April 2025 Edition
April 2025 Edition
March 30, 2025 – ATLANTA, GA. The 2024/2025 Auburn University men's basketball team accomplished something that only one team in the history of the Auburn program has done: win an Elite Eight game to go to the Final Four. Auburn joins Duke, Florida, and Houston in San Antonio next weekend. Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston were all number one seeds in the NCAA Tournament and all four won their brackets to go to compete for a national championship. This is only the second time in NCAA history...
Aprill 5, 2025 – San Antonio, Texas - The 2024/2025 Auburn men's basketball team made it to the school's second Final Fours; but on Saturday, Auburn lost to the Florida Gators 73 to 79 in the semifinal game of the NCAA tournament. Auburn dominated the first half 46 to 38. Auburn was thoroughly dominated in the second half 27 to 41. Bruce Peal is the winningest coach in Auburn basketball history; but he had no answers for what Florida was able to do defensively in the second half that so...
April 12, 2025 – AUBURN, AL – The Auburn Tigers football team finished a disappointed year in 2024 at 5 and 7 – Auburn's fourth seven loss season in a row. That is all in the past now and Auburn is looking forward to a bright 2025 season. 2025 beings today with the Auburn A-Day practice. The practice is sponsored by Golden Flake and features a full weekend of activities on the Auburn campus. Admission is free and there will be a post-practice autograph session inside Jordan-Hare Stadium....
In the past, finding a private sports coach often meant word-of-mouth referrals, expensive training facilities, and time-consuming scheduling. But as technology continues to reshape the way we work, learn, and connect, the world of youth sports training is getting its own upgrade. Just as Airbnb revolutionized travel and Uber reimagined transportation, new digital platforms are now decentralizing the $20 billion youth sports industry, giving families more direct access to qualified...
As we welcome the beautiful season of Spring, we also celebrate the most important moment in our faith – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. First Peter Chapter 1: Verse 3 reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This verse reminds us that while Easter brings about tradition and even celebration, at its core, it is...
At a time when public service can be thankless and demanding, Sergeant Kevin Jacks stands out as a shining example of quiet heroism and steadfast devotion - to his family, his community, and his calling. For 20 years, Kevin served the Montgomery Police Department with honor, strength, and humility. He was not just a cop - he was a mentor, a leader, a protector, and above all, a family man. While many buckle under pressure, Kevin Jacks stood tall. He supported his wife Ashleigh through her Nurse...
"When Calls the Heart" is a very popular Hallmark frontier Western style drama television series based off of Janette Oke's "Canadian West" series. To date it has aired in both the U.S. and Canada for twelve seasons. Now the creators of the "When Calls the Heart" series want to turn their attention stateside with a television series based off of the "Home to Harmony" series written by Philip Gulley, a Quaker pastor in Indiana, who has become known as the voice of small-town American life as the...
Rep. Sewell: It is an honor for me to get into some Good Trouble by joining my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for standing up for Social Security. More than 160,000 Alabamians, my constituents, rely on Social Security for their benefits. They are seniors. They are children. They are widows. They are people with disabilities. And the list goes on and on. For so many, Social Security is not just a benefit, it is a lifeline. Without it, they would have nothing, no source of income at...
April 7, 2025 - This legislative session, Alabama lawmakers have introduced at least seven hemp-related bills-HB445, SB182, SB237, SB255, SB273, and SB274-with more likely on the way. These bills are aimed at restricting or even banning hemp-derived products. While protecting children is absolutely important, we must also recognize the serious risks of overregulation. If we regulate hemp to the point that legal businesses are forced to shut down, we're not protecting kids-we're creating an...
March 26, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama Republican Party is deeply disappointed by the shocking dismissal of the election contest in the Conecuh County Sheriff's race. This ruling, which fails to fully examine the evidence of election irregularities, is a disservice to the people of Alabama and threatens public trust in the integrity of our elections. On election night, the race was initially reported as a one-vote lead for the Democratic candidate Randy Brock. After provisional ballots...
The Alabama Legislature is back from their last break before they start the final days of their 2025 session. The Alabama House of Representatives has passed several pieces of legislation that will benefit taxpayers. One of the first bills would reduce the grocery tax by one cent. Currently shoppers pay three cents to the state for food. The new law would also allow local governments to cut their taxes on groceries as well. This is a smart move for lawmakers as the majority of states do not...
Charles Dickens' literary classic, "A Christmas Carol", has become a staple of annual Christmas traditions. However, Charles Dickens wrote another short story between 1846 and 1849 centered around the life of Jesus Christ exclusively for his children entitled, "The Life of Our Lord". The short story was part of the Dickens' family Christmas traditions, as Charles Dickens read it every year to his children with an emphasis on being good. With Charles Dickens, curiously enough, expressly...
In War: Resolution In Defeat: Defiance In Victory: Magnanimity In Peace: Good Will The time is quickly approaching in the war on terror where the stakes, by the very nature of this type of war, must increase. There are dozens of rogue nations and terrorist entities that are trying their best to acquire nuclear weapons as a way of gaining political legitimacy or as a method to push their political agendas throughout the world. Iran, with their never-ending desire to become nuclear relevant in...
Bruce Pearl is more than just a great basketball coach—he's a mensch in the truest sense of the word, a man who doesn’t just win games but elevates the entire arena around him. As head coach of Auburn’s men’s basketball team, Pearl has turned the Tigers into a bonafide powerhouse, guiding them to another regular-season SEC conference title and the coveted No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. You can admire the X's and O's, the relentless full-court pressure, the deft...
The Department Of Government Efficiency [DOGE] and Presidential Histrionics Offering No Effective Yield [PHONEY] show has dominated DC Kabuki Theatre these past weeks. Long on screeching and yowling; short on establishing durable reductions of the DC politburo and bureaucratic industrial complex. Difficult not to be ‘snake fascinated’ when the show includes a bejeweled oversized chainsaw for the Red soviet Kool-Aid drinkers delighting in the despair and lamentations of Blue soviet Kool-Aid...
The meaning of the term “federal” has changed over the years. When the Framers of our Constitution spoke of “federalism,” they meant a government in which powers are divided between the national (federal) government and the state governments. And at that time practically everyone in America was a federalist by that definition. After the Constitution was drafted and signed by the delegates in 1787 and sent to the states for ratification, those who supported it called themselves...
For the casual observer, taking a cursory look at our political leaders reveals that may we have some pretty old folks in positions of power. Our new President, Donald Trump, is not a spring chicken at 78. Our own Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is 80 and goes by the monicker “Mee Maw.” However, a new generation of Alabama leaders are taking center stage in our state. Most of these leaders are already making their mark. Allow me to share with you a host of Alabama’s most prominent leaders who...
In August 1996, Congress passed laws collectively called HIPAA or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. But after a long period of public comments and final rule the privacy rule did not become effective until April 2003. The security rule that followed did not become effective until April 2005. The initial aim of HIPAA was to allow those employed with health care plans to move between jobs with continual health insurance even with pre existing health issues. Because the...
Every April, Second Chance Month challenges us to rethink how we treat those who’ve paid their debt to society. It’s not just about compassion—it’s about common sense. With nearly one in three formerly incarcerated individuals returning to prison in Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections' most recent recidivism data, it’s clear we need a better approach. That better way is taking root under the leadership of Director Cam Ward and the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and...
A generous donation of 13 lots is enabling the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) to protect additional ecologically sensitive property on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. The Alabama Coastal Heritage Trust donated the Fort Morgan lots to Alabama State Parks to join previous acquisitions to preserve the sand dunes and maritime forests on Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast. ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said the donation from the Trust continues the effort to conserve...
April 10, 2025 - A jubilee is a naturally occurring phenomenon that happens in only two locations in the world, Mobile Bay and Tokyo Bay, during which large numbers of fish and crustaceans are forced into shallow water due to low dissolved oxygen in the water. Jubilees are not "fish kills" and the fish, shrimp, and other marine life generally return to normal behavior when the conditions change. However, the events bring sea life right to the shore where they can be seen and harvested. These...
April 8, 2025 - The Board of Trustees of the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust will hold its second quarterly meeting of 2025 on Thursday, May 1, at the Fultondale Event Center, 2980 Hawkins Lane, in Fultondale, Alabama. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. At this meeting, updates on Forever Wild program activities and tract assessments will be presented. This meeting will also provide an opportunity for any individual who would like to make comments concerning the program to address the...
April 11, 2025 - So much is happening in the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) State Parks Division that it's difficult to keep up with all the renovations, upgrades and expansions at the 21 State Parks. The newest expansion is at Meaher State Park on the Mobile Causeway (Battleship Parkway) at the head of Mobile Bay. The Meaher RV Campground work includes a new bathhouse and new RV sites. Reservations (https://reserve.alapark.com/) are now available for the new...
April 11, 2025 - The Exceptional Anglers event Gone Fishin', Not Just Wishin' at Oak Mountain State Park will take place May 7-9, 2025. The event teaches basic fishing skills to students with disabilities from Alabaster and Pelham city schools and the Shelby and Jefferson county school systems. The media is invited to attend on Thursday, May 8, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. "Community fishing events like this one serve many children and seniors throughout the state," said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner...
Over the past year, thousands of student archers competed in regional tournaments throughout the state for a chance to draw their bows at the 2025 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Alabama State Championship in Montgomery on April 3-4. During the event, nearly 2,000 archers from 105 schools competed for top honors and the opportunity to advance to the NASP Eastern National Championship on May 8-10, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural...
Chewacla State Park - Who said Easter egg hunts are just for kids? Join the Golden Egg Hunt at Chewacla State Park on April 17 and 18, 2025. Find a golden egg and bring it to the front gatehouse to redeem for a prize! One egg per person per day. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/4azpj4h6 Ready for more egg hunting fun? Join us again on April 19, 2025, and bring your family and friends! We'll start the Easter egg hunt at 2:00 p.m. around the Chewacla State Park Nature Center. Registration is...
For the third year in a row, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail has been chosen as the top recreational trail in the country in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The 29-mile multi-use trail connects Gulf State Park with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Baldwin County. The awards were announced Wednesday, April 16. "This year's win is especially exciting as we celebrate the Year of Alabama Trails," said Matthew Capps, State Parks Director for the Alabama Department of...
Is it autism, a learning disability, or both? If you're autistic, you're more likely to have a learning disability than the general public. In fact, around 30% of autistic people also have a learning disability. But being autistic doesn't mean you're bound to have a learning disability, Rula reports. The signs of learning disabilities and autism can look similar, which means it can be tricky to recognize the differences between them. Empowering yourself with knowledge about autism and learning...
High-dosage, in-person tutoring gets results, recent research suggests. But as federal funding for remediation dries up and schools struggle to raise students' post-COVID skills, educators have been hoping for a lifeline in the form of live, online tutoring. While virtual tutors still work directly with students in real time, they can work from anywhere, expanding the potential talent pool and lowering costs, The 74 explains. Until recently, virtual tutoring had scant evidence that it works...
HUNTSVILLE, AL. – From B-17 bombing runs over Europe in World War II to scientific discoveries aboard NASA space shuttle missions, former astronaut Dr. Jan Davis chronicles two transformative eras in American aviation history from a personal perspective in her book "Air Born: Two Generations in Flight." Davis will share "Air Born" stories during an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) super bonus program on Friday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 112 of the Student Services...
April 7, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, AL. – Dr. Richard Lieu, a physics professor at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, has published a paper in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity that proposes a universe built on steps of multiple singularities rather than the Big Bang alone to account for the expansion of the cosmos. The new model forgoes the need for either dark matter or dark energy as explanations for the universe's acceleration and...
April 9, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, AL. – Dr. Josh Wurman, a researcher at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), was recently named to the National Storm Chasing Hall of Fame (NSCHoF). Alongside Dr. Karen Kosiba, Wurman leads the Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM) in the Severe Weather Institute – Radar & Lightning Laboratories (SWIRLL), part of the Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at UAH. UAH is part of The University of Alabama System. The award was presented during the...
A college education can be a costly undertaking. College Board data shows that four-year college students spent around $35,000 a year in tuition, housing, and other expenses at private nonprofit institutions and $20,000 at public ones, taking into account grants and financial aid. Although those numbers are much lower than the $60,000 per year price tag that private nonprofit colleges typically post, it still amounts to a lot of money. However, because of the daunting cost (not to mention...
For the past decade, college enrollment has steadily declined; at the same time, students' career aspirations have undergone a dramatic transformation. Long considered the gateway to financial stability, a college degree is no longer viewed as the only—or even the best—path to success. Freshman enrollment fell 5% this fall compared to last year, according to data released in October 2024 by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. This decline particularly concerns working-class...
Stress is a nearly universal experience among students, especially those in college. A World Health Organization (WHO)-supported study of over 20,000 first-year students across nine countries found that 93.7% experienced stress in at least one major area, including finances, health, relationships, family, school, or loved ones' problems. While it might just seem like a normal part of student life, stress in college students can actually have a serious impact. Data from the WHO study shows that...
ig leaps ahead at UAH UA System Board of Trustees advances facilities projects, expands new program offerings at UAH HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (APR 10, 2025) – The University of Alabama (UA) System Board of Trustees met on the campus of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of the UA System, on Friday, April 4. The Board advanced numerous UAH projects and programs. Summaries of the individual announcements are below, including links to individual releases. All releases and their...
On Jan. 27, 2025, the White House issued a late-night directive that paused federal grants and funding in order to locate and eliminate "woke" government spending. The pause seemingly included funding for public schools, such as the Farm to School Program that provided schools with locally sourced food. It wasn't long before Jared Cordon, superintendent of a rural school district in Roseburg, Oregon, started receiving calls from concerned community members. "If kids can't eat, where can I drop...
Did you know that the term of one having a "green thumb" has been declared a type of intelligence. A Harvard professor who studied educational psychology in college, Howard Gardner, declared this fact in his "Theory of Multiple Intelligences." He found areas of the brain which 'light up" when certain abilities are activated. We have known people with abilities in the areas of music, mathematics, and languages. He calls this green thumb knowledge "naturalist " intelligence. These are the people...
Since A&W Root Beer became the first American restaurant to franchise in 1925, the U.S.—not to mention the rest of the world—has been dominated by chains. Iconic establishments like the now-defunct Howard Johnson's trained customers to look toward its distinctive orange roofs for consistency and comfort, while McDonald's revolutionized the industry with its focus on speed and affordability. Over the years, chains have had a tremendous influence on American culture, from Little Caesars...
It probably seems like, every day, you're reading a new headline about a recalled food item, like onions on McDonald's hamburgers, baby carrots, and Boar's Head cold cuts. You're not imagining that influx. According to a February 2025 report from the compliance company Traceone, the total number of food recalls issued by the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture grew 15% between 2020 and 2024. Experts suggest this could be due to a variety of factors, including advancements...
As spring kicks into high gear, people across the country are preparing for family gatherings and festive meals for Passover (April 12-20) and Easter (April 20). To help bring these traditions to life, Instacart has unearthed some egg-citing data showcasing the food, candy, and seasonal items that will have consumers springing for joy this season. Through a nationwide survey of adults conducted online by The Harris Poll from March 13-17, 2025, Instacart found a whopping 76% of Americans plan...
It probably seems like, every day, you're reading a new headline about a recalled food item, like onions on McDonald's hamburgers, baby carrots, and Boar's Head cold cuts. You're not imagining that influx. According to a February 2025 report from the compliance company Traceone, the total number of food recalls issued by the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture grew 15% between 2020 and 2024. Experts suggest this could be due to a variety of factors, including advancements...
At the Crown Heights, New York, Whoopsie Daisy bar in Brooklyn, on a sunny fall afternoon, patrons drank natural wines while their children ran around the outdoor garden. Little dogs peeped out from under tables or the tops of backpacks. Modish twentysomethings took turns playing music on their cellphones. While the location was a bar, the snacks on offer were not nachos or day-old pretzels. Patrons feasted on exquisite vegan cardamon rose baklava and saffron ice-cream sandwiches. The chef...
Just four West African countries are the foundation of an industry worth more than $100 billion. In the tropical nations of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria, rows of cacao trees sprout pods bearing dozens of seeds. Once harvested, these humble beans are dried, roasted, and processed into something beloved worldwide. Chocolate has been coveted for millennia and, particularly on Valentine's Day, is an unmistakable token of love. But as increasingly erratic weather continues driving up...
It’s been my experience that funeral home directors generally have a great sense of humor. I asked a gentleman about this once and he explained that a sense of humor is the only thing that saved him from awful depression. I can imagine these men and women deal with the greatest of tragedies. But on the other hand, I’ve heard some interesting stories from them. One funeral home employee told me about trying to salvage a graveside service after several pallbearers were drunk, and one fell...
As we gather this Easter season, let us lift our hearts in celebration of the cornerstone of our faith: the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a time to rejoice in the miracle of new life, the triumph of hope over despair, and the eternal promise that through Christ, all things are made new. Easter reminds us that even in our darkest hours, light breaks through. The stone was rolled away. The tomb was found empty. Death was defeated. And with it, every believer was given a...
Tickets for the Fall touring production of "The Thorn" open for sale to the general public on Ticketmaster, today. The Fall tour of "The Thorn" includes two performances in Huntsville, Alabama at the Von Braun Center on November 15th at 7PM and November 16th at 1PM. A stage production of the story of Christ told from the perspective of the Disciple John, "The Thorn", blends the gospel story with theatrical elements reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil. "The Thorn" opens with the Disciple John being...
Jesus Christ died on the cross in 32 A.D. According to the Bible, he rose on the third day and spent weeks with his Apostles before ascending into Heaven. His Apostles took over where he left off and started the early Church. Marty Matulia spoke to the Adult lecture series at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Shelby County about the early Church fathers who spread the Gospel in the decades after Jesus and the generations that came after the Apostles passed on. Matulia is with Guadalupe...
March 30, 2025 – BIRMINGHAM, AL – Guadalupe Radio Director Marty Matulia completed his lecture series at St. Mark the Evangelist Con the Early Church Fathers who collectively defined Christianity and helped establish our current understanding of the nature of Jesus Christ and our faith. The Guadalupe Radio Network operates several EWTN affiliated radio station in Texas, Alabama, and Florida. https://www.grnonline.com/home?station=GRN Matulia explained that the first age of Christian Fathers...
Admiral James Stockdale faced the nation at the vice-presidential debate in October 1992. Businessman Ross Perot named him as his running mate, so Stockdale stood with Vice President Dan Quayle and Sen. Al Gore in Atlanta. When it was his first time to speak, Stockdale said, “Who am I? Why am I here?” This turned out to be a laugh line and parody, which is unfortunate. Stockdale was a decorated soldier who spent seven years as a POW in Vietnam. But his questions are good ones for us in the...
I was thinking lately about when phone calls were segregated by “local” and “long distance.” This segregation sometimes was strange, since I knew some who lived on different phone exchanges--when they talked, one paid a toll and the other didn’t. And then I remembered two incidents in churches when long distance charges became an issue. I served a church in Indiana while a student in Louisville, and we made the 75-mile trip every weekend. The nearest mid-sized town where the emergency...
A Journey Through the Most Important Week in Christianity Holy Week is the most important week in Christianity. This week of great reverence and reflection spans the final eight days of Jesus' life-from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to His Last Supper with His Apostles, to His execution as an enemy of the state, to His rising from the dead on the third day as He foretold to his disciples. It is astounding how much wisdom, insight, and inspiration are available to us during this one week...
It was “Good Friday”, the day that Jesus the Christ was crucified just outside the city of Jerusalem on a hill called Golgotha, "The Place of the Skull". Jesus was nailed to one cross and two criminals were crucified on either side of him. This whole story is found in Luke 23:32-43. In Luke 23:39-43, we can read about and visualize the dramatic scene as it unfolds as the three of them are dying on their crosses next to each other: One of the criminals beside Jesus scoffed at him and said,...
It was the closest I ever came to my “big showbiz break,” as Rush Limbaugh called it. I got through to Kit Carson, EIB’s call screener (after about 50 tries!). It was my birthday, so I hoped it would be a good ploy to get online with Maha Rushie. I also said I’d like to ask him about a book he talked of writing called “The Back Nine.” Screener Kit said they were jammed for the afternoon, but he’d call the next day. Alas, it was not to be since I never got the call-back, nor did...
We tend to think of fat as nothing more than extra baggage, something that slows us down, makes our jeans fit tighter and, if we're being honest, messes with our confidence in the gym and bedroom. At most, we acknowledge that extra weight contributes to heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues, but we take comfort in our plans to lose it 'someday.' The problem is that as we age, "someday" moves further to the horizon and what worked when we were younger—a week on Whole 30 and incline...
By Kylle’ D. McKinney Alabama Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Some people who receive monthly Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments may need help managing their money. When we receive information that indicates you need help, we’ll work with you to find the most suitable representative payee to manage your benefits. A representative payee is someone who receives your monthly benefit payment on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your...
The annual Tuscaloosa Bible Reading Marathon is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Which is an annual event where people of all ages and walks of life read the entire Bible from Genesis through the book of Revelation aloud for 80 continuous hours directly from the scripture and without commentary. Hosted by Hope 4 My City, volunteers sign up for 15 minute time slots to read The Bible, after which they pass the reading on to the next volunteer. The 10th Annual Tuscaloosa Bible Reading...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
April 7, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, AL. – Get ready for a sizzling day of mouth-watering chicken wings! The 16th-annual "Battle of the Buffalo" will take place Saturday, April 12, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville. The event is open to the public. The Battle of the Buffalo serves as largest chicken wing festival in the southeast, with all proceeds going to cancer research. For just a single ticket, you will receive 12 chicken wings and a drink. The wings will be cooked...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
One of America’s most famous combat correspondents was killed 80 years ago on the island of Ie Shima in Japan. Pulitzer Prize winner Ernie Pyle died when a burst of enemy machine gun struck him in the head. His death was mourned throughout the country, from President Harry Truman to Eleanor Roosevelt to General Eisenhower to the masses of infantrymen Pyle wrote about throughout the war. He was a journalist of the old school, providing the facts from his experience embedded with combat troops...
"One if by land, and two, if by sea . . ." so go the famous words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem "Paul Revere's Ride". A poem he penned in 1860 commemorating the famous horseback ride of Paul Revere, along with William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott to warn the Patriots in Lexington, Massachusetts and Concord, Massachusetts that the British were coming. The reason the warning was so imperative was because the British were planning a crackdown on the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in...
On this day, March 30, 1981, a would-be assassin shot, and nearly killed, President Ronald W. Reagan (R). Presidents set their agenda in the first 100 days – and Reagan almost did not survive his. Reagan was leaving a meeting with AFL-CIO leaders when a mentally disturbed man fired six shots from a .22 caliber revolver at the President and his entourage. The assassin - John Hinckley Jr. - had an erotic obsession with the young actress Jodie Foster and thought assassinating the President would...
On April 1, 1939 Generalisimo Francisco Franco declared victory in the Spanish Civil War after the last Republican forces surrendered. The Prelude to the Announcement The Spanish Civil War, which ravaged the country from 1936 to 1939, was a conflict marked by ideological fervor, intense battles, and profound suffering. It was a war between the Republicans, who represented a coalition of left-wing and anti-fascist groups, and the Nationalists, led by Generalísimo Francisco Franco and composed...
On April 6, 1199, King of England Richard the Lionheart died from an infection after a crossbow bolt was removed from his shoulder. Old kings die and new kings take their place; but few successions had such a dramatic impact on history and the map of Europe as the death of Richard and his replacement by his brother John. When the 41-year-old Richard I died he was not just the King of England he was also the Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Poitiers, Duke of Normandy, Count of Anjou, and Lord of...
On this day in 1242, a dramatic and pivotal event unfolded on the frozen expanse of Lake Peipus, situated between modern-day Estonia and Russia. The Battle of the Ice saw the forces of the Novgorod Republic, led by the legendary Alexander Nevsky, face off against the Teutonic Knights in a fierce confrontation that would become a defining moment in Russian history. Prelude to the Battle The early 13th century was a period of incessant conflict and territorial disputes in the northeastern regions...
April is a pivotal month in America’s past and Ft. Sumter holds an important place in that history. Named after General Thomas Sumter, a hero of the American Revolution, the fort is located just off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. It was built for coastal defense and as a tax collection point. South Carolina left the Union on December 20, 1860. Less than a week later, U.S. Army Major Robert Anderson moved his troops from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. Before leaving, he spiked the...
On April 4, 1949, a pivotal moment in international relations was marked by the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. Twelve nations came together to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a military alliance that has played a crucial role in ensuring collective security and fostering cooperation among member countries. This historic agreement laid the foundation for a partnership that has endured for over seven decades, adapting to the changing geopolitical...
On April 9, 1867. a deeply divided U.S. Senate passed the Alaska purchase by a single vote. The Senate ratified the treaty with Russia for the purchase of Alaska. The Alaska Purchase: A Landmark Deal in American History The Alaska Purchase, also known as "Seward's Folly," is a significant event in American history that saw the United States acquire a vast territory from Russia. This transaction, which occurred in 1867, dramatically reshaped the geographical and political landscape of North...
April 7, 2862: A Date to Remember The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was one of the significant events of the American Civil War. The battle, which spanned two days, culminated on April 7, 2862, and marked a turning point in the conflict, leaving an indelible impact on the course of American history. Prelude to the Battle The Battle of Shiloh occurred in southwestern Tennessee, near the Shiloh Church, and involved Union forces led by Major General Ulysses S....
Two hundred years ago, the Marquis de Lafayette spent nine days in Alabama traveling across the midwestern portion of the state from Georgia to Montgomery and then to Selma, the Capitol at Cahawba, and downriver to Mobile. Alabamians came out of the woodwork to see him; Lafayette drew crowds that any politician or public figure would envy. But what prompted his visit and why is it being commemorated with such veneration today? At age 19, Lafayette came to America to join the colonies in...
This Month—April, 2025—marks the 160th anniversary of Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, which officially ended the bloodiest and most brutal war ever fought on American soil. It also left the Southern states at a great loss in their quest for independence. The number of deaths is only approximately known. Many history books list the total death toll from 640,000 to 700,000, including the murder of 50,000 innocent Southern civilians, which seems low when we consider an unknown...
On April 11, 1951, during the Korean War President Harry S. Truman (D) dismissal General Douglas MacArthur as the head of U.S. forces in Korea, Introduction The Korean War, which erupted on June 25, 1950, was a significant conflict in the early years of the Cold War. It pitted North Korean forces, supported by China and the Soviet Union, against South Korean and United Nations forces, primarily composed of U.S. military personnel. One of the most dramatic events during this war was President...
On April 10, 1821, a momentous and tragic event unfolded in Constantinople that would reverberate through the annals of history. Patriarch Gregory V of Constantinople was hanged by the Ottoman government from the main gate of the Patriarchate, marking a significant turn in the Greek War of Independence. Background and Political Tensions The Greeks have a cultural identity that stretches back over 3400 years. The Apostle Paul brought Christianity to Greece and Anatolia (now Turkey). By the...
Scholars believe that on April 16, 1457 the Battle of Megiddo was fought. The Battle of Megiddo stands as one of the most significant military engagements of the ancient world. This battle, led by Thutmose III of Egypt against a formidable Canaanite coalition under the King of Kadesh, is renowned for being the earliest recorded battle in history with details accepted as relatively reliable. Background Egyptian Expansion In the mid-15th century BC, Egypt was an empire in the ascendant,...
The Easter Bunny is a much celebrated character in American Easter celebrations. On Easter Sunday, children look for hidden special treats, often chocolate Easter eggs, that the Easter Bunny might have left behind. Folklorist Tok Thompson, a professor of anthropology and communications at USC, writes for The Conversation on the origins of the long and interesting journey this mythical figure has taken from European prehistory to today. Religious role of the hare Easter is a celebration of...
Key Event in the American Civil War On April 13, 1861, a significant event in American history unfolded as Fort Sumter, a federal fort located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, surrendered to Confederate forces. This event marked one of the first major conflicts of the American Civil War, which would last until 1865 and profoundly shape the nation's future. Background Fort Sumter was strategically important due to its location at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. The fort was controlled...
On April 14, 70 A.D.: the future Roman Emperor Titus leading four Roman legions surrounded the city of Jerusalem to begin the siege of Jerusalem Titus and the Roman Legions Encircle the Jewish Capital In the annals of history, few events have been as transformative and harrowing as the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This pivotal moment marked the culmination of the First Jewish-Roman War, an epoch characterized by intense conflict and profound upheaval. Led by Titus, the son of Emperor...
April 15, 1865, marks a somber day in the history of the United States. On this day, President Abraham Lincoln succumbed to the fatal wounds inflicted upon him by an assassin's bullet. Lincoln's death came at a crucial moment, just days after the end of the Civil War, a conflict that had torn the nation apart for four long years. His passing left the country in shock and mourning, and the reverberations of his loss were felt far and wide. The Assassination The tragic event unfolded on the...
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO4) Robert Allen Morris served 25 years in the U.S. Navy. His Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) included Seaman, Boilerman, Ship Construction and Repair Superintendent and Auxiliary Machinery Officer (9302). His Naval service on five Naval ships included one tour off the coast of Korea and three tours off the coast of Vietnam as well as European service in the Mediterranean Sea. His medals and ribbons included: Combat Action ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Republic...
Lee J. Stuckey…………………….April 1st Frank Stovall...……………………April 2nd Trent H. Edwards…………………April 4th John G. Hamilton…………………April 4th Antonio R. Whetstone……………April 8th Harold Woodman…………………April 9th John L. Cannady………………….April 15th Charles B. Stults………………….April 23rd Samuel Brown…………………….April 22nd Wanda Sue Mehlhoff……………..April...
Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, AL., on March 29, 2025. Col John Eidsmoe served as emcee of the ceremony. A color guard posted the colors including the American flag and the Vietnam War Veterans flag, and this was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. The names of service members from Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore Counties, AL, who lost their lives serving in Vietnam were read. The traditional ceremony of folding...
On March 27, 2025, at a baseball game on the campus of LAMP, members of Chapter 607 Vietnam Veterans of America were honored. Each year Coach Frank Parsons, the Lamp baseball head coach, invites all military personnel whether retired or on active duty to enjoy a Lamp baseball game. Coach Parsons and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 607 have enjoyed a special relationship for several years. Prior to the game, all servicemen and servicewomen are recognized by their branch of service. Chapter...
Specialist (SPC E-5) Richard Howard Phelps served two years in the U.S Army. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Heavy Equipment Operator 62-E20. He received the following medals, citations, awards and decorations: National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Private Badge, Sharpshooter (Rifle M-4) Badge, Expert Pistol Badge and Army Commendation Medal. SPC Phelps was born November 25,1944 to his parents, Howard and Frances Phelps in Montgomery, AL, and he...
Major William Stephen Gunter served 23 years and six months in the U.S. military including three years and nine months in the Naval Reserve and 19 years and six months in the Air Force. His Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) was Corpman Medic, and his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) included RN, Counter Intelligence Agent and Trainer, Foreign Military Specialist, Contingency War Planner, operations Manager, Political Military Affairs Strategist, Academic Program Manager and Special...
Sargent First Class Patrick Louis Campbell passed away March 8, 2025 at the age of 87. He served 21 years in the U.S. Army including a tour in Vietnam. His article was published in the March 2022 issue of the Alabama Gazette. Harold Lamar Smith passed away March 27, 2025 at the age of 101. He served in the U.S. Army in the Battle of Italy. His article was published in the December 2018 issue of the Alabama...
Pastor Dean Odle spoke recently at length with the Alabama Gazette's Brandon Moseley and the Alabama Political Contributor's Christopher Peeks. Odle is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama on the Brandon and Christopher Show (BCS) podcast. Odle is facing a crowded field for Lt. Gov in the May 26, 2026 Republican Primary. Odle is a vaccine skeptic, who believes in Creationism, young Earth theory, the flat Earth theory, that voting tabulators can be rigged...
On April 5, 2025 State Senator Greg Albritton spoke with the Alabama Gazette's Brandon Moseley and the Alabama Political Contributor's Christopher Peeks about gambling, prisons, the state general fund, NIL, the breakdown of the family, the 2025 Alabama regular legislative session and other...
March 29, 2025 - State Representative Danny Garrett spoke with the Alabama Gazette's Brandon Moseley and Baldwin County Attorney Harry Still III about the 2025 Alabama regular legislative session. Garrett is the Chairman of the House Ways & Means Education Committee that prepares the $9.9 billion education budget. Garrett discussed the education budget, a proposed new funding model for education, Trump's proposed dismantling of the Department of Education, the 2025 legislative session and other...
As news gathering evolves with new technology the Alabama Gazette is committed to bringing our readers podcasts in addition to the finest written journalism available in the state of Alabama. We are sharing our conversations with Alabama newsmakers from across the state in the form of podcasts with our podcast partners. State Representative Mark Gidley spoke with the Alabama Gazette's Leader Reporter and Content Manager Brandon Moseley along with Harry Still III on the Heart of Dixie Podcast...
Former Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) recently spoke on the Brandon and Christopher Show Podcast about the meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the oval office and the state of the war between Ukraine and Russia and Ukraine's prospects of winning the war. Brooks is speaking with the Alabama Gazette's lead reporter and content manager Brandon Moseley as well as the Alabama Political Contributor's...
Draic Coakley is running for the United States House of Representatives. He recently joined the Brandon and Christopher Show Podcast to discuss why he is running for Congress, his views on the Ukraine War, term limits, electric vehicle mandates, the budget deficit, the DOGE, and much more. Coakley is one of at least two Republicans who are challenging incumbent Mike Rogers in the 2026 Republican primary. Alabama Gazette Lead Reporter and Content Manager Brandon Moseley and Alabama Political...
