• Kiera Howell, a 16-year-old from Geneva, Alabama, will be featured on an upcoming episode of “American Idol.”
• Howell has been singing since she was young and performs a wide variety of musical genres.
• The “American Idol” experience has helped the high school student grow in confidence.
• A public watch party will be held in Geneva for her audition episode.

Kiera Howell of Geneva, Alabama, has been a singer since she could speak. When she turned 16, Howell decided to put her voice and confidence to the test.

She must be doing something right because the nation will get to watch her audition for season 24 of ABC’s “American Idol” when the Feb. 9 episode airs.

“I’ve been watching ‘American Idol’ since I was a little baby, since I could comprehend it,” said Howell. “It’s always been a dream of mine. I just didn’t know when the time was right. I turned 16, which is in the age limit, and I was like, ‘You know what? I might as well go for it.’ “

It was thrilling but being on the show wasn’t an easy experience. Still, Howell can’t wait for everyone to see her performance. Since she made it to the audition, one phrase has been going through her head.

“Whatever happens is in God’s hands,” she said. “I can’t complain about anything. It’s all just amazing, and being here is definitely in God’s plans.”

Home life for Howell in Geneva

Howell attends Geneva High School, and has a large family. Along with her mom, dad, sister and half-brother, Howell said she’s got a “bunch of grandparents and a bunch of cousins.”

Did Howell ever do home concerts for them when she was little?

“All the time,” she said. “I used to sing in our living room, and the TV would have karaoke in the back. I would never stop.”

More: Montgomery’s Trew TheStar brings positivity to ‘American Idol’ stage

For now, Howell said that she doesn’t have favor one particular musical genre.

“I literally do everything,” Howell said of her music style. “I’m so indecisive, I can never make a choice. I do anything from Journey to Adele, Lauren Daigle, to a little bit of Carrie Underwood, the Beatles. I’m indecisive.”

One thing Howell recently had to make her mind up about was being in the school band program, which she’d been a part of for years.

“This past year, I actually had to drop out of band,” she said. “My schedule is so full … Honestly, it was best for me to take one thing off of my plate.”

Teen singer is growing in confidence

Being a part of “American Idol” has improved her artistry, she said.

“It’s given me confidence,” Howell said. “It was a hard thing to audition in the first place. When I got there, I was terrified. I was really scared. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

The experience has also helped in areas outside of singing.

“I used to be afraid of posting to my social media account, but honestly I’ve become a lot more comfortable after meeting all these people who post all the time,” Howell said.

Not the only Alabamian on the episode

Howell will have a little bit of Alabama with her on the Feb. 9 episode: 25-year-old Montgomery artist Trew TheStar will also be auditioning.

“I am so excited. I got to meet Trew in our audition, and he is the nicest person,” Howell said. “I’m excited to watch his audition, because I didn’t get to see it. I can’t wait to see everything.”

More: KBlocks Q&A: Making plans in Montgomery after ‘American Idol’

Watch party in Geneva

Geneva will be gathering for a watch party for Monday’s episode at the Vintage Room, 512 S. Commerce St. It starts at 6:30 p.m., a half hour ahead of the 2-hour episode.

“It’s an open invite,” Howell said. “Anybody who wants to come is more than welcome to come.”

Come hungry. A food truck will be on site, Howell said.

“I can’t wait for everybody to come on down,” she said.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com. To support his work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.

The Alabama Retail PAC, the political action committee affiliated with the Alabama Retail Association, has announced its endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, backing candidates for statewide, judicial, legislative, and constitutional offices across Alabama.

According to the organization, its endorsements focus on candidates it believes understand the role retail plays in Alabama’s economy and support a pro-business climate.

“Retail is the heartbeat of Alabama’s economy, employing hundreds of thousands of Alabamians and serving every community,” said Melissa Cross, chairman of the Alabama Retail Association. “We are proud to endorse candidates who recognize this vital contribution and will give retailers’ interests a fair hearing.”

Constitutional office endorsements include:

• Tommy Tuberville — Governor (R-Auburn)
• Wes Allen — Lt. Governor (R-Troy)
• Caroleene Dobson — Secretary of State (R-Montgomery)
• Young Boozer — State Treasurer (R-Montgomery)
• Derek Chen — State Auditor (R-Montgomery)
• Jack Williams — Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries (R-Wilmer)

Judicial endorsements include:

• Justice Brad Mendheim — Alabama Supreme Court, Place 7 (R-Dothan)
• Judge Greg Shaw — Alabama Supreme Court, Place 8 (R-Vestavia Hills)
• Judge Ben Bowden — Court of Civil Appeals, Place 4 (R-Montgomery)
• Judge Matt Fridy — Court of Civil Appeals, Place 5 (R-Montevallo)
• Judge Mary Windom — Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4 (R-Mobile)
• Judge Beth Kellum — Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5 (R-Dothan)

State Senate endorsements include:

• Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman)
• Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence)
• Sen. John Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
• Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur)
• Sen. Matt Woods (R-Jasper)
• Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia)
• Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville)
• Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro)
• Sen. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab)
• Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre)
• Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City)
• Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston)
• Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika)
• Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield)
• Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
• Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills)
• Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville)
• Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham)
• Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham)
• Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham)
• Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa)
• Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range)
• Sen. Robert Stewart (D-Selma)
• Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro)
• Sen. Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery)
• Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road)
• Sen. Jay Hovey (R-Auburn)
• Sen. Billy Beasley (D-Clayton)
• Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva)
• Sen. Clyde Chambliss Jr. (R-Prattville)
• Sen. Josh Carnley (R-Ino)
• Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine)
• Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile)
• Sen. David Sessions (R-Grand Bay)

House endorsements include:

• Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville)
• Rep. Phillip Pettus (R-Killen)
• Rep. Ben Harrison (R-Elkmont)
• Rep. Kerry “Bubba” Underwood (R-Tuscumbia)
• Rep. Parker Moore (R-Hartselle)
• Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens)
• Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest)
• Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle)
• Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville)
• Rep. Heath Allbright (R-Huntsville)
• Rep. Cindy Myrex (R-Cullman)
• Rep. Greg Barnes (R-Rogersville)
• Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley)
• Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena)
• Rep. Bryan Brinyark (R-Northport)
• Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville)
• Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville)
• Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville)
• Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville)
• Rep. Ritchie Whorton (R-Owens Cross Roads)
• Rep. Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro)
• Rep. Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville)
• Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Albertville)
• Rep. Jeana Ross (R-Guntersville)
• Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City)
• Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff)
• Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden)
• Rep. Troy Stubbs (R-Wetumpka)
• Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga)
• Rep. David Standridge (R-Hayden)
• Rep. Steve Hurst (R-Munford)
• Rep. Randy Wood (R-Anniston)
• Rep. Kristin Nelson (R-Dothan)
• Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg)
• Rep. Chad Robertson (R-Heflin)
• Rep. Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana)
• Rep. Van Smith (R-Clanton)
• Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Birmingham)
• Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville)
• Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover)
• Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook)
• Rep. Mike Shaw (R-Hoover)
• Rep. Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills)
• Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster)
• Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris)
• Rep. Kelvin Datcher (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville)
• Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Travis Hendrix (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Ontario Tillman (D-Bessemer)
• Rep. Patrick Sellers (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Ron Bolton (R-Northport)
• Rep. Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa)
• Rep. Norman Crow (R-Montgomery)
• Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley)
• Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton)
• Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma)
• Rep. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville)
• Rep. Kelvin Lawrence (D-Hayneville)
• Rep. Christopher England (D-Tuscaloosa)
• Rep. Artis “A.J.” McCampbell (D-Demopolis)
• Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa)
• Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham)
• Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Mathews)
• Rep. Patrice McClammy (D-Montgomery)
• Rep. TaShina Morris (D-Montgomery)
• Rep. Kenyatté Hassell (D-Montgomery)
• Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn)
• Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City)
• Rep. Ed Oliver (D-Dadeville)
• Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee)
• Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika)
• Rep. Berry Forte (D-Eufaula)
• Rep. Rick Rehm (R-Dothan)
• Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan)
• Rep. Jeff Sorrells (R-Hartford)
• Rep. Jerry Starnes (R-Prattville)
• Rep. Marcus Paramore (R-Troy)
• Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville)
• Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dothan)
• Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)
• Rep. Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope)
• Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley)
• Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne)
• Rep. Adline Clarke (D-Mobile)
• Rep. Napoleon Bracy Jr. (D-Mobile)
• Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile)
• Rep. Mark Shirey (R-Mobile)
• Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile)
• Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle)
• Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile)
• Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile)
• Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island)

“These candidates are familiar with the challenges facing Alabama’s retail industry and the broader business community,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association. “These candidates know that when retail succeeds, communities thrive.”

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers statewide and advocates on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].

Super Bowl 60 isn’t just a championship game; it’s a full-day event built around history, star power and a familiar matchup with unfinished business.

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will meet again on the NFL’s biggest stage Sunday, Feb. 8, nearly 12 years after their unforgettable Super Bowl 49 showdown ended with Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception sealing a 28-24 Patriots win.

This time, the Seahawks enter Super Bowl 60 as the betting favorites, looking to slip the script at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

From an all-day program slate to a halftime show headlined by global superstar Bad Bunny, here’s everything NFL fans in Alabama need to know about the Super Bowl 60 schedule.

Super Bowl LX 2026: Game date, start time and broadcast info

• Matchup: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
• Date: Sunday, Feb. 8.
• Time: 5:30 p.m. Alabama local time (3:30 p.m. SBXL local time)
• TV channel: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV
• Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Complete Super Bowl 60 schedule of events—All Alabama local time (CST)