Alabama News

Huntsville’s congressman has been named to a commission charged with monitoring and reporting on the Chinese government.

House Speaker Mike Johnson appointed Rep. Dale Strong, a Republican who represents the 5th Congressional District, as a commissioner on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China last week.

Strong said the commission plays “a crucial role” in highlighting efforts by China to subvert U.S. interests.

“The Chinese Communist Party is relentless in its efforts to undermine America, not just through open confrontation but by exploiting our laws, infiltrating our institutions, and using covert tactics to weaken our economy and security from within,” Strong said in a news release.

Established by Congress in 2000, the commission monitors the rule of law in China and creates transparency and accountability reports on the actions of the Chinese government. The bipartisan group comprises nine Senators, nine members of the House of Representatives and five senior administration officials appointed by the president.

The commission submits an annual report to Congress and the White House that informs U.S. policy decisions on China. It holds formal hearings and roundtables with academics, government officials, business representatives, and other experts to gather information for the report.

The 2024 report included findings on China’s efforts to restrict online and in-person expression, suppress religious practices and falsely imprison dissidents.

Every game in the SEC matters, but, for Garrett Nussmeier, the Alabama game is one he has circled this upcoming season.

The game between his LSU Tigers and the Crimson Tide last year, he said, wasn’t too big for him, for starters, despite the 42-13 loss at the hands of Kalen DeBoer’s team.

“I spent a lot of time in Bryant-Denny as a kid, I had some memories there,” the LSU quarterback said of playing at Alabama in November. “I will say that I didn’t feel like the moment was too big. Being there was kind of like when we played at Florida, having those experiences in those place. I’ve trained on those fields. I’ve played on those fields. It wasn’t too big of a moment.”

Nussmeier’s dad, Doug Nussmeier, served as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Florida (2015-17), Michigan (2014) and Alabama (2012-13), so Garrett Nussmeier can relate to big-time venues as he experienced them as a kid.

“Very excited to get back there,” the quarterback said. “Have a lot of friends still in Tuscaloosa. Anytime we get to go back to a place we used to live, it’s pretty special.”

That’s not to say there wasn’t a learning curve the last time he played the Tide.

He threw for 239 yards and a touchdown but had two costly interceptions, including a Deontae Lawson pick at the goal line early in the third quarter. He finished with three turnovers.

“As far as X’s and O’s, there are some learning experiences from that game being young and making some mistakes,” he said. “Also, doing some things pretty well and learning from those.”

Doug Nussmeier, meanwhile, guided AJ McCarron to a then-school-best 30 passing touchdowns, including four in Alabama’s victory over Notre Dame in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

With the 2025 WNBA All-Star game taking place this Saturday, teams are looking to make a strong final push before the midway point of the season. A huge matchup to watch will be between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night. Tensions flared the last time these two teams met.

The Fever are back over .500 following their blowout win vs the Dallas Wings on Sunday. Caitlin Clark is slowly getting back to her normal output, as she recorded 14 points and 13 assists in just 25 minutes on Sunday. Kelsey Mitchell (20), Natasha Howard (18), Aliyah Boston (17) and Sophie Cunningham (13) all scored big-time buckets against the Wings.

The Sun remain the worst team in the league with a 3-18 record. There really isn’t much to look forward to when discussing Connecticut’s 2025 season, other than it being an utter disappointment. They’re coming off of a 92-88 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.

The demand to see Caitlin Clark is so massive, that this game will be played at the TD Garden in Boston, home of the Celtics.

Fans looking to tune into the Fever vs Sun game can do so on Fubo, who’s offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Here’s everything you need to know before the Fever and Sun tipoff:

When: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA

Time: 8 p.m. E.T.

Fans looking to tune into the Fever vs Sun game can do so on Fubo, who’s offering a free trial to new subscribers.

A brand new season of the hit history docuseries Life After People returns to the History Channel Monday, July 14 at 10/9c.

The sudden revival of the series comes 15 years after the sophomore season, which hit the network in 2010.

Those hoping to catch the return of the series can stream the premiere live through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What is Life After People about?

For those unfamiliar with the series, Life After People provides an in-depth picture of a post-human future. Throughout the series, the fate of structures like the Sears Tower and the Sistine Chapel are revealed, and assumptions are provided about what creatures might inherit the places we once lived.

Supporting the visuals and special effects are interviews with specialists from the fields of engineering, botany, biology, geology and archaeology.

What to know about the upcoming premiere

Life After People season three consists of eight episodes, and the debut episode focuses on one of life’s most precious resources: water.

In a world without humans, water turns from that precious resource and life-giver to destroyer by flooding cities, collapsing dams and triggering ancient forces long kept at bay.

Other upcoming episodes in Life After People season three will focus on other environmental elements including urban jungles and deserts.

How to watch Life After People season 3

Those interested in seeing the comeback of the History Channel’s Life After People can stream the premiere of season three 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.

Out of the three streaming services listed above, Philo is the cheapest at just $28 a month after its 7-day free trial concludes.

What is Philo?

Philo is considered one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market. Known as an entertainment-focused streaming service, Philo offers its subscribers access to over 70 top-rated TV channels such as TLC, MTV, BET, AMC, CMT, Investigation Discovery and more.

New users can enjoy Philo’s 7-day free trial and continue to stream top channels, hit TV shows and movies on-demand for just $28 a month once the free trial expires.

Those looking to customize their flow of content even further on Philo can consider including add-ons such as MGM+, STARZ, and AMC+ in their subscription.

What is DirecTV?

DirecTV is a top streaming service perfect for those looking to access a plethora of live TV channels and enjoy helpful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular TV channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNBC, BET, CNN and more.

DirecTV has also recently introduced a lineup of genre packs, which allows subscribers to choose their favorite viewing options based on what genre they watch the most. With genre packs, users can get the channels and content they want without filler channel overload. Packs start at just $34.99 a month.

Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages and the new genre packs can check them out here.

What is Sling?

Sling is another streaming service to consider if you want to access top-rated TV channels like the History Channel. 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).

Kade Snell’s baseball journey finally will take him to a team outside of Alabama after the Chicago Cubs selected the Crimson Tide outfielder at No. 151 in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Monday.

The Cubs took Snell in the fifth round after he hit .363 with a .464 on-base average and .575 slugging percentage in 2025. In 58 games, Snell had 49 runs, 77 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 52 RBIs.

A two-time All-State selection at Wicksburg High School in Newton, Snell went to Auburn as a left-hander pitcher in 2021. But after not playing for the Tigers in his freshman season, Snell moved to Wallace State Community College in Dothan for two seasons. In 2023, he won the NJCAA Division I National Player of the Year Award as he posted a 10-0 record and 1.86 earned-run average on the mound and hit .393 with 13 home runs and 70 RBIs at the plate.

Snell played the past two seasons at Alabama and served as the Crimson Tide’s team captain in 2025.

Snell did not pitch for Alabama in 2025 after making 10 appearances, with six starts, on the mound for the Tide in 2024.

While Snell didn’t strike out any batters this season, he didn’t strike out much either. He fanned only 18 times in 261 plate appearances in 2025.

Snell became the second player picked from Alabama’s 2025 team. The Minnesota Twins chose pitcher Riley Quick at No. 36 on Sunday night.

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

An Alabama company is pausing production at one of its plants in order to help with disaster relief efforts in Texas.

Milo’s Tea Company, which is headquartered in Bessemer, Alabama, recently announced it has paused production of tea and lemonade at its plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in order to bottle drinking water for those impacted by the flood disaster in Texas instead.

Tricia Wallwork, CEO of Milo’s Tea Company, Inc., shared that the company sent five truckloads – 124 pallets and more than 119,000 bottles – of Milo’s bottled water to the San Antonio Food Bank to support flood relief efforts.

“I am thankful that we can do a small, little something to help,” Wallwork wrote on LinkedIn. “Our Teams’ response was swift. It came together in just 24 hours. Every single function at Milo’s – from operations and supply chain to quality and logistics – rallied to make it happen. It’s the definition of our HAT values: Hungry. Agile. Together.”

Read more: 11 Alabama foods everyone should try once

Wallwork also said the donation was made possible through partnerships with R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc., Feeding America and H-E-B.

Search operations are still underway in parts of Texas after the Guadalupe River in Kerr County caused massive flash flooding on July 4, killing at least 129 people, including several Alabama residents.

“Disaster response has long been one of the pillars of our Corporate Responsibility commitment at Milo’s,” said Wallwork. “From Hurricane Helene in North Carolina earlier this year to today’s flooding in Texas, we’ll continue showing up authentically where we’re needed – with heart, humility, and help.”

The lineup of candidates seeking to lead Birmingham for the next four years is set with nine people vying for the position of mayor and more than two dozen seeking to serve on the city council.

Qualifying for the Aug. 26 municipal elections ended Friday. The crowded list includes familiar names, former officials and some newcomers to city politics.

Here are the contenders for mayor:

Kamau “Marlon” Afrika

State Rep. Juandalynn Givan

Marilyn James-Johnson

Jerimy Littlepage

Brian K. Rice

David Russell

Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales

Incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin

Frank Woodson

Woodfin is seeking a third term. The contenders are diverse in their experience and political visibility.

For example, Givan is a lawyer and state legislator, while Scales is also a veteran politician, serving on the county commission and formerly serving on the city council.

Several longtime activists are also on the ballot, including Afrika and Russell. Woodson is a pastor and non-profit executive. Newcomers include Littlepage who said he was inspired by Woodfin to seek the elected office.

The race for nine-member city council is also packed with 29 contestants.

Two incumbents, District 5 Councilman Darrell O’Quinn and Hunter Williams in District 2, are the only council members without competition.

The race for District 8 is crowded with nine people seeking to fill an open seat as current councilwoman Carol Clarke declined to seek reelection. Longtime District 3 Councilwoman Valerie Abbott is retiring from city hall after more than 24 years.

In District 9, former councilman John Hilliard is seeking a political comeback in a challenge to reclaim his former seat from incumbent LaTonya Tate. That race also includes Beatrice Collins, an education advocate, and Richard E. Franklin Jr., an activist and president of the Birmingham Federation of Teachers

Here are the candidates:

District 1

Tara Nix

Incumbent Councilman Clinton Woods

Willie C. Goldsmith

Priscilla Edwards

District 2:

Councilman Hunter Williams (Uncontested)

District 3:

Josh Vasa

Ryan Jones

District 4:

Darryl T. Williams

Brian Gunn

Joseph Jordan Holt

Incumbent Councilman J.T. Moore

District 5:

Councilman Darrell O’Quinn (Uncontested)

District 6:

Keith O. Williams

Incumbent Councilwoman Crystal N. Smitherman

District 7:

Lonnie Franklin Malone

Incumbent Councilwoman Wardine Towers Alexander

District 8:

Eric Delk

David Rivers

Susan Palmer

April Myers Williams

Adlai M. Trone

Jonathan Hatten

Sonja Q. Smith

Justin M. Smith

Joe May

District 9:

Richard E. Franklin Jr.

Beatrice Collins

Incumbent Councilwoman LaTonya Tate

John Hilliard

When Dowell Loggains left South Carolina’s offensive coordinator job, Shane Beamer didn’t look far for his replacement. The Gamecock head coach promoted former Alabama football coach Mike Shula, keeping continuity for sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

Speaking Monday at SEC media days in Atlanta, Beamer gave Shula a glowing review.

“That was an easy decision for me to promote Mike to be the coordinator,” Beamer said. “He was a part of our program last year. He’s literally been in the shoes LaNorris is in, as he was a starting quarterback in this conference, and he’s been in the shoes that I’m in, as a head coach in this conference as well. He’s already made us better as an offense, on and off the field.”

Shula, who was Alabama’s starting quarterback from 1984-1986, served as the Crimson Tide’s head coach from 2003-2006. He was fired after four seasons, making way for Nick Saban’s hire in Tuscaloosa.

After his firing, Shula headed to the NFL coaching ranks. He returned to the college game in 2024, as a senior offensive assistant for the Gamecocks.

Shula made his first football-related return to Tuscaloosa last season. He and the Gamecocks fell by a narrow margin at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Ahead of that game, Beamer raved about Shula’s presence.

“(Shula) had worked with Cam Newton in Carolina and then he had worked with Josh Allen most recently with the Buffalo Bills,” Beamer said. “And regardless of where coach Shula had been or who he had most recently worked with, I would have wanted to bring him on our staff, period. He was the head coach at Alabama when I was an assistant coach at Mississippi State and I have known him for a long time.

“Obviously, we’re both sons of coaches. No one has won more games in the NFL than his dad. So just an immense amount of respect for him as a coach in college and then him as a person.”

Alabama and South Carolina will face off again in 2025 on Oct. 25, this time in Columbia. The Crimson Tide will begin its season on Aug. 30, with a trip to Florida State.

When you picture casinos, you likely think of the brightly lit machines and tables covered in green felt where games of chance are played as crowds cheer. You probably don’t imagine a family around the kitchen table playing UNO, a card game owned by an estimated 80 percent of American households, according to the Strong National Museum of Play.

And you probably wouldn’t expect the family friendly game to be played in Las Vegas, but Palms Casino Resort has announced in a press release that it is launching UNO Social Clubs.

According to an article by Newsweek, UNO will “be the main attraction at a dedicated suite in Sin City this week, with similar UNO venues planned nationwide.”

UNO Social Clubs will open across the country later this year, Palms Casino Resort said in the press release, “with experiences in bars and venues in major U.S. cities. Each event will transform everyday hotspots into the ultimate game night destination with UNO-themed drink menus, tournament-style play, photo moments, and more.”

The announcement did not specify how the game will be played and whether there is an opportunity to win money.

“It is unclear whether players will actually be able to gamble on the game in Vegas,” the Newsweek article said, or simply played at the tables until a winner is declared.

UNO has dozens of spin-off games and is even the subject of a film in development by Lil Yachty, according to Variety.