Longshore and McKnight Dish Out Friday Fun!

John and Barry kicked off Friday's "Longshore and McKnight" with graduation shout-outs and a heavy dose of classic car nostalgia!

Broncos and High School Hijinks

John recalled the days of vintage Broncos and the desire to roll up to school looking like you'd conquered a mud pit! Ah, the memories...

PGA Championship Lowdown

They dove into the PGA Championship, spotlighting some surprise leaderboard toppers and dissecting Justin Thomas's audacious creekside shot – even the skeptics had to tip their caps! Trevor Immelman and Dottie Pepper got props for their insightful commentary, and Jim Nantz's home putting greens had everyone green with envy.

Troy vs. Southern Miss Baseball Preview

Next up was a preview of the Troy vs. Southern Miss baseball showdown. Southern Miss is looking to snap Troy's undefeated series streak!

College Football's Power Shift

The duo tackled the future of college football, echoing Phillip Marshall's view that the SEC and Big Ten are calling the shots. John stated, "The TV networks only want to broadcast two conferences." Concerns were raised about the fate of mid-major leagues like the Sun Belt.

Rounding Out the Bases

The show wrapped up with MLB talk (Braves vs. Red Sox!), a nod to the Capitals' playoff demise, a hole-in-one at Quail Hollow, and the ever-present push for legalized sports betting in Alabama.

I-65 Widening: Could it Actually Happen?

Senator Katie Britt has been hustling up in Washington, folks, and she's got her sights set on something HUGE for Alabama: widening I-65! She chatted with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about it during an appropriations hearing this past week.

Trump's On Board!

Britt let Duffy know that the big man himself, President Trump, is supposedly all for expanding I-65. Apparently, Trump wants to see that highway beefed up to four lanes on each side – and he's committed to making it a reality, according to the Senator!

Why It Matters to Alabama

Britt emphasized just how crucial this expansion is for our state. "Anyone who wants to travel in Alabama gets stuck on I-65," she said. She highlighted how folks heading to our gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches or even the Florida Panhandle are bottlenecked on that very highway.

Duffy's Commitment

Britt directly asked Duffy to commit to seriously considering the project, emphasizing the need for a federal partnership to make Trump's promise a reality.

Good News!

Duffy's response? A big YES! "The president's priorities are also my priorities," he stated, promising to take a look. Looks like things are moving in the right direction, ChumCity!

Telegraph Creative Welcomes Zack Miskel as Chief Client Officer!

Big news from Telegraph Creative! They've just snagged Zack Miskel as their new Chief Client Officer and Partner. Zack's gonna be leading the accounts team and making sure all their key client relationships are rock solid. As a partner, he'll also be a driving force behind the agency's future growth.

Brian Conley Shifts to Chief Strategy and Growth Officer

Meanwhile, Brian Conley, a Telegraph veteran, is stepping into the role of Chief Strategy and Growth Officer. After building an amazing client service foundation, Brian will now be diving headfirst into boosting the agency's strategic game. Telegraph says his knack for turning vision into killer brand strategies is what makes them tick!

Excitement All Around!

"These are exciting days at Telegraph," says CEO Bj Ellis. "Zack brings the energy and leadership we need to level up. I'm stoked about the team we have and the rad clients we work with—and with Zack and Brian in these roles, the sky's the limit!"

Zack's Got the Goods

Zack comes packing over five years of executive-level experience, helping top brands make a splash. He's worked with heavy hitters like Thermo Fisher and AT&T, plus a ton of other cool companies across different industries, from healthcare to consumer goods.

A Client-Turned-Partner!

"My journey with Telegraph started as a client," Zack shared. "I knew right away this place was different. The passion, the talent, and how they show up for their clients? It's unmatched. Telegraph is building something special, and I'm stoked to be a part of it."

New Leadership Alert: ALM Elects Fairhope's Sullivan as President!

The Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) just wrapped up its 90th convention at the Von Braun Center, and big news emerged! Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan is the new president, with Riverside Mayor Rusty Jessup stepping into the vice president role. Over 800 city officials from across the state gathered for the three-day event.

A Voice for Local Government

ALM Executive Director Greg Cochran is pumped to have Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Jessup at the helm for 2025-2026. "We believe local government is closest to the people," he said. "These two will help us share that important message, strengthening relationships and building vibrant communities across Alabama!"

One-Year Terms, Big Impact

This nonpartisan organization champions local governments of all sizes with legislative muscle, legal know-how, and training for elected officials. The president and VP will serve for a year, representing ALM's 450+ cities and towns at meetings and events, making sure municipalities have a voice at every level.

Meet President Sherry Sullivan

Mayor Sullivan, elected in 2020, brings a wealth of experience, with almost 17 years working for Fairhope, plus a stint as director of governmental affairs and economic development for Riviera Utilities. She's already been active in ALM, serving on various boards and committees. Plus, she's involved with a ton of other organizations!

"I'm honored and humbled!" Sullivan exclaimed. "With over 450 communities, we have big issues to tackle. I'm committed to working with members and policymakers to ensure ALM remains a powerful voice in Montgomery."

Get to Know Vice President Rusty Jessup

Mayor Jessup has been leading Riverside since 2006. He's no stranger to ALM, with service on the Alabama Municipal Funding Corporation and the Committee on State and Federal Legislation. A former insurance agency owner, he's also heavily involved in St. Clair County.

"I'm grateful to be elected to represent the League as vice president," Jessup shared. "The League offers so many valuable resources, and I look forward to working with President Sullivan and officials from cities and towns of all sizes to improve our communities."

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Here are some of the other local leaders elected to the ALM Board of Directors:

First Congressional District:

• Ralph Hellmich, Mayor, Foley
• Katherine Breeden, Councilmember, Loxley
• Mike McMillan, Mayor, Spanish Fort
• Newton Cromer, Councilmember, Saraland
• Ruthie Campbell, Councilmember, Robertsdale

Second Congressional District:

• Marche Johnson, Councilmember, Montgomery
• Gordon Stone, Mayor, Pike Road
• Dexter McClendon, Mayor, Greenville
• Jason Reeves, Mayor, Troy
• Stanley Stallworth, Mayor, Evergreen

Third Congressional District:

• Joe Taylor, Mayor, Rainbow City
• Billy Pearson, Councilmember, Lincoln
• Ron Anders, Mayor, Auburn
• Michael Ellis, Councilmember, LaFayette
• Scott Reeves, Mayor, Hokes Bluff

Fourth Congressional District:

• Jennifer Williams Smith, Councilmember, Jasper
• Allen Dunavant, Mayor, Glen Allen
• Chuck Ables, Mayor, Geraldine
• Andrew Betterton, Mayor, Florence
• Mike Lockhart, Mayor, Muscle Shoals

Fifth Congressional District:

• Dana Henry, Councilmember, Athens
• Gary Livingston, Mayor, Eva
• Jim McCamy, Mayor, Scottsboro
• Tommy Perry, Councilmember, Priceville
• Connie Spears, Councilmember, Madison

Sixth Congressional District:

• Mike Oakley, Mayor, Centreville
• Ashley Curry, Mayor, Vestavia Hills
• Bobbie White, Mayor, Brent
• Michael Gay, Councilmember, Millbrook
• Theoangelo Perkins, Mayor, Harpersville

Seventh Congressional District:

• Bobby Scott Jr., Mayor, Center Point
• James Perkins Jr., Mayor, Selma
• Gwendolyn Rogers, Mayor, Linden
• Brian Puckett, Mayor, Helena
• Sheldon Day, Mayor, Thomasville

Executive Committee (Past Presidents):

• Mark Saliba, Mayor, Dothan
• Randy Garrison, Mayor, Hartselle
• Lawrence “Tony” Haygood Jr., Mayor, Tuskegee
• Gary Fuller, Mayor, Opelika
• Leigh Dollar, Mayor, Guntersville
• Ronnie Marks, Mayor, Athens
• Howard Rubenstein, Mayor, Saraland
• Phil Segraves, Mayor, Guin
• Sadie Britt, Councilmember, Lincoln
• Walt Maddox, Mayor, Tuscaloosa
• Charles Murphy, Mayor, Robertsdale
• Lew Watson, Mayor, Lincoln
• Johnny Ford, Councilmember, Tuskegee

Alabama Politics with Dale & Mecca!

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Who are These Political Pros?

Mecca Musick is the brains behind 256 Today, keeping you informed on all things Huntsville and beyond.

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