Hoover Alabama Archives

Many residents of Hoover have made it clear that the do not want an Islamic school to be located in their city.

The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission held a vote Monday on whether to approve a proposal to allow the Islamic Academy of Alabama to relocate from Homewood to a vacant office building in Meadow Brook Corporate Park in Hoover.

The commission voted 7-0 against the request to rezone the property and allow the school to relocate to the city.

While the zoning board voted no, the school still has the option to take the request to the Hoover City Council.

According to a report by 1819 news, many residents showed up to the board meeting a Hoover City Hall to voice their opposition to the plan, citing traffic and other concerns about the proposal.

“I see the traffic backed up every morning already,” John Padgett, a homeowner with the residential property closest to the location said at the meeting. “When they start, if you add a few hundred cars to that, it’s gonna be backed up past the stop sign,” questioning the results of the traffic study that said the school would have zero impact on current conditions.”

Traffic wasn’t the only concerns cited, as one new resident said he was worried about that will be promoted by an Islamic school.

“I was shocked to witness the land that gave us the King James Bible, supposedly a Christian nation, overwhelmingly being taken over. I witnessed in the United Kingdom, especially, in Manchester, Birmingham, London, that the multiculturism did not work,” the resident explained. “The Muslims did not assimilate. In fact, the Brits bent backwards to accommodate their demands over and over, again, to the level of feeling the second-class citizens in their own country.”

Despite the pushback, school spokesman Lucas Gambino told The Hoover Sun that “if the city is concerned about the potential number of students at the school, the school would be happy to put a cap on the number of students allowed and subject itself to reporting and audits by the city.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee

For State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover), public service is more than a title or career path — it’s a calling. A Mississippi native who built a successful career in finance with Compass Bank before spending 20 years as a stay-at-home mother, DuBose has emerged as one of the most active voices in Montgomery, balancing deeply held conservative values with a heart for listening to constituents.

“It’s the honor of my lifetime,” she reflected on representing Alabama House District 45. “I don’t even think of it as a job; I think of it as a call.”

Accomplishments that matter

When asked about her proudest accomplishments, DuBose pointed first to a law she sponsored this year that raises the age of medical consent from 14 to 16.

“Alabama had an anomaly,” she explained. “Children at the age of 14 were able to make all of their own medical decisions, and parents were not allowed to view their medical records or speak to the doctor. It was really backwards… Most states are 18, and we were by far the lowest at 14. So, this year we were able to vote and change that to 16.”

The law, which takes effect October 1, 2025, will allow parents to better support children in times of medical crisis. DuBose shared that she was moved to act after hearing from parents who had been cut out of critical decisions for their children’s care.

“I heard so many sad stories from parents that could not intervene or help their children because doctors could not discuss their care with them. It’s critical, and it’s going to help parents as they should be able to make medical decisions for their children.”

For DuBose, though, big legislative wins aren’t the only measure of impact. She cherishes the one-on-one moments when she can help constituents navigate challenges — whether solving SNAP benefit fraud for a struggling family, helping a cancer patient secure a STAR ID in time for treatment, or guiding parents through complex school applications. “Just stuff like that, that makes a one-on-one impact… I feel as proud of those little individual moments as the big pieces of legislation,” she added.

Women who inspire

DuBose credits her inspiration to a circle of women who have blazed trails in Alabama politics. “I really look up to the females that have been there before me, that have paved the way and mentored me on a daily basis,” she observed, naming Sen. April Weaver, Rep. Margie Wilcox, and Rep. Terri Collins as mentors who model leadership in a male-dominated chamber.

She also admires Cynthia Allman, who rose from representative to president of the Alabama Public Service Commission. Outside politics, she praises swimmer Riley Gaines for her advocacy protecting women in sports.

“As young as she is, she has been so impactful,” DuBose noted. “She’s fabulous, and I hope more young women will be inspired to lead like she has.”

DuBose finds inspiration in grassroots policy advocates, too — from Moms for Liberty to the Alabama Policy Institute. Even when she doesn’t fully agree with them, she respects their passion. “It’s good to disagree sometimes because you can have respectful conversation and appreciate somebody’s opinion, even if it’s not the same for you,” she remarked.

Purpose and priorities

Her driving force, DuBose emphasized, is “a sincere desire to help the state of Alabama be the best that it can be” — whether through education, protecting parental rights, eliminating barriers to work, or cutting unnecessary regulation. She insists her focus is on service, not ambition.

“I don’t have any personal goals other than to do the very best at what I’m doing now for the people,” she added.

A journey from business to politics

DuBose’s path to politics began in the world of finance. With a bachelor’s in finance and an MBA, she worked for 14 years in banking, rising through management training and specializing in commercial and real estate development.

“My goal at that time in my life was to be one of the top female executives in banking,” she recalled.

Her life shifted when she had children and chose to stay home for nearly two decades. Far from being a pause, she explained it was preparation.

“I think being a stay-at-home mom prepared me for what I’m doing as much as anything else,” she reflected. “You learn everything you need to know as a PTA mom.”

Her community involvement expanded to leadership roles with the American Heart Association, where she chaired campaigns raising more than $700,000 for Birmingham-based heart disease and stroke research, and through service in her church and local schools.

By the time she ran for the legislature, she had deep grassroots support. “I could never have been elected without the support I had in the community,” she emphasized.

The power of women’s voices

As former president of the Republican Women of North Shelby County, DuBose sees women’s organizations as essential to civic life.

“Women are very impactful, and probably more impactful than they realize,” she observed. She used her leadership role to encourage women to find and use their voices.

“I never felt like we should tell people what to think. We should just ask people to think… educate yourself, study the issues, and then let your voice be heard.”

She continues that message today, speaking to women across the state about their power to influence Alabama’s future.

Commitment to constituents

DuBose makes it a priority to be present at home more than in Montgomery.

“Fortunately, I’m retired, so this work is my full-time job. I spend as little time in Montgomery as possible,” she explained.

“My goal is to be here in the district… doing everything that’s going on, stopping by the schools. That’s what I would say: I’m trying to be the best cheerleader I can for my constituents.”

A lasting impact

From business to motherhood to the halls of Montgomery, Susan DuBose has lived many lives of leadership. Each chapter prepared her for the next — and today, she is shaping Alabama policy with compassion, conviction, and determination.

“You just need to know people, be active, and be engaged,” she reflected. “Do your best, help where you can, and let your voice be heard.”

It is that steady blend of principle and service that makes Rep. Susan DuBose one of Yellowhammer’s 2025 Women of Impact.

The Stardome Comedy Club in Hoover is responding to criticism after cancelling comedian Michael Rapaport’s show Tuesday night.

The venue said it chose to cancel the show over concerns of a “potentially volatile situation” and “planned protests” over Rapaport’s strong support of Israel.

“In the days leading up to the performance, The Stardome received over 100 messages on social media urging cancellation, along with notice of planned protests at the venue,” Stardome owner Bruce Ayers said in a statement.

“We agreed to the show simply as a comedy booking – not to make any kind of political statement. We have a long history of hosting a wide variety of entertainers, and our intention was only to give fans a chance to enjoy a night of live comedy.”

The comedian and actor responded to the situation on social media earlier this week, saying it was not his choice to cancel.

https://x.com/MichaelRapaport/status/1952822483159326872

“My show tonight at the Stardome in Alabama was CANCELLED. I did not cancel. I would never cancel—especially since I’m already here in Birmingham, ready to perform,” Rapaport posted on his social media channels.

“It was shut down because of protests and threats over my support for Israel and for speaking up about the 50 hostages still being held in Gaza. 670 days in captivity—and people are protesting me for demanding their release?”

Ayers contends that the cancellation had nothing to do with Rapaport’s positions.

“This wasn’t about silencing anyone,” he added. “It was about avoiding a potentially volatile situation and keeping things safe and peaceful for everyone involved.”

Rapaport said he will not be intimidated into silence about those remaining hostages in Gaza.

“It’s embarrassing. It’s sad. But I’m not ashamed. I stand by what I say and who I stand with,” he said. “Fortunately, I got to meet some incredible people from Chabad of Alabama today and had the blessing of rapping tefillin—a ginormous mitzvah and a reminder of what really matters. Am Yisrael Chai.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee

Hoover officials Wednesday offered their latest understanding of the 49 hours Carlee Russell mysteriously disappeared after calling 911 to report a “toddler” walking on the side of the interstate.

At a news conference, officials said Russell returned home and received medical care at UAB hospital after those 49 hours.

Detectives said surveillance video shows her walking down the sidewalk alone. Hoover Police Chief Nick Chief Derzis told reporters that Russell claims she escaped the captivity of two individuals.

Details revealed at the press conference, however, raise far more questions about Russell than the alleged abduction she claims took place.

Among those details include newly released audio from the 911 call, the distance she walked along the interstate, as well as internet searches she performed before her disappearance related to Amber Alerts, the movie “Taken,” and a one-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville.

Derzis said investigators have only spoken with Carlee once, and that was immediately following her return, and are still trying to figure out her side of the story. She has not granted a second interview request.

Despite the situation and amount of resources expended to help Russell, local officials remained professional.

Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato thanked law enforcement agencies from Hoover PD and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, all the way up to the U.S. Secret Service.

“The Hoover Police Department is known for being very methodical and thorough with their investigations. For that reason, we did not feel comfortable speaking in detail publicly until now,” Brocato told reporters. “It is important that we share this information now so that our community can be put at ease.”

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis explained the chain of events before playing audio from Russell’s 911 call.

“In the statement, she told detectives that while driving down the interstate, she saw a baby walking down the side of the road and called 911,” Derzis said. “She stated when she got out of her vehicle to check on the child, a man came out of the trees and mumbled he was checking on the baby. She claimed that the man then picked her up and she screamed. She stated he then made her go over a fence.”

In a detailed account of events, Derzis said Russell’s 911 call remains the only report of a child on the interstate. Despite the high volume of traffic in that area, no missing child reports were made, nor did police find any evidence supporting the claim.

According to data from Russell’s Life360 app, she moved about 600 yards in her vehicle while claiming to follow the alleged child during her 911 call.

“That is six football fields,” Derzis said. “Straight 600 yards.”

Investigators also located Russell’s car – with her purse, Apple Watch, and food from Taziki’s inside – near where she claims to have been abducted. However, other items reportedly taken from her place of work and purchased from Target were missing.

Legal analyst Eric Guster pointed out Monday that Russell could face legal consequences if she misled investigators.

“If you report anything to law enforcement officials that is not true, you can be charged,” Guster said.

When asked about the possibility of charges being filed against Russell in connection with her claims, Derzis said, “Our focus is to determine those 49 hours as the investigation continues.

“I promise you that. We’ll end up figuring it out.”

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270

Hoover Tactical Firearms was recently purchased for $3.225 million by Sanders Capital Partners. According to Sanders Capital, the acquisition is the latest in its investments throughout the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest over the past seven years.

In its announcement, Sanders Capital cited Hoover Tactical Firearms’ support for veterans and charitable organizations. The 51,960 square-foot retail store hosts events for Hoover and the greater Birmingham area.

The store includes a pro-shop and an archery and firearms range.

“Their facilities are ideal for those looking for expert training resources and the proper equipment for their outdoor and shooting sport pursuits,” said Jackson Stewart, executive vice president & general counsel for Sanders Capital Partners.

David Palmore is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.

Sears is closing its last full-size store in Alabama.

The company announced Tuesday it will shut down 26 full-size Sears stores and Kmart locations nationwide in late October.

That includes the Sears at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, which is Alabama’s largest shopping mall. (more…)

A judge has sentenced the former director of an Alabama child care facility to 15 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to stealing almost $200,000.

U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon imposed the sentence on 38-year-old Rikki Ross of Hoover during a hearing Thursday. (more…)

Nick Saban should feel right at home at the College Football Hall of Fame, the facility hosting part of this week’s SEC Media Days.

The Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta is only a short walk from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Saban’s Alabama team beat Georgia for his sixth national championship six months ago. (more…)

Movoto has ranked Alabama’s 10 safest cities to help folks considering a move to Alabama find the best place for their families.

Movoto ranked Alabama cities of 10,000 or more by how well they stacked up on the 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Report’s statistics. Measuring the four categories of murders, violent crimes, property crimes, and total crimes, Movoto compiled a score from one to 54. The lower the score, the safer the city.

The ranking also provides a statistical likelihood of being a victim of any crime in Alabama’s cities, though the rankings are weighted depending on the severity of the crimes committed there in 2013. Murder, for example, is weighted slightly more heavily than total crimes.

Here are Alabama’s 10 safest cities, and the likelihood of being a victim of a crime there:

“Alabama may be known as the Heart of Dixie,” said Movoto’s Natalie Grigson, “but these 10 places are the heart of safety… or hearts of safety. You know what we mean.”

Visit Movoto to see the entire list.

Like this article? Hate it? Follow me and let me know how you feel on Twitter!

— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015