Alabama News

The season three finale of the hit reality competition series Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing premieres on the Discovery Channel Sunday, July 13 at 8/7c.

Those hoping to tune in to see which of the three remaining contestants claim the title of Last One Standing can stream the finale through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

Previous episode recap

Last week’s episode titled “Flame on or Flame Out,” caused quite the panic amongst the remaining survivalists, and the friction fire challenge easily shook everyone up.

In addition to the troubling challenge, Patrick was stunned when he was told to give up his gathered materials, leaving him almost completely defenseless and underprepared.

Meanwhile, Patrick was eliminated meaning Cheeney, Darren and Matt are the only three survivalists making their way to this week’s finale.

On the upcoming season three finale episode, Cheeney, Darren and Matt face the final gauntlet of challenges—all of which test each survivalist’s bushcraft, bow and fire-making skills.

With the $100,000 prize and title of Last One Standing on the line, the three competitors push themselves as all are seconds away from claiming this season’s ultimate prize.

How to watch Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing season 3 finale

Those interested in catching the season three finale can stream Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing 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 Discovery. 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).

Southern Poverty Law Center President and CEO Margaret Huang has resigned from the nonprofit after serving in the role for five years.

SPLC announced Huang’s resignation in a statement on Thursday. The release from the civil rights organization said Huang planned to focus more on her family.

“Margaret has led SPLC with deep care, clarity and conviction, guiding us through moments of growth and moments of challenge,” said Karen Baynes-Dunning, the current chair of the SPLC Board of Directors, in a statement. “Her legacy is woven into the fabric of this organization, and we are well positioned in part because of her leadership.”

More from Alabama Reflector

Bryan Fair, a former board chair and constitutional scholar at the University of Alabama, will succeed Huang as the leader of the organization on an interim basis.

“The board is confident that he will provide steady, familiar and thoughtful leadership throughout the transition and as a national search for a new leader is conducted. With his guidance, the center remains grounded in its values and prepared to meet the future with strength and purpose,” Baynes-Dunning said in the statement.

A message was sent to SPLC on Friday seeking additional comment.

Huang, previously executive director of Amnesty International USA, took the reins of the organization in 2020 after a year of turmoil. The organization ousted co-founder Morris Dees in 2019 amid questions about racial and gender equity in the SPLC. Dees’ ouster was followed by the resignation of several top SPLC executives.

As CEO, Huang tried to steer SPLC to include community organizing in its mission, particularly as an increasingly conservative judiciary made its litigation strategies more difficult. As part of that effort, it has hosted training sessions for individuals and organizations to train them on how to advocate and organize.

But SPLC announced in June 2024 that it would lay off employees in what the organization characterized as “streamlining operations.” SPLC’s employee union indicated that at least 60 people had lost their jobs due to$13 million deficit.

That September, the union overwhelmingly approved a no-confidence motion regarding Huang’s leadership.

A message was sent to the SPLC Union Friday seeking comment.

Fair, the interim CEO, will take leave from the University of Alabama while serving in the role. He has taught constitutional law for 34 years at the law school while also previously serving as a member of several other nonprofits, from the Equal Justice Initiative to Alabama Appleseed.

According to SPLC’s most recent 990 filing, the organization had $129 million in revenue between Nov. 1, 2023 and Oct. 31, 2024, down from $169.8 million in revenue the previous year. It reported expenses of $128.9 million for the period, and total assets of $786.7 million on Oct. 31, 2024.

Huang’s reported compensation from the organization that year was just under $467,000, with another $55,806 listed as “other compensation from the organization and related organizations.”

England plays against Wales in the 2025 Women’s EURO group stage today. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this soccer game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

England enters this matchup with a 1-0-1 record, and the team currently possesses three points. After a 2-1 loss against France in their opening match, England bounced back with a 4-0 win against Netherlands.

In order to secure their spot in the knockout stage, England will need a great performance from their star player Alessia Russo. She leads the team with three assists in the tournament, so she will try to continue her offensive success this afternoon.

Wales enter this matchup with a 0-0-2 record, so the team currently has zero points at the tournament. The team can still secure a spot in the knockout stage, but Wales will need to win today’s game by at least five goals.

In order to pull off the upset, Wales will need to rely on their star player Jess Fishlock. She has scored the team’s only goal at the tournament this year.

Fans can watch the 2025 Women’s EURO group stage game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The MAGA world is melting down over a Department of Justice memo first reported by Axios that concludes it had no evidence Jeffery Epstein, a convicted sex offender, blackmailed influential people.

President Donald Trump has lashed out at those who insisted Epstein had a ‘client list’ that should be released and are calling for Attorney General Pam Bondi’s firing.

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump scolded those critics and said the “Epstein files” were created by people in the former administration, should not be publicized, and called them “Radical Left inspired Documents.”

Trump wrote: “Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration, who conned the World with the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, 51 ‘Intelligence’ Agents, ‘THE LAPTOP FROM HELL,’ and more? They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called “friends” are playing right into their hands.”

Trump pleaded with those asking for Bondi’s firing to stop. “LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!” he wrote.

He said those going after her should focus on his administration’s achievements.

“We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening,” said Trump, who calls the uproar a distraction.

“We are about to achieve more in 6 months than any other Administration has achieved in over 100 years, and we have so much more to do,” Trump added.

Former Trump ally Elon Musk replied that Trump could end the controversy by releasing files on Epstein.

“He said “Epstein” half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised,” the former DOGE chief posted on X.

The NASCAR Cup Series continues today, as racers compete in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 this afternoon. The race is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CT on TNT Sports. Fans can watch this NASCAR race for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

William Byron enters this race with 632 points, so he currently sits atop the NASCAR Cup Series standings. Byron has struggled recently, as he was unable to finish the race last week. With this in mind, he will try to turn things around this afternoon.

Notably, Byron has secured seven finishes inside the top 5 this season.

Chase Elliott has earned second place in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, as he currently possesses 619 points. He finished last week’s race in 16th place, so he will try to improve his performance today.

Kyle Larson has 613 points this season, so he is only 19 points behind Byron for first place in the NASCAR Cup Series. With this in mind, Larson will look to win his fourth race of the season this afternoon.

Fans can watch the Toyota/Save Mart 350 race for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

A 27-year-old man was shot to death by Alabama state troopers following a chase that began in Elmore County and ended in Montgomery.

ALEA Capt. Jeremy Burkett said Sunday that Jacob Blaze Hutchinson, of Lawley, was shot when he pulled a knife on troopers. No troopers were injured.

The incident began shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday when a trooper tried to stop a Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle on Cobbs Ford Road in Prattville in Elmore County.

The driver – later identified as Hutchinson – refused to stop and a pursuit ensued, Burkett said.

The chase traveled south onto Interstate 65 and into Montgomery. It ended in the 2800 Block of Springfield Drive when Hutchinson ditched the motorcycle and began to run.

A foot chase ensued until Hutchinson pulled out a knife, Burkett said.

“Subsequently, ALEA personnel discharge their weapons, fatally injuring Hutchinson,” Burkett said.

The investigation is ongoing. Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday will attend the FIFA Club World Cup final, a match that will offer Trump a preview of the globe’s premier soccer tournament that North America will host next year.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel from their golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to East Rutherford 40 miles (64 kilometers) away to watch the final match of the U.S.-hosted tournament between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at MetLife Stadium.

Trump’s trip Sunday falls on the first anniversary of the assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania, while campaigning for president.

The president did not have any public plans to mark the date beyond participating in a taped Fox News Channel interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump that aired Saturday night.

Sporting events have made up the bulk of Trump’s trips in the U.S. since taking office this year. In addition to his visit this weekend to the soccer tournament, he’s attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 in Florida, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, New Jersey, and the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia.

The president, who has a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has said he plans to attend multiple matches of the World Cup tournament next year.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This is an opinion column

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I recently had lunch with a friend who asked an interesting question, “Why doesn’t ComebackTown publish a column evaluating whether the University of Alabama should have a live mascot like many other colleges and universities.”

My first reaction was that ComebackTown concentrates on columns about Birmingham–a piece about the University of Alabama might not be appropriate.

Then I got to thinking.

I’m a graduate of Alabama and passionate about Alabama football.

Alabama football plays a major role in living in Birmingham.

So at the risk of losing 50% of the Auburn audience and another 50% of PETA advocates, why not address a burning question related to U of A?

I did some research and here’s what I found…

These colleges have amazing live mascots

LSU has Mike VII, a live tiger, who lives in a 15,000-square-foot habitat that costs $3 million.

The Arkansas Razorbacks tote around a 350 pound wild boar, Tusk VI, to their football games.

The University of Texas takes great pride in Bevo, a longhorn steer, weighing shy of a ton with horns stretching 7 feet tip to top.

The University of North Alabama boasts, Leo III and Una, the only live lion mascots in the country living on a college campus.

Then, of course, Auburn has Aurea and War Eagle VIII, eagles who circle Jordan-Hare Stadium to the cries of “Warrrrrr Eagle!”

Other college live mascots include:

• The University of Southern California, Traveler IX, a purebred Andalusian horse
• Colorado State, Cam the Ram
• U.S. Naval Academy, Bill, the Goat
• The University of Colorado, Ralphie the Buffalo
• Baylor University, 263 pound Black bear, Lady.

There is precedent for a live Alabama elephant mascot

According to SBNation, Beginning in the 1930s the Alabama football team was called “the red elephants.

“In the 1940s, a live elephant mascot named ‘Alamite’ was a regular sight on game days in Tuscaloosa…For several years it was traditional for the pachyderm to lead the homecoming parade and Alamite would also bear that year’s queen onto the field prior to the game.

“…By the mid-1950s, Alamite gave way to a mascot-for-a-day that would be brought in for the homecoming parade and other activities. Reportedly, the cost of keeping the giant animal proved too expensive for the university.

“The University of Alabama’s ‘Spirit Planning Committee,’ a group that included representatives from numerous campus organizations, would spearhead the effort to bring a live elephant to campus as part of homecoming celebrations. These temporary mascots were usually from traveling circuses and would often appear in their performing regalia.”

Yes, it would be a good bit more expensive to house an elephant than Auburn’s eagles, but Auburn has a second mascot, Aubie, the Tiger.

Maybe if Alabama purchased a live pachyderm, it would goad Auburn into buying a live tiger that might eat its pesky birds.

Roll Tide!

Video below was actually 1947.

David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).

Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. [email protected]

The National Hurricane Center will be keeping an eye on the Gulf this week.

All was quiet on Sunday, but forecasters think a tropical disturbance could develop there in a few days.

As of Sunday it had a low probability (20 percent) of becoming even a tropical depression in the next seven days, but it could spread a lot of rain across parts of the northern Gulf Coast, and Alabama, this week.

The hurricane center said a trough of low pressure is likely to form near the Southeastern U.S. coast during the next day or two.

It could then track to the west and across Florida and into the Gulf.

The hurricane center said conditions there could allow it to gradually develop by the middle or later part of the week.

A system has to have a defined center of circulation and sustained winds of at least 40 mph to be considered a tropical storm and get a name. The next name on the 2025 Atlantic storm list is Dexter.

The hurricane center said that, name or no name, the system could spread heavy rain across parts of the northern Gulf Coast this week.

The National Weather Service in Mobile will also be closely watching the system and expects the risk for rip currents along the Alabama and northwest Florida coasts to increase to moderate by Wednesday and high by Thursday, which means swimming in the Gulf will be hazardous.

Rip currents are one of the biggest weather-related killers along the Alabama and Florida Panhandle coasts.

The weather service in Mobile also said those closer to the coast should expect increased rain chances later this week.

“Given the pattern, expect high rain chances regardless of whether or not something forms and gets a name,” the weather service said in its Sunday morning forecast discussion.

“Multiple rounds of heavy rain could lead to flooding concerns by mid-week, but especially in the latter part of this upcoming week. Expect several days with widespread showers and storms.”