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‘NCIS: Sydney’ season 2 finale episode: How to watch, where to stream free

Olivia Swann, Todd Lasance, and Tuuli Narkle star in “NCIS: Sydney.”Daniel Asher Smith/Paramount+

The season two finale episode of the hit crime drama series NCIS: Sydney premieres on CBS Friday, April 25 at 8/7c.

On the season two finale titled “Sting in the Tail,” a Stinger missile and murderer are evading the NCIS: Sydney team, and with Darwin’s World War II Commemoration ceremony approaching fast, the team races to find the missing stinger missile to help prevent a deadly attack.

Where can I watch the NCIS: Sydney season 2 finale?

Those interested in catching the highly anticipated season two finale can still stream it even without access to traditional cable services through Fubo, DirecTV Stream or Paramount+. All three of these streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy before committing to a paid subscription.

Stream the finale same-day on Fubo or DirecTV Stream; those who go the Paramount+ route will have to wait an extra day to catch the finale.

What is Fubo and DirecTV Stream?

Fubo and DirecTV Stream 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 Stream 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 Stream 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 Stream’s channel packages can check them out here.

What is Paramount+?

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

As of now, Paramount+ 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.

Will there be a season 3 of NCIS: Sydney?

Yes, according to a renewal announcement made by both CBS and Paramount+ Australia, filming for season three of NCIS: Sydney is well under way, but no hint of an official release date has yet to be announced.

General

Birmingham Water Works drama: Chair cleared of state ethics violations amid board shakeup

Birmingham Water Works Board chairwoman Tereshia HuffmanJoseph D. Bryant

The chair of the beleaguered Birmingham Water Works Board did not violate ethics laws when she voted to approve a series of grants to a local nonprofit, state officials declared today.

Earlier this week, Tereshia Huffman, who currently leads the board overseeing Alabama’s largest water utility, was accused of conflicts of interest and violating policy regarding four grants totaling $40,000 over two years.

“After a review of the information provided in the complaint, we have determined that there is no evidence on the face of the complaint that would constitute a violation of the Ethics Act,” Brian H. Patterson, assistant general counsel for the Ethics Commission, wrote in a letter to Huffman on Friday.

According to the anonymous complaint Huffman was accused of failing to disclose family relationships to organizers of groups who received the grant money.

“I am a woman of faith who values her integrity above all else. When false accusations were filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission, those who know me, my work ethic and my character all knew that the truth would quickly be revealed,” Huffman said in a statement to AL.com. “I would never damage my reputation or the reputation of the Birmingham Water Works in any way. As Chair of the board, I have supported BWW’s ethics policies without hesitation.”

Huffman is a cousin to the Hilliard family, a well-known politically-connected family whose members include former Congressman Earl Hilliard and Earl Hillard Jr., a senior aide to Mayor Randall Woodfin.

Grant awards from the water works are made by the board collectively after the utility’s lawyers vet them, water works officials said.

The complaint against Huffman came at a critical time for the utility, just a day before state senators considered legislation that would fire the current board and strip Birmingham of its longtime dominance over the utility’s management.

A regional board would replace it with five of the seven members from the suburbs and surrounding counties. Birmingham would have just two seats on the panel.

The senate bill was approved overwhelmingly Thursday, and the house version heads to the floor next week.

Huffman and her supporters on board Wednesday spent considerable time lambasting the complaint and whoever filed it as part of a politically motivated conspiracy to undermine both the agency and its chair.

Several board members hinted that they knew some of those behind the complaint and vowed to find the others.

“At some point in time we’re going to find out who wrote this complaint,” board member Dalton NeSmith, an attorney from Blount County, said Wednesday. “That’s all I’m going to say about that.”

While board members assailed the ethics complaint and the complainant, state law offers some protection to whistleblowers.

Section 36-25-24 of the Alabama Code prohibits employers from retaliating against public employees who in good faith report violations. On the other hand, supervisors are allowed to take civil action against employees who file reports without good faith.

General

Army base commander suspended after Trump, Hegseth portraits turned to wall

The commander at an Army base in Wisconsin was suspended after portraits of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were turned to face the wall.

In a statement, the senior commander at Fort McCoy and the U.S. Army Reserve said Col. Sheyla Baez-Ramirez was suspended last week “for administrative reasons.

“As previously stated, she was not suspended for misconduct,” the statement went on to say, adding that “no one on the Fort McCoy leadership team, which includes Col. Baez-Ramirez, directed or supported the removal of any leader portraits. The Leader Board was corrected upon notification of the issue.”

The Defense Department’s rapid response account on X tweeted a photo of how the leader board had been shown at the base before the issue was corrected:

In a separate statement issued last week, the U.S. Army Reserve characterized the incident as an act of vandalism.

“The Fort McCoy leadership team and the Army Reserve were unaware of the vandalism of the Leadership Board at a building on Fort McCoy, WI. Once it was brought to their attention, the leadership at Fort McCoy took immediate action to correct it. Additionally, the command initiated an investigation to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident,” the statement read.”

The investigation remained ongoing as of Friday.

Hegseth has faced scrutiny over revelations he disseminated Yemen attack plans through the encrypted chat app Signal in group texts.

One of the group chats included a magazine reporter while the other featured Hegseth’s wife, brother and personal attorney.

Trump came to Hegseth’s defense despite a report that the administration was looking into replacing Hegseth.

General

Trump reverses revocation of 1,500 student visas: What will it mean for Alabama’s international students?

Alabama international students who lost their status to study in the U.S. may have a chance to stay after the Trump administration reversed course Friday.

The administration had revoked the statuses of more than 1,500 international students nationwide.

Schools across the state, including the University of Alabama, Auburn University, UAB, Troy University and Spring Hill College have reported some international students lost the immigration status that allows them to study.

The students who had their statuses revoked were flagged in a registry of international students created by the federal government in 2003, following the September 11th attacks.

The registry, called Student Exchange and Visitor Information System, known as SEVIS, is run by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

The agency alleged, in a filing in a suit against the federal government brought by a group of international students who had their status revoked by the administration, that several of those students had been flagged for legal infractions or arrests.

The agency also argued that the status changes did not mean students would automatically have to leave.

“Terminating a record in SEVIS does not terminate an individual’s nonimmigrant status in the United States,” said Andre Watson of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

A website for the SERVIS registry says that losing status means a student can no longer legally work in or re-enter the United States and that ICE may investigate whether the student has left.

Three international students at UAB had their student status revoked by the federal government, according to the school Friday, after the Trump administration cracked down on thousands of international students nationwide.

“We value our international students,” said a spokesperson for the school who added that it could not share more information about the students due to privacy laws. “The UAB Office of International Student and Scholar Services has been in contact with affected students and remains available to assist international students who have questions.”

Spring Hill College, a private school in Mobile, confirmed Thursday that it had one student visa revoked from an international student who was in “good academic and community standing at the time of the revocation,” said Kathleen Williams, vice president of admissions.

“Spring Hill College is enriched by the international students we have on campus,” she said.

On Friday, a Justice Department attorney, Joseph F. Carilli, said, according to reporting in the New York Times, immigration officials would create a new system for reviewing visas for international students and revocations would be paused until then.

Update: This story was updated at 1:55 p.m. Friday to include a comment from Spring Hill College

General

Flash flood warning issued for Lauderdale County until early Friday evening due to thunderstorms

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning at 1:20 p.m. on Friday in effect until 4:30 p.m. for Lauderdale County.

“At 1:20 p.m., the public reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” according to the weather service. “Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.”

Locations impacted by the warning include Florence, Lexington, St. Florian, Underwood-Petersville and Green Hill.

According to the weather service, “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

Breaking down weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warnings

Flash flood warning: Take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is either imminent or already occurring. In flood-prone areas, it’s crucial to move immediately to higher ground. A flash flood is a sudden and violent inundation that can develop within minutes to hours, and it can even happen in areas not currently experiencing rainfall.

Flood warning: Take action!

A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway.

Flood advisory: Be aware:

A flood advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Flood watch: Be prepared:

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Weathering the storm: Flood safety guidelines from the weather service

Floods can pose a significant threat, especially if you live in a flood-prone area or find yourself camping in a low-lying region. To ensure your safety, the weather service offers essential flood safety guidelines:

Move to higher ground:

If you reside in a flood-prone region or are camping in low-lying terrain, the first step to safety is relocating to higher ground.

Adhere to evacuation orders:

When local authorities issue an evacuation order, promptly comply. Before leaving, secure your home by locking it.

Disconnect utilities and appliances:

If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.

Steer clear of flooded basements and submerged areas:

Avoid basements or rooms submerged in water with electrical outlets or cords. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.

Evacuate promptly for safety:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.

Stay away from floodwaters:

Never attempt to walk through floodwaters, even if they appear shallow. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet.

Seek higher ground when trapped:

Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.

When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions. It is important to never attempt to drive through water on the road, regardless of how deep it appears. According to the weather service, as little as 12 inches of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads

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

Beware of rapid water flow:

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

Maintain safe driving distances:

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.

Slow down and drive with care:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Visibility matters:

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.

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.

General

Kings-Oilers free livestream: Where to watch NHL Playoffs game 3, TV, schedule

The Los Angeles Kings play against the Edmonton Oilers in game 3 of their NHL Playoff series tonight. The matchup will begin at 9 p.m. CT on TNT. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Kings enter this matchup with a 2-0 series lead, as they defeated Edmonton 6-2 last game. During the victory, Adrian Kempe led the Los Angeles offense. He ended the game with two goals and two assists, so he will try to perform similarly this evening.

Kempe has accrued seven points in the postseason, which leads the Los Angeles offense.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Oilers will need to rely on their star forward Connor McDavid. He leads the team with four points and three assists in the postseason. However, McDavid was unable to record a point last game. With this in mind, McDavid will try to improve his offensive play this evening.

Fans can watch game 3 of this NHL Playoff series for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

General

Capitals-Canadiens free livestream: Where to watch NHL Playoffs game 3, TV, schedule

The Washington Capitals play against the Montreal Canadiens in game 3 of their NHL Playoff series this evening. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. CT on TNT. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Capitals enter this matchup with a 2-0 series lead, as they defeated Montreal 3-1 in their last game. During the victory, Connor McMichael led the Washington offense. He ended the game with two goals, so he will try to perform similarly this evening.

In order to win game 3 tonight, the Capitals will also need a great performance from their star forward Dylan Strome. He currently leads the team with four points in the postseason.

In order to bounce back this evening, the Canadiens will need to rely on their star forward Nick Suzuki. He led the team in points during the regular season, but he was unable to record a point last game.

Fans can watch game 3 of this NHL Playoff series for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

General

‘America’s Gestapo’: Political influencers react to Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan’s FBI arrest

The FBI’s arrest Friday of a Wisconsin judge who allegedly obstructed immigration agents from apprehending an undocumented man was an example of the Trump administration descending into authoritarianism or a justified action against “judicial corruption,” according to where pundits and social media influencers fall on the political spectrum.

“Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction — after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week,“ FBI Director Kash Patel said in a Friday morning post on X that had been taken down before being reposted.

“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest,“ Patel continued.

“Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since,” Patel said, “but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public.”

Duggan’s arrest polarized pundits on both sides of the political aisle.

“This is a rubicon crossed,” tweeted liberal commentator Molly Jong-Fast.

The Lincoln Project, a political group formed by Republicans who oppose the MAGA agenda, said Duggan’s arrest was reminiscent of authoritarian regimes.

“This happens in North Korea, Russia, and now it’s happening here,” the group said. “MAGA is not American.”

Steve Schmidt, founder of The Lincoln Project who has worked on several Republican campaigns, said the arrest was conducted by the “American Gestapo”:

“This is an ominous event. This is a lawless administration,” Schmidt said in a YouTube video.

“And we know that this arrest by the FBI is not legitimate” because of the tweet “Reichsführer Patel that he quickly deleted” before reposting, Schmidt said.

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla who has a visible Trump administration role through the Department of Government Efficiency, commended the arrest of Duggan.

“More judicial corruption,” he tweeted.

“Keep it coming,” tweeted Conservative influencer Benny Johnson. “This is what I voted for.”

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Duggan’s arrest should serve as a warning to other judges.

“We are going to prosecute you and we are prosecuting you,” Bondi said during a Fox News appearance.

Bondi also posted to X that “no one is above the law,” a phrase also tweeted out by President Donald Trump’s political operation:

General

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The Nike Revolution 7 running shoe is on sale for as low as $48

Nike is offering an array of online deals on its mega-popular sneakers, including a major discount on the Nike Revolution 7 running shoe.

With this deal, Nike customers can get the men’s Nike Revolution 7 for as little as $42 in select styles while the women’s Nike Revolution 7 is on sale for $52 in all styles as compared it the shoe’s regular retail price of $70.

Nike states that the Revolution 7 is a versatile shoe that provides all-day comfort for casual wear and short runs.

The men’s Nike Revolution 7 is available in 13 total colors with some available in wide options. Meanwhile, the women’s Nike Revolution 7 comes in only four colors with no extended sizes left.

All features included in the make of the Nike Revolution 7 are as follows:

Built on the same great-fitting last as the Pegasus.
A webbing loop on the tongue makes for easy on and off.
More room in the forefoot and toe box helps keep your feet comfortable.
The collar includes a waterfall heel and soft, puffy material to add comfort in key areas.
The outsole is made from recycled Regrind rubber for increased sustainability, with an articulated design that allows for greater flexibility.

“We loaded the Revolution 7 with the sort of soft cushioning and support that might change your running world. Stylish as ever, comfortable when the rubber meets the road, it’s an evolution of a fan favorite that offers a soft, smooth ride,” Nike states.

Those interested in this deal can checkout the full men’s listing here and women’s shoe here.