General News

General

Today’s daily horoscopes: April 30, 2025

The Venus change reminds us that happiness isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience — it shifts depending on context and needs. Among the different ways happiness can manifest today: a room full of people you love (because connections are a source of joy), a room full of people you don’t know yet (because potential encounters are exciting) or a room full of just you (because there’s nothing like the glorious solitude of commanding your own space and time).

ARIES (March 21-April 19). With all you’re balancing, intentional breaks could be the key to sustaining your momentum. Even short ones, like a quiet walk, a day to recharge or a moment of solitude, could make a huge difference.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Even the hard-boiled pragmatist you know will soften and bend to your whimsical charms — because, bottom line, you’re fun. Life’s just more interesting when you let that carefree part of yourself take the lead.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). No matter how well you think you know someone, there’s always more to discover. New people entering the scene will act as catalysts, revealing different sides of those you thought you knew well.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re not ready to tackle the problem just yet — at least, not in action. But in thought, you’re making major strides. This is a crucial stage! Your strategic brainstorming and inspired notions will be nothing short of brilliant.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll find yourself in a position to give intuitive service — a spontaneous, unplanned act of attention that makes a difference. Caring about a person’s preferences and how they need things done suggests deep presence, empathy and a rare kind of generosity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’re not avoiding on purpose — your mind’s just trying to keep you safe. Distraction is fear in disguise, a clever excuse fear uses to stop you from committing to what you really want. Breathe. You can begin from here.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Problems don’t have to drain you. It’s the approach that makes all the difference. Curiosity gives you energy, but the trick is to be just interested enough to keep things light so you don’t get overwhelmed. Drama is optional — who needs it?

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You look at the same view as everyone, but what it means to you is entirely different. And that difference? Gold. If you stay silent, an essential voice goes missing. Speak up. Let them shift to meet the truth only you can offer.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You find life exciting without needing any adrenaline-fueled add-ons. Your curious mind naturally gravitates toward subjects of deep fascination — and what you discover might just leave you awe-struck.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your knowledge of cause and effect includes the understanding that not every result is immediate, visible, typical or even logical. By articulating a need, you will also come to know its cost a bit better. This may lead to you changing what you ask for.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s a day to avoid micromanagement. Many assessments aren’t necessary for things to proceed well. Relax and observe, resisting the need to judge every detail, which would be an unnecessary energy expenditure.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). All creations have their own lives outside of their creators. You’ll never know the whole of what happens as a direct or indirect effect of your contribution because the ripple goes so wide, it will still be resonating years from now.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 30). Whether internal or external, any existing blocks to the flow of love and goodness will lift this year. You will freely accept all bounty, compliments, tenderness and support from the world in full knowledge that you either deserve it or will. More highlights: One you admire takes notice and offers you something priceless. A creative endeavor blooms in unexpected ways, and a lucrative career shift will have rewards beyond financial. Romantic sparks fly. Taurus and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 10, 22, 1 and 30.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Whether she’s playing Wonder Woman, a defender of all that’s good or the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White,” Gal Gadot brings all the grace and integrity her Venus-ruled sign is known for to the role. The recent Hollywood Walk of Fame star recipient was born when the sun was in Taurus and Venus and Mercury were in the high-energy warrior sign of Aries, lending athleticism and fiery action.

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 creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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Tuesday soccer roundup: Mountain Brook, Russellville boys, Westminster Christian girls advance

Second-ranked Mountain Brook knocked off Class 6A No. 1 Homewood at home on Tuesday with a 3-1 win to advance to the AHSAA quarterfinals against No. 7 Gardendale.

“It was a battle – as it should have been, with No. 1 vs. No. 2,” Mountain Brook coach Joe Webb said. “They have been No. 1 all year and they deserved to be there. They have been playing really, really well, but we got on a roll.

“Now, we have to get ready on a short turnaround to play Gardendale on Thursday.”

The Spartans jumped to a 2-0 first-half lead and led 3-0 before a late goal from the Patriots.

Davis Echols put Mountain Brook (22-3-2) on top with a goal in the 15th minute. Carson Hahn followed that with a goal in the 38th minute for a 2-0 margin at the half. Harris Burson added the third Mountain Brook goal in the 55th minute.

Homewood (20-4-1) avoided the shutout with a Cooper Gillis goal in the 72nd minute.

Mountain Brook goalkeeper Griffin Lamkin had several saves on the night.

The Mountain Brook girls, ranked fifth, beat No. 1 Homewood 3-2 on Monday.

BOYS

Russellville 3, Westminster Christian 1

Russellville advanced to the second round of the Class 5A playoffs with a road victory over Westminster Christian on Tuesday,

Russellville will face Scottsboro or Guntersville in the third round of the playoffs.

The host Wildcats led 1-0 at halftime before the Golden Tigers used three second-half goals to seal the win.

John Mark Steele had the lone goal for Westminster in the loss.

GIRLS

Westminster Christian 8, Priceville 0

Class 5A No. 5 Westminster Christian blanked Priceville on Tuesday to advance to the third round of the Class 5A soccer playoffs.

The Wildcats will face Arab or Guntersville in the next round of the playoffs.

Eighth-grader Carson Heater led the Wildcats with three goals for a hat trick in the win, scoring all of her goals in the second half, while Ava Martinez had a pair of her own for Westminster.

Alondra Piers, Alex Menin and Gabby Dean also scored for the Wildcats in the home win.

Martinez and Menin had three assists each for Westminster.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

CLASS 1A/3A GIRLS

Collinsville (18-5-1) 4, Clements (14-3-1) 1

Glencoe (9-0-0) 9, Saks (6-3-0) 3

Tuscaloosa Academy 3, Glenwood (7-7-0) 1

Madison Academy 1, Whitesburg Christian 0

Lee-Scott Academy (14-4-0) 6, Altamont (7-9-1) 1

CLASS 4A GIRLS

Hokes Bluff (10-6-0) 2, White Plains (9-5-1) 1

St. John Paul II Catholic (15-1-2) 11, Haleyville (9-7-1) 0

Orange Beach (15-3-1) 10, New Brockton (14-4-1) 0

St. Luke’s Episcopal (13-6-0) 10, Geneva 0

Westminster-Oak Mountain (9-9-1) 1, Saint James (12-3-0) 0

CLASS 5A GIRLS

Springville (16-3-0) 4, John Carroll Catholic (10-7-5) 2

Westbrook Christian (14-6-2) 2, Jacksonville (12-7-0) 0

Guntersville (19-3-1) 2, Arab (13-12-0) 0

Westminster Christian (15-3-1) 8, Priceville (12-10-1) 0

St. Michael Catholic (17-2-3) 2, Faith Academy (15-3-3) 0

Elmore County (19-0-1) 3, Holtville (11-8-0) 2

Indian Springs (12-3-3) 6, Sylacauga (16-4-0) 0

Montgomery Catholic 3, American Christian 0

CLASS 6A GIRLS

Southside (20-2-1) 1, Fort Payne (17-5-1) 0

Spanish Fort (18-1-2) 4, St. Paul’s Episcopal (15-7-1) 1

Northridge (18-5-1) 2, Calera (12-6-1) 1

Briarwood Christian (11-7-0) at Spain Park (16-3-1), Tues., Apr. 29, 6 p.m.

CLASS 7A GIRLS

Vestavia Hills (17-2-4) 10, Prattville (6-11-1) 0

Thompson (17-5-1) 1, Oak Mountain (14-4-3) 0 (2 OT, Thompson won shootout 4-2)

James Clemens (13-1-3) 3, Huntsville (9-10-2) 0

Grissom (14-3-2) 2, Bob Jones (12-8-4) 1

Daphne (6-1) 3, Davidson (5-4) 0

McGill-Toolen Catholic (13-4-3) 1, Fairhope 0

Auburn (17-3-1) 2, Dothan (12-7-2) 0

Smiths Station (17-4-0) at Montgomery Academy (10-3-3)

FIRST-ROUND BOYS’ PAIRINGS (1A/3A, 4A, and 7A)

SECOND-ROUND BOYS’ PAIRINGS (5A and 6A)

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

CLASS 1A/3A BOYS

J.B. Pennington (6-8-0) at Weaver (9-5-1), Tues., Apr. 29, 6 p.m.

Sylvania at Tanner (16-5-1), Tues., Apr. 29, 6 p.m.

Cottage Hill Christian (2-2) at Providence Christian (14-0-0), Tues., Apr. 29, 6 p.m.

Houston Academy (20-1-3) 10, Mobile Christian (7-8-0) 2

Altamont (9-15-0) 2, Lee-Scott Academy (9-5-1) 1

CLASS 4A BOYS

Oneonta (9-4-2) 4, Talladega (11-8-0) 0

Hokes Bluff (9-7-1) at White Plains (13-6-1), Tues., Apr. 29, 7:30 p.m.

Westminster-Oak Mountain (16-5-1) 2, Saint James (13-7-0) 1

Fultondale (10-11-4) at Trinity Presbyterian (13-3-0), Tues., Apr. 29, 7 p.m.

CLASS 5A BOYS

Springville (13-3-1) 1, Leeds (8-12-1) 0

Boaz (13-9-4) 4, Douglas (10-12-0) 2

Guntersville (22-4-1) 2, Scottsboro (9-12-4) 1

Russellville (9-5-3) 3, Westminster Christian (8-10-0) 1

St. Michael Catholic (19-7-1) 2, Faith Academy (15-3-1) 0

Charles Henderson (10-1-6) 2, Andalusia (6-6-2) 0

Demopolis (9-6-2) 2, Brewbaker Tech (10-13-3) 1

Indian Springs 2, Montevallo 0

CLASS 6A BOYS

Mountain Brook (22-3-2) 3, Homewood (21-4-1) 1

Gadsden City (9-10-1) at Southside (18-5-1), Tues., Apr. 29, 7:30 p.m.

Randolph (12-12-1) 3, Buckhorn (15-10-2) 2

Spanish Fort (19-3-4) 4, St. Paul’s Episcopal (15-6-2) 0

Calera (18-5-1) 2, Northridge (15-6-2) 0

Chelsea (19-4-0) 3, Briarwood Christian (18-6-0) 2

CLASS 7A BOYS

Prattville (18-3-1) 2, Hoover (18-3-1) 1

Grissom (13-7-3) at Florence (17-3-0), Tues., Apr. 29, 7 p.m.

Fairhope (10-7-1) 1, Baker (14-5-1) 0

Davidson (14-5-3) 2, Foley (5-9-0) 1

Auburn (13-7-0) 1, Dothan (12-8-2) 0

Montgomery Academy (15-5-2) 9, Central-Phenix City (7-6-0) 1

This post will be updated.

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General

Alabama lawmakers increase penalty for firing gun into home, building, or vehicle

Alabama lawmakers have given final passage to a bill to increase the penalty for firing a gun into a home or vehicle.

SB119 by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery, will also expand prohibitions on gun possession for people convicted of crimes.

The legislation is one of the public safety bills Gov. Kay Ivey said was a top goal during her state of the state address to open the legislative session back in February.

Under the bill, firing a gun into an occupied dwelling or building, automobile, truck, watercraft, or railroad car would be a Class A felony, punishable by 10 years to 99 years in prison.

The crime would be a Class C felony if the dwelling, building, or vehicle is not occupied. Class C felonies carry a penalty of one to 10 years in prison.

The House passed Barfoot’s bill by a vote of 66-0 with 37 abstentions. It passed the Senate 26-1 three weeks ago.

The bill now goes to Ivey, who can sign it into law.

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Central-Phenix City names new boys basketball coach

The sideline at Central-Phenix City High will have a new leader next season.

Following a unanimous vote by the Phenix City Board of Education, Steve Rogers has been appointed as the Red Devils’ new head basketball coach. Rogers arrives at Central after a successful stint at Booker T. Washington High in Tuskegee.

Rogers brings a wealth of experience to the Red Devils program with Central marking his third stop on his high school coaching journey.

He began his career at Prattville High School (2020-2022) before taking the job at BTW in 2023. His Booker T. Washington squad posted an impressive 28-5 record this past season. One of those five losses came against Central.

“They beat us pretty good, but it ultimately prepared us for the playoffs,” Rogers shared in a Tuesday evening phone interview. “Coach (Charles) Burkett and I both recognized the need for that level of competition, and we made the game happen. Now, I’m excited to join the Central program and build upon the foundation Coach Burkett has established.”

Rogers is keenly aware of the significant roster turnover facing the Red Devils, who will be without 11 of the 13 players from a team that reached the Final Four for three consecutive years, including a run to the Class 7A championship game in 2023.

“I understand that we’re essentially starting anew, but that’s a challenge I embrace,” Rogers said. “My coaching background includes building programs, and Central has always been a program that has interested me. I’ve long recognized the caliber of talent here, and I’m eager to get on campus and begin working with the team.”

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Nick Saban to join Donald Trump at University of Alabama commencement event

A potentially polarizing commencement event at the University of Alabama will now include one of the most beloved Alabama figure’s ever.

President Donald Trump announced last week that he would be giving a commencement address to the university’s graduating class of 2025.

On Tuesday, the school announced that Trump will be joined by former Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban.

“The ceremony will celebrate the UA class of 2025 and feature an address from President Donald J. Trump along with comments from UA President Stuart R. Bell and Nick Saban, former coach of the Crimson Tide football team,” the university said in a press release.

Bell stepped down earlier this year after 10 years.

The event is scheduled to take place Thursday at the University of Alabama at 6:30 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum.

While Trump chose to speak in Alabama, which has strongly supported him in the past three elections, the event is expected to draw many anti-Trump protests across Tuscaloosa including from the students and even prominent outsiders.

The UA College Democrats are slated to hold a protest dubbed, “Tide Against Trump,” on Thursday at Snow Hinton Park from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke and former Alabama U.S. Sen. Doug Jones are set to speak during the demonstration.

The student organization called Trump’s attendance an, “insult” and stated that, “UA is not a fascist playground.”

Trump, speaking on a conference call in support of the former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville’s U.S. Senate run in 2020, mentioned Saban in his remarks — but by the wrong name.

‘He’s great, Lou Saban, what a great job he’s done,” Trump said.

Saban has avoided politics, except in support of his childhood friend U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

The Alabama Democratic Party in 2024 hinted it would be open to Saban running for U.S. Senate under its banner against Tuberville.

Students eligible to graduate in the spring have priority seating along with their guests receiving free tickets to Thursday’s event.

Summer and fall graduates and their guests will also have access to free tickets. Remaining student body, faculty and staff will also have the opportunity to obtain tickets on a first come first serve basis.

The university added that the added security measures will be taken during the event and advised attendees to arrived early.

“Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least two hours early as enhanced security measures will be in place to ensure a safe event for all participants,” the university said. “Doors to the Coliseum will open at 3 p.m. Parking for attendees will be available in the Soccer Lot that can be accessed from University Boulevard with shuttle bus services to and from Coleman Coliseum.”

Bags brought into the coliseum have to be clear and a list of prohibited items can be viewed here.

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Houston Texans awarded former Alabama prep, Troy standout

Waived by the New England Patriots on Monday, center Jake Andrews is headed for the offseason program of the Houston Texans on Tuesday.

The NFL awarded Andrews to Houston as a waiver claim, the Texans announced.

The former Stanhope Elmore and Troy standout becomes the latest piece in the offseason overhaul of the Houston offensive line as he makes his way back after missing the 2024 season.

Of the five offensive linemen who played the most snaps for the Texans last season, only former Monroe County High School and Alabama State standout Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs remain.

Scruggs and fellow 2023 NFL Draft choice Jarrett Patterson are listed as center/guards on the Houston roster. The Texans have listed Andrews as a center.

While trading Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green and allowing Shaq Mason to reach free agency this offseason, Houston signed former Alabama All-American Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson as free agents.

A 2017 All-State selection at Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Andrews earned All-Sun Belt recognition in 2022 with Troy, where he played center and guard in five seasons with the Trojans.

A fourth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Andrews played in 16 games, with one start, as a rookie, when he had 70 offensive snaps and 50 special-teams plays.

At his second NFL training camp, Andrews sustained a meniscus injury and went on season-ending injured reserve on Aug. 5.

Andrews comes to the Texans with two seasons remaining on a four-year, $4.648 million contract.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

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

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NFL Hall of Famer slams Shedeur Sanders: ‘He threw away $30 to $50 million’

Cris Carter didn’t hold back when discussing Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

The NFL Hall of Famer, who appeared on the “Fully Loaded” podcast, said the former Colorado quarterback and son of Deion Sanders threw away $30 to $50 million during the pre-draft process.

“You’re going for a job interview,” he said of Sanders, who fell to the fifth round of the NFL Draft over the weekend. “He was so concerned about what his outfit was, his necklace was over 100 grand, he hadn’t even convinced people he was the face of their franchise,” Carter explained. “Matter of fact, he had convinced people they were better off going in a different direction even for people with lesser talent. He didn’t get drafted right, it’s no speculation … we’re through the draft, he threw away at least $30 to $50 million, at least.”

The draft slide, Carter contends, could have been avoided.

“Shedeur and his family, they overplayed their hand,” Carter said. “Them thinking that he was in the same evaluation mode as Eli Manning, they didn’t play that right. Them trying to narrow the teams that he was going to go to, that didn’t do right. Not working out at the combine, that wasn’t the right thing. His interview process—obviously he could have done a lot better in that. A lot of people left that meeting and felt he was very, very entitled.”

Carter added Shedeur Sanders was good enough to be drafted in the first round.

“He doesn’t have a big time arm,” he said. “He’s not a big guy. He’s not overly athletic. So his measurables are not say first-round measurables, but he played football like a first-rounder.”

In the end, Shedeur Sanders learned a valuable lesson.

“Let me tell you what he understands today,” Carter said. “He ain’t running s–t. OK? Let me tell you what, they taught him a great lesson. You don’t have this figured out. Your dad don’t have this figured out.”

Sanders wasn’t selected until the 144th overall pick, a stunning fall for the most recognizable player in this draft class.

Draft forecasts generally rated Sanders behind only Miami’s Cam Ward — who went first overall to the Tennessee Titans — among quarterbacks in this class. Five quarterbacks were taken before him instead, with one of them going to Cleveland when the Browns picked Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel in the third round.

The Browns moved up to take Sanders, trading their own fifth-round pick (No. 166 overall) and a sixth-round selection (No. 192) to Seattle in exchange for No. 144.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

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Auburn reserve TE reportedly enters transfer portal

Auburn football’s Rico Walker becomes the eighth Tiger to enter the transfer portal this spring, according to multiple reports.

Walker transferred in from Maryland last year and played in five games for the Tigers.

 In eight games the prior season with the Terrapins, he recorded four catches for 27 yards. Walker was also listed as a four-star recruit in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

Brandon Frazier and Preston Howard are the two possible starters at tight end for the Tigers entering fall camp. Tate Johnson, a converted offensive lineman, will get snaps for blocking purposes at that position making no room for Walker in the rotation.

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at JHumphreyIII@al.com.

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Proposed Alabama amendment would expand list of criminal charges with no right to bail

The Alabama House has given final passage to a bill that would expand the list of crimes for which a judge can hold a person in jail without bail.

The bill is a proposed constitutional amendment and now goes to the ballot for voters, who will have the final say on whether it becomes law.

SB118 by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery, would expand Aniah’s Law, which lawmakers passed in 2021 in response to the kidnapping and murder of Aniah Blanchard.

Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student from Homewood, was abducted from a convenience store in Auburn in October 2019. A month later, authorities found her body in rural Macon County.

The man charged in Blanchard’s murder had been released on bail after being charged with kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder after an incident that happened in January 2019.

Before Aniah’s Law, the Alabama Constitution said people charged with a crime had a right to a reasonable bail unless they were charged with a capital crime.

Aniah’s law expanded that exception to the right to bail to include murder (non-capital), as well as first-degree kidnapping, rape, sodomy, sexual torture, domestic violence, human trafficking, burglary, arson, robbery, terrorism, and aggravated abuse of a child under age 6.

The law does not automatically deny bail for people charged with those crimes, but gave judges the authority to deny bail after a hearing.

Barfoot’s bill would add to the list of crimes for which a judge could deny bail:

  • Solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder
  • Firing a gun into an occupied dwelling, building, railroad locomotive, railroad car, aircraft, automobile, truck, or watercraft.

If the bill passes the Legislature, it would go on the ballot for voters to approve as an amendment to the state constitution.

Alabama voters approved Aniah’s Law by a wide margin in November 2022.

The House passed Barfoot’s bill 87-0. It had passed the Senate 29-0 back in February.

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Alabama man gets 10 years in prison for child porn that included dog

A 60-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having 153 images of child pornography.

A Blount County judge on Tuesday sentenced Jody Lane Crawford on the possession of obscene matter convictions. Crawford also received a year and a day for possession of a controlled substance.

Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency in 2017 carried out a search warrant at Crawford’s home on Abbott Road in Hayden in 2017 and seized at least five devices containing at least 153 images of children, many of whom were engaged in sexual acts, said Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey.

Crawford pleaded guilty to the crimes on Jan. 15, 2025. His plea did not include any agreement on sentencing.

According to the indictment, Crawford had digital files with names including phrases like “illegal preteen underage”, “preteen (expletive)”, “10yo-boys-suck”, “little (expletive)”, “young naked little girl”, “child incest” and others.

One of the videos showed a prepubescent female blindfolded and bound and a dog that was taking part in the sex act.

“Unfortunately, and sadly, as prosecutors, we can become accustomed to seeing a certain level of depravity in our line of work. Occasionally, someone comes along and moves the bar to a new level,” Casey said. “This case has raised the bar. The level of sexual deviance and depravity in these images is incomprehensible.”

Casey went on to say that it was not a victimless crime.

“Over 100 children are depicted in these images,” she said. “The very thought of a 5-year-old girl being tied to a bed and forced to engage in sexual acts with a grown man and a dog makes me sick and my heart hurt.”

“It will keep you up at night,” Casey said.

“The fact that the law treats possession of such an image as the equivalent to the unlawful possession of a forged dollar bill is incomprehensible,” she said. “We must change this if we want to make Alabama safe for our children and our grandchildren.”

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