Tigers Take Home the Title!

The LSU Tigers are your kings of college baseball, snagging their EIGHTH national championship over the weekend! And get this, it's their SECOND title in just the last three years! Talk about dominance!

How They Did It

LSU clawed their way to victory, besting Coastal Carolina in a thrilling two-game sweep in Omaha. This win cements LSU's status as THE team to beat.

Game 1 Heroics

Friday night's game was a nail-biter, with the Tigers edging out a 1-0 win. Ace pitcher Kade Anderson was absolutely UNBELIEVABLE. He threw a massive 130 pitches for a complete game shutout, striking out a whopping 10 Chanticleers! What a performance!

Game 2 Drama

Game two brought the heat, literally and figuratively! Coastal Carolina's coach got ejected in the FIRST INNING for arguing calls. Can you believe it?

LSU ultimately sealed the deal with a 5-3 victory, claiming the championship crown!

Coach Johnson's Reign

This marks Head Coach Jay Johnson's second national title since taking the reins in Baton Rouge in 2022. With Johnson at the helm, the Tigers are back on top, proving once again they're the team everyone's chasing!

Minerva Defense Welcomes Drew Hicks as VP of T&E Instrumentation Programs!

Huntsville's own Minerva Defense has tapped Drew Hicks, a seasoned defense pro, as their new Vice President for Test and Evaluation (T&E) Instrumentation Programs!

Hicks will be spearheading the strategic direction, management, and technical wizardry behind Minerva's government and commercial T&E initiatives. Based right here in Huntsville, this small business is making big waves!

Hicks' Enthusiasm

"Minerva's got a stellar team, deep-rooted in defense tech and customer savvy," Hicks exclaimed. "Joining them is an incredible opportunity, and my family and I are fully committed to Huntsville. Let's get to work!"

What He Brings to the Table

Hicks boasts over 15 years of experience in military aviation, defense technology, manufacturing, and navigating those tricky government contracts. He's known for building awesome teams and leading complex DoD programs.

Minerva's Take

Company President Bill Bailey III couldn't be happier: "Drew's a proven winner - competent, driven, and totally dedicated to our national security customers. This is a huge win for Minerva!"

Hicks has a knack for building business units from the ground up, turning small teams into multimillion-dollar powerhouses, delivering crucial solutions to the Air Force, Army, and Redstone Test Center, among others.

A Decorated Veteran

Before Minerva, Hicks held senior roles at Nomad Global and served as Senior Director of DoD Programs. As a decorated Marine Corps veteran with over a decade of service, Hicks is an expert in aviation logistics and maintenance, with multiple deployments across Central and South America under his belt.

The Bottom Line

CEO Joseph Summers sums it up perfectly: "Drew's track record speaks for itself. He's the kind of leader, thinker, and person we want on our team. He just gets the job done!"

(Courtesy of 256 Today)

Gadsden Mourns the Loss of Former Mayor Sherman Guyton

The ChumCity community is saddened by the passing of former Gadsden Mayor Sherman Guyton, who died Saturday, June 21, at the age of 79.

Mayor Craig Ford and other city officials have extended their deepest sympathies to the Guyton family, recognizing the lasting impact of the former mayor's commitment to Gadsden.

A Legacy of Leadership

"Mayor Guyton was a great leader for Gadsden for many years, but more importantly, he was a great man," Mayor Ford stated. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Debra, Grace, and their family during this difficult time."

Guyton was a pillar of Gadsden, serving as mayor from 2006 to 2022. He was one of only three people to hold the position in the last 35 years. During his tenure, he navigated the city through challenging times, including the recession of the late 2000s and the COVID-19 pandemic, while also spearheading transformative projects.

Building a Better Gadsden

Mayor Ford acknowledged Guyton's dedication, saying, "It's been an honor to follow him as mayor... He also helped guide Gadsden through tough times... [he] left a wonderful base to keep building on."

Guyton was instrumental in promoting capital investment and attracting jobs to the area. Landmark projects such as The Venue at Coosa Landing and Riverwalk Park at Coosa Landing, revitalizing Gadsden’s riverfront, were brought to life under his leadership. He also prioritized improvements to Noccalula Falls, the downtown district, and the establishment of the Gadsden Sports Park on the Gadsden State Community College campus.

A Lifelong Gadsden Resident

A proud Gadsden native, Guyton's roots ran deep in the community. He graduated from Emma Sansom High School in 1963 and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University. His career included time at Goodyear, teaching, coaching, and nearly three decades as the owner of Sherman Guyton Realty.

A Lasting Impact

"In one way or another, he touched the lives of every citizen of Gadsden by making this city better, and that’s an incredible legacy to leave behind," Mayor Ford concluded. His contributions to Gadsden will be remembered for years to come.

Longshore and McKnight: Sports Drama Galore!

John Longshore and Barry McKnight are back, ChumCity! This time, they're diving headfirst into the wild world of sports.

Fleetwood's Fumble

First up: Tommy Fleetwood's epic meltdown at the Travelers Championship. A three-stroke lead evaporated in just four holes, leaving him still searching for that elusive PGA Tour win (0-for-84!). Ouch.

NBA Finals: Triumph and Tragedy

Then, the boys shifted gears to the NBA Finals, where Oklahoma City reigned supreme! But victory came at a price: Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton suffered a heartbreaking Achilles tear in the first quarter of Game 7. An injury like that changes everything! Will it change his legacy?

College World Series Chaos

LSU snagged a 5–3 win over Coastal Carolina in the College World Series, but the real headline was the umpiring! Coastal's coaches were ejected in the first inning, leading to some seriously heated commentary from Longshore and McKnight who called it "an embarrassment".

Andy Burcham on Auburn's Future

Later, Andy Burcham (voice of the Auburn Tigers!) joined the show to talk SEC football. He dished on the holdup with ESPN negotiations holding up the nine-game schedule, and previewed Auburn's HUGE season opener against Baylor. Burcham stressed just how "very, very important" that road game is for Hugh Freeze as he rebuilds the Auburn program.

Alabama Republicans Cheer Trump's Iran Strike!

The Yellowhammer State's GOP is buzzing after President Trump's bombshell decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. Trump announced the move, stating the goal was to dismantle Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities.

Ivey: "Peace Through Strength Works!"

Gov. Kay Ivey led the charge, declaring this action proves "peace through strength works." She gave a shoutout to Trump, adding "Operation Midnight Hammer WORKED!"

Ainsworth: Protecting American Interests

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth echoed the sentiment, expressing his faith in Trump to protect American interests. He asserted that Iran's been a "bad actor" for decades and is now facing the consequences.

Senators Britt and Tuberville: A Safer World

U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville both lauded Trump's leadership, claiming the world is safer because of it.

Rogers: "The Correct Decision"

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, who heads the House Armed Services Committee, emphatically stated Trump "made the correct decision" to strike the Iranian sites, arguing Iran left no other choice.

Alabama House Delegation Backs Trump

The rest of Alabama's Republican House members also showed their support for the strike. Representatives Aderholt, Palmer, Moore, and Strong all voiced their approval, citing national security and Iran's refusal to negotiate as justification for the President's action.

Tide Still Rolling with Saban's Assist!

Replacing a legend like Nick Saban? Yeah, that's a bit of a challenge. Kalen DeBoer's been navigating the Crimson Tide through this new era, and while he's finding his stride, let's be real: nobody closes a deal like the GOAT. And DeBoer knows it!

Saban's Still Got It

Check this out! Five-star in-state running back sensation Ezavier Crowell snapped a pic with Saban during his official visit. Talk about a power move!

Crowell Watch

Crowell's dropping his commitment this week, and whispers are saying Bama's looking real good. 247 has this dude ranked as the No. 2 RB nationwide for the 2026 class. Major potential!

DeBoer's Big Opportunity

Landing Crowell would be HUGE for DeBoer and the future of Alabama's offense. Keep your eyes peeled, ChumCity readers! This could be a game-changer.

Tide Rolling into Tally for '25 Opener

Get ready, ChumCity! The Alabama Crimson Tide are kicking off the 2025 season with a bang, heading to Tallahassee to face a Florida State Seminoles squad that's... well, let's just say they're looking to bounce back.

Seminoles Seeking Redemption?

Remember FSU's near-perfect season that ended in CFP heartbreak? Yeah, they followed that up with a dismal 2-10 record. Ouch! Now, Coach Norvell's crew is scrambling to rebuild, and they've got a new weapon under center: former Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos.

Castellanos Calls Out the Tide!

And this Castellanos kid? He's got confidence. Maybe a little too much. He's already throwing down the gauntlet before the season even starts!

Bold Words from FSU's QB

"I dreamed of playing against Alabama," Castellanos told On3. "They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me."

Tide's Turn to Respond

Did you hear that, Bama fans? It sounds like the Crimson Tide just got a little extra fuel for the fire. Expect the team to come out guns blazing, especially after hearing those fighting words from the Seminoles' new quarterback.

If the Tide perform like everyone expects them to, Castellanos might be eating his words faster than you can say "Roll Tide!"

Senator Britt Takes Aim at Sanctuary Cities

Alabama's Senator Katie Britt is throwing down the gauntlet! She's leading the charge in Congress to crack down on sanctuary cities, arguing they're undermining federal immigration law.

No More Federal Funding?

Britt, alongside other Republican senators, is pushing for legislation that would cut off federal funding to cities like Los Angeles that offer sanctuary.

"Enough is Enough!"

"We have to say, 'Enough is enough,'" Britt declared. She questions why the government would continue to fund entities that disregard federal law. "That is very simple."

Lawlessness Won't Be Tolerated

Her stance is a direct response to the recent riots in Los Angeles sparked by lawful immigration raids.

Sanctuary Cities: A Safe Haven for Criminals?

Britt argues that sanctuary cities essentially allow lawlessness by refusing to cooperate with federal authorities. "That is absolute insanity, and we’re not going to stand for it anymore!" she stated.

Border Security & National Security

The Senator also linked border security failures to potential terror threats. She highlighted concerns over the Biden administration's release of Iranian illegal aliens, emphasizing the national security risks of open border policies.

Norman Crow Tapped as GOP Nominee for House District 63!

The Alabama Republican Party has officially chosen Tuscaloosa City Councilman Norman Crow to represent them in the upcoming special election for House District 63. Big news dropped via a Facebook post on Monday, highlighting Crow's solid conservative record and dedication to public service.

Crow Gets the Nod!

"Huge congrats to Norman Crow!," the post exclaimed. "He's bringing a ton of experience and rock-solid conservative values. We're thrilled he's flying the GOP flag in this critical election!"

From Council to State House?

Crow, a Tuscaloosa local, jumped into the race early after State Rep. Cynthia Almond announced she was heading to the Alabama Public Service Commission as President. Almond officially stepped down on June 15.

A Record of Service

Currently representing District 3 on the Tuscaloosa City Council, Crow is no stranger to leadership. He's also a former member of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education and has chaired multiple boards.

Business Savvy

Crow's professional background includes top roles in the energy sector and a stint owning DT Freight. Currently, he's making moves as a real estate agent.

Mark Your Calendars!

Governor Ivey has set the dates: the special primary election on September 30, a potential primary runoff on October 28, and the big general election on January 13, 2026.

What's at Stake?

House District 63 covers a key area including downtown Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama campus.

Huntsville Hospital Brings Specialty Care to Your Living Room (Almost!)

Huntsville Hospital is shaking things up with a brand-new telemedicine program launched earlier this year, bringing expert care closer to home for folks across the Tennessee Valley. Kicking off in February 2025 with a focus on behavioral health, they've since added neurological care, including around-the-clock stroke assessments. Talk about convenient!

Funding the Future of Care

This awesome initiative is fueled by some seriously impressive tech, including state-of-the-art telemedicine carts and souped-up Wi-Fi. How'd they manage it? A cool million-plus in American Rescue Plan funds, courtesy of the great state of Alabama. The Huntsville Hospital Foundation snagged the grant in 2024, using it to boost telehealth infrastructure throughout the network.

Rural Reach, Real Results

Now, patients in rural areas can virtually connect with psychiatrists and neurologists for everything from evaluations and diagnoses to treatment plans. Doctors can review symptoms, order tests, check medical histories, and even prescribe meds – all without needing you to drive into the city!

Spreading the Love

Active telemedicine programs are already up and running at Madison Hospital and Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, with even more expansions on the way. Helen Keller Hospital was the first to jump on the stroke telemedicine service, letting ER staff get immediate consultations with Huntsville Hospital neurologists, even though they're 75 miles apart. Pretty neat, huh?

Addressing a Critical Need

The behavioral health piece of this program is huge, tackling a real shortage of care. With fewer than 75 state-licensed psychiatrists in North Alabama (mostly clustered in Madison County), telemedicine helps hospitals outside Huntsville offer services they otherwise couldn't.

Positive Vibes All Around

According to reports, the program is already a hit with patients dealing with anxiety, depression, and those scary stroke-like symptoms. Community hospitals are loving it too, because they can keep patients closer to home while ensuring they receive top-notch specialized care. It's all part of a bigger plan by HH Health to provide consistent, high-quality medical support throughout their network. Program leaders report a warm welcome from both staff and patients, with even more telemedicine expansions in the works!