Derrick Percival Headlines RTJ Highlands Winners as Veterans Golfers Battle Alabama Heat in Dothan

Competitive rounds, standout performances, and closest-to-the-pin honors highlight a challenging day at the Robert Trent Jones Highlands Course during the June 27 Veterans Golf Association tournament.

DOTHAN, Ala. | The summer heat was no match for the determination of the competitors as members of the Veterans Golf Association (VGA) teed off Saturday at RTJ at The Highlands in Dothan, Alabama, opening the weekend tournament on the challenging Magnolia-to-Highlands routing.

Temperatures climbed steadily throughout the day, testing every player's endurance, but the atmosphere remained upbeat as 45 members paused for a popular group photo with the iconic Peanut monument, one of Dothan's signature attractions.

The tournament showcased strong performances across multiple divisions, with veterans from every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces competing alongside family members in one of the VGA's signature events. Several players delivered outstanding rounds despite the difficult playing conditions.

Among the day's standout performances was Derrick Percival (U.S. Air Force) of Wetumpka, Alabama, who captured the Senior C Flight with an impressive net score of 71 after posting an 88 gross score. Robert Pearsall (U.S. Air Force) of Lynn Haven, Florida, matched that net score to win the Veteran D Flight, while Richard Lorenzen (U.S. Army) of St. Pete Beach, Florida, claimed the Senior B Flight with a net 73.

In the No Handicap division, Kevin Eudy (U.S. Army) of Daphne, Alabama, carded a 101 to earn the victory and later added another highlight by winning one of the day's Closest-to-the-Pin competitions.

The women's divisions also featured outstanding performances. Kim Moehler (U.S. Air Force) of Pace, Florida, claimed the Female Family Flight after posting an 89 gross score and an outstanding net 79. Robyn Pierce (U.S. Navy) of Pace, Florida, won the Female Veteran C Flight with an 85 while also capturing Closest-to-the-Pin honors on Hole No. 2.

Tournament organizers thanked Kayla, Susan, and Chris for their support in making the event a success, while congratulating all flight champions on their exceptional play under demanding summer conditions.

Alabama Ace Myles Upchurch Earns Baseball America Freshman All-America First Team Honors

Crimson Tide standout pitcher adds second Freshman All-America selection after helping lead Alabama to its first Men's College World Series appearance since 1999.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. | Alabama baseball's remarkable resurgence received another national spotlight this week as freshman right-handed pitcher Myles Upchurch was named a First Team Freshman All-American by Baseball America, further cementing his status as one of the nation's premier young arms.

The prestigious recognition marks the second Freshman All-America honor of Upchurch's collegiate career after he previously earned the distinction from the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on June 8.

Upchurch was one of just 32 freshmen nationwide selected by Baseball America, highlighting an exceptional debut season that helped propel Alabama back to college baseball's biggest stage.

Tuskegee University Names Veteran Leaders Derrick Jordan as CHRO and Darrius Jones as Police Chief in Strategic Leadership Expansion

President Dr. Mark A. Brown says appointments reinforce the university's "Renaissance" by strengthening human capital, campus safety, and institutional excellence through proven military and executive leadership.

TUSKEGEE, Ala. | Tuskegee University has announced two major executive leadership appointments aimed at advancing its institutional transformation, naming Derrick Jordan as Chief Human Resources Officer and Darrius Durell Jones as Chief of Police.

The appointments represent another step in President and CEO Dr. Mark A. Brown's strategic vision to strengthen the university through experienced leadership focused on operational excellence, employee development, and campus safety. Both Jordan and Jones are U.S. military veterans who previously served the university in deputy leadership roles before assuming their new executive positions.

"Tuskegee University is in the midst of a Renaissance defined by purpose, performance, and people," Brown said. "We are committed to ensuring our students are both challenged and supported, that our faculty and staff are fully equipped to advance our mission, and that our campus remains a safe and empowering environment for all. Derrick Jordan and Darrius Jones are the kind of leaders who embody this vision. I have been deeply impressed by their leadership, and I am proud to have them on my team."

Auburn Standouts Keyshawn Hall and KeShawn Murphy Earn NBA Opportunities with Exhibit-10 Contracts

Former Tigers sign with the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards as undrafted free agents, aiming to secure roster spots during the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

AUBURN, Ala. | Auburn Basketball's pipeline to the NBA continues to grow as recent graduates Keyshawn Hall and KeShawn Murphy have signed NBA Exhibit-10 contracts with the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards, respectively.

The two former Tigers will begin their professional careers as undrafted free agents and will compete for roster spots during the 2026 NBA Summer League, which opens July 3 and concludes July 19 in Las Vegas. Strong performances could position each player for an NBA roster, two-way contract, or developmental opportunity in the G League.

Hall leaves Auburn after one of the most productive single seasons in program history. During his lone campaign on the Plains, the dynamic scorer averaged 19.3 points per game, finishing with 694 total points, the fifth-highest single-season scoring total in Auburn history. He also established a new program record by making 228 free throws.

A proven offensive weapon throughout his collegiate career, Hall scored 1,892 career points while recording 19 games of 20 or more points during the 2025-26 season. He also posted seven double-doubles and became one of only two SEC players to finish among the conference's top ten in both scoring and rebounding.

No Evidence for Trump’s Right to Try Claim

As he has done for years, President Donald Trump claims – without evidence – that the federal Right to Try law he signed in 2018 has “saved thousands of lives.” But the White House provided no support for Trump’s claim about the law, which provides an alternative route for seriously ill patients to access unapproved drugs outside of clinical trials. 

Researchers who have long studied access to investigational drugs say the president is greatly exaggerating.

“It’s not that nobody is using Right to Try. There have been a handful of reported cases,” Holly Fernandez Lynch, associate professor of medical ethics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, told us in an interview. “But certainly it has not been thousands of patients … who’ve received drug therapy, let alone had their lives saved by these products.”

Alison Bateman-House, co-chair of NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Working Group on Compassionate Use & Preapproval Access, said in an interview that Trump’s claim about the law saving thousands of lives is a “gross misestimate.”

Dr. Jeffrey A. Singer, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute who said he supported passage of the 2018 federal law, now says that it “fail[ed].” In a May opinion piece for Reason magazine, Singer argues for changes to the Right to Try law, writing that the promise of a right to try potential life-saving drugs “often exists more on paper than in practice.”

Reason, May 12: The sales pitch was sweeping. When President Donald Trump signed Right to Try in 2018, surrounded by patients, he promised a “fundamental freedom” that would give dying patients hope.

Eight years later, the record is far thinner than the rhetoric. The [Food and Drug Administration] reports only a handful of uses each year—12 drugs from 2018 to 2022, and just a few more annually since. It wasn’t a new pathway so much as a permission slip that rarely translates into access.

Alabama Wins 2026 Silver Shovel Award as Space Command, Eli Lilly Investments Drive Record Economic Growth

Defense Expansion, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and Billions in New Capital Investment Propel Alabama Into the National Economic Development Spotlight

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama's growing reputation as a destination for investment in advanced manufacturing, defense, aerospace, and life sciences earned the state national recognition this week, as Area Development magazine awarded Alabama a 2026 Silver Shovel Award for economic development excellence.

The honor comes after a record-setting year in which Alabama attracted $14.6 billion in new investment and 9,388 jobs across 234 projects, marking one of the strongest economic development performances in state history.

State leaders say the recognition reflects years of strategic investments in workforce development, infrastructure, industrial recruitment, and business-friendly policies that continue to attract major employers from around the globe.

"Alabama saw a record-breaking amount of industry investment in 2025 as more companies recognize we have the space, prime locations, infrastructure, and skilled workforce that will make them successful," Governor Kay Ivey said. "That investment—and this latest Silver Shovel Award—is further proof that the economic development policies developed in Montgomery and the work by local community leaders are creating quality jobs and opportunities for our citizens."

Space Command and Eli Lilly Headline Alabama's Growth Story

Area Development cited two transformative projects as major contributors to Alabama's Silver Shovel recognition.

Trump Backs Rival, but David Matthews Vows to Stay in Alabama’s Congressional Race

Former Trump Administration Official Says President’s Endorsement of Opponent Won’t Alter Campaign for Alabama’s 2nd District

OZARK, Ala. | Republican congressional candidate David Matthews says he remains fully committed to his campaign for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District despite President Donald Trump’s endorsement of a rival candidate, framing the development as a moment of gratitude rather than disappointment.

In a personal video message released Tuesday, Matthews responded publicly after President Trump endorsed State Rep. Rhett Marques ahead of the Aug. 11 Republican special primary. Rather than criticizing the endorsement, Matthews reflected on the profound influence Trump’s political rise has had on his personal and professional life, emphasizing that the president “owes me nothing.”

“President Trump owes me nothing,” Matthews said. “He does not owe me an endorsement. He does not owe me a favor. I owe him gratitude. His decision to run for president changed my life, changed my family’s life, and gave me opportunities to serve this country that I never could have imagined.”

The response marks a notable departure from the criticism that often follows high-profile political endorsements in competitive races. Instead, Matthews positioned himself as a loyal supporter of Trump while reaffirming his determination to continue pursuing the congressional seat.

Sewell Tapped to Help Lead House Democrats’ Health Care Agenda as Cost-of-Living Debate Intensifies

Alabama Congresswoman Joins Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Shaping Democratic Proposals on Health Care Costs, Access, Medicare, and Prescription Drug Pricing

WASHINGTON, D.C. | U.S. Representative Terri Sewell has been selected by House Democratic leadership to help lead a major new effort focused on lowering health care costs and expanding access to care, positioning the Alabama lawmaker at the center of one of the party’s most prominent policy initiatives heading into the next phase of congressional debate.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that Sewell will serve as co-convener of the Cost of Living Health Care Working Group alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The panel is one of five newly established House Democratic working groups tasked with developing proposals to address the financial pressures facing American households.

The initiative comes as health care affordability continues to rank among the top concerns for voters nationwide. Rising insurance premiums, prescription drug costs, hospital expenses, and access challenges remain central issues in the national political conversation.

Alabama Home Sales Surge as Summer Market Gains Momentum Despite Affordability Challenges

Rising Inventory, Lower Mortgage Rates, and Strong Employment Fuel Housing Activity Across the State as Prices Reach New Highs

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama's housing market accelerated sharply in May as home sales, median prices, and overall transaction volume climbed amid lower mortgage rates, increased inventory, and continued job growth, according to new data released by the Alabama Association of Realtors.

The latest Alabama Economic and Real Estate Report paints a picture of a market benefiting from favorable economic conditions while still confronting affordability concerns that could shape buyer behavior in the months ahead.

Statewide, Alabama recorded 6,938 home sales in May, representing an 11.7% increase from April and an 11.7% increase from May 2025. The growth reflects renewed confidence among buyers entering the traditional spring and summer home-buying season.

"With increased listings and the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage roughly 35 basis points lower than this time last year, there is room for continuing growth in home sales throughout the summer buying season," said Alabama Realtors economist Evan Moore.

Hezbollah’s Fiber-Optic Killer Drones Challenge Israeli Battlefield Dominance in Southern Lebanon

Low-Cost, Jam-Resistant FPV Drones Imported from Ukraine’s Warfront Are Reshaping Modern Combat and Testing Israel’s Counter-Drone Defenses

BEIRUT | A new generation of fiber-optic First Person View (FPV) drones is transforming the battlefield in southern Lebanon, providing Hezbollah with a potent and difficult-to-counter weapon that military analysts say could alter the future of warfare far beyond the Middle East.

The Iran-backed militant group has begun deploying fiber-optic-controlled FPV drones against Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon, introducing a capability previously associated with the grinding drone war in Ukraine. Unlike traditional FPV systems that rely on radio-frequency communications vulnerable to electronic warfare, fiber-optic drones maintain a physical cable connection between the operator and the aircraft, making them largely immune to jamming and signal interception.

The emergence of the technology follows renewed hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel after regional tensions escalated during the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran earlier this year.

Military analysts describe the development as one of the most significant tactical innovations seen in the Lebanon-Israel conflict since the widespread introduction of armed drones.

Senate Rejects Targeted Military Pay Raise for Junior Troops in NDAA Showdown

House, White House Back Larger Pay Increases for Lower-Ranking Service Members as Debate Over Barracks, Food Insecurity, and Military Quality of Life Intensifies

WASHINGTON, D.C. | A growing battle on Capitol Hill over military compensation is emerging as one of the most closely watched personnel issues in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with Senate lawmakers rejecting a proposal that would have delivered larger pay raises to the military's lowest-paid troops.

The dispute pits the Senate Armed Services Committee against both the Trump administration and the House of Representatives, which have endorsed a tiered military pay raise structure to direct greater financial relief to junior enlisted personnel facing rising living costs, housing concerns, and persistent quality-of-life challenges.

At issue is a fundamental question that has gained increasing attention from Pentagon leaders, military advocates, and lawmakers: Should military pay raises be distributed equally across the force, or should the largest increases go to those who need them most?