Alabama News

The photos in Nick Saban’s new office caught some attention.

During the final weekend of official visits in June, two five-star in-state recruits posed with the retired Alabama football coach in front of his mantle.

Naturally, that set the college football internet ablaze. Saban’s still recruiting for Alabama? Is he the secret weapon behind the Crimson Tide’s recent recruiting success?

To quote one of Saban’s ESPN College GameDay coworkers, “Not so fast my friend.”

AL.com spoke with several people familiar with Alabama’s recruiting behind the scenes and those aware of Saban’s post-coaching life. The consensus among them was that Saban’s involvement in the last official visit weekend was a one-off, not a regular occurrence.

Three in-state recruits met Saban in his office that weekend in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Those players were Ezavier Crowell (Jackson), Cederian Morgan (Alexander City) and Tank Jones (Mobile), all five-star prospects. Multiple people described it as something special for three local guys during a weekend Saban happened to be in town. It was more like how some recruits for other UA programs used to meet with Saban on visits when he was still coaching. For example, a basketball recruit being brought by his office. The notion of Saban being a closer or ace for Alabama football in retirement was shot down by multiple sources.

Those three meetings in his office are the only recruiting involvement Saban’s had up to that point, per multiple people. It falls in line with Saban’s approach to his presence around the program in retirement as he remains on the payroll at about $500,000 annually — He can be available, but he isn’t hovering.

Saban’s not walking through the halls of the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility on a regular basis anymore. In fact, he has largely stayed out of the football building since he retired, per multiple people. His new office is inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, which is in another part of campus.

Saban wasn’t even in the state much in June, according to multiple sources. You were more likely to find him at his home in Jupiter, Florida or at Lake Burton in Georgia. Specifically, on the golf course. Saban’s plenty busy with other ventures, such as ESPN responsibilities and his business endeavors.

But he was in town that final weekend and agreed to meet with the three recruits.

That same weekend, DeBoer, some staff members and a few players took a brief trip to Tupelo, Mississippi to attend the funeral for Kierston Russell, the twin sister of freshman quarterback Keelon Russell. DeBoer still met with all the recruits that weekend, though. Saban wasn’t a stand-in for DeBoer. It was a case of the busy recruiting weekend schedule allowing time for those players to meet with Saban, who was in Tuscaloosa and available.

In total, Alabama has secured 19 commitments so far in the 2026 class. Saban only met with two of those 19 commits. Jones, the third recruit with whom Saban met, has yet to commit anywhere.

Saban’s involvement in recruiting hasn’t been zero, but there’s a chasm between meeting with three recruits during a weekend in June and getting back into the recruiting game full bore.

Saban didn’t retire to still take part in the day-to-day grind of recruiting.

No matter how the 2026 recruiting class for Alabama plays out, for better or for worse, it will be the handywork of DeBoer, general manager Courtney Morgan, director of player personnel Bob Welton, assistant coaches and staff. Not Saban.

“Let me make this clear for (five-star commit Xavier Griffen’s) recruitment when it comes to Alabama,” his mother, Jay Clay, wrote on social media. “Makes me mad to hear Kalen DeBoer can’t recruit because our coach and his staff did a great job! I met Saban once but he is not the one that offered or talked to us at any point. (Outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson) was and is the (G.O.A.T) that got my son to Bama!! Love our staff and can’t wait! Roll Tide.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

Donald Trump just committed “the biggest fumble of the administration,” according to a Fox News guest and longtime supporter of the president.

Patrick Bet-David, a conservative commentator and owner of the YouTube channel Valuetainment, voted for Trump in all three general elections but said the president made a big mistake by not being forthright about the so-called Epstein files.

On Tuesday, Trump blasted a reporter who asked about the “missing minute” in the hours-long Jeffrey Epstein jailhouse video released by the Department of Justice and the FBI.

Trump claimed the Epstein queries — made on the heels of Attorney General Pam Bondi saying there was no “client list” months after she told Fox News the list was sitting on her desk — were a waste of time.

“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 said. “It just seems like a desecration.”

Bet-David said Trump’s response constituted a grave error, pointing out that Epstein was the most trending topic on social media.

“There is a reason why people are asking about this: this is the by far the biggest fumble of the administration they’ve had thus far,” the businessman said.

Bet-David claimed the Trump administration was not on the same page about Epstein following promises to release the files and the about-face on the client list.

“Why are you fumbling this? Why are you not having an emergency meeting together to conversate and say, ‘hey, we’re going to be on the same message on this…’” Bet-David said.

He estimated that 20% of Trump voters are interested in the Epstein files.

“It’s a big letdown,’” Bet-David said. “I think this was a big fumble when it came to Epstein, and the more they answer like that the more attention you’re gonna draw.”

Trump’s response indicates the administration is either wary of what’s in the files or wants to hold on to the information to call in favors for those named in them.

“So people are gonna ask: why are they so nervous about this? What do you know that the rest of us don’t know?” Bet-David said.

“If it’s just the fact that you want to hold people’s blackmail — is that the relationship between everything?”

“My biggest suggestion: let’s not have another fumble like the one we just had here,” Bet-David said, “because this was the biggest fumble of the administration.”

Shopper-favorite Aldi is continuing its march towards opening 225 new store locations this year.

Part of a five-year national growth strategy, the additions are a combination of new stand-alone locations and conversions of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores. Aldi plans to convert some 220 Southeastern Grocers locations to the Aldi format.

One of the new locations is in Alabama. The new Aldi in Alexander City, located at 1061 U.S. 280, will open mid-July. Another store is also under construction in Madison, set to open in 2026.Florida is home to the greatest number of new stores, according to information on Aldi’s website.

Here’s a list of locations set to open:

Alabama

• Alexander City, 1061 U.S. 280

Arizona

• Surprise, 13723 West Bell Road

Florida

• Melbourne, 961 E Eau Gallie Blvd.
• Jensen Beach, 1105 Northeast Jensen Beach Boulevard
• Lutz, 18407 US Hwy 41
• Orlando, 1403 South Hiawassee Road
• Deerfield Beach, 2301 W Sample Rd
• Aventura, 20417 Biscayne Boulevard
• Lehigh Acres, 61 Bell Boulevard North
• The Villages, 820 Old Camp Road
• St. Cloud, 3318 Canoe Creek Road
• Westlake, 5062 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road
• Fort Lauderdale, 941 Southwest 24th Street
• Bushnell, 1122 North Main Street
• Odessa, 17649 Gunn Highway
• Crawfordville, 2629 Crawfordville Highway
• Ormond Beach, 353 West Granada Boulevard
• New Port Richey, 12124 Moon Lake Road
• North Fort Myers, 5690 Bayshore Road
• Sarasota, 4230 Bee Ridge Road
• Jacksonville, 8775 Old Kings Road South
• Port Orange, 5500 South Williamson Boulevard

Kentucky

• Madisonville, 535 Whittington Drive

Louisiana

• Zachary, 5005 Church Street
• New Orleans, 3008 Holiday Drive
• Slidell, 2985 Gause Boulevard East

Maryland

• Prince Frederick, 429 Solomons Island Road North

Mississippi

• Ridgeland, 750 Highland Colony Parkway
• Gulfport, 11312 H Hwy 49
• Long Beach, 109 North Cleveland Avenue

North Carolina

• Asheville, 480 Swannanoa River Road
• Charlotte, 9609 North Tryon Street

New York

•     Bethpage, 3988 Hempstead Turnpike

Ohio

• Akron, 2981 South Arlington Road

Pennsylvania

• Dillsburg, 1350 Gettysburg Pike

South Carolina

• Mount Pleasant, 3153 N Highway 17

A brand new season of the hit reality competition series Big Brother premieres on CBS Thursday, July 10 at 8/7c.

Those hoping to catch all of this season’s twists and turns can stream the long-running series through Fubo, DirecTV or Paramount Plus—all three of which offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy before committing to a paid subscription.

What is Big Brother?

For those unfamiliar with Big Brother, the show follows its contestants as they compete against each other for a chance to win a significant cash prize. While games and challenges are a big part of the show, another large portion of the show focuses on the contestants as they live together in a house wired with cameras and microphones, capturing their every move for the world to see.

What to know about Big Brother season 27

Earlier this month, CBS released the theme for season 27 of Big Brother which is “A Summer of Mystery,” and with the ominous nature of the theme, fans have been speculating on what’s to come from this season through online discourse.

Luckily for those eager for any information on the upcoming season, CBS has released small tidbits about what viewers can expect from the upcoming season including a masked visitor, a secret accomplice and a mystery houseguest—all of which will make an appearance throughout the season.

Meet the season 27 cast

Though Big Brother is notorious for delaying the reveal of cast members in order to build anticipation, the season 27 cast members have been revealed mere days ahead of the season’s premiere episode. Below you can learn about the confirmed cast members.

• Adrian Rocha – A carpenter from San Antonio, Texas
• Amy Bingham – An insurance agent from Stockton, California
• Ashley Hollis – An attorney from New York
• Ava Pearl – An art instructor from New York
• Clifton Williams – A sports podcast host from Charlotte, North Carolina
• Isaiah “Zae” Frederich – Employment unknown, lives in Utah
• Jimmy Heagerty – A strategy consultant from Washington, D.C.
• Katherine Woodman – A dining server from Columbia, South Carolina
• Keanu Soto – A personal trainer/nutritionist from McKinney, Texas
• Kelley Jorgensen – A web designer from South Dakota
• Lauren Domingue – A bridal consultant from Lafayette, Louisiana
• Mickey Lee – An event curator from Atlanta, Georgia
• Morgan Pope – A model from Los Angeles
• Rylie Jeffries – A profesional bull rider from Oklahoma
• Vince Panaro – Unemployed, from Los Angeles
• Zach Cornell – A marketing manager from Atlanta, Georgia

How to watch Big Brother season 27

Those interested in catching this season of Big Brother can find the series available for streaming through Fubo, DirecTV and Paramount Plus—all three of which offer free trials to new subscribers.

What is Fubo and DirecTV?

Fubo and DirecTV are two of the top streaming services steadily replacing traditional cable services. Both offer free trials to new subscribers, a plethora of popular live TV channels, on-demand streaming options and helpful features such as unlimited DVR storage.

Fubo considers itself a sports-focused live streaming service, but with over 100 live TV channels available through its base package at just $84.99 after its free trial, it offers much more to its subscribers.

Popular TV channels available through Fubo include ABC, FOX, BET, MTV, CNBC, MSNBC, USA and much more.

DirecTV mirrors Fubo by offering many of the same live TV channels and useful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNN, BET and much more.

Two other DirecTV packages are the Choice package (original price $114.99) and the Ultimate package (original price $129.99), both of which are part of an ongoing promotion that offers new subscribers $10 off the original price for the first three months of their subscription.

Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages can check them out here.

What is Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus is one of the most popular live streaming services on the market now. Through Paramount Plus, subscribers can access exclusive originals, movies and documentaries all in one place.

As of now, Paramount Plus offers two plans to new subscribers, and both come with a week-long free trial. The base plan, Paramount+ Essential starts at just $7.99 a month and includes exclusive originals, the ability to stream on up to three devices concurrently, access to CBS News 24/7, and access to select Showtime series. This plan is also ad-supported.

The Paramount+ with Showtime plan starts at just $12.99 a month and includes everything that comes with the Essential plan plus 4K content, downloadable movies and shows, and all of Showtime’s content. Those hoping to ditch ads can do so through this plan.

Former Faulkner University pitcher Alex Carrillo became the 10th player from an Alabama high school or college to make his Major League debut during the 2025 season when he took the mound for the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

That’s the most players with Alabama baseball roots to make their debuts in the American or National leagues in the same season since Jackie Robinson re-integrated the Major Leagues in 1947.

Carrillo’s journey to the big league might be the most improbable of the 10, even though he’s the second player with Alabama baseball roots to debut with the Mets in the past two weeks after coming out of unaffiliated baseball.

“Pretty cool story there, too,” New York manager Carlos Mendoza said of Carrillo. “A guy that was in independent ball last year. I remember getting a call from someone that I know from Venezuela in winter ball telling me about this guy. …

“It was like, ‘Hey, man, there’s a kid here that he’s throwing 100 (mph). He’s got about six, seven appearances, and around the league there’s a lot of talk, so you might want to give it a chance.’ I got on the phone right away. …

“We got him in the organization, and look at him. He’s in the big leagues now. It’s up to 100. Good slider, changeup. We’re going to give him a good look here.”

Carrillo did not leave Faulkner with a triple-digit fastball. More like in the 80s, Carrillo told MLB.com. He credited his work at The Art of Pitching training facility in Upland, California, and dedication to better diet and conditioning for the added zip.

Carrillo joined the St. Cloud Rox of the independent Northwoods League when he left Faulkner in 2019. After five games for St. Cloud, Carrillo got a chance with the Texas Rangers’ Arizona Rookie League team. He made three scoreless relief appearances, but after the coronavirus pandemic cancelled the 2020 minor-league season, the Rangers did not keep Carrillo for 2021.

Carrillo pitched for the New York Boulders in the independent Frontier League, posting a 7.11 ERA in 14 games. He had an 8.31 earned-run average to show for 43 appearances across the 2022 and 2023 seasons for Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. While he struck out 69 in 52 innings in the Mexican League, Carrillo also walked 40, and he was released in spring training in 2024.

Carrillo told MLB.com he was ready to give up on baseball at that point, but his wife convinced him to keep playing. His work began to show rewards for the Washington WildThings of the independent Frontier League in 2024, when he threw his first 100-mph pitch and struck out 49 in 35.1 innings, with 17 walks.

Carrillo went to the Venezuelan Winter League, where he got the Mets’ attention in 17 relief appearances.

Carrillo started 2025 with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Promoted to the Syracuse Mets after striking out 30 in 19.1 innings in Double-A, Carrillo worked 5.2 hitless innings for New York’s Triple-A affiliate before getting the call to the big leagues.

“We knew that he had special stuff,” Faulkner coach Patrick McCarthy said in a release from the school. “We knew what he could be. He has proven himself in every league where he has played. Continually growing and working harder.

“It is one of the most rewarding moments of my career to see his success and tenacity. I’ve always dreamed of watching one of my guys on the big stage, and here we are. What others might not know about Alex is that he is a devoted husband, father, son, and he follows Christ. This is a blessing for him, his family and for the entire Faulkner community.”

In two seasons at Faulkner, Carrillo posted an 8-3 record with a 3.79 ERA and two saves in 37 games, including nine starts. In 99.2 innings, he struck out 101 while yielding 96 hits and 35 walks. He earned All-Southern States Athletic Conference recognition in 2018.

The Eagles topped the SSAC regular-season standings and went to the NAIA World Series in both of Carrillo’s seasons with the Montgomery college.

Carrillo made his MLB debut with the Mets trailing the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Tuesday night. He came on in the bottom of the sixth with two out and runners on first and third. He threw one pitch – a 98.5-mph fastball – and catcher Luis Torrens picked Baltimore’s Ramon Laureano off third base to end the inning.

Carrillo came back out for the seventh and recorded his first MLB strikeout. He caught Jordan Westburg looking at a 98.9-mph fastball for the third strike. But that came after Jackson Holliday had hit Carrillo’s slowest fastball of the outing – 97.1 mph – for a solo home run for the only hit against the rookie in his four-out outing.

The Mets rallied for a 7-6 victory in the interleague game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

In 2016, nine players from Alabama high schools and colleges made their MLB debuts. That had been the most since the end of the segregated big leagues until this season. The other players with Alabama baseball roots who have broken into the Majors in 2025 include:

• Outfield Drew Avans from Thompson High School in Alabaster with the Athletics
• First baseman Blaine Crim from St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile with the Texas Rangers
• Pitcher Cole Henry from Florence High School with the Washington Nationals
• Pitcher Chase Lee from McAdory High School in McCalla and Alabama with the Detroit Tigers
• Pitcher Jonathan Pintaro from Montevallo High School with the New York Mets
• Outfielder Chandler Simpson from UAB with the Tampa Bay Rays
• Pitcher Dylan Smith from Alabama with the Detroit Tigers
• Pitcher Grant Taylor from Florence High School with the Chicago White Sox
• Outfielder Tyler Tolbert from Hewitt-Trussville High School and UAB with the Kansas City Royals

Carrillo is the fourth former Faulkner player to reach the Major Leagues. All have been pitchers, starting with Shane Reynolds in 1992, followed by Steve Sparks in 2000 and Austin Adams in 2014.

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

Ray Stevens is recovering from heart surgery after he suffered what is being described as a “mild heart attack” on Friday.

Taste of Country reports the country music legend was admitted to a Nashville hospital after he began experiencing chest pain. He underwent a heart catheterization procedure, citing a statement from his publicity team, that confirmed that he’d had a heart attack.

As a result, Stevens, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, canceled all scheduled performances through July.

Stevens, 86, known for “The Streak,” won a Grammy for “Everything Is Beautiful” in 1971.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

In May, Stevens announced new live dates in 2025 at CabaRay Showroom where he was to perform songs from his newest album, “Say Whut?,” along with selections from over his career.

“It will be an all-new show with new songs and new stories,” the “Everything Is Beautiful” singer said at the time. “But don’t worry, I’ll still be bringing along Ethel, Margaret, Gitarzan, the squirrel and other favorites.”

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.

The Huntsville City Council will vote on annexing more than 1,000 acres at its meeting on Thursday.

The property is partially in northeast Morgan County and partially in northwest Marshall County. If approved, Huntsville’s city limits will extend into four counties (Madison and Limestone included).

Documents in the agenda package do not indicate the plans for the property. The property borders Huntsville-annexed land south of the Tennessee River in the Lacey’s Spring area in the southeastern part of the city. It is south of River Loop Road, and east and west of Vaughn Road.

Huntsville has already annexed more than 600 acres this year after only annexing 85 in 2024. This year’s annexations now make the Rocket City the 27th largest city in the nation at more than 227 square miles, about the same size as Chicago and San Francisco geographically.

According to census tract data Huntsville is larger than:

• New Orleans (169.5 square miles)
• Denver (153.1 square miles)
• Las Vegas (141.9 square miles)
• Philadelphia (134.3 square miles).

Wiz Kidz, LLC, and Hollingshead Materials, LLC, are listed as the owners of the property to be voted on.

Commercial, industrial and residential developments are proposed for land previously taken in by the city this year. Huntsville City Councilwoman Michelle Watkins has voiced concerns over annexations of land involving residential development because of the potential for overcrowding city schools.

Watkins voted against the annexation of nearly 400 acres earlier this year near the Interstate 65-565 interchange where about 3,000 homes are proposed and abstained in the vote on 121 acres on June 26 where more than 100 homes are proposed off Little Cove Road.

Huntsville’s growth hasn’t just been with land. It has been the most populated city in the state for several years and is now at more than 230,000 residents – continuing to add more residents each year than anywhere else in the state.

The city council will also be voting on Thursday to set up a public hearing on Aug. 28 for zoning more than 27 acres annexed earlier this year west of Old Big Cove Road and north of Buford Drive. Breland Companies – the developer for Clift Farm and Town Madison – is the owner of the site. Single family homes are proposed for the development.

In an example of reality imitating art, Jelly Roll struggled to get through a recent New Jersey performance after a young girl’s sign made him tear up.

The country music star, who was performing at the Barefoot Country Music Festival, was performing “I Am Not Okay” and saw a young fan in tears.

The moment was caught on camera and posted to social media.

“Jelly Roll, my mom-mom died last August. She wrote your lyrics in her journal. If she could, she would be here!” the young girl’s sign read.

The video, as you would expect, has gone viral.

As Jelly Roll sang, he pointed toward the young girl and both were shown on the screen at the same time.

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.

Camille Santana, one of four members of a family swept away from their riverside cabin in last week’s deadly Texas floods, was found Tuesday, July 8, by rescuers.

She was killed by injuries sustained during the flood, according to a Facebook post from her brother-in-law Michael Santana.

She was 38 years old.

“Camille was found and was called by god to be by his side,” Michael wrote.

Camille’s 5-year-old daughter, Mila Rosa Santana, and Mila’s grandparents, Mobile couple Eddie Santana Sr., 69, and his wife, Ileana, 66, are still missing, Michael said.

Her husband, Eddie Santana Jr., was found alive and discharged from a local hospital Sunday morning, July 6.

According to a post from Camille’s sister Kali Vazquez, the family was staying in a cabin by the river in Kerrville when it was swept away by flooding from the Guadalupe River while they were inside.

“As of today, my beautiful sister Camille was found and was called by god to be by his side,” Kali wrote in a post Tuesday.

“Once again thank you to everyone who reached out to us, and my heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones.”

“To my sister, I will love you until the end time,” the post continues.

“I will see you again and I will never forget you.”

As of Wednesday morning, the flood is reported to have killed over 100 people, about a third of them children, according to AP News.

Sarah Marsh, an eight-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, was among the victims.

Marsh was attending Camp Mystic, a Christian retreat near Hunt in Kerr County, when torrential rain and storms that started late Thursday caused the river to swell from seven feet to 29 feet in less than two hours, flooding the camp.

Gov. Greg Abbott vowed yesterday that authorities will work around the clock to find those that are still missing.

“Right now, our #1 job is to find every single missing person,” he wrote in a post to X.

“We will not leave until that job is done.”

President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration Sunday for Kerr County, activating the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Texas.