Mar. 12, 2025

Over on the podcast today we have Bill "Bubba" Bussey, formerly of the Rick & Bubba Show, to talk about his "Bubba on the Lake" podcast and more.

Today's report follows. Thanks for reading,

Ike

Looking for the podcast? Click here or check other options below.

There are a couple of DOGE updates we want to pass on.

First, there had been a lot of concern in recent days that the historic Montgomery Bus Station and its Freedom Rides Museum would be axed by the Trump Administration and its chief cut man, Elon Musk.

That was the site of a 1961 incident in which white supremacists attacked Freedom Riders who were challenging segregated buses in the South. The station and museum had shown up on a list of "non-core" federal properties that would likely be sold.

AL.com's Patrick Darrington reports, however, that U.S. Sen. Katie Britt has said the administration communicated to her that the site is not on that "non-core list" and won't be sold.

Also, according to an Associated Press report, multiple sources confirm that the administration is cutting 10% of the current NOAA workforce. That amounts to more than 1,000 people nationally. These are in addition to the previous firing of most new employees.

NOAA, which includes the National Weather Service, handles daily weather forecasts and monitors hurricanes and other forms of severe weather. It also manages fisheries and, delivers navigation information for ships and even forecasts space weather that might impact the electrical grids. Its National Weather Service has four offices that each cover a part of Alabama: Huntsville, Birmingham, Mobile and Tallahassee.

We're looking at a few chances for severe weather in the state this week, reports AL.com's Leigh Morgan.

Just like Springtime in the South.

At last update, Thursday, Friday and Saturday all could bring bad storms, with the chances of the severe stuff increasing each day. They're eyeing Saturday in particular, with the potential for strong storms, tornadoes and large hail across much of the state.

Of course, I'm not talking to you live so just make sure you stay plugged in to your trusted weather sources this week.

And we have two food notes:

First, on barbecue. Southern Living dropped its "The South's Best Barbecue Joint In Every State 2025" list, and for Alabama Big Bob Gibson topped the list, reports AL.com's Matt Wake. Big Bob Gibson is Ground Zero for smoked chicken and Alabama white sauce.

Also, I don't know if we get any credit of the credit for this, but the Florida winner was a Tampa joint called "Big John's Alabama Barbecue."

Big Bob, Big John. I guess if you started a barbecue joint you have a better-than-average chance of being "big" somebody.

The other food note I'll make is really a thinly veiled way to say we're closing in on baseball season. Minor-league baseball is pretty happening in Alabama with our Southern League teams in Madison, Birmingham and Montgomery.

The Birmingham Barons announced some of their menu this week, reports AL.com's Bob Carlton, and apparently Bo Jackson is taking his place in the hamburger business.

On the menu at Regions Field come the April 4 home opener will be Bo's Hometown Burger, with angus beef, bacon, lettuce, tomato, an onion ring and special sauce on a Kaiser roll. It'll set you back 12 bucks -- or 16 for the combo.

Jackson will also be at Regions Field July 25 to throw out the first pitch before the Barons play the Montgomery Biscuits.

In 1883, sacred harp composer Judge Jackson of Montgomery County.

If you miss that feeling of sitting down with in-depth, local reporting, consider subscribing to the Huntsville Times, Birmingham News, or Mobile Press-Register.

By subscribing, you’ll get a new daily digital edition in an email link, or you can use an app to download the new edition every day on your smartphone or tablet. You also get exclusive access to stories written for our subscribers.

“Down in Alabama” listeners get your first month free by going to al.com/digitalsubscription/exclusive and enter the promo code DIA24.

Bill "Bubba" Bussey joins us to talk about his new podcast and reflect on the "Rick & Bubba" years.

You can find “Down in Alabama” wherever you get your podcasts, including these places:

We appreciate you for taking the time to read today. Hope you're able to check back soon. Meantime, reply to this email with any suggestions you might have.

If you're so inclined, we'd love it if you'd forward to friends who might be interested in reading. (And if you're someone who's been forwarded this newsletter, we encourage you to subscribe and get this in your inbox every day.)