Mountain View
April Killian
Is Elon Musk Working on a Secret Move to Alabama? Here's What We Know
I have several friends in the tech industry in Alabama. A few months ago, several of my "techie" friends told me about a persistent rumor they kept hearing that Elon Musk might be planning some sort of secret move to Alabama. Some folks in north Alabama pointed out a specific house that they heard he might be remodeling. Others posted photos of a mysterious black private jet spotted in Alabama rumored to be transporting Musk. Although those rumors eventually died down, it seems that they are making the rounds once again. This begs the question: is Elon Musk secretly working on a move to Alabama? Here's what we know.
Cults Blamed for Waves of Strange Cattle Deaths in Mississippi
From the 1970s through the 1990s, there were several waves of mysterious cattle deaths in the United States. Healthy livestock worth thousands of dollars were found dead often with their tongues or other parts removed. Researchers and authorities named the phenomenon "cattle mutilation." Theories for the strange deaths and mutilations ranged from satanic cults to UFOs to government conspiracies. Although most of the incidents occurred in the western United States, they also occurred in the South. In Mississippi, there were dozens of cattle mutilations from 1978 to 1992. Authorities blamed satanic cults in most of those cases. Keep reading to see where these mysterious cattle deaths occured across the state.
The Strange 'Singing Well' of Texas
In the late 1800s, a story originated in Texas about a mysterious well. According to newspaper reports, strange sounds came from the well. Sometimes the sounds were musical and pleasant. At other times, they sounded more like wails and moans. The well was said to be impossible to fill and no one knew it's true age. This is the fascinating story of the "singing well."
Dear Panic Buyers in Alabama: What's Wrong with Y'all?
"Better stock up on toilet paper, paper towels and water! The strike in the Port of Mobile is going to cause a shortage!" That was a familiar post on Facebook a couple of days ago. I saw it everywhere. Did people heed the warning? You betcha they did! The shelves for those items at local stores were empty by nightfall. Granted some of those supplies may have been purchased for hurricane victims, I think the majority was out of sheer panic over the port strike.
The North Alabama Car Salesman Who Faked His Own Death...and Almost Got Away with It
"The brakes won't work, son." Those were the last words of E.S. Allbritton moments before his car plunged into the Tennessee River. The 42-year-old north Alabama car salesman disappeared that night—lost in the dark, murky water. When news of the accident spread, his customers and acquaintances were left shocked and saddened. A shrewd private detective, however, had his doubts about the story, and he wouldn't stop until he found out the truth.
Confirmed Mountain Lion Sightings: Are Big Cats Returning to Tennessee?
At one time, they were plentiful. They were strong, sleek, and dangerous—an apex predator. By the early 1900s, the mountain lion, also called a cougar, panther, or puma, was completely eradicated from Tennessee. New sightings, however, have a lot of people asking: is this elusive big cat returning to the Volunteer State?
Mountain Lion Sightings in Mississippi: Is the Big Cat Returning to the Magnolia State?
Once plentiful across the South, the elusive mountain lion has not been officially confirmed in Mississippi for over a century. Experts have predicted for several years, however, that populations of the mountain lion in western states are expected to head eastward. With credible sightings of the big cat popping up around the state, is the mountain lion poised to return to Mississippi?
When a Fake Rumor Almost Shut Down the Mall in Florence, Alabama
There's been a lot of coverage in the news lately about the validity of rumors and stories that are passed around in the public. A story that causes fear, whether true or not, can spread extremely quickly. A lot of people think that the internet and social media are to blame. The quick spread of crazy rumors, however, happened long before we all had access to the internet. Some of us in north Alabama remember the time that rumors of a violent attack and castration in a public restroom almost shut down the local mall.
Revisiting the Case of the 'Bleeding House' of Georgia: A Greatly Exaggerated Story?
In the late 1980s, a bizarre incident that occurred in a house in Georgia was covered in major newspapers around the world. In the home of an elderly couple, a mysterious red substance was reportedly oozing from the walls and floors of the house. When police tested the substance, it turned out to be human blood. Since that time, the story of the "bleeding house" has been rehashed in countless paranormal communities, podcasts, and articles. Was this truly an unexplicable event? Let's revisit the case of the "bleeding house" of Georgia.
Doctor Shut Down After Fatal Surgery on Muscle Shoals Man
In what was called a "grievous medical error," the doctor accused of causing the death of a Muscle Shoals man has now had his medical license suspended. Muscle Shoals resident, Bill Bryan, died during surgery in August while he and his wife were on a trip to visit their rental property in Destin, Florida. Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky insisted that the surgery was urgently needed after Bryan visited the local ER with stomach pain.
Haunted Bridges and Backroads of Mississippi
Mississippi is a state rich in local legends and folklore. It's also a state with thousands of miles of dark rural roads and rusty old bridges - places rumored to be haunted for decades. Let's take a midnight ride and explore some of the local tales that surround the haunted backroads and bridges of Mississippi.
World Record Fish from Tennessee: One Holds Record Almost 70 Years
Catching a fish that breaks the state record definitely comes with bragging rights. If that fish also sets a new world record—now, that's a whole different level. If that catch remains the world record for decades, that's nothing short of legendary. Tennessee has several of these legendary catches, the oldest of which has held the world record for almost 70 years! Check out the list below of world-record fish caught in the state of Tennessee.
The 'Mercritis' Conspiracy: A Bizarre Urban Legend of Mississippi
I've been a fan of southern urban legends and folklore most of my life. If I had to rank the southern states with the best urban legends, Mississippi would definitely be a contender for the top spot. While a lot of people automatically assume that urban legends are completely fabricated, I have found that there's often some hidden truth to the story. So, what about Mississippi? Let's take a look at what I consider the best and most bizarre legend from Mississippi and see if there's any truth to the story.
Opinion | Will We Ever Have a Lottery in Alabama?
We were so close. After 25 years of toying with the idea of having a lottery in Alabama, or at least letting the citizens decide on the issue, Alabama leaders failed once again to make it happen...and this time by a single vote. This latest failure begs the question: will we ever have a lottery in Alabama?
Georgia Guidestones: Identity of Creator May Finally Be Known
Since its unveiling in 1980 to its destruction in 2022, the mysterious monument known as the Georgia Guidestones has been surrounded by controversy. Conspiracy theories ranging from population control to satanic cults were linked to the granite monument. Adding to the controversy and mystery, the monument's main sponsor remained anonymous throughout its creation—known only by the pseudonym Robert C. Christian, or R.C. Christian. For decades, people have tried to figure out the real identity of this man. It looks like that mystery may have been solved almost a decade ago, although it completely flew under the radar.
Famous People You May Not Know Were Born and Buried in Mississippi
Mississippi is the birthplace of a lot of famous people. People who leave the Magnolia state to find fame, often never return to live there in their lifetime. However, it's an old southern tradition to be laid to rest in the place where you have roots and family. That was the case with each of these celebrities. These are five famous people who were born and buried in Mississippi.
What's Going on with Multiple Kangaroo Sightings in Alabama?
It's become an oddly familiar sight on social media in Alabama. Several times in the past three years, a photo or video of a kangaroo supposedly seen hopping around in Alabama has gone viral. Last month, it happened again. In fact, six times in the last three years, there have been kangaroo sightings somewhere in the state! Yes, kangaroos. These have to be a hoax, right? Actually, out of the six, only one was believed to be a hoax. Here's the 411 on all these bizarre kangaroo sightings in Alabama.
Georgia Sharecroppers: Historic Photos Reveal an Era of Poverty and Hardship
Following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, landowners in the South were forced to find a new source of labor for their fields. They found a way to continue their cash crops by exploiting the poor, both black and white, as a source of cheap labor. Thus began the era of the sharecropper in Georgia.
Mississippi Sharecroppers: Historic Photos Reveal an Era of Hardship and Poverty
With the abolition of slavery after the civil war, plantation owners in the south were forced to find a new source of labor for their fields. They found a way to do this by exploiting the poor, both black and white, as a source of cheap labor. Thus began the era of the sharecropper in Mississippi.
Alabama Woman Warns of Fire Hazard from Common Landscaping Material
"I just happened to be outside. Thank God, my house didn't burn down!" That's what one Alabama woman said after a common landscaping material caught fire in a flower garden next to her house. Now, she wants to warn others that under the right conditions, common mulch can combust on it's own.
April Killian
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April Killian is a native of Florence, Alabama and writes about the unique people, places, and history of the south. She is the mom of three adult children and many pets. In her spare time, she fosters animals and enjoys the beautiful nature and biodiversity of Alabama. She is a lifelong supporter of charity work and has done public speaking for Safeplace, a local women's shelter in the Shoals. Most of all, April tries to be a positive force in this world in everything she does. Her favorite quote is from Pablo Picasso: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
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