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Today’s daily horoscopes: April 29, 2024

Today brings a Venus change, and tomorrow it’s Mars, which is a logical order in the “ladies first” kind of way. Both Venus and Mars are returning to their favorite places — Mars to the warrior realm of Aries and Venus to the first sign she rules: sensual, beautiful Taurus. These comfortable returns are harbingers of good fortune and healthy relationships.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). An idea can be every bit as dramatic as the main character in the drama — in fact, the idea just may be the main character today. It will have as much credence as you give it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a fine line between an independent spirit and stubbornness. “The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.” — Henry Ward Beecher

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Worry won’t do you any good and could in fact wear on your immune system. On a spiritual level, worry restricts the flow of good fortune. Stress dissipates when you have a plan on paper that makes sense to you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Money can be a strangely emotional commodity because it’s never really about the paper it’s printed on. We buy and sell because we’re emotional about money, though this approach is not particularly helpful. Buy and sell based on data. Moods will come and go, but the facts will remain.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The apathetic may not be the enemy, rather, they are uninformed. They just don’t see what’s at stake. Change will happen when people understand things differently. You’ll earn trust by educating without pushing an agenda.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Some things are not meant for pursuit. For instance, chasing things such as happiness and love only makes them run. It may seem the more desirable a thing is, the less attainable it is, but don’t let that stop you. Attraction is the way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Though not one for reveling in others’ misfortunes, the woes of a tragic figure of entertainment or someone in your social circle can make you appreciate your own lot — imperfect, yes, but certainly better off than many.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Balance will be restored. A bit of dialogue and those with surplus will share with those in need, restoring equilibrium. If there’s a question, it will boil down to this: If it seems too good to be true, it is.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Even if you’ve got no news, reaching out to loved ones is worthwhile. You’ll be amazed at the serendipitous tidbits that surface in unstructured conversations.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). So few people are patient these days, and so many rely on patience from others and would be left behind or run over without it. This inequity is why the world desperately needs your patience.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). In new circumstances, take a moment to orient yourself. Knowing your North Star will be key to getting anywhere at all. Without this step, even the best map can’t help.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’re doing your best with your current understanding. You’ll soon know better, do better and miss the stage you’re at right now. So love it while you’re here.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 29). It’s a year in which you cannot help but push the boundaries of what’s possible. You will awe an audience. You will be both accomplished and quite humble because the work you do will be more fulfilling than ego gratification. More highlights: Lovely relationships enhance many realms of your life at once. You’ll save record amounts, and a group will make you their leader. Virgo and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 2, 14, 1 and 34.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Touted as the undisputed king of comedy, Jerry Seinfeld proves he’s in it for the love by returning time and time again to stand-up. And though he’s born into the sign of money and has record-breaking syndication contracts, the world’s richest comedian is motivated by laughter over dollars. On birthdays, Seinfeld quips: “You know you’re getting old when you get just one candle on the cake. It’s like — see if you can blow this out.”

Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

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Ask Amy: How does agnostic turn down friend’s baptism invitation?

Dear Amy: My friend “Tina” and I have been friends since college and are now in our 50s. When we met we were members of a campus religious organization, however as the years passed we both drifted away from our religious affiliations. I now would call myself agnostic.

Recently, Tina had a difficult break-up with a significant other. Since the split she has returned to religion and now mentions it often, which makes me somewhat uncomfortable, as it seems she may be trying to get me back in the fold.

Over Easter, she went to church and decided that she wanted to be baptized. She scheduled it at a friend’s church three hours away.

She said she would like for me to go, however, I explained that I would not be able to attend due to the short notice.

She was forced to cancel due to a family emergency, but then told me that she would reschedule her baptism so that I could plan on attending.

The problem is, I don’t have any desire to go. While I don’t begrudge her any comfort her faith is bringing her, I am not interested and don’t want to feel pressured to participate.

How do I back out gracefully without hurting her feelings?

– Agnostic

Dear Agnostic: I believe that in this context, honesty is not only called for, but it is also the most graceful way to handle this.

You need to state a version of the following: “I’m very happy for you to have renewed your faith, but over the years we’ve known each other, I’ve made my own choice about religion and don’t participate. I won’t be at your baptism ceremony, but I hope it is a joyous event for you, and I wish you all the very best as you move forward in your faith.”

You can’t really control your friend’s response to this, but while she has the right to affirm her faith, you also have the right to affirm your own stand on religion. Neither of you should proselytize, and you should determine to carry on in an attitude of mutual respect.

You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.

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‘American Idol’ sends one Alabama singer home, leaving one in Top 8

It was too good to last and it didn’t: The Top 10 of “American Idol” included two singers from Alabama, but Sunday night’s episode whittled that down to a Top 8 that included only one of them.

Tristan Harper of McIntosh and Mia Matthews of Centre, along with the rest of the field, got some coaching from superstar Shania Twain. Here’s how things played out, and who’s left to represent the state.

Mia Matthews

What Shania Twain said: As the multiple Grammy winner listened to Matthews singing one of Twain’s hits, Twain pushed her to make it her own and use her higher range. “I could hear that she could get there,” she said. “Why would you shy away from that?” she asked Matthews. “It’s easy for you.”

What she sang: “No One Needs to Know,” a bouncy, upbeat No. 1 country hit for Twain in 1996. Matthews seemed to have spent some time working on the advice she got in the previous episode, when celebrity judge Katy Perry encouraged her to move more. She ditched the guitar and got down to it: Both in terms of body motion and movement around the stage, this was her most dynamic performance so far, by a long shot.

What Luke Bryan said: “We’ve gotten rid of the guitar, we’ve got you moving around the stage, dancing. … And now I just think it’s about you getting comfortable being a bunch of different characters within country.”

What Katy Perry said: Most of her commentary was for Bryan. She scolded him for mentioning that Matthews had flubbed a lyric or two. To Matthews, she said, “You looked great, you sounded great, you moved around the stage like you were trying to impress someone. So I hope he comes to the next few shows.”

What Lionel Richie said: “I caught you thinking on that song,” he said. “But it’s okay. What you’re doing now is growing, you understand, and there are going to be some awkward moments. And by the way, just remember one thing: The crowd did not come to rehearsal, so people like Luke don’t have to tell you you messed up!”

Triston Harper

What Shania Twain said: “I know it’s country, but you have a lot of soul. Your voice is amazing.” Twain said she related to Harper’s tough childhood, when he and his mother struggled with homelessness. “Triston and I have a connection of displacement,” she said. “In my case, we lived in battered women’s shelters. I can understand growing up with the hardships.” She said she saw in him a kindred spirit who’d started out playing for a few bucks that might make a difference and who was now learning to perform for the joy of it.

What he sang: “She’s Country,” a song that became a hit for Jason Aldean in 2009. Harper got much the same advice as Matthews in the previous round, and he too seemed to have taken it to heart: He was more animated and moved around much more on the stage.

What Katy Perry said: “That was a big, big star performance and you incorporated the notes from last week, thank you for being a student of this game.”

What Luke Bryan said: “You trying to out-gyrate me? Hey. Heavy lies the crown, when you start that. Once you start it, it’s hard to make it go away.”

What Lionel Richie said: “Did I just see the Triston strut? … Be careful now. Be careful. That was good.”

The vote

After the final commercial break, it was time for host Ryan Seacrest to reveal the results of the night’s live voting. Almost 21 million votes had come in, he said.

As usual, the results were presented in “no particular order.” But Harper was the first to learn he was advancing to the next round. For Mia Matthews and her fans, the suspense built until seven names had been called and she was left standing with Kayko and Emmy Russell. It was Russell who was the last called to move on to the next round.

What comes next

In the episode airing Monday, April 29, each singer will perform “one of three songs secretly selected by Luke, Katy and Lionel, who are each competing for most songs chosen.” The vote will move six singers forward, and judges will make one save to round out the Top 7. “American Idol” airs at 7 p.m. Central time Sundays and Mondays on ABC. New episodes become available for streaming on Hulu the day after they air.

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Four-year-old shot to death in Huntsville Sunday

A four-year-old child was shot to death Sunday morning in Huntsville.

Madison County Coroner Tyler Berryhill said the child was pronounced dead shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday at Huntsville Hospital after suffering a gunshot wound at a residence.

Berryhill referred any further questions to Huntsville police. Attempts to reach police for comment were not immediately successful.

An autopsy has been ordered and will be performed this week.

“At this time, the investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this incident and how these events transpired,” Berryhill said in a statement.

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Country star ignores iconic hits, angers fans at festival: ‘Let’s do something strange and weird’

Fans who expected Eric Church to perform a rowdy set filled with iconic hits were left scratching their heads — or expressing feelings of anger and frustration — this weekend at the Stagecoach Festival.

The country star headlined Friday night at the prestigious event in Indio, California. But Church’s 75-minute show was a sedate acoustic affair that belied his reputation as a rollicking star who can raise a beer and rock the house with the best of ‘em.

“After a lengthy church organ played as the intro, Church appeared seated on a stool in front of stunning set of red stained glass windows on the production screen and began playing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ before he was joined by backing vocalists for ‘Mistress Named Music,’ then a choir for ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,’ ‘This Little Light Of Mine,’ ‘When The Saints Go Marching In,’ ‘I’ll Fly Away,’ ‘I Saw The Light’ and more,” said Brian Blueskye, a reporter for the Palm Springs Desert Sun.

“The unplugged jam session sent festivalgoers for the exit of the Empire Polo Club starting about 15 minutes in, a sight that could be best described as Moses parting the Red Sea,” Blueskye said. “It was a surprising move by Church, considering his recent setlists appear to be in line with the type of show many were probably expecting him to perform.”

Church, 46, has plenty of barn-burners in his catalog, including “Smoke a Little Smoke,” “Beer in My Hand,” “Hell of a View,” “Talladega,” “Bad Mother Trucker,” “Springsteen” and more. But his Stagecoach set, which held nearly 30 songs, was focused on covers — many of them gospel-oriented, but also tunes such as “Danny’s Song,” ” I Am … I Said,” “California Love” and “Gin and Juice.”

Although Church did toss in a rendition of “Springsteen” as a closer at Stagecoach, it evidently was too little, too late for many folks in attendance.

“While I was excited when he did finally play a slightly understated version of ‘Springsteen’ to close the show, even that had a certain ‘here’s one little hit, as a treat’ quality that felt off-putting and possibly even insulting,” said Paul Albani-Burgio of USA Today. “Furthermore, it was distracting to spend so much of the set wondering where it was going (and not really in a good way), so in the very least Church, who only spoke about four words to the crowd, could’ve at least taken some time to explain some of his thinking at some point.”

As it turns out, Church was making some deliberate artistic choices with his Stagecoach set, and his primary goal at the festival wasn’t to be a crowd-pleaser. Several news outlets, including Billboard and Variety, have reported that the country star issued a statement after the show that said:

“This was the most difficult set I have ever attempted. I’ve always found that taking it back to where it started, back to chasing who Bob Seger loves, who Springsteen loves, who Willie Nelson loves, you chase it back to the origin. The origin of all that is still the purest form of it. And we don’t do that as much anymore. It felt good at this moment to go back, take a choir and do that.

“For me, it’s always been something with records, with performances, I’ve always been the one that’s like, ‘let’s do something really, really strange and weird and take a chance.’ Sometimes it doesn’t work, but it’s okay if you’re living on that edge, because that edge, that cutting edge, is where all the new guys are going to gravitate to anyway. So if you can always challenge yourself that way, it always cuts sharper than any other edge.”

It’s unclear if Church will opt for a similar set in Alabama this summer when he appears as a headliner at Rock the South, but he’s been known to defy conventions before. Church invoked fan ire with his short setlist at the 2023 CMA Fest, for example, playing revised arrangements of his songs with a new configuration of his band.

Church’s Stagecoach show quickly inspired a social media controversy over the weekend, with polarized fans weighing in on the flaws or virtues of his performance. While many sounded outraged or disappointed, other fans applauded Church for stepping outside the box and following his personal muse.

“The 70,000 festival attendees will definitely not lack for anything to talk, or argue, about for the rest of the weekend,” Variety said, “and the debate will also continue among the many more fans who watched the livestream on Prime Video and Amazon’s Twitch channel.”

Here’s a sampling of fan reactions:

“Worst set ever Eric Church!!! People paid a lot of money to see you, and you brought this garbage!!!! Booooo!!!!” Josh Henderson said on Facebook.

“You people obviously don’t have much experience with or know his live shows. Chief has always marched to the beat of his own drum, and no two of his shows are alike,” @MattSteffy4 said on X (formerly Twitter). “He also doesn’t do a cookie cutter greatest hits concert. He does covers, deep cuts etc.”

“I love Eric Church but that set was a HUGE disappointment,” said Amy Dawn on Facebook. “Not sure who approved that set list but I hope y’all learn from this one to never let that happen again. We pay too much money to see these headliners and we want to hear their songs. That was just insane last night, never seen so many people walk out of a concert in all the years I’ve been coming to Stagecoach.”

“I watched it the live stream and it was one of my favorite performances of Eric’s!!! I hope he puts an album out like that or with the same songs! It was so good!” said @mfeeman88 on Instagram.

“How do I get a refund from you for that disaster of a show last night at stagecoach?” @campbellelynuik said on Instagram.

“Eric Church was incredible! Unexpected and execution was awesome. Those gospel singers are talented! Loved every minute of it,” said Danielle DeRose on Facebook.

“MorganWallen could walk out Sunday, throw a chair off the stage and leave. It would still be better than @ericchurch was tonight at @Stagecoach,” @CoopScoops_8 said on X.

“That Eric Church set at Stagecoach was incredible. So naturally everybody hated it,” said @_AaronRyan on X.

“Jelly Roll should’ve been the headliner,” Amber Sanchez said on Facebook. “He had us up and ready to go then everyone walked out with Eric taking us to church. Not cool. Yes he can sing but no one at Stagecoach wanted to be in church, drunk on a Friday night.”

“I loved it thoroughly, Eric basically had Church with small choir and some of the best gospel singers I’ve heard,” Steve Nelson said on Facebook. “All of his performance was wonderful, heartfelt and full of content, however far from his typical hits. The festival fans showed their disapproval to his gospel theme set by leaving early, but not me. He included Kenny Loggins, Neil Diamond, Journey and closed out the night with only one of his most recent hits. I loved that he took creative risk. Somewhat surprised his fans were quick to dump him over what I thought Eric was known for, pushing boundaries and showing artistic freedom. The musician, backup singers and Eric put on a great show.”

“Wrong place wrong time. Two thumbs down for me,” @fred_castro_777 said on Instagram.

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One wounded at Sunday Huntsville apartment shooting

Huntsville police were on the scene of a shooting Sunday of a shooting where one person was wounded.

Huntsville police said officers responded to Huntsville Place Apartments, on Century Street Northwest, to investigate a shots fired call.

One victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The victim was transported to the hospital in a friend’s vehicle.

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UFL Week 5: League loses suspense with 4 road winners

The United Football League has quickly built a reputation for close, down-to-wire competition. But its four Week 5 games did nothing to burnish that image.

The closest contest finished with a 10-point margin. And even in a league with a 3-point conversion available, that’s a two-possession game.

There were no upsets as the team with the better record won each game in Week 5 even though all the victories came on the road:

· The San Antonio Brahmas ran for 190 yards and scored the game’s final 10 points in a 25-15 victory over the Arlington Renegades on Saturday night. San Antonio offset Arlington quarterback Luis Perez’s 270 passing yards with two touchdown runs by John Lovett.

· Birmingham stayed unbeaten as quarterback Adrian Martinez piled up 138 rushing yards on nine carries in the Stallions’ 32-9 victory over the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday night.

· St. Louis intercepted three passes, blocked two punts, made two fourth-down stops and recovered a fumble as the Battlehawks beat D.C. 45-12 to pin the first home loss on the Defenders in franchise history on Sunday.

· Michigan running back Wes Hills became the first UFL player this season with three rushing touchdowns in one game during the Panthers’ 35-18 victory over the Memphis Showboats on Sunday. Memphis quarterback Troy Williams passed for 248 yards and three touchdowns, including an 82-yarder to wide receiver Daewood Davis. But Williams also threw two interceptions, and the Showboats lost two fumbles, too.

Twenty-one players from Alabama high schools and colleges are on the rosters of the United Football League teams:

San Antonio Brahmas 25, Arlington Renegades 15

· Renegades tight end Sal Cannella (Auburn) had six receptions for 40 yards.

· Renegades defensive lineman Davonte Lambert (Auburn) did not play. A calf injury kept Lambert sidelined.

· Renegades guard Chris Owens (Alabama) did not play.

· Brahmas offensive lineman John Yarbrough (Homewood) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

Birmingham Stallions 32, Houston Roughnecks 9

· Roughnecks linebacker Christopher Allen (Alabama) made two tackles in his UFL debut.

· Roughnecks tight end Braedon Bowman (South Alabama) caught a 1-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds left in the first half and made a tackle on special teams.

· Stallions guard Deonte Brown (Austin, Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Cam Carter (Minor) started at left offensive tackle for the Roughnecks.

· Roughnecks linebacker Reuben Foster (Auburn High, Alabama) made four tackles.

· Stallions wide receiver Marlon Williams (McGill-Toolen) had two receptions for 22 yards.

St. Louis Battlehawks 45, D.C. Defenders 12

· Defenders defensive lineman T.J. Barnes (Enterprise) made two tackles.

· Defenders long snapper/tight end Trae Barry (Spanish Fort, Jacksonville State) made a tackle on special teams.

· Battlehawks quarterback AJ McCarron (St. Paul’s Episcopal, Alabama) completed 14-of-24 passes for 213 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. McCarron had touchdown passes to wide receiver Hakeem Butler of 13 yards with 8:07 left in the first quarter and 80 yards with 9:00 remaining in the game.

· Battlehawks quarterback Brandon Silvers (Gulf Shores, Troy) did not play.

Michigan Panthers 35, Memphis Showboats 18

· Showboats wide receiver Dee Anderson (Alabama A&M) did not play.

· Showboats defensive tackle Connor Christian (Jacksonville State) did not play.

· Panthers outside linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd (Alabama A&M) did not play. A knee injury kept Floyd sidelined.

· Showboats cornerback T.J. Green (Sylacauga) tied for the team lead with six tackles.

· Panthers defensive tackle Garrett Marino (UAB) made two tackles, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble. The Showboats’ first possession ended when Marino recovered a fumble by quarterback Troy Williams at the Showboats 39-yard line to set up the first touchdown of the game.

· Showboats linebacker TJ Neal (Auburn) tied for the team lead with six tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.

· Showboats tight end Wes Saxton Jr. (Hueytown, South Alabama) did not record any stats.

· Showboats tight end Jay Jay Wilson (Auburn) made a tackle on special teams and recovered a muffed punt at the Michigan 7-yard line. The turnover set up a Panthers’ touchdown with 9:54 left in the third quarter.

In Week 6 games:

· The Stallions (5-0) and Showboats (1-4) square off at 11 a.m. CDT Saturday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. ABC will televise the game.

· The Roughnecks (1-4) and Battlehawks (4-1) meet at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. FOX will televise the game.

· The Renegades (0-5) and Panthers (3-2) play at noon Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit. FOX will televise the game.

· The Brahmas (4-1) and Defenders (2-3) play at 3 p.m. Sunday at Audi Field in Washington. FOX will televise the game.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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Afternoon dispute in Ensley neighborhood leads to shots fired; 1 dead

A Sunday afternoon argument in Ensley left one man dead.

Shots rang out about 3:30 p.m. on Avenue I in a neighborhood just off 18th Street in Ensley,

Police said the victim, whose identity has not been released, was hanging out with several people when a dispute broke out. An unidentified suspect fired at least nine shots and fled.

The victim collapsed on Avenue I, in front of a house and some vehicles. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Authorities said it’s possible the dispute stemmed from a dice game.

The man is Birmingham’s 44th homicide this year. Of those, four have been ruled justifiable and therefore aren’t deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 64 homicides, including the 44 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

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AJ McCarron, Battlehawks break beer-snake hex

The beer snake witnessed its first loss on Sunday as an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback AJ McCarron to wide receiver Hakeem Butler broke open the St. Louis Battlehawks’ 45-12 victory over the D.C. Defenders at Audi Field in Washington.

Dating to the XFL’s aborted 2020 season, D.C. had not lost a home game until Sunday. Audi Field, where the beer snake is a tradition in the end-zone bleachers, had been the scene of 10 straight victories for the Defenders – three in 2020, six in 2023 and one this season.

“Just a huge win for this team,” St. Louis coach Anthony Becht said. “All three phases played their butts off today, man. … When you can go out and play great defense, great offense and great special teams against a team that, quite frankly, has had our number.”

St. Louis scored four fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Defenders’ possessions in the final period ended with a fumble, a fourth-down failure, an interception, a fourth-down failure and a blocked punt.

After the Battlehawks defense held on a fourth-and-2 run with 9:12 remaining, McCarron connected with Butler on the longest play in the United Football League this season and the longest in franchise history to send St. Louis galloping toward its fourth win in a row by the largest margin in Battlehawks’ history.

The final score might have been even more lopsided, but after St. Louis came away with two interceptions and a blocked punt in the first quarter, the Battlehawks offense could get only field goals in the rest of the half after McCarron started the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Butler with 8:07 left in the opening period.

Consequently, St. Louis led only 17-12 at halftime.

After a strip sack of D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu opened the fourth quarter, the Battlehawks needed to move only 36 yards to stretch their lead to 26-12 on running back Wayne Gallman II’s score from 1 yard out. After the 80-yard touchdown, St. Louis took possession on the D.C. 9 on linebacker Mike Rose’s interception, and running back Jacob Saylors swept into the end zone on the next snap.

On Gallman’s touchdown, St. Louis had its third offensive-line injury of the game, and with only two reserves, the Battlehawks had to cobble together their line with ailing players for the rest of the game.

“We thought we had to slide one of my tight ends down to play tackle, and we didn’t flinch,” Becht said. “Now, he flinched when I told him that.”

After Saylors’ touchdown, McCarron took a seat. Backup Manny Wilkins Jr. finished the game and got a 5-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds to play.

“It’s like pulling teeth trying to get AJ out of the game,” Becht said, “but I’m glad I get to make that decision ultimately. But he’s just such a competitor.”

The former Alabama All-American completed 14-of-24 passes for 213 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions on Sunday.

“AJ, toughing it out, man,” Becht said. “He took some big hits today. The guy’s a warrior. This is why he came back – for this game, for the goals we’re trying to reach this season.”

St. Louis is tied for the lead in the XFL Conference at 4-1 with the San Antonio Brahmas. The Battlehawks defeated San Antonio 31-24 on April 14.

St. Louis plays the visiting Houston Roughnecks at 2 p.m. CDT Saturday at the Dome at America’s Center. FOX will televise the game.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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Mannequin falls onto race course at Barber Motorsports: ‘You’ve gotta be kidding me’

Drivers at Sunday’s Children’s of Alabama IndyCar Grand Prix probably got a shock, thanks to the unexpected appearance of a mannequin within inches of the track.

“Georgina,” a mannequin formerly attached to a bridge at Barber, came untied and fell to the ground, triggering a caution in lap 52 of the race, according to Road & Track.

“Not a real person, we need to point out right away,” announcers for the race pointed out. “This is part of the eccentric part of what populates Barber Motorsports Park.”

“You gotta be kidding me,” said one announcer.

Georgina has been a longtime fixture at the park, dangling over the course as though hanging from the bottom of the bridge.

In 2017, park creator George Barber told INDYCAR that Georgina “likes the view from bridge and she’s decided that she’s going to stay there until one of these drivers slows down enough for her to drop right down into the cockpit with him. She’s a real attractive southern lady.”

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