Daily
Huntsville
Thursday, May 15th, 2025
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Good morning, Huntsville. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 15th of May.
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ John McCall, a 53-year-old former worship leader from Madison, was indicted on five charges—including four counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography—for acts between May and October 2023 and he was fired from his church in Decatur when his past convictions were discovered. WAFF 48
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Kay Ivey signed the FOCUS Act on Wednesday to ban smartphones and wireless devices in public schools and require local boards to enforce internet safety policies along with social media training for students before eighth grade (a step meant to cut classroom distractions). WAAY 31
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Madison County Health Department released health inspection scores for food and lodging establishments inspected May 5–9, 2025 — eight sites earned perfect scores while a few received critical violations that were corrected on site. WAAY 31
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Debbie Phillips is a nuclear claims specialist who helps nuclear workers get better health care and benefits—she challenges a government process that often denies aid—by showing strong commitment to vulnerable employees. Huntsville Business Journal
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Local girls flag football teams at Decatur and Austin High Schools had their first season last year after receiving an Atlanta Falcons grant, with Decatur winning the regional championship and Austin advancing to the playoffs. Players said the sport helped empower them to build friendships — opening doors to scholarships and future opportunities. WAFF 48
- ➤ Deshler High School clinched its first state baseball title Wednesday when winning pitcher Jacob Alexander delivered a game with three hits and hit the decisive double in game three of the Class 4A championships; Price Thornton drove in three runs to seal the victory. Coach Justin Cantrell said the team recovered from a 6—1 loss in game two and built crucial momentum for the historic win. WAAY 31
TRAVEL NEWS
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Huntsville.
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2025 AIAA Greater Huntsville Section Awards Banquet
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Huntsville Botanical Garden — $40-$60 — Celebrate outstanding achievements in aerospace with a buffet dinner and a keynote on nuclear fission technologies for space exploration.
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Rocket City BBQ & Soul Fest
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. — NSS Conference Center — Refunds available up to 7 days prior — Enjoy mouthwatering BBQ and soulful tunes at this vibrant festival.
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Step Into the Wild: A Hike Series
8-10 a.m. — Monte Sano Mountain Bike Trail Parking — Free entry — Explore Madison County's natural beauty with a guided hike on the Stone Cut Trail.
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Haywire Returns to Mad Malts
7-11:30 p.m. — Mad Malts Brewing — No Refunds — Enjoy a night of local music featuring Haywire and supporting acts Writhing Shadows, Bareknuckle, and Bootprint.
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The R&B Experience with Darien Omar
7-11 p.m. — The Note Jazz Lounge — Tickets available — Enjoy an unforgettable night filled with smooth R&B vibes and soulful melodies.
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RunningLane Track Championships
May 23-24 — Milton Frank Stadium — Free entry — Witness top athletes vie for victory in this exciting track championship event.
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The Matt Long Band Live
5-8 p.m. — Yellowhammer Brewing — Ticket entry required — Experience a night of live music with The Matt Long Band.
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Brooks Wheelan Stand-Up Show
6-7:30 p.m. — Huntsville Levity Live — Buy Tickets — Enjoy an evening of laughter with comedian Brooks Wheelan.
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Cotton Row Run
7:00 – 10:30 AM — Big Spring International Park — Entry fee applies — Experience the premier Memorial Day running event with options for all levels: 10K, 5K, and 1 Mile.
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Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Biloxi Shuckers
6:35-10:35 PM — Toyota Field — Admission Charged — Don't miss an exciting baseball matchup between the Trash Pandas and the Shuckers.
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Huntsville.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The shoe that fits one person pinches another.
~ Carl Jung
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