General

Miss Manners: Could gloves make a comeback in a post-pandemic world?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: If we renewed the lovely fashion of wearing gloves, people wouldn’t have to fear catching germs from shaking hands or appearing rude for refusing.

GENTLE READER: Why didn’t Miss Manners think of that?

Not only would it solve the problems you mention, but it would allow her to wallow in a treasure trove of forgotten customs. And as a bonus, it might alert those involved in plays and shows set in the past to use period costumes properly, which they almost never do. Even in lavish movies and television series, the supposedly refined characters eat and drink while wearing gloves, which is — ewww!

Removing gloves before eating is a strict rule. But if you have a glass or a canape or a fork in your hands, that is an obvious and polite excuse for not shaking hands. Just practice the regretful smile that should accompany the refusal.

Aside from protective gloves worn for tasks like waxing your car or dyeing your hair — during which, presumably, you don’t socialize — gloves are now chiefly worn for warmth. Greeting someone outdoors in the cold should not therefore be a problem.

But gloves were once a routine part of a proper outfit worn outside of one’s home, regardless of the weather: cotton gloves for spring and summer, fine leather for formal occasions, and heavier leather or wool for fall and winter. Oh, and slippery ones for striptease acts.

P.S. It is true that gentlemen — but not ladies — were supposed to remove their gloves when shaking hands. But Miss Manners is hereby suspending that rule.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

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Today’s daily horoscopes: March 11, 2025

It’s possible that the saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” originated in an era when book covers typically had far less graphic and contextual information. Covers indicate quite a lot indeed, and our guesses about what’s inside books (projects, people’s hearts and minds, and many other things) will be often spot-on as Mercury and Venus align with clarity in Aries.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll notice that you’ve outgrown a lot, and that’s OK. Maybe you don’t need to replace those connections immediately. Maybe the real focus is you, your presence, all that you’re building for your beautiful future.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Diet, fitness and aesthetics aren’t just surface-level concerns for you. They’re part of feeling fully in control of your life, in harmony with yourself. Tending to these areas is also tending to your confidence, energy and overall well-being.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Perhaps it is impossible to control the wildness of human nature in any person including yourself. But since a fond goal of yours would be well served if you could execute a little training to tame the inner animal to some small degree, it’s worth investigating.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Hope is necessary for moving forward, but the truth is what’s actionable right now. Pay attention to the context of the entire situation. The plusses of a situation don’t define it. You won’t know the bottom line until you subtract the minuses.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re incredibly effective. Rather than forcing things, you align with the flow, making smart choices that maximize impact. By working with natural inclinations, you leverage them to the best possible advantage, accomplishing more with less.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your ability to read a situation and act accordingly is a gift. With careful timing and precision, you’ll navigate challenges in a way that lifts not just yourself but also those around you. Your deft maneuvering benefits a great number of people.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Too much honesty can make people uncomfortable, but some truths are worth the discomfort. You’ll be navigating how “real” to be in a relationship, and the integrity you bring to things has a way of reshaping and improving the relationship.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll get the choice between now and later. Choose now. Later has a way of disappearing. Opportunities shift, circumstances change and the moment that matches your expectation could be mythological. By acting now, at least some of what you desire will become reality.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Whatever else you’re involved with, you still make time to be available to your loved ones. The way you prioritize is not only admirable; it’s the most emotionally intelligent way to live, as connected relationships are the magic of life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There are a few basic moves to get right for things to run smoothly — foundations that need to be set because if they are not, the results will feel precarious. One of these foundations is proper rest. Prioritize it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s a gift inside of every circumstance, even chaos. The gift of disorder is that it calls you to create new and better systems. What feels like a setback now is actually the catalyst for something stronger and more sustainable.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). In the safety of your inner world, you can believe what you want about your talents and go unchallenged. But when you’re put to the test, you’ll see that you weren’t giving yourself enough credit. You’ll do even better than expected.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 11). Life expands in this year bold, gut-based choices, which pay off in profit, new relationships and love intensified. More highlights: tender family moments. Fun requires you to be in top condition, and you achieve it. A mentor appears just when you need them most. You win something; whether it’s a prize, a heart or a lucky break, it’s a co-creation with destiny. Cancer and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 21, 34, 37, and 48.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Terrence Howard’s versatility as an actor and musician has allowed him to portray a wide range of characters, showcasing his deep emotional understanding and adaptability. In “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” his performance was lauded for lending authenticity to this tale of the infamous 1970s boxing match and surrounding controversies. Natal Mercury in Aquarius speak to an inventive mind, and Venus and Saturn in headstrong Aries suggest Howard will go to the mat to defend his ideas.

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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Carolina Panthers keep 2 cornerbacks, including former Alabama high school standout

The Carolina Panthers made a splash by signing a cornerback on Monday morning. The Panthers signed Jaycee Horn to a four-year, $100 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

With less fanfare, Carolina announced it had agreed to terms with another cornerback on Monday night. The Panthers preserved their cornerback pairing by keeping former Spain Park High School standout Michael Jackson out of NFL free agency.

Jackson’s 2024 contract will run out at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday, when he was supposed to become an unrestricted free agent.

Instead, the Panthers brought him back for a two-year, $14.5 million contract extension, ESPN reported.

Carolina acquired Jackson on Aug. 22, 2024, for rookie linebacker Michael Barrett in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

Despite joining the Panthers late in training camp, Jackson played more defensive snaps in the 2024 regular season than all but one other NFL player. Jackson recorded two interceptions, 17 passes defended and 76 tackles.

Jackson entered the NFL from Miami (Fla.) as a fifth-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. In his first three NFL seasons, he played 29 defensive snaps in four games while appearing on the rosters of the Cowboys, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots and Seahawks.

But in 2022, Jackson started every game for Seattle and played 1,082 defensive snaps. He made 75 tackles, intercepted one pass and broke up 11 more. In Seattle’s 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 18, 2022, Jackson scored his first NFL touchdown when he picked up a blocked field-goal attempt and ran 86 yards.

In response, the Seahawks signed Jackson to a one-year, $940,000 contract. Then Seattle drafted Devon Witherspoon at No. 5 in 2023 and started him in Jackson’s spot.

Jackson re-signed with the Seahawks on April 8, 2024, after the team placed an original-round tender on him as a restricted free agent. By tendering Jackson, Seattle kept him from becoming an unrestricted free agent and guaranteed him a salary of $3.039 million for the 2024 season.

In 55 NFL games, with 38 starts, Jackson has three interceptions, 36 passes defended, 188 tackles and two fumble recoveries.

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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Former Auburn wide receiver gets big raise not to leave in NFL free agency

With NFL free agency looming, wide receiver Darius Slayton said last week that he knew he would attract a lot of attention around the league.

The former Auburn wide receiver might have done so. But on Monday night, the New York Giants announced Slayton wouldn’t be going anywhere.

NFL Network reported Slayton’s new deal with the Giants is worth $36 million over three seasons.

Slayton signed a two-year, $12 million contract with New York the previous time he was eligible for free agency. That contract expires at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday, and players with expiring contracts were eligible to begin negotiating with other teams on Monday.

But the Giants didn’t let Slayton get away after he had 39 receptions for 573 yards and two touchdown in 16 games in the 2024 season, when he also won the NFL Players Association’s Alan Page Community Award for his off-the-field chartiable endeavors.

Slayton joined the Giants as a fifth-round selection from Auburn in the 2019 NFL Draft. Since then, New York has used four other picks in the first 75 on SEC wide receivers, but Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards in four of his six seasons.

Over the past six seasons, Slayton is among the four NFL players with at least 250 receptions and an average gain of 15 yards per catch. The others are Justin Jefferson, AJ Brown and Mike Williams.

In 92 NFL regular-season games, Slayton has 259 receptions for 3,897 yards and 21 touchdowns.

On the Giants’ career lists, Slayton ranks 17th in receptions, 18th in receiving yards and tied for 22nd in touchdown catches.

Among Auburn’s NFL players, Slayton ranks fifth in receptions, third in receiving yards and fifth in touchdown receptions.

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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Najee Harris changing coasts in NFL free agency

After becoming the 14th player with 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four NFL seasons, former Alabama All-American Najee Harris is heading back to his home state as an NFL free agent.

Harris will sign a one-year, $9.25 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers when he becomes an unrestricted free agent at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday, NFL Network and ESPN reported on Monday night.

Harris signed a four-year, $13.047 million contract after Pittsburgh selected him 24th in the 2021 NFL Draft from the Crimson Tide’s undefeated 2020 CFP national-championship team.

Harris has started every Steelers game – 68 regular-season and three postseason contests – since joining Pittsburgh.

In 2024, Harris ran for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns on 263 carries and caught 36 passes for 283 yards in 17 regular-season games.

In his NFL career, Harris has 4,312 yards and 28 touchdowns on 1,097 rushing attempts and 1,149 yards and six touchdowns on 180 receptions.

Running back J.K. Dobbins led the Chargers with 905 yards and nine touchdowns on 195 carries in 13 games in 2024, but he also is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.

Los Angeles released No. 2 rusher Gus Edwards after he had 365 yards and four touchdowns on 101 rushing attempts in 11 games in 2024.

The two running backs on the Chargers’ current roster are former Troy standout Kimani Vidal, who had 155 yards on 43 rushing attempts and five receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown as a sixth-round rookie, and Hassan Haskins, who ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries and caught three passes for 49 yards and one touchdown.

Last offseason, Pittsburgh could have secured Harris for the 2025 season by using its fifth-year option on the running back’s rookie contract. The option would have paid Harris $6.79 million in 2025, but the Steelers declined to pick up their option.

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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12 officially inducted into AHSAA 2025 Hall of Fame class

Twelve major contributors to prep athletics in Alabama were inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame Monday night at a banquet held at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Spa Convention Center.

The Class of 2025 was selected by a committee of coaches and administrators assembled by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association from nominations submitted by member schools and other organizations.

The Class of 2025 include administrators, coaches and officials.

Those individuals selected were football coach Brent Hubbert; volleyball coaches Melanie Donahoo and Tanya Broadway; basketball coaches Emanuel ‘Tubb’ Bell, now deceased; Robert Burdette; Renard Davis; and Floyd Mathews, Jr., deceased; baseball coach Matt Cimo; tennis coach Meridy Lyle Jones; administrator Steve Bailey; contributor Drew Ferguson, now deceased; and selected from the “Old-Timers’ Division was coach/administrator Hadley Provience, also deceased.

Bailey, who served as the Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association (AHSADCA) after retiring from coaching, spoke on behalf of the Class of 2025 thanking the selection committee for the recognition.

“I’m sure I am speaking for everyone up here when I say thank you for a wonderful evening,” Bailey said. “The response of the Class of 2025 is one of being humble and grateful. We wish to thank many people: our spouses and families for always being there to support us in the good times and the bad. We wish to thank the many students who allowed us to be a part of their lives, leading, teaching, and guiding them in their formative years.

“We thank parents for trusting us with the precious lives of your children and for your support. … We thank our administrators for supporting us in our daily efforts to conduct our program. We thank our support personnel for always keeping our facilities clean and functioning.”

Bailey added, “We thank the many co-workers throughout the years who in many instances helped to mold us into who we are today. We thank the classes who came before us for the example you provided. We are honored to take a place beside you in this Hall of Fame. And wed thank the people who nominated us, the committee who selected us.”

Bailey closed quoting Albert Einstein which he said summed up the inductees’ feelings. “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

The Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association, the coaches’ wing of the AHSAA, oversees the Hall of Fame.

The first Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1991. These 12 new inductees will run the total enshrined into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame to 415.

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Former Alabama offensive lineman staying put in NFL free agency

Center Bradley Bozeman is remaining with the Los Angeles Chargers rather than enter free agency, the NFL team announced on Monday.

The Chargers said they had reached a “multi-year” contract extension with the former Alabama offensive lineman. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

One year ago, Bozeman signed a one-year, $1.125 million contract with Los Angeles after he was released by the Carolina Panthers. That contract is scheduled to expire at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday, which would have made Bozeman an unrestricted free agent.

Bozeman made every offensive snap in 16 of the Chargers’ 17 games in 2024. He missed 10 snaps in the other contest. In his teams’ past 45 games, those are the only offensive snaps that Bozeman has missed out of 2,795.

In 2023, Bozeman signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the Panthers, which included $10 million in guaranteed money. He played all 1,149 of Carolina’s offensive snaps in 2023, but the Panthers produced the fewest yards, were tied for the fewest points and gave up the most sacks in the NFL.

Carolina released Bozeman on March 13, 2024. He signed with the Chargers five days later.

A former Handley High School standout, Bozeman served as Alabama’s starting center in the 2016 and 2017 seasons, capping his career in the Crimson Tide’s 26-23 overtime victory against Georgia in the CFP national championship game.

As a sixth-round rookie, Bozeman played 214 offensive snaps in 14 games with one start for Baltimore in 2018. But for the next three seasons, he hardly came off the field for the Ravens offense.

With Bozeman at left guard, the Ravens rushed for more than 3,000 yards in 2019 and 2020 seasons – two of the six times that had been accomplished in NFL history.

Bozeman shifted to center for Baltimore in 2021.

Bozeman joined the Panthers in 2022 as a free agent on a one-year, $2.8 million contract after reaching the end of his four-year, $2.578 million rookie deal.

Bozeman didn’t play an offensive snap in Carolina’s first six games of the 2022 season as Pat Elflein handled the work at center for the Panthers. Elflein’s season-ending hip injury opened a spot in the lineup for Bozeman. He played every offensive snap in the Panthers’ final 11 games in 2022, and he signed a contract extension after the season.

Bozeman was the second Alabama alumnus re-signed by the Chargers on Monday. Los Angeles also announced it had signed punter JK Scott.

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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Tuberville downplays stock market plunge after Trump tariffs: ‘We were probably over-bloated’

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Monday attempted to rationalize the plunge in stock prices as the result of an “over-bloated” market instead of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

“The only problem you have with these tariffs, there’s always a scoreboard. And that’s gonna be the stock market,” the Republican senator from Alabama said during a Fox Business appearance.

“And people are looking at the stock market like, ‘Hey, this is like the highest it’s gonna continue for months and months and months.’ That’s not gonna happen. We were probably over-bloated with the stock market here for a while,” Tuberville told Larry Kudlow.

“We went up quite a bit. But at the end of the day it’s about fairness, it’s about having fair tariffs,” said Alabama’s senior senator.

The S&P 500 dropped 2.7% to drag it close to 9% below its all-time high, which was set just last month.

At one point, the S&P 500 was down 3.6% and on track for its worst day since 2022.

That’s when the highest inflation in generations was shredding budgets and raising worries about a possible recession that ultimately never came.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 890 points, or 2.1%, after paring an earlier loss of more than 1,100, while the Nasdaq composite skidded by 4%.

It was the worst day yet in a scary stretch where the S&P 500 has swung more than 1%, up or down, seven times in eight days because of Trump’s on -and- off -again tariffs.

The worry is that the whipsaw moves will either hurt the economy directly or create enough uncertainty to drive U.S. companies and consumers into an economy-freezing paralysis.

Tuberville said he was confident that Trump’s team and the tariffs will improve the economy.

“President Trump has put together a smart group of people that understand a lot about the dollar and a lot about foreign currency … at the end of the day, it’s all going to work out and it’s all going to work out better for the United States of America,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Troy basketball headed to NCAA tournament after winning Sun Belt title

Troy is headed to the NCAA 94-81 victory over Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on Monday night in Pensacola, Fla.

The Trojans (23-10) overcame an eight-point second-half deficit on the strength of a 23-4 run, surging ahead by double digits in the final three minutes before closing out the win. Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Tayton Conerway scored 21 points — 16 in the second half — and Myles Rigsby added 20 to lead Troy to its third victory in three days at the Pensacola Bay Center.

Troy will learn its postseason fate on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show at 5 p.m. Sunday, with live television coverage on CBS.

This post will be updated.

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Smoke across Birmingham, Walker, Winston counties? Here’s what’s behind it

Federal fire management and forest service officials conducted a large prescribed burn in the Bankhead National Forest Monday, and smoke drifted across several counties and into the Birmingham metro this evening.

The Forest Service burned about 780 acres today, 6 miles east of Pebble in Winston County.

Meteorologists, including James Spann, told Birmingham area residents that upper air winds pushed the smoke south.

Prescribed burns are planned for thousands of acres across Alabama over the next several months, according to federal officials.

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