Alabama News

By Rich Tenorio | Edited by Patricia Guadalupe

From growing up in Colombia to writing for CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in New York City, Felipe Torres Medina’s trajectory has been full of twists and turns. So it makes perfect sense that he views his journey to the US – and those of countless fellow immigrants – as akin to a “Choose Your Own Adventure” story. Now he’s written a book about the innumerable variables and outcomes of such journeys – “America, Let Me In: A Choose Your Immigration Story,” which is published by Abrams Image.

“I wanted to write a humor book first,” Torres Medina tells palabra. “A humor book that happens to be about immigration, not an immigration book that happens to be funny. That was my goal.”

In writing the book, he says, “I thought about being able to tell more than one story – not only in my immigrant journey, but considering different kinds of visas, different ways to remain in the U.S.”

Humor sparkles throughout the pages. The author pokes fun at wealthy (and fictional) French men and women who have a relatively easy path to entering the U.S., thanks to wealth, entrepreneurship, or some combination of both. At an April 10 book talk in suburban Boston, Torres Medina left the attendees laughing – and thinking more about the immigrant experience at a time when it’s on many people’s minds.

The book was released amid increased challenges for immigrants from the Trump administration, such as stepped-up Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on undocumented migrants, with Boston among the cities targeted.

Torres Medina told the gathering at the book signing that humor is “the only way we sometimes deal with the horror.” And, he added, “you just have to keep living your life. Latino communities, Latino people, have to stay alive to fight … Jokes help us stay alive.”

With cameos from Babar the Elephant and a centaur queen, plus digs at Boston, the humor of the book is blended with compassion for the real-life individuals and families who must navigate the U.S. immigration system. Early on, the reader finds four options for immigrating to the United States: easy, medium, hard, and very hard. Those who pick “easy” will be disappointed.

Torres Medina read aloud what readers would see if they chose this option: “Incorrect! There is no easy way to move to America. Your journey has ended before it began!”

“That’s a ‘funny-because-it’s-true’ kind of joke,” he reflects to palabra. “There’s no easy way to move to the U.S. I wanted to make that very clear.”

Torres Medina knows this from experience. Much of the book details his own immigrant journey, which familiarized him with the mind-boggling array of ways to enter the country and their respective requirements. He first came as a student at Boston University, but when his graduate program ended, so did his F-1 student visa. He scrambled to find a way to stay, and in the process learned about options for creative types such as himself, including the O-1B visa that admitted Torres Medina as an “Alien of Extraordinary Ability in the Arts.” As the book details, this did not happen without some initial pitfalls.

Throughout the pages, he shows empathy for fellow Latino immigrants. As he notes, they often face additional challenges from American officials who do not understand certain cultural norms. One such norm is the practice of parents giving a child four names: first, middle, father’s last name and mother’s last name. This has led to the author being mistaken for similarly named individuals, some with criminal backgrounds, while attempting to enter the U.S.

“For a person who writes comedy, the only way to deal with this is to write comedy about it,” he tells palabra. “It’s the only way to deal with things you have absolutely no control over, that you cannot change.”

There were some aspects of the immigrant journey that the author couldn’t joke about. Remember the section where readers could choose the level of difficulty for their immigration journey? Well, for anyone who chooses “very hard,” their path will end as abruptly as the “easy” one. Why? Because Torres Medina does not want to be seen as making light of the arduous journey of impoverished migrants risking their lives.

“A lot of people come here the very, very hard way,” he says, including “thousands and thousands of migrants” from Colombia or Venezuela. Unlike his own journey by plane, these migrants make an arduous overland trek through the Darién Gap, a 60-mile stretch of roadless, dense jungle rainforest and mountains located on the border between Panama and Colombia, the only land bridge between North and South America.

“The most treacherous path of land in their path to the U.S. from South America is in Colombia,” Torres Medina says. “It’s an issue I know a lot about. I want to treat it with respect.”

Ultimately, things worked out well for Torres Medina. Not only did he get to stay in the United States, he wound up falling in love with his future wife, Taylor, a fellow comedy writer who is with HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.”

“I think it was nice to be able to look at it from the rearview mirror,” Torres Medina says of his immigrant journey. “At the same time, any immigrant will tell you the journey never feels quite over.”

An all new season of the hit crime series Homicide Squad New Orleans premieres on A&E Thursday, July 17 at 9/8c.

Those hoping to learn more about this season’s chilling homicide cases can stream the upcoming premiere through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What is Homicide Squad New Orleans about?

The hit A&E series chronicles the harrowing work of a committed group of men and women united against the odds to protect their city and home.

During each episode, the team is tasked with putting together the evidence to catch the perpetrator, find answers for the victims loved ones, and keep their community safe.

The season two premiere episode follows the aftermath of an online dispute that quickly turns into a physical fight that ends with a mother losing her life. As Detective Fyfe unravels names of possible suspects, he zeroes in on a gang that has been terrorizing the city.

How to watch Homicide Squad New Orleans season 2

Cord cutters interested in catching the brand new season of Homicide Squad New Orleans 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 ditch the hassle of traditional cable. 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).

Sam Pittman isn’t wild about college football having multiple transfer portal windows.

The Arkansas football coach made his annual appearance at SEC Media Days on Thursday, and was asked about the recent trend of college assistant coaches leaving for the NFL. He pointed to the nature of roster management in college football as perhaps one big reason why.

There has been talk of moving to a single transfer portal window, rather than one in December/January and one in April/May as it is now. Pittman said he would prefer one right after the end of the season, rather than after spring practice.

“I do think we can make changes in what we’re doing right now and keep them in college football,” Pittman said. “… I think if we cut down the portal, and made it to one (window), I think that would keep a lot of guys interested and then you have assistants going to the NFL and all that too. I think that would keep them more into college ball.

“But to me, opening a portal after you have spring ball is the craziest thing in the world.

14:58Why would you have spring ball, know your team, and then five or six (players) leave after spring ball? That makes no sense to me whatsoever. … It’s got to be somewhere, in my opinion, in early January or it shouldn’t happen at all.”

Arkansas lost a number of key players to the portal, either in January or April, including tight end Luke Hasz (Ole Miss), wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (Oklahoma) and linebacker Brad Spence (Texas). Freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava was also with the team in the spring before following brother Nico (last year’s starting QB at Tennessee) to UCLA.

Arkansas went 7-6 and won the Liberty Bowl last season, but Pittman enters the 2025 season firmly on the hot seat. He said there’s one simple way to improve his job security.

“The only ramifications of someone constantly having you on this list or this list or whatever other list is recruiting,” Pittman said. “That’s the only thing. And it seems to affect us a little bit more in the state of Arkansas, because you know they’re up on the Razorbacks.

“Now how can we stop that? We win more games, that’s what we can do. Most things a guy brings on, he brings on himself. Most things that come at you, you earn it. Now you may disagree with some of it and all that, but I’ve earned that. To get off of that, we’ve got to win more games.”

Instead of buying each other gifts for birthdays and Christmas, Elianna Stanners and her dad Russell Stanners often give each other concert tickets.

Elianna and Russell, who both reside in the Huntsville area, go to a ton of shows together, seeing artists like Slash, Old Crow Medicine Show and Drive-By Truckers. They love sharing the electric experience only great live music can give you.

“It’s good to listen to a recording,” Elianna, a college student in her early 20s, says. “But you can really feel more of the emotion and the story that artist is trying to tell when you see it live.” Her favorite artists include Jason Isbell. “He’s got a lot of great songs,” she says.

Russell has made it his passion and priority to give Elianna, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair, the best possible concert experiences. He’s also not shy about letting venues know what they could do better.

In the last five years, the addition of Orion Amphitheater and Von Braun Center’s Mars Music Hall have vastly increased the number of concerts and desirable tours that come to Huntsville. That includes many artists that, in the past, fans would have traveled to Birmingham, Nashville or Atlanta for. The likes of Neil Young, Lana Del Rey, Gary Clark Jr., Phish, Master P, Lainey Wilson and Lindsey Buckingham.

Music, especially live music, is celebrated for bringing together people of different races, religions, economics and politics. But concerts, in Huntsville and beyond, also bring together people of different levels of ability and disability. This deserves more awareness.

GETTING ACCESSIBILITY RIGHT

Local musician Taylor Burton, who uses a wheelchair, says, “Dignity is the word I always come back to, with everything that any disabled person has ever fought for.” Making concerts accessible, Burton says comes down to, “the fact that we’re all human beings. We’re all trying to get through this thing we call life, to paraphrase Prince,” referencing the spoken intro to Prince’s classic hit “Let’s Go Crazy.”

Besides doing right, there’s a financial incentive for concerts to be accessible. Stanners says: “You get more in the way of sales because more people would be willing to go because they could. Wheelchair users, other people who have needs like that, tend to not go because they already assume it’s not going to work for them.”

Sightlines are a critical issue for fans who use wheelchairs. Especially for general admission, standing room only shows. Taylor says, “You’re paying money to be a spectator and you’re at ass level.” Taylor credits Mars Music Hall, which opened in 2020, for adding a platform on the floor during standing room only shows. It’s intended for fans with disabilities.

Orion designed its ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act, seats to have a gap between them and the row below them.

Ryan Murphy was Orion’s original general manager and is now a partner with the company that owns and operates the amphitheater, tvg hospitality. “The way these [ADA] seats are designed,” Murphy says, “if that person in the seat in front of you stands up and their hands are in the air, you still have a perfect sight line.”

Accessibility was baked into Orion, which opened spring 2021. The tvg leadership sought input from the local disabled community during the design and building process.

For example, Stanners offered insights and photos from his and Eliana’s experiences at concerts. Murphy’s own son has mobility issues, so “accessibility is a thing that’s on the forefront for me,” says Murphy, whose family still resides in Huntsville.

Fans with ADA tickets to Orion concerts can contact Orion’s box office in advance of the show to request pickup via golf cart to take them from parking to the venue entrance.

At Von Braun Center, which opened 50 years ago, ADA seating includes 84 spots for concerts at their Propst Arena. That’s double what’s required, according to VBC director of marketing Samantha Nielsen. In the VBC’s Mark C. Smith Concert Hall there are 32 ADA seats. And in the Mars Music Hall there are 12 seats in the balcony section, in addition to the floor-level platform for standing room only shows there.

The American with Disabilities Act requires venues to allow fans in ADA seats to have up to three non-ADA ticketholders seated next to them. “That goes back to dignity too,” Burton says. “Because I’m a human being that has friends in the social life and I would like to go and experience a concert with those people.”

Before that requirement was added to the law, Burton spent many concerts a few rows back from the rest of his family or friends. “They would take turns ‘hanging out with Taylor,’” he says, “and it sucked.”

‘THAT’S WHY WE DO OUR JOBS’

Accessibility begins at the ticket buying stage, says VBC box office manager Jessica Jackson. “If somebody has an app on their phone and they’re vision impaired, it’ll read to them what’s on the page. I think that’s pretty standard nowadays.”

At concerts, the VBC offers amplified hearing aid devices and signing for hard of hearing concert goers. Nielsen has a fond memory of a visually impaired fan at a Reba McIntire show at Propst Arena rejoicing in the moment with the help of an interpreter from the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.

“She [the fan] was able to come enjoy the show,” Nielsen says, “and have the same experience that anybody else would.”

Both the VBC and Orion partner with KultureCity, a nonprofit that works with venues to provide resources and train staff to assist concertgoers with sensory processing disorders, including autism. KultureCity sensory bags at venues include noise-reducing headphones, room darkening glasses, non-verbal cue cards, fidget toys and weighted lap pads, to give those with sensory processing disorders the best possible concert experience.

Kamerra Liles, Orion’s assistant general manager, recalls a concert where a young guest with sensory issues was struggling in a corner and covering his ears. One of Orion’s guest service assistants, or GSAs, brought a KultureCity bag to the guest.

“She put the headphones on him,” Liles says, “And then he immediately started dancing. The GSA, the guest services assistant, she started dancing with him, and his face started to light up even more, and they danced the whole rest of the show.”

After the concert, that GSA went to Liles and said, “I hope it was OK that I wasn’t really doing my job, watching my section anymore. I was dancing with the kid.” Liles replied, “That was doing your job. You were serving the guests.”

Liles tells me, “We want people to come and light up for just those little bits of hours. And it doesn’t matter what’s going on in the world or what’s going on in our lives at that time or what our ability might be. For one moment we’re enjoying that artist at the Orion. And that’s why we do our jobs.”

Liles’ son, who’s a wheelchair user, is also part of Orion’s staff, working in the box office. “There’s not a lot of open doors, I think, that people give people with disabilities,” Liles says. “And the Orion has been that open door for him.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTONOMY

Details are crucial for accessibility at concert venues. For example, getting curb cuts — the small ramps built into sidewalk edges to smooth transition from street to sidewalk — right. Not making parking harder than it should be. Ramps outside and within the venue that aren’t too steep. Bathroom doors that aren’t too heavy and bathroom stalls that aren’t too narrow. Putting elevators in logical places.

At concessions stands, if point of sale screens are in fixed positions, people who use wheelchairs often can’t view and access the screens. Then a concessions employee must complete the transaction — swipe the debit card, approve the purchase amount, enter a tip — for them.

Elianna Stanners’ dad Russell Stanners says, “People are nice. They assist. But that’s part of the problem in that you’re not giving a person full autonomy.”

Russell, who works as a multimedia specialist for a defense contractor, and Elianna often travel to Nashville and Birmingham for shows. They say Huntsville’s Orion is hands down the best venue for accessibility they’ve ever been to.

Russell points to a packed 2024 performance by jam-band stars Phish as an example: “Mobs and mobs and mobs of people. She got around everything and did everything, no problem. Orion is just so special in the fact that they were deliberate,” about prioritizing accessibility during design and construction of the venue.

‘YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW’

Other concert fans can also impact the experience for fans in wheelchairs. Most people wouldn’t intentionally block someone’s view or passage at a show, but it still happens frequently.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” Elianna Stanners says. ”It’s hard to think about stuff you’ve never had to really experience or deal with. So, it’s not on purpose, but at the same time it gets frustrating.” She hastens to add that when she asks others at concerts to move a little so she can get by or see, “most of the people are actually very, very sweet and very good about it.”

Then there are issues related to intoxicated fans. “I’ve had some keep hugging me or pat my head,” Elianna says. “I’m a tactile person, but sometimes even I’m like please stop.”

After a concert by a country music legend in Huntsville, Taylor Burton was on his way back to his car when a drunken fan jumped on the back of Burton’s wheelchair and acted a fool. “It was awful,” Burton says. “And it made me feel like a punchline. I think some of those people live under rocks and are still not used to seeing people out in public that get around differently than they do.”

Burton has also had great experiences at concerts related to accessibility. “There are times,” he says, “when tall people who are in front of me notice that I’m behind them, and it’ll be like a general admission situation, and they push me up to the front against the barricade so that I could see. And that’s a cool thing.”

‘IT’S A RIGHT OR WRONG THING’

At the first year of Shoals Fest in Florence, Alabama, the ADA platform was set up perfectly, Burton recalls. “It was an amazing line of sight. I actually sat right next to Jason Isbell’s grandmother.”

People who love music the most often become musicians themselves. Elianna has sung with her college choir at Alabama A&M University. Burton, a graphic designer by trade, hosts a recurring open-mic at the venue Electric Belle with backing from top Huntsville musicians. And this fall, his alt-country band the Silver Silos will release their debut album.

Burton notes that some notable musicians, including alt-rock band “Portugal. The Man” guitarist Eric Howk, use wheelchairs. So it’s important venues are accessible for performers and fans alike. Things like having ramps to get on and off the stage, so a musician doesn’t have to leave their chair and, as Burton puts it, “booty scoot up the stairs to get onstage.” Ramps also must be gradual enough that people who use wheelchairs don’t need someone else to push them up.

Of notable Huntsville venues he’s performed at, Burton lauds the 8,000 capacity Orion Amphitheater and tiny venues St. Stephens Music Hall and Tangled String Studios for making sure their stages are accessible.

“Venue owners should put themselves in the shoes of disabled people,” Burton says. “I think some of them are definitely not doing it. And I think that they’re assuming that we’re not out there and that we’re too small of a market share to be worth the expense. But after a while it’s a right or wrong thing.”

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to grab the super-popular Bissell Little Green Portable Cleaner, now is the time.

Walmart has the Little Green Cleaner for $88, a savings of $35 off the regular price of $123. It’s one of many deals currently available on Walmart.com.

The Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is designed for multi-purpose cleaning on carpets, upholstery, and car interiors. It uses a liquid cleanser and includes a limited 1-year warranty.

What makes the Little Green cleaner so popular?

The standout feature of the Bissell Little Green cleaner is its portability combined with strong suction and spray. This allows users to effectively target and remove stains and messes on various surfaces, including car interiors, upholstery, and carpets, without needing a bulky, full-sized machine.

A great selling point

A unique aspect of this product is its association with the Bissell Pet Foundation. Each purchase supports the foundation’s mission, aligning the cleaning task with a charitable cause that benefits pets in need.

Generative AI was used to create a product description for this story, based on data provided by Walmart.com. It was reviewed and edited by AL.com.

The suspect in an Alabama Amber Alert has been formally charged in last week’s murder of an Auburn woman and her teen daughter, and the kidnapping of his own son.

Aaron Dontay Williams, 41, is charged with first-degree kidnapping in the July 10 abduction of his 3-year-old son, and with four counts of capital murder in the slayings of Tyeisha Williams, 34, and Zynniya Wright, 13.

On the capital cases, he is charged with capital murder during a kidnapping, capital murder of two or more people, capital murder of a child under the age of 14.

Williams, captured last week in Tennessee, waived extradition and was returned to Alabama on Wednesday, police officials announced Thursday. He is being held without bond.

An Amber Alert was issued Thursday for the 3-year-old boy reported missing after his mother and sister were found slain inside their Auburn home.

Auburn police responded at 2:30 p.m. to the family’s home in the 1200 block of Samantha Court on a welfare check.

When they arrived, they entered the home and found the two victims.

Williams, the husband of the slain woman and father of the young boy, was not at the residence when officers arrived. Williams was not Zynniya’s father.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Friday morning canceled the Amber Alert after Williams was taken into custody that morning by U.S. Marshals, the FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The child was found unharmed.

Three Madison teenagers are facing burglary and theft charges in connection with a school break-in.

Madison City schools staff discovered that thousands of dollars of equipment had been stolen from Bob Jones High School. They believe the break-in occurred between June 25th and 28th. It was reported to police on July 2.

Computer equipment, digital camera equipment, musical instruments, furniture and tools were stolen, officials said.

Madison police investigators identified one 19-year-old former student and two 16-year-old current students as the suspects.

The former student was charged with two felony counts of burglary in the 3rd degree and a felony theft of property count in the 1st degree.

The first 16-year-old was charged with four felony counts of burglary in the third degree and one felony count of theft of property in the 1st degree. The other current student was charged with a misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property in the 4th degree.

The names of the suspects are being withheld because of their ages.

Most of the stolen items have been recovered.

Former Alabama standout Grant Nelson showed up at the NBA 2K26 Summer League sporting a shiner.

Nelson said he got the black left eye during preparations for the 11-day event in Las Vegas with his new team, the Brooklyn Nets.

“At our minicamp, I was cutting, and someone’s elbow just came, clocked me on a cut,” Nelson said. “I didn’t really see much after that.”

In two seasons at Alabama, Nelson averaged 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 blocked shots in 74 games.

Nelson signed with Brooklyn after going unselected in the NBA Draft on June 25-26.

“From the beginning, they had interest,” Nelson said. “I figured out I would go undrafted, and then I just saw that this would be the best opportunity. They believe in me. They believe in my development, so I felt like it was a good step for me to come here and learn a lot. And I feel like it’s been going pretty good so far.”

Nelson joined the Nets even though they already had five rookies added during the 2025 NBA Draft – BYU guard Egor Demin at No. 8, French guard Nolan Traore at No. 19, Israeli guard Ben Saraf at No. 26, Michigan forward Danny Wolf at No. 27 and Arkansas forward Adou Thiero at No. 36.

The 6-foot-11 Nelson said he’s hoping to land Brooklyn’s remaining two-way contract for the 2025-26 season. A two-way contract allows the Nets to move a player between the NBA roster and their NBA Gatorade League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, without the need to expose him to waivers.

Brooklyn traded with the Denver Nuggets earlier this month and got a starting power forward in Michael Porter Jr. Former Alabama standout Noah Clowney is on that depth-chart line, too, along with Wolf.

RELATED: NOAH CLOWNEY PUTTING INJURY-FILLED NBA SEASON BEHIND HIM

At center, Nic Claxton is back for a fourth season in the spot for the Nets. Reserve Day’Ron Sharpe returns, with Wolf and former Gonzaga star Drew Timme in the reserve mix, too.

“I try not to think too far ahead,” Nelson said. “For right now, I’m really trying to lock in on the roles I’m told to do. Like I said, rebounding the ball, guarding one through five. …

“But I mean, it’s impossible not to think of what I can become and what I’m trying to be as a player. But I’m really just looking to get on the court right now and do things to get that two-way. I think it’s me focusing on right now what I can do to help this team win.”

Brooklyn’s summer-league team will complete its schedule against the Philadelphia 76ers at 5 p.m. CDT Friday at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

In the Nets’ first four games in Las Vegas, Nelson has averaged 4.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 17.9 minutes per game.

“They said my role going into the game was have my motor that I’ve played with my whole life,” Nelson said after his first summer-league appearance last week, “and then just do things to help the team win, whether it’s crashing the glass or getting stops defensively. I think really just stepping into that, doing what the coaches ask of me and then just going out there trying to do whatever I can to help the team win. I think that’s what’s going to be the best for not only this team, but for myself.”

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

We’re now more than halfway through the month of July and many people are looking to escape the summer heat by staying indoors. This has led to a surge in people playing at various online sweepstakes casinos, almost all of which offer a huge variety of fun games and generous bonuses.

Here, I highlight five of the top sweepstakes casino bonuses for this weekend. These unique welcome offers are provided by world-class gaming platforms and can be claimed in only a few minutes.

Highlighting the best sweepstakes casino bonuses for this weekend

2025 has been a massive year for the online sweepstakes casino industry. A large number of sweeps casinos have gone live. With online real money casinos legal in only a small number of states, these platforms are exploding in popularity.

Every online sweeps casino provides its players with a variety of bonuses. Some provide players with better perks than others. Learn about five of the best welcome bonuses available to claim this weekend:

Crown Coins: 200% first-purchase bonus + spin to win up to 2M Crown Coins, 100 free Sweeps Coins

Crown Coins launched in mid-2024 and has grown into what many consider to be one of the best sweepstakes casinos in the country. It provides an impressive variety of slots and a large number of special bonuses for new and existing players.

There is no doubt that this sweeps casino is built for fans of slot games. It provides more than 220 slots from top developers such as Pragmatic Play and Ruby Play. For now, no other types of casino games are available.

The welcome offer at Crown Coins is fantastic, providing new players with a 200% bonus on their first purchase of Crown Coins (also referred to as Gold Coins). In addition, players will be given the opportunity to spin a mystery wheel that offers a variety of prizes, including a maximum of 2 million Crown Coins and 100 free Sweeps Coins.

Real Prize: Up to 625,000 Gold Coins + 125 free Sweeps Coins + 1,250 VIP points

One of the more established online sweeps casinos in the country is Real Prize. This platform went live in 2023 and now has a huge number of players from around the country.

It is currently offering its new players a great welcome bonus of 625,000 Gold Coins, 125 free Sweeps Coins and 1,250 VIP points for one purchase of $100.

Not everyone is looking to immediately spend $100 on Gold Coins. Fortunately for those with a smaller budget, Real Prize offers a large variety of purchase options for as low as $3.

Much of Real Prize’s success can be attributed to its great game selection. Players will find all types of casino games, including slots, video table games and live-dealer games. This site’s modern UX makes it easy to play all of these games using both a computer and a smartphone.

Spree: Up to 1.03 million Gold Coins + 32.5 free Sweeps Coins

There has been major hype around Spree since it launched in 2024. With a collection of more than 2,130 games, it’s one of the largest sweepstakes casinos in the country. It has also developed a great reputation for providing excellent bonuses.

Spree’s welcome offer is somewhat different from the others already described. New members are able to claim up to 1.03 million Gold Coins and 32.5 free Sweeps Coins in a combination of the free signup offer and one quick purchase.

All new players will receive 1 million Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweeps Coins as a no-purchase signup offer. With one additional purchase of $9.99, new players will earn an additional 30,000 Gold Coins and 30 free Sweeps Coins.

There are very few aspects of Spree that could warrant criticism. It provides a great design and a massive selection of games, such as many high RTP slots and live-dealer tables.

McLuck: Up to 57,500 Gold Coins and 27.5 free Sweeps Coins

Of all of the sweeps casinos listed here, perhaps none has gained the name recognition of McLuck. This gaming platform has a massive number of players around the country and continues to bring in more each month.

The welcome offer may certainly play a factor in that popularity. McLuck’s welcome bonus offers players up to 57,500 Gold Coins and 27.5 free Sweeps Coins. Like the bonus offered by Spree, this can be described as a two-part bonus.

Upon signing up, new players will receive 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweeps Coins with no purchase required. With one quick purchase of $9.99 at the McLuck coin store, players will receive an additional 50,000 Gold Coins and 25 free Sweeps Coins to play with.

The vast majority of McLuck reviews are fantastic. Most members praise its modern UX and large selection of bonuses. The game variety is impressive, too, with more than 1,000 titles, many of which are also provided as real money slots by multiple online casino sites.

Mega Bonanza: 150% first-purchase bonus up to 600,000 Gold Coins + 303 free Sweeps Coins

The final addition to this list of the best sweepstakes casino bonuses for this weekend is Mega Bonanza. This is certainly a good one, providing players with a 150% first purchase bonus of up to 600,000 Gold Coins and 303 free Sweeps Coins.

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Some may notice the similarity in designs between Mega Bonanza and McLuck. Both sweepstakes casinos are owned by the same parent company and have similar layouts. The games slightly differ, however, making it worthwhile to take a close look at what both platforms have to offer.

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An updated report was issued from the National Weather Service on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 2:15 p.m. for Geneva and Houston counties.

Residents can look for wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 1:09 p.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 14 miles north of Panama City Beach to 10 miles west of Wewahitchka to 6 miles northwest of Apalachicola. Movement was north at 35 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Panama City, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Cottonwood, Vernon, Bonifay, Geneva, Marianna, Apalachicola, De Funiak Springs, Blountstown, Chipley, Graceville, Springfield, Hartford, Slocomb, Samson, Hiland Park, Stonemill Creek and Chattahoochee.

The weather service adds, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations

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 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 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, 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 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. 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, 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.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures 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 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.

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 to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

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:

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.