Alabama
Alabama Verizon customers hit by ‘SOS mode’ outage – here’s what to know
If your phone suddenly flipped to “SOS” in Alabama on Wednesday, you weren’t alone.
A widespread Verizon wireless outage disrupted calls, texts, and data for customers across the country, with Alabama included among states where users reported problems.
Outage reports began climbing around 11:00 a.m. Alabama time, with many customers saying their phones showed “SOS” or “no signal” messages.
On outage-tracking site Downdetector, reports surged into the hundreds of thousands at peak.
Verizon acknowledged an issue impacting wireless voice and data and said engineering teams were working to resolve it.
By mid-afternoon, at least some customers reported service returning, but Verizon said crews were still working on remaining disruptions.
What to do if you’re still stuck in “SOS”
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Turn on Wi-Fi calling (if it’s set up) and use Wi-Fi for calls/texts where possible.
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Try restarting your phone and toggling Airplane Mode on/off (simple, but sometimes forces a clean network handshake).
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If you need help urgently and calls won’t go through: use a landline, borrow a phone on another carrier, or go in person to a nearby police/fire station.
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If you have a newer iPhone and you’re in an area without any cell service, you may have satellite-based emergency options depending on device/support and conditions.
The FCC said it would investigate the incident.
Alabama
This Is The Alabama’s Biggest Question Entering 2026
Alabama
Best barbecue in Alabama? Tasting Table picks Tuscaloosa favorite
Barbecue, cookout foods you shouldn’t feed your dog
There are so many delicious foods to enjoy at a summer cookout, but not all of them are dog-friendly.
Ribs kissed by hickory smoke, tender pulled pork and a sauce recipe passed down for generations have helped Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque become one of Alabama’s most celebrated barbeque destinations.
Tasting Table named the family-run restaurant the best barbecue spot in the state.
Here’s what to know about the Alabama restaurant worth adding to your must-try list.
Best barbecue in Alabama
Since Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque opened its doors in 1962, three generations have carried on the tradition of slow-cooked barbecue, turning a small mom-and-pop operation into a nationally recognized name.
Tasting Table says that while Alabama is known for its white Alabama BBQ sauce, there’s no sauce required for the pork ribs served up at Archibald’s.
Archibald’s has gained attention from Good Morning America, Southern Living and The New York Times.
What’s on the menu?
The restaurant’s menu centers on classic Alabama barbecue, with hickory-smoked ribs and pulled pork leading the way.
Diners can order everything from full slabs of ribs and pork sandwiches to half chickens, jumbo hot wings and barbecue platters all served with sauce and bread.
The restaurant offers Southern comfort food beyond barbecue, including fried catfish, whiting, chicken tenders and country dinners featuring dishes like country-fried steak and pork chops.
There are plenty of side dish options, including macaroni and cheese and fried green tomatoes, to liven up any meal. To finish the meal, guests can choose from banana pudding or pound cake.
A legendary Alabama connection
Over the decades, Archibald & Woodrow’s Barbeque has attracted plenty of devoted fans, including one of Alabama’s most iconic figures.
Local lore says legendary Crimson Tide football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant was among the restaurant’s early customers, with stories of him stopping by for a taste of the barbecue and hot wings while wearing his trademark houndstooth hat.
Location and hours
- Where:
- Northport- 1211 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
- Tuscaloosa- 4215 Greensboro Ave
- Hours:
- Northport: Monday- Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Sunday
- Tuscaloosa: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.
Alabama
70-year-old Alabama man convicted in Pensacola in online child enticement sting
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A 70-year-old Robertsdale, Alabama, man was found guilty by a federal jury in Pensacola after prosecutors said he tried to entice a child online and then traveled to meet the child for sex in Pensacola.
David A. Girard was convicted in federal court of attempted enticement of a minor, traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of illicit sexual conduct, and committing a felony involving a minor while being a registered sex offender, according to the release.
The release states that Evidence at trial showed that in October 2025, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners conducted an undercover operation aimed at identifying people soliciting minors online for sex.
On Oct. 17, 2025, Girard began communicating with someone he believed was a 14-year-old child, according to trial evidence.
Prosecutors said he described sexual acts he wanted to perform and arranged a meeting location in Pensacola.
When Girard traveled to the agreed-upon location to meet the purported child, he was arrested, according to the release.
Electronic evidence seized under a search warrant confirmed Girard had communicated with the person he believed was a child and traveled to meet him, according to trial evidence.
Girard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison on Count 1, and up to 30 years in prison on Count 2.
He also faces a mandatory 10-year prison term on Count 3, consecutive to any sentence imposed on Count 1.
The investigation involved the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
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