Alabama
ALBBAA launches 2026 Big Gobbler Photo Contest for Alabama Black Belt turkey hunters
The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) is inviting hunters across the state to take part in its 14th annual Big Gobbler Photo Contest during the 2026 spring turkey season.
According to the association, the contest highlights Alabama’s Black Belt region — a 23-county area long known for its strong turkey populations, hunting traditions, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Hunters who harvest a gobbler within the region are eligible to submit a photo for a chance to win a prize package that includes a $100 gift card, hunting gear, and a copy of Black Belt Bounty, along with a Buckmasters prize pack for the first-place winner.
“This is the 14th year for our Big Gobbler Contest, and it’s a wonderful way to further educate the public on all the natural resources found in Alabama’s 23-county Black Belt,” said ALBBAA director Pam Swanner. “Hunters flock to the Black Belt from all over the country to access our abundant hunting opportunities while also enjoying our area’s unique natural scenery, historical sites and local food and entertainment.”
The winning photo will be determined by online voting, which runs through May 10 at 11:59 p.m. Participants may vote once per day using an email address and IP address.
To ensure fairness, contest rules limit entries to one per participant and exclude winners from the previous two years. All contest decisions made by ALBBAA officials are final.
Submitted photos must also meet guidelines promoting ethical hunting and wildlife stewardship. Entries may be disqualified if they depict unethical behavior, violate Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regulations, or show unfair voting practices.
“It’s always rewarding to see the photos entered into the Big Gobbler Photo Contest every year,” Swanner said. “We know we have amazing turkey hunting available here in the Black Belt and what makes it truly special is seeing photos of young hunters bagging their first gobbler or father-and-son or mother-and-daughter hunting together. Those memories will surely last a lifetime.”
ALBBAA encourages participants to comply with all state hunting regulations, including obtaining a valid license through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The Black Belt region includes Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox counties.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
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.
Alabama
Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo kicks off on Dauphin Island
DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) – The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo begins Friday morning on Dauphin Island, following a kickoff party Thursday night that featured the Captain T-Bone’s Liar’s Contest.
Rodeo contestants, their families and others attended the event, where participants competed to tell their best fish tales.
Cody Ward, vice president of publicity for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, said the stories are always a highlight.
“I don’t like to speculate too much on the lies, there are a lot of them, they come and go, and they are great all the time,” Ward said. “Make sure you’re out here, check them out, support these people, they love to do this and we love to hear their fish tales.”
Mike Eubanks has been fishing in the rodeo since 1982. He’s been to the liars contest many times and says he’s heard some great ones over the years.
“They can come up with some good ones. I don’t know which one was the craziest but the winner every year deserves it I promise you. Those judges have a hard time because they are some good ones,” Eubanks said.
The rodeo gets underway Friday with a cannon blast at 5 a.m. and runs through the weekend.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
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