New Warrant Issued in Paighton Houston Case
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warrant in the death investigation of Trussville woman Paighton Houston.
Fredrick Hampton, a registered sex offender, is wanted on charges of abusing a corpse. He is not a suspect in Houston’s death.
“The next step in the case of Paighton Houston is to find Fredrick Hampton” – @JeffCoSheriff Cpt. David Agee https://t.co/MUBZGnaQA3 pic.twitter.com/ldmwuq2mpM
— Janae Pierre (@missjanaepierre) January 16, 2020
Houston, 29, was last seen December 20 after leaving Tin Roof bar in Birmingham’s Lakeview area. Her remains were found earlier this month in a shallow grave behind a house in Hueytown. Authorities believe Hampton’s relatives owned the property where Houston’s body was found. Capt. David Agee says additional charges against Hampton are possible.
Hampton was charged in 1992 with first degree rape and first degree sodomy of an adult female. He was released in 2012 and now lives in Jefferson County.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
Bessemer City Council approves rezoning for a massive data center, dividing a community
After the Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to rezone nearly 700 acres of agricultural land for the “hyperscale” server farm, a dissenting council member said city officials who signed non-disclosure agreements weren’t being transparent with citizens.

