Hall led the Big 12 in scoring last season, averaging 18.8 points while shooting 42.7% from the floor and 35.4% from 3-point territory.
This will be Hall’s fourth transfer in the last four years after playing at UNLV, George Mason and UCF. The 6-foot-7, 235-pound forward started 33 games for UCF in 2024-25 and was named a second team All-Big 12 selection.
Hall scored a career-high 40 points in a win against Arizona State on Jan. 14. He’s also scored over 20 points in 16 games with the Knights.
Ranked as the No. 10 player in the 247sports transfer portal list, Hall drew interest from Kansas, Auburn, Arkansas, and LSU,before choosing the Tigers.
Hall joins Abdul Bashir on the list of players who committed to the Tigers during the offseason.
Former Vice President Mike Pence believes that a new tariff plan announced by President Donald Trump would not be so liberating.
On Wednesday, dubbed “Liberation Day” by Trump, the president revealed a plan to implement up to 50% reciprocal tariffs on several countries that export goods to the U.S.
But according to Pence and his organization, Advancing American Freedom, the proposed plan is the “largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history” and could cost families up to $3,500 a year.
“President Trump was elected to restore America’s economy after four years of Bidenflation,” the organization said in a release. “However, Trump’s tariff taxes could cost American families thousands of dollars a year, destroy American jobs, and potentially lose conservatives their governing majority.”
The countries that will see increased taxes on imports include showing the United States would charge include China at 34%, the European Union at 20%, South Korea at 25%, Japan at 24% and Taiwan at 32%.
According to the Associated Press, business leaders are warning that Trump’s tariff plan could lead to higher costs to U.S. consumers.
But the Trump administration contends the tariffs will usher in a new, more equitable, era for trade and benefit businesses and consumers.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is arguing the constitution gives President Donald Trump authority to deport people to third countries, according to a 27-state brief he has joined.
On March 15, the Trump administration deported hundreds of alleged gang members to an El Salvadoran prison known for its brutal and inhumane conditions.
About 238 Venezuelans were sent after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, claiming the transnational gang, Tren de Arauga, was an “invading force.”
Civil and immigrants rights groups have argued the deportations of the individuals violated their rights to due process as the deportees had not been convicted of being gang members.
On Friday, a federal judge issued a nationwide temporary restraining order halting the Trump administration from deporting people to third countries unless they are given written notice and the opportunity to seek legal redress.
But Marshall and other Republican attorneys general believe the judge’s order infringes on the powers the constitution provides to Trump and should therefore be vacated.
“The district court also erred by failing to afford the President proper deference in his exercise of his statutory and constitutional powers,” the brief says.
“In doing so, the district court violated important principles of separation of powers.”
The attorneys general argue that Article II of the Constitution gives Trump great authority over national security and foreign affairs issues without needing Congress to exercise that power.
“This is about more than just one policy—this is about preserving the President’s ability to enforce the law. If the judiciary can strip the executive branch of its power to control immigration, it won’t stop there,” Marshall said. “The very foundation of our constitutional system is at risk if courts overstep their bounds and substitute their own policy preferences for the rule of law.”
The brief also argued that preventing the Trump administration from quickly removing alleged Tren de Arauga gang members harmed the “public interest.”
But the Trump administration has not provided evidence all of the deportees were gang members.
The Trump administration has admitted to sending a Maryland father with protected status to the El Salvadoran prison due to an “administrative error” and argued that they could not return him to America.
Aside from Alabama the states involved in the lawsuit include Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Ten Commandments displays would be moved to history classrooms and college buildings where history classes are held under the latest proposal Alabama lawmakers are considering.
However, one longtime advocate for Ten Commandment displays criticized the brief debate over HB178, calling it “amateur hour” and urging Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to take charge.
“She (Ivey) said she would put it in every public building including school rooms,” said Dean Young, an Orange Beach businessman who led efforts in 2018 to get Ten Commandment displays enshrined into the Alabama Constitution. “She brought it up during the State of the State address, and now she’s trying to put them only in the history classes.”
Ivey’s office was not immediately available for comment.
The debate on HB178, which requires biblical directives to be displayed at schools, is expected to resume next week in Montgomery. Lawmakers on the Alabama House Education Policy Committee decided Wednesday it was best to hold off on voting for HB178 until more information about it was provided.
Governor’s influence
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey delivers her State of the State address, March 7, 2023, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett, File)AP
Rep. Mark Gidley, R-Hokes Bluff, and pastor of Faith Worship Center in Glencoe, said revised version of the Ten Commandments legislation was the result of work supporters did with Ivey’s office.
The Ten Commandments, as recorded in the Bible, are a set of moral, religious, and ethical directives believed to have been given by God on Mount Sinai. They include directives for people not to steal, commit adultery, murder, honor one’s mother and father, etc.
“My ask was that it be placed in a strategic location,” Gidley said about the displays. “The (new version of HB178) asks that it be placed in the classroom where American history is taught. This brings the Ten Commandments into a strategic place and places it where the history of America is taught alongside other historic documents.”
The original version of HB178 required the Ten Commandment displays to be inside the “entry way or other common areas of a school, such as a school library.” It also required that each display be on a poster or framed document at least 11 inches by 14 inches.
The bill also does not require public bodies to spend money for the displays.
Payment, locations
Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, asked Gidley what entities were willing to pay to have the Ten Commandments displayed inside the schools statewide.
Gidley said he had “one entity” come forward willing to pay for the displays but declined to disclose any names.
“The main part of it is we don’t place a financial burden on our school systems,” he said. “It will be up to the people in the community and the school board to ask for donations and make sure people are aware this is not paid for with school dollars.”
Daniels expressed hope for more details in HB178 to clarify the requirement for schools to display the Ten Commandments.
The requirement applies not only for K-12 schools, but also higher education institutions in Alabama.
“For me, I just don’t know how you require something and expect the school system struggling for funds anyway to go out and solicit and find supporters to pay (for the displays),” Daniels said.
Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy, said he was concerned about where the displays would be placed at colleges and universities.
“I can understand in a K-12 (having them displayed) in a prominent place where government and history is being taught,” he said. “But the institution in my district, there is a whole building full of classrooms that teach government and history. Are you requiring it to be in all 20 classrooms and all four floors of that one building?”
Gidley said he initially wanted the Ten Commandments displayed in “every classroom” throughout the state. He said he realized that position was what he classified as “overkill.”
“I would say if you have an entire building dedicated (to history classes), a prominent place would suffice,” Gidley said.
Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, and chair of the committee, said the bill needed more work. She also said there needed to be more discussion about what kind of inscription to include on the poster that would be displayed at schools statewide.
Reaction
Dean Young of Baldwin County, rallies for support of a constitutional amendment in 2018, for Ten Commandment displays.
Young, who watched the proceedings, said he felt Gidley was “ill-prepared” and called on Ivey to push forward the displays if she wants to follow up on a prior campaign promise.
Young has been critical of Ivey, who pledged with his political action committee to have the Ten Commandments displayed within the three months after the amendment was adopted in 2018. The amendment was approved with 72% of voters backing the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools and public property.
Former Chief Justice Roy Moore stands next to his Ten Commandments monument after moving it into the office of the Foundation for Moral Law in Montgomery on Feb. 11, 2020. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)
“The original legislation wasn’t solely focused on the Ten Commandments. It also allowed school boards to display other historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Mayflower Compact (signed in 1620), which served as the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony, and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which outlines the process for admitting new states to the Union.
Ryan Jayne, senior policy counsel with the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) Fund said the legislation is based on what he said is a falsehood in that they pretend not to promote Christianity over other religions.
He said that HB178 is based on “dubious claims that the Ten Commandments have an important role in America’s founding, and that posting them in public schools is based on history rather than on religion.”
“They’re trying to convert students to a particular brand of Christianity, plain and simple,” Jayne said. “But the bill sponsors know that if they admit this, they are admitting (it is) unconstitutional.”
Previous efforts to require Ten Commandment displays in other states have met legal challenges. A federal judge blocked a Louisiana law from going forward in November. The judge called the law “unconstitutional on its face” because it violated a separation of church and state. It is currently being litigated before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
The firing came just one year removed from Harris leading Auburn to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019. Auburn dealt with injuries for much of the 2024-2025 season, highlighted by high-scoring transfer guard, Taliah Scott, only playing three games due to a wrist injury.
Scott will join Harris in Waco, officially signing with the Bears out of the transfer portal on March 31.
Harris will now join head coach Nicki Collen’s staff at Baylor. The Bears finished the 2024-2025 season 28-8, falling to Ole Miss in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 5:54 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 6:30 p.m. for Marion and Lamar counties.
The storms may bring penny-sized hail (0.75 inches).
“At 5:54 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Sulligent, moving northeast at 45 mph,” says the weather service. “Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Detroit, Henson Springs, Weston, Sulligent, Byrd, Pine Springs, Hamilton, Bexar, Shottsville and Rankin Fite Airport.
The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.
To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads
When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:
Beware of swollen waterways:
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
Maintain safe driving distances:
The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.
Slow down and drive with care:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.
Prioritize visibility
Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
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.
Several Alabama cities had record highs on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
And more records could fall over the next several days, with temperatures near 90 degrees in the forecast for many parts of the state.
Alabama temperatures on Tuesday were at least 10 degrees or more above the average, according to weather service data.
Here are Tuesday’s records:
Anniston tied its record high of 87 degrees, which was last reached in 1978.
Birmingham reached 87 degrees, breaking the record of 86 degrees in 2012.
Montgomery hit 89 degrees, breaking its record of 88 degrees from 2006.
Muscle Shoals’ high of 87 degrees broke the record of 86 from 2012.
Tuscaloosa tied its record high of 88 degrees, last reached in 2006.
More records could fall in the next three days.
Thursday will again bring high temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s, according to the weather service (Thursday’s forecast is at the top of this post).
More of the same is expected on Friday and Saturday.
A cold front is expected to break the spring heatwave by Sunday, but it could also bring some strong to severe storms to Alabama.
And if that wasn’t enough, the pattern could flip next week and bring below-average temperatures to Alabama.
On Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. a severe thunderstorm warning was released by the National Weather Service in effect until 6 p.m. for Marion and Winston counties.
The storms are predicted to bring quarter-sized hail (1 inch).
“At 5:45 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Haleyville, moving northeast at 45 mph,” according to the weather service. “Damage to vehicles is expected.”
Locations impacted by the warning include Posey Field Airport, Needmore, Haleyville, Pebble, Upper Bear Creek Reservoir and Bear Creek.
According to the weather service, “For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”
Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.
To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:
Beware of swollen waterways:
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
Slow down and drive with care:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.
Visibility matters:
Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.
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.
America received some great news last year when the federal government reported that youth tobacco usage was at historic lows. Keeping young people away from tobacco has long been a government priority, but when it comes to cigarettes the focus should now be on helping adult smokers to quit.
More than 28 million adult Americans continue to smoke cigarettes, including more than 500,000 Alabamans. Smoking not only harms the health of smokers but also hurts society by exposing others to secondhand smoke and increasing our healthcare costs. In Alabama alone, smoking-related diseases adds $2.1 billion to our healthcare expenses every year, including an additional $309 million in Medicaid costs.
It is clear that Alabama lawmakers should prioritize helping our state’s smokers to quit, and that is why I introduced legislation last year that would make it easier for adults who smoke to switch from cigarettes to safer, smoke-free alternatives. I plan to introduce similar legislation in this session and urge my colleagues to join me in this critical effort to improve Alabama’s public health.
Quitting smoking is not easy. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than half of adult smokers try to quit each year, but fewer than one in 10 succeed. This is largely because traditional nicotine replacement therapies—gums, patches, medications, and other products—do not work for everyone. Fortunately, there are other options available.
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) heat tobacco without burning it, thus avoiding the production of toxic smoke. This is important because it is the smoke that is responsible for most of the serious health issues related to smoking, such as lung disease and cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has long acknowledged that tobacco and nicotine products fall on a continuum of risk, with traditional cigarettes being the most harmful. In comparison, HTPs are 90 percent safer than traditional cigarettes.
Given this information, Alabama must consider ways to move adults who smoke toward less harmful alternatives. In doing so, we can improve both the health of hundreds of thousands of Alabamans and reduce spending on smoking-related illnesses.
HTPs, though relatively new in the U.S., are popular in more than 60 countries. As HTPs have been introduced into the markets there, cigarette sales have declined. Many people find that HTPs offer a similar experience to smoking a traditional cigarette but without the harmful smoke and fewer dangerous byproducts.
Last year, Mississippi legislators passed Senate Bill 3105, a bill that would lower taxes on HTPs to ensure they are more affordable than cigarettes. This would help create an additional incentive for smokers to try a product that will be better for them.
My bill would do the same. This commonsense approach would not only improve public health but could also save Alabama billions of dollars in healthcare and productivity costs as more people successfully transition away from smoking.
We have a real opportunity to improve public health in Alabama by creating the right regulatory framework to support new products and innovations. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure this legislation moves forward.
Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, serves in the Alabama Legislature representing Jefferson County.
The Alabama House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved a bill to outlaw human cloning.
The bill, by Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, would make it a Class C felony to clone, attempt to clone, or participate in the attempted cloning of a human being.
Rigsby, who is a pharmacist, said he got the idea for the legislation when he attended a conference on the ethics of biological and medical research.
Rigsby said he believes about 11 other states have laws to prohibit human cloning.
“It made be start asking questions about what does Alabama have,“ Rigsby said.
”And there was nothing on the books that would prevent it. Nothing allows it, but if you don’t have anything that prevents it, it’s the wild, wild west. So I want to make sure those guardrails are there just to protect the dignity of life.”
A Class C felony carries a sentence of one to 10 years.
Rigsby said he believes researchers could reach the capability of human cloning in the next two to five years.
He noted that Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996. He said horses, cows, dogs, cats, and monkeys have been cloned since then.
“It’s not going to be tomorrow. But we could be a couple of years away,“ Rigsby said.
Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, proposed an amendment to ensure that in-vitro fertilization would not be affected by the bill.
The committee adopted the amendment.
Rigsby said the language to protect IVF was already in the bill, but said Almond’s amendment moved it to an earlier part of the bill.
Rigsby said his bill, HB380, would only apply to efforts to clone a human being, not other forms of cloning, such as those used to develop a human organ.
“My issue here today is for the safety and the integrity of life and the valuing of life,” Rigsby said. “I do not want life to become a commodification.
“And so what HB380 does is just basically put some guardrails around the science that’s quickly advancing so that we do continue to value life and don’t have a bunch of little Phillips running around here, which can cause a lot of moral and ethical issues.”
