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump that aired Saturday night.

Sporting events have made up the bulk of Trump’s trips in the U.S. since taking office this year. In addition to his visit this weekend to the soccer tournament, he’s attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 in Florida, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, New Jersey, and the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia.

The president, who has a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has said he plans to attend multiple matches of the World Cup tournament next year.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.