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General

North Alabama placed under a wind advisory Wednesday and Thursday, winds gusting up to 40 mph

At 8:38 p.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory valid from Wednesday 10 a.m. until Thursday 1 a.m. for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman counties.

The weather service describes, “South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected.”

“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” says the weather service. “Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects.”

Navigating high wind alerts: What each level means

When it comes to high wind alerts, staying informed is essential. The weather service employs three alert levels to convey the severity of high winds:

High wind warning: Take action!

Sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts are happening. Seek shelter. If you are driving, keep both hands on the wheel and slow down.

Wind advisory: Take action!

Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning. Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.

High wind watch: Be prepared!

Sustained, strong winds are possible. Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you’re not caught outside.

How to prepare before strong winds approach

Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
Secure loose gutters and shutters.
Identify an interior room of your house, such as a basement or interior bathroom, that you can take shelter in during high wind warnings.
If you live in a mobile home, identify a sturdy building you can go to if the NWS issues a high wind or severe thunderstorm warning.
Charge batteries of all essential items such as cell phones and booster packs, weather radios and power tools such as a reciprocating saw, which you might need to clear debris.
Update your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water to last for 3 days for each person in your home.
Make a list of items outside your home you will need to tie down or put away so that they don’t blow away or fly through a window. When the NWS issues a high wind watch, immediately secure these items to avoid damage or injury once the wind starts picking up.

How to act during strong winds

Take shelter:

Immediately go inside a sturdy building during a high wind warning or severe thunderstorm warning and move to an interior room or basement.
If you are in a mobile home, move to a sturdy building before the winds pick up or the storm system reaches your location.

If caught outside or driving:

Take shelter in your car if you are not near a sturdy building. If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building. Otherwise, move your car to a location where it is less likely to be hit by falling trees or power lines.
If no shelter is available avoid trees, power lines, and the side of the road. Keep in mind that power lines that are laying on the ground may be live. Do not go near them! Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
If you are driving and aren’t near a sturdy building, hold the steering wheel with both hands and slow down.
Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers. One strong gust of wind can be enough to flip one of these trailers onto its side.

What to do after strong winds subside

Do not go near downed power lines. Report downed power lines to the police.
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.

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.

General

One Alabama QB is in ‘firm control’ of starting job so far, per Greg McElroy

There’s plenty of time left before Alabama football faces Florida State in the season opener Aug. 30, but one Crimson Tide quarterback seems to be the early favorite for the starting job, per Greg McElroy.

McElroy, the former Alabama quarterback turned ESPN broadcaster, was asked on his podcast “Always College Football” how he would evaluate the upside of Ty Simpson at quarterback this year for the Crimson Tide.

“Right now, based on my understanding of what’s going on in Tuscaloosa, is that Ty has had a solid camp, McElroy said. ”He is in firm control of the No. 1 job so far that the other two, between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, those are the ones that are kind of competing for that No. 2 spot right now.”

Simpson is the oldest of the group, having been with Alabama since 2022. Mack transferred from Washington ahead of the 2024 season. Russell, meanwhile, is a five-star freshman.

“Once we get into the summer, maybe that competition is extended,” McElroy said. “Maybe one of those guys makes a leap and makes this thing super competitive down the stretch. I don’t think we’re going to have an answer anytime soon.”

McElroy thinks it doesn’t make sense publicly for Alabama to endorse a starter for a .

“For fear that the fact there’s only three guys right now on scholarship, you lose one of the other two guys, now you’re down to two and you’re back in the portal for a guy who doesn’t have a great feel for the system,” McElroy said. “If I were in charge of this quarterback competition, this thing is going all the way to Week 1. As long as I can potentially string it out, I would string it out.”

Alabama is in the back half of spring practices, which will conclude with A-Day on April 12.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for Follow him on X and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

General

Denver Broncos hope to give Bo Nix the last laugh with their new ‘joker’

After Denver finished 19th among the NFL’s 32 teams in yards gained during the 2024 season, Broncos coach Sean Payton expressed a desire to add a “joker” to the team’s offense – an athletic running back or tight end whose abilities create a mismatch in the passing game and present a problem in space.

During his 15 seasons as the New Orleans Saints coach, Payton had players such as Alvin Kamara, Jimmy Graham and Jeremy Shockey in the role. Payton thinks Denver got a joker in free agency when it signed tight end Evan Engram in March.

“I would put him in that category, that family,” Payton said at the NFL’s annual meeting this week in Palm Beach, Florida. “I think that he is someone that has those skill sets. I think one of the things that helped us in the process of him making a decision was that role.”

The Broncos signed Engram to a two-year, $23 million contract in March after the Jacksonville Jaguars released him in a salary-cap decision.

Injuries caused Engram to miss eight games last season, when he had 47 receptions for 365 yards and one touchdown. In 2023, Engram went to the Pro Bowl after catching 114 passes for 963 passes and four touchdowns. The tight end also was a Pro Bowler in 2020.

“The interior triangle of your passing game — the tight end, the running back, the third receiver — when you’re seeing a lot of these coverage shell looks, those positions have to thrive,” Payton said. “The matchups inside — I just think, man, it’s hard to play that (quarterback) position if you’re not able to attack the interior triangle of some of the looks we’re getting defensively. This, I think, helps Bo (Nix).”

Denver reached the playoffs last season for the first time since 2015 in its first campaign with Nix at quarterback. The former Pinson Valley High School and Auburn standout joined the Broncos as the 12th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his 29 touchdown passes rank as the second-most by a first-year player in NFL history.

Having found its quarterback, Denver can concentrate on other areas this offseason as it builds its team in free agency and the draft, which will be held April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“I appreciate not being in that quarterback market,” Payton said. “You know, that’s difficult. We were talking last night, (general manager) George (Paton) and (team owner) Greg (Penner), obviously, there’s a lot of pressure to get that right. And when you don’t have it right, it’s one of those positions where it can kind of consume you as an organization. And, fortunately, a year ago this time we were able to do that.”

Nix finished third in the voting for The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2024, when he threw for 3,775 yards, ran for 430 yards and four touchdowns and caught a TD pass.

“Going into Year 2, there’s a process you have to respect and understand and not assume,” Payton said, “so there’s a lot of little things still that Bo will want to be better at that we need to be better at coaching. Fortunately, he’s got that makeup, that grit, that toughness – all the things you’re looking for. And that’s already begun with him.”

Payton said he “felt good” about what the Broncos accomplished in free agency.

That included re-signing Jarrett Stidham, another former Auburn quarterback, to back up Nix. Last season, Denver had Stidham and Zach Wilson behind Nix, but the Broncos lost Wilson to the Miami Dolphins in free agency in March.

“We’re excited Jarrett’s back,” Payton said. “He brings a veteran presence, but also a young presence about him. And I know how he feels about his own abilities. Man, we had a great room a year ago. You guys know that. So it was probably unrealistic to think that we were going to have both Zach and Jarrett back. …

“I think the experience from Jarrett is helpful to Bo.”

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

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

General

South Alabama basketball adds NAIA All-American through transfer portal

South Alabama basketball added its second small-school standout through the transfer portal in as many days on Tuesday.

Guard Chaze’ Harris, an NAIA All-American this season at Life University near Atlanta, has signed with the Jaguars. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-6 Harris averaged 19.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game this season for the Running Eagles, who finished 27-7, won the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament and reached the Round of 16 in the NAIA national tournament. Harris was named SSAC Player of the Year during the regular season and was also Most Valuable Player of the conference tournament.

“First and foremost, Chaze’ is an absolute winner, and he’s shown that throughout his entire career, ” South Alabama coach Richie Riley said. “He’s a big guard, always playing downhill in both transition and the half-court. He has an incredible basketball IQ and sees the game as well as anyone we’ve ever brought in here. I’m really excited about the immediate impact that he’s going to make in Mobile.”

Harris joins guard Brian Hawthorne of Division II Rockhurst (Mo.) University — who signed Monday — as South Alabama transfer portal additions in the current cycle. The Jaguars are expected to add at least two more transfers through the portal before the start of next season.

In addition, South Alabama signed signed high school point guards Desmond Williams of Baker and Samuel Shoptaw of Windermere (Fla.) Prep in November. Junior-college forward Stephen Williams committed to the Jaguars on March 10, and can sign beginning April 16.

South Alabama went 21-11 in 2024-25, earning a share of the Sun Belt Conference regular-season championship. Three first-year NAIA transfers — guards Myles Corey, Jayden Cooper and J.J. Wheat — played key roles on the team.

The Jaguars have had four scholarship players enter the transfer portal since the end of the season — Corey, All-Sun Belt forward Barry Dunning and reserve forwards Julian Margrave and Ethan Kizer.

General

Kentucky man posed as parent to pick up Alabama teen from school and rape her, lawsuit says

An Alabama woman is suing several school officials, alleging that a man from Kentucky sexually assaulted her daughter after being allowed to pick up the teen from school.

In September of 2024 a man named Justin Stephens called Central High School in Lauderdale County and pretended to be the 15-year-old’s parent, according to the lawsuit filed in state court on Monday.

“The written rules of CHS require all check-ins and check-outs to be processed in person through the main office, and the person checking the student out must present in-person to the main office and provide photo identification,” the lawsuit reads.

But the lawsuit says that no one at the school checked Stephens’ ID.

Video footage showed the girl getting into Stephens’ truck about 9 a.m., according to the lawsuit.

Stephens then allegedly took the girl to an abandoned building and raped her, the suit says.

At 2 p.m. cameras showed the student returning to the school.

Police have said that Stephens met the girl online and traveled from Kentucky to meet her in Alabama.

Defendants in this case include Stephens, Central High Principal Duana Keener, Assistant Principal Greta Erwin, and Elizabeth Shelton, the school secretary, and any other unnamed school employees who failed to follow policy.

AL.com has reached out to the school principal for comment. He did not immediately respond on Tuesday evening.

“Check-ins and check-outs are not allowed until the check-out has been verified by the parent/guardian of the student, and the person checking the student out must present a note with the parent/guardian’s signature and phone number,” the lawsuit reads. “All check-ins and check-outs are subject to the approval of the principal/administrator.

Stephens was arrested in Oct. 2024 and charged with rape and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. Court records state he confessed to the incident when speaking with the police.

The mother’s lawsuit emphasizes that Stephens was driving a black Dodge truck which school personnel knew was different than the vehicles driven by the teen’s parents.

In the lawsuit the mother says that Stephen’s actions were a consequence of the failures and negligence of the CHS administrators.

The lawsuit says that the teen has suffered mental, social and emotional trauma.

The lawsuit says she “has prematurely lost her childhood, been caused anxiety, embarrassment, loss of trust, and an alienation of affection and certain relationships.”

General

Cory Booker sets a record with marathon Senate speech. Will it rally anti-Trump resistance?

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a feat of determination, New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker held the Senate floor with a marathon speech that lasted all night and into Tuesday evening, setting a historic mark to show Democrats’ resistance to President Donald Trump’s sweeping actions.

Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday evening, saying he would remain there as long as he was “physically able.” More than 24 hours later, the 55-year-old senator, a former football tight end, was still going. It set the record for the longest continuous Senate floor speech in the chamber’s history, though Booker was assisted by fellow Democrats who gave him a break from speaking by asking him questions on the Senate floor.

It was a remarkable show of stamina as Democrats try to show their frustrated supporters that they are doing everything possible to contest Trump’s agenda. Yet Booker also provided a moment of historical solace for a party searching for its way forward: By standing on the Senate floor for more than a night and day and refusing to leave, he had broken a record set 68 years ago by then Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, a segregationist, to filibuster the advance of the Civil Rights Act in 1957.

“I’m here because as powerful as he was, the people are more powerful,” said Booker, who spoke openly on the Senate floor of his roots as the descendant of both slaves and slave-owners.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the first Black party leader in Congress who had slipped into the Senate chamber to watch Booker on Tuesday afternoon, called it “an incredibly powerful moment” because he had broken the record of a segregationist and was “fighting to preserve the American way of life and our democracy.”

Still, Booker centered his speech on a call for his party to find its resolve, saying, “We all must look in the mirror and say, ‘We will do better.‘”

“These are not normal times in our nation,” Booker said as he began the speech Monday evening. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”

Booker warns of a ‘looming constitutional crisis’

Shifting his feet, then leaning on his podium, Booker railed for hours against cuts to Social Security offices led by Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. He listed the impacts of Trump’s early orders and spoke to concerns that broader cuts to the social safety net could be coming, though Republican lawmakers say the program won’t be touched.

Booker also read what he said were letters from constituents, donning and doffing his reading glasses. One writer was alarmed by the Republican president’s talk of annexing Greenland and Canada and a “looming constitutional crisis.”

Throughout the day Tuesday, Booker got help from Democratic colleagues, who gave him a break from speaking to ask him questions. Booker yielded for questions but made sure to say he would not give up the floor. He read that line from a piece of paper to ensure he did not slip and inadvertently end his speech. He stayed standing to comply with Senate rules.

“Your strength, your fortitude, your clarity has just been nothing short of amazing and all of America is paying attention to what you’re saying,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said as he asked Booker a question on the Senate floor. “All of America needs to know there’s so many problems, the disastrous actions of this administration.”

As Booker stood for hour after hour, he appeared to have nothing more than a couple glasses of water to sustain him. Yet his voice grew strong with emotion as his speech stretched into the evening, and House members from the Congressional Black Caucus stood on the edge of the Senate floor to support Booker.

“Moments like this require us to be more creative or more imaginative, or just more persistent and dogged and determined,” Booker said.

Booker’s cousin and brother, as well as Democratic aides, watched from the chamber’s gallery. Sen. Chris Murphy accompanied Booker on the Senate floor throughout the day and night. Murphy was returning the comradeship that Booker had given to him in 2016 when the Connecticut Democrat held the floor for almost 15 hours to argue for gun control legislation.

His Senate floor speech breaks Thurmond’s record

Still hours away from breaking Thurmond’s record, Booker remarked Tuesday afternoon, “I don’t have that much gas in the tank.”

Yet as anticipation in the Capitol grew that he would supplant Thurmond, who died in 2003, as the record holder for the longest Senate floor speech, Democratic senators sat at their desks to listen and the Senate gallery filled with onlookers. The chamber exploded in applause as Schumer announced that Booker had broken the record.

Booker had already surpassed the longest speech time for a sitting senator — the 21 hours and 19 minutes that Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, had held the floor to contest the Affordable Care Act in 2013. Responding to his record being broken, Cruz posted a meme of Homer Simpson crying on social media.

Throughout his determined performance, Booker repeatedly invoked the civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis of Georgia on Tuesday, arguing that overcoming opponents like Thurmond would require more than just talking.

“You think we got civil rights one day because Strom Thurmond — after filibustering for 24 hours — you think we got civil rights because he came to the floor one day and said, ‘I’ve seen the light,‘” Booker said. “No, we got civil rights because people marched for it, sweat for it and John Lewis bled for it.”

Booker’s speech was not a filibuster, which is a speech meant to halt the advance of a specific piece of legislation. Instead, Booker’s performance was a broader critique of Trump’s agenda, meant to hold up the Senate’s business and draw attention to what Democrats are doing to contest the president. Without a majority in either congressional chamber, Democrats have been almost completely locked out of legislative power but are turning to procedural maneuvers to try to thwart Republicans.

Can his speech rally the anti-Trump resistance?

Booker is serving his second term in the Senate. He was an unsuccessful presidential candidate in 2020, when he launched his campaign from the steps of his home in Newark. He dropped out after struggling to gain a foothold in a packed field, falling short of the threshold to meet in a January 2020 debate.

But as Democrats search for a next generation of leadership, frustrated with the old-timers at the top, Booker’s speech could cement his status as a leading figure in the party.

On Tuesday afternoon, tens of thousands of people were watching on Booker’s Senate YouTube page, as well as on other live streams.

As Democratic colleagues made their way to the Senate chamber to help Booker by asking him questions, he also made heartfelt tributes to his fellow senators, recalling their personal backgrounds and shared experiences in the Senate. Booker also called on Americans to respond not just with resistance to Trump’s actions but with kindness and generosity for those in their communities.

Booker said, “I may be afraid — my voice may shake — but I’m going to speak up more.”

___

By Mike Catalini and Stephen Groves Associated Press

Catalini reported from Trenton, N.J. Associated Press writer Matt Brown contributed.

General

March Madness 2025: Duke Blue Devils Final Four gear just released on Fanatics

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Tons of Florida Gators Final 4 gear dropped on Fanatics before Saturday’s game against Auburn

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Mountain Brook names city’s 7th police chief

The Mountain Brook City Council on Tuesday named a veteran officer as the city’s new police chief.

Thomas Boulware, who began his law enforcement career at the Mountain Brook Police Department in 2003, becomes the city’s seventh police chief. He replaces former Chief Jaye Loggins who retired earlier this year.

Boulware, who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be formally sworn in on April 14.

Prior to being named chief, Boulware served the department as the commander of the Criminal Investigations Division for the last three years.

He has served as a supervisor in all three divisions of the department to include patrol sergeant, training and hiring sergeant, tactical team leader and sergeant detective.

After his promotion to lieutenant in March of 2020, Boulware served as the commander of the Administrative Division and oversaw several special projects to include the consolidation of dispatch services with Shelby County 911, the purchase and implementation of new reporting software, and numerous facility upgrades.

Boulware graduated from UAB with a bachelor’s degree in justice science.

General

Boston Calling Music Festival 2025: Tickets, lineup, dates and more

The 14th annual Boston Calling Music Festival is scheduled to take place at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, Massachusetts on May 23-25 this year.

Headliners for this year’s annual festival includes Luke Combs and Megan Moroney on Friday, May 23, Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne on Saturday, May 24 and the Dave Matthews Band and Vampire Weekend on Sunday, May 25.

Additional performances by Sheryl Crow, T-Pain, TLC, Cage the Elephant, Sublime, All Time Low, The Black Crowes, Tom Morello, The 502s, The Maine and more will help fill out the jampacked lineup this year.

As per usual, this year’s festival will take place over the course of three days with artists performing on multiple stages. The outdoor festival is known for featuring the biggest and best acts in live music, and along with the music, festivalgoers can enjoy over 30 local food vendors.

Breakdown of tickets for this year’s Boston Calling Music Festival

Those interested in attending this year’s festival have different tickets to choose from including three-day, two-day, and single day tickets. Within those, festivalgoers can choose between general admission, general admission+, VIP and platinum tickets.

All types of tickets for this year’s festival can be purchased on verified ticket resell vendor sites such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek.

Ticket prices for the 2025 Boston Calling Music Festival

3-day tickets:

General admission – Vivid Seats ($269-781) | StubHub ($246-729) | Viagogo ($215-1,055) | Seat Geek ($280-963)

General admission+ – Vivid Seats ($633-1,209) | StubHub ($562-1,112) | Viagogo ($484-1,520) | Seat Geek ($494-1,294)

VIP – Vivid Seats ($827-1,996) | StubHub ($837-1,815) | Viagogo ($720-1,641) | Seat Geek ($1,159-2,075)

Platinum – Vivid Seats ($3,210-5,181) | StubHub ($3,208-4,929) | Viagogo ($2,760-4,240) | Seat Geek ($3,537-6,922)

Both two-day and single-day tickets are also available for purchase on the secondary markets mentioned above.

2025 Boston Calling Music Festival lineup

Friday, May 23: Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Sheryl Crow, T-Pain, TLC, Mike., Thee Sacred Souls, Max McNown, Wilderado, Infinity Song, Kyle Dion, Bebe Stockwell, Holy Roller, Latrell James, Megan From Work, Future Teens, Battlemode

Saturday, May 24: Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Cage the Elephant, The Black Crowes, All Time Low, James Bay, The Maine, Lucius, Valley, Mon Rovia, Amble, Sofia Isella, Timmy Skelly, Simon Robert French, Rebuilder, Sidebody, Pinklids

Sunday, May 25: Dave Matthews Band, Vampire Weekend, Sublime, Public Enemy, Remi Wolf, Goth Babe, Tom Morello, The 502s, Spin Doctors, IDK How But They Found Me, Mo Lowda & The Humble, Sam Austins, Snacktime, Layzi, Copilot, Vivid Bloom, Nate Perry & Ragged Company