Jimmy Hoffa was reported missing. U.S. President Gerald Ford survived two assignation attempts, Watergate verdicts hit the fan, and the Vietnam War “ended.” In theaters, “Jaws” premiered. On TV, “Saturday Night Live” debuted. Two of the Three Stooges died, and one Angelina Jolie was born.
Hello, 1975. Amid all that, the Von Braun Civic Center, now known simply as Von Braun Center, opened in Huntsville, Alabama. The facility’s arena hosted a staggering array of concerts during its opening year, including these 10 legendary acts.
A former Alabama quarterback reached out to me this week about the Crimson Tide.
Like everyone else who watched Alabama this season, the guys who played at Alabama have some concerns, too.
I’m not going to name him here, but the quarterback made it all the way to the NFL and knows his stuff. “I usually don’t agree with sportswriter’s comments,” he said, but wanted to talk about Alabama’s lack of attention to detail in the bowl game against Michigan.
Michigan was a double-digit underdog but upset Alabama 19-13 in a game that underscored Alabama’s lack of preparation throughout the season. It led to four turnovers against the Wolverines, including three by Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Alabama ended the season with a loss despite its defense holding Michigan’s piecemeal offense to a minuscule 2.9 yards per play. I’ve never seen anything like it, or at least not from Alabama. Michigan played a host of backups throughout the game and had to use a quarterback who’s transferring out of the program.
The game ultimately came down to Michigan having enough pride in itself to actually care about its also-ran bowl game a year after winning the national title. Meanwhile, Alabama played like it was uninterested in even being there after being left out of the most recent College Football Playoff.
The problem at Alabama might be more troubling, though.
Alabama’s coaching staff made a habit this season of being unprepared for games it was supposed to win.
How could a team not be ready for rain in Tampa?
“Playing in Florida,” wrote the former quarterback, “the head coach and equipment manager have to anticipate rain showers and a slick, wet field and have a change of proper shoes for skill players with longer, more robust cleats if needed. Which they were. Did you notice any Michigan players slipping and sliding down?
“On Thursdays, Coach [Paul] Bryant had a drill where we snapped, did handoffs, and threw for 10 minutes with wet balls … and took safer snaps under center and not from shotgun.”
Against Michigan, Alabama quarterback’s looked like he had never handled a wet ball in his career. But Alabama should have been prepared for rain in Tampa. After all, the Tide played in the rain in Tampa in 2023.
Milroe was benched for that game, though. Alabama won 17-3 with quarterbacks Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson.
Maybe Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer should have benched Milroe against Michigan after the quarterback turned the ball over three times in Alabama’s first 10 plays.
On Milroe possibly tipping off plays against the Wolverines, the former Alabama and NFL quarterback who emailed me attributed that to “lack of attention to detail. The former quarterback pointed out that he “always scouted myself for any pre-snap movement or actions such as head turn, which would tip defense pre-run or pass or the direction of play.”
In the aftermath of Alabama’s embarrassing loss to Michigan, a video circulated on the internet that put Milroe and DeBoer in an unfavorable light. Milroe’s pre-snap posture against Michigan could have allowed the Wolverines to anticipate a run or pass. On passing plays, Milroe staggered his feet before the hike. On run plays, his pre-snap feet were squared in the direction of the center.
It’s a small thing, but a glaring indictment of Alabama’s staff. A good coach should have recognized the error and corrected it. In the SEC, every detail matters.
It was Alabama’s sloppy habits against inferior opponents that ruined the season for the Tide.
Three of Alabama’s four defeats in 2024 were against teams that ended the season with at least five losses. That’s a direct reflection on the coaching staff, and specifically first-year Alabama coach DeBoer. Previous coach Nick Saban rarely lost games against unranked opponents. It’s a trend for the new guy in charge.
Saban was 127-4 against unranked opponents.
In one season, DeBoer already has three losses against teams outside the Top 25 polls.
DeBoer can’t afford to miss the playoffs next season, but if he loses to another unranked opponent that will already match the total number of unranked losses Saban had over 17 years as the coach of Alabama.
Alabama was the most overrated team in the country in 2024. Worst of all, while teams like Ohio State, Notre Dame and Georgia improved from the beginning of the season to the end, Alabama went the opposite direction.
In his email, the former Alabama quarterback noted that part of the problem with Alabama’s offense was its predictable tendencies. Milroe “regressed in ’24 because every Alabama opponent’s defensive coordinator studied the Michigan defensive coordinator’s very effective scheme vs. Milroe in the Rose Bowl loss and used it to limit his downfield running and force him to throw from the pocket.”
In a touch of irony, Milroe and DeBoer both had another shot at Michigan in the same calendar year. Michigan had the playbook, and Alabama didn’t care enough to give itself a chance.
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A rip current statement was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 6:36 a.m. valid from Sunday 6 a.m. until Tuesday 6 a.m. for Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The weather service adds, “Dangerous rip currents expected.”
“Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” says the weather service. “Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”
Caught in a rip: How to stay safe
Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches. The speeds can vary from moment to moment and can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the surf. Rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore. Trying to swim against a rip current will only use up your energy; the energy you need to survive and escape the rip current. If you get caught in a rip current, try to stay calm and follow the below advice from the weather service:
Stay calm – they won’t drag you under:
Your first rule of thumb: Keep a clear head. Rip currents won’t pull you beneath the water’s surface. Panic is your enemy; it depletes precious energy needed for your survival.
Go with the flow, but not toward the beach:
Trying to swim directly toward the beach when caught in a rip current is futile and exhausting. The current is too strong. Instead, swim parallel to the shore and away from the rip current’s grip.
Signal for help if necessary:
If you find yourself unable to make it back to shore, stay calm. Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by calling out or waving your arms. Rescuers are more likely to spot you.
Seek lifeguarded beaches for added safety:
Whenever feasible, choose beaches with lifeguards on duty. Their trained eyes and rapid response can be a lifesaver in water emergencies.
Never brave the waves alone on unguarded shores:
If you decide to swim at beaches without lifeguards, establish a cardinal rule: never go solo. Always bring a companion, and ensure they have a cell phone to call 911 if needed.
With these insights into rip currents and how to react, you can enhance your safety when enjoying the beach. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize your well-being while relishing the surf.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
A high surf advisory was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 6:36 a.m. valid from Sunday 9 a.m. until Monday 6 p.m. for Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The weather service states, “Large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet expected in the surf zone.”
“Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” states the weather service. “Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Press-Register high school volleyball teams won four state titles this season with 13 total teams earning a spot in the AHSAA state championship tournament.
Class 7A McGill-Toolen won its third straight and 24th AHSAA state championship by downing Bob Jones in the title match while Spanish Fort won Class 6A, UMS-Wright downed Faith Academy for the Class 5A title and Mobile Christian earned the Class 3A championship.
The City of Huntsville is preparing for extreme cold temperatures and the potential for winter weather next week.
It said in a news release the National Weather Service is tracking dangerously low temperatures arriving on Monday, Jan. 6, as an Arctic air mass moves into the area. This cold front may bring light freezing rain and damaging winds, which could lead to downed trees, power outages and an increased risk of cold-related illnesses.
While Auburn men’s basketball played one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the country, the team’s newcomers have yet to experience the grind of Southeastern Conference play.
The SEC is arguably stronger than ever before in 2025, with every team ranked 63rd or higher in KenPom’s efficiency ratings. While Auburn has faced its fair share of good teams already, it hasn’t yet had to play this many on a consistent basis.
Many of Auburn’s key players already know what that grind is like, but it will be a new challenge for Georgia Tech transfer Miles Kelly and true freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford, who spoke to reporters Friday afternoon ahead of their SEC debuts on Saturday.
Kelly has three seasons of experience playing in the ACC, a strong conference in its own right, but not quite what the SEC is in 2025. When asked how it compared, he said there’s high-level basketball in both leagues, but the physicality of the SEC will be the biggest adjustment.
“The only thing I would say that people have warned me about with the SEC is it’s a lot more physical,” Kelly said. “So, we’ll see tomorrow if it’s more physical, but ACC and SEC are two high-level basketball conferences that get a lot of recognition.”
Another thing that sticks out to Kelly is the depth of the league, a factor that makes staying healthy and being prepared to play even more important.
“We’ve got a lot of great teams in this league, a lot of teams could win, a lot of teams could lose, the best teams could lose,” Kelly said. “It’s going to be a grind every game. The first team in the conference could play the tenth team, or however that goes, and they could lose. It’s who wants it more, honestly.”
For Pettiford, he’s preparing for his first experience playing a conference schedule in college. When asked how he and the team will handle it, he also mentioned preparation.
“We know every week it’s going to be a tough game,” Pettiford said. “Every day, just have to come in ready, prepare for the next game. We have to worry about the game that’s ahead of us.”
Pettiford has been huge for Auburn this season, averaging 11.2 points per game, 3.1 assists and shooting 42.2% from 3-point range. He also seems to save his best performances for Auburn’s toughest games, scoring 21 points against Houston, 20 against Duke, 18 against Purdue and 14 versus Iowa State.
Pettiford was asked where his maturity comes from to be able to play at that level on big stages this early in his career, and the freshman from Jersey City, New Jersey, attributed it to his basketball upbringing.
“I really never played my age group growing up,” Pettiford said. “My dad always had me playing a year or two up, so I feel like just playing with the older kids and playing in a grown man league with my dad was just something that I feel like helped form in my maturity.”
Auburn’s SEC opener versus Missouri is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. on Saturday. It will be streaming live on SEC Network.
It’s probably fair to say that more people in Mobile knew Catt Sirten for his voice than for his vision. A new photography exhibition opening for the January art walk offers a chance to see a different side of a man whose creative influence on Mobile’s cultural scene went far beyond his work as a DJ.
“Catt had one of the best eyes for photography of anybody I’ve ever known,” said Keith Necaise, a friend who learned photography from Sirten and went on to become a full-time professional photographer. Necaise is among the contributors to “Catt Prints,” the new exhibition being presented by Mobile Arts Council.
Abbie Stockard is planning a career as a nurse anesthetist specializing in pediatrics. But after seeing her in photos of her Miss America wardrobe, we’d suggest a modeling career on the side.
The Birmingham native, 22, combines smarts and beauty in her role as Miss Alabama 2024, along with a desire to help others. All of these qualities have been on display this week, as Stockard competes in Miss America pageant in Orlando, Florida.
She’s one of 52 women vying for the 2025 crown, which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. Before she left for Orlando, Miss Alabama showcased her Miss America wardrobe for AL.com, including a stunning evening gown, a pink pantsuit, a silver cocktail dress and more. (See photos of her modeling the clothes in the photo gallery at the top of this post.)
Since her arrival at the pageant, Stockard has participated in several activities and events, including preliminary competitions, production rehearsals, interviews with the Miss America judges, a visit to Universal Orlando Resort and more. And she’s been getting noticed this week, as the action heats up for the finals on Sunday, Jan. 5.
Stockard was one of six women who earned the AHA Go Red for Women Leadership Award, in affiliation with the American Heart Association. These awards go to Miss America contestants who promote women’s heart health in their communities. As a nursing student who’s raised money and awareness for the heart association, Stockard was an ideal candidate for this accolade.
The main event at Miss America, of course, happens on Sunday at the Walt Disney Theater, as the finals take place and a new winner is crowned.
“I truly believe that I am equipped with the skills to be an effective Miss America.,” Stockard told AL.com. “That would be absolutely incredible. I have a plan as Miss America, and I know that I would be an effective brand ambassador. I would help to increase their visibility. And the way I think of myself is, I’m very joyful. I’m very compassionate. I love to serve, and that would be the forefront of my reign.”
Stockard sounded upbeat and cheerful this week, reflecting on her experiences as Miss Alabama and looking forward to whatever the Miss America competition has in store. Here’s what she said during a 25-minute phone interview — and yes, we made sure to ask the Auburn University student if she would let loose with a “War Eagle!” on stage.
(The interview below was edited for length and clarity.)
Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, models her Miss America 2025 wardrobe in Alabama prior to the competition. Stockard is one of 52 women vying for the 2025 Miss America crown which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. She wears her Rebel Athletics New Year Visitation outfit, a white double-breasted coat dress with black lapels and rhinestone buttons by Jovani from The Clothes Tree by Deborah.
(Tamika Moore/Al.com) AL.COM
You’re halfway through your reign as Miss Alabama, after being crowned in June 2024. What have the last six months been like for you?
Abbie Stockard: It’s been a very crazy season, but I have loved so much of it. I’ve gotten to do a lot of different appearances. One of my favorite ones was that I traveled to Washington, D.C., and I was able to advocate on Capitol Hill. My service initiative is about cystic fibrosis awareness, and I was able to be a voice on behalf of the CF community.
I have an idea as Miss America that I want to launch if I’m crowned, called Miss America Takes Capitol Hill Day. I was able to speak with (U.S. Senators) Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, who are ready to help me launch that initiative if I do end up being crowned.
How are you feeling this week in Orlando, now that the Miss America competition is underway?
I’m extremely excited. It’s kind of crazy, all of that work you put into it, and now that it’s actually all taking place is just super exciting. I’m having a blast.
What have you been doing to prepare for the Miss America competition?
There is so much more preparation that goes into it than what you see just on the Miss America stage. We compete in fitness, onstage question, interview, evening gown and talent. For talent, I have been in the dance studio every single day, just running my talent over and over to make sure that I’m maintaining my stamina, but also my technique and flexibility. On top of that, I’ve been working out for the fitness component and practicing my evening gown walk because it’s harder than it looks.
The thing that I spent the most time on is my onstage question and interview preparation. We’ve been doing mock interviews every week, and then outside of that, every single day, I’m just going through my two notebooks of all of the notes that I have written down over the past three years of competing. I think it’s like studying for a test. (The Miss Alabama organization) makes sure that I am very, very prepared. On top of that, I’m still doing appearances as Miss Alabama. We’ve been doing all the things.
What does competing for Miss America mean to you?
It’s an absolute dream. Little girl Abbie never imagined she would be here competing for Miss America. It’s a huge honor that I’m extremely grateful for. But I also hope that I can inspire other young women who maybe haven’t gotten started competing in Miss America.
I didn’t grow up competing in pageants. I didn’t know if I’d be successful in the Miss America opportunity. I knew nothing about it. I didn’t start until I was 19, and I was a freshman at Auburn University. Here I am three years later, competing for Miss America. I hope to break that stigma some people have about pageants and show other young women, especially in Alabama, that they, too, can thrive in this organization. By making one small decision to start competing, your entire life can be changed.
Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, models her Miss America 2025 wardrobe in Alabama prior to the competition. Stockard is one of 52 women vying for the 2025 Miss America crown which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. She wears her Miss America production filming outfit, a green Chiara Boni mockneck midi dress, from Gus Mayer.
(Tamika Moore/Al.com) AL.COM
Amid all the excitement in Orlando, what are you doing to stay calm and composed?
I feel so thankful. I have an amazing support system of the Miss Alabama board and my family, my traveling companions and all of my friends. They’ve been sending me the most uplifting and encouraging messages, and I think that’s really kept me grounded.
And I’m very strong in my faith. The reason that I’ve stayed calm is going back and reading Bible verses about not being fearful and having peace and confidence, because the Lord tells us, do not fret or do not worry. I’m putting my trust in that and putting my trust in the work that I’ve done beforehand. This is just the time to press “play” and see it all unfold.
I’ve also told myself I’ve already accomplished the big thing. My dream was to become Miss Alabama. Yes, I would love to be Miss America, but for me, this is like a cherry on top, because the real dream is just getting to represent the state of Alabama, and I already get to do that.
You’re taking a year off from school at Auburn, to fulfill your duties as Miss Alabama. Will we hear a “War Eagle!” from you on stage at Miss America?
I don’t think I can say “War Eagle!” on stage as badly as I want to. I said it on my social media post last night, so I’ll sneak it in there when I can.
Any thoughts on the other Miss America contestants you’ve met on scene?
The women here are just incredible. They’re all incredible and driven and dedicated, and it’s just super inspiring knowing that this generation and class of women is accomplishing so much.
Abbie Stockard performed a contemporary dance routine to “You Say” at the Miss Alabama 2024 finals competition on Saturday, June 29, 2024.
(Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt | [email protected]
Your talent for Miss America is contemporary dance. How are you feeling about the talent competition?
I’ve been dancing for 20 years, ever since I was 2 years old. Now that I’m older, I don’t really get to perform on a stage anymore, and I’m performing on the most iconic stage ever, the Miss America stage. I’m just so excited to showcase my talent and get back on stage and perform, because I feel like that’s where I really come alive and thrive the most.
I’m doing a contemporary dance to “You Say” by Lauren Daigle. It’s the same one that I competed in at Miss Alabama and won with. It’s a really special piece to me. My grandmother actually picked out the song “You Say” for me before she passed away. She used to tell me that whenever I hear that song, she wants me to remember that I am loved, I am strong, I am valuable, and never let anyone make you think otherwise.
I hope that by performing, I can be a light and an inspiration to others, but also remind people in the audience the importance of just always sticking to the course and staying true to who you are.
Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, models her Miss America 2025 wardrobe in Alabama prior to the competition. Stockard is one of 52 women vying for the 2025 Miss America crown which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. She wears her arrival ceremony outfit, a red double-breasted Jovani crepe pantsuit with rhinestone buttons from The Clothes Tree by Deborah. (Tamika Moore/Al.com) AL.COM
Tell us about your wardrobe for Miss America, and why it’s important.
Part of the Miss America brand is style That’s important because Miss America has to be able to cultivate her own style. It showcases your confidence and your individuality. … My wardrobe is iconic. I feel like the theme I’m going for with all of my outfits is classy but vibrant. They’re pretty colorful. Some of them also give “boss woman.”
All of my outfits are sponsored by (Birmingham companies) The Clothes Tree and Gus Mayer, and they have made this whole process so seamless. I knew that if they were sponsoring me, no matter what I put on, it was going to be fabulous, and that is absolutely true.
What’s your evening gown like for the finals?
I’m obsessed with it. It’s a halter and the whole top half is gold and champagne beads. The entire thing is just covered in beads, very sparkly. The bottom half goes straight down and it’s white silk with a slit on my left leg. The entire back of the dress is like an open back, but there’s like a crisscross of the straps that are also covered in the gold and champagne beading. It gives old Hollywood. I feel very glamorous, but also angelic when I put it on.
Will you have a cheering section of family and friends in Orlando on Sunday?
My whole family will be here, and all of my friends are taking a road trip. We got buttons made, so they’re all gonna be repping my face on their outfits.
Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, models her Miss America 2025 wardrobe in Alabama prior to the competition. Stockard is one of 52 women vying for the 2025 Miss America crown which comes with $50,000 in scholarship money and a yearlong reign. She wears her Miss America evening gown, a custom couture Jovani champagne crystal fully-beaded halter cowl neck with off-white silk satin open low back, from The Clothes Tree by Deborah. (Tamika Moore/Al.com) AL.COM
Does it help to know your loved ones are on scene?
I truly feel like the most celebrated girl in the world. Orlando, I’m not gonna lie, it’s kind of expensive. The hotel room, traveling, and the fact that all of them are willing to sacrifice their money and time to come support me is just so sweet. It just makes me feel so good. I want to make them proud, too, because they’ve all played a role in my journey to getting here.
What would you like to say to people back home in Alabama who’ll be rooting for you at the finals?
I want to thank everyone so much for supporting me. I feel so loved and celebrated. Your support means the world to me. I’m going to do my best to reflect Alabama in the most positive light, and do everything I can to make the state of Alabama proud.
How to watch: The Miss America competition will not be broadcast on television this year. However, the finals event will stream online, and you can see it for free at PageantVision.com. The livestream starts at 6 p.m. CT on Jan. 5.
