Pedestrian struck and killed on Wednesday night in Lanett

LANETT, Ala. (WRBL) — Authorities are investigating a Wednesday night hit-and-run in Lanett that left one man dead. According to officials, at 9:58 p.m., the Lanett Police Department responded to reports of a pedestrian being hit on Veterans Memorial Parkway (VMP) in Lanett.  When the officer arrived, they started performing life-saving measures as they awaited [...]

Joint law enforcement operation leads to arrest of armed fugitive Tyquavious "Hot Dog" Campbell

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Muscogee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), in collaboration with the Manchester Police Department (MPD), has arrested a man who was wanted for a recent shooting that left one person injured. Sheriff Greg Countryman announced that Tyquavious 'Hot Dog' Campbell was wanted by the Manchester Police Department after fleeing from Manchester following [...]

Ateneo insists Mangulabnan not present at fatal Aurora activity

Ateneo de Manila University maintained that University Athletics Office (UAO) head Emmanuel “Em” Fernandez and staff member Vince Mangulabnan were not present during the Blue Eagles’ team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, where student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili drowned.

In a statement released Thursday, the university disputed portions of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) supplemental referral, which cited the UAO’s alleged involvement in the activity that ended in tragedy.

“The University respectfully disagrees with the conclusion that the University Athletics Office (UAO) planned, organized, or carried out the Dipaculao activity,” Ateneo said.

“The Referral cites the UAO’s role in arranging the team’s transportation. However, arranging transportation does not mean planning or supervising the activity itself. Neither UAO Head Emmanuel Fernandez nor UAO staff member Vince Mangulabnan was present in Dipaculao.”

Ateneo said it believes the ongoing legal proceedings will establish the facts surrounding the incident and determine the responsibilities of those involved.

“We remain confident that the legal process will establish the facts and clarify the respective roles and responsibilities of those involved,” the university added.

The statement came a day after the CIDG submitted a supplemental referral recommending the filing of homicide and reckless imprudence charges against former Ateneo men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin and eight other individuals in connection with the fatal June team-building activity.

Earlier, Ateneo also announced that it would extend legal assistance to those identified in the CIDG’s recommendation as the case moves through the justice system. (AC)

The post Ateneo insists Mangulabnan not present at fatal Aurora activity first appeared on Fastbreak.

Potato chip recall elevated to FDA's highest risk level

Consumers are advised to discard affected products and contact Utz for refunds.

America's 250th birthday sparks interest in how residents are celebrating

RUSSELL COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) — This year, America celebrates its 250th anniversary and it is influencing how many celebrate. It has been tradition for many to buy fireworks to commemorate America’s birthday, and this year is no different.  “I can remember celebrating in 1976 . . . It was a huge bicentennial in Eufaula, Alabama. [...]

Opelika business owners arrested for illegal hemp product possession

OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) — Two Opelika business owners have been arrested for violating state laws with the possession of illegal hemp products on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. According to the Opelika Police Department (OPD), special agents with the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board contacted OPD, complaining about illegal operations out of multiple Opelika vape [...]

Rockets signing G Marcus Smart to 2-year, $13M deal

The Houston Rockets are signing free agent Marcus Smart to a two-year, $13 million contract, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The 32-year-old guard averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 62 games (54 starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers this past season. He declined his $5.4 million player option with the Lakers on Monday.

Smart reunites with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, his coach with the Boston Celtics when he won NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021-22.

Smart averaged 12.9 points, 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 10 postseason starts last season with L.A.

A first-round pick (sixth overall) by Boston in 2014, Smart has averaged 10.5 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 697 career games (441 starts) with the Celtics (2014-23), Memphis Grizzlies (2023-25) and Lakers.

The post Rockets signing G Marcus Smart to 2-year, $13M deal first appeared on Fastbreak.