Join Ike Morgan each weekday for a sometimes breezy, sometimes serious roundup of the biggest, the most peculiar, and the most Alabama stories, of the day.
The Down in Alabama with Ike Morgan podcast is an absolute gem. As a listener who discovered it during the Covid-19 pandemic, I have been hooked ever since. This podcast has become an integral part of my daily routine, providing me with a reason to love being from Alabama even more. Every morning, as I wake up at 4 am to drive a bus, I enjoy making my French Press coffee while listening to Ike Morgan. His ability to summarize the latest news while injecting personality, humor, and local color is truly remarkable. This podcast is a real local treasure that keeps me informed and starts my day off with a smile.
One of the best aspects of the Down in Alabama with Ike Morgan podcast is how effectively it brings together various news tidbits and presents them in an engaging manner. Morgan's storytelling abilities make me feel like I'm hearing a story from a friend rather than just receiving news updates. His calm, cool, and funny demeanor adds an extra layer of enjoyment to each episode. The way he delivers the highlights of Alabama news quickly and informatively is commendable. Additionally, his voice and delivery are top-notch, creating an engaging listening experience for both Alabamians and those who didn't have the privilege of growing up in Alabama.
While it's challenging to find any faults with this podcast, one aspect that could be improved upon is the length of each episode. At times, five minutes can feel too short considering all the interesting stories that are covered. It would be great if there were occasional longer episodes that allowed for more in-depth discussions or interviews related to Alabama current events. However, this is only a minor complaint compared to the overall quality of the podcast.
In conclusion, The Down in Alabama with Ike Morgan podcast is undoubtedly worth every minute of your time. Whether you're a native Alabamian or someone who has been away for years like myself, this podcast provides a sense of home and keeps you up to date with the happenings in the state. It's informative, humorous, and offers a quick overview of Alabama news that is far from boring. If you're looking for an enjoyable way to start your day or want to stay connected to your Alabama roots, I highly recommend giving this podcast a listen.
Today we have reporter John Sharp on to talk about freedom of information and how Alabama agencies continue to drag up the rear among states in getting information out that you and I have a right to see. Read John's reporting on public information here. First, we have evolving vape sales rules, a historic library's reopening, and a contraband air-drop into a prison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today's updates include Tuberville responding to residency challenges, an aircraft carrier in Mobile, and a sentence for a key figure in a car-theft operation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let's talk about vaping rules, the meteorology calendar and mail carriers with dog bites. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There's a new report out on the potential permanent placement of U.S. Space Command, an update on who's running for Senate, an Alabamian getting a hit in his first at-bat, and the grandson of President Tyler just died. We'll do the math. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we'll take a peek at the field so far for next year's U.S. Senate election, Saharan dust heading our way, and a warning over how you're charging your phones at the airport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have politics, surprise weather and another gator tale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alabama's parole board has proposed changes to its guidelines. An "aviation" high school is about to celebrate its first graduating class. And North Dakota is raising its maximum speed limit ... for those who might happen to be passing through North Dakota anytime soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have a boat-crash lawsuit, the passing of a TV news anchor and some college baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have the death of Alabama's oldest prison inmate. Then we'll go outdoors with briefs on game wardens, a lake drawdown and a gator in a Huntsville neighborhood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We'll talk about an old attempted-murder case involving a snake-handler, the latest on Campaign '26, and Tuesday's tornado count so far. Then we'll talk about the origin of the name of a roadway familiar to some of you beach-goers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we're going to start at that sometimes broad area where politics and crime overlap, and we'll end up talking about barbecue. Nick Saban will come up somewhere along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have veteran and soon-to-be-retired features writer Bob Carlton. For the past couple decades you've read his reporting on the food beat in Alabama, particularly central Alabama, but he's done stories on all kinds of people and movies and even Miss Terry Saban. Here is some of the work we highlight in the interview: Highlands' big win Banks vs. Woodlawn Jimmy Koikas's feature obit More stories by Bob Carlton But first, we're going to go ahead and kick off Election 2026 because who can wait? Also, we'll briefly look at the Alabama connections in Kash Patel's Fox interview and why weather radio may be down for some during an inopportune time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New census estimates, an airport opening and ballpark upgrades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have another Alabama News Quiz, so make sure you stick around for that. First, we've reached the end of Arthur Bremer's sentence, we'll talk about why the Gulf of America bill didn't get final approval, and there are more police drones coming to our skies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday was the final day of the 2025 Legislative session. Lawmakers left a parting gift for the governor and those in law enforcement rooting for the "Back the Blue" bill to make it through. We'll have that, a fluoride update and a moonlighting mayor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A couple things to look for on the final working day of the 2025 legislative session; obesity state rankings; some of the pairings in the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let's talk about the Interstate rocket, Space Command, tariff requests and dog names. Then at the end we'll go way back in the archives for a story about the time a couple of Birmingham News journalists followed a car that had a dude's hand sticking out of the trunk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we'll talk about Tuberville and swatting, Britt and Fetterman, and S. Epatha Merkerson's gift for Talladega College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We have an update on the University of Alabama doctoral student in ICE custody, a ruling on the 2023 Congressional re-districting that didn't take, the Teacher of the Year and life expectancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We have why a city is throwing out 58 felony cases, what Nick Saban's next gig might be, how much NEA money is being pulled from the Sidewalk Film Festival and what's shaking in the waning days of the Legislative session. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have THC regulation, a venue's demolition, and an ID deadline today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gov. Kay Ivey's 11th-hour legislative priorities, fluoridation of drinking water, and an Albertville DJ's passing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let's look at shark-attack alerts, possible grant money for struggling hospitals and one more bike with Bo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have items on Trump in Tuscaloosa, a hospital in Thomasville and a preacher who passed away after more than 70 years in the pulpit. Then we're going to have a listener come on and take this week's news quiz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have state budgets passed, a Back the Blue bill, termite damage at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and some possible weather. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Could anyone show up at the University of Alabama graduation event who might be a bigger draw than President Trump? If so, it's probably former coach Nick Saban. Also today, we have some public-safety bills, a marsupial on the loose and a big shipping company's decision to scale back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have good news for salamanders, a short-term weather outlook, a wild turkey-hunting story and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We have what survey respondents said about the southern accent (you might want to believe this survey) and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we'll talk about Tuberville's pending decision, Coca-Cola construction, Gulf Coast Amtrak and the Mullet Toss, and we'll have a listener come on the show to take our Alabama News Quiz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we'll talk about we have Kash Patel's promise, chronic wasting disease in Georgia and a festival to honor Sun Ra. Then we'll bring on guest Adam Schwartz. He's a writer, producer, filmmaker and actor who's best known for his ongoing work with the sketch comedy brand It's a Southern Thing. Here are some links to some of Adam's (and It's a Southern Thing's) work that we talk about: It's a Southern Thing on Facebook Most recent sketch (the bugs are plotting) If GPS navigation were southern "Broken News" pilot Choosing your grandma name is serious business If the Twilight Zone were southern How southerners learn to drive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we'll talk about Alabama's likely next execution, possibly more CHOOSE Act money, Trump's Tuscaloosa speech and a really old Selma hotel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have some Alabama reaction to the Pope's death, the president's possible next visit to our state, and a real-estate surge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we'll catch up on some news from over the weekend, then do something different: AL.com has a really promising high school student reporter just finishing up her internship with us -- as well as her high school career -- and we're going to give her the Down in Alabama exit interview of sorts. See Breonna Atkins' AL.com work here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have the GOP muscling up in the state Senate, $10 million in a workplace civil suit, hurricane-season predictions and the Alabama News Quiz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have a tragic boat crash on Smith Lake, a judge's heart attack, another Tarrant story, a drone crime and a Legislative roundup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today: help for pharmacists, more cruise lines, jobs in Macon County and a bur under James Spann's saddle. Also: where "Jubilee City," the nickname of Daphne, Ala., came from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump's anti-DEI request, the passing of former Alabama and Auburn assistant college football coach Bill Oliver, a new air-defense facility and those lights on the Regions Building in Birmingham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have capitol reporter Mike Cason on the show to set up the home stretch of the 2025 Legislative Session. First we have a notice that went out to some registered voters they'll need to get squared away, the DOJ backing out of an agreement it says is too DEI, and why a few hundred people spent the night in planes in Montgomery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we're going to bring back the Alabama News Quiz, and welcome back AL.com's executive producer for podcasting John Hammontree to sit in the hot seat. First, though, we'll get started today with an update on another financially strapped university, gun charges for a city magistrate, Bruce Pearl's new non-basketball position, and possibly a new water park in Mobile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Let's talk about stuffed-bird smuggling, a naughty prank on a few lawmakers and a cold case that now has an arrest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the briefing today we have more news out of Tarrant, a new suicide-prevention law, how many applied for CHOOSE Act funds and why John Rogers is out of prison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we'll have business and economics reporter William Thornton on to talk about the Trump tariffs and what Alabama businesses are saying and thinking and might be facing. Read William's work here. First, we'll lead off with our usual news briefing. We have items on typical home values, a big space-military contract, and a Buffalo Rock deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We have reporter Margaret Kates on the show to talk about that recycling sorter in Montgomery that has a contract with some cities to separate recycling from trash before it goes into the landfill. She'll let us know what putting a few GPS trackers in recyclables told us. Read Margaret's reporting on the topic here. We also have items on the FBI headquarters, more Panama City Beach-related arrests, and while we have a minute we'll go ahead and bury the lottery for another year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we're going to go over more goings-on at the Capitol, from the gambling measure to a lawmaker's suggestion that her colleagues take their spat back where they came from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have a new state employee benefit and the General Fund budget. And the Poarch Creeks closed on a Birmingham property. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have a former UAB scientist put on leave by the Trump Administration, some very faint lottery hope, and the most obese cities in the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we'll talk about firearms arrests at Redstone Arsenal, time running out for CHOOSE Act applications, a court ruling on out-of-state abortions and student injuries during Sunday's storms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today, we have Auburn basketball advancing ... charges in a low-speed tractor chase that resulted in the suspect being shot ... and today's Alabama place-name history that involves the pronunciation of a football stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we have an immigration detention, the first state Glock switch arrest, a Trump appointee, Ella Langley's ACM nominations and a whole lot of 3-point shots from the Alabama men's basketball team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today is also opening day for the major league baseball season. So I'm going to have on the show Ben Flanagan and Mark Heim, and we're going to pick our favorite all-time baseball movies. Baseball movies are a genre of their own, so there are plenty to pick from. I think we're going to do it draft-style, where we go around the horn picking our favorites from what's left. If you're the type who uses baseball movie quotes during your day, you're one of us, so it should be fun. First, however, we have our news updates. There's a space-related business story from North Alabama, a school that's closing after 120 years, and the state list we've all been waiting for. It's one that doesn't matter until it really matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Seeds in the mail, the politics of Lipscomb and a bill targeting those who might want to protest near someone's home. Also, a university study gives rise to the theory that manatees aren't native to our Gulf Coast (or even Florida's). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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