Alabama News

A well-known, well-respected Birmingham jazz musician and teacher has been sentenced to prison for possessing child porn.

Ray Reach, now 76, was initially arrested in April 2018.

The year prior to his arrest, the keyboardist, vocalist and guitarist had been recognized by AL.com as one of 30 Alabamians who changed jazz history.

A Jefferson County jury in May deliberated for less than an hour before convicting Reach on the four felony charges of possessing child porn.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Stephen Wallace on Wednesday sentenced Reach 10 years split with two years to actually serve followed by three years of unsupervised probation.

The state asked that he be sentenced to 10 years to serve. The defense asked for probation.

Reach will be required to register as a sex offender

In the trial, prosecutors described in graphic detail the sex acts between children found on Reach’s laptop.

Deputy District Attorneys Tiffany Ould and Nick Taggart prosecuted the case. Reach was represented by attorney Herbie Brewer.

The case was investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation.

The probe began on March 11, 2014, when SBI received a tip from a technician at a local computer repair store that she had come across nude images of an underage boy on Reach’s laptop.

Investigators carried out a search warrant at Reach’s Birmingham home, seizing the laptop and other devices belonging to him

“Analysis of those devices uncovered a treasure trove of child pornography which had been carefully curated over at least a decade,” Ould said.

During the trial, the defense admitted that the images and videos in question did contain sexually explicit and graphic materials of children but claimed that the defendant did not know they were there.

The evidence, however, showed that Reach went through great efforts to disguise his collection.

He did so not only with password protected profiles, but also by hiding them in his computer under files that initially appear to be legitimate computer files.

Prosecutors said the efforts he went to showed it was in no way accidental nor done without defendant’s knowledge.

Reach took the stand in his defense, claiming that he had no knowledge that child pornography was across all of his devices.

After the earlier verdict, Reach was immediately taken into custody and booked into the Jefferson County Jail.

Ould said Reach spoke at the sentencing hearing and said he “remorseful for being associated with these heinous” images.

During his pre-sentencing investigation, she said, Reach focused much of his statement on regurgitating his resume and musical accomplishments, and most baffling, claiming he “would love to help younger student achieve musical success”.

“He emphasized that he has no touched anyone as if that was some sort of accomplishment,” Ould said. “The state noted that throughout the pendency of this case, the trial itself and after the trial, the defendant has cast blame on everyone but himself and has never taken responsibilities for his actions”

Ould said during sentencing, Reach “attempted to paint himself as a feeble old man with diabetes.”

Prosecutors argued that should not be a consideration.

“The state asked the court not to consider his age as it would be unfair to treat him differently than a younger defendant,” Ould said. “Also, based on the evidence presented at trial, Reach amassed thousands of images and video of child porn over a 10-year period while he was a senior citizen.”

“Raymond Reach is a pedophile who has an unnatural desire for children,” she said. “He is a danger to the community and should never be given access to children.”

“He is responsible for fueling the demand for these materials which included sado-masochistic torture and rape of children,” Ould said. “He is part of the problem, and he deserves to be punished as such.”

Reach is a Birmingham native and a staple in the jazz community.

According to his bio and social media, he is a former music instructor at Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

At the time of his arrest, he listed his occupation as director of student jazz programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

The warning was active for DeKalb County.

“The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, heavy rain is still possible with this thunderstorm,” states the National Weather Service.

Preparing for approaching lightning: Expert safety advice

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, consider the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• 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 a safe place to shelter, 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.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of swollen waterways:

Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

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, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

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

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:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly 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.

Officials are investigating the death of a north Alabama man as a homicide, according to the Marshall County Coroner’s Office.

Marshall County Coroner Cody Nugent released a statement on Facebook saying that Millard Jerry Anderson, 69, was found with a gunshot wound Tuesday morning in Albertville’s Asbury Community.

Nugent said the coroner’s office and the Marshall County Sheriff’s office are investigating the death as a homicide as part of their policy.

“The case is still under investigation and until the investigation is complete and as part of our policy it is being treated as a homicide, until deemed otherwise,” Nugent said.

“Investigators are working with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville on the investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”

Auburn fans looking to buy tickets for individual games in 2025 can start making plans for the upcoming season.

Auburn announced on Wednesday that single-game tickets are now on sale for the 2025 season, along with the prices for each game.

Three games (South Alabama, Georgia and Alabama) are already sold out, but fans can still buy tickets on the secondary market. For more info and to buy tickets, click here.

The official ticket prices for each game are listed below:

• Ball State: $30
• South Alabama: $35 (Sold Out)
• Georgia: $175 (Sold Out)
• Missouri: $65
• Kentucky: $60
• Mercer: $20
• Alabama: $205 (Sold Out)

SeatGeek Auburn’s official secondary market ticketing sponsor and tickets for the games against South Alabama, Georgia and Alabama, can be found here, via SeatGeek.

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

An updated weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 4:41 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 5:45 p.m. for Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb counties.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 4:40 p.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms near Guntersville, moving east at 20 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Albertville, Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Boaz, Guntersville, Arab, Rainsville, Crossville, Sylvania and Fyffe.

According to the weather service, “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. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice

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 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.
• 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 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 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, 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

When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:

Beware of rapid water flow:

Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

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 turning on your headlights. Watch out 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:

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.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

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.

Amazon just dropped a super rare deal on on the neon blue Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler during Prime Day, giving shoppers a chance to score this super-durable, summer-ready hard cooler at one of its lowest prices we’ve ever seen this cooler sold for.

While usually $275, Prime members can grab the Big Wave Blue Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler for just $206 this week, a 25% discount overall. Those who aren’t Prime members can still sign up for a 30-day free trial to access this limited-time deal.

RELATED: Prime Day includes insane deal on Key Lime Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler

Yeti’s Big Wave Blue Tundra 35 Cooler features a vibrant, deep blue hue that feels right at home on the water, making it an eye-catching and functional accessory for fishing trips, beach days and weekend getaways. The Tundra 35 itself is one of the most sought-after models in Yeti’s hard cooler lineup known for its size, toughness and long-lasting ice retention.

Yeti hard coolers have become a go-to summer essential thanks to their sleek design, rugged durability, and top-tier insulation. The Tundra 45, in particular, features PermaFrost insulation and a thick FatWall design that work together to keep ice frozen for longer, even in extreme heat. It’s a reliable pick for outdoor enthusiasts who want to keep their drinks and food cold without constantly refilling ice.

According to Amazon reviews, customers often praise the Tundra 35 cooler for its excellent ice retention, noting it keeps ice for several days even in hot conditions. The over design is often described as sturdy, durable and “built like a tank.” Many also appreciate the cooler’s size and portability, finding it suitable for day trips or weekend camping with a few people.

Those interested in this deal can check out the full listing on Amazon.

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to put up a gate blocking off a public street near Vulcan Park to prevent car wash traffic from backing up into a neighborhood.

The city will put up a locked gate, accessible only to emergency vehicles, blocking off the residential portion of 20th Avenue South.

A Tidal Wave Auto Spa is under construction on the property at the northeast corner of the intersection where Vulcan Park has its entrance at the corner of Valley Avenue and Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard, formerly 21st Street South.

It’s the location of a former McDonald’s and a convenience store. The McDonald’s was historically significant in the capture of Eric Robert Rudolph, who bombed the New Woman All Women Clinic in 1998. Witnesses at the McDonald’s saw Rudolph walk over Red Mountain and get in his truck and were able to follow him and get a tag number, as documented in Alabama Media Group’s new 8-part podcast, “American Schrapnel,” which will be released July 30.

After the demolition of the McDonald’s and the Vulcan Mini Mart, Vulcan Storage, LLC, sold the 1.1-acre property at 2001-2017 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd South this year for $2.1 million to TWAS Properties, LLC, operator of Tidal Wave Auto Spa.

Tidal Wave Auto Spa is an industry-leading conveyor car wash company founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, Georgia, that now has about 275 locations across 30 states.

It’s one of the top conveyor car washes in the country has been included in the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies several times since 2020.

A group of neighborhood residents opposed to the car wash have been urging the city to put up the gate.

John and Susan Barnacastle, who live in the neighborhood, said residents found out about the plan in September 2023, when it was presented at Redmont Nieghborhood Association meeting.

Residents voted against it. But Susan Barnacastle said the car wash representatives were undeterred and said they could proceed since a car wash was allowed under zoning regulations.

The city had passed a moratorium against new car washes, but a judge ruled that Tidal Wave had beaten the deadline when the moratorium began.

Alabama Media Group has reached out to Tidal Wave for comment but has not heard back.

In the meantime, construction continues, with cement trucks and dump trucks driving through 20th Avenue South, Mrs. Barnacastle said.

“They haven’t been good neighbors,” she said.

She said neighbors wonder how an already congested intersection at the border of Birmingham and Homewood will be able to handle additional traffic from an automated car wash.

“It’s a terrible corner,” Mrs. Barnacastle said. “There’s a wreck here once a week.”

At the neighborhood presentation, residents were told the car wash projected 300 cars coming through a day.

“It’s almost impossible taking a left turn into our neighborhood,” Mrs. Barnacastle said. “It’s hard to get in out and out. How are they going to keep traffic from backing up? It’s not a good fit for the spot.”

The proposed changes in the Southern Area Rezoning Plan for the City of Birmingham would have prevented a car wash in the area, Mrs. Barnacastle said. But there have been long delays in getting that approved.

In the end, a gate blocking off the residential street was the best solution residents could hope for.

“We couldn’t prevent the car wash,” Mrs. Barnacastle said. “It does shut down the street.”

She also thinks the car wash will regret its location for some of the same reasons the McDonald’s was an awkward fit. It’s just too hard getting in and out of that corner lot, she said.

“I don’t think people will use it,” Mrs. Barnacastle said. “It’s too difficult. This area is just not designed for commercial traffic.”

The brand new reality series Lie Detector: Truth or Deception premieres on A&E Thursday, July 10 at 9/8c.

Cord cutters interested in checking out the new series can stream the premiere through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What is Lie Detector: Truth or Deception about?

The latest true-crime based reality series examines individuals long suspected of serious crimes who voluntarily submit to taking a polygraph test hoping to clear their names in the eyes of their family and community.

Award-winning investigative journalist Tony Harris hosts the new series, and with his involvement, Harris brings critical context and analysis drawn from his background in criminal justice reporting, and the results of a professionally administered lie detector test by George Olivo, former FBI agent and veteran polygraph examiner.

How to watch Lie Detector: Truth or Deception

Those interested in streaming the live premiere of the new A&E series can find it available for viewing through Philo, DirecTV or 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 and one month free of AMC+.

Out of the three watch options 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 A&E. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month and one month free of AMC+.

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).

The online sweepstakes casino industry continues to grow at a rapid pace. A huge number of new sweeps casinos have launched this year, each of which provides some incredible bonuses for new players.

Here, I highlight several of the best new sweepstakes casino bonuses being offered right now. These bonuses are extremely generous and can be claimed in only a few minutes.

The 4 best new sweepstakes casino bonuses available this week

It’s been amazing to watch how quickly the online sweeps casino industry has expanded over the past few years. It shouldn’t come as a major surprise, however, as online real money casinos are legal in only seven states.

Sweeps casinos are able to operate throughout nearly the entire country. For most Americans, these platforms are the best legal option to play casino games online.

Learn about four of the best new sweepstakes casino bonuses available to claim this week below.:

Mega Frenzy: 100% purchase bonus offering 20,000 Gold Coins + 20 free Sweeps Coins

One of the newest online sweepstakes casino to launch in the country is Mega Frenzy. This new online gaming platform has quickly gained a huge player base thanks to its great selection of high RTP slots and unique bonus offers.

Through our Mega Frenzy promo code offer, all new players at Mega Frenzy are able to receive a 100% bonus on their first purchase of $9.99, which results in 20,000 Gold Coins and 20 free Sweeps Coins. This is a fantastic welcome bonus that helps players immediately boost their bankroll.

After signing up, players have access to more than 300 games, including a fun variety of slots and live-dealer tables. The entire platform runs extremely smoothly, with a design that helps even first-time players find exactly what they are looking for with ease.

Rolla: 1.5 million Gold Coins + 30 free Sweeps Coins on first purchase

Another sweepstakes casino to launch in mid-2025 is Rolla. Longtime sweeps casino players may immediately notice the similarity between this platform and WOW Vegas. Both sweeps casinos are owned by MW Services Limited and feature almost identical designs.

New sweeps casinos tend to offer fantastic welcome offers and Rolla is no different. New players are now able to receive a 200% bonus on their first purchase of $9.99 to receive 1.5 million Gold Coins and 30 free Sweeps Coins.

Rolla is catered primarily to slot fans. Members have access to more than 1,600 slots from the top developers in the industry, including Pragmatic Play, Habanero and 3 Oaks Gaming. There is a small variety of shooting games, too, adding a fun mix of options for players around the country.

SweepNext: 150% first purchase bonus

SweepNext went live in May. It has been making huge waves around the US in a very short amount of time, thanks in part to its modern design, fun games and unique bonus structure.

There is no doubt that SweepNext is offering one of the best new sweepstakes casino bonuses being offered right now. This is a 150% first purchase bonus offering 250,000 Gold Coins and 25 free Sweeps Coins for only $9.99. Several great bonuses are available for existing players to claim, as well.

Almost every type of casino fan will find something they enjoy at SweepNext. Players have access to hundreds of slots and a huge variety of live-dealer games. This platform is growing quickly and is already being discussed as one of the best sweepstakes casinos in the country.

LoneStar Casino: Up to 500,000 Gold Coins + 105 free Sweeps Coins + 1,000 VIP points

LoneStar Casino is one of the other online sweeps casinos that launched in the past few months. Unlike some of the other sweepstakes casinos operating today, this one focuses only on slot games.

The welcome bonus at LoneStar Casino providers players with the opportunity to earn up to 500,000 Gold Coins, 105 free Sweeps Coins and 1,000 VIP points for one purchase of $99.99. Players have access to a variety of purchase options, with the lowest Gold Coins package available for only $2.99.

All fans of slot games are sure to enjoy what LoneStar has to offer. The games here come from top developers such as Pragmatic Play and Kalamba Games, both of which are known for creating some of the best free and real money slots currently available to play.

Learn more about our gaming editorial staff.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.

Texas Roadhouse, a chain restaurant known for its steaks and rolls, has started construction on a new location on US-72 in Athens, according to city officials.

In April, the company unseated Olive Garden as the largest restaurant chain in the nation.

“We can’t wait for the mouthwatering steaks and freshly baked bread rolls to come to Athens!” reads a Facebook post on the city’s official page.

The city has not yet shared a projected opening date or construction timeline.

Texas Roadhouse’s sales in America increased 14.7% in 2024, to $5.5 billion, according to data from the Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report.

The chain also opened 26 new locations, bringing its current total to 664 restaurants nationwide.

While Olive Garden has more locations, with around 900 restaurants worldwide, Texas Roadhouse is making more money with fewer locations, The Daily Meal reports.