Longshore and McKnight: Back in Action!

John and Barry roared back from Memorial Day with a show absolutely stuffed with college baseball and football chatter!

Barry kicked things off, venting about Troy getting snubbed from the NCAA baseball tourney. He thinks it shows how tough it is for Group of Five schools to muscle their way in over the big dogs. Meanwhile, Auburn snagged a sweet No. 4 national seed! Brian Matthews from AuburnSports.com joined the party, crediting the Tigers' rise to a killer schedule, roster revamp, and roaring home crowd. "They've shattered attendance records four years running!" Brian exclaimed. Home-field advantage is REAL.

SEC Tournament Throwdown!

Vanderbilt and Ole Miss slugged it out in the SEC Tournament finale in Hoover, AL. Vandy jumped out to an early lead and hung on tight, even with Ole Miss's late-inning surge.

SEC Football Shenanigans

The guys then dove headfirst into SEC football spring meetings. They dissected potential tweaks to the non-conference schedule and the possibility of a nine-game conference gauntlet. Commissioner Sankey's words were carefully analyzed, and they even dared to dream about a 16-team playoff by 2026. Plus, a quick recruiting update and a check-in on Auburn freshman guard Tahod Pettiford's NBA decision!

College Football is BACK, Baby!

Get ready, ChumCity! Summer's almost here, and that means one thing: EA Sports' highly-anticipated college football video game is about to drop! The burning question on everyone's mind has finally been answered: who's gracing the cover?

Crimson Tide Pride!

Drumroll please... Alabama's own Ryan Williams, the sensational rising sophomore from Mobile, is hitting the cover of the regular edition alongside Ohio State's superstar wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith! That's right, a local legend is going national!

Deluxe Edition Domination

But wait, there's more! The deluxe version is packed with even MORE star power. Williams and Smith are joined by the likes of Caleb Downs, coaching legends Kirby Smart, and Lane Kiffin. Talk about a dream team!

"A Dream Come True"

"As a lifelong fan of EA SPORTS games, being on the cover of College Football 26 is a dream come true," Williams said. "It was incredible to see myself in College Football 25 last year, and now to represent Alabama and share this moment with fans who’ve played EA SPORTS games for years is unreal."

Joining the Legends

Williams is now in elite company, joining Shaun Alexander and Mark Ingram as the only Crimson Tide athletes to grace the cover of a college football video game.

Mark Your Calendars!

The game drops July 10th. Get ready to relive the glory days!

Alligator Road Trip Ends in Montgomery County

Hold onto your hats, ChumCity citizens, because Memorial Day weekend got WILD in Montgomery County! Early Monday morning, around 3:20 a.m., emergency responders were called to Wares Ferry Road and Edna Brake Lucas Drive for a truly unique traffic incident.

Gator vs. Car: Who Won?

Turns out, a driver heading toward I-85 had a close encounter of the reptilian kind – they struck an alligator crossing the road! The driver thankfully only sustained minor injuries, but their car? Not so lucky. It was declared a total loss and had to be towed. Sadly, the alligator didn't make it.

Rare Sighting Leaves First Responders Amazed

Even the emergency responders were floored. As one firefighter told WSFA, in all their years of service, dealing with deer or even rogue cows is one thing, but a car versus alligator scenario? That's a first! The Waugh/Mt. Meigs Volunteer Fire Department even posted pictures of the gator on Facebook. Talk about a memorable holiday weekend!

Mark Cuban Feeds Hope in Alabama!

Get this: A simple email from Dr. Brandon Renfroe, a science teacher at Geraldine High School, morphed into a HUGE win for Alabama students struggling with food insecurity, all thanks to billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank legend Mark Cuban!

A $10,000 Surprise!

Just imagine Dr. Renfroe's shock when Cuban's CFO called with the news! Cuban is donating $10,000 to supercharge the student feeding program Renfroe and his crew cooked up in West Alabama. That's enough to keep the program running strong for a whole year!

Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope

Dr. Renfroe's dissertation dug deep into food insecurity in Alabama's Black Belt, and the results were eye-opening. To tackle this head-on, he teamed up with the West Alabama Food Bank and Heather Shambry to launch "Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope." This awesome initiative discretely hands out "secret meals" to students who need them most over the weekends. It started small in 2021, helping 24 students, but now it feeds a whopping 72 kids every year!

Expanding the Mission

In 2022, the program went statewide, reaching DeKalb County with the Bulldog Pantry at Geraldine High School. Backed by the Food Bank of North Alabama and local heroes, the pantry dishes out food to families every weekend.

Rural Hunger No More!

"These two counties are super different," Renfroe pointed out, "but they both struggle with rural hunger. Luckily, good folks are always ready to jump in and lend a hand!"

Thanks to Mark Cuban’s big heart, "Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope" will keep providing crucial support to kids in need for the next year. Talk about a game changer!

Get Ready to Rummage! The World's Longest Yard Sale is Back!

Calling all bargain hunters and road trip enthusiasts! The legendary World’s Longest Yard Sale is rolling back into town August 7th-10th, and you DO NOT want to miss it. This ain't your grandma's garage sale – we're talking a colossal, multi-state shopping extravaganza stretching a mind-boggling 690 miles from Gadsden, Alabama, all the way to Addison, Michigan!

Hit the Road, Jack (and Jill!)

This epic route kicks off in Alabama and snakes along the ridiculously scenic Lookout Mountain Parkway, waltzing through Fort Payne before dipping into Chattanooga, Tennessee. From there, you can keep the good times (and the good deals) rolling along Highway 127 through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and finally, Michigan! The whole shebang was designed to lure travelers off those boring interstates and into the heart of charming small towns. Brilliant, right?

What Treasures Await?

Prepare to be amazed! Hundreds of vendors will be setting up shop along the roadsides, offering everything under the sun. We're talking antiques, collectibles, furniture that's seen some things, dishware to make your grandma jealous, fresh-from-the-farm produce, and homemade jams and jellies that'll knock your socks off. Plus, keep an eye out for tasty food vendors and live entertainment to keep your energy levels up!

Alabama's Scenic Slice

Don't miss the 93-mile stretch along Alabama’s Lookout Mountain Parkway! Seriously, publications like Reader’s Digest and Southern Living are obsessed. Think breathtaking waterfalls, dramatic canyons, panoramic vistas, and a charming mix of small towns and parks. It's a visual feast!

Pro Tips for Pros

Vendors usually open their doors around 8 a.m. and keep the party going until evening. While some might take cards, cash is king! Comfy shoes are a must, bug spray and sunscreen are your BFFs, and don't forget to pack snacks and water to stay hydrated on your epic adventure.

Need More Info?

For lodging deets, potential road closures, and extra travel tips, reach out to DeKalb Tourism at 888-805-4740 or Greater Gadsden Area Tourism at 888-565-0411. Happy hunting, Chumsters!

Tuberville's Exit Sparks Senate Speculation!

With Sen. Tommy Tuberville eyeing the Alabama governor's mansion, the rumor mill is churning about who might fill his D.C. digs. Attorney General Steve Marshall's name is already buzzing, but hold on – could another Auburn legend be in the mix?

Bruce Pearl for Senate?

Word on the street (according to Semafor) is that Auburn basketball maestro Bruce Pearl might throw his hat in the ring! Known for his hoops prowess and his outspoken views (especially on national security and Israel), Pearl could be a compelling contender.

Pearl's Political Voice

“One person familiar with the situation said they heard Pearl plans to run — he’s chairman of the US Israel Education Association, and he was on Capitol Hill just last week," Semafor reported. Pearl hasn't been shy about his political stances, recently calling out Democrats on X (formerly Twitter) for wavering support of Israel.

Coaching vs. Congress?

But let's be real: Pearl's got a sweet gig at Auburn, raking in $5.9 million annually and fresh off an AP Coach of the Year title. Would he really trade the court for Congress? Even Tuberville himself weighed in, saying he "wouldn’t let him do it because he did such a good job at Auburn."

The Plot Thickens...

Only time will tell if Coach Pearl will swap his whistle for a Senate seat. Stay tuned, ChumCity, because this could get interesting!

Tuberville Tosses Hat in Ring for '26 Governor's Race!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity! Senator Tommy Tuberville just announced he's making a play for the Alabama Governor's mansion in 2026! He made the big reveal live on Fox News' "The Will Cain Show" from none other than Byron's Smokehouse, an Auburn institution.

Home Sweet Home, Sweet Home Alabama

"Started my Senate run right here," Tuberville (R-Auburn) shared, surrounded by family, including his brand-new granddaughter, Rosie Grace. He reminisced about moving to Alabama with his wife, Suzanne, over 25 years ago, raising his boys, Tucker and Troy, and calling the state "home."

"Alabama First Agenda"

Tuberville declared he's ready to "give back to this great country" and, with President Trump's support, become the next governor. He's even launched a campaign website boasting an "Alabama First Agenda" – think fighting "woke ideology," school choice, and protecting Second Amendment rights. Plus, promises of tax cuts, less government waste, and bringing back those sweet, sweet manufacturing jobs.

Coasting to Governor?

With Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth bowing out to focus on family, Tuberville's path to the Republican nomination looks pretty clear.

What's on the Agenda?

Expect strong border enforcement, deportation of criminals, staunch opposition to taxpayer-funded abortion, and big support for Alabama's farmers, defense sector, and veterans. He's even got a Trump endorsement!

Familiar Territory

This isn't Tuberville's first rodeo with the idea of being Governor. He flirted with a run back in 2017 but ultimately backed Ivey. He won his Senate seat in 2020.

Show Me the Money!

Fundraising is already underway, but with Tuberville expected to be the front runner, raising money shouldn't be a problem.

Back to Basics

"I'm doing this to help this country and the great state of Alabama," Tuberville said, "I'm a football coach, I'm a leader, I'm a builder, I'm a recruiter. And we're going to grow Alabama."

Get ready for a wild ride, ChumCity! The 2026 election is already heating up!

Big News for Alabama's Rural Communities!

Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, a name synonymous with dedicated service in Alabama, is stepping into a new role! She's been tapped as Alabama's State Director for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a move announced by Secretary Brooke Rollins on Tuesday.

From PSC President to Rural Development Champion

Cavanaugh, who has led the Public Service Commission since 2012 and was first elected statewide in 2010, will be resigning from the PSC, effective June 1. She's leaving with gratitude, expressing what an honor it has been to serve the people of Alabama. She says that every decision she made was motivated by the desire to fight for hardworking families.

A Legacy of Fighting for Alabama

Cavanaugh emphasized the accomplishments during her tenure, including bringing natural gas to poultry farmers and pushing back against policies of previous presidential administrations. Secretary Rollins is excited about Cavanaugh's contributions in her new role, highlighting how the USDA team is dedicated to seeing farmers and rural America thrive.

Support From Senator Britt

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is celebrating Cavanaugh's appointment and commends Cavanaugh as a staunch champion of family farms and rural communities in Alabama.

What's Next for Alabama?

In her new position, Cavanaugh will be focused on bolstering economic development and infrastructure in rural Alabama. The USDA said that the RD State Directors work towards empowering rural America and to unleash economic prosperity.

Governor Kay Ivey will be appointing someone to fill the now-vacant Public Service Commission President role in the coming days. Jimmy Parnell, president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, believes Cavanaugh's dedication to sensible spending will be beneficial to Alabama in her new position.

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