A month after he claimed President Donald Trump is in the so-called Epstein files, Elon Musk alleged on Tuesday that a key architect of the MAGA movement is also in the files.
Musk leveled the allegation while responding to Trump ally Roger Stone’s strongly implying that Steve Bannon, who was White House chief strategist at the start of Trump’s first term, was in the files.
“Bannon is in the Epstein files,” Musk tweeted Tuesday afternoon.
Musk, the world’s richest man and the largest donor to Trump’s 2024 election effort, did not offer any evidence linking Bannon to the files.
Musk was responding to a series of Stone’s tweets that included a Business Insider story alleging Bannon, a friend of Epstein, filmed the financier for 15 hours — supposedly for a documentary — but the film was never released.
“Why would Bannon meet with Jeffrey Epstein both at his New York home and in Paris after Epstein was convicted on sex crimes in Florida?” Stone tweeted. “Why would he coach Epstein for his 60 minutes appearance?”
Musk formed a third party over the weekend after falling out with Trump, ostensibly over the “Big Beautiful Bill” that passed Congress last week.
During their feud, Musk claimed the Epstein files have not been released because the president is in them.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Commercial space launches hit an all-time high last year, with one blasting off every two to three days.
And that pace is ramping up fasts as U.S. regulators predict the country could see more-than-daily launches by 2034.
A new report by the Federal Aviation Administration – which licenses U.S.-based commercial space launches and re-entries, counted 142 operations in 2024 by seven companies. SpaceX accounted for 83% of the total, or 118 launches.
The remaining 17% were conducted by:
Rocket Lab (12 launches)
Virgin Galactic (four launches)
Blue Origin (three launches)
United Launch Alliance (two launches)
Firefly Aerospace (two launches)
Stratolaunch (one launch)
The report did not include six National Security Space Launches conducted by the Defense Department last year.
Why does all of this matter to Alabama?
North Alabama – where United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin have significant manufacturing and integration operations – stands to gain with a rise in both commercial and national security launches.
Besides being an annual record, the 142 licensed commercial launches of 2024 account for 17% of all 824 commercial launches and re-entries conducted by U.S. companies since 1989.
And the pace is increasing. In June, there were 21 licensed launches, which broke the previous monthly record of 20 set in November. Four operators — Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance — send up payloads last month.
The commercial launch landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, according to the report, with two operators – ABL Space Systems and Virgin Orbit — withdrawing from the sector since 2023.
“The list of firms intending to launch is dynamic, with smaller launch providers struggling in an increasingly competitive market,” the report stated. “New arrivals to the industry face steep barriers to entry, including high development costs and intense competition from their established counterparts.”
Despite that, the advent of larger launch vehicles like Blue Origin’s New Glenn, ULA’s Vulcan, SpaceX’s Starship and Relativity Space’s Terran R – most of which are at least partly reusable – is driving down launch costs. That in turn is leading to more frequent launches.
The FAA report predicts authorized space operations could range from 2,067 to 4,010 over the next 10 years. The high range of the forecast would mean up to 566 launch operations in 2034 – well over one per day.
Satellite deployments, including SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper constellations, account for the majority of missions in the FAA forecast.
One of the ULA launches in June lifted the second batch of Kuiper high-speed broadband satellites. The company expects full deployment of 3,232 satellites by 2031.
Starlink, meanwhile, already consists of over 7,000 satellites in orbit.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The unofficial start to the 2025 season is next week’s SEC Media Days, and Auburn football has its list of attendees set.
In addition to coach Hugh Freeze, the Tigers will bring quarterback Jackson Arnold, defensive lineman Keldric Faulk and offensive lineman Connor Lew to Atlanta, the SEC announced.
SEC Media Days will take place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta this season for the first time since 2022. It starts Monday, July 14 and runs through Thursday, July 17. Auburn is set to take part on the second day, as will Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.
Faulk is making his second straight trip to SEC Media Days. He was joined last year by quarterback Payton Thorne and linebacker Eugene Asante at the event in Dallas.
Auburn’s season is set to start at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 29, against Baylor at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. Freeze is entering his third season leading the Tigers.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
During Target Circle Week, members can grab the best-selling Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones for the lowest price we’ve ever seen.
While normally $200, those who sign in to the Target Circle rewards account can snag a pair of Beats Solo 4 headphones for only $97. Thankfully, anyone with an email and phone number can sign up for the loyalty program and take advantage of this limited time tech deal.
Beats Solo 4 Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones
$199.99 $97.99
The Beats Solo 4 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones are on sale during Target Circle Week.
The Beats brand claims that the Beats Solo 4 bluetooth headphones come with upgraded drivers, rebalanced acoustics, improved frequency response, custom-built 40 mm transducers to minimize electronic artifacts and latency and distortion for extraordinary clarity and range. Not to mention it comes with a whopping 50 hours of battery life.
“The original go-to headphones for active music lovers are back and better than ever,” the Beats Solo 4 product description states. “The ergonomic design was developed with comfort in mind, starting with how light they are — at just 217 grams, you can almost forget you’re wearing them.”
Beats also states that wearing these headphones feels like “being surrounded by 64 speakers at once.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a retired deputy for the possession and dissemination of child pornography.
In May 2025, MCSO’s ICAC Unit began investigating former deputy David Frederickson, according to a recent release.
ICAC is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing over 5,400 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
According to the release, ICAC is “dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.”
Through the course of ICAC’s investigation, officials said they were able to obtain enough evidence to arrest Frederickson on five counts of unlawful possession of child pornography and five counts of unlawful dissemination of child pornography.
MCSO’s Special Operations Unit on Monday took him into custody “without incident,” according to the release.
Frederickson was a deputy with MCSO from 1980 to 2003 before he retired.
“It is my duty to protect the citizens of Mobile County and especially our children,” Sheriff Paul Burch said in the release.
“I do not care who you are, if you are found guilty, then you will pay for your actions just like everyone else.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
In addition to coach Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide will bring Dontae Lawson, Tim Keenan, and Kadyn Proctor, the SEC announced.
SEC Media Days will take place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta this season for the first time since 2022. It starts Monday, July 14 and runs through Thursday, July 17. Alabama is set to take part on the third day, as will Florida, Mississippi State and Oklahoma.
A year ago, the Crimson Tide brought quarterback Jalen Milroe, offensive lineman Tyler Booker and safety Malachi Moore to the event in Dallas.
Alabama’s season is set to start at 2:30 p.m. CT on Aug. 30 at Doak Campbell Stadium against Florida State. DeBoer is entering his second season leading the Crimson Tide.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The National Weather Service issued a report at 1:02 p.m. on Tuesday for strong thunderstorms until 1:45 p.m. for Jackson County.
Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 30 mph.
“At 1:02 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 7 miles west of Stevenson, or 14 miles west of Bridgeport. This thunderstorm was nearly stationary,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”
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 crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:
Beware of swollen waterways:
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.
Reduce speed and drive cautiously:
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 to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Prioritize visibility
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The 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:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
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.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Walmart is offering a ton of deals on smart TVs and other entertainment items during the Walmart Deals sales event, but these markdowns won’t last long.
One notable TV deal worth mentioning includes a $231 discount on the VIZIO 50″ Class Quantum Pro 4K QLED Smart TV. This means you can score this TV for $398 instead of its original list price of $630. Free shipping and 30-day returns are also included.
VIZIO 50″ Class Quantum Pro 4K QLED Smart TV
$629 $398
The VIZIO 50″ Class Quantum Pro 4K QLED Smart TV is on sale for a limited time during the Walmart Deals annual sales event.
The VIZIO 50″ Class Quantum Pro stands out with its high refresh rate of 120Hz, making it ideal for gaming and fast-action content. Combined with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification, this TV provides a smooth, immersive gaming experience by minimizing input lag and reducing screen tearing. Gamers can enjoy playing in 4K at 120fps or 1080p at 240fps, leveraging the TV’s integrated gaming menu for quick access to gaming settings.
Smart TV Features: Unlock a world of entertainment with VIZIO Account, providing access to built-in apps, free channels, and app management.
Endless Entertainment: Enjoy instant access to top-tier streaming services and explore new apps with VIZIO Home and WatchFree+ app.
Automatic Updates: Supported VIZIO TVs can automatically update through WiFi with the latest apps, free channels, and new features.
Brilliant Visuals: Experience 4K QLED HDR picture quality with enhanced HDR Dolby Vision, stunning brightness, and full array local dimming.
Quantum Color: Over 1 billion colors bring a true-to-life picture enhanced with Quantum Color technology.
Immersive Gaming: Enjoy immersive gameplay with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, supporting up to 120fps in 4K or 240fps in 1080p.
Voice Control: Use the VIZIO Voice Remote and mobile app for easy browsing, searching, and content discovery with voice commands.
Smart Home Integration: Stream and control content from Apple or Android devices with Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and integration with smart home devices.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
With Auburn football hitting recruiting lows this offseason, adding to their recent top 10 finishes in recruiting may seem like a longshot.
Auburn athletics director John Cohen addressed the current state of the Tigers 2026 recruiting class during last week’s coaches’ caravan.
“We feel like Aug. 1 is a big day coming up. For those of you who aren’t aware, and I’m sure you are aware, Aug. 1 is the first date that a prospective student athlete can receive an offer on paper. That’s a big day,” Cohen said.
“We at Auburn are going to take that very seriously. But we’re still going to win recruiting battles. We’re going to do it the right way. I can’t speak for the rest of the recruiting world, but I can tell you this, Auburn is going to do it the right way.”
The Tigers recruiting ranking currently sits 89th nationally, according to 247Sports.
Auburn had four players decommit in the last month and has seven players currently committed.
Here’s a current list of the Tigers 2026 commits:
EDGE Hezekiah Harris, Jemison (Four-star)
IOL Parker Pritchett, Carver (Ga.) (Three-star)
S Wayne Henry, St. Frances Academy (Md.) (Three-star)
RB Eric Perry, DeSoto Central (Miss.) (Three-star)
OT Nikau Hepi, NFL Academy (London, EN) (three-star)
QB Peyton Falzone, Nazareth (PA), (Four-star)
WR Kentrell White, Midtown (Ga.). (Three-star)
With that Aug. 1. a few weeks away, Auburn could use several victories in the recruiting column.
Here’s a list of recruits Auburn should target:
Adam Balogoun-Ali, LB
A 6-foot-2 linebacker out of West Palm Beach, Florida. Balogoun-Ali is a four-star ranked as the No. 20 linebacker in the country and No. 46 player in Florida.
With his commitment scheduled for this week, many crystal balls predict the Tigers to land him over Missouri, Kentucky, Oklahoma and North Carolina.
Viliami Moala, DT
Despite not having Auburn or Alabama in his recruiting list. Moala moved from his home state of Oregon to play at Thompson high school for his senior season.
After his move to Alabama, Moala also reopened his recruitment following his de-commitment from Oregon. The 6-foot-2, 340-pounder ranks as the No. 3 prospect in Oregon and No. 58 DL in the 2026 cycle.
Jaquez Wilkes, DE
Wilkes is A 6-foot-4 edge out Wadley, Alabama with interest from Texas A&M. He finished with 104 total tackles with three going for loss last season.
He is set to make his final decision sometime in July with the Tigers being a strong favorite to land him over the Aggies.
Jase Mathews, WR
After losing commitments from three wide receivers, Auburn added Kentrel White to the 2026 recruiting haul over the weekend.
Mathews is a four star out of Leakesville, Mississippi with SEC interest from Ole Miss, LSU and Texas A&M. Last season he finished with 16 total touchdowns, and his decision day is set in August.
Wilson Zierer, OT
Zierer is ranked as a four-star and the No. 21 offensive tackle in the country, according to 247sports composite ranks.
He is the younger brother of former Auburn offensive tackle Killian Zierer.
Auburn is listed in Zierer’s final five schools with Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, and Wisconsin. His addition would boost the Tigers class on offense.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
President Donald Trump accused a reporter of being disrespectful for asking Attorney General Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein case “at a time like this.”
“Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years,” Trump told the reporter Tuesday afternoon.
The president said media attention should be focused on the Texas flooding deaths and the cabinet meeting Trump was holding Tuesday.
“We have Texas, we have this … and are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable,” Trump said.
“I mean, I can’t believe you’re asking a questions on Epstein at a time like this when we’re having some of the greatest success and also tragedy with what happened at Texas,” the president continued. “It just seems like a desecration.”
Bondi said she had no problem answering the reporters questions on whether Epstein worked for a U.S. or Israeli intelligence agency — Bondi said she would have to look into it — or why a minute was missing from the 11-hour jailhouse video released by authorities Monday.
The missing minute has fueled conspiracy theories that Epstein did not kill himself.
The attorney general said the minute gets erased every time the Federal Bureau of Prisons resets jail videos, so “every night should have the same minute missing.”
“So we’re looking for that video to release that as well to show that a minute is missing every night,” Bondi said. “And that’s it on Epstein.”
Bondi’s statements came a day after the Justice Department and the FBI said a list of Epstein’s clients does not exist despite Bondi confirming a client list during a Fox News interview in February.
Bondi claimed she misspoke during the interview and that she intended to say that files, not a a list of clients who received trafficked underage girls from Epstein, were on her desk.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.