Alabama News

General News

General

Alabama theme park ranked as second most affordable in country: Who beat us?

Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure has been ranked as one of the most affordable theme parks in the country.

The amusement park and water park in Bessemer, 4599 Splash Adventure Parkway, took the No. 2 spot for affordability in a recent study by HomeToGo, a company that rents vacation properties.

Theme parks throughout the United States were ranked based on ticket prices, parking costs and the prices of vacation rentals in the area, according to a press release. The goal was to find budget-friendly vacation spots for families, or “destinations in which action-packed thrills won’t break the bank this summer,” the release said.

HomeToGo’s “Theme Park Index” doesn’t offer details on the amenities, rides, concessions or atmosphere at each theme park, but it does list specifics in four categories: ticket price, parking price, accommodation price and total price.

The accommodation price was based on “the median nightly per person cost via HomeToGo for a vacation rental stay near to the respective theme park, with a check-in date during summer 2025,” according to the survey’s methodology.

Data for the study was collected in June 2025, the HomeToGo website says.

Information listed for Alabama Adventure — $40 daily admission, free parking and a $76 accommodation price — gives the park a total price of $116 per day for a visit.

Alabama Adventure has been around since 1998, and initially was called Visionland. The park has experienced ups and downs over the years, changing owners, changing names, adding a water park and more. It’s now owned by members of the Koch family.

Attractions at the combo park include a Cheddar Chase roller coaster, a Drop Zone ride, a Centi-Speed coaster, a Tilt-A-Whirl, other amusement park rides, several water slides, a Lazy River, a Kahuna Wave Pool, an Aqua Maze, Splash Island and more.

Visitors enjoy the water park at Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure in Bessemer. (AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore)

Only one theme park topped Alabama Adventure for affordability in the HomeToGo rankings: Fun Spot America Theme Park in Orlando, Florida. The No. 1 pick has a ticket price of $60, free parking and a $53 accommodation price, the study says, for a total of $113 per day.

Other parks in the top five were Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven, Fla. (No. 3 with a total cost of $142 per day); Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Ind. (No. 4 with a total of $144 per day); and Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Mo. (No. 5 with a total of $145 per day).

One more park in Alabama made HomeToGo’s list: Tropic Falls at OWA in Foley. It came in at No. 15 for affordability, with a $70 admission price, free parking and a $97 accommodation price, for a total cost of $167 per day, according to the study.

As you might expect, major theme parks were at the bottom of the affordability heap when evaluated by HomeToGo. These included Disney California Adventure Park (No. 39), Disneyland Park (No. 38), Universal Studios Florida (tied for No. 37), Universal Islands of Adventure (tied for No. 37) and Universal Studios Hollywood (No. 36), all of which had a total cost of about $300 per day.

See the full rankings from HomeToGo here.

General

Alabama woman pleads guilty to killing her mother in crash, gets charged with felony child abuse

An Alabama mother has pleaded guilty in a Christmas Day 2021 wreck that killed her mother and is now back behind bars on unrelated child abuse charges.

Brieanna Blaylock Fuller, 27, entered her guilty plea to the misdemeanor criminally negligent homicide in Jefferson County on Wednesday, court records show.

Five days later, on Monday, she was booked into the Blount County Jail on multiple unrelated charges of felony aggravated child abuse, according to jail and court records.

The new charges accuse her of leaving her young children home alone on multiple occasions.

Fuller, a mother of six children, was initially charged with reckless manslaughter in the Dec. 25, 2021, wreck that killed her mother, 51-year-old Angela Marie Blaylock.

The crash happened at 11:22 a.m. that Saturday on Carson Road at Johnson Drive.

Center Point and Palmerdale firefighters, and Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies all responded to the scene.

Authorities said Fuller was driving a Toyota 4Runner northbound on Carson Road and approaching a curve near Johnson Drive when the SUV left the road, struck a utility pole and overturned.

Charging documents said Fuller was speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road when she crossed the yellow lines and crashed into the utility pole.

Blaylock was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead on the scene at 11:29 a.m.

Center Point and Palmerdale firefighters, and Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies, responded at 11:22 a.m. Christmas Day to the single-vehicle, rollover wreck on Carson Road. (Contributed)

Fuller was taken to UAB Hospital with serious injuries. Firefighters said the five children were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Fuller had her sixth child last year.

A Jefferson County grand jury indicted Fuller on a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide, to which she pleaded on June 18. Per the plea agreement, she received a six-month suspended sentence.

On Tuesday, June 23, Fuller was booked into the Blount County Jail on six counts of aggravated child abuse.

Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey said the investigation began when her office was contacted by a family member of the children. Casey notified Blount County sheriff’s investigators and the Department of Human Resources.

According to the criminal complaint, Fuller left her children home alone – sometimes for hours – on the dates of Feb. 15, 24, 26, 28, March 1, 18, 24, 25, 26, 27 and April 6.

Efforts to reach the sheriff’s office for additional details weren’t available.

Fuller’s attorney in the Jefferson County case said she is not representing her on the new charges, and court records do not yet list a lawyer to comment on Fuller’s behalf.

As of Tuesday night, Fuller remained jailed.

General

Right-wing pundit says Fox News made him fat

Former Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson is blaming his ex-employer for expanding his waistline.

Carlson made the claim while hosting his former colleague Clayton Morris, who like Carlson is critical of the MAGA channel’s coverage of U.S. involvement in Israel’s skirmish with Iran. Both men agreed that working for Fox News had its challenges.

“I just got fat,” Carlson confessed Monday night on his eponymous YouTube show. “It’s incredibly hard physically. Everything about it is the hardest job I ever had.”

Morris, meanwhile, claimed “people get cancer regularly” from working in “miserable” morning TV.

Carlson was a prime-time ratings king before being canned by Fox News in April 2023. His dismissal coincided with the network’s negotiations to settle a $787 million defamation suit with Dominion Voting Systems. The company accused Fox News of spreading disinformation about alleged improprieties involving its equipment in the 2020 presidential election.

Text messages from Carlson that were critical of his network, as well as being racist, were unearthed during the discovery process of that legal battle. Some of those messages conveyed Carlson’s contempt for President Donald Trump, though the 56-year-old pundit now says he supports the president.

According to Carlson, even after he was let go by Fox News, senior figures with the network said they’d support him if he ran against Trump for the presidency in 2024, though he said that wasn’t of interest to him. A lot of people at the pro-Trump channel privately can’t stand the president but pretend otherwise, Carlson claimed.

Carlson had been relatively quiet about his split from the cable outlet prior to his Monday podcast chat with Morris.

“This is really the first time I’ve attacked them,” he said on his Monday show.

Carlson and Morris also expressed a distaste for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, whom Carlson eviscerated during an interview last week when the pair discussed the conflict in the Middle East and Cruz was unable to answer general questions about Iran, such as how many people live there.

“You don’t know the population of the country you seek to topple?” Carlson marveled.

General

Thunderstorms with marble-sized hail in Baldwin County Tuesday – gusts could peak at 40 mph

A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 6:30 p.m. for Baldwin County.

Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and marble-sized hail (0.5 inches) are foreseen.

“At 5:44 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 8 miles west of Molino, or 15 miles northwest of Gonzalez, moving west at 15 mph,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.”

The alert is for Robertsdale and Molino.

The weather service adds, “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. 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. 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.”

Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms

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 ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:

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 shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from 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.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly 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 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

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 rapid water flow:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and drive with care:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

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.

Prioritize visibility

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 initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly 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.

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.

General

Auburn football lands 6-foot-7, 370-pound offensive lineman from New Zealand

Auburn football landed a massive recruit in the literal sense on Tuesday, getting a commitment from 6-foot-7, 370-pound offensive tackle Nikau Hepi.

A New Zealand native, Hepi becomes the first player from the NFL Academy Asia-Pacific campus to commit to a U.S. college. He recently attended Auburn’s prospect camp on June 1, and it took less than a month for Hepi to give the Tigers his pledge.

Hepi is a three-star recruit and ranked No. 852 in the class of 2026 by the 247Sports composite rankings. Despite being raw, Hepi’s size makes him stand out in Auburn’s 2026 class.

His addition puts Auburn back up to six commitments for 2026, but the class still ranks 88th in the country, according to 247Sports. The Tigers had three players decommit in the last two weeks and currently have just two commits rated four stars or higher by the 247Sports composite.

Hepi becomes the second offensive lineman in the class, joining three-star interior lineman Parker Pritchett who committed in April.

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

General

CBD shops in 4 Alabama cities raided over marijuana law violations, ALEA says

State investigators raided several CBD specialty stores and vape shops that they say are violating current, long-standing marijuana laws.

The search warrants were carried out Monday in Troy, Enterprise, Clanton and Wetumpka, according to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Capt. Jeremy Burkett.

Authorities said the raids resulted in the seizure of large amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, which are currently being inventoried.

The operation was the culmination of an investigation that spanned the course of several months following numerous complaints regarding certain cannabidiol specialty stores and vape shops, Burkett said.

Additional details weren’t released, but authorities will hold a press conference Friday to discuss the raids.

According to the Wetumpka Herald, one of the raids took place at Pharaoh Smoke Vape and Phone Repair on U.S. Highway 231 near Walmart.

The raids come a week before Alabama’s HB445 goes into effect.

HB445, which is in effect starting July 1, bans smokable hemp, high-potency gummies, and synthetically produced forms of THC, including Delta 8 and Delta 10. It bans online purchases.

General

Thunderstorms with marble-sized hail in Mobile County Tuesday

A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 6 p.m. for Mobile County.

The storms may bring wind gusts of up to 30 mph and marble-sized hail (0.5 inches).

“At 5:15 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 5 miles southwest of Chunchula, or 10 miles west of Saraland, moving southwest at 5 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.”

The alert is for Semmes and Wilmer.

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

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’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching 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 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 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, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads

Beware of rapid water flow:

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:

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 impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.

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.

General

Padres-Nationals free livestream: How to watch MLB game tonight, channel, time

The San Diego Padres play against the Washington Nationals in an MLB game tonight. The matchup will begin at 8:40 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. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Padres enter this matchup with a 42-36 record, and they are coming off a 10-6 loss against Washington.

In order to bounce back this evening, the Padres will need a great performance from their star player Manny Machado. He leads the San Diego offense with 47 RBI and a .303 batting average, which highlights his power at the plate.

Machado is only 1-11 at the plate over the past three games, so he will look to improve his play tonight.

The Nationals enter this matchup with a 33-46 record, and they have a 3-7 record over their last 10 games.

In order to win this evening, the Nationals will need to rely on their star player James Wood. He leads the Washington offense with 22 home runs and 61 RBI, so he will try to continue his great play tonight.

Fans can watch this MLB 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.

General

Canada-El Salvador free livestream: Where to watch Concacaf Gold Cup, TV, schedule

Canada plays against El Salvador in the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage tonight. The matchup will begin at 9 p.m. CT on FS1. 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.

Canada enters this matchup with a 1-1-0 record, so they currently possess four points in the group stage. In their most recent game, the Canada squad tied 1-1 with Curacao.

In order to win tonight’s game, the Canada squad will need great performances from their star players Nathan Saliba and Tajon Buchanan. Both players have scored two goals in the Concacaf Gold Cup, which leads the Canada offense.

El Salvador enters this matchup with a 0-1-1 record, so they possess one point in the group stage. In their most recent game, the El Salvador squad lost 2-0 against Honduras.

In order to win this game, the El Salvador squad will need to improve their offensive play. The team has failed to score a goal at the tournament, and they must win tonight’s game to qualify for the quarterfinals.

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.

General

Panama-Jamaica free livestream: Where to watch Concacaf Gold Cup, TV, schedule

Panama plays against Jamaica in the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage tonight. The matchup will begin at 6 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.

Panama enters this matchup with a 2-0 record in the group stage, so they can clinch first place with a victory tonight. Notably, the team possesses a +4 goal differential.

In order to win tonight’s game, the Panama squad will need great performances from their star players Ismael Diaz and Tomas Rodriguez. Both players have scored two goals in the Concacaf Gold Cup, so they will look to continue their offensive success this evening.

Jamaica enters this matchup with a 1-0-1 record, so they are playing for a spot in the quarterfinals tonight.

In order to win this game, the Jamaica squad will need to rely on their star players Jonathan Russell and Leon Bailey. Both players have scored one goal in the Concacaf Gold Cup, which leads the Jamaica offense.

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.