The South Alabamian News Podcast

In nearly 45 years in the media business — including 33 years in newspapers — one thing I have always dreaded is covering tragedies in our communities. As our newspaper group has grown across South Alabama, I now find myself covering painful stories throughout the region. No matter where they happen, it never gets easier. Back in the days before I had enough reporters, I often had to go out and co...

The 2026 regular legislative session has concluded. This is an election year in Alabama. In election years, lawmakers often introduce bills that generate favorable headlines but do little to improve the health and welfare of their constituents. State Rep. David Faulkner of Mountain Brook bucked that trend when he filed and passed legislation creating common-sense regulations for Alabama’s overnigh...

Mo Brooks, a former six-term congressman, was aiming to win a seat in the Alabama Legislature. Such a move is unprecedented, going from one of the world's most exclusive clubs as a member of Congress to likely being relegated to a backbencher in the Alabama House of Representatives. Even his closest longtime confidantes ask, "Why, Mo?" Brooks is a true believer. He always has been....

JUNE 1 White Smith Memorial Library, Jackson, will hold a board meeting June 1 at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. July 3 American Legion will host its annual barbecue July 3. Dine-in service will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and takeout will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Barbecue pork will be per pound with one- and two-pound takeout containers available. Chicken halves and barbecu...

A major portion of the North American population is comprised of people who are actively serving in the Armed Forces or those who once did. USAFacts reports the military included 2,079,142 military personnel and 778,539 civilians as of September 2023. In 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated there were 15.8 million veterans in the U.S. In Canada, the 2021 Census of Population found that 97,625 Ca...

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MONTGOMERY — Clarke Prep’s bid for back-to-back Class AA AISA baseball titles fell short in a 2-0 loss to Southern Academy in the deciding game of the finals on May 14 at Paterson Field. Southern’s Mason Turner won a duel with the Gators’ Camden Jones as both pitched complete games. Turner pitched a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts while Jones threw a three-hitter and gave up an earned run. Clarke Pr...

Clarke Prep’s softball team finished as the Class AA AISA softball runner-up after falling to Bessemer Academy in the finals on May 2. Bessemer swept the Gators 10-0 and 6-0 but coach Haley Thorpe said the season and her players were defined by resilience, chemistry and unwavering commitment to each another. “This team earned everything they accomplished this season,” said Thorpe, whose team finis...

Thomasville won three games at the Class 3A softball South Regional in Gulf Shores before being eliminated by a 6-3 loss to T.R. Miller on May 14. Losing pitcher Mary Lindsey Drinkard gave up five runs on nine hits in four innings while Kianna Smith had a hit and two RBIs for the Tigers (32-12). “We got a little bit out of everybody,” Thomasville coach Robby Carpenter said of contributions from hi...

Thomasville three-sport standout Lyric Thompson signed to play volleyball for Coastal Alabama Community College in Bay Minette on May 15. Thompson, who was also a basketball and track star at THS, said she is ready to get started at CACC. “I’m going to work really, really hard to be a dominant player for the team,” she said. Tigers coach Mary O’Guynn said Thompson will be successful on the next le...

George “Buddy” William Woodyard Sr. passed away peacefully in the arms of his Savior on May 14, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, devotion, hard work and love that will live on through generations of family and friends. A lifelong servant of the Lord, he was a faithful Sunday School teacher, deacon, choir member and servant wherever there was a need. As a teenager, he was baptized at Bassets...

Troy Dale Hayes, of Winn, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026. He was born on June 18, 1948, to George Lawrence Hayes Jr. and Juanita Guy Hayes Tarver. He shared over 54 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Martha Jo Bumpers Hayes, who preceded him in death in 2022. Troy grew up in St. Stephens and attended Leroy High School. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting and sp...

Carole Garrett Coleman, a beloved wife, cherished mother, sister and friend passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on Dec. 30, 1937, in Jackson, Carole touched the lives of many with her warmth and compassion. A woman of many talents, Carole had an unwavering love for her family and friends. She worked in the dental industry for many years mostly for Dr. Bobby Beard and Dr....

Glenda Joan Mowery James, age 90, passed away on May 11, 2026. She was born on a cold, snowy morning at home on Jan. 5, 1936, to Glen E. Mowery and Edmonia Mowery. She was the first girl in over three generations. Glenda graduated from Charleston (Tennessee) High School in 1954. After many years of raising five daughters, she decided to go back to school to become a nurse and graduated in 1981. Sh...

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Prosecutors said the convictions stemmed from an undercover online sting and a separate investigation involving forged checks from the MOWA Choctaw Indians’ general fund Two Washington County juries returned guilty verdicts May 5 in separate felony cases, according to District Attorney Stephen Winters. Charleston Bernard White, 27, of Citronelle was convicted for traveling to meet a child for an u...

The scholarship recipients were celebrated for their dedication and future goals as they prepare to pursue engineering degrees in college The future of engineering is already taking shape in local classrooms and communities. On May 8, the Packaging Corporation of America Mill in Jackson celebrated three outstanding students whose hard work and determination earned them full tuition engineering sch...

Graduation season has a way of making you stop and reflect. As we were getting ready for my granddaughter’s graduation this week, we were going through her awards and scholarship. I was excited to hear about all of her accomplishments. Of course, we have been part of her journey since the day she was born, but there is something special about watching a child cross that stage at high school gradua...

Our much-anticipated 2026 primary elections are next Tuesday, May 19. Alabamians have awaited the election for months. This is a major year in Alabama politics. All constitutional offices and legislative seats are on the ballot. Most states elect governors during presidential election years. Alabama, along with several other Southern states, holds gubernatorial races during what is nationally know...

I am going on a Mediterranean cruise shortly. It will be my first international trip since COVID and a lot has changed since I last traveled abroad. Now we all obsess over luggage weight. If your suitcase weighs more than 50 pounds, you are in trouble. I am packing lightly and carefully editing my wardrobe. Thankfully warm weather means lighter clothes. I will also be wearing comfortable tennis sh...

MAY 21 The Clarke County Education Retirees will meet May 21 at 11:45 a.m. at Davids Catfish House in Thomasville. There will be a birthday celebration. Those attending are asked to bring can goods and paper goods. JUNE 1 White Smith Memorial Library, Jackson, will hold a board meeting June 1 at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. JUNE 6 Grove Hill Arts Council will host a Coffee Painting class Jun...

CHATOM — Washington County Hall of Fame inductees Dr. Sarah Odom, Larry Hubbard and Teresa Grimes shared reflections centered on faith, family, mentorship and community support at an induction ceremony on May 1. Odom shared wisdom passed down to her years ago by Claire Ramsey of Washington County, who told her people may never fully repay those who invested in their lives but can continue their le...

Camden Jones pitched a complete-game three-hitter and Clarke Prep put the game away with a six-run fifth inning as the defending champion Gators returned to the AISA baseball finals with a 9-3 win over Lowndes Academy on May 7 at Paterson Field in Montgomery. Clarke Prep (27-10) swept the semifinal series after winning the opener 6-4 in extra innings. The Gators meet Southern Academy in the AISA C...

Zakiya Pritchett had three hits and drove in five runs to lead Thomasville to a 24-0 win over visiting Dallas County on May 4 to win the 3A Area 4 softball tournament. Winning pitcher Zion Howard allowed one hit in the three-inning mercy rule contest. Kianna Smith had two hits and two RBIs while Imani Brothers and Howard each had a hit and two RBIs. The Tigers advanced to the South Regional in Gul...

Fresh off a runner-up finish in the AISA finals, six Clarke Prep players were selected to participate in the AISA Softball All-Star event. Selected were seniors Drue Flint, Kelsen-Ann Davis and Kady Thomas along with juniors Brooke Brasell, Addie Hicks and Malli Gates. The games were played May 4 at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.   Article Link