Latest news with #NationalPeanutFestival
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama food banks bracing for impact as Congress moves on ‘big, beautiful bill'
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — One Alabama food bank said $300 million are at stake in President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' that is moving through Congress. Those are federal dollars that the state would have to pick up for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, if the bill passes. Some said that change will harm Alabama, while others said the state is ready to respond. 'I hate that the program will suffer because of this lack of funding, and I don't know where the state would come up with $300 million,' said Nicole Williams, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. That money has worried food banks in Alabama. Williams said over 700,000 Alabamians rely on SNAP benefits. She said families and grocery stores could feel the impact if those cuts are signed into law. 'We're also concerned about grocery stores in rural areas and them not being able to stay afloat or grocery stores closing and causing more food deserts,' Williams said. National Peanut Festival dates, parade route announced for 2025 season But the 2025 Alabama general budget chairman, state Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, said he's talked about those concerns with the department of finance and others. He said the state will have a better idea of what those funding changes mean closer to next year's session. 'We've got to prioritize going forward,' Reynolds said. 'So we'll understand the cuts before we go back into the session in January of '26, and we'll understand what we can and what we can't do.' Reynolds said they may be able to offset the loss of dollars next year for Medicaid and SNAP. 'That may be something that the House considers going into that '26 session and getting out ahead of any potential,' Reynolds said. Carol Gundlach with Alabama Arise said the federal government should do its part when funding SNAP and Medicaid. 'So rather than do what they need to do to adequately fund these programs, they're passing the buck onto the states,' Reynolds said. Those cuts have been passed by the U.S. House and are now making their way through the Senate. Williams said the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama gave 21 million meals to families just last year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
National Peanut Festival dispels rumors after canceling firework show
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — The National Peanut Festival is dispelling rumors that began spreading after the cancellation of a popular fireworks show. The Fireworks Celebration at the Fairgrounds is held every summer at the festival fairgrounds to celebrate the Fourth of July. 'Please know this decision was not made lightly or in haste,' said Director Tony Ellison in a release to WDHN. According to Ellison, putting on the annual event costs around $15,000, an expense that the director says is 'difficult to justify.' Ellison said in the release that it also takes the NPF crews around two full weeks to set up and manage the event, and they must rely on the Dothan Police Department, Dothan Fire Department, and the Houston County Sheriff's Office to ensure visitors' safety. 'This places a significant strain on local public safety resources during a time when these agencies are also supporting other community celebrations,' said Ellison. In the release, Ellison also dispelled rumors that had been circulating since it was announced the celebration was canceled. 'First and foremost, we want to firmly dispel two misconceptions. There has never been a single incident of violence at this event in the past. The Annual Fireworks at the Fairgrounds has consistently drawn respectful, family-friendly crowds and has fostered a great sense of community. Additionally, the decision to suspend the event was not made due to financial mismanagement or a lack of retained earnings by the Festival,' said Ellison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN -
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of strangling Dothan pageant charged in murder-for-hire plot enters not guilty plea
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) – An Ashford man accused of strangling a Dothan pageant queen, charged in a murder-for-hire plot, has entered a plea of not guilty. The indictment issued in April says that Dorsey Love, an Ashford resident, placed his hands around Lindsay Shiver's neck, cutting off her airflow. On Thursday, May 1, Love entered a not guilty plea. Shiver filed a protection order against Love on July 29 last year, and Love was arrested six days later. In the order, Shiver claims Love threw her onto a bed, tried to choke her, and suffocated her with a pillow in a house on North Cherokee Street. Shiver also alleged Love abused her on a trip to Tampa, Florida, several weeks before, but she did not report it to the police. Over the past almost two years, Shiver, the former National Peanut Festival pageant contestant, has made international headlines. She was arrested in August 2023 after Bahamian authorities accused her of plotting to have her husband, Robert Shiver, killed by her lover, Terrance Bethel, and his friend, Faron Newbold. All three were arrested at the same time and later released on bond. Bahamian authorities claim Shiver had sent photos of her husband to Newbold Jr., along with the message 'Kill him' on WhatsApp. Her trial has been pushed countless times since the charges against her came down overseas, but if Shiver is imprisoned in the Bahamas when Dorsey goes to trial, prosecutors may dismiss his charge since they would have no case without Shiver's testimony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
