Alabama News

A Huntsville man attempting to sell puppies was instead confronted by two men who took them at gunpoint, according to Huntsville police.

The incident happened Thursday at James Madison Place at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Huntsville police were called to the area, where a man said he had arranged to meet someone to sell puppies.

He was leaving his house when instead, he was accosted by two men armed with handguns who demanded the puppies.

The two took the puppies and pepper-sprayed the man as they left.

Police were able to obtain a vehicle description, and the vehicle was stopped by the department’s Anti-Crime Team at about 3:30 p.m.

According to police, evidence linked to the robbery was found in the vehicle.

Alan O’Brian Lewis Jr., 22, and Ja’Queze Marquise Williams, 21, were questioned and later charged with first degree robbery. Williams and Lewis are being held in the Madison County Jail without bond,

The puppies were later returned to the owner. Additional arrests are expected, police said.

The Indiana Fever play against the Atlanta Dream in a WNBA game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on ION. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.

The Fever enter this matchup with a 9-10 record, and they are coming off an 80-61 loss against Golden State.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Fever will need a great performance from their star player Caitlin Clark. She averages more than 17 points per game, and she leads the team with nearly nine assists per game.

Notably, Clark has only played in 10 games this season due to injury.

The Dream enter this matchup with a 12-7 record, and they have won two of their last three games. In their most recent game, the Dream defeated Golden State 90-81.

In order to win tonight’s game, the Dream will need to rely on their star player Allisha Gray. She leads the Atlanta offense in scoring, as she averages nearly 20 points per game. In her last game, Gray scored a team-high 24 points.

Fans can watch this WNBA game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.

Another weekend has arrived and several of the country’s best sweepstakes casinos have rolled out some incredible new offers for players. Here, I highlight three new sweepstakes casino bonuses that can be claimed in just a few minutes.

These bonuses come from some of the top sweeps casinos in the country. Learn exactly what each one has to offer here.

Breaking down the three best new sweepstakes casino bonuses available this weekend

The online sweepstakes casino is constantly evolving. Competition is higher than ever and sweeps casinos are doing everything they can to stand out. Oftentimes, this means providing some incredible new bonuses for players.

With real money casinos legal in just a handful of states, sweeps casinos serve as the best legal alternative for the majority of Americans.

Three of the country’s best sweeps casinos have recently launched new welcome offers for players. Below, I highlight exactly what these bonuses provide.

Dara Casino: 300% first purchase bonus offering 300,000 Gold Coins + 30 free Sweeps Coins for $9.99

Dara Casino went live in late 2024 and has been consistently ranked as one of the best sweepstakes casinos in the country. It’s a well-rounded platform, offering a solid game selection, a modern design and many unique bonuses for new and existing players.

This sweeps platform has just launched an incredible new offer that is making major headlines. The first 100 players to sign up using our promo code LIVE30 will earn a 300% bonus on their first purchase offering 300,000 Gold Coins and 30 free Sweeps Coins for just $9.99.

This is one of the largest bonuses offered by Dara Casino to date. With the coins earned from this promotion, players can access all of the more than 100 games available, including slots, shooting games, scratch cards and table games.

SweepNext: 400,000 Gold Coins + 40 free Sweeps Coins for $9.99

One of the latest online sweepstakes casinos to launch in the country is SweepNext. It’s only been live for a couple of months, yet it boasts a massive user base thanks to its great design and unique bonuses. This platform decided it needed to ramp things up and recently launched a fantastic new bonus for players.

This particular bonus allows players to earn 400,000 Gold Coins and 40 free Sweeps Coins with one purchase of just $9.99. It’s one of the largest welcome bonuses offered by any sweeps casino and can be earned by all first-time members of Dara Casino in 10 minutes or less.

Dara Casino is a unique sweeps casino, offering a slightly limited selection of games. It’s growing quickly, however, and amazing new high RTP slots are becoming available every single week.

Jackpota: 100% first purchase bonus offering 80,000 Gold Coins + 40 free Sweeps Coins + 75 free spins for $19.99

Jackpota is another one of the best online sweepstakes casinos in the country. It went live in 2024 and has continued to expand. Members of this platform now have access to more than 700 games including slots (many of which are offered as real money slots from the country’s best online casinos) and live dealer games.

The new welcome offer from Jackpota provides new players with a 100% first purchase bonus of 80,000 Gold Coins, 40 free Sweeps Coins and 75 free spins for just $19.99. It’s a well-rounded offer and, while slightly more expensive than the others listed on this page, provides players with a huge variety of coins and spins to use.

Jackpota provides nearly everything that a casino fan could ask for. The game variety is world-class and the design is one of the best players will find today. Even those completely new to sweeps casinos will have no issues navigating between pages. A great customer support system is set in place to answer any questions players have, as well.

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.

The brand new thriller Little Girl in the Woods premieres on Lifetime Saturday, July 12 at 8/7c.

Those hoping to catch the latest thriller to join the Lifetime lineup can stream the premiere of Little Girl in the Woods through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What is Little Girl in the Woods about?

Starring Alana Hawley Purvis, Camille Atebe, Caitlyn Stryker, Amy Trefry and Juliette Hawk, Little Girl in the Woods follows a women’s bereavement support group who are backpacking deep in the woods when they stumble upon a teen girl being held captive in a cabin. Now the group must band together to save her from her survivalist abductors.

How to watch Little Girl in the Woods without cable

Cord cutters interested in watching Little Girl in the Woods can still access Lifetime through Philo, DirecTV and Sling.

Both Philo and DirecTV offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy before committing to a paid plan while Sling offers those that commit to a paid subscription half off their first month 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 Lifetime. 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).

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is considering resigning from his post over disagreement with how Attorney General Pam Bondi handled the memo on the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to reports.

“Multiple sources said Bongino did not come to work Friday, fueling speculation he had quit over the issue,” CNN reported. “One source said as of Friday afternoon he had not left his position.”

On Sunday night, the Department of Justice and the FBI issued a joint memo saying there was “no incriminating ‘client list’” and “no credible evidence” that Epstein blackmailed co-conspirators who sexually abused underaged girls provided by him, Axios first reported.

On Wednesday, FBI Director Kash Patel and Bongino were confronted about whether they were behind a news story that the bureau wanted more information on the Epstein case but were turned down by DOJ, according to CNN.

Bongino denied being behind the story, the outlet reported.

The joint memo, which contradicted Bondi’s statement to Fox News in February that the client list was sitting on her desk, stirred backlash from several high-profile MAGA influencers who want the Epstein files and the client list to be released.

The memo spurred speculation that the Trump administration is protecting Epstein’s clients.

The White House is being mocked after posting a meme featuring President Donald Trump as Superman on its official social media accounts.

“THE SYMBOL OF HOPE. TRUTH. JUSTICE. THE AMERICAN WAY. SUPERMAN TRUMP,” the official White House account on X posted Thursday along with an American flag emoji.

The meme appeared to be a response to the new James Gunn “Superman” film that debuted Friday.

In an interview with The Times of London, Gunn described Superman as an “immigrant,” drawing backlash from conservatives who claimed the superhero franchise has gone “woke.”

“I mean, Superman is the story of America,” Gunn told The Times. “An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”

“[I]t’s about human kindness,” Gunn continued, “and obviously there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them.”

The White House’s portrayal of Trump as Superman drew condemnation from the president’s critics.

Liberal social media influencer Brian Krassenstein argued Trump is the antithesis of Superman.

“I’m at a loss for words,” he posted. “When you betray your base, sell out to Epstein’s pals, and tank the country, I guess all that’s left is to slap on a cape and pray the cult still cults.”

“Donald trump is quite literally the exact opposite of Superman,” added the handle @troubleman90, who has nearly 20,000 followers on X. “He’s probably the least Superman-like person on the entire planet.”

Others also drew contrasts between Trump and Superman.

“Superman was an undocumented immigrant who stood for humanity. Trump is a documented criminal who hides behind immunity,” tweeted progressive influencer Alex Cole.

“Superman was an illegal immigrant growing up on American farm and a hero from a comic book. Trump is a total opposite of Superman, a Superloser,” wrote Mario Pawlowski.

“Superman was created by sons of Jewish immigrants in 1938, during a time of rising fascism. He was a child refugee who changed his name, hid his origin, and protected a country that distrusted him. He’s literally the immigrant Trump demonizes. The White House has become a joke,” tweeted Karly Kingsley.

“I guess [the White House] thought we weren’t enough of a laughingstock to the rest of the world already,” added Republican-turned-Trump critic Ron Filipkowski on X.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize has been added to the American League roster for the MLB All-Star Game.

The former Springville High School and Auburn standout fills the spot left vacant when Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet pulled out of the game. Major League Baseball announced the change on Friday. Crochet is tied for the MLB lead in innings pitched this season and is starting for Boston on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 95th MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. FOX will televise the game.

Mize has a 9-2 record with a 2.63 earned-run average in 15 starts for the Tigers this season ahead of his scheduled start on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. In 85.2 innings, Mize has struck out 73 while yielding 80 hits and 21 walks.

Mize becomes the eighth former Auburn player selected for the MLB All-Star Game.

A member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, first baseman Frank Thomas has the most selections among Auburn alumni with five. He represented the Chicago White Sox at the 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 games.

Pitcher Tim Hudson represented the Oakland Athletics in 2000 and 2004, the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and the San Francisco Giants in 2014.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson represented the Athletics in 2014 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 and 2016.

Former Auburn players with one All-Star Game selection include Cleveland Indians outfielder Oris Hockett in 1944, Kansas City Royals outfielder Bo Jackson in 1989, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Gregg Olson in 1990 and Miami Marlins first baseman Garrett Cooper in 2022.

Mize joins St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan as players with Alabama baseball roots at this year’s MLB All-Star Game. A former Enterprise High School and South Alabama standout, Donovan is a National League reserve for Tuesday’s contest.

The first player picked in the 2018 draft, Mize entered the 2025 season with a 9-19 record and 4.36 ERA in 61 games since making his Major League debut with Detroit on Aug. 19, 2020.

Mize made seven starts with the Tigers during the coronavirus pandemic-affected 2020 season. In 2021, Mize posted a 7-9 record with a 3.71 earned-run average in 30 starts for Detroit, but he made it through only 10 innings in 2022 before being shut down by injuries.

Between starts on April 14, 2022, and April 4, 2024, Mize did not pitch for the Tigers. In June 2022, Mize had elbow surgery and, shortly after that, back surgery. A hamstring injury hampered his comeback in 2024.

Mize had a 19-2 pitching record at Springville High School before going 20-13 in three seasons at Auburn, where he struck out 324 in 267.1 innings.

Mize made 26 minor-league starts, with an 8-3 record and 2.71 earned-run average, before he made his MLB debut on Aug. 19, 2020. His minor-league work included a no-hitter for the Erie SeaWolves in his Double-A debut on April 29, 2019.

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

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey called his work as executive producer of the film “Nothing but a Winner: The Alabama Football Story” an opportunity to do something special for his alma mater.

“Nothing but a Winner” tells the story of Crimson Tide football with a focus on the Alabama eras led by coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant and Nick Saban.

“It was an opportunity to kind of be a part of something pretty special,” Humphrey said during a Friday appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” “My sister lives in (Los Angeles), and she’s always talking about Hollywood and movies and all the different things she does. I saw a good opportunity to not only kind of do something for my alma mater and create this great story, but I played underneath coach Saban and I just saw an opportunity to be a part of something special. And it’s come together just great.”

The film will be shown in theaters on July 31, with tickets available online, after having its red-carpet premiere on Wednesday at the Lyric Theatre in Birmingham.

Humphrey is not among the lineup of players interviewed for the film.

“I feel like to create something special, it’s not really all about you,” Humphrey said. “It’s about what you put into it, who you put around you to help out. And it was just different, going through all the process and different things. I am what I think a pretty good actor myself, but being behind the scenes was cool. It was definitely different. Something I’d always wanted to do. It’s just that the opportunity presented itself sooner than later, and it’s something I’d definitely like to do again. But it was awesome.”

While Humphrey does not appear on camera, other Alabama alumni who played in the NFL in the 2024 season do, including Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

Players from other eras also are represented, including Humphrey’s father, Bobby Humphrey, who played at Alabama from 1985 through 1988 and left the Crimson Tide for the NFL as the program’s career rushing leader.

“I kind of grew up right there in the shadows of Legion Field in the housing projects,” Bobby Humphrey said on Friday on “Good Morning Football” as he remembered an era when the Tide played most of its home games in Birmingham, “and I sold Cokes in the upper deck and I parked cars there during my time as a young boy. And I always wanted to attend Alabama. I can remember sitting in the upper deck and telling the other Coke guys that ‘One day, I’m going to be playing down there.’ Obviously, none of them believe me.

“But it came true one day when Ray Perkins showed up at my house and started recruiting me when I was at Glenn High School. My time there, we didn’t win a national championship like Marlon did, but we won several games and I had a good time there and was able to leave there as the all-time leading rusher till a lot of other backs came along.”

At one time, Humphrey’s dream of playing for Alabama would have been impossible, and the integration of the football program is included in the documentary.

“It’s one of the reasons I consider coach Bryant as one of the greatest coaches of all time,” Bobby Humphrey said, “because he was the one who pushed the issue, orchestrated the USC game, brought Black players to compete in front of a national audience and at Legion Field, right there in my backyard.

“I think there’s a scene in the film where a lot of the old players who played in that era had the confidence as well as the respect for coach Bryant – they went to Alabama because he asked them to come there – and he told them that he would protect them and to trust in him. And those players trusted him, believed in him, and it was a hard time back then.

“The film addresses it just head-on. That’s a good thing about it. History’s history. It is what it is. And coach Bryant was able to do that.”

Bobby Humphrey was a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his first two NFL seasons and a Pro Bowl selection in 1990.

After playing for Alabama’s 2015 CFP national-championship team and earning first-team All-American recognition by the Football Writers Association of American in 2016, Marlon Humphrey has been a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro during his eight seasons in the Baltimore secondary.

RELATED: MARLON HUMPHREY ON THE RAVENS DEFENSE: ‘I’VE LET THAT STANDARD SLIP’

Both players were prep stars in the Birmingham area – Bobby Humphrey at Glenn High School and Marlon Humphrey at Hoover High School.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

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

The National Weather Service issued an updated report at 2:55 p.m. on Friday for strong thunderstorms until 4 p.m. for Sumter, Greene, Hale and Marengo counties.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 2:55 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Boligee to near Lisman. Movement was east at 25 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Demopolis, Livingston, Jefferson, Forkland, Boligee, Epes, Myrtlewood, Nanafalia, Walden Quarters, Thornhill, Arcola, Dug Hill, Wedgeworth, Tishabee, Putnam, Pin Hook, Allison, Duffys Bend, Bluffport and Sawyerville.

The weather service comments, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. 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.”

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 protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:

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’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 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 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, 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

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of rapid water flow:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and drive with care:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside 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 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.