1+ hour, 5+ min ago (231+ words) MADISON, Ala. (WAFF) - Madison residents could soon receive text alerts when trains block major downtown roads under a new program set for a city council vote. The city plans to install cameras that will send text notifications to residents when trains cross Sullivan and Main streets, where one of Norfolk Southern's most heavily traveled rail lines runs. Former councilman John Seifert donated $10,000 to fund the alert system. Seifert said his donation was motivated by citizen complaints and his own experiences navigating downtown traffic. "During my time on council and just hearing a lot of citizens' complaints and myself from trying to navigate the city and even being stuck downtown or stuck trying to get downtown," Seifert said. "I love this area, and I want to see it thrive and grow, and I want to help as much as I can....

3+ hour, 55+ min ago (179+ words) GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Law enforcement officers shot and killed a man during an undercover child predator investigation in a Guntersville neighborhood over the weekend, leaving residents frightened and frustrated about their safety. Marshall County Sheriff's deputies shot and killed Jack Smiley, 27, of Muncie, Indiana, who officers say was there to meet a decoy posing as a child for sex. The shooting happened in the Warrenton Shores neighborhood late Saturday night. Sheriff Phil Sims said Smiley tried to run from officers and pulled out a weapon before he was shot. Residents said they are upset that law enforcement did not check on them after the shooting occurred. The suspect was shot just feet away from where neighbors often gather to watch football outside, according to residents. Allison said he was worried about the gunfire causing unintended tragedy. The undercover predator sting…...

6+ hour, 37+ min ago (168+ words) MORGAN CO., Ala. (WAFF) - North Alabama Trails and Recreation is launching a major project to make Flint Creek easier to explore. Flint Creek is already known as a great paddling spot, but there aren't many places to get in and out of the water. The $270,000 plan will improve five sites along the creek, adding more access points and clearer guidance. Each site will get a new trailhead kiosk with instructions, and some will get brand-new kayak launches. Point Mallard Park will be the first test site for self-service kayak stations, and if there's enough traffic, they'll expand those stations to the other locations. "You can go into all kinds of different areas, and this is great for beginner paddlers, families together, or your more experienced ones looking for new experiences," North Alabama Trails and Recreation Executive Director Jared Carter said....

19+ hour, 26+ min ago (91+ words) A new school safety technology was demonstrated in Alabama for the first time in Huntsville. 48 Forecaster Jayda Russell provides you with insights ahead of Thursday night's potential for rain and ... North Alabama Trails and Recreation launches $270k effort to improve Flint Creek access Limestone Co. farmer offering farm fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving amid bird flu outbreak AAMU hosts first demo of drone system designed to stop school shooters within seconds 48 First Alert Weather Day in place ahead of Thursday night showers Cullman woman dies after being struck by vehicle...

1+ day, 11+ hour ago (358+ words) HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - The Huntsville High School boys" swim team scored 372 points to claim the Panthers" 10th straight AHSAA Class 6A/7A Boys" Team Championship Saturday night at the Huntsville Aquatics Center as the 66th AHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships concluded. Huntsville"s boys have now won 22 state titles, an AHSAA state record. The Panthers" boys began their current AHSAA state-record consecutive championships streak in 2016. Bob Jones was the last school to win a state title " claiming back-to-back crowns in 2014 and 2015. Huntsville won the titles in 2012 and 2013 " giving the Panthers 12 state titles over the last 14 years. Huntsville"s girls, also coached by Fortin, won their 13th state swimming title overall and their first since winning back-to-back state crowns in 2020 and 2021. The Lady Panthers snapped Bob Jones" streak of three straight titles from 2022 to 2024. Randolph"s boys" championship was the school"s second title overall and…...

2+ day, 9+ hour ago (251+ words) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) - A University of Alabama at Birmingham football player is accused of assaulting two of his teammates ahead of the Blazers" game against South Florida, according to police. The UAB Police Department is investigating an assault between three UAB football players that took place Saturday morning at the Football Operations Center, according to the university. The university reported two players were injured in the assault. Birmingham Fire and Rescue confirmed two people were taken to the hospital. "We"re grateful to report that two players injured in an incident this morning at the Football Operations Building are in stable condition," the university said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with them and their families as they recover." The third player, believed to be the suspect, was taken into police custody and remains in custody as the…...

3+ day, 9+ hour ago (166+ words) FLORENCE, Ala. (WAFF) - A mother and her daughter were arrested for theft and wire fraud in Florence. On Tuesday, Florence Police responded to Los Dos Hermonos on Mall Road in regards to an employee stealing money from the business. Officials say that since late October, Kimberlin Reyes had been stealing money from the business through wire money transfers by moving money from the business to her personal bank account. They say her mother, Claudia Estela Montes Reyes, would distract employees working with Kimberlin so that she could transfer the money without being caught. Officials say a total of $38,000 was sent through wire transfers, and the money was being transferred to the mother's and daughter's personal accounts. On Thursday, officers arrested Kimberlin at the business, and her mother was arrested after being found on Anna Drive. They are both charged with…...

3+ day, 14+ hour ago (69+ words) Every weekday, catch live streaming-only newscasts across WAFF 48's digital platforms at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. wo 18-wheelers collide, leading to explosion. Scottsboro vehicle burglary suspect arrested Scattered showers, thunderstorms in the forecast for Friday Restaurant closes following stunningly low Kitchen Cops score Skating in the Park returns for 14th season "We are not just interstate crime enforcement: New Priceville police chief wants change...

4+ day, 32+ min ago (483+ words) MADISON, Ala. (WAFF) - City leaders are implementing a new AI program to alert residents of train stoppages, which have caused lengthy traffic delays for years. A pilot program involving AI will be implemented in the coming weeks, after being introduced at the first work session for the new Madison City Council Wednesday night. The city's IT department will be AI programming the two cameras that monitor the railroad tracks on Main Street and Sullivan Street. By doing this, Mayor Ranae Bartlett says the cameras will be able to detect when a train is crossing and when one is stopped. From there, the cameras will be able to let residents, school buses, and even first responders know ahead of time that they need to find a different route. "We could use AI to help send those messages and program it to…...

4+ day, 5+ hour ago (109+ words) After WAFF 48 News reported about the mail issues a Monrovia neighborhood was experiencing, the post offices stepped up. An 18-year-old in Colbert County will be tried as an adult after authorities ... Eight cameras installed in downtown Florence over a few months for safety Madison implementing AI-programmed cameras at railroad crossings to avoid traffic delays USPS delivers two weeks" worth of mail to Monrovia neighborhood after 48 News report 18-year-old to be tried as adult in fatal DUI crash case No student injuries reported in school bus crash in Owens Cross Roads Jet makes emergency landing at Muscle Shoals Airport after reported engine failure...