University of Alabama at Birmingham officials are telling staff to cut back on spending and limit hiring as the school adjusts to dramatic federal funding cuts.
At a recent campus-wide town hall, UAB asked faculty and staff to adhere to “cost containment measures” after federal grants were terminated.
AL.com also reviewed a document, circulated among the College of Arts and Sciences, that said staff should reduce discretionary spending, limit overtime and new hires and look for other ways to cut costs. According to the document, more specific budget details will be shared soon.
A UAB spokesman told AL.com there are no plans for layoffs or benefits reductions at this time.
“We are aware of inaccurate online rumors,” Tyler Greer said. “There are no plans for institutional layoffs, and no decisions have been made regarding changes to benefits for next year. Benefit adjustments are typical and part of our regular annual benefits review process, which is ongoing. We will continue to focus on responsible financial stewardship. Regarding the town hall, there was no agenda or minutes taken.”
An internal document distributed after the July 14 town hall and reviewed by AL.com told College of Arts and Science staff that “due to uncertainty in the higher education landscape related to enrollment and federally funded sponsored research, it is the responsibility of leadership to ensure that all expenditures are mission critical and business essential.”
The college told its own staff to take the following actions to limit expenses:
Continue to significantly reduce all types of discretionary spending
Continue to tightly control new hiring in your unit
Review class sizes, course loads
Significantly reduce/eliminate overtime pay, extra compensation for various activities
Postpone, extend, or eliminate equipment purchases
Review memberships, sponsorships, etc.
Greer confirmed the letter was not “an institution-wide communication.”
“It was sent only to the College of Arts and Sciences from its leadership,” Greer said. He said he’s unaware of any other emails being distributed to other departments or colleges.
“Leaders of our schools, colleges and units are encouraged to plan their budgets with scrutiny on expenses to focus on responsible financial stewardship and best position them to adapt to potential developments,” Greer said. “Areas of possible costs savings they can consider include non-essential expenses like certain travel, incidental meals and events. UAB entities manage their budgets locally, and strategies to manage expenses and remain financially strong vary among them.”
The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college at UAB, with more than 4,700 students, according to a 2024-25 annual report. The college employs 175 faculty members, the second-highest amount at the university.
UAB is one of several Alabama universities losing millions of dollars in funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The grants were cut because they may have involved diversity, equity and inclusion.
According to Grant-Watch.us, UAB has lost more than $18 million in NIH grants and $1 million in NSF grant funding. One of the UAB grants studying COVID-19 included keywords such as vaccine and vaccination.
The next University of Alabama System board of trustees meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11.
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Paul Finebaum didn’t flinch when asked if Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football will be this upcoming season.
“That he is,” the SEC Network analyst said about the Ohio State star on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Wednesday. “He’s so good. … It’s incredible he has to stay in college with all the convoluted rules.”
As a freshman last year for the Buckeyes, Smith hauled in 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 scores.
The biggest issue, Finebaum said, moving forward with Smith is getting the dynamic playmaker the ball more, citing a failure to get him the ball enough in games last year against Michigan and Texas.
“I think that will change this year, but he is, without a doubt, the best player in the game,” Finebaum said.
On Tuesday, at Big Ten Media Days, Ohio State coach Ryan Day was asked about the next step in Smith’s development.
“If you look at him, you’ve seen him where he’s gotten bigger and stronger and faster than he was last year,” he told the gathered media. “He was at workouts the other day, and Mick (Marotti) constantly says during our warmups, ‘He’s the first guy every time we run through and we’re warming up.’ The first guy every single time. He just sets such a standard. You don’t need to motivate Jeremiah.”
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
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U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala on Wednesday sentenced the 35-year-old Temple to 36 years in prison, according to Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and ATF Nashville Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz.
“This sentence sends a clear message that violent, criminal conduct like Defendant Temple’s will not be tolerated,” Escalona said.
According to evidence presented at trial, Temple distributed fentanyl on two different occasions.
After the distributions, the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force searched his home recovered 14 guns including a machine gun, several firearm magazines including 100- and 50-round drum magazines, a large amount of ammunition, fentanyl, methamphetamine, six digital scales and other drug paraphernalia.
“This individual posed a threat to the safety and well-being of our communities,” Escalona said, “and Friday’s verdict sends a clear message that we will not tolerate such dangerous and unlawful activities.”
The ATF investigated the case along with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristy M. Peoples and Alan Kirk prosecuted the case.
“Today’s sentencing illustrates the continuous commitment that the ATF shares with our state, local, and federal law-enforcement partners to combat the illegal possession of firearms, fight violent crime, and remove narcotics from the streets,” Stankiewicz said.
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A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 12:17 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 1 p.m. for Marion and Lamar counties.
Prepare for pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
“At 12:16 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Weston, or near Hamilton, moving south at 5 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Hamilton, Detroit, Weston, Byrd, Marion County Public Lake, Rankin Fite Airport and Pikeville.
The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”
When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms
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 ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
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’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from 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 with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides 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.
Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures 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:
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
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.
Reduce speed and drive cautiously:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
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.
Prioritize visibility
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate 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.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 12:07 p.m. on Wednesday for strong thunderstorms until 12:45 p.m. for Pickens, Sumter and Greene counties.
The storms could bring wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches).
“At 12:06 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near West Greene, or 9 miles southeast of Aliceville, moving south at 15 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Boligee, Gainesville, New West Greene, Mantua, Allison, West Greene, Warsaw, New Mount Hebron, Clinton, Pleasant Ridge, Five Points Intersection, Lewiston and I 20 Rest Area Near Eutaw.
According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”
Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms
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 crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
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 forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread 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, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather
When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:
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:
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:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually 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
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.
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:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
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.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Jackpot slots are hugely popular with players at SpinBlitz sweepstakes casino. These slots provide some massive prizes for winners and are often packed with other fun bonuses. Here, I highlight four of the best jackpot slots to play with the SpinBlitz promo code BLITZ.
With our exclusive promo code, all new players at SpinBlitz are eligible to receive 50 Gold Coins, 10 free Sweeps Coins and 30 free spins.
All US states except Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and West Virginia
📓 Playthrough requirement
1x
✅ Last verified
July 23, 2025
Best jackpot slots to play with SpinBlitz promo code BLITZ
Playing slot games online has never been easier than it is right now.
Real money online casinos are certainly a good option to do so, but these remain legal in only seven states. For the majority of Americans, online sweepstakes casinos are the best option to play slot games from the comfort of home.
SpinBlitz is one of the best sweepstakes casinos operating today. It provides players with everything they need for a great casino gaming experience. That includes a massive variety of unique slot games.
I spent time narrowing down four of the best jackpot slots available at SpinBlitz. Discover what makes these games special:
Gates of Olympus
A screenshot of the Gates of Olympus slot game.SpinBlitz
Longtime online casino players have likely come across Gates of Olympus. This game was launched by Pragmatic Play in 2021 and has remained one of the developer’s most popular titles to date. It also happens to be one of the most beloved jackpot slots at SpinBlitz.
Gates of Olympus is a six-reel slot game with 20 paylines and an average RTP rate of 96.50%. It utilizes a cascading reels feature, meaning the symbols landed on a winning combination immediately fall off the grid to make way for new symbols. This provides players with the opportunity to earn multiple wins with only a single spin.
Pragmatic Play almost always produces great-looking slot games. Gates of Olympus fits that bill, with sleek graphics and a cool Ancient Greek theme.
Those looking to win some huge jackpots certainly have the ability to do so playing this game. Gates of Olympus is included in the list of games with a SpinBlitz progressive jackpot. The more this game is played and the jackpot is not won, the larger it grows.
Coin Up: Lightning
A screenshot of the Coin Up Lightning slot game.SpinBlitz
BGaming is another world-class online slot developer that provides a large number of games to SpinBlitz. One of this developer’s most exciting jackpot games is Coin Up: Lightning, a three-reel slot game with three paylines and an average RTP rate of 95.67%.
In most cases, three-reel slots are fairly simplistic and come with a smaller number of basic features. Coin Up: Lightning is different, as it is packed with as many features as some of the largest six-reel slots being offered online.
Four jackpot prizes are up for grabs with this game: a Mini, Minor, Major and Grand jackpot. To earn one of these jackpots, players need to land three bonus symbols on a single payline. This triggers the bonus round game. Players then need to score three individual jackpot symbols on a payline to earn that prize.
Several other features are available, including a mystery jackpot, multiple bonus rounds and profit boosters. Fans of three-reel slots are almost guaranteed to enjoy what this game has to offer.
The Dog House
A screenshot of the The Dog House slot game.SpinBlitz
Another one of the best jackpot slots to play with the SpinBlitz promo code BLITZ is The Dog House. This is another unique slot developed by Pragmatic Play. It features five reels, 20 paylines and has an average RTP rate of 96.51%.
The Dog House is filled with unique bonus features. To trigger the free spins round, players need to land a scatter symbol on reels one, three and five. Doing so gives players at least nine free spins with some huge multipliers up for grabs.
This is not a traditional progressive jackpot slot game. It does, however, provide players with some huge payout opportunities. By landing the perfect combination of symbols and multipliers, players can earn a maximum payout of 6,750x their wager.
I am a huge fan of this game’s theme, as well. It focuses on various dogs, with each dog symbol providing players a different value. It looks great and has an upbeat soundtrack that most players will enjoy.
Crown of Fire
A screenshot of the Crown of Fire slot game.SpinBlitz
Certainly a theme of Pragmatic Play offering some of the best jackpot slots at SpinBlitz has emerged.
Pragmatic Play has created many of the best free and real money slots being offered online. One of its more underrated games is Crown of Fire, a five-reel slot game with 10 paylines and an average RTP rate of 96.36%.
This game provides players with fewer bonus options than the other slots featured on this page. It’s more of a classic-style slot with gameplay that is perfect for beginners.
Crown of Fire is part of SpinBlitz’s “Jackpot” collection of games. A massive progressive jackpot can be won playing this game with tens of thousands of Sweeps Coins up for grabs.
Fans of classic slot themes are sure to enjoy this game. It features iconic slot symbols such as various fruit, bells and money symbols.
It’s not necessarily among the high RTP slots at SpinBlitz, but it provides a large variety of options for players to win big.
SpinBlitz promo code BLITZ: How to claim this offer
SpinBlitz has maintained its reputation as one of the country’s best online sweepstakes casinos since going live in 2024. This site’s collection of bonuses has certainly played a large factor in its success.
New players can earn a welcome bonus of 50 Gold Coins, 10 free Sweeps Coins and 30 free spins by using our promo code BLITZ at registration.
This is one of the most unique welcome offers provided by any online sweepstakes casino in 2025.
Some may note the somewhat low number of Gold Coins that come with this offer. On the other hand, new players are able to secure 10 free Sweeps Coins with no purchase required. That is a huge number of Sweeps Coins to earn without having to spend a single dime.
For now, SpinBlitz is only available to those age 21 or older. It is available in all states except Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Washington and West Virginia.
Slot fans are sure to love what SpinBlitz has to offer. Check it out and consider testing your luck on the various jackpot games that are available.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Ozzy Osbourne’s hometown of Birmingham, England is about 4,000 miles from Birmingham, Alabama. Still, Osbourne left a heavy metal mark here in Alabama, as he did the rest of the world during his seven-decade music career.
A haunting, relatable and unforgettable singer with his pioneering band Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, Osbourne died July 22 at age 76. Recently, Osbourne and Sabbath reunited to perform and be celebrated at a star-studded concert, featuring the likes of Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Tool, in Birmingham, England. Earlier this year, Osbourne was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as a solo artist, following Black Sabbath’s long overdue 2006 induction.
With the world mourning Osbourne’s passing and celebrating his music, here’s a look back at some of his Alabama adventures and connections.
Sabbath rocks Birmingham
According to Osbourne’s website, Black Sabbath’s touring in Alabama included a July 11 show at Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium promoting the band’s third album, “Masters of Reality.” Setlists from this tour typically included early Sabs classic “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.” and the song “Black Sabbath,” along with then-new rattlers like “Sweat Leaf” and “Children of the Grave,” according to fan site black-sabbath.com. Tickets for this tour were around $3 to $5.
Mobile gets ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath‘ preview
On Sept. 9, 1972, Sabbath played Mobile Municipal Auditorium. This show was part of the band’s world tour supporting fourth album, “Vol. 4.” Setlist this tour featured “Vol. 4” songs like “Tomorrow’s Dream,” “Wheels of Confusion,” “Cornucopia” and “Supernaut.”
Sabbath – Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward – also previewed “Killing Yourself to Live.” That song that would appear on their next album, 1973’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” Tickets cost around five bucks.
Black Sabbath takes Van Halen on tour
The opening act for Black Sabbath’s 1978 “Never Say Die!” tour was a baby band from Pasadena, California called Van Halen, who were supporting their self-titled debut album There were three Alabama shows scheduled for the Sabbath/Van Halen tour. And that’s when things started to go sideways.
Things begin to go sideways
After a Nov. 8 show at Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium, “Roth and Ozzy stayed up all night in a 15th floor room, snorting enough cocaine to stop the hearts of a half-dozen men,” as chronicled in Greg Renoff’s 2015 book “Van Halen Rising.” This was part of a three-day coke binge for Osbourne, according to the singer’s memoir, “I Am Ozzy.”
Before a sold-out Sabs/VH Nov. 9 concert at Nashville’s Municipal Coliseum, Osbourne was finally able to get some sleep. However, in his frazzled state he got confused and went to the wrong room to crash. As showtime neared, the Sabbath camp was unable to find Osbourne, in that simpler, pre-smartphone time. It was feared Ozzy had been kidnapped. Or worse.
When showtime arrived in Nashville, Van Halen went ahead and did their opening set. Sabbath’s headlining set was canceled and rescheduled for a few days later.
The tour now required rejiggering. A Florida concert was pushed back a few days. Texas was moved up a couple. Ohio was canceled. The concert at Atlanta arena The Omni was moved from late October to mid-November.
Canceled in Huntsville
Sabbath and Van Halen’s Nov. 13 Huntsville at Von Braun Center Civic Center show was canceled, presumably to make room for the Atlanta show because The Omni’s capacity was around 50 percent more than the VBCC.
According to a newspaper report from that time, “In rescheduling the tour, dates that Black Sabbath could come to Huntsville do not coincide with the dates that Civic Center facilities are presently available.” It remains the greatest Huntsville concert that never happened. The Sabbath and Van Halen tour resumed in Alabama with a Nov. 14 Mobile Municipal Auditorium concert. Tickets for the Mobile show were $8.
After parting ways with Sabbath circa 1979, Osbourne picked up the pieces and launched a solo career with the help of Randy Rhoads, a young Los Angeles guitarist whose playing wove classical music into metal in a thrilling and new way, as heard on Osbourne’s signature solo track “Crazy Train” and “Diary of a Madman.” Osbourne and his solo band performed at Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium March 6, 1982, just two weeks before Rhoads died in a March 19 Leesburg, Fla. airplane crash.
Ozzy returns to the Rocket City
Black Sabbath never performed in Huntsville. But on Feb. 28, 1983, Osbourne performed his only concert ever in Huntsville, at the Von Braun Civic Center, today known simply as Von Braun Center. Tickets for the general admission show were $10. Billed as “The Ozzy Osbourne Show,” the singer’s 1983 tour itinerary also include a Feb. 27 stop at Montgomery’s Garrett Coliseum.
Osbourne had recently added 26-year-old guitar shredder Jake E. Lee to his solo band, a couple months or so prior to the Huntsville concert. The 1983 solo tour setlists featured Osbourne rockers like “Flying High Again,” “Mr. Crowley” and “Crazy Train.” At the time, Osbourne was 34 and touring behind “Speak of the Devil,” a 1982 live-album covering Black Sabbath songs. Night Ranger’s Brad Gillis played guitar on “Speak of the Devil.”
‘Bark at the Moon’ tour at Boutwell
Ozzy’s tour for his third solo album, “Bark at the Moon,” included 1984 shows at Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium and Mobile’s Municipal Auditorium. Mötley Crüe, promoting their sophomore album “Shout at the Devil,” was the support act. Crüe bassist and principal songwriter Nikki Sixx later credited getting to tour with Ozzy for helping his band breakthrough.
Ozzy at Oak Mountain
After a solo farewell tour that didn’t stick, in 1996, Osbourne, now with Zakk Wylde on guitar, returned to Alabama for his last concert in the state, as part of his “Retirement Sucks” tour. That May 10 concert at Pelham’s Oak Mountain Amphitheatre opened with Sabbath’s signature hit “Paranoid.” The set also boasted then-current solo hits like “No More Tears” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
In the early 2000s, Ozzy became an unlikely reality TV star when his family was the subject of MTV’s hit show “The Osbournes.” This was a surreal development for any viewers who’d grown up during the ’80s, when Osbourne’s drug and alcohol fueled antics, including an infamous onstage incident in which he bit the head off a bat, made him parents’ public-enemy number one.
Ozzy goes to Space Camp
In 2018, Ozzy returned to Huntsville with son Jack Osbourne to visit Space Camp for an episode of their A&E Network travel show “Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour.” During that episode Osbourne remarked, “I’m dressed up like a Thanksgiving turkey,” while suspended midair and wearing a spacesuit. Later he imagined a news report if things had gone wrong there: “Ozzy Osbourne breaks neck. He fell off a make-believe rocket.”
In a much more bizarre Montgomery connection from 2018, a 27-year-old Black man also named Ozzy Osbourne was found guilty of murder, stemming from a 2015 barbershop shooting.
Rock musician Ian Duthie, who is from Huntsville, is shown onstage, circa late ’80s. (Courtesy Ian Duthie)
Duthie was living in Hollywood and attending the Guitar Institute for Technology, known for sculpting shredders. Either through the grapevine or GIT’s student referral service, Duthie learned guitarists were being auditioned to replace Lee in Ozzy’s band. Duthie put together the requested materials – a demo tape, a bio and a headshot – and mailed them off in a manila envelope.
Ian Duthie’s keepsakes from his experience auditioning for Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1987. (Courtesy Ian Duthie)
Duthie couldn’t afford a phone at his Chula Vista Way apartment he shared with other friends who’d moved out west. So he included his then-girlfriend Jennifer number for contact info on his Ozzy submission materials he’d mailed. One day while at Jennifer’s apartment, guitar tech Mike Rush — then with Ozzy’s band and later with Kiss, Billy Idol and Ratt — called. Rush told Duthie to lean a handful of songs, including “Bark at the Moon,” “I Don’t Know” and “Crazy Train.” They scheduled a time for Duthie to come jam with Osbourne’s band in a couple weeks.
A typewriter draft of the submission letter Ian Duthie sent in to audition for Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1987. (Courtesy Ian Duthie)
On audition day, Duthie packed up a guitar and drove his 1977 Camaro to a North Hollywood building on Chandler Avenue. As Duthie recalled in our 2020 story, “Mike said to me, ‘Hey thanks for coming out. You’re up next, we’ve got five or 10 minutes, and, just so you know, don’t get your hopes up too much Ozzy’s not here today. But the band is here and you’re going to be playing with the band.’ I think he said Ozzy was on the East Coast talking to somebody they want for the gig.” [Zakk Wylde is from New Jersey.]
Finding out Osbourne already had another guitarist in mind wasn’t the most encouraging thing to be told at that moment. Still, Duthie was determined to go out blazing away. Clad in a T-shirt and holey jeans, he passed another young rocker walking out of the rehearsal building as he was walking in.
Entering a large open room inside with high ceilings, Duthie saw two Marshall guitar amps set up near the center of the room, along with a drumkit and bass guitar rig. Osbourne’s drummer Randy Castillo and Osbourne bassist Phil Soussan were there too. Duthie walked over and introduced himself.
On the right side of the room, there was a table with a selection of guitar effects pedals on top of it. Duthie was told to pick out the pedals he wanted to use and plug them and his guitar into the amps so the audition could begin.
The red Saint Blues Guitar that Alabama native Ian Duthie played during his audition for Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1987. (Courtesy Ian Duthie)
The guitar he’d brought was a sexy red instrument made by Saint Blues Guitar Workshop of Memphis with a whammy bar and pointy headstock.
Duthie was told to pick two songs to jam with Castillo and Soussan. He decided on “Crazy Train” and “Secret Loser,” a serrated track from Osbourne’s latest hit album, “The Ultimate Sin.” His go at “Crazy Train” felt best of the two, as he was more familiar with Rhoads’ guitar style than Lee’s.
‘The king of metal’
It’s fairly common for a star singer not to be part of initial band auditions. Still, playing Osbourne’s songs without vocals on them made the audition even more nerve-wracking, Duthie recalled.
After running through those two songs, Duthie asked Castillo and Soussan if they could play one more tune, as he’d brought the boombox he’d been practicing along to and hoped to record something from the audition. Castillo and Soussan agreed. Before beginning “Bark at the Moon,” Duthie put his boombox on top of a Marshall amp, pressed record, and rocked.
After finishing the audition, he thanked everyone involved for having him out. “I felt privileged honestly,” Duthie says. “What are the chances of somebody like that giving you a shot? I didn’t feel like I’d get the gig. But I got the audition. How cool is that?”
Duthie went on to become a full-time guitar teacher in Nashville. As he put it, “If Elvis was the king of rock and Robert Johnson’s king of the Delta blues, then Ozzy’s the king of metal. I still have students to this day that want to learn ‘Crazy Train.’”
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An elderly man was killed in an overnight Birmingham house fire.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service and Birmingham police responded at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday to a fire at a home in the 800 block of Sixth Street West.
After extinguishing the blaze, first responders found 80-year-old Gerald Eugene Wren unresponsive on the front porch, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
Wren was pronounced dead on the scene at 9 p.m.
The Birmingham Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire, and the Birmingham Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.
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Mike Norvell is pumped to have Gus Malzahn on Florida State’s staff, pointing out “the last time he was an offensive coordinator he did win a national championship.”
The Florida State coach was asked about the experience brought to the program by a guy like Malzahn, the former Auburn coach.
“I mean, having the opportunity to have coach Malzahn come and be a part of our staff, it was special,” Norvell told the media Wednesday at ACC Media Days. “It’s somebody that I’ve had a 20-year relationship with. All the respect in the world for the man, not just the coach.
“He’s somebody that infuses confidence in everybody around him because he knows what he wants to do. He knows what he wants it to look like. It’s the belief that he’s able to pour into others, for what it takes on that journey.”
Malzahn was fired in 2020 after eight seasons at Auburn, which he coached to an SEC championship in 2013. He went 68-36 with the Tigers and 29-24 with the Knights, but just 4-8 last season.
The perspective Malzahn brings – Norvell said – is a huge asset.
“He’s been a very successful head football coach,” Norvell added. “The last time he was an offensive coordinator (at Auburn) he did win a national championship. To make the choice and decision he made to come to Florida State, I mean, that is the purpose. That is the reason.
“We have an opportunity here to really do something special, and I think that his focus is there on the offensive side of the ball, and he’s one of the best that have ever done it.”
Malzahn now joins the program that beat him in the national title after the 2013 season. Florida State beat Auburn 34-31 in the BCS national championship game.
Malzahn made his name as an offensive coordinator, spending time at Arkansas and Tulsa before Gene Chizik hired him at Auburn in 2009. Along with quarterback Cam Newton, he helped the Tigers to a 14-0 record and the BCS national championship in 2010.
He left Auburn after the 2011 season to become head coach at Arkansas State, whom he led to a 9-3 record in one season. After Chizik was fired after the 2012 season, Malzahn returned as head coach.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
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The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, the brand’s first all-in-one cordless vacuum and mop, is currently on sale for $150 off, but this offer won’t last long.
With this online deal, Dyson customers can get score a Dyson V15s Detect Submarine for $799.99 instead of its regular price of almost $1,000. Designed to vacuum, mop and detect microscopic dust with laser precision, this powerful wet-and-dry cleaner is built for deep multi-surface cleaning without switching tools.
Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Absolute wet and dry vacuum
$949.99 $799.99
The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Absolute wet and dry vacuum is $150 off at Dyson.com for a limited time.
The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Absolute weighs nine pounds and features various cleaner head types, including the Submarine wet roller head, Fluffy Optic cleaner head and the Digital Motorbar cleaner head.
A key feature of the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is its advanced dust detection technology. This vacuum counts particles up to 15,000 times per second, enabling it to automatically adjust the suction power based on the detected debris type. This ensures efficient cleaning performance and optimized battery usage.
Another unique aspect of the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is the Submarine wet roller head, which is specifically designed for washing hard floors. This cleaning attachment not only vacuums, but also removes spills and stains using clean water, leaving the floors clean and streak-free.
Generative AI was used to provide product description for this story, based on data provided by Dyson. It was reviewed and edited by AL.com.
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