Local Legend Ralph Burke Passes Away

Jacksonville State University is mourning the loss of Ralph Burke, a cherished alum, former state legislator, and tireless champion for education. He was 65. Our thoughts are with his wife, Joy, and all his loved ones during this difficult time.

A Life Dedicated to Service

Born and raised in Rainsville, Burke was a star athlete at Plainview High School before heading to JSU. He earned multiple degrees there, including a bachelor's in Physical Education and advanced degrees in Education Administration.

From the Statehouse to the University

For 15 years, Burke represented DeKalb County in the Alabama House, fighting hard for education and Northeast Alabama. After his time in the legislature, he continued serving the area at JSU, leading JSU Gadsden for many years and later working in community relations.

More Than Just a Politician

Burke was deeply involved in his community. He held leadership positions in organizations like Leadership Etowah and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He was also a dedicated member of the Church of the Highlands and shared his beautiful voice through gospel music.

A Legacy of Kindness

"Ralph Burke dedicated his life to making Northeast Alabama a better place," said JSU President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. He added that Burke will be remembered for his "warm heart, generous spirit, and unwavering commitment to the communities he served."

A Celebration of Life

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 120 to 20 p.m. at Meadowbrook Church in Gadsden, followed by a funeral service at 20 p.m. Let's remember Ralph Burke for his incredible contributions to our community.

Black Hawk Down... On Border Patrol Duty!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity! Our brave border protectors just got a serious upgrade. Last month, in Meridianville, Alabama, the 10th souped-up UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter was officially handed over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Why Black Hawks?

Because keeping our borders secure is a HUGE deal! And these bad boys are a game-changer. Brig. Gen. David Phillips, head honcho at Program Executive Office Aviation, said it best: it's all about national security and supporting the folks on the front lines. These Black Hawks aren't your average choppers, either. They're tricked out with the latest gear to make CBP's Air and Marine Operations (AMO) even more effective.

A 40-Year Friendship

The Army and CBP have been partners in crime-fighting (border crime, that is!) for almost 40 years. Back in '88, the Army started swapping out CBP's old UH-1 Hueys for Black Hawks, and things have been soaring ever since. They even hooked up CBP with four UH-60M Black Hawks packed with high-tech sensors and all-weather navigation in 2007. Talk about an upgrade!

Black Hawks: Border Security All-Stars

For over 37 years, these helicopters have been making a real difference. Since 2015, CBP's Black Hawks have flown over 55,000 hours on more than 21,000 flights, supporting nearly 6,500 enforcement missions! Keith Jones, from AMO, calls them "among the most versatile and effective assets" they've got.

More Black Hawks Incoming?

The collaboration continues! Back in 2014, the Army and CBP teamed up again to snag 15 more UH-60L Black Hawks. They're even working on a modular mission equipment package for better communication. As technology evolves, the Army is committed to keeping CBP's Black Hawks at the cutting edge with the best equipment possible. Border security just got a whole lot cooler!

Lake Martin Fireworks Mishap: Kaboom on the Water!

Whoa! Things got a little too explosive on Lake Martin this 4th of July. A fireworks display went sideways, leaving six people injured after a pontoon boat, rigged up as a fireworks platform, went boom!

What Happened?

Around 9:14 p.m. in the Kowaliga Basin near Blue Creek, a planned fireworks celebration turned into a fiery mess. Seems the boat, loaded with fireworks that weren't exactly on the up-and-up, malfunctioned, causing a major onboard explosion.

Who Was Involved?

Six people were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals. William C. Davis, 39, and Aaron L. Kovak, 49, were sent to UAB Hospital. Alan J. Simmons, 31, landed at Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville. And Johnathan R. Wilmarth, 43, Joshua A. Husted, 36, and Matthew Davila, 28, were taken to other local hospitals. We're wishing everyone a speedy recovery!

The Investigation

ALEA's Marine Patrol Division, along with the State Bureau of Investigation Hazardous Device Unit and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, jumped on the scene. The remaining fireworks were secured, and now the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office is heading up the fireworks investigation.

Got Video? They Need Your Help!

Were you on or near Lake Martin when the fireworks went rogue? If you snagged any video footage of the incident, the investigators want to see it!

How to Share Your Videos

You can send your videos by email to firemarshal@insurance.alabama.gov or give them a call at 334-241-4166. Every little bit helps!

The investigation is still underway, so stay tuned for updates!

Raytheon Scores Big for GPS!

Guess what, ChumCity citizens? Raytheon just landed a sweet $77.2 million deal! The Department of Defense announced that they're handing over the cash for GPS production and ongoing support.

Mini GPS Magic!

The contract's all about the Miniaturized Airborne Global Positioning System Receiver (MAGR). Think super-tiny, super-accurate GPS tech!

Where the Magic Happens

Raytheon will be buzzing around El Segundo, California and Huntsville, cranking out repairs, building new units, keeping everything running smoothly, and generally making sure these MAGR-2K and 2K-M receivers are top-notch. They've got until June 30, 2031, to get it all done!

Thanks, Air Force!

Big shout-out to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia for making it all happen!

Lane Kiffin's Twitter Takedown!

Lane Kiffin, the Ole Miss Rebels' head honcho, is a social media legend, and he's at it again! Known for his razor-sharp wit and expert-level trolling, Kiffin recently took aim at a familiar foe: Auburn's Head Coach, Hugh Freeze.

Golf Course Grudge Match

It seems Kiffin couldn't resist a jab at Freeze's golf game, especially considering Auburn's recruiting struggles. He retweeted an older post of Freeze enjoying a day on the links, adding his own special Kiffin-esque commentary.

Kiffin's Tweet: Short & Sweet

Kiffin's reply was simple: "Great job Coach!! Game is on 🔥" But everyone knows that underneath that seemingly innocent message, Kiffin's implying much more about Freeze and the Auburn program.

Tee Time Troubles?

Freeze reportedly squeezed in over 11 rounds of golf in June, drawing some heat as the Tigers faced recruiting setbacks. Looks like Kiffin couldn't resist adding a little fuel to that fire!

Braves Blues on Longshore & McKnight!

John and Barry didn't pull any punches on today's Longshore & McKnight! They dove headfirst into the Atlanta Braves' rollercoaster season. Are fans overreacting, or is this just not their year? Barry McKnight thinks the Orioles sweep might be a bad omen.

Crimson Tide's Recruiting Tsunami!

The guys then shifted gears to college football, spotlighting Alabama's insane recruiting haul. Five 5-star commits already? Are we witnessing peak Tide dominance? They debated if Bama's ever been this stacked this early, even with their "lowly" No. 5 ranking!

Auburn's Recruiting Woes & UCLA's Scheduling Snub!

Ouch! The show didn't hold back on Auburn, with fanbase anxieties running high thanks to a recruiting class sitting way down at 86th. Cue the sarcasm and genuine concern! And adding insult to injury, UCLA just bounced on their home-and-home series, leaving a massive scheduling headache.

Conference Realignment Rumble!

That led to a deep dive into the ever-shifting landscape of conference realignment. Are schools like Florida State and Clemson really worth the SEC's time financially? John Longshore dropped a truth bomb: "Fit" these days is all about revenue, not location or history!

America Party: Just a Trump Tantrum?

So, word on the street is there's a new political party brewing: the America Party. But let's be real, could this just be one big anti-Trump outburst?

Musk's Mad, and Others Are Too

Elon Musk seems pretty steamed about Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill," and that fury is drawing in folks like Mark Cuban and Anthony Scaramucci – basically, the anti-Trump all-stars.

Spoiler Alert: Democrats Win?

If this party actually takes off, it's likely to pull votes from the Republican side, which, ironically, could give Democrats more power. And guess what? Some of those Dems might still be looking to give Elon a hard time for, you know, thinking wrong.

Your Takeaway

Just food for thought, Chumsters!

(Based on analysis from Dale Jackson, Yellowhammer News and WVNN)

End of an Era: Sen. Tom Butler Calls It Quits

Hold onto your hats, ChumCity citizens! A major shake-up is brewing in Alabama politics. After a whopping 40 years in the Alabama Legislature, State Senator Tom Butler is hanging up his hat and won't be seeking re-election.

Butler's Big Announcement

Senator Butler (R-Madison) is set to spill the beans and reminisce about his impressive legacy at a news conference this Tuesday. The event will take place at the Madison County Legislative Office in the heart of Huntsville.

A Farewell Gathering

The Madison County Delegation will be out in full force, ready to shower Senator Butler with support and celebrate his contributions to our great state and community.

Representing District 2

For those keeping track, Butler represents Senate District 2, a vital area encompassing east Limestone County and western Madison County – including the bustling cities of Athens, Huntsville, and Madison.

A Political Journey

Before his Senate days, Butler served in the Alabama House from '82 to '94 as a Democrat. He then made the jump to the Senate from '94 to 2010. Talk about a political journey!

Party Switch and Continued Service

In a surprising twist, Butler switched to the Republican Party in 2011. He was elected to represent District 2 in the State Senate in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. His current term will end in 2026. What a career!

Texas Floods: Alabama Mourns Loss of Young Life

The heart-wrenching news from Texas continues, as the death toll from the devastating floods rises, and Alabama joins the nation in mourning. Among those tragically lost is 8-year-old Sarah Marsh of Mountain Brook, a loss that hits especially close to home.

Catastrophic Flooding in Central Texas

Search and rescue teams are still working tirelessly in central Texas after the catastrophic flooding swept through the region. The Guadalupe River experienced a terrifying surge, rising over 26 feet in a single hour on Friday. This powerful surge tore through homes, uprooted trees, and tragically impacted Camp Mystic, an all-girls' Christian summer camp near Hunt, Texas.

Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Efforts

Officials confirmed Monday that the death toll has tragically climbed to at least 85. The search and recovery efforts are facing immense challenges due to debris, extreme heat, snakes, and continuing rainfall. A flood watch remains in effect for south-central Texas, including the severely impacted Kerrville area.

Alabama Leaders Express Grief

The loss of Sarah Marsh has deeply resonated throughout Alabama. Governor Kay Ivey shared a heartfelt statement, saying, "Alabama joins in lifting up all impacted by the floods in the Hill Country — especially as we grieve the tragic loss of one of our own, young Sarah Marsh of Mountain Brook. We pray for her family, and the other families facing unimaginable loss..."

U.S. Senator Katie Britt also expressed her heartbreak, adding, "Wesley and I are heartbroken over the loss of Sarah Marsh, and we are keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers..."

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville shared similar sentiments, saying, "Suzanne and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Sarah Marsh — and so many others..."

Mountain Brook Community Grieves

The City of Mountain Brook and Mayor Stewart Welch issued a public statement expressing their shared grief. "The City of Mountain Brook is heartbroken over the tragic loss of Sarah Marsh... This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school, and our entire community," the statement read. "Sarah’s passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her.” The mayor added that Mountain Brook will come together with compassion and unwavering support for the Marsh family.

Search and Rescue Continues

Officials in Texas continue their search and rescue mission, but conditions remain incredibly dangerous. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.

New Head Honcho for Alabama Pardons and Paroles!

Governor Kay Ivey just dropped a bombshell: Hal Nash is the new Chair of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles! This law enforcement vet, currently the Chief Corrections Deputy in Jackson County, is stepping up to the plate.

Ivey's Got Confidence

"Hal Nash is primed to keep things effective," Ivey declared, emphasizing public safety as the board's top priority. "He's got that law enforcement eye, and he's promised to be fair, always with Alabama's safety in mind."

From Zero to Hero

Even though Nash jumped into law enforcement later in life (at 40!), Ivey believes his leadership speaks volumes. "He's been a dedicated officer, bringing tons of experience to the table. A safer Alabama is the goal, and Hal Nash will build on our progress!"

Farewell to Gwathney

Ivey also gave a shout-out to outgoing Chair Leigh Gwathney, praising her dedication to public safety. "Leigh was key in reforming Pardons and Paroles for the better," Ivey said.

Nash's Pledge

Nash himself is ready to roll. "Humbled by this appointment, I'm eager to work with the board," he stated. "This isn't a job to take lightly. While remembering people can change, Alabama's safety comes first. I pray for the wisdom to balance it all."

Local Love

Jackson County is bursting with pride. Sheriff Rocky Harnen gushed, "We're proud Hal's been chosen! His law enforcement experience, both in enforcement and corrections, makes him a great fit."

District Attorney Jason Pierce, who's known Nash for over 20 years, added, "His character, integrity, and experience give him a unique perspective for those tough decisions. He's an excellent appointment!"

Nash's Impressive Resume

Before Jackson County, Nash made waves in DeKalb County, serving with the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force. He's even got some Chattanooga Police Reserve experience under his belt!

How It Went Down

The Governor picked Nash from a list of five candidates nominated by a special board. The appointment is effective now!