Black Belt Fish Photo Contest: Reel in the Fun!

Get ready to show off your biggest catch! The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) is launching its 2025 Best Fish Photo Contest, and you're invited to participate. Starting August 1st and running through September 30th, this is your chance to share the thrill of fishing in Alabama's beautiful Black Belt region.

Share Your Fishing Adventures

Whether you're angling on a massive lake, navigating a winding river, or enjoying a local stream, we want to see your best fishing snapshots! This contest celebrates the pure joy of landing a fish and highlights the Black Belt's fantastic fishing scene.

What We're Looking For

"There’s nothing quite like the joy of reeling a fish," says Pam Swanner, director of ALBBAA. "We want to see photos of trophy bass, a grandchild's first catch – anything that shows off the Black Belt's amazing fishing."

How to Enter

Photos must be from catches made in the Black Belt during 2025. Submit your photos on the ALBBAA website!

The Prize

The winning angler will snag a $100 gift card!

Contest Rules: Keep it Fair and Fun!

• One vote per day, per entry, per IP address.
• One photo entry per person.
• Include the county where the fish was caught and the names of everyone in the photo.
• ALBBAA can approve or reject photos.
• Previous winners (last 3 contests) are ineligible.
• Photos showing unethical, disrespectful, or illegal fishing practices will be disqualified.

Remember the Rules of the Water!

Always follow Alabama's fishing laws and have a valid fishing license.

Celebrate the Black Belt's Outdoors!

"We're so lucky to have easy access to great fishing spots," says Swanner. "Some love bass boats, others prefer a cane pole on the bank. We want to see it all and celebrate the Black Belt's 23 counties!"

The Black Belt Region

The Black Belt includes Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Wilcox counties.

Good News, ChumCity! UAB and UnitedHealthcare Reach Agreement!

Hey everyone, we've got some fantastic news to share! UnitedHealthcare members can breathe easy knowing they'll continue to have seamless access to all the amazing doctors and facilities at UAB Health System.

Deal in Principle Reached!

UAB and UnitedHealthcare have struck an agreement in principle! This means that, once the new health insurance contract is officially signed, you can keep getting your care from UAB and all its affiliated medical providers without any interruptions.

Long-Term Stability on the Horizon

Both sides are committed to dotting the i's and crossing the t's within the next week. The new agreement is expected to last for several years, bringing some much-needed stability and ensuring continuous access to vital healthcare services for patients all across Alabama. Stay tuned for more updates!

Sharpen Your Skills: The John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge is Here!

Alabama's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is throwing down the gauntlet with the brand-new John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge! Get ready to test your mettle starting August 9th at the Etowah Public Shooting Range.

Time to Test Your Aim

This competition, launched during National Shooting Sports Month, is the perfect opportunity for handgun enthusiasts to step up to the plate and prove their sharpshooting skills. It’s designed to be competitive but still super accessible.

A Challenge for Everyone

According to Matt Weathers, Law Enforcement Chief for ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, this challenge is all about giving shooters a chance to hone their abilities in a relaxed setting. They're encouraging anyone interested in shooting sports to come out and participate.

Honoring the Past

Named after Alabama’s first Conservation Commissioner (way back in 1907!), the challenge is built around common pistols, emphasizing firearm safety, outdoor fun, and good, clean, family-friendly competition. No fancy gear needed!

How It Works

Each event features three timed rounds. You'll fire 10 shots per round at a bullseye target from 25 yards, with 60 seconds per round. A perfect score? 300 points! The top gun at each location wins an award, and the scores from all four events will be tallied to crown an overall state champ. Tie? Fastest time wins! The champ's name will be immortalized on a traveling trophy displayed at WFF Law Enforcement HQ in Montgomery, or at select ranges.

Etowah Event Details

The Etowah event runs from 8 a.m. to noon. Find the range about five miles north of Gadsden on Owl’s Hollow Road. Heads up: the Etowah range will temporarily close for a $2.5 million renovation project after the event!

Get Involved!

ADCNR is responding to growing interest in shooting sports, and this challenge is just the beginning. They’re also building a state-of-the-art shooting facility in Shelby County and offering firearms training courses statewide.

Ready to Participate?

You'll need a valid state-issued Wildlife Management Area (WMA), hunting, fishing, or Wildlife Heritage license to access public shooting ranges. Licenses expire August 31st. Youth shooters need an adult buddy.

Sign Up!

Register in advance by emailing the WFF Hunter Education Office or calling (334) 242-3620. Bring a valid photo ID and license to check-in.

Walker County's Own Mike Elliott Garners ALFA Endorsement for House District 13!

Lifelong Walker County resident, educator, and businessman Mike Elliott is making waves! He's officially received the backing of the Alabama Farmers Federation in his run for Alabama House District 13. Remember that seat previously held by State Sen. Matt Woods? Yeah, that one! The special election is slated for September 30, 2025, so mark your calendars, folks!

A Nod from the Farmers

The ALFA endorsement, announced late last week, speaks volumes. Dorman Grace, president of the Walker County Farmers Federation, put it perfectly: "Mike Elliott has been an educator and a businessman, so he knows the needs of this district. With his varied experience, he will be a true asset in the Legislature.”

Elliott's Ready to Roll

Elliott himself is stoked about the support. "It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the farmers of Walker County,” he said. “We share the same work ethic and conservative ideals. I’m ready to go to work to represent this district in Montgomery.”

What's Elliott About?

Elliott kicked off his campaign back in May, laying out his vision for the district. "I’m a tried-and-true Walker Countian, and Walker County has much to be proud of, but we need jobs, lower taxes, and the best possible educational outcomes for our children and grandchildren. Most importantly, we need to maintain traditional family values,” he declared.

More on Mike

This isn't just some newcomer; Elliott's got deep roots in the community. He's a UAB grad with a B.S. in social science and post-graduate education. He's taught at multiple high schools, including Walker County High and Curry High, and currently teaches in Walker County’s 180 Program. Oh, and he's a small business owner too, running a lawncare company with his son, Brandon! Talk about a local!

District Details

Alabama House District 13 covers a big chunk of Walker County, including the city of Jasper.

About ALFA

The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state's biggest farm organization, boasting over 365,000 members. They're all about that grassroots action, relying on local FarmPAC endorsements to pick candidates for local elections.

Hot Seat Alert: Which College Football Coaches are Feeling the Heat?

Every year, the college football rumor mill churns with speculation: Which coaches are on the hot seat? Who's safe? And which programs will be hunting for new leadership? This year is no different, and the pressure cooker is turned up high, especially in the SEC.

SEC Coaches Dominate the Hot Seat List

According to a recent list spotlighting coaches feeling the most pressure, SEC coaches are hogging the top spots. In fact, the top four coaches feeling the heat all hail from the SEC!

Billy Napier's Unexpected Spot at the Top

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier surprisingly tops the list. A year ago, this wouldn't have raised eyebrows. He managed to pull things together and gain a vote of confidence, but he faces another brutal schedule. Napier's got to prove himself all over again. College football is unpredictable, so anything can happen.

Brent Venables Under Pressure at Oklahoma

Coming in at number two is Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables, which is a bit of a surprise. Since taking over in 2022, he's racked up a 22-17 record, but Sooner fans expect more. He's supposedly got his quarterback and offensive coordinator situation sorted out, so if the Sooners don't deliver, his job could be on the line.

Hugh Freeze and Sam Pittman Also Feeling the Heat

Auburn's Hugh Freeze and Arkansas' Sam Pittman are also feeling the squeeze. Freeze, like Venables, had a big offseason, but the clock is ticking. It's now or never for the Tigers, and Freeze's seat is on fire. Some might even argue he's under more pressure than Napier or Venables.

Pittman's survival in Fayetteville is somewhat of a shock. His 30-31 record has been salvaged by a couple of bowl wins. While he may have the backing of his bosses, the Razorback faithful are restless, and another disappointing season will amplify the calls for change.

The odds are good that at least one, if not several, of these SEC programs will be in the market for a new head coach when the season wraps up.

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