Alabama
INTERCEPT Task Force to open first Alabama location
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Operation Light Shine is opening its first INTERCEPT Task Force in Alabama in 2026.
Operation Light Shine is a nonprofit that works to end child exploitation and human trafficking across the country. The nonprofit has five INTERCEPT Task Force locations in Tennessee, Florida, Virginia and Maryland.
The Tuscaloosa location is set to open around February, said Cpt. Phil Simpson of the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force.
“This is a huge deal for us,” Simpson said. “We’ll be adding people, equipment and capabilities that we don’t currently have.”
The West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force includes agents from the Northport, Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama police departments as well as the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The task force receives about 30 tips a week ranging from sextortion to child sexual abuse cases.
“It’s a huge growing trend, and it’s to the point where we needed to add processing capabilities that streamline the process of handling each case, so we can take on more cases,” Simpson said.
The partnership between the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force and Operation Light Shine will primarily target Tuscaloosa, but the INTERCEPT Task force will have jurisdiction across the state.
“That’s what’s great about the federal partnerships,” said Operation Light Shine Executive Director Bryan Weight. “We’re able to be nimble and go into other counties and areas, arrest as many offenders as we can and give them maximum sentences.”
The fastest growing major crime in the world is online child sexual abuse, according to the nonprofit.
“It’s not what it used to be. It’s not a bad guy in a white van,” Weight said. “Right now, that van is parked inside your home, in your kid’s room, holding it in their hand. It’s your kid’s cellphone.”
One reason is because of social media and that nearly everyone of all ages has an electronic device, Weight said. While some online platforms have online encryptions in place to protect their users, it’s protecting the person who is sexually exploiting children, Weight said.
In 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received over 19 million reports about child sexual abuse material.
“This is an epidemic we’re dealing with,” Weight said.
One reason is because of social media and that nearly everyone of all ages has an electronic device, Weight said. Operation Light Shine’s goal is to give parents and the community the tools they need to properly educate their children, so these crimes do not happen in the first place.
When these crimes happen, law enforcement rely on tips from victims, family, friends and Internet Crimes Against Children. Once a tip or report is made, just like with any crime, officers need enough evidence to obtain a search warrant.
When a warrant is executed, electronics are seized and everything on a device: photos, videos, text messages and the metadata is entered into evidence.
“They can get up to one terabyte, which some people might go ‘Oh, that’s not a lot,’” Weight said. “But if you were to print that, that’s over a 500 million pieces of paper. That’s what we’re seizing every day.”
The time it takes to go through all that information is tedious, Simpson said, and given the nature of these types of cases, it takes a toll on agents.
“That stuff is horrendous, and it stays with them,” Simpson said.
Operation Light Shine has technology that shows investigators when content has already been flagged for CSAM. The West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force does not have that technology, which means agents must verify it firsthand.
“It will protect our investigators from having to view as much CSAM as they do,” Simpson said. Thus, the INTERCEPT Task force will also play a positive role in “looking at the mental wellbeing of our investigators and their long-term mental health,” Simpson said.
Operation Light Shine obtains the resources, training, and funding to support local law enforcement and set up INTERCEPT Task Forces because of the donations they receive.
Alabama
Potential winter storm could impact Alabama this weekend; forecast still evolving
ALABAMA — Forecasters are closely watching a developing weather pattern that could bring impactful winter weather to parts of Alabama this weekend, particularly across the northern half of the state. While confidence is growing that a significant system will affect the Deep South, meteorologists stress it is still too early to pin down the exact impacts.
According to ABC 33/40 Chief Meteorologist James Spann, Alabama will remain dry through Tuesday with sunny skies and cold temperatures. Highs on Monday will range from the 40s in North Alabama to the 50s farther south, with some colder spots in North Alabama dropping into the upper teens early Tuesday morning.
Clouds will begin increasing on Wednesday, with a chance for light rain in northwest Alabama by the afternoon. Showers are possible Thursday and Friday as well, with highs generally in the 50s.
Attention then turns to the weekend.
Global forecast models are indicating a potentially high-impact winter weather setup for Saturday. Cold air is expected to drop south from Canada while a developing low-pressure system forms in the Gulf of Mexico, a combination that often leads to wintry precipitation across the Deep South.
Spann says the highest chance for impactful winter weather Saturday will be across the northern half of Alabama. The main window for possible wintry precipitation in North Alabama currently appears to be from midnight Friday night through midnight Saturday night. Some snow could mix in over the Tennessee Valley, where colder air would be deeper, but freezing rain is a major concern if the system develops as currently projected.
A long duration of freezing rain can lead to an ice storm, which is typically the most disruptive type of winter weather in Alabama due to ice accumulation on roads, trees, and power lines. However, Spann cautions that while model agreement is fairly good this far out, the forecast could still change, and the system could end up producing only cold rain.
The National Weather Service echoes that uncertainty but notes the overall setup is becoming more concerning. Forecasters describe a “textbook winter overrunning pattern,” with cold air at the surface and moisture riding over the top from the Gulf. While there is good agreement on the large-scale pattern, there is still poor consensus on exact timing, temperatures, and precipitation types.
Because the system is still several days away, meteorologists say it is far too early to forecast specific impacts such as road conditions or power outages. More detailed information is expected by Thursday as confidence in the forecast improves.
Regardless of how the weekend system evolves, Sunday is expected to be dry and cold, with highs in the 30s and 40s. Looking ahead, long-range models suggest another surge of very cold air could arrive by the middle of next week, potentially bringing lows in the teens to parts of North Alabama.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and monitor forecast updates throughout the week as meteorologists continue to track the potential winter weather threat.
Alabama
Alabama lands commitment from SEC transfer defensive lineman
The transfer will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Former South Carolina edge Desmond Umeozulu has officially committed to Alabama, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Umeozulu was nothing short of impactful on the Gamecocks’ defensive line in 2025. The playmaker recorded 30 total tackles and 1.5 sacks throughout his time at South Carolina, as Umeozulu will instantly add a major boost to the Tide’s defensive unit next season. Umeozulu will have one year of eligibility remaining following three seasons with the Gamecocks, as the talented edge is officially the second defensive lineman to sign with the Tide this weekend.
Umeozulu was ranked as the No. 22 edge and the No. 156 overall player from the class of 2023, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. A former four-star recruit, Umeozulu was a highly coveted prospect prior to signing with the Gamecocks, as the big man will almost certainly prove to be an excellent pick up for the Tide in the near future.
Alabama has signed a multitude of both offensive and defensive linemen this week, as the Tide continue adding key depth pieces at crucial positions.
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Alabama
Alabama transfer running back announces commitment decision
Alabama transfer running back Richard Young has officially committed to Colorado, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
At 5’11”, 212 pounds, Young struggled to make a true impact on the Alabama offense throughout the 2025 campaign. The redshirt sophomore running back totaled 64 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries last season, as Young could quickly begin to thrive at Colorado with an increase in touches.
A Florida native, Young is a talented playmaker that found himself buried on the depth chart during his time with the Tide, and was ultimately unable to showcase his true potential in Tuscaloosa.
Young was ranked as the No. 4 running back and the No. 55 overall player from the class of 2023, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. A former four-star recruit, Young will almost certainly see a major increase in playing time at Colorado next season, and the running back could quickly shine as a result.
Alabama has lost a number of playmakers on both sides of the football in recent weeks, as Young has officially seen his time in Tuscaloosa come to an end.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
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