Alabama News

The season seven finale of the hit reality series Mama June: Family Crisis premieres on We TV Friday, July 25 at 8/7c.

Those hoping to catch the last bit of drama in this season can stream the finale through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

Previous episode recap

Last week’s episode proved to be one of the most explosive this season as Pumpkin revealed to Mama June and her estranged husband, Josh, of her newfound relationship with Darrin Kitchens.

Alone, the news of Pumpkin moving on would be a hard pill to swallow, but tensions elevated even more once Pumpkin revealed that her new boyfriend is the cousin of Josh.

Another major development in last week’s episode followed Josh as he was involved in a car accident, which sent him to the hospital. As Pumpkin is still listed as his emergency contact, viewers tuning in saw her as she rushed to the hospital—causing panic to spread throughout the family.

Though not much is known about where things will pick up on the upcoming season finale, the We TV episode synopsis hints at Josh packing up his belongings, and Pumpkin finally finding out who snitched on her—leaving her shocked.

How to watch Mama June: Family Crisis season 7 finale

Cord cutters hoping to catch the final episode of Mama June: Family Crisis season seven can stream the premiere 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.

Out of the three streaming services 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 We TV. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month.

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).

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a lower-court ruling in a redistricting dispute in North Dakota that would gut a landmark federal civil rights law for millions of people.

The justices indicated in an unsigned order that they are likely to take up a federal appeals court ruling that would eliminate the most common path people and civil rights groups use to sue under a key provision of the 60-year-old Voting Rights Act.

The case could be argued as early as 2026 and decided by next summer.

Three conservative justices, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas, would have rejected the appeal.

The court also has a separate redistricting case over a second majority Black congressional district in Louisiana. The justices heard arguments in March, but took the rare step of calling for a new round of arguments in their term that begins in October. They have yet to spell out what issues they want discussed.

In the North Dakota case, the Spirit Lake Tribe and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, with reservations 60 miles apart, argued that the state’s 2021 legislative map violated the act by diluting their voting strength and ability to elect their own candidates.

The case went to trial in 2023, and a federal judge later ordered the use of a map of the area, including the reservations that led to the election last year of three Native Americans, all Democrats, to the Republican-supermajority Legislature.

But in a 2-1 ruling issued in May, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that only the Justice Department can bring such lawsuits under the law’s Section 2.

The 8th Circuit also had ruled in an Arkansas case in 2023 that private individuals can’t sue under the same provision.

More than 90 percent of Section 2 cases have been brought through private enforcement, UCLA law professor Richard Hasen wrote on the Election Law blog.

The 8th Circuit rulings conflict with decades of decisions by appellate courts that have affirmed the rights of private individuals to sue under Section 2.

The Supreme Court often will step in when appeals courts around the country come to different decisions on the same legal issue.

In a statement, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Chairman Jamie Azure said, “We are relieved that Native voters in North Dakota retain the ability to protect ourselves from discrimination at the polls. Our fight for the rights of our citizens continues. The map enacted by the North Dakota legislature unlawfully dilutes the votes of Native voters, and it cannot be allowed to stand.”

North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe, a Republican, who is named in the lawsuit, said his office “will continue to follow election laws set by the North Dakota legislature or as directed by any final decisions by the courts.”

The 8th Circuit covers seven states: Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. In the wake of the Arkansas decision, Minnesota and other states moved to shore up voting rights with state-level protections.

On a Friday morning in downtown Auburn, Tiger fans packed out the official Auburn University team store to get their hands on the new Nike Auburn apparel.

After beginning the partnership with Nike on July 1, the products were not available for purchase online and in stores until today, July 25.

With significant fan anticipation and some frustration about the delayed availability of the new merchandise, Auburn put together a full day of festivities for fans to celebrate the Nike era.

“Well, from a timing standpoint, all Nike schools across the country, their product arrives over the period of late June through early July,” Auburn’s Deputy AD for external affairs Rhett Hobart said. “So now when our fans walk in a store like this, you’re able to see really the full suite of product availability, have a great shopping experience, and not have undue frustration because of the natural, normal shipping windows of when things are made available through Nike.”

“Our team did an incredible job, I think, in organizing today, we had a 5K this morning, a yoga event this morning, all in partnership with Nike,” Hobart continued. “Our team store here is fully stocked with merchandise, both in venue and online, as well as numerous retailers across the southeast who are ready to sell Auburn Nike product.”

The team store opened at 8 a.m. sharp with a line of fans wrapped around the entire sidewalk. As the DJ set the tone with morning tunes, staffers allowed customers to enter the store in groups of 20.

Across the street, inflatables were set up for fans, cornhole and breakfast for all the participants in the 5K run.

Inside the team shop, Nike products occupied over half the store. Fans could choose from a wide range of hats, polos, t-shirts and various jackets.

Auburn sophomore Justin Freeman grabbed a few Nike items and is planning to surprise his mom with a long sleeve Nike dri-fit. Freeman purchased a navy Nike tee with a white hoodie for himself to complete his first of many trips to the team store.

“I think it’s better for us because we get more products with Nike. Like, who doesn’t want more of the top brand,” Freeman said. “I really like the Nike tee shirt options more than the Under Armour. It feels like we get unlimited options now.”

Along with some of the original looks featuring just the Auburn logo. There were also some classic tees with the old school Nike font and Auburn logo, giving it a true vintage look.

While many fans were excited about the new designs, for master’s student Parker Stone, the vintage pieces were his favorites.

“Honestly, I love it. I’m a huge Nike fan. I’m super appreciative of Under Armour and how much they have given Auburn,” Stone said. “I feel like when you think of a lot of classic moments, you think of the Under Armour jerseys and all that. But I’m hyped. I think Nike will give Auburn a lot more opportunities, especially with recruits. Like, recruits don’t want to wear Under Armour.”

After 45 minutes of the team shop opening, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the store.

Mayor Ron Anders Jr. was in attendance and had the honors of cutting the ribbon.

“Well, look, this is the time of year that people start getting excited about back to school and football season. Certainly, a new vendor for Auburn’s athletic department and Auburn’s athletic teams brings a new level of excitement to those that follow and care about Auburn University,” Anders told AL.com.

“Nike is a tremendous brand. It is worldwide recognized and now it’s a part of Auburn and they’ve got new ideas and new looks. We hope that everybody that loves Auburn needs to have one of those and that they purchase it right here in our community.”

To close out launch day, Auburn will have student athletes present for an autograph session and an appearance from Aubie the team mascot at the popsicle stands from 3-5 p.m.

Auburn’s team shop will close at its normal time of 5 p.m. and will open back up Saturday at 10 a.m.

“Look, Nike is the pinnacle of brands in college sports, and across the country in pro sports spaces as well,” Hobart added. “So being able to associate two premier brands with Auburn and Nike was a conscious decision for us.

“Now Auburn fans have the opportunity to purchase some of the great Nike merchandise that’s available across the country to many other schools and pro-organizations.”

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports forAL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3or email him at [email protected].

You know that feeling of standing on a front porch in the South? Maybe you were invited to visit a friend. Maybe you spent long afternoons daydreaming. Maybe you were buying a few pieces of candy from the lady down the street.

Porches were an unofficial and unplanned theme of AL.com’s “Birmingham Dreams” storytelling event July 24 at Woodlawn Theatre. Seven neighborhood storytellers talked about growing up in Birmingham, what they see in their neighborhoods today and their hopes for the city’s future.

For the last few months, Birmingham Poet Laureate Salaam Green and I have traveled across the city and held small listening sessions. We wanted to hear residents’ goals for their neighborhoods and their ideas for solving its problems.

We heard lots of great ideas. And we wanted to give residents a way to share their stories directly with an audience. Out of those listening sessions, we identified neighborhood storytellers. We built the “Birmingham Dreams” event to highlight their voices and offer more opportunities for connections and community.

Jamaree Collins and Jeff Collins, a father and son who live in Titusville, shared memories of the historic neighborhood. Jeff spoke about the big mamas who kept kids safe, and Jamaree spoke about learning from his dad’s example as he mentors local students.

“My father wasn’t just my dad, he was the dad to a lot of other Black boys who didn’t have someone like that at home,” Jamaree Collins said. “I stay in Titusville because these kids deserve someone like that, too.”

Other storytellers at the event were Jacquie Fazekas-Varner, of Bama Health; Phaye Wilson, of Manifold Vision and Urban Hope Community Church; Mary Bea Sullivan, of the Threshold Center; Sonya Mitchell; and Sally Allocca, of Eastlake United Methodist Church.

AL.com columnist John Archibald and violence prevention reporter Alaina Bookman talked about living and working in the city. Bookman’s reporting is often featured as part of AL.com and The Birmingham Times’ “Beyond the Violence” project.

“Birmingham is the people,” Archibald said. “It’s the food, wonderful food. It’s the art, the culture. And you may not expect it, but it’s acceptance, too.”

We also wanted our audience to get a chance to hear from wonderful local artists and poets. The Tri City Jazz Trio opened the evening with live music. Arlo Pate and Kevin Tarver shared poems inspired by their neighborhoods.

“’We are driven by survival and by joy,’” Tarver wrote in a poem about the neighborhood of Eastlake. He described favorite memories of his neighborhood and feelings about the challenges local residents currently face.

“I can only imagine the other communities that are impacted by things and want to speak up but don’t have a way to speak out,” Tarver said.

AL.com wants to offer more opportunities for similar connection points and shared experiences.

Follow our journalists, subscribe to support our newsroom and support our storytellers and their organizations.

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is offering several new flights this fall with football enthusiasts in mind.

Starting Aug. 29, Alabama and Auburn fans can fly directly from Birmingham to five select games using American or Southwest Airlines, according to a BHM release.

“These additional flights will make it easier and faster to get to cities that will be hosting some of the big matchups,” it reads.

The flights will typically depart BHM on Friday before the scheduled game and return on the following Sunday.

Those flights include:

American Airlines

• Auburn @ Baylor (Waco) – August 29th
• Auburn @ Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) – September 20th
• Auburn @ Texas A&M (College Station) – September 27th
• Alabama @ Florida State (Tallahassee) – August 30th
• Alabama @ Missouri (Columbia) – October 11th

Southwest Airlines

• Auburn @ Baylor (additional flight to Dallas Love) – August 29th

United Airlines is also adding three nonstop flights from Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Louisiana to Birmingham for Alabama home games, the release adds.

And Delta Air Lines has added nonstop flights to Birmingham from Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

Tickets for all of the flights above are currently available on the airlines’ websites.

Zappos is offering a serious discount on the Ghost 16 running shoe, perfect for those looking to upgrade their running gear this summer or for back-to-school season. Either way, with this limited-time deal, you can score one of the best neutral running shoes on the market for a fraction of the cost.

With this Zappos sneaker deal, customers can get the men’s and women’s Brooks Ghost 16 for just $99 instead of its previous sale price of $109. This is also compared to its original list price of $140. This deal will only be available while inventory lasts.

RELATED: ASICS’ Jolt 5 running shoe is on sale for its cheapest price yet

A notable feature of the Brooks Ghost 16 is its nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 midsole cushioning, which offers a plush yet responsive feel underfoot. This technology helps to deliver soft landings and smooth transitions, making each run more enjoyable while reducing fatigue over longer distances.

“Run smoothly on your track wearing the Brooks Ghost 16 footwear. It features round bump toe with lace-up closure. Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 midsole cushioning delivers lightweight comfort. It has nylon upper, nylon lining, and EVA insole. A low-top design and flat platform allows smooth run,” the Ghost 16 product details state.

Those interested in this deal can checkout the men’s Ghost 16 shoe here and women’s Ghost 16 here.

When asked about quarterback Jalen Kitna, UAB coach and Super Bowl XXXV champion quarterback Trent Dilfer told reporters to circle back to this quote all season.

“I was the sixth pick of the NFL draft in 1994. I was projected to be the first pick at the time. I was one of the higher-rated quarterbacks that had ever been evaluated,” he said. “I was not very good, but I was very talented.

“Jalen Kitna is better than me at every level of football. At this stage of our career, there is not one thing that I was better at than Jalen Kitna is.”

The UAB signal caller is set to open the 2025 season as the Blazers’ full-time quarterback after starting the final eight games last season. In 2024, he finished with a 62% completion percentage as he racked up 2,209 passing yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing 11 interceptions.

As Dilfer noted, the peaks and valleys were plentiful for Kitna during Year 1 in Birmingham following his dismissal from Florida.

In his fourth start, he racked up a monster 404 yards and a school-record six touchdowns in the air en route to a 59-21 rout of Tulsa. But, it was preceded by a pair of two-interception games against UConn and Memphis; the Blazers lost both matchups.

But, one thing stayed the same about Kitna in Dilfer’s eyes: he stayed consistent no matter the stat sheet.

“He came off an injury that set him back a little bit, and then it just became clear that he was the best quarterback on our team,” he said. “When we made the move, we knew there were going to be some growing pains, because he hadn’t played a lot of football, and he played kind of like we expected him to. His highs were extremely high and his lows were extremely low.

“But, what gave us tremendous confidence through the process going into this year was that he never changed.”

The UAB quarterback is the son of longtime NFL player Jon Kitna, who won NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2003 as the Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback and played in the NFL at the same time as Dilfer.

Jon is now a head football coach at Lakota East High School in Ohio.

Dilfer, who is friends with Jon, remembers taking caution in the addition of his son when it came to earning an opportunity.

“You could tell in about three hours that he was the most talented person in the building,” Dilfer said of the UAB quarterback. “It didn’t take long to realize. I didn’t even know how talented Jalen was when he went to Florida. I was so busy at Lipscomb and so busy doing that and dealing with my own quarterbacks that I had forgotten how talented Jalen was.

“To see him and be around him, you realize that you truly have a unique talent. But, he hadn’t played a lot of football, and I didn’t want to throw him in there, and I didn’t want it to be a ‘Well Trent’s biased, so he’s going to play his buddy’s kid’ thing, and I didn’t want daddy ball stuff to come up, so Jalen had to earn it.”

Besides Kitna, the only returning starter on offense for UAB is offensive lineman and Huffman High alum JonDarius Morgan.

Among the offensive transfer additions for the Blazers are former Iowa wide receiver Kaleb Brown, former FIU tight end Antonio Ferguson and former UTEP running back Jevon Jackson, a native of Decatur.

Dilfer said the mission for their quarterback is to not just help him meet expectations, but to bring players around him to help him thrive in the offensive system this year.

UAB will open the season on Thursday, Aug. 28, against Alabama State. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Protective Stadium in Birmingham.

“When you’re given a unique talent, there’s a burden on the coach to not dumb it down too much; we have a responsibility to not just win games, but to get him ready to go have a 15 to 20 year career in the NFL,” Dilfer said. “We take that very seriously, and we demand a lot from him in that process. Like last year, he has not flinched in that process.”

With fall camp officially starting for some high school football teams next week and for all the others on Aug. 4, it’s time again for the annual Mobile County Media Days sponsored by AL.com and IHeart Radio.

Each high school coach in Mobile County will have a chance to meet with the media on Monday or Tuesday at the IHeart Radio Studios in Mobile. The event is not open to the public.

Area coaches were able to choose two (or three players at the most) to represent their teams in previewing the upcoming season. Here are the players who will be attending this year’s prestigious event.

Alma Bryant (coach Bart Sessions)

JaKolby Crandle, Sr., DB

Cam Johnson, Sr., DB

Baker (coach Eric Scott)

Tate Graham, Jr., QB

Josh Jones, Sr., WR

Kristian White, Sr., WR

B.C. Rain (coach Lawrence Yelding)

Malachi Adam, Sr., QB

Devante Coats, Sr., OL

Blount (coach Ray Nelson)

Chris Leather, Sr., DB

Ryan Williams, Sr., LB

Darius Brown, Sr., WR

Chickasaw (coach Dedrick Sumpter)

Robert Moore, Sr., DB/WR

Ri’kevian Edwards, Sr., RB/LB

Sydrus Gilmore, Sr., QB/ATH

Citronelle (coach Jason Rowell)

Nelson Chestang, Sr., OL

Ke’Markys Howard, Sr., ATH

Cottage Hill (coach Carvel Jones)

Shadarius Toodle, Sr., LB

Caleb Metzner, Sr., LB

Caden Wiggins, Sr., DL/LB

Davidson (coach John Lambert)

Dylan Dunigan, Sr., DB

Deshawn Nash, Sr., RB

Faith Academy (coach Gaines Sullivan)

Jaxon Williams, Sr., DL

Brody Lambert, Sr., QB

Brady Alford, Sr., OL

LeFlore (coach Michael Perry)

Joseph Robinson, Jr., QB/ATH

Demetrius Toney, Sr., DB

Ryion Austin, Jr., WR

Mary G. Montgomery (coach Zach Golson)

Jeremy Menhennett, Sr., QB

Kaleb Morris, Sr., DL

DJ Broughton, Sr., TE

McGill-Toolen (coach David Faulkner)

Lamarien Miller, Sr., DB

Blane Barre, Sr., QB

Mobile Christian (coach Charles Lawson)

Jason Todd, Sr., RB/FS

Carter Lewis, Sr., PK

Landyn Gardner, Sr., OL/DL

Murphy (coach Sherman Williams)

Players TBA

Saraland (coach Jeff Kelly)

DeShawn Spencer, Sr., WR

Jakari Harris, Jr., LB

Jamison Roberts, Jr., QB

Satsuma (coach Rodney Jordan)

Jesse Byrd, Sr., RB /LB

Seth Parmer, Sr., OL/DL

St. Luke’s (coach Joe Gilmore)

Will Darling, Sr., OL/DL

Mac Boone, Sr., OL/DL

St. Paul’s (coach Ham Barnett)

Anthony “Tank” Jones, Sr., LB

Will Abrams, Jr., LB

Theodore (coach Steve Mask)

JJ Bush, Sr., DB/LB

Crishon Overton, Sr., QB

UMS-Wright (coach Sam Williams)

David Lott, Sr., DB

Caplyn Reed, Sr., LB/RB

Perry Hand, Sr., LB/RB

Vigor (coach Renardo Jackson)

Sammy Dunn, Sr., QB

Jabarious Garror, Jr., EDGE/LB

Dylan Jackson, Sr., ATH

Williamson (coach Antonio Coleman)

Jermaine McCree, Sr., DB

Todrick Withers, Sr., RB

Alvin Dinkins, Sr., QB

The New York Liberty play against the Phoenix Mercury in a WNBA game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on ION. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.

The Liberty enter this matchup with a 16-6 record, and they have won four consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Liberty defeated Indiana 98-84.

In order to win this game, the Liberty will need to rely on their star player Breanna Stewart. She leads the team in scoring, as she averages nearly 20 points per game.

Notably, Stewart also leads the New York squad with more than six rebounds per game.

The Mercury enter this matchup with a 15-8 record, and they are coming off a loss against the Atlanta Dream.

In order to bounce back this evening, the Mercury will need a great performance from their star player Satou Sabally. She leads the Phoenix offense with more than 18 points per game, so she will try to continue her offensive success tonight.

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

The Green Bay Packers are an interesting team. Coming off of an 11-6 season, the Packers’ season ended early in the Wild Card round. They finally ended the drought of not drafting a wide receiver in the first round, selecting Matthew Golden back in April. Green Bay’s hoping Jordan Love can carry them to a deep playoff run in 2025.

It seems that every NFL team is unveiling some sort of new uniform. The Buccaneers, Steelers and Chargers are just a few that released alternate jerseys in the last week or so. Add the Packers to the list, who revealed a throwback blue jersey on Thursday, along with a helmet pattern that resembles the old leather ones players would wear back in 1923.

Fanatics quickly released plenty of the new Packers alternate jerseys. Here’s a look at the top sellers:

Fans can get free shipping on any of the jerseys above with code “39SHIP” at checkout.