Alabama News

Matt Cameron is leaving Pearl Jam after 27 years.

The drummer posted a heartfelt message on social media, thanking his band mates.

“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” Cameron’s statement read. “Much love and respect to Jeff (Ament), Ed (Vedder), Mike (McCready) and Stone (Gossard) for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter. I am forever grateful to the crew, staff and fans the world over. It’s been an incredible journey. More to follow. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Vedder, Gossard, McCready and Ament also posted a statement thanking Camerson.

“From being one of our first musical heroes in the bands Skinyard and the mighty Soundgarden, to playing on our first demos in 1990, Matt Cameron has been a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer,” the statement read. “He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always. He will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music. We love you Matt.”

Cameron joined Pearl Jam, known for its grunge sound, in 1998 a year after Soundgarden broke up in 1997.

Cameron was also inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first in 2017 for his work with Pearl Jam and, this year, for his contributions to Soundgarden.

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.

Family members continue to search for Mobile couple Eddie Santana Sr., 69, and his wife, Ileana, 66, along with their daughter-in-law and granddaughter following this weekend’s deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas.

According to a post from family member Kali Vazquez, the couple were staying in a cabin by the river in Kerrville with their son Eddie Santana Jr., 39, his wife Camille Santana, 38, and their 5-year-old daughter, Mila Rosa Santana, when their cabin was swept away while they were inside.

Eddie was found alive and discharged from a local hospital Sunday morning, July 6, according to a post from his brother Michael.

Michael flew into Texas this week to aid in the search, according to his Facebook page.

‘Praying for comfort, strength and hope’

In a Monday post, representatives for Mobile car dealership Joe Bullard Automotive expressed their sympathy for Michael, a former employee, and his family.

“We are praying for comfort, strength, and hope for the entire Santana family,” the post reads.

Gov. Greg Abbott vowed this week that authorities will work around the clock to find those that are still missing and told AP News new areas were being searched as the water receded.

As of Monday morning, the flood is reported to have killed at least 82 people, according to AP News.

Sarah Marsh, an eight-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, was among the victims.

Marsh was attending Camp Mystic, a Christian retreat near Hunt in Kerr County, when torrential rain and storms that started late Thursday caused the river to swell from seven feet to 29 feet in less than two hours, flooding the camp.

According to AP News, the destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet (8 meters) on the river in only 45 minutes before daybreak Friday, washing away homes and vehicles.

Flash flood watches remained in effect and more rain fell in central Texas on Sunday.

President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration Sunday for Kerr County, activating the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Texas.

“These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,” he wrote in a post to X.

Amazon Prime Day has people getting ready to hit up the mega-online merchant for deals. But even as click and buy frenzy is underway, Amazon is shutting down one of its free services.

Amazon will sunset its standalone Freevee app next month, CNBC reported. The service was launched in 2019 as part of IMDb, the film and TV site Amazon purchased in 1998, and included free videos, original programming and some Prime Video content offered via an app.

The Freevee app will shut down in August but users will still be able to access Amazon’s free content with a Prime account.

“There will be no change to the content available for Prime members, and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST Channels – all available on Prime Video,” a representative said.

Amazon first announced plans to shutter the app in late 2024, emphasizing the use of Prime Video as a “first-stop entertainment destination.”

In Freevee markets, non-Prime users will be able to access the content on Prime Video material labeled “Watch for Free.” According to Variety, Freevee’s content includes Emmy-nominated reality comedy show “Jury Duty;” crime drama “Bosch: Legacy;” Australian soap “Neighbours“; “Alex Rider” Season 2; “Leverage: Redemption”; and “Judy Justice” featuring Judge Judy Sheindlin.

Target just launched its biggest shopping event of the year aimed to celebrate Target Circle rewards members with exclusive deals and discounts happening this week only.

Target Circle Week officially kicked off on Sunday, July 6 and will run through Saturday, July 12. Those who are not a Target Circle rewards member can easily sign up with any email address to take advantage of these limited time deals.

Target states that the Target Circle Week sales event will feature seven days of rare deals for summer and early back-to-school and college shopping, including up to 50% off hundreds of items across every category, from school supplies and electronics to everyday essentials. Meanwhile, Target’s popular “Deal of the Day” also returns with an expanded offering of three unique deals available each day of the sale including a 10% off Target Gift Cards offer.

According to Target, top deals happening during Target Circle Week include:

• 40% off Casaluna & Threshold bedding
• Up to 40% off tech & gaming
• 30% off tees, tanks and dresses for all
• 30% off school uniforms
• 30% off select backpacks and school supplies
• 20% off Brightroom storage and organization
• Buy two, get one free on books, movies and music
• Spend $40, save $10 on toys
• Buy one, get one 50% off select grocery including ice cream, coffee, tea, cereal, frozen meals & more
• Buy one, get one 30% off suncare, haircare, nailcare and vitamins

RELATED: Walmart Deals sales event kicks off for Walmart+ members

Members of Target Circle 360, the retailer’s paid membership program, will get additional benefits during the sales event. All guests who sign up for Target Circle 360 now through Circle Week will notably receive $50 off their first same-day delivery order. Not to mention, teachers and students can save 50% on a Target Circle 360 one-year membership.

Those interested can browse all Target 360 membership benefits here.

A 27-year-old man was killed Monday after opening fire at a U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas, authorities said.

Ryan Louis Mosqueda had an assault rifle and was carrying a utility vest when federal agents returned fire on Monday morning, McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez told reporters Monday morning. Rodriguez said police received a call about the shooting around 5:50 a.m. and that Mosqueda fired dozens of rounds.

The shooting took place at a facility across the street from McAllen International Airport, which was shut down as a precaution.

Law enforcement said afterward they found a second rifle, more ammunition and backpacks that the suspect had brought. Rodriguez said Mosqueda’s motive is currently unknown.

One officer was injured in the shooting, but Rodriguez said it was unclear if the injury was from shrapnel or a bullet.

Mosqueda allegedly pulled up to the facility in a white two-door sedan. Rodriguez said something was written on the car, possibly in Latin, but “what it means, or whether or not it is an underlying reason for him being here, I do not know.”

Mosqueda was linked to an address in Michigan, but was reported missing from a Weslaco, Texas, address around 4 a.m. Monday. Weslaco is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the Border Patrol facility.

“An hour and a few minutes later, he was at this particular location opening fire on the federal building and our federal agents,” Rodriguez said.

Additional information about the missing person report, including who reported it and the circumstances, was not immediately made available.

Going forward, the FBI will be handling the investigation, Rodriguez said.

President Donald Trump signed signature legislation, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” July 4 that will reshape American higher education.

The law caps the amount students can borrow for graduate degrees, expands financial aid for workforce development programs and attempts to hold colleges accountable for graduates’ success.

The new law will phase out Grad PLUS loans that many people use to pay for graduate degrees.

“Eliminating Grad PLUS loans is dramatic and potentially problematic for many students,” said Mitchell Henry, president of Faulkner University, a private Christian college in Montgomery.

Getting student loans will be more difficult

The new law caps the amount of federal loans students can take out:

• Graduate students can borrow up to $100,000
• Law or medical students can borrow up to $200,000
• Parents can borrow up to $65,000 per student via Parent PLUS

After a student hits their cap of subsidized direct or PLUS loans, they may need to turn to private loans to finance an education.

The federal government hopes a lifetime cap will encourage universities to keep prices in check.

Financing graduate degrees may be more difficult

The Grad PLUS program, which many students use to fund graduate and doctoral degrees after they exhaust their Stafford loans, will be phased out in 2026.

Current students aren’t affected, but people hoping to pursue graduate degrees after July 1, 2026, may need to finance their education through more private loans.

More than $120 million in Grad PLUS financing was disbursed to 23 colleges and universities across Alabama for the 2022-2023 school year, according to data obtained from the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Faulkner University administered 367 Grad PLUS loans in 2022, and the revenue, about $11.3 million, makes up more than 20% of the school’s overall revenue, according to the Chronicle’s data.

It will be easier to pay for workforce credentials

About 32.7% of all Alabama college students receive Pell grants, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The final bill keeps the Pell program mostly intact and adds a “Workforce Pell.” The funding can now be used for short-term, accredited workforce training programs.

Beginning July 1, 2026, Pell-eligible students can use aid for programs that prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations.

The average amount Alabama students receive for Pell Grants is $5,167, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The process for getting a Pell grant remains the same: Students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and see if they meet the income requirements.

Colleges will need to prove grads have good jobs

Politicians have struggled with how to force colleges to prove the value of individual degrees. Trump’s bill ties student loans and financial aids to graduates’ ability to get well-paying jobs.

Colleges and universities will be cut off from funding unless they prove that graduates earn more than an adult with a high school diploma. This could affected more than half of two-year degree programs, according to Inside Higher Ed.

Walmart is offering a motherlode of deals this week during its annual major sales event, some of which include its best prices of the year on select products, however, Walmart+ members will get first dibs on these limited time discounts.

The Walmart Deals sales event officially kicks off Tuesday, July 8 and run through Sunday, July 13, while Walmart+ members will be able to shop these deals starting on Monday, July 7.

Those who are not a Walmart+ member can not only sign up for a 30-day free trial in order to take advantage of these early deals, but also get 50% off the annual membership during the Walmart Deals sale. You will also have the option to cancel your membership at anytime before the trial period ends.

RELATED: Walmart’s Char-Broil FlavorMax Gas Grill is now the cheapest available

Walmart recently announced that, for the first time ever, Walmart Deals will be available both in stores and online, offering more flexibility for customers to shop the way they want, whether that’s a quick in-store run, curbside pickup or delivery to their doorstep.

“From barbecues to back-to-school, we know this is a busy shopping season for our customers, which is why we’re excited to bring back the Walmart Deals event,” Executive Vice President, General Merchandise, Walmart U.S Megan Crozier said.

“As customers look to save on both the items that they want and need this season, this summer’s event will feature a wider selection of products including wellness finds and everyday essentials. We also know families are continuing to shop earlier for the new school year, so we’ve brought back deals on first-day essentials to help customers save more when it matters most.”

Those who want a preview of these upcoming deals can check them out at Walmart.com/deals or simply on the Walmart app.

Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert are collaborating on a new duet, and you can hear it on Friday.

The country music stars are working together on a “A Song to Sing,” according to a social media on Monday. The announcement shared a ’70s-style poster.

Lambert and Stapleton, per Taste of Country, co-wrote the new song with Jesse Frasure and five-time CMA Musician of the Year-winning fiddler player Jenee Fleenor.

According to a release, the duet will take from Stapleton’s love story with his wife, Morgane Stapleton.

“Chris understands this emotion from the inside out, because he and Morgane have both lived it,” a Lambert statement read.

“To have someone so soulful and willing to go into the heart of the feelings, to share the pull of the road and creative life — and what that means when you love someone with every bit of your being is next level.

“When we finished it, we both knew we wanted to release it, to share it with everyone.”

It isn’t the first time the two have teamed up for a song.

Lambert co-wrote Stapleton’s “What Am I Gonna Do,” off his 2023 “Higher” album.

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.