Alabama News

The latest true-crime series to join Investigation Discovery’s lineup, 911: Did the Killer Call? premieres on the network Tuesday, July 15 at 9/8c.

Cord cutters looking to check out the new ID series can stream the premiere live even without access to traditional cable through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What is 911: Did the Killer Call about?

The new series details three horrific murders with three different 911 calls. All three callers claim they’re innocent—but for the police, the call can reveal so much more than just the facts of the case. Throughout the series, viewers will find out which of the callers is the real killer in disguise.

The premiere episode of the series kicks off in the aftermath of a woman’s murder. After the brutal binding, torture and murder, her ex-husband calls 911, but police suspect he is the killer. Also, when a man turns up dead in a house fire, his wife tells police he was suicidal, but the truth is even more shocking.

How to watch 911: Did the Killer Call? season 1

Those interested in catching the premiere of ID’s 911: Did the Killer Call? can find it available for streaming through Philo, DirecTV and 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.

Out of the three streaming services 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 Investigation Discovery. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month.

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).

AL.com is continuing its series of highlighting some of the most unbreakable records in AHSAA history, highlighting some historic numbers in volleyball for this week’s poll.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to make their voices heard.

In last week’s boys basketball poll, fans chose former Crossville star Cale Black’s record-setting mark of 514 3-point baskets in the 1989-90 season as the least likely to be broken.

Voting for this week will close Thursday night. Cast yours at the poll below.

Here are some of our picks for the most unbreakable records in AHSAA volleyball history:

Consecutive state championships

21: Bayside Academy, 2002-22

One of the most dominant runs of success in high school sports history, the Admirals’ streak of 21 straight titles hasn’t even been close to being touched; Addison (2013-18) and Huntsville (2002-07) have six straight titles, which tie for second in the rankings. The program also leads all others with 31 state championships in its history, with McGill-Toolen ranking second with 23 and St. Paul’s third with 16.

Career kills

4,019: Kryssi Daniels, Curry (2010-11) and Winston County (2006-09)

She is the only player in AHSAA history with over 4,000 career kills, achieving a career-high mark of 855 in the 2010 season. The 2010 Gatorade Alabama Volleyball Player of the Year holds four of the top 18 spots on the single-season kills leaderboard. Ranking second behind Daniels is former Hazel Green star Gracie Lynn Butler. The five-time all-state selection also ranks third in career service aces (710) and career digs (2,936) and went on to have a collegiate career at Alabama.

Blocks in a season

584: Whitney Sanders, Winston County, 2003

This record has remained untouched for over 20 years, with Sanders being the only player in the record book to log over 400 blocks in a single season. Ranking second is former Bayside Academy standout Caroline Gill, who had 259 in 2006. Sanders also ranks third in AHSAA history for most kills in a single match with 44 in the 2002 season.

Career service aces

914: Sadie Beam, Addison, 2008-10

The former Addison star and two-time state champion was a key part of her program’s dominant run of success during her time at the high school ranks. She is the only player with 900 career service aces in the record book, with fellow Addison standout Danna Stallings ranking second with 732 in the 1992-97 seasons. Beam went on to play at West Alabama, where she spent four seasons and logged 95 service aces.

Service aces in a set

19: Lily Moss, Horseshoe Bend (3) vs. LaFayette (0), 2023

This area tournament matchup also saw Moss notch the AHSAA record for most points served in a set, with the Horseshoe Bend standout serving all 25 points in a 25-0 first set. She finished with 23 service aces in the 3-0 victory, which ranks third in AHSAA history. Moss will be playing for the South softball team for AHSAA North-South all-star week.

Consecutive victories (All matches)

115: Addison, 2004-06

One of the most successful volleyball programs in Alabama, Addison’s mark that spans across three seasons has been left untouched for almost 20 years. Bayside Academy’s run of 61 straight wins ranks second, while Hoover ranks third with 55 straight wins from 2020-21.

If you can’t see the survey above, click here to cast your votes.

The National Weather Service released a heat advisory at 11:14 a.m. on Tuesday valid for Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan and Cullman counties.

The weather service says, “Heat index values of 105 to 109 degrees F are expected for most of the advisory area.”

“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” describes the weather service.

Beating the heat: Heat safety guidelines from the weather service

• Stay hydrated: Keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
• Seek cool shelter: Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room to keep cool.
• Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of the sun, and make sure to check up on relatives and neighbors.
• Child and pet safety: Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.
• Caution outdoors: When working or spending time outside, take extra precautions.
• Optimal timing: Consider rescheduling strenuous activities to early morning or evening if possible.
• Recognize heat-related issues: Educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Dress comfortably: Select lightweight and loose-fitting outfits for enhanced comfort.

Additional tips for outdoor workers:

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas for outdoor workers.
• If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
• In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance.

These NWS heat safety recommendations are vital for your well-being during periods of high temperatures. Stay informed and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others from the heat’s potentially dangerous effects.

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.

Kirby Smart is the first to tell you that Alabama “did an outstanding job of jumping all over” Georgia last season under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer.

The Crimson Tide defeated Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium 41-34 last year. Now, the Bulldogs host Alabama. Smart talked about that Tuesday in Atlanta during Day 2 of SEC Media Days.

What does he think, however, of Alabama’s second-year coach?

“I’m not qualified to give analysis of another head coach in our league, who I have tremendous respect for,” Smart told the media Tuesday. “Anytime you came come into a situation that he came into behind Nick (Saban) and, at a program and transition it, it’s going to be a new deal.

RELATE: Why did Smart name-drop several former Alabama players?

“I think he’s a tremendous coach. We played at their place. They did an outstanding job of jumping all over us. A lot of respect for coach DeBoer.”

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.

From all the talk regarding his golfing habits, jabs from Lane Kiffin and revolving SEC coaching hot seat we see every season.

Coming off a 5-7 season, Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze graces the podium at SEC media days prepared to face a gauntlet of questions.

Freeze and the Auburn Tigers look to break out of the SEC’s lower half and clinch a winning season since 2020. Also, Freeze is looking to pick up his first bowl victory since 2021 when he was the head coach at Liberty.

This season, Freeze returns standout players such as Cam Coleman, Keldrick Faulk, and Connor Lew. Once again, Auburn hit the transfer portal to grab a quarterback, this time staying in conference to acquire former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold.

Follow along below for live updates:

• Hugh Freeze opens up statement with watching Auburn baseball and Basketball team in NCAA tournament during the offseason. Believes that all players are bought.
• Freeze says his roster is better and that the expectation is limitless.
• Freeze says the secret to success this year is that they have guys who can close out games.
• Freeze explains how taking personality tests helped evaluate his staff and leaders heading into the season.
• Freeze is still confident in Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb being the staple backs in the backfield.
• Freeze says this year’s Auburn roster has his favorite offensive line.
• Freeze says Auburn will be in the talks to make the College Football Playoffs.
• Freeze called Keldric Faulk and Connor Lew bedrocks of the Auburn football program.
• Keldric Faulk helped a player with NIL money to pay for school.
• Hugh Freeze says he loves Lane Kiffin and is not on social media to see his shots.
• Freeze says Auburn needed to do less and get more in order to close out games this fall.
• Freeze says his group embraces the expectations they have this season.
• Freeze feels good about his front seven guys on the offensive lineman.
• Freeze says his golfing does not take away from his focus on making Auburn a championship contender.

Lauderdale County officials have charged a man with manslaughter after they say he struck his brother with a vehicle Monday night, killing him.

WAAY is reporting that Perry James Crakaal, 27, died following the incident that happened at 10 p.m.

Deputies who responded to the scene interviewed a witness who said that the victim and the witness had been in a vehicle with Crakaal’s brother, Brandon Wayne Crakaal, 29, prior to the crash, according to WHNT.

According to the witness, the two brothers got into an argument, and Perry and the witness got out of the vehicle.

Then Brandon Crakaal drove on and hit Perry Crakaal before leaving in the vehicle.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies then received reports of a vehicle matching the description of Brandon Crakaal’s vehicle in the area of County Road 14 and County Road 15 in Oakland, according to WAFF.

Deputies discovered a white Chevrolet pickup with “significant damage to the front end.”

A man was also reported to have been seen walking away from the vehicle.

A citizen’s report at about midnight led deputies to a house on County Road 106, where they found Brandon Crakaal and took him into custody.

He has been charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident, and is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center.

More charges could follow.

At 11:21 p.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued an updated heat advisory valid for Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. for Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Blount, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Bibb and Marengo counties.

The weather service states, “Heat index values up to 107 degrees expected.”

“Hot temperatures combined with high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” comments the weather service.

Heat safety: Protecting yourself in hot conditions

• Stay hydrated: Remember to drink plenty of fluids.
• Find cool shelter: Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room to keep cool.
• Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of the sun, and make sure to check up on relatives and neighbors.
• Child and pet safety: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.
• Caution outdoors: When working or spending time outside, take extra precautions.
• Time your activities wisely: Whenever possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours when temperatures are more manageable.
• Recognize heat-related issues: Educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Stay cool with clothing: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to stay comfortable.

Additional tips for outdoor workers:

• For outdoor workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
• If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
• In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance.

These NWS heat safety directives are essential for safeguarding your well-being when facing high temperatures. Stay well-informed and take the necessary precautions to shield yourself and others from the potential hazards of extreme heat.

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.

The Detroit Tigers selected Casey Mize with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, and the Auburn right-hander was on his way.

Twenty-six minor-league starts later, including a no-hitter for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, Mize had reached the big leagues.

But entering the 2025 season, the former Springville High School star had a 9-19 record with a 4.36 earned-run average in 61 appearances for Detroit. Between starts on April 14, 2022, and April 4, 2024, Mize did not pitch for the Tigers as he rehabilitated after elbow and back surgeries.

In 2025, Mize is on the American League pitching staff for the MLB All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday night.

“I’ve always known that I could do this,” Mize said, “and I’ve always believed in that. Did doubts and thoughts come into my mind that I would never get here? One hundred percent, like, yes. But I feel like I did a pretty good job of trying to flush that pretty quickly because I knew that I had so much career left ahead of me and so many things I wanted to accomplish, that the longer I let those thoughts fester in my head, the more of a detriment it would be, so I really worked to try to avoid those as much as possible.

“But did those thoughts come to my head? Yeah, they did. And I’m pretty proud of how I was able to push those aside.”

After surging down the stretch to grab a wild-card spot in the American League playoffs in 2024 to end a streak of seven losing seasons, Detroit reached the all-star break this season with MLB’s best record at 59-38.

The showing netted the Tigers’ six spots on the American League team for the MLB All-Star Game.

“I’m really proud to play for Detroit,” Mize said. “I think gritty gets affiliated with us a lot. (Detroit Lions coach) Dan Campbell probably started that, but we kind of took it over a little bit as well. It kind of embodies our city. I honestly feel like I can relate to that a little bit more because I went through some difficult times and now it’s like I get to showcase the good times with five other teammates and Frankie our batboy, so super proud of that to showcase our brand of baseball on a national scale.”

Mize brings a 9-3 record with a 3.15 ERA to the All-Star Game. In 16 starts this season, he has struck out 77 and yielded 86 hits and 22 walks in 88.2 innings. Mize’s stats were better before Saturday, when the Seattle Mariners scored six runs off him in three innings.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he knew the All-Star Game announcement had “disrupted” Mize’s preparation for Saturday’s contest.

“It’s awesome,” Hinch said of Mize earning his first trip to the MLB All-Star Game. “His reaction was fun to be a part of. The pride that I know he has, not only with what he’s done, but the journey to get here, and then being rewarded with a trip to Atlanta with his best friend Tarik Skubal, his teammates that have watched him have an incredible season thus far. It’s hard in this sport sometime to get those moments and get that type of recognition.”

The MLB All-Star Game is set for 7 p.m. CDT Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. FOX will televise the contest.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

To put it in college football terms, it just meant more to Jason Aldean.

The country music singer revealed his favorite venue to perform is none other than Sanford Stadium, home of his Georgia Bulldogs.

“My favorite show I ever played,” Aldean revealed in a “Marty & McGee” tease of their CMA Fest Special. “There’s just nothing like it, man. As a Georgia fan, a kid that grew up there, and that was the only concert ever to be held in Sanford Stadium to this day.”

Aldean and Luke Bryan headlined a 2013 concert in the SEC venue to the tune of 66,000 fans.

“They had told everybody else no,” Aldean said. “(Bruce) Springsteen, REM, you name it. They’re (like), ‘No, not you guys, but you guys can come.’ I was, ‘Like, really? Alright.’”

Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks told Online Athens his athletic department is aiming to bring its next concert there in the spring of 2026.

According to the report, the concert would be held between Georgia’s spring game in April and the university’s commencement in May.

There has been a long-standing feeling that R.E.M. has always been the obvious choice to perform in the stadium. The iconic group got it’s start in Athens, but the group retired years ago.

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.

President Donald Trump is having a tough time convincing Democrats he’s handling his job well, according to a new poll that shows almost everyone on the other side of the aisle disapproves of his performance.

Trump has the support of just 3% of Democrats, according to the latest Economist/YouGov Poll released Tuesday.

Another 95% of Democrats told the survey they disapprove of Trump’s job performance.

The percentage of Republicans who disapprove of Trump’s performance is higher than Democrats who approve.

While Trump has a 92% approval rating among Republicans, 6% of GOP respondents said they disapprove of the president’s job performance.

Overall, Trump’s approval rating is underwater by 14 percentage points, the poll found.

His approval rating slid 1 percentage point to 41% from last week while his disapproval rating ticked 2 percentage points lower to 55%.

Trump started his second term with a +6 net approval rating; 49% approved of his performance then while 43% disapproved.

Trump’s presidency is in a precarious position with a large section of his base revolting over how the Jeffrey Epstein case is being handled.

During the 2024 election, Trump promised to release the so-called Epstein files.

On July 6, the Department of Justice and the FBI issued a joint memo saying there was “no incriminating ‘client list’” and “no credible evidence” that Epstein blackmailed co-conspirators who sexually abused underaged girls provided by him, Axios first reported.

MAGA was not buying the explanation after Bondi told Fox News in February that the list was on her desk.