In Sunday night’s Miss America 2026 final at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center, Alabama’s Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025, crowned her successor: Miss New York, Cassie Donegan. Stockard had won the prestigious national pageant last year and has served the past year as Miss America 2025. Her reign ended Sunday night as she handed her title, […]

Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, was found dead Saturday about 2:07 p.m. in Auburn’s Kiesel Park. The recently-retired Auburn veterinary professor and researcher had been walking her dog in the park, and her body was spotted by a passerby who called 9-1-1. They quickly issued a lookout for Dr. Schnuelle’s red Ford F-150 truck, which […]

When Trade Desk, a 60-foot Hatteras, left Orange Beach for three days of catch-and-release billfishing, hooking a swordfish was just an afterthought, one that would stress all their resources as well as enter the Alabama Saltwater Record Book. Robert Fritze, his dad (Ron) and four buddies (Harold Wells, Jamie Boyd, Wes Hagler, Robert Parks) had […]

Melinda MeGahee’s career is a testament to the power of faith, vision, and an unwavering commitment to others. As Executive Director of The Lovelady Center, she has devoted herself to transforming the lives of women and children affected by incarceration, addiction, and poverty. Under her leadership, the Center has grown from a small ministry in […]

Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan has built her leadership around a simple but powerful idea: protecting and preserving what makes Fairhope special while preparing it for the future. Elected in 2020, Sullivan’s work has been defined by a balance of growth and preservation, ensuring that Fairhope remains both a destination and a beloved hometown. Her leadership […]

Alice Lessmann’s story is one of perseverance, service, and leadership across the military, healthcare, business, and civic life. Rooted in North Alabama, she has built a career and a reputation defined by resilience, quiet grit, and a steady commitment to serving others. Definitional accomplishments When asked what she is most proud of, Lessmann doesn’t hesitate […]

One of Alabama’s most storied sporting estates is now available. The historic Maytag Plantation, a 1,579-acre recreational retreat in Union Springs, has been listed for $11.1 million. The plantation traces its origins to the 1920s, when L.B. Maytag of the Maytag appliance family acquired the land as a private retreat. It later became known as […]

During the Oval Office question and answer session that followed Tuesday’s Space Command announcement, President Donald Trump was asked about a viral video that seemed to show garbage bags being tossed from a window of the second floor family residence of the White House. Dismissing the video as likely “AI-generated,” Trump noted that the residence […]

After Hugh Culverhouse, Jr. made headlines last week across the state when past donations to Planned Parenthood resurfaced in the form of red meat in the 2026 Alabama Attorney General’s race, the Florida developer and attorney says he turned around and donated the same amount — $250,000 — to pro-life, Alabama-based non-profits. He says the […]

Guy Fieri is bringing ‘Flavortown’ to Alabama with the opening of its first location in the state this week. Chicken Guy! is the name of the new restaurant. Created by celebrity chef and TV personality Guy Fieri, the restaurant will open Thursday at 9:30 a.m. inside the Walmart Supercenter in Gardendale. Fieri, known for his […]

Joseph Brown remembers taking the call from Nick Saban. It was early in 2025, and the legendary Alabama football coach, now “retired” to life as a TV commentator, wanted to talk about Scott Cochran. The area manager of Alabama Power’s Western Division, Brown is also the current chair of the board of trustees at the University of West Alabama (UWA). […]

As the Alabama Crimson Tide gets set to kick off its season Saturday afternoon against the Florida State Seminoles, they are doing so with a new quarterback at the helm of the offense for the first time in two years. In today’s day and age when it’s as rare as it’s ever been, Ty Simpson […]

This week marks twenty years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, including Alabama's beaches.

 As Alabamians prepare to celebrate Labor Day weekend and the kickoff of college football season, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is reminding drivers and boaters to “Score Big with Safety” both on the road and on the water. Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions will increase their presence throughout the state, […]

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Thursday morning that it would open more than 7,000 acres of Alabama’s Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge for hunting in the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Hunters will now be permitted to enter a lottery to hunt waterfowl on the land, including mourning dove, Eurasian-collared dove, duck, and goose. The […]

A Wiregrass native accused in an alleged murder-for-hire plot in the Bahamas will not stand trial until next year, marking the fourth delay in the case. Former Dothan beauty queen Lindsay Shiver is now scheduled to appear in court in Nassau on March 2, 2026, alongside co-defendants Terrence Bethel and Faron Newbold Jr. Her trial […]

A Sylacauga Walmart associate is being recognized as a hero after saving the life of a fellow referee who collapsed during a high school football game Friday night. According to WBRC, officials Lew Murphy and Joey Shelnutt were working the Sylacauga vs. Central Coosa matchup when Shelnutt suddenly collapsed on the field. Murphy immediately rushed […]

Following instincts led Tucker Smith to his best finishes during his rookie year on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. He made his most impactful gut feeling move on Day 2 of the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite at Upper Mississippi River, earning him yet another trophy for his trophy case. The Birmingham, Ala., pro claimed the 2025 Dakota Lithium Rookie […]

While Birmingham is often in the headlines for negative news, the Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Fellowship Choir has given the city something to sing about. The group earned national recognition after receiving a coveted Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent. Choir director Akeem Lee, a Ramsay High School graduate, described […]

As the son of a World War II veteran, one of the main reasons I ran for U.S. Senate was to ensure the federal government was fulfilling its obligation to provide our great veterans with the timely, quality care earned through their service to this great country. It is the least we can do to […]

Two Army civilian professionals and a contractor who provide information technology support at Fort Rucker found themselves at the right place at the right time to help save a life in the local community Aug. 15. David E. Gardner II and John. J. Perez, both Army civilian IT specialists, and Michael V. Henderson, a contractor who works as a […]

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville weighed in on the controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel’s recent decision to change its decades-old logo and the interior of its restaurants across the country. The updates, which began earlier this month, have been met with overwhelming public criticism, causing the franchise to lose nearly $100 million in market value on Thursday […]

Along with an impressive array of endorsements from influential state organizations, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) has picked up public support from Season 5 American Idol winner and Birmingham native, Taylor Hicks in his campaign for Governor of Alabama in 2026. Tuesday morning on “Alabama’s Morning News with JT”, Hicks explained his decision to endorse […]

The United Way of West Alabama has set its most ambitious fundraising target in history, announcing a $4.8 million goal for its 2025 campaign. The effort, unveiled during a kickoff luncheon at the Bryant Conference Center, drew hundreds of supporters from across the region. The nonprofit serves residents in a nine-county area and distributes funds […]