The Gazette became a peripheral part of an investigation of alleged improper activities in the athletic department of Hoover High School.

Hunter Ford, a reporter and columnist for the Gazette since its first edition, appeared on the Paul Finebaum syndicated sports talk radio program on June 19, 2007.

After Hoover School Superintendent Andy Craig announced an investigation of the charges of misconduct within the athletic department, Ford appeared again on Finebaum's show on June 22 to address his comments from the previous show, apparently against the wishes of Gazette publisher John Junkin.

Shortly after Ford's interview, Junkin called Finebaum's show and, live and on the air, said that he wanted to "talk with my writer to address his future employment."

Ford continued to work at The Western Star, a weekly newspaper in adjoining Bessemer, then left the news business entirely the following year.