Alabama
Alabama’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort recognized as one of the best | WKRG.com
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WKRG) — Beneath thousands of headstones, a life of service and sacrifice is honored at the Alabama State Veterans Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
“It is pretty profound the sense of pride in the work,” said cemetery director Joe Buschell.
“The beauty is just overwhelming, and there is so much honor here for our veterans for the community,” said Commissioner of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Jeff Newton. “It’s just a solemn place.”
Buschell accepted the Excellence in Veterans Cemetery Operations recognition, but he says it is a team effort.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes. When the day starts, our obligation is to honor that veteran and their family,” Buschell said.
The only state veterans cemetery in Alabama is the final resting place for almost 5,000 veterans and their spouses.
“They truly care for the veterans of the state of Alabama,” said Glenn Powers, Deputy Under Secretary of Cemetery Operations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that sets the standards for all 124 state veterans cemeteries across the U.S. “They do exactly what we want them to do, what the American citizens want them to do, take care of our veterans, honor them in perpetuity.”
Established in 2013, the 130-acre property off Highway 225 has room to expand for generations to come.
“They gifted everybody at least a part of their life, said Buschell. “At this cemetery, we have at least a couple that gifted the whole thing, so that means a lot.”

A debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid.
Alabama
Alabama grocery bills will change as tax returns July 1
Squab De Foie Gras recipe by Margaret Bourke-White
Margaret Bourke-White was an amazing photographer who worked around the world. Here’s her 1966 recipe for Squab De Foie Gras.
Alabama grocery shoppers can expect a change on their bills starting July 1 when the state grocery tax returns.
After two months of lower grocery bills, a two-month tax holiday is ending.
A temporary suspension of the state’s 2% sales and use tax on groceries expired at the end of June. Beginning July 1, shoppers will once again pay the 2% state tax on eligible grocery purchases.
The tax holiday, approved by lawmakers earlier this year, applied during May and June.
Grocery store news in Montgomery
In recent Montgomery news, two Piggly Wiggly locations celebrated ribbon cuttings in March 2026.
Also, beginning May 1, Sam’s Club increased the cost of its annual memberships by $10, affecting both standard and premium tiers. There are 13 Sam’s Club warehouses in Alabama, including one in Montgomery.
Alabama laws taking effect July 1
Alabamians will see several new laws and policy changes take effect on or around July 1, bringing updates that will affect everything not only grocery shopping but also school safety, food truck business and student athletics.
Other new laws taking effect in Alabama on July 1:
- food truck operators will soon be able to use a single statewide inspection certification.
- making credible threats against schools, hospitals and nursing homes will carry tougher criminal penalties.
- Alabama physician assistants can approve sports physical forms.
Some other laws approved during the 2025 Alabama legislative session won’t become effective until Oct. 1, the state’s standard effective date for most legislation.
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
Former Alabama wide receiver on pace to go from good to ‘truly elite’ in the upcoming NFL season
Jameson Williams has an opportunity to have the best year of his young NFL career during the upcoming NFL season, according to the Detroit Lions’ wide receiver coach Scottie Montgomery. Williams is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
The former Alabama wideout is now looking to become a premier receiving threat in 2026, and Montgomery can see the step to becoming elite happening for Williams.
“We’ve worked very hard this preseason, even talking on the phone about the details needed to go from being a good player to being truly elite in our sport,” Montgomery said, according to MLive’s Kory Woods. “And then, from a mental standpoint, the way we work, not just at the beginning of a drill, but also at the end. Everything we do, his details, his vision, his catch points, his control points, everything we’re doing now, we did it in March and April, and it showed. We’re very excited about his current level. Without a doubt, this has been his best preseason, his best opportunity to grow as a player since we’ve been here for several reasons, but he’s done a good job.”
Williams is set to enter his fifth season in the NFL with the Lions.
The Lions have benefitted from back-to-back impressive seasons for Williams. He finished last season with 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns on 65 receptions.
Alabama
Former Alabama Inmate Arrested After Allegedly Flying Drone with Contraband Toward Prison
A former Alabama inmate is facing multiple charges after authorities say he was caught flying a drone carrying contraband toward Holman Correctional Facility.
According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, the agency’s Southern K-9 unit received information around 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27, that someone was operating a drone from Interstate 65 toward the prison.
With assistance from the Atmore Police Department, officers located and arrested Edward Knight, a former inmate, without incident.
Investigators said the drone had a package attached, which was safely brought down and confiscated.
Knight was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and two counts of illegal drone operation.
During the investigation, ADOC agents said they learned Knight had additional contraband at his residence in Birmingham. Investigators with the department’s Law Enforcement Services Division, K-9 unit and narcotics team later executed a search warrant at the home and seized additional evidence related to the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and ADOC said additional charges could be filed.
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