Alabama

Mexican cartels are smuggling Alabama red snapper – Tuberville, Britt fight back with new law – Yellowhammer News

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

Mexican cartels are smuggling Alabama red snapper – Tuberville, Britt fight back with new law – Yellowhammer News

With over 12,000 employees and an annual statewide impact of $1.1 billion, Alabama’s fishing industry is vital to the state’s economic standing.

However, those achievements are under threat from outside sources that could severely damage one of Alabama’s key industries.

According to U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, cartels in Mexico have been funding and backing fishermen who are catching American red snapper, smuggling the fish back into Mexico, and then reselling it to American consumers for often a cheaper price than fish caught by American anglers.

To halt the encroachment on the fishing industry, both lawmakers have helped to reintroduce the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act to ensure that only American caught fish are available for consumers.

The legislation would allow a field test kit to be used to accurately ascertain whether fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters, giving federal and state law enforcement officers the ability to identify the origin of the fish and confiscate illegally caught red snapper and tuna before it is imported back into the U.S.

On Monday, the bill advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee.

“Senate Republicans are committed to putting America first, which requires legislation that protects hardworking Americans, including our tremendous Gulf of America red snapper fishermen and food producers in Alabama,” said Britt. “These Alabamians deserve fairness when fishing and selling their products in the market.”

Sens. Tuberville, Britt advance law to combat illegal red snapper trade in support of Alabama industry

“Advancing the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act is a first step to protecting Alabama’s fishermen and putting cartel-backed poachers on notice for their illicit activities in the Gulf. This legislation will help ensure a level playing field for our fishermen and send a strong message to Mexico that illegal actions will no longer be tolerated.”

Tuberville echoed Britt’s sentiments on the importance of protecting Alabama’s fishing industry.

“Alabama lands 34 percent of all recreationally caught Red Snapper in the Gulf,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said.

“Unfortunately, our domestic Red Snapper industry is being undermined by Mexican fishermen who are illegally catching American snapper in the Gulf, smuggling them into Mexico, and then reselling the same fish back to American consumers. In addition to taking business away from Alabama’s fishermen, many of the profits from these illegal fishing operations are funding the cartels. I’m proud to join Senator Cruz in introducing the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act to stop illegal Red Snapper from flooding our markets and bankrupting our great fishermen.”

Each year, about 100,000 red snapper are harvested off of Alabama’s coast, accounting for almost a third of the total recreational harvest in the Gulf of America.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten

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Alabama

Prattville 19 year old creates Alabama Children’s Theatre

Published

9 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Prattville 19 year old creates Alabama Children’s Theatre

PRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) – Maggie Kervin has a passion for the theater. She started as a little girl and loved it ever since.

“I went to Prattville Christian Academy and got my start in theater there,” said Kervin.

After graduating from high school, she got a job, but noticed something was missing in her community. So, she started the Alabama Children’s Theatre. Keep in mind she’s just 19 years old.

At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started the Alabama Children’s Theatre.(WSFA)

“There’s just not a lot of opportunities for kids in theater. I really wanted to provide that opportunity.”

Two years ago, she had $50 in her pocket and a dream. Now things are picking up steam and she’s enjoying the ride. This is for kids between the ages of five and 18. Right now, they’re working on Annie Jr.

“We’ve had so many kids why are shy and timid the first time they are one stage. When it’s their third or fourth time, they are very different.”

It’s different for her too. She’s used to being the one up on stage. Now she’s behind the computer, with them for every word, in every song.

At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started... — At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started the Alabama Children’s Theatre.(WSFA)

“I didn’t think I’d ever be in the position of running my own theater.”

The reward for Maggie, getting to see her always improving stars, continue to shine.

“It’s just so exciting to see them put the hard work into something and watch it blossom. They are so excited and so dedicated.”

You can check out Annie Jr. this month. The shows are at the Pine Level Community Center.

She’s hoping you come see them for yourself, at the Pine Level Community Center. Here’s a link to show times and ticket prices for the end of the month. Her next goal is to find a facility of their own one day. Visit the Facebook page if you’d like to help make that happen.

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Alabama

Listen to Alabama Shakes’ New Protest Song “American Dream”

Published

21 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Listen to Alabama Shakes’ New Protest Song “American Dream”

Last year, Alabama Shakes returned with “Another Life,” their first original track in 10 years. Now they’ve followed it up with a protest song titled “American Dream.” Brittany Howard’s lyrics reference gun violence, abortion rights, climate change, the wage gap, and President Donald J. Trump’s White House renovations. Take a listen below.

In a press statement, Howard described “American Dream” as “a snapshot of what we’re living through in 2026.” She continued, “I look around and wonder how we got to a place where there’s so much strain and so little support. I mean, it shouldn’t be impossible to take off work so you can bring your child to the doctor—that’s actually insane. My hope is that one day people will hear this song and say, ‘Yeah, shit was crazy back then, but we made it through.’”

Alabama Shakes’ last album was 2015’s Sound & Color. Next week, the trio of Howard, Heath Fogg, and Zac Cockrell kick off a North American tour that runs through mid-June. They’ll then play shows in Europe and the United Kingdom in July.

Revisit the review of Howard’s 2024 solo album What Now.

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Alabama

Alabama Fair and Fiesta in Pelham offers sensory nook for families with sensory issues

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Fair and Fiesta in Pelham offers sensory nook for families with sensory issues

PELHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Alabama Fair and Fiesta, which runs through April 19, kicked off Thursday night at the site of the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham.

In addition to offering rides and entertainment, this fair offers a respite for families with sensory issues.

From sweet funnel cakes to savory meats, there’s something for everyone, including a “sensory nook” for individuals with sensory issues.

Kissel Entertainment’s fair has been “sensory inclusive” certified by KultureCity.

The only thing you hear inside this KultureCity certified space is the white noise of the air conditioning unit humming overhead.

Paris Kissel with Kissel Entertainment says this room has gotten a lot of visits in the cities they’ve visited:

“Dozens of times a day,” she explained. “I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that someone’s not requesting to use the room, so we’re really proud. We know there’s a need there, and to be able to provide a solution.”

Guests can also check out a “sensory bag” at the Welcome Center located near the entrance to the midway.

“For this year we have headphones,” she explained. “We have communications cards which are a big thing of helping folks that are nonverbal express any of their needs while they’re with us ,we have fidget spinners, tools like that, things to emotionally regulate people who have sensory deprivation.”

The calming space is also appealing to young families who don’t have sensory issues like Aeriel Cole, who arrived at the fair with her husband and a 4-month-old and a 2-year-old in tow.

“I just had a baby myself,” Cole explained. “And I know how overwhelming all this can be, the lines, the chaos, and all the things that the fair brings, this a great little relaxing place that the mom can go to.”

Kissel Entertainment is the only carnival provider in the U.S. is sensory inclusive certified. Kissel said she wishes more carnivals were certified.

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