Alabama News

A judge has ruled that the Alabama Public Service Commission does not have to allow public input when deciding how much Alabama Power can charge customers for fuel costs.

“This is a disappointing outcome for Alabamians who have no choice but to pay the high cost of fossil fuels on their Alabama Power bill,” said Daniel Tait, executive director of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy. “Citizens deserve a seat at the table where regulators are making big decision about their bills, like fuel cost proceedings.”

On Monday, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Brooke Reid denied an appeal from Energy Alabama to give public input in the commission’s proceedings for Alabama Power’s “Rate Energy Cost Recovery,” or Rate ECR.

Rate ECR is a significant factor in every ratepayer’s bill. It’s the way Alabama Power can recoup what it spends on fuel, including coal, natural gas, or power from another utility.

Because fuel costs fluctuate frequently, the Rate ECR is meant to be adjusted from time to time. The public service commission sets the rate.

Energy Alabama had petitioned to be able to give public input in the commission’s Rate ECR docket. But the commission denied the group’s request twice: first in May of last year, and again in November.

The nonprofit then appealed the commission’s denial to the circuit court. But in her Monday ruling, Reid said Energy Alabama did not show that its rights had been violated by the commission’s denial, nor did the group show that the commission’s decision was based on facts contrary to “the substantial weight of the evidence.”

A representative for the public service commission did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday afternoon.

Terah Boyd, a spokesperson for the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represents Energy Alabama, said the groups had not decided whether to appeal the ruling to a higher court.

The commission argued that Energy Alabama could not intervene in the Rate ECR docket because there was no “proceeding” in which they could participate. The commission has not held a formal proceeding on Alabama Power’s Rate ECR since 2008.

“The commission is not prepared to find that the routine status reports and intermittent consent orders issued in [the Rate ECR docket] since the last proceeding in that cause in 2008 are equivalent to the commencement, reactivation or continuation of a proceeding per the commission’s rules,” the public service commission’s November denial states.

Alabama Power also argued against Energy Alabama’s petition. A representative for the utility declined to comment for this story.

Since 2000, the commission has adjusted the utility’s Rate ECR at least 16 times, according to an AL.com review of available records.

Energy Alabama argued that the public service commission is breaking its own rules by not allowing the public to give input in Rate ECR proceedings. According to a news release from the environmental groups, when the rate needs to be adjusted upward or downward, the commission must hold a formal proceeding and allow public input.

“While other southern states have meaningful public engagement in fuel cost proceedings, Alabama Power customers will continue to be shut out of the process,” said Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Unfortunately, the commission and Alabama Power will continue adjusting the rates customers pay without transparency and accountability.”

A University of Alabama student killed when he and a friend were crossing a Florida road is being remembered as a much-loved young man who was known for always encouraging others.

Jackson Cunningham, of Hoover, and Nicole Moore, of Calera, both died early Saturday when they were struck by an off-duty Escambia County sheriff’s deputy who was on his way home from working an off-duty job.

Cunningham and Moore, both 20, were dead on the scene.

“He was amazing,’’ said father Les Cunningham. “He was well-loved, and he always brought people together.”

“He had the whole world ahead of him,” he said.

The crash happened at 2:57 a.m. on State Road 292 and River Road in Florida’s Escambia County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, the 47-year-old driver from Pensacola was traveling east on State Road 292 when he struck the pedestrians while they were crossing the road.

“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee was not actively patrolling nor on duty,” said FHP Capt. Jason King. “The Florida Highway Patrol remains diligent and focused on our investigation into this crash, as we are with all of the ones we unfortunately must investigate.”

Cunningham was taking a year off from college after finishing his sophomore year at UA, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity.

“He was a man of unwavering character, faith, and kindness, and his impact on the lives of others will last forever,” Theta Chi posted on social media. “His laughter and smile was felt in every corner of the room he was in, and his absence leaves a hole in our brotherhood that words can’t fully express. Until we meet again, brother.”

Moore was a cosmetology student at Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham

“Our hearts are heavy as we remember Nicole Moore, one of our bright and beautiful future professionals,” the school posted on Facebook. “Nicole brought laughter, light, and warmth to every room she walked into. Her sense of humor, talent, and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone students and staff alike.”

Cunningham graduated from Hoover High School where he had played basketball.

After two years in college, he was preparing to take a break and was working installing fiber optic cable.

“He had done really well in school but said he wasn’t sure college was for him,” Les Cunningham said. “He didn’t want to burden us with something he didn’t think he was getting value from.”

“The past six or eight months, his maturity level was just off the chains,” his father said. “I finally had peace as a parent with decision making.”

Just last week, Les Cunningham said, he was having dinner with his son, and his son learned that one of his friends had died. Cunningham and the friend were supposed to play in a poker tournament together last weekend.

“He was really shocked by it, and we started talking about how fragile life was and how lucky we are when our foot hits the ground every morning,” Les Cunningham said.

“He said, ‘I gave my life to Christ.’ He was planning to get baptized at Church of the Highlands in August,” Les Cunningham said. “I was like wow, he was on a spiritual journey of his own.”

“When this happened, I knew he was prepared but I was not,” the grieving father said. “But it did give me peace.”

Cunningham, his father said, was very close to his family, including his mother, Kelly Borganelli. He was best friends with his older sister, and father figure to his 13-year-old sister.

“We had such a close relationship. He could tell me anything,” Les Cunningham said. “We were best friends.”

Cunningham still loved to play basketball recreationally and spent a lot of time working out.

“He was a man’s man,” he said. “His friends looked up to him.”

“If you ask his friends what they thought, he pushed them to be a better person,” Les Cunningham said. “He was competitive, and he pushed them to be a better person.”

“He was very encouraging to them, helping them with their workouts and leading them to Christ, getting them to think about their futures,” he said. “He was just such a positive influence.”

Cunningham went to the beach last weekend with a group of friends. They had bumped into Moore and one of her friends on the beach earlier in the day, and Cunningham had known them from college, his father said.

When the crash happened, they were heading to the beach access to go crabbing.

The vehicle missed two of Cunningham but struck him and Moore. “It killed them instantly,” Les Cunningham said.

Les Cunningham said following his son’s death, a neighbor shared with him that he had lost his own son more than a decade ago and said he still thinks about him every day.

“Right now, I’m thinking about him every minute, so I hope it gets to every day,” Les Cunningham said. “But I’ve found peace because I know he was ready for that day.”

“I just thought I’d get to see him again,” he said. “I’m heartbroken because I can’t see him as a father because I know he’d be the best dad ever.”

The brand new reality special Evict My Kid premieres on A&E Tuesday, July 8 at 10/9c.

Those hoping to watch the hour-long special can catch the premiere available for streaming through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What is Evict My Kid about?

Evict My Kid centers on two fed-up families who, with all efforts exhausted, take on a 30-day eviction process to finally push their adult children out of the nest.

Before beginning this painful but necessary process, both families have urged their adult children to try and make it on their own, but their efforts have unfortunately proved futile. Now, the families are getting help and are ready to give their all in their last opportunity to evict their kids.

How to watch Evict My Kid

Those interested in streaming the new A&E reality special can stream the premiere of Evict My Kid through Philo, DirecTV or Sling.

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

A battle of first-year head coaches will face off to begin ‘Ballin in Boutwell’ in October.

Samford and Alabama A&M will face off in an exhibition matchup to open the event at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.

The matchups were officially announced at a press conference inside the Boutwell Auditorium lobby on Tuesday.

The game will tip off an event that also includes Auburn’s men vs. Oklahoma State on Oct. 15 and Alabama’s women and men facing Florida State the following day.

Last season, the event was called ‘Bama in Boutwell,’ with Alabama facing Wake Forest in a 98-77 exhibition win for the lone game of the event. Now, the event will expand to include four games and five in-state teams.

Tickets for each of the four games can be found here.

The matchup of two in-state mid-majors will feature a pair of new coaches for both programs, including new Samford coach Lennie Acuff and Alabama A&M coach Donte’ Jackson.

Acuff, a Huntsville native who led Lipscomb to an NCAA tournament appearance this season and was the head coach at UAH for 22 seasons, was hired in April to replace Bucky McMillan, who departed Samford to take over as the head coach at Texas A&M.

Alabama A&M hired Jackson in April after eight seasons as the head coach at Grambling State, where he led the program to a 2023-24 NCAA tournament victory in the First Four over Montana State and was a three-time SWAC Coach of the Year honoree.

Samford is 6-1 against Alabama A&M, including a 97-90 victory in Huntsville on Dec. 21, 2024.

Retiring Alabama State Senator Tom Butler expects to spend a lot of time mowing grass once his time in Montgomery is done.

But the Madison Republican’s time of focusing on just lawn care will have to wait.

“I still have a year-and-a-half in service to the state,” said Butler, whose final term in office will end after the 2026 elections. “And I intend to make the most of that. I’m not going to be a lame duck.”

Butler, who represents parts of Madison and Limestone counties, said his focus will be on the state’s general fund and education budgets.

“So, the next year-and-a-half I will be focused on what’s in the budgets, what I can cram into the budget in both the education and general fund,” he said.

He won’t be alone in focusing on the budgets. State Rep. Andy Whitt and State Senator Wes Kitchens both mentioned the budgets being the top priority next session.

Whitt said he is concerned about how the federal budgets will impact things on the state level, particularly with the passage of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”

“I think that’s yet to be known,” Whitt said. “How it will affect the general fund, that’s something we will have to take a look at and make the appropriate corrections.”

Kitchens said lawmakers will have to make sure “we have healthy budgets that are sustainable and make sure that we don’t overextend ourselves.”

“From a budget perspective, we’re going to be looking at numbers,” the senator from Marshall County said. “We’re getting some of those in right now.”

Whitt said he doesn’t believe there will be many controversial issues with the session being during an election year. But he does believe a familiar topic will come up: gaming.

“As far as gaming, we’ve been very clear that it will have to come out of the Senate,” he said. “It did not last year. I don’t know what happened up there.”

State Rep. Parker Moore believes momentum is building to reduce taxes in certain areas.

He believes the overtime tax cut sponsored by Huntsville Rep. Anthony Daniels that this past legislative session let lapse will be revisited.

“We’re going to review that and see where that situation stands,” Moore said.

Moore said legislators will also likely continue to address mental health issues.

“We’re starting to see still a lot of adolescent mental health issues, especially in our school systems,” he said. “A few years ago, we allocated mental health funding for at least one mental health professional in each school district in our state. And I think we need to look at trying to prioritize some more of that funding to increase that to maybe two or three per school district.”

Moore said the additional mental health professionals would not only be beneficial for students, but educators as well.

“We’re hearing from more of our educators that some of these students are showing more and more behavioral issues,” he said. “They need help with trying to cope with how to address those as well.”

Whitt and Kitchens said lawmakers will also be focused on getting bills through the legislature that did not make it to the finish line this past session. That includes a bill sponsored by Kitchens that would reduce some limitations to veterans’ benefits.

And Butler said he would continue to support legislation that would meet the needs of Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties. He also encouraged his colleagues to help recruit potential legislative candidates among high school students in the Huntsville area who are interested in government classes, serving others and are active in church.

“We need new blood to come in and replace us as we retire,” Butler said.

There are few things better than enjoying a nice evening outdoors. And what better way to do that than with the perfect set for an amazing price.

Walmart has Gymax’s 4-piece Patio Ratton Conversation Set for only $137, a savings of $181 off the regular price of $318. The best deals are for cushion colors Khaki, Gray, Navy, Red and Turquoise. A set with black cushions is also on sale – it’s $199, a savings of $60 off the regular price.

The set features four pieces – two chairs, a two-person sofa and a coffee table with tempered glass for convenient use and storage. The set’s steel frame ensures sturdiness while the anti-slip pads on the legs make it easy to move while protecting the ground.

The comfortable cushions are filled with high density foam and have removable covers, making clean-up a breeze.

You can see all your options and order your set here.

Auburn men’s basketball will play an exhibition game at the Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham this season in the ‘Ballin in Boutwell’ exhibition event.

The Tigers will face Oklahoma State on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in one of four exhibitions to take place at the auditorium throughout the week. The matchups were officially announced at a press conference inside the Boutwell Auditorium lobby on Tuesday.

The other games start with a matchup between Alabama A&M and Samford on Oct. 13. Two days after Auburn faces Oklahoma State, Alabama will face Florida State on Oct. 17, with the women’s teams playing in the afternoon and the men’s teams that evening.

Tickets for each of the four games can be found here.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkusor email him at [email protected]m

A Delta flight traveling from Atlanta to San Diego made an unplanned landing in Texas after a passenger began disrobing and had to be restrained.

One witness on the flight told San Diego’s NBC 7 she suspects drugs or alcohol may have been a factor in Saturday’s incident.

“He kept saying ‘I wanna go home, I wanna go home, I wanna see my family,’” according to traveler Rodelyn Kupfersmid.

Passengers reportedly spent 30 minutes trying to calm the the unidentified man as he took off his shirt while screaming. The flight crew then announced that DL731 was being diverted to Dallas-Fort Worth roughly two hours into the trip.

Authorities reportedly removed the man from the aircraft without incident once the plane landed. The flight continued to California after a 90-minute delay and safely reached its destination.

“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior as safety for our customers and crew always comes first,” a Delta representative said in a statement to the Daily News. “We thank our customers for their patience, and we apologize for the delay in their travels.”

It’s unclear if any charges have been filed against the disruptive passenger.

©2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Season 17 of the long-running comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia premieres on FXX Wednesday, July 9 at 9/8c.

Those hoping to tune in for another season of laughs can stream the hit comedy series through Fubo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What is It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia about?

For those who have yet to check out the long-running series, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia follows ‘The Gang’ which includes owners of the unsuccessful Paddy’s Pub. The group of degenerates loves nothing more than to scheme, conspire, and mostly revel in each other’s misery.

Whether gaming the welfare system, impersonating officers, or faking funerals, the gang never stoops too low in the name of making a buck.

Season 17 kicks off with a bang as the hit comedy series teams up with another popular comedy series, Abbott Elementary.

The season 17 premiere episode picks up months after the gang visited Abbott Elementary, and Abbott’s Principal Ava (Janelle James) walks viewers through some of the unseen footage of the gang’s volunteerism and reveals their true intentions.

How to watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 17

Those interested in streaming the upcoming season can find it available through Fubo, DirecTV or Sling.

Both Fubo and DirecTV offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy while Sling offers those that commit to a paid subscription half off their first month and one month free of AMC+.

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 Sling?

Sling is another streaming service to consider if you want to access top rated TV channels like FXX. 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).

Travelers at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport can attest to it.

Birmingham comedian Roy Wood Jr. saw it, but he still seems skeptical.

On June 27, Wood, host of CNN’s “Have I Got News for You,” tweeted out his observations on a vending machine at BHM.

“This gotta be the most Birmingham s**t I’ve ever seen in my life,” he can be heard saying on an accompanying video. “A barbecue sandwich machine? I don’t know about that one there, big dog…”

“Folks call Birmingham country and I get pissed and defend my city. Then as soon as I touch down at the airport, I see a barbecue sammich vending machine,” Wood posted with the video on Twitter.

For any skeptics, the machine was announced last December as one of several by LBX Food Robotics.

The company’s Bake Xpress hot food kiosk was deployed by partner Nancy Harkey Enterprises at the airport in TSA checkpoints, baggage claim and food court locations.

The machines also serve pastries, sandwiches and Italian foods and pizzas.

According to the company, it delivers the food hot through a smart oven that combines convection, infrared and microwave to custom bake food on demand.

“Because the oven actually bakes foods, the machine delivers high quality results that microwave alone cannot achieve,” the company announced in a news release.

Wood remained unconvinced a day later:

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport responded on Tuesday, suggesting another course of action: