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How much do Alabama high school softball coaches get paid? See the list

The highest paid Class 7A head high school softball coach in Alabama makes an annual salary just under $100,000.

Most high school sports coaches are paid a base teaching salary, which is based on their years of teaching experience, as well as a supplemental salary, which may come from public or private funds. Some coaches may also get bonuses for winning a certain number of games or reaching state championships. Total compensation for coaching 7A softball ranges between about $58,000 and 100,000, AL.com found.

AL.com has put together a list of 32 Alabama 7A high school softball coaches, their base salaries, supplements and performance bonuses for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school year.

Compare salaries to 7A high school football coaches or each district’s average teacher, principal and superintendent pay.

Information was provided in response to public records requests from November to February. Some schools provided salary schedules instead of the specific pay for the coach. Coaches are listed alphabetically, by district.

Kevin Todd, Thompson High School (7A), Alabaster City Schools

Kevin Todd has been head coach of the Thompson High School softball team since 2017.

2023-2024

• Base salary: $85,205
• Coaching supplement: $12,201
• Performance supplement: $2,875

2024-2025

• Base salary: $86,951
• Coaching supplement: $12,517

Torre Aaron, Albertville High School (7A), Albertville City Schools

Aaron teaches middle school special education and coaches softball at Albertville City Schools.

2023-2024

• Base salary: $68,461
• Coaching supplement: $8,950

2024-2025

• Base salary: $70,528
• Coaching supplement: $8,950

Matt Hendricks, Auburn High School (7A), Auburn City Schools

Hendricks has been teaching since 2005. He is now the head softball coach at Auburn High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $72,271
• Coaching supplement: $14,374

2024-25

• Base salary: $73,717
• Coaching supplement: $24,000

Brian Pittman, Prattville High School (7A), Autauga County Schools

In 2021, Brian Pittman was named the Lady Lions’ head softball coach after three years at Brewbaker Tech. He also teaches a career preparedness course at Prattville High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $61,977
• Coaching supplement: $13,500

2024-25

• Base salary: $63,848
• Coaching supplement: $14,000

Trevor Powell, Fairhope High School (7A), Baldwin County Schools

Trevor Powell is the varsity softball coach at Fairhope High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $59,409 to $73,979
• Coaching supplement: $5,308

2024-25

• Base salary: $59,409 to $73,979
• Coaching supplement: $5,500

Mike Ebert, Foley High School (7A), Baldwin County Schools

Mike Ebert is the Foley High School varsity softball coach.

2023-24

• Base salary: $59,409 to $73,979
• Coaching supplement: $5,308

2024-25

• Base salary: $59,409 to $73,979
• Coaching supplement: $5,500

Peyton Grantham, Robertsdale High School (7A), Baldwin County Schools

Grantham coaches softball at Robertsdale High School. She used to play softball at Daphne High School and went on to play for Alabama.

2023-24

• Base salary: $59,409 to $73,979
• Coaching supplement: $5,308
• Freshman assistant supplement: $996

2024-25

• Base salary: $59,409 to $73,979
• Coaching supplement: $5,500
• Freshman assistant supplement: $1,050

Jenny Laird, Daphne High School (7A), Baldwin County Schools

Laird began coaching softball at Daphne in 2021. She graduated from Baker High School in 2008 and was a member of three state championship teams.

2023-24

• Base salary: $59,409 to $73,979
• Varsity coaching supplement: $5,308
• Junior varsity coaching supplement: $1,990

2024-25

• Base salary: $59,409 to $73,979
• Varsity coaching supplement: $5,500
• Junior varsity coaching supplement: $2,050

Christopher Blake Gray, Austin High School (7A), Decatur City Schools

Christopher Blake Gray is a study hall teacher and softball coach at Austin High School.

AL.com followed up with Decatur City Schools to receive the 2023-24 and 2024-25 head softball coach’s base salary, performance bonuses and supplements, but only received Christopher Blake’s current total salary prior to publishing.

2024-25

• Total pay: $76,502.30

Donny Bright, Dothan High School (7A), Dothan City Schools

Bright is on a TEAMS contract which offers STEM teachers up to $20,000 more per year to teach math or science in hard-to-staff areas of Alabama like Dothan.

2023-24

• Base salary: $72,271
• Coaching supplement: $9,000
• Additional pay for working 20 days beyond his contract: $7,647.72
• Playoff supplement pay:
  • Playoffs state tournament final four appearance: $1,250
  • Playoffs finals game: $2,500

2024-25

• Base salary: $73,717
• Coaching supplement: $9,000
• Additional pay for working 20 days beyond his contract: $7,800.74
• Playoff supplement pay:
  • Playoffs state tournament final four appearance: $1,250
  • Playoffs finals game: $2,500

Mary “Kate” Stump, Enterprise High School (7A), Enterprise City Schools

Stump was born and raised in Dothan. After graduating college, Stump joined the physical education department at Enterprise High School. She has been in the position for eight years.

2023-24

• Base salary: $50,776
• Coaching supplement: $12,186.24

2024-25

• Base salary: $53,539.23
• Coaching supplement: $12,430.08

Heath Lovell, Florence High School (7A), Florence City Schools

Heath Lovell has been the Florence Falcons’ softball coach for two years. He replaced Beth Fuller in the 2023 school year.

2023-24

• Base salary: $51,976
• Coaching supplement: $7,500

2024-25

• Base salary: $54,903
• Coaching supplement: $7,500

Trey Matlock, Hoover High School (7A), Hoover City Schools

Trey Matlock coaches varsity softball at Hoover High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $69,600
• Coaching supplement: $7,400
• Playoff supplement: $1,600

2024-25

• Base salary: $71,604
• Coaching supplement: $8,400

Aaron James/Whitney Deaver, Huntsville High School (7A), Huntsville City Schools

James began teaching in 2002. He is the assistant football and assistant softball coach at Huntsville High School.

Deaver previously coached at Bob Jones High School. She is now the head coach at Huntsville High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $75,616
• Coaching supplement: $8,025

2024-25

• Base salary: $63,840
• Coaching supplement: $8,828
• Strength/conditioning training: $2,000

Pamela Galbreath, Virgil Grissom High School (7A), Huntsville City Schools

Galbreath was the athletic director and head coach at Columbia High School. She is now the head softball coach at Virgil Grissom High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $79,478
• Coaching supplement: $8,025

2024-25

• Base salary: $81,675
• Coaching supplement: $8,828

Michael King, Smiths Station High School (7A) , Lee County Schools

King has been in the education since 2013. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mobile in 2012, where he was a pitcher on the baseball team.

2023-24

• Base salary: $62,810
• Coaching supplement: $5,500

2024-25

• Base salary: $64,707
• Coaching supplement: $7,150

Whitney Deaver/Braeden Netherton, Bob Jones High School (7A), Madison City Schools

Whitney Deaver exited Bob Jones after eight seasons to take a similar position at Huntsville High.

In July, Braeden Netherton took over the Bob Jones Softball Program from Whitney Deaver. Netherton began her teaching/coaching career at Decatur High in 2017. She led the squad to the most wins in the program’s history in 2022, had three All-State players and five players who committed to play collegiate softball.

2023-24

• Base salary: $61,754
• Coaching supplement: $12,000

2024-25

• Base salary: $63,060
• Coaching supplement: $10,500

Bradley Kimbrough, James Clemens High School (7A), Madison City Schools

Kimbrough is the social studies teacher and softball coach at James Clemens High School. He graduated from Sheffield High School and has been teaching for 13 years with previous positions at Huntsville High School and Sheffield High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $69,974
• Coaching supplement: $11,500

2024-25

• Base salary: $71,380
• Coaching supplement: $12,000

Macie Morris, Sparkman High School (7A), Madison County Schools

Last year, Morris became the varsity softball coach at Sparkman. Morris is a Huntsville native, 2008 graduate of Sparkman and 2006 AHSAA state varsity softball champion. After graduating from Sparkman, Morris went on to compete at Central Alabama Community College and Auburn University. Morris also coached at Virgil Grissom High School and Huntsville High School, WAFF48 reported.

2023-2024

• Base salary: $54,809
• Coaching supplement: $9,750

2024-2025

• Base salary: $56,388
• Coaching supplement: $11,250

Daniel Fulton/Calvin Mitchell, Alma Bryant High School (7A), Mobile County Schools

Daniel Fulton stopped serving as the Alma Bryant head softball coach in February 2024.

During the 2023-24 school year, the coaching supplement was split between Fulton and Calvin Mitchell, the new head coach.

2023-2024

• Fulton base salary: $54,432
• Fulton coaching supplement: $2,500
• Fulton junior varsity softball coaching supplement
• Mitchell base salary: $58,390
• Mitchell coaching supplement: $3,500

2024-2025

• Base salary: $59,558
• Coaching supplement: $6,000

Meghan Trehern, Baker High School (7A), Mobile County Schools

In 2022, Trehern became the new Baker High School softball coach replacing her high school coach, Hall of Famer Tony Scarbrough. She also works as a science teacher, according to the district website.

Trehern is on a TEAMS contract which offers STEM teachers up to $20,000 more per year to teach math or science in hard-to-staff areas of Alabama.

2023-2024

• Base salary: $52,831
• Coaching supplement: $6,000
• TEAMS supplement: $15,247

2024-2025

• Base salary: $54,428
• Coaching supplement: $6,000
• TEAMS supplement: $16,054

Barclay Davis, Mary G. Montgomery High School (7A), Mobile County Schools

Davis is the physical education teacher and head softball coach at Mary G. Montgomery High School. Davis has been coaching softball at Mary G. Montgomery since 2023.

2023-2024

• Base salary: $50,776
• Softball coaching supplement: $6,000

2024-2025

• Base salary: $51,792
• Softball coaching supplement: $6,000
• Middle school softball coaching supplement: $2,500
• Swim coaching supplement: $3,000

Kaitlyn Brannon, WP Davidson High School (7A), Mobile County Schools

Brannon has been coaching and teaching at WP Davidson High School since 2023.

2023-2024

• Base salary: $55,939
• Softball coaching supplement: $6,000

2024-2025

• Base salary: $57,056
• Softball coaching supplement: $6,000
• Varsity volleyball coaching supplement: $6,000
• Junior varsity basketball supplement: $2,500

JuaQueshia Williams, Carver Senior High School (7A), Montgomery County Schools

Williams is the physical education teacher, bus driver and head softball coach at Carver Senior High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $51,792
• Coaching supplement: $5,000
• Bus driver: $16,656

2024-25

• Base salary: $51,792
• Coaching supplement: $5,000
• Bus driver: $16,656

Mark Eubanks, Roshadia Purifoy Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School (7A), Montgomery County Schools

Eubanks was the career tech teacher, bus driver and head softball coach at Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School during the 2023-24 season. Purifoy is the science teacher and current head softball coach at Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $57,776
• Coaching supplement: $5,000
• Bus driver: $17,121

2024-25

• Base salary: $51,875
• Coaching supplement: $5,000

Jessica Thornton, Opelika High School (7A), Opelika City Schools

Jessica Thornton was named the new head softball coach at Opelika High School in 2021. Originally from Vancouver, Washington, Thornton was previously an assistant softball coach at the University of Louisiana, Monroe. Prior to coaching, Thornton was awarded multiple honors as a collegiate player.

2023-24

• Base salary: $51,757
• Coaching supplement: $6,400

2024-25

• Base salary: $59,247
• Coaching supplement: $6,400

Mitchell Holt, Central High School (7A), Phenix City Schools

Mitchell Holt has coached the Central Phenix City Red Devils softball team since 2016.

2023-24

• Base salary: $67,111
• Coaching supplement: $35,070

2024-25

• Base salary: $67,782
• Coaching supplement: $38,211

Jordan Burson, Oak Mountain High School (7A), Shelby County Schools

Jordan Burson served as an assistant coach at Hewitt-Trussville High School for two years and Thompson High School for two years.

In his first year as head softball coach at Oak Mountain, Burson led the eagles to a 21-19 record.

2023-24

• Base salary: $51,787.78
• Softball coaching supplement: $5,347
• Girls flag football coaching supplement: $1,512
• Local paid supplement: $2,496

2024-25

• Base salary: $53,939.36
• Softball coaching supplement: $5,454
• Girls flag football coaching supplement: $1,543
• Local paid supplement: $2,496

Taylor Burt, Hewitt-Trussville High School (7A), Trussville City Schools

AL.com followed up with Trussville City Schools to receive the 2023-24 and 2024-25 head softball coach’s base salary, performance bonuses and supplements, but only received Taylor Burt’s current total salary prior to publishing.

2024-25

• Total pay: $97,040

Ted Swinney, Hillcrest High School (7A), Tuscaloosa County Schools

Swinney began coaching softball at Hillcrest High School in 2010 and has led his softball teams to multiple championships. Many of his players have gone on to play college softball.

2023-24

• Base salary: $66,502.33
• Coaching supplement: $9,553.30

2024-25

• Base salary: $68,454
• Coaching supplement: $10,160.60

Connor Acton, Tuscaloosa County High School (7A), Tuscaloosa County Schools

Acton is the head softball coach and math teacher at Tuscaloosa County High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $48,642.96
• Coaching supplement: $8,747.80

2024-25

• Base salary: $49,616
• Coaching supplement: $8,786

John Simmons, Vestavia Hills High School (7A), Vestavia Hills City Schools

John Simmons is the administrative athletic director and varsity softball head coach at Vestavia Hills High School.

2023-24

• Base salary: $73,913.28
• Coaching supplement: $11,087

2024-25

• Base salary: $79,018.37
• Coaching supplement: $11,853

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General

Here are the top recipients of Jefferson County’s pork money

In six years, the Jefferson County Commission distributed $25 million in community grants to cities, nonprofits and other groups.

Reporting by AL.com and The Birmingham Times found that the people elected to run Alabama’s largest county have doled out more and more pork, dipping into public dollars intended for infrastructure projects. In six years, the pot of money that each of the five commissioners’ had to distribute to community organizations grew from $100,000 to $1.1 million.

[Read more: $25 million in giveaways: Inside Jefferson County’s pork barrel bonanza]

And in many instances, commissioners aren’t getting reports of how organizations are spending the public dollars. That’s despite the county’s own rules requiring groups to report back on how they used the money.

These are the top 10 groups, excluding governmental groups and cities, that received community grants from the county commission from 2018 to 2024, according to the county’s records.

Friends of McCalla

The county commission gave Friends of McCalla, a nonprofit that says it supports projects that benefit McCalla citizens, nearly $1.1 million. All of the funding was directed from District 3 Commissioner Jimmie Stephens.

Stephens said in an interview that he wasn’t concerned by the lack of spending reports from Friends of McCalla.

“We have been lax because when we asked them if they’re building a concession stand and you go out there and see a concession stand, it’s there,” he said. “You have to make sure you see where that money is being spent. If you can’t see where that money is being spent you don’t know whether it’s been spent.”

Friends of McCalla formed in 2012 to build a ballpark after Norfolk Southern Railroad donated a tract of land in the mid-2000s. In 2014, Jefferson County recalled $300,000 initially intended for McAdory Youth Football and redistributed those funds to Friends of McCalla as seed money for a ballpark.

The ballpark is located right next to McAdory Elementary at 6251 Eastern Valley Road in McCalla.

“We’re working on a more detailed report from Friends of McCalla to verify what’s going on, but I am comfortable that this money was spent properly and the way it was designed to be spent,” Stephens added.

He also said that he has faith in the leadership of Friends of McCalla.

“It goes back to the confidence and the character of those individuals, and if I have slacked in that because of the confidence and character I have in those individuals, that’s on me,” he said. “If there is any money that has been misappropriated, that’s on me. I’ll take responsibility for it. But I am so comfortable and sure that all of these dollars have been spent properly.”

Empowerment Inc.

The county commission gave $695,000 to the nonprofit, which provides after-school programming for low-income children and support for people experiencing homelessness, per its tax filings. The majority of that funding was distributed by District 1 Commissioner Lashunda Scales: $675,000. District 2 Commissioner Sheila Tyson distributed another $20,000.

Freshwater Land Trust

The full commission and individual commissioners from four of the five districts gave Freshwater Land Trust, a nonprofit in Birmingham, a total of roughly $653,000. The group conserves land to protect waterways throughout central Alabama and has developed the Red Rock Trail System, which is still in progress, across Jefferson County, per its website.

Alabama Cooperative Extension System

The full commission gave the Alabama Cooperative Extension System a total of $600,000 and has historically provided funding since 2010, according to commissioners. The initiative is an outreach effort by Alabama A&M University and Auburn University to provide research-based education from the two land-grant institutions, according to its website.

The Penny Foundation Inc.

The county commission gave the Penny Foundation a total of $490,000. The majority of that funding, or $485,000, was distributed by Commissioner Scales. Commissioner Tyson also distributed $5,000 of the funding.

The Birmingham nonprofit, founded in 2017, is one of few community foundations in the country that’s managed by African Americans, and the organization issues grants, fundraises and has programming to boost economic equity for the Black community, per its website.

Sports Council, Inc.

The county commission gave the Alabama Sports Council $485,000. Most of that money – $400,000 of it – came from the full commission to support the Magic City Classic. But Commissioner Scales distributed an additional $85,000 in grant funding.

The Birmingham nonprofit hosts sporting events, including the annual Magic City Classic event, to boost local economic development, per its website.

Birmingham Urban League, Inc.

The county commission gave the Birmingham Urban League $477,600. All of that funding was distributed by Commissioner Tyson.

The nonprofit, founded in 1967 as a local chapter, provides community resources like financial literacy education, rental and utility assistance, small business support, online tutoring and job training, per its website.

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

The county commission gave the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame $410,000. Some of that funding ($50,000) was distributed by the full commission. Separately, Commissioner Scales distributed $175,000, while Commissioner Tyson distributed $185,000.

The Birmingham nonprofit, founded in 1984, promotes jazz music and history in the city, including through its museum at Carver Theatre in Birmingham’s Civil Rights District as well as music education programs, per its website.

Jefferson State Community College

The county commission gave the community college $400,000. All of that funding was distributed by Commissioner Scales.

The public community college has campuses in northeast Birmingham, Shelby County, Pell City and Clanton.

Red Mountain Park Foundation

The county commission gave the foundation $332,500. More than $307,000 of that was distributed by former District 5 commissioner Steve Ammons, while the full commission distributed another $25,000.

The Birmingham nonprofit, founded in 2010, supports the mountaintop park and its greenspace development.

Take a look at every organization that the Jefferson County Commission has distributed community grants to between 2018 and 2024:

[Can’t see the table? Click here.]

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General

Veteran anchor leaving syndicated news job after 30 years to host game show

“Inside Edition” anchor Deborah Norville is departing the daytime newsmagazine strip after 30 years — even though she’s not leaving the syndication universe.

Norville, who will next host the syndicated trivia game show “The Perfect Line” in fall 2025, revealed her departure from “Inside Ediiton” on Wednesday’s show.

In the statement, she said she passed on an offer to remain on the show — “but there are things I’d like to do and places I want to do them that continuing here doesn’t permit.” Norville reps the latest TV host and anchor to depart as the industry continues to downsize.

“It has been such an honor and privilege to be here at ‘Inside Edition’ for all these years,” she said on the telecast. “A milestone like this is a time for reflection, and on reflection, I have decided that now is the time to move on from ‘Inside Edition.’ They made me a lovely offer to stay, but there are things I’d like to do and places I want to do them that continuing here doesn’t permit.

“So, at the end of the season, I’ll be moving on. I’ve got some exciting things in the works, which I’ll talk about later, but what I want to say now is what a privilege it’s been to lead ‘Inside Edition’ for all these years. To work with the incredibly talented team here, and to be invited into your homes every day, it’s an honor I don’t take lightly.”

Norville, whose credits include “Today,” first joined “Inside Edition” in 1995 after a stint as an anchor and correspondent at CBS News.

“Deborah’s powerful presence, both on-screen and behind-the-scenes, has contributed immensely to the success of ‘Inside Edition’ for the past 30 years,” said exec producer Charles Lachman.

“She has made a lasting impact on the show, and I’m excited to follow along as she builds upon her outstanding broadcast legacy in her next chapter.”

Inside Edition Inc. produces “Inside Edition,” which is distributed by CBS Media Ventures. CBS Media Ventures is also behind “The Perfect Line,” which has recently been given a firm go for fall 2025.

The CBS Stations group already picked up “The Perfect Line” in December; now the show has been sold to stations repping 90% of the country.

Based on a soon-to-be released boardgame from CMYK, “The Perfect Line” features questions about from world events, pop culture, sports, science and other topics. Contestants are given a category and then arrange events, items or people order — such as arranging six actors in the order of their worldwide box office gross.

Winners are able to create “the perfect line” via that correct order, and try not to be eliminated after every round. The last person standing plays a final round for a chance at $10,000.

© 2025 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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General

Country music singer-songwriter dead at 91

Dick Damron, singer and songwriter, died at 91 on Saturday.

The death of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member was shared by the family.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Canadian country music legend Dick Damron, who left this world with the same quiet grace and spirit that defined his life and career,” the statement read, per Taste of Country.

Damron wrote songs for the likes for Charley Pride and George Hamilton.

“Countryfied” and “The Long Green Line” were two of Damron’s better known songs, but, per the report, he also reached No. 1 in Canada with “Hitch Hikin’,” “Rise ‘n’ Shine,” “On the Road” and “Susan Flowers.”

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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General

More record high temperatures possible today: Parts of Alabama could reach 90 for first time in 2025

Alabama’s summer preview is expected to continue on Thursday, and more record high temperatures will be possible, according to forecasters.

Several Alabama cities broke or tied their record high temperatures on Wednesday, and temperatures could be a degree or two higher today, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service.

Today’s temperatures will be 10 to possibly even 15 degrees above average for early April.

Here are the current record highs for April 3 for a few Alabama cities:

• Anniston: 89 degrees in 1999; average high is 72 degrees
• Birmingham: 87 degrees in 1999; average high is 72 degrees
• Dothan: 89 degrees in 2006; average high is 76 degrees
• Huntsville: 88 degrees in 1999; average high is 71 degrees
• Mobile: 87 degrees in 2006; average high is 75 degrees
• Montgomery: 87 degrees in 2015; average high is 76 degrees
• Muscle Shoals: 87 degrees in 2007; average high is 71 degrees
• Troy: 87 degrees in 1963; average high is 74 degrees
• Tuscaloosa: 86 degrees in 2018; average high is 73 degrees

More well-above-average temperatures are in the forecast for Friday and Saturday as well.

Friday’s forecast:

Saturday’s forecast:

Sunday will bring a change in the pattern, with a cold front expected to move through the state.

That front will also bring a chance for severe weather starting late Saturday night and lasting into the day on Sunday.

A big change is expected starting on Monday. Much cooler temperatures are expected, and there could be a chance for frost in the northern part of the state.

Highs by Monday will only reach the 50s in north Alabama and the 60s elsewhere. Here’s the forecast for Monday:

Forecasters expect cooler temperatures to hang around through at least Wednesday.

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General

Severe storms possible today in parts of Alabama with more on the way this weekend

A small part of Alabama has a low chance of seeing a few strong to severe storms today, but a better chance will come over the weekend.

A small area in northwest Alabama is included in a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather today as the system that spawned a tornado outbreak continues to plague areas to the northwest.

A Level 2 risk means that scattered severe storms will be possible.

The rest of northwest Alabama has a Level 1 risk and could have to deal with isolated severe storms.

The National Weather Service thinks there is a low chance of storms reaching northwest Alabama today, but if they do they could produce damaging winds, hail and maybe a tornado.

However, forecasters added that the most likely scenario is that storms would stay to the north and west of Alabama today.

A few severe storms moved into northwest Alabama on Wednesday afternoon from Mississippi, and two counties were put under a tornado watch late Wednesday night. But overnight storms stayed out of the state, and the watch was canceled early.

No severe weather is expected in the rest of the state today, but that could change by late Saturday night into the day on Sunday, when a cold front is expected to approach Alabama.

The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather for west Alabama starting late Saturday.

Here is the outlook for Saturday (which runs through early Sunday morning):

On Sunday the severe weather risk will shift eastward beginning in the morning hours. Storms will be possible through the afternoon.

Here is the outlook for Sunday:

Storms will have cleared the area by Monday, and much cooler temperatures are expected early next week.

There is no severe weather in the forecast for Alabama after Sunday.

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General

Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration may soon undergo a major change

Elon Musk is reportedly expected to step away from his role as President Donald Trump’s most prominent adviser in the coming months amid widespread questions about his political effectiveness.

Trump recently told members of his inner circle that he and Musk have agreed the world’s richest man will soon return to mostly running his companies like Tesla and SpaceX, Politico reported Wednesday, quoting three unnamed Trump aides.

The president is denying reports of any political split with the billionaire first buddy and has portrayed the shift as mutually agreeable. A source also confirmed the basic contours of the move to ABC News.

Even in public, Trump has hinted at an impending reduced role for Musk, who has become the face of the administration’s budget-cutting austerity push.

“At some point Elon’s going to want to go back to his company. He wants to,” Trump told reporters Monday. “I’d keep him as long as I could keep him.”

Musk has long been cagey about his actual role in Trump’s administration. Even though he’s widely considered the most powerful person next to Trump, he has no formal post and is officially listed only as a “special government employee.”

People are permitted to remain in such positions, which allow them to avoid intrusive financial disclosures, for no more than 130 days within a year.

The purported decision by the White House to put some daylight between Trump and Musk come as serious questions arise about his popularity and political effectiveness.

Musk plowed hundreds of millions of dollars into the MAGA campaign and has become perhaps Trump’s biggest cheerleader on the campaign trail.

Since Trump took office, Musk has effectively led the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which has mounted an agency-by-agency effort to slash government operations.

Polls have showed most Americans disapprove of Musk’s prominent role. Democrats have made him the poster boy for Trump’s cuts, which they portray as an attack on basic social services that millions rely on.

Musk suffered a major political black eye Tuesday when Democrats dramatically outperformed expectations in two Florida congressional special elections and a marquee vote for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The South African-born mogul poured millions into the Wisconsin race and donned a cheesehead hat for an election eve rally at which he claimed “Western civilization” was at stake.

The conservative candidate he backed, Brad Schimel, lost to liberal Susan Crawford by 10%, a relative landslide in the evenly divided perennial swing state. Crawford’s victory led Democrats to proclaim Musk as a liability to the GOP.

“Musk (is) a big loser,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Wednesday. “Republicans can keep spinning the American people. We’re gonna keep beating them.”

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©2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Would ALFA’s proposed health insurance offer farmers ‘economic survival’ or ‘skyrocketing premiums’?

A new health care plan for Alabama’s farmers is on the table, promising to be the most comprehensive and restrictive of its kind in the nation.

But as lawmakers debate the details, some fear it could leave critical gaps in consumer and provider protections.

At stake, different sides say, is not only the economic survival of the state’s farming community but the very future of Alabama’s health insurance market.

The proposal, HB477, backed by Rep. David Faulkner, would create an unregulated health plan exclusively for members of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

ALFA, a powerful lobbying force among conservative lawmakers, claims the health plan will offer a lifeline for struggling farmers and businesses.

Similar plans are offered in 10 farm-rich states, led by Tennessee, which has had a similar plan in place since the early 1990s.

Efforts are also underway this spring to approve health care plans for the farm bureaus in Missouri and Ohio.

“The Farmers Federation is not looking to change Alabama’s health care,” said Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook.

The bill could get a vote in the Health Committee next week before it heads to the Alabama House floor.

It has yet to be heard in the Alabama Senate. The legislation has 39 co-sponsors in the House.

“Hear me out, this is not a plan for everyone,” Faulkner said.

“This doesn’t even save the nation and the state in health care. But it is an option. It’s an option for some. It could mean economic survival for small business owners and farmers.”

Insurance chaos

Opponents warn the bill could create chaos and concerns in the state’s health care landscape.

Though not classified as insurance, the health plan would operate outside the Affordable Care Act’s requirements and promise lower premiums – anywhere from 30% to 60% cheaper than traditional insurers.

“It will destabilize the insurance market,” said Jane Adams, government relations manager with the American Cancer Society.

“Those who need the coverage will face skyrocketing premiums.”

The creation of an unregulated health plan for farmers faces opposition from 30 organizations including the American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association and the American Heart Association.

The critics blast the health plan as an alternative that does not cover people with pre-existing conditions like cancer and diabetes.

“It does not protect them from high health care costs,” said Deanna Deschenes, an activist with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“In fact, enrolling in these unregulated plans and the lack of transparency around them, makes it more likely farmers will encounter financial harm.”

The legislation was first introduced in Alabama last year and faces opposition from Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Alabama.

Related content: Political heavyweights wage battle that could greatly alter Alabama’s health insurance market

Faulkner has met with representatives from BCBS and the Alabama Hospital Association, both of whom have expressed concerns about the lack of oversight for the Alabama Department of Insurance in administering the health plan.

As the dominant health insurer in Alabama, controlling over 90% of the market, BCBS argues that HB477 circumvents industry regulations and could mislead consumers.

Ted Hosp, vice president for governmental affairs with BCBS of Alabama, seemed resigned to the eventual approval of the new health plan.

Hosp urged lawmakers to considered some of the company’s concerns that include protections from cancellations or premium hikes for people who fall ill and offer mental health care and prescription benefits that are not written in HB477.

Hosp also said there should be more transparency on coverage costs, and he urged the Department of Insurance be granted investigative authority over the health plan.

“We think it’s a mistake to sell an unregulated health insurance, but we realize it will happen,” Hosp said.

“It’s entirely reasonable to include some basic protections.”

Defending plans

Faulkner admitted that ALFA isn’t required to provide coverage to someone with a pre-existing condition.

However, he said farm bureau plans offered in other states, particularly in Tennessee, have an “85 to 90 percent acceptance rate.”

He also noted that once someone joins a farm bureau plan, they are neither canceled nor subject to rate increase because of a change of health.

Ben Sanders, executive director with the Tennessee Farm Bureau – who has advocated for similar plans in other states – said his agency uses “evergreen contracts” that do not expire.

Those contracts ensure that people who have a farm bureau health plan are not kicked off of it.

Faulkner does not expect widespread adoption of the farm health plan, suggesting it is not intended for those with employer-sponsored insurance.

In Tennessee, the farm bureau’s health plan covers 138,000 people.

Tennessee’s population is 7.2 million, while Alabama has a population of 5.1 million.

Some lawmakers want assurances, written into the bill, that ALFA will not “pick and choose” people to be part of the health plan.

“You can pick a good crop of people to be in insurance,” said Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, and chairman of the Health Committee.

“But what happens if you have two healthy young farmers, and 18 months from now they have a child with cancer, and have to go to UAB, Mobile or Texas or wherever (for treatment). I want those guys to have assurance that it’s an evergreen policy that they have it as long as they pay the bill. I don’t think it’s too much to ask.”

Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, a longtime insurance agent along the Gulf Coast, has said she is troubled with the lack of transparency with the plan.

Game changer?

Supporters at the public hearing said the creation of a health plan for farmers would reduce costs and could offer a lifeline for struggling farmers faced with soaring operational costs and declining commodity prices.

Faulkner claims the plan could save farmers up to $18,000 per year, calling it a ‘game changer’ for the industry.

Phillip Hunter of Shelby County, whose families owns and operates an ornamental tree nursery in Talladega County, said health care premiums “cost more than it costs my son to go to Auburn University” each year.

Hunter said without an alternative to paying escalating health care premiums, it will be difficult for young farmers to make a living.

“The costs are grim,” Hunter said.

Emmanuel Bankston, a 34-year-old farmer from Henry County and vice chair of the Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee, said that health costs can amount to two mortgages.

“If you’re a young farm family, a reduction in that could be the difference in having a profit,” Bankston said.

“We have the opportunity here in our state to make it better and have another option.”

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Huntsville limiting access to city buildings to prevent ‘First Amendment Auditors’ harassment

Thinking of barging in on a Huntsville city official unannounced and recording them while they conduct business?

That action could land you an appearance in municipal court and a fine.

The Huntsville City Council voted to limit access to city government buildings, including City Hall, to prevent city officials and residents from being harassed by “First Amendment Auditors” and others seeking to post confrontations on social media.

“One of the things that brings this on is the advent of a popular thing that is occurring across the country, the so-called First Amendment Auditors who sweep into a building, overwhelm your security staff and the next thing you know, they are all over the building sticking cameras in people’s faces, as a general rule, trying to incite anger or misconduct on the part of employees,” City Attorney Trey Riley said. “It’s quite a disquieting experience.”

Riley said he recently experienced such action.

“It’s very disruptive to city business,” he said. “It’s invasive of the privacy of our employees and it destroys their ability while they are there to service the public.”

Under the new ordinance, people will not be allowed to drop in unannounced, record videos or take photographs in restricted or private work areas without the consent of those conducting business.

The rules will not apply to areas designated as open meeting areas such as the City Council Chambers. Those areas are subject to the Open Meetings Act of Alabama. Residents are free to record public meetings in those areas, Riley said.

People are still allowed to record in public-facing areas like lobbies, provided they do not disrupt ongoing business. adds Sgt. Chris Jackson of the Huntsville Police Department,

“In HPD lobbies, for example, individuals often visit to file reports directly with officers,” he said. “A citizen who is not recording themselves may not want their conversation—potentially involving sensitive or protected information—captured by a third party. In such cases, we would likely ask the person filming to step away to respect the victim’s privacy.”

Riley said city government buildings have security personnel in public entrances to screen for weapons. He said stairway access doors in places like City Hall are locked to prevent access to individual floors where city employees are doing business. The individual offices in the building are locked as well.

“This ordinance is intended to enhance those security efforts and also to enhance the privacy of not only employees but of citizens as they come to conduct city business,” Riley said. “They don’t want while they are giving out their confidential information, application of a business permit or building permit or business license to have someone over them filming them or asking them a bunch of questions or disturbing them while they give their Social Security number or other confidential information.”

District 4 City Councilman Bill Kling asked Riley if the new ordinance would prevent a person from having access to their elected officials or if it would interfere with activities such as the President’s Forum hosted by Council President John Meredith in the City Council Chambers.

“You would be allowed to invite whoever you wanted to in your office,” Riley said. “By the same token, someone would not be able to enter the building and any floor and barge into your private office and start filming you, question you and interfere with whatever relationship you have with a citizen there at that point.”

Riley said signage would be put up to help residents who arrive at a city facility needing to conduct official business. He also said security personnel would also offer guidance and, in some cases, provide an escort to the area where the resident needs to conduct business

District 3 City Councilwoman Jennie Robinson said she observed the recent posting of an incident of “First Amendment Auditors” in Huntsville.

“First Amendment Auditors tried their level best to provoke a reaction and didn’t get it,” she said. “Everyone really did a fine job of responding appropriately firmly, but politely.”

District 1 City Councilwoman Michelle Watkins asked Riley what kind of penalties violators of the ordinance could face. Riley said violators could face fines set by municipal court.

He said fines will likely not be “exorbitant limits, but at least it will be such that someone will have their attention gotten.”

“The idea, of course, is not to try to punish people, but to maintain security, safety and privacy in the building,” Riley said.

Riley said the ordinance does not apply to playing fields or recreational facilities.

“They have their own sets of rules that are not impacted by this,” he said.

An example of a First Amendment Audit can be found here: Huntsville, AL West Precinct 1st Amendment Audit

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