Alabama
Geneva’s Kiera Howell, 16, auditions for ‘American Idol’ season 24
Where to eat in Montgomery on Valentine’s Day
Need a place to dine with your special someone in Montgomery for Valentine’s Day? We have 6 suggestions courtesy of users from the social media group Lunch in the Gump.
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.”
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.”
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.
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.
Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.
“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.
Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.
“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”
The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.
The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.
Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.
The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.
The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.
“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.
Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.
Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.
Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.
The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.
“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”
The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.
The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and Blue Sky for the latest news.
Follow
-
New Hampshire6 minutes ago‘Not cosmetic’: NH lawmaker wants state to cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss – Concord Monitor
-
New Jersey12 minutes agoThe Maple House Is Planning To Open In Two Locations In New Jersey This Year
-
New Mexico18 minutes agoASU baseball to host New Mexico State, Baylor
-
North Carolina24 minutes agoThree Underrated UNC Football Seniors To Watch in 2026
-
North Dakota30 minutes agoFinley, North Dakota without water after watermain leak.
-
Ohio36 minutes agoBonnie Sue Reed-Tilton-Hetzel, East Liverpool, Ohio
-
Oklahoma42 minutes agoIowa State wrestling adds Brayden Thompson from transfer portal
-
Oregon48 minutes agoOregon Ducks Recruiting Target Darius Johnson Announces Finalists