Community News
Saturday, May 16, 2026 · Monroeville
16-year-old from Sylacauga killed in crash with 18-wheeler on U.S. 231
A 16-year-old Sylacauga resident died in a two-vehicle crash involving an 18-wheeler on U.S. 231 in Coosa County on Wednesday afternoon. Two other people in the car were injured.
Grand Jury: Hanceville Police Department Negligence Led to Dispatcher's Overdose Death
A Cullman County grand jury blamed the Hanceville Police Department's negligence and lack of procedures for dispatcher Christopher Willingham's overdose death in August 2024.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Court orders Alabama to publish voting procedures after election disputes
A federal court has ordered Alabama's Secretary of State Wes Allen to publicly explain voting procedures after the U.S. Department of Justice challenged the state's voter removal practices.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Trump Backs Republican Fund for January 6 Defendants, With Conditions
In a televised interview, President Trump endorsed a Republican proposal to fund legal defenses for January 6 Capitol riot participants, while stating he would not support payments to those who attacked police officers.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Earthquake kills at least 32 in southern Philippines
A magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck southern Philippines, killing at least 32 people. The quake generated small tsunami waves that reached Indonesia and Japan.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Iran Launches First Missile Strikes on Israel Since April Ceasefire
Iran fired missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, marking the first such attack since a ceasefire took hold in April. The strikes came after Israel bombed southern Beirut in response to alleged Hezbollah attacks.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Trump Urges Netanyahu Against Iran Strike as Tensions Escalate
Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to strike Iran, according to reporting from Axios. The statement came as Israel and Iran traded military strikes, with Trump calling on both nations to halt hostilities.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Kills 35 in Philippines, Triggers Tsunami
A powerful earthquake struck the Philippines, killing at least 35 people and destroying buildings across multiple provinces. A tsunami warning followed the 7.8 magnitude quake, which geologists say caused significant ground destabilization in affected areas.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
U.S. Retaliates Against Iran Following Apache Helicopter Downing
The U.S. military launched strikes on Iranian air defense installations and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran's downing of an Army Apache helicopter. Iran subsequently reported attacking American military targets across the Middle East.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
U.S. Military Strikes Iran After Army Helicopter Downed Near Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. military conducted retaliatory strikes against Iran following the downing of an Army Apache helicopter during patrol operations near the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump confirmed both crew members survived the incident without injury.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Gates to Testify Before House Panel on Epstein Meetings
Bill Gates will answer questions from the House Oversight Committee about his meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, according to reporting from NBC. Gates acknowledged meeting the convicted sex offender multiple times but said he had no knowledge of criminal activity.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Trump signs $70 billion immigration enforcement bill
President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday that directs nearly $70 billion toward immigration enforcement and deportation efforts for the rest of his administration.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Congress Approves $70 Billion for Immigration Enforcement Through End of Trump Term
President Trump signed a Republican-backed bill allocating roughly $70 billion for immigration enforcement that extends through the remainder of his term. Democrats contend the measure surrenders Congress's role in monitoring how the funds are spent.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
ICE Official Details Data Collection on Suspected Unlawful Activity in Congressional Letter
The departing head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement outlined the agency's data collection practices in a letter to Congress, stating ICE gathers information on people suspected of potentially unlawful activity. The agency has denied maintaining a dedicated database focused on protesters.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Trump vows response after U.S. helicopter downed
President Donald Trump said the U.S. military would respond after an American helicopter was shot down. Trump did not specify a timeline or target for the counteraction.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Trump warns Iran of consequences as U.S. and Iranian forces exchange strikes
President Donald Trump said Iran will "pay the price" following Iranian military strikes on U.S. positions in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. The warning marks the latest escalation in months of stalled nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
House Republicans approve $70 billion immigration enforcement package
House Republicans passed a $70 billion spending bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies through the remainder of President Trump's term. The package allocates resources to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
U.S. and Iran Trade Military Strikes; House Approves Border Security Funding
The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes following the downing of a helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, House Republicans advanced legislation to finance immigration enforcement agencies.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Supreme Court Struggles to Define Which Weapons the Second Amendment Protects
The Supreme Court has clarified that Americans have a constitutional right to own handguns for self-defense, but the justices have left major questions unanswered about which other weapons receive protection. Courts now split on whether semiautomatic rifles and large-capacity magazines fall within Second Amendment protections.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Taiwan Fires U.S.-Supplied Rockets Toward China in Military Exercise
Taiwan conducted a live-fire military exercise Wednesday using High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems supplied by the United States, firing rounds toward China across the Taiwan Strait for the first time.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Iran and Israel Exchange Direct Fire; Both Signal Pause in Escalation
Iran launched a direct attack on Israel, which responded with strikes of its own. Both nations have since signaled they may hold back from further immediate action, though tensions remain elevated.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
House to vote on reconciliation bill targeting immigration enforcement
Speaker Mike Johnson must secure near-unanimous Republican support to advance a reconciliation bill focused on immigration enforcement. The House is preparing for votes on the measure after weeks of deliberation.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Israel and Iran Signal Halt to Direct Military Exchanges
Israel and Iran signaled an end to their direct military attacks following an exchange of strikes. Officials from both countries indicated they do not intend to resume hostilities in the immediate term.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Recent escalation between Israel and Iran may alter diplomatic calculations
Following the recent military confrontation between Israel and Iran, Iranian leaders have expressed confidence in their position. Observers say the outcome could reshape the terms of any future diplomatic talks between the two nations.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
UK Police Report Gangs Seizing Hundreds of Homes Weekly in 'Cuckooing' Operations
UK police say gangs take over hundreds of homes each week in a practice known as 'cuckooing,' where criminals seize residential properties to run drug operations. Residents report feeling trapped in their own homes during the takeovers.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
OpenAI files for stock market debut, escalating competition with Anthropic
OpenAI has filed for an initial public offering, following rival Anthropic in taking artificial intelligence companies public. Wall Street firms are channeling capital into AI startups across multiple financing structures.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Political Scandals No Longer Derail Campaigns as Voters Show Tolerance
Candidates facing significant controversies are now advancing through campaigns at rates that would have been unthinkable decades ago. The pattern suggests voters weigh scandals differently than they did in previous political cycles.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Global conflicts reach highest level since World War II, data reveals
Researchers tracking armed conflicts worldwide have documented a surge in active disputes, reaching levels unseen since the end of World War II. The data points to an escalation across multiple regions and conflict types.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Trump Says Iran Deal Possible Within Days as Israel Continues Military Operations
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that an agreement to end the conflict with Iran could come within days. The statement came as Israel launched new military strikes in Lebanon.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Supreme Court Races to Complete Decisions in Final Weeks of Term
The Supreme Court enters its annual crunch period as justices work to complete opinions and dissents in cases still pending. The court typically releases its most consequential decisions in the final weeks before summer recess.
Saturday, May 16, 2026