# Alabama's 42 > Local news and weather updates with community journalism and interactive weather tools. (iPhone/iPad app by LIN Television Corporation.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alabamas-42/id411764669 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [LIN Television Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/488222083) - Category: News - Price: Free - Rating: 4.70/5 from 1,418 App Store ratings · 41 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 15.1 · 75 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2011-01-10 - Data updated: 2026-08-14 - Monetization: ad-supported - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alabamas-42/id411764669/reviews.md ## What is Alabama's 42? News has never been more local than in the palm of your hand. The CBS 42 News mobile app brings you all the top stories from our daily broadcasts, as well as stories developing in real time. CBS 42 News delivers in-depth, community-first journalism, along with Storm Team weather updates and real-time traffic. With the revamped CBS 42 News app, you're getting "Local Coverage You Can Count On" from Central Alabama's top trusted news team. FEATURES: • Watch video of your trusted reporters on the scene, and read revealing articles on what's going on in your community. • Plan your day and week with detailed weather conditions, live alerts of severe conditions, and an interactive radar map. • Optional alerts on breaking news keep you in the know. ## Key features - Top local news stories - Real-time developing news - In-depth community journalism - Storm Team weather updates - Interactive radar map - Breaking news alerts - Save stories for later ## What do users think of Alabama's 42? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 💡 Keeps users informed - 🚀 Provides up-to-date news - 👍 Professional and on-point news coverage **Cons** - 🐛 Accessibility issues with VoiceOver - 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs - 🐛 Unreliable live stream and notifications - 🐛 Cluttered and confusing UI - 🐛 Difficulty finding and accessing old articles **Commonly reported bugs** - Text jumping around in articles - Notification settings not working properly - In-app settings not accessible - Inability to save articles for later reading **Most requested features** - Improve accessibility for VoiceOver users - Provide more reliable live stream and notifications - Redesign the UI for better navigation and readability - Implement a robust search function to find old articles ## Recent user reviews (10 of 41) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alabamas-42/id411764669/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Cullman country *2025-06-14* Several gain garden city al are needing help. They have hacked everything on everyone and everyone has fake or hacked accounts including all app and accounts. They have taken over the camera systems throughout Cullman county and have certain people that they use to create ai pictures. The county police are involved and more than one person has said they were going through this places like Cullman coop and Verizon are creating fake accounts for people. Please check into why certain broadcasting features are controlled and why the county isn’t allowed to have large planes flying over. Also Rehau, Louisiana Pacific and several other place are no longer working plants. ### 1/5 — Fix ASAP and immediately *2024-09-17* This app needs to put on the newscast every time they go on TV7 days a week. I try to pull up the newscast as it is live and it does not show up. It just shows me replay or highlights from a newscast. I want to see the live, as it is happening on TV and when they go live for bad weather ### 3/5 — Accessibility issues galore! *2024-09-15* Over the years, this app has had its ups and downs concerning accessibility and navigability, and this time is no exception. First, there no longer seems to be a way to save an article for later reading. Because of that, a search function would be helpful; but, of course, I’m not finding that either. The only tabs now are “Latest”, “Weather” and “Watch”. If I’m in “latest”, and go into the menu, hitting such things as “Settings” or “Contact Us” takes me into “Weather”, as does “App Support” on the App Store info page for the app. This needs to be redesigned from the ground up, with accessibility and navigability in mind. It is terribly frustrating not to be able to save a story, or to search for a story that appeared a week ago in order to finish reading it. ### 3/5 — Worked Better Before Latest Update *2024-02-06* In previous versions of the app, if I received a notification, I was not only able to read that article with ease, but was also able to _easily go to the next article with a simple swipe, until I reached the end of a group; then, I could hit “Back”, scroll down to the next group, open that article, and easily access the articles in _that group. You say that this new version is _easier to work with? That’s a _joke! Frequently, if I try to access an article that originally appeared in Newsfeed, the text jumps around wildly, rendering it impossible to read. I can’t vouch for the live stream, as I’m not often available when the live newscasts are streaming. And _no _one explains the settings pertaining to Newsfeed: something about “Bell Ring on/off”, or “notify on this topic?”. Equally frustrating: when I _do try to access articles subsequent to the ones that appear in Notifications, more often than not, I receive an alert saying “Your app needs to be updated in order to take advantage of new push notification features”. That’s funny. I’m already running the updated version, the latest one in App Store, and am running the latest iOS (12.3.1 at this writing). I don’t know if non-VoiceOver users run into these same issues; but, if they do, they aren’t chiming in. The app was working better, and was far more user friendly, before this update. If this is how it will stay, then there needs to be a tutorial. I will try reinstalling the app; and, if that makes a significant difference, I will update this review. Update: Originally gave it 3 stars; now down to 1. You just _ruined it for VoiceOver users, and posssibly for others as well. I try to bring up an article that appeared in my notifications two or three days ago (before this update), which I am just now having time to read. The article doesn’t come up at all, and the only things that _do come up are late-breaking (maybe) news articles. Nowhere in this new version do I find a way to bring up the notifications. In-app settings are of no use now. It tells you to turn notifications on or off for specific topics; but, the topics are not displayed with toggles to turn them on or off. Before updating it again, try navigating it with your eyes closed! If there were a way to go back to the previous version—which was better than the one that prompted my previous review (above)—I would do it in a heartbeat. Yet another update: July 11, 2021. Back to 3 stars, reluctantly. The latest version trades one set of problems for another, at least for VoiceOver users. Now, if one wishes to modify in-app notification settings, the toggles for enabling or disabling the items frequently either don’t work or don’t come up at all. The Search function (for finding stories) isn’t working at all. At times, if one clicks on a category, it doesn’t come up. If one is a long way down in an article, scrolling back to the top is a real pain now. At least for this user, trying to navigate the current weather forecast—which, apparently, is associated with a video—the text jumps around wildly, and then pauses long enough for my screen to lock, unless I go into my phone’s settings and increase the length of time before AutoLock engages. Then, when I unlock the screen again, the text has moved to a point much nearer the end, and I have missed much of the forecast. I think the app would work much better—for _all users—if the graphics were minimized or eliminated entirely, or there were an item in Settings to minimize or maximize graphics. In this case, turning Screen Recognition (a VoiceOver setting intended to improve accessibility) on for this app doesn’t help. They intrude into the text, making reading and navigation difficult. Sometimes, even the in-app settings do not come up. Reinstalling the app and restarting my phone haven’t helped. I am running the latest version of both iOS and the app. May 15, 2023: Today, I received a notification concerning configuring the weather settings. I wondered why I hadn’t been receiving weather notifications recently from CBS42. When I attempted to reconfigure the weather settings, I found them not to be VoiceOver friendly. The column that displays all of the notification categories is read straight through, followed by the “enabled” and “disabled” buttons (none of whose toggles are working). On scrolling to the weather notifications, there is no way to tell whether “current location” will show, or whether Fahrenheit or Celsius is selected. Finally, the final items, dealing with automatically showing videos and with using Wi-Fi only, will not toggle. Please fix! Of course, I am grateful that the entire app was re-designed a couple of years ago, and that some of the maddening issues I mentioned above are no longer there. But, knowing how important it is to have accurate weather information, these bugs need to be fixed. the “current location” Feb. 6, 2024: One set of issues has again been exchanged for another. The weather section is atrocious now. When I get a weather notification now, most of the time it only brings up a weather map, or at best a bare minimum of information. That isn’t good when there are storms in the area. Normally, the in-app settings are working somewhat better than they were when I submitted previous reviews; but now, the Search function—which was always a bit problematic—seems to have been deleted altogether. If an article from a notification fails to come up, and that article is more than a day or so old, it can’t be found, unless it was some big news story which an executive thought was sufficiently important to include under the “View More” heading. If that isn’t the case, one seems to be out of luck! Please, bring back the Search feature; and _please, _please minimize visuals such as weather maps. Thanks! ### 3/5 — Worked Better Before Latest Update *2023-05-16* In previous versions of the app, if I received a notification, I was not only able to read that article with ease, but was also able to _easily go to the next article with a simple swipe, until I reached the end of a group; then, I could hit “Back”, scroll down to the next group, open that article, and easily access the articles in _that group. You say that this new version is _easier to work with? That’s a _joke! Frequently, if I try to access an article that originally appeared in Newsfeed, the text jumps around wildly, rendering it impossible to read. I can’t vouch for the live stream, as I’m not often available when the live newscasts are streaming. And _no _one explains the settings pertaining to Newsfeed: something about “Bell Ring on/off”, or “notify on this topic?”. Equally frustrating: when I _do try to access articles subsequent to the ones that appear in Notifications, more often than not, I receive an alert saying “Your app needs to be updated in order to take advantage of new push notification features”. That’s funny. I’m already running the updated version, the latest one in App Store, and am running the latest iOS (12.3.1 at this writing). I don’t know if non-VoiceOver users run into these same issues; but, if they do, they aren’t chiming in. The app was working better, and was far more user friendly, before this update. If this is how it will stay, then there needs to be a tutorial. I will try reinstalling the app; and, if that makes a significant difference, I will update this review. Update: Originally gave it 3 stars; now down to 1. You just _ruined it for VoiceOver users, and posssibly for others as well. I try to bring up an article that appeared in my notifications two or three days ago (before this update), which I am just now having time to read. The article doesn’t come up at all, and the only things that _do come up are late-breaking (maybe) news articles. Nowhere in this new version do I find a way to bring up the notifications. In-app settings are of no use now. It tells you to turn notifications on or off for specific topics; but, the topics are not displayed with toggles to turn them on or off. Before updating it again, try navigating it with your eyes closed! If there were a way to go back to the previous version—which was better than the one that prompted my previous review (above)—I would do it in a heartbeat. Yet another update: July 11, 2021. Back to 3 stars, reluctantly. The latest version trades one set of problems for another, at least for VoiceOver users. Now, if one wishes to modify in-app notification settings, the toggles for enabling or disabling the items frequently either don’t work or don’t come up at all. The Search function (for finding stories) isn’t working at all. At times, if one clicks on a category, it doesn’t come up. If one is a long way down in an article, scrolling back to the top is a real pain now. At least for this user, trying to navigate the current weather forecast—which, apparently, is associated with a video—the text jumps around wildly, and then pauses long enough for my screen to lock, unless I go into my phone’s settings and increase the length of time before AutoLock engages. Then, when I unlock the screen again, the text has moved to a point much nearer the end, and I have missed much of the forecast. I think the app would work much better—for _all users—if the graphics were minimized or eliminated entirely, or there were an item in Settings to minimize or maximize graphics. In this case, turning Screen Recognition (a VoiceOver setting intended to improve accessibility) on for this app doesn’t help. They intrude into the text, making reading and navigation difficult. Sometimes, even the in-app settings do not come up. Reinstalling the app and restarting my phone haven’t helped. I am running the latest version of both iOS and the app. May 15, 2023: Today, I received a notification concerning configuring the weather settings. I wondered why I hadn’t been receiving weather notifications recently from CBS42. When I attempted to reconfigure the weather settings, I found them not to be VoiceOver friendly. The column that displays all of the notification categories is read straight through, followed by the “enabled” and “disabled” buttons (none of whose toggles are working). On scrolling to the weather notifications, there is no way to tell whether “current location” will show, or whether Fahrenheit or Celsius is selected. Finally, the final items, dealing with automatically showing videos and with using Wi-Fi only, will not toggle. Please fix! Of course, I am grateful that the entire app was re-designed a couple of years ago, and that some of the maddening issues I mentioned above are no longer there. But, knowing how important it is to have accurate weather information, these bugs need to be fixed. the “current location” ### 3/5 — Worked Better Before Latest Update *2021-07-11, version 41.2.1* In previous versions of the app, if I received a notification, I was not only able to read that article with ease, but was also able to _easily go to the next article with a simple swipe, until I reached the end of a group; then, I could hit “Back”, scroll down to the next group, open that article, and easily access the articles in _that group. You say that this new version is _easier to work with? That’s a _joke! Frequently, if I try to access an article that originally appeared in Newsfeed, the text jumps around wildly, rendering it impossible to read. I can’t vouch for the live stream, as I’m not often available when the live newscasts are streaming. And _no _one explains the settings pertaining to Newsfeed: something about “Bell Ring on/off”, or “notify on this topic?”. Equally frustrating: when I _do try to access articles subsequent to the ones that appear in Notifications, more often than not, I receive an alert saying “Your app needs to be updated in order to take advantage of new push notification features”. That’s funny. I’m already running the updated version, the latest one in App Store, and am running the latest iOS (12.3.1 at this writing). I don’t know if non-VoiceOver users run into these same issues; but, if they do, they aren’t chiming in. The app was working better, and was far more user friendly, before this update. If this is how it will stay, then there needs to be a tutorial. I will try reinstalling the app; and, if that makes a significant difference, I will update this review. Update: Originally gave it 3 stars; now down to 1. You just _ruined it for VoiceOver users, and posssibly for others as well. I try to bring up an article that appeared in my notifications two or three days ago (before this update), which I am just now having time to read. The article doesn’t come up at all, and the only things that _do come up are late-breaking (maybe) news articles. Nowhere in this new version do I find a way to bring up the notifications. In-app settings are of no use now. It tells you to turn notifications on or off for specific topics; but, the topics are not displayed with toggles to turn them on or off. Before updating it again, try navigating it with your eyes closed! If there were a way to go back to the previous version—which was better than the one that prompted my previous review (above)—I would do it in a heartbeat. Yet another update: July 11, 2021. Back to 3 stars, reluctantly. The latest version trades one set of problems for another, at least for VoiceOver users. Now, if one wishes to modify in-app notification settings, the toggles for enabling or disabling the items frequently either don’t work or don’t come up at all. The Search function (for finding stories) isn’t working at all. At times, if one clicks on a category, it doesn’t come up. If one is a long way down in an article, scrolling back to the top is a real pain now. At least for this user, trying to navigate the current weather forecast—which, apparently, is associated with a video—the text jumps around wildly, and then pauses long enough for my screen to lock, unless I go into my phone’s settings and increase the length of time before AutoLock engages. Then, when I unlock the screen again, the text has moved to a point much nearer the end, and I have missed much of the forecast. I think the app would work much better—for _all users—if the graphics were minimized or eliminated entirely, or there were an item in Settings to minimize or maximize graphics. In this case, turning Screen Recognition (a VoiceOver setting intended to improve accessibility) on for this app doesn’t help. They intrude into the text, making reading and navigation difficult. Sometimes, even the in-app settings do not come up. Reinstalling the app and restarting my phone haven’t helped. I am running the latest version of both iOS and the app. ### 1/5 — New version is a bloated nuisance *2021-07-02* The latest updates to the CBS42 weather app have turned a fairly functional app into a bloated waste of time. I would prefer to go back to the old app. Will be looking to replace it with another local weather app that sends real time alerts. ### 5/5 — Weather *2021-03-26* We had Tornado watch’s and warnings for my area, I didn’t get any notification on my phone, had the other apps went off ### 1/5 — Bad design; sells my info *2021-03-05* Not a fan of the new design. The headlines are impossible to read and the thumbnails are too small. Not a fan that your app sells my information to third parties by default. Shame on you. ### 5/5 — Updated *2021-02-25* It keeps me updated. ## Frequently asked questions about Alabama's 42 ### What does the CBS 42 - AL News & Weather app do? The app provides local news, weather updates, and community journalism for Central Alabama. It delivers top stories from daily broadcasts, real-time developing news, and detailed weather information including forecasts, live alerts, and an interactive radar map. ### What are the key features of the CBS 42 - AL News & Weather app? Key features include watching video reports from reporters, reading articles on community events, detailed weather forecasts with live alerts and an interactive radar map, optional breaking news alerts, and the ability to save stories for later access. ### Is the CBS 42 - AL News & Weather app free to use? Yes, the app is free to download and use. It is supported by advertisements, which are displayed within the application. ### What kind of weather information does the app provide? The app offers detailed weather conditions for planning your day and week. It includes live alerts for severe weather and an interactive radar map to track weather patterns. ### Who is the target audience for this news app? This app is designed for individuals living in or interested in Central Alabama who want to stay informed about local news, weather, and community happenings from a trusted local news source. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 510.0.1 — 2026-08-11 We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance. ### 509.1.0 — 2026-08-07 We’ve fixed some bugs and improved general performance. ### 509.0.0 — 2026-07-07 We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance. ### 508.0.0 — 2026-05-20 We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance. ### 507.0.0 — 2026-04-22 We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance. ## Apps similar to Alabama's 42 | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [WVTM 13 - Birmingham](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wvtm-13-birmingham/id938432911) | 4.6 (2,429) | Free | News | | [WBRC 6 News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wbrc-6-news/id449660326) | 4.6 (6,737) | Free | News | | [ABC 3340 News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abc-3340-news/id404886622) | 4.8 (756) | Free | News | | [FOX54 WZDX News Huntsville](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fox54-wzdx-news-huntsville/id1496847389) | 4.8 (476) | Free | News | | [AL.com](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alcom/id419876008) | 4.5 (15,258) | Free | News | | [WVUA 23 News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wvua-23-news/id6463145340) | 4.0 (6) | Free | News | ## More apps by LIN Television Corporation - [WJHL Weather App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wjhl-weather-app/id383181663) - [ABC27 News \| WHTM-TV](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abc27-news-whtm-tv/id394896224) - [KHON2 News - Honolulu HI News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/khon2-news-honolulu-hi-news/id411526747) - [KOIN 6 News - Portland News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/koin-6-news-portland-news/id411685184) - [KSNT News - Topeka, KS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ksnt-news-topeka-ks/id411759231) - [KSN - Wichita News & Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ksn-wichita-news-and-weather/id411762914) All apps by LIN Television Corporation: https://appshunter.io/developer/488222083 ## Related topics [alabama news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/alabama-news) · [abc 3340](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/abc-3340) · [wvtm](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wvtm) · [birmingham news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/birmingham-news) · [the birmingham news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-birmingham-news) · [wcbi news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wcbi-news) · [wbrc](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wbrc) · [DA42](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/da42) · [cbs network](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cbs-network) · [wbrc fox6 news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wbrc-fox6-news) · [alabama news network](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/alabama-news-network) · [14 news weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/14-news-weather) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-14.*