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What’s the reason for Auburn football’s recent recruiting struggles?

John Cohen didn’t seem concerned.

As he sat with his legs crossed, taking questions from reporters inside the Willow Point Golf & Country Club in Alexander City, he remained unwavering in his support of head football coach Hugh Freeze in the midst of Auburn’s disastrous month on the recruiting trail.

The Tigers had four players decommit in the past three weeks and saw their recruiting ranking for the 2026 class drop to 89th in the country, according to 247Sports. The No. 89 ranking places Auburn last in the Southeastern Conference and below Group of Five programs like Idaho, South Alabama, Texas State and others.

Both Cohen and Freeze pointed to the effects of the House settlement’s approval when explaining why Auburn’s recruiting has taken a hit. With a focus on maintaining the current roster, Freeze said it has become harder to put a recruiting class together.

“It does seem kind of strange that we’re some of the lowest range of numbers,” Freeze said. “We’re really, really low compared to some and I’m trying to figure that out.”

Part of Cohen’s confidence in things turning around on the recruiting trail is how things can start to change on Aug. 1. That’s when recruits can begin officially receiving written NIL offers.

“That’s a big day,” Cohen said. “It’s not rumor, it’s not innuendo, it’s not, ‘This person said this.’ It’s an offer on paper.”

Pointing out the Aug. 1 date was part of the overarching point from Cohen and Freeze that they believe Auburn is recruiting “the right way” and other schools could be in trouble once verbal offers become official.

He gave extra clarity to the approach, making the point that Auburn is taking the penalties associated with going over the revenue sharing cap seriously, penalties that Cohen said they’ve been told are “pretty harsh.”

Cohen also suggested that, “if there’s an offer in place that is a third party offer from NIL Go, it has to count against the cap.”

“Let me illustrate,” Cohen continued. “You have an $800,000 offer and the school says we’re gonna give you $400,000 in rev-share, we’re gonna give you $400,000 through a third party. I’m not 100% sure that everybody in the country is operating under that premise, which is reality.”

Third-party NIL payments that pass through the NIL Go clearinghouse don’t count against the cap, but the clearinghouse — in theory at least — will make it harder for schools to offer large payouts from booster collectives.

According to a report from Yahoo, Deloitte (operators of NIL Go) claimed that 70% of past deals from booster collectives would have been denied in their algorithm, while 90% of past deals from public companies would have been approved. Adding more context to that information, Deloitte said that 99% of those NIL deals through public companies were valued at less than $100,000, according to Yahoo.

Going back to Cohen’s point, that $400,000 third-party NIL offer that he brought up in his example wouldn’t count against the cap if approved by NIL Go, but there’s belief at Auburn that those big money offers won’t hold.

If schools go through with these big NIL offers when they officially go into writing and those offers don’t pass through the clearinghouse, schools could be on the hook to pay players what they were promised through the rev-share budget. That money is subject to the cap, putting schools at risk of the “harsh penalties” Cohen mentioned for going over the cap.

It could create a dilemma where schools have to either significantly change their offers when they go into writing, or risk them not making it through the clearinghouse. Based on what Cohen and Freeze said, Auburn wants to avoid that potential dilemma entirely.

“I’m here to tell you, we’re gonna do this the right way,” Cohen said. “We’re gonna be honest, we’re gonna be forthright, and we’re looking very much forward to August the first and dates beyond.”

Cohen was asked directly what happens if after Aug. 1 it becomes clear that other schools took the right approach and Auburn didn’t. Cohen responded by saying they would “cross that mountain when we get there.” While there seems to be confidence in that approach at Auburn, there’s always risk associated with taking a hard stance in what seems to still be a fluid situation.

“In my opinion we can’t put ourselves in jeopardy,” Freeze said. “We’ve got great interpretations from our administration and our legal team on what the settlement really means and how we should operate. That’s what we’re doing. If others are operating in a manner not with that, I’m hopeful they’ll be called out on that at some point.”

Regardless, there’s still confidence from Cohen and Freeze that Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class will finish strong. Freeze even predicted that Auburn will be back in the realm of a top 10 class by the December signing period.

“I do think it will all play out in the long game, and we’ll be in more battles than we are currently in people’s eyes,” Freeze said. “Once they shake out and everybody knows what’s what on the reality of revenue sharing and outside NIL deals and all of that. I think once we get to the facts of all of that, I think we’ll be in the game for many top players.”

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkusor email him at prauterkus@al.com

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Walmart is selling a Blackstone Griddle and Airfryer combo for only $397

Walmart is offering a plethora of Blackstone Griddles at impressively low prices, however, the Blackstone Griddle with Air Fryer Combo is the best value deal available.

The Blackstone 2-Burner 28-Inch Propane Griddle with Air Fryer Combo is currently listed at $397 at Walmart with free shipping, which is slightly below its typical retail price of $400. Compared to similar models sold on Wayfair, Walmart’s price stands out as a significant deal. Wayfair lists a comparable 28-inch Blackstone air fryer griddle combo for $609.99, nearly $200 more than Walmart’s price.

Blackstone Griddle with Air Fryer Combo

The Blackstone Griddle with Air Fryer Combo can be purchased for only $397 when purchased from Walmart.

$397 at Walmart

RELATED:The Walmart-exclusive Ninja SLUSHi is the cheapest available

The Blackstone’s included air fryer and warmer drawer are super convenient features, making this not just a griddle, but three cooking appliances in one. The included 2-quart air fryer is perfect for crisping up fries or veggies while your main dish cooks on the griddle. Meanwhile, the warming drawer keeps everything hot and ready to go, so you’re not stressing over timing.

For even more convenience, this griddle also includes a magnetic tool bar and side shelf hooks. These features provide easy access and storage for essential griddle tools, keeping the cooking area organized and efficient.

The has a 4.4 star overall rating on Walmart’s website. One promising review states, ”I love this grill! This is my first flattop griddle style grill and I’m completely satisfied. The 28” is big enough to cook for my family of 5 and even for a birthday party. The air fryer is a great edition to cook vegetables, tatter-tots, fries or more. I’ve been grilling almost every day for 3 weeks and one day did all 3 meals.”

Those interested in this deal can checkout the full rundown on Walmart’s website.

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Most expensive place to vacation in America costs nearly $3,000 for just three nights

Are you looking for your next vacation destination? If you’re willing to splurge, these unforgettable travel spots might be worth considering.

In a recent study, GoBankingRates analyzed 91 popular tourist destinations in the U.S. to determine the priciest cost of a three-night getaway for two people. The analysis included airfare, meals, and drinks. The locations were sourced from reporting by Travel + Leisure, and the expense data was gathered from the Census Bureau data and Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index.

Aspen, Colorado, known for its ski resorts and stunning mountain views, is ranked as America’s most expensive tourist destination. Couples visiting this alpine paradise can expect to spend an average of $2,708 in total. Airfare accounts for a significant portion of the total cost at $1,341, with hotel accommodations averaging $791 and with meals costing $510, and domestic beer available for around $4.50.

For budget-conscious travelers, Clearwater, Florida, stands out as the most affordable option. This waterfront city offers the best value, with total vacation costs of $1,630 or less for two adults, which includes airfare at $264, lodging of $247, and meals at $446. Domestic beer also costs $4.50.

Here’s what they found to be the ten most expensive tourist destinations:

1. Aspen, Colorado

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $1,341
  • Total cost of hotel: $791
  • Total cost for all meals: $510
  • Domestic beer cost: $7.50
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,708
Aspen, ColoradoGetty Images

2. Santa Barbara, California

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $952
  • Total cost of hotel: $830
  • Total cost for all meals: $600
  • Domestic beer cost: $8
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,446
Santa Barbara beach with palm trees and city skyline at sunset, California, USA
Santa BarbaraGetty Images

3. Anchorage, Alaska

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $1,190
  • Total cost of hotel: $440
  • Total cost for all meals: $600
  • Domestic beer cost: $8
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,294
Downtown Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage Alaska downtown skyline.Getty Images

4. Bar Harbor, Maine

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $883
  • Total cost of hotel: $566
  • Total cost for all meals: $720
  • Domestic beer cost: $6.25
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,224
The Town Of Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
Town and Harbor of Bar Harbor in Acadia National ParkGetty Images

5. Fairbanks, Alaska

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $1,179
  • Total cost of hotel: $350
  • Total cost for all meals: $563
  • Domestic beer cost: $8
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,157
Scenic view of snowcapped mountains against sky at night, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, USA
Fairbanks, AlaskaGetty Images

6. Portland, Maine

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $838
  • Total cost of hotel: $538
  • Total cost for all meals: $720
  • Domestic beer cost: $6.25
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,150
Portland, Maine
Summer at Portland Head LightGetty Images

7. New York City, New York

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $878
  • Total cost of hotel: $401
  • Total cost for all meals: $788
  • Domestic beer cost: $8
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,134
Statue of Liberty and Jersey City skyline seen from helicopter, New York City, USA
New York CityGetty Images

8. Asheville, North Carolina

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $669
  • Total cost of hotel: $765
  • Total cost for all meals: $564
  • Domestic beer cost: $7.50
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,058
Fall Colors seen from Linville Gorge Wilderness in North Carolina
Peak Autumn and Fall Colors seen next to a river in Linville Gorge Wilderness near Asheville, North CarolinaGetty Images

9. Seattle, Washington

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $819
  • Total cost of hotel: $539
  • Total cost for all meals: $600
  • Domestic beer cost: $8
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,024
Sunset Seattle
from Kerry ParkGetty Images

10. Juneau, Alaska

  • Airfare cost for a couple: $978
  • Total cost of hotel: $600
  • Total cost for all meals: $381
  • Domestic beer cost: $7
  • Total cost for vacation: $2,016
Mount Roberts and Juneau Waterfront
Juneau, AlaskaGetty Images

What’s the most expensive vacation destination in Alabama?

The answer might surprise you.

Birmingham ranks as the 30th most expensive vacation spot. GoBankingRates highlights the Magic City as having one of the most costly airfare costs at $1,010 for a couple. Hotel prices come in at $186, meals $396, and domestic beer costs $6.

The Birmingham skyline at sunset, looking west from the roof of the Elyton Hotel downtown, on Dec. 21, 2021.
The Birmingham skyline at sunset, looking west from the roof of the Elyton Hotel downtown, on Dec. 21, 2021. Birmingham was awarded a nearly $22 million grant to build an urban trail connecting downtown to historic neighborhoods just west of the city center.Greg Garrison

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Should Alabama’s A-Day continue? Tuscaloosa mayor weighs in

Alabama scaled back its A-Day spring game in 2025, and the mayor of Tuscaloosa said Wednesday he’d be OK if it went away entirely.

In an interview with the Tuscaloosa News, Walt Maddox said the annual spring football event — which in the past has drawn tens of thousands of people to town — has become logistically difficult for the city to help manage.

“From the city standpoint, I can’t believe it. Twenty years ago, if you would have asked me, ‘Would you want to have A-Day?’ I’d say, ‘Yes,’” Maddox said. “Today, I would say, with all the things that come now surrounding it, I think it’s better for us not to have A-Day and focus on the UA-generated events that don’t require so much security personnel and other logistical support.”

The days of traditional spring games — dividing the squad in two and playing what closely resembles a regular-season contest — seem to be waning in college football anyway. Alabama is one of several schools around the country, including fellow traditional powers Ohio State and Texas — who have either outright canceled their spring games or modified them into football-adjacent “fan fests” that also included an open practice.

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer cited injury concerns as the reason his team did away with its traditional spring game in 2025. Coaches at other schools have expressed concerns about opponents using spring games as opportunities to “scout” their teams for prospects who might enter the transfer portal.

Whatever the reason, Maddox said he doesn’t ever see Alabama’s spring game reverting to something like 2007, when more than 92,000 Crimson Tide fans packed Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nick Saban’s first A-Day.

“It’ll be interesting to see the evolution of A-Day,” Maddox said. “I don’t know any information, but I don’t think A-Day will ever exist again, at least over the next 10 to 20 years, the way it has in the past.”

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Woman allegedly shot unarmed man to death as he sat in a car in Northport

A woman is behind bars after a deadly shooting in Northport.

Northport police were dispatched at 7:42 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a man shot in the 11400 block of Fairwood Avenue in Huntington Place.

When officers arrived, they found 28-year-old Dashun Witherspoon critically wounded from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center where he died a short time later.

Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Marty Sellers said Witherspoon and an acquaintance, 47-year-old Joyce Reed, had been involved in an argument.

“After speaking with witnesses and reviewing evidence, it was determined that as she stood outside her car, Ms. Reed shot Mr. Witherspoon as he sat inside her vehicle,” Sellers said. “There was no evidence that Mr. Witherspoon was armed prior to being shot.”

Investigators are still trying to determine exact nature of their relationship, Sellers said.

Reed is charged with capital murder. She is being held without bond in the Tuscaloosa County Jail.

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Legendary network TV anchor: ‘60 Minutes’ settlement ‘a sell-out to extortion’ from Trump

Legendary former CBS News anchor Dan Rather expressed disappointment Wednesday at Paramount Global’s decision to pay $16 million to the Trump administration and settle its lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” report.

“It’s a sad day for journalism,” Rather told Variety. “It’s a sad day for ’60 Minutes’ and CBS News. I hope people will read the details of this and understand what it was. It was distortion by the President and a kneeling down and saying, ‘yes, sir,’ by billionaire corporate owners.”

Most legal scholars agreed the suit — in which Trump accused “60 Minutes” of deceptively editing an interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris — was frivolous and wouldn’t hold up under the First Amendment.

“What really gets me about this is that Paramount didn’t have to settle,” Rather said.

“You settle a lawsuit when you’ve done something wrong. ’60 Minutes’ did nothing wrong. It followed accepted journalistic practices. Lawyers almost unanimously said the case wouldn’t stand up in court.”

Rather expressed a full backing of his former colleagues at CBS News and “60 Minutes”:

“My support for them is total, absolute,” he said. “I do really think they fought a good fight on this, and they’ll continue to fight. The people on ’60 Minutes’ and at CBS News didn’t just take it lying down. They did their best to stop it.”

Nonetheless, he said he wasn’t shocked by Paramount Global’s settlement. The decision to strike a deal was widely seen as a critical step to receiving approval from the Trump-controlled FCC for Skydance’s $8 billion acquisition of the media conglom.

“I was disappointed, but I wasn’t surprised,” he said. “Big billionaire business people make decisions about money. We could always hope that they will make an exception when it comes to freedom of the press, but it wasn’t to be.

“Trump knew if he put the pressure on and threatened and just held that they would fold, because there’s too much money on the table,” he added.

“Trump is now forcing a whole news organization to pay millions of dollars for doing something protected by the Constitution — which is, of course, free and independent reporting. Now, you take today’s sell-out. And that’s what it was: It was a sell-out to extortion by the President. Who can now say where all this ends?”

Rather then pointed to the larger issue of what this means for the United States as a democracy.

“It has to do with not just journalism, but more importantly, with the country as a whole,” he said. “What kind of country we’re going to have, what kind of country we’re going to be. If major news organizations continue to kneel before power and stop trying to hold the powerful accountable, then we all lose.

“And then big time law firms have been settling right and left, kneeling the same way,” he said. “Big universities doing the same. Trump is extorting what he wants out of them. Now he’s extorting what he wants out of news organizations. So when I say, ‘Where does this go?’ What are the effects on journalism as a whole?”

Asked what advice he might give the folks at CBS News and “60 Minutes,” Rather humbly said it’s not his place — but that they already know “in their hearts, in their very being, the best things to do. I will say that, I do expect them to fully double down now on whatever great reporting they’re allowed to do.”

In his more than 60 years as a journalist, Rather said he’s never seen the profession face the kind of challenges it’s now up against. “Journalism has had its trials and tribulations before, and it takes courage to just soldier on,” he said.

“Keep trying, keep fighting. It takes guts to do that. And I know the people at CBS News, and particularly those at ’60 Minutes,’ they’ll do their dead level best under these circumstances. But the question is what this development and the message it sends to us. And that’s what I’m trying to concentrate on.”

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

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Is the Gulf clear of tropical worries this Fourth of July weekend?

There is now a 60 percent chance that a tropical depression forms near the United States this Independence Day weekend, but those along the Gulf Coast can breathe easier for now.

The National Hurricane Center has shifted where forecasters think the disturbance will form from the Gulf to the southwestern Atlantic, off the Southeast coast.

The hurricane center on Thursday also raised the probability of a tropical depression forming there to 60 percent, an increase from 40 percent on Wednesday.

Forecasters think an area of low pressure will develop along a stalled out frontal boundary near Florida or the southeast Atlantic coast by Saturday.

A tropical or subtropical depression could form in that vicinity over the weekend or early next week.

The system is expected to drift to the north or northeast.

It could spread heavy rain near the Southeast Atlantic coast, and also the the Florida peninsula.

Here is the seven-day precipitation outlook from NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center, which shows higher amounts are indeed expected in Florida:

Here is the outlook for precipitation over the next week. The Florida peninsula is one of the places expected to get the most rain from a possible tropical or subtropical system.Weather Prediction Center

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Fla., which monitors the weather across southeast Alabama, said on Thursday that chances are low for any impacts from the system in its coverage area.

A system has to have a defined surface circulation and winds of at least 40 mph to be considered a tropical storm and get a name. The next name on the 2025 Atlantic storm list is Chantal.

So far in 2025 there have been two, weak, short-lived tropical storms, one in the central Atlantic that didn’t affect land (Andrea), and the other in the southern Gulf, which moved onshore in eastern Mexico as a tropical depression (Barry).

Still, NOAA forecasters are expecting activity to pick up before the season ends on Nov. 30, and are forecasting a high probability of 13-19 named storms.

NOAA hurricane season forecast
NOAA forecasters are predicting 13 to 19 named storms developing in the Atlantic hurricane basin this year, with 6 to 10 of those turning into hurricanes. Of those, 3 to 5 are expected to strengthen into major hurricanes, which cause the most destruction.NOAA

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‘You’ve ruined a lot of lives:’ Hemp ban could cost Alabama 2,000 jobs, hurt patients and businesses

“Oh, man, you’ve ruined a lot of lives in the state.” That’s some of the tough words a Huntsville small business owner had to say to the lawmakers who passed the smokable hemp ban.

Jason Pauls has been running the Green Lady Dispensary with his family since 2019. He said he’s expecting to lose 80% of his income with the new hemp ban.

“We’ll never bring that income back up to that level without those products again,” Pauls said. “What we’re going to do to move forward is to continue to provide the community with the wellness they deserve.”

HB445 bans smokable hemp, like flowers, buds and pre-rolled cigarettes, some of the biggest sellers for many specialty shops. It also prohibits several products with synthetically produced THC from hemp, like gummies, drinks and more.

It is now a Class C felony, punishable up to 10 years in prison, to sell or possess any of these products.

Pauls said he opened his store in 2019 with mainly CBD products, because he wanted to help people. His average clientele is people over 55 years old struggling with chronic pain, mental health illnesses and cancer diagnoses.

“We have terminal cancer patients that can’t take prescription medications because they upset their stomach, they have no appetite,” Pauls said. “These products here at the Green Lady have let them overcome that.”

The Bowers family has a similar experience running three CBD American Shaman stores in in north Alabama.

“It is every day normal Alabamians, who you couldn’t pick out from the crowd that they would partake in this kind of stuff,” owner Julianna Bowers said. “They are the ones who have been on medications for decades, and they’re finding some serious side effects with these medications, or that it’s not helping them anymore, and so that they are trying something more natural, something that is safe for their liver or kidneys, and that they can just feel better and live happier and get better sleep.”

They were helping older people treat their pain when the ban went into effect on July 1.

The store had its largest day of sales on June 30. They sold over $20,000 of products compared to an average day of $5,000. Bowers had a TikTok go viral when the ban went into effect.

On July 1, they had their lowest day for sales with $400 in revenue. They expect to lose 40% – 60% of their income. While neither business plans to lay anyone off, advocacy group Alabama Wellness Collective believes this law could lead to approximately 2,000 layoffs or 87% of the state’s retail hemp industry.

READ MORE: Alabama hemp store moving out of state because of new THC law: ‘We thought we’d be OK .. we weren’t’

Pauls said the day the law went into effect was particularly difficult. He had to tell a long-time customer that they were no longer carrying a particular product. It was helping a veteran treat decades-long PTSD and insomnia.

“My first phone call yesterday was a 78-year-old veteran who can’t take pharmaceuticals, who has finally found something that gives him the relief he’s been looking for for 50 years,” Pauls said. “He was in tears. ‘What am I going to do now? What am I going to do now?’ And that’s heartbreaking.”

Not only are many products off the shelves, Pauls and Bowers are both worried about the price increase of what will be left.

While smokeable hemp is outright prohibited, some other forms of federally legal synthetic hemp, like Delta-8, -9 and -10, are allowed. However, Bower says the law is vague and hard to understand.

“We’ve had an attorney look over the law for us, and he says that there are a lot of contradictory places in the law where we can still sell Delta-9 THC, but it’s still unclear,” Bowers said. “It also mentions that intoxicating compounds cannot be sold. He even told us, ‘I can’t even tell you how to move forward, because it doesn’t clearly state.’ The ABC board has still not given us any guidance at all. So I took everything off the shelves that we deemed as not compliant.”

She knows that there can be a maximum of 40 mg of Delta-9 THC per package, but each edible has to be wrapped in its own package.

For example, a container with four 10-mg gummies would normally be loose in the container, but Alabama law requires that each edible must be wrapped in plastic.

“Who is going to manufacture these compliant edibles?” Bowers asked. “From what we understand (…) each individual edible has to be wrapped within the package, which costs more money, costs people extra time, results in more materials wasted, and more waste in the landfill. And so per price per gummy goes up for the consumer as well. These are edibles that people depend on on a daily basis. So when they went from paying $1 or $2 per edible to now having to potentially pay $3.45 per edible.”

Plus, these businesses are required to register their products with the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. A 10% tax will be levied on retail sales.

These owners are worried about customers buying these products out of state, where the laws are more lenient.

“They’re taking a billion-dollar-a-year industry tax revenue and throwing it out the window when they could be using this money to help, for example, the children in schools,” Pauls said. “It can be used in so many different ways.”

He desperately tried to reach out to lawmakers to reconsider.

“I have begged senators and congressmen in this state to come and spend a day in our store,” Pauls said. “I beg them, before you make any decisions, come spend a day in our store. Look at our demographic, look at the people who come in here and talk to these customers, and see why they’re using these products. And I never even got a phone call or an email back.”

The ABC Board regulations take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

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Alabama’s ‘banana pudding queen’ makes heavenly desserts: ‘This product is prayed over’

When customers call Bettina Morgan a “banana pudding queen,” she tends to beam with pride — and maybe blush a little — but is not likely to object.

This Alabama woman might not sell the largest quantity of banana pudding in the state, but when it comes to quality, Morgan rules supreme.

She’s the founder of Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding, a small business that creates and sells homemade desserts with loving care.

Morgan, 57, has perfected a recipe that’s been in her family for more than 100 years, inspiring raves from folks who knew her grandmother, Maude Dukes Elliot of Birmingham.

“I put my little twist to it, a little bit different from hers, but it’s just about the same,” Morgan says. “Everybody loved her banana pudding. Even with mine, they just say it is amazing. Mine is very Southern, very authentic. I don’t have a pudding mix, and I don’t use whipped cream. I do a real custard in a double boiler, just like my grandmother did. And even with my meringue, I do meringue with sugar and egg whites. That is it.”

Bettina Morgan founded Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding in 2017. Morgan, who lives in Hoover, sells her pudding at various locations in the Birmingham area, including a mini-market at UAB Hospital’s North Pavilion, near the food court.(Mary Colurso | mcolurso@AL.com)

Morgan, who lives in Hoover, started Pudding Amore in 2017, after leaving her longtime job as a police and fire 911 operator. Family responsibilities compelled her to resign — Morgan was taking care of her infant grandson after her daughter died — and the hours of her shift weren’t suitable for raising a young child.

“The job was very stressful, but I loved it,” Morgan says in an interview with AL.com. “I love helping people. I love people. That’s just my personality.”

Launching a dessert company required a huge leap of faith, Morgan says, but she was encouraged by friends, family members and former co-workers — all of whom had tried her banana pudding and found it extremely crave-worthy.

“People would ask for it all the time,” Morgan says. “When I came out of law enforcement, I was trying to find a job that was conducive for raising my grandson. You know, I need the right hours, I need the right money, etc. That was hard to find at that time. One of my family members suggested, ‘Why don’t you sell the banana pudding?’

“That was just so far-fetched. I would have never thought that I would be selling banana pudding or any type of dessert,” Morgan says. “But I would bring it to family gatherings or my job in the past, and they loved it. Neighbors, they love it. So that made me think, ‘OK, this may work.’ I prayed about it and I said, ‘I’m gonna go for it.’”

Bettina Morgan
Bettina Morgan, left, founded Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding in 2017. Morgan, who lives in Hoover, sells her pudding at various locations in the Birmingham area, including a mini-market at UAB Hospital’s North Pavilion, near the food court.(Mary Colurso | mcolurso@AL.com)

Now, about eight years later, Morgan is glad she did. So are her customers, who often tell Morgan that Pudding Amore reminds them of treats their mother or grandma used to make.

“It tastes like home,” says Alexander McKelvey, a regular at Morgan’s booth in the North Pavilion of UAB Hospital. She can be found there on Fridays at a mini-farmers’ market near the food court, and has earned an enthusiastic clientele among visitors and staff.

Morgan’s personality — warm, cheerful and supportive — is almost as important as the pudding she sells, whether the location is UAB or Grandview Hospital or other farmers’ markets in metro Birmingham. (For weekly updates, visit the Pudding Amore Facebook page.)

Morgan’s strong faith plays a role, as well, especially when customers need more than just their favorite comfort food.

“Every time that I make banana pudding, I’m praying over that product,” Morgan says. “There are people coming (to my booth) whose loved ones are sick or whatever, and I pray with them. This product is prayed over. It’s anointed. I know that it’s good, the flavor and everything they’re tasting, but there’s more to it than that. I try to treat people like I would want to be treated, and I enjoy talking to them, praying for them, encouraging them.”

Bettina Morgan
Bettina Morgan founded Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding in 2017. Morgan, who lives in Hoover, sells her pudding at various locations in the Birmingham area, including a mini-market at UAB Hospital’s North Pavilion, near the food court.(Mary Colurso | mcolurso@AL.com)

Running a small business requires commitment and hard work, as Morgan knows only too well. She used her own money to start the company, and makes the banana pudding by herself, in a rented commercial kitchen.

“It’s not easy,” Morgan says. “A lot of people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. I threw in the towel so many times, and said, ‘Lord, I want to quit, because this is hard.’ But, you know, my customers keep coming. They continue to put a smile on my face. So I’m still doing gourmet banana pudding. I’m constantly brainstorming how I can make this better.”

Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding
Bettina Morgan founded Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding in 2017. Morgan, who lives in Hoover, sells her pudding at various locations in the Birmingham area, including a mini-market at UAB Hospital’s North Pavilion, near the food court.(Mary Colurso | mcolurso@AL.com)

Ask Morgan to describe what Pudding Amore tastes like, and here’s what she says:

“I would say that it’s creamy sweet, but not too sweet, and absolutely delicious. It will make your tongue dance as soon as you put it in your mouth. So very creamy. The cookies are not too crunchy, but not too soft and just right. Just the best balance of a dessert that you can have.”

Morgan isn’t about to share the precise recipe she uses — it’s not written down, just stored in her head — but says the secret to making great banana pudding is trial and error. (Another pro tip: Nabisco Nilla Wafers are a must.)

“I get that question all the time,” Morgan says. “People say, ‘I can’t get it right.’ And I tell them, ‘You just have to keep trying until you get it. Eventually you’ll get it.’ But you have to mix the custard right. Because if you don’t, it’s going to be lumpy and thick, and that’s not good at all.”

She learned that lesson early on, watching her grandmother prepare the dessert with a confidence born of long experience.

Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding
Bettina Morgan founded Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding in 2017. Morgan, who lives in Hoover, sells her pudding at various locations in the Birmingham area, including a mini-market at UAB Hospital’s North Pavilion, near the food court.(Mary Colurso | mcolurso@AL.com)

“I remember the old-fashioned double boiler that she would use, with a gas stove, and she would cook that custard up,” Morgan says. “She did nothing by recipe. It was all about memory. We would eat that banana pudding straight out the oven because we like it hot. Most people like it cold, but hot is just amazing.”

Although hot banana pudding is her personal preference, Morgan sells it cold for practical reasons, in 8-ounce containers that are stored in a cooler at her booth. Each container costs $9.99. She also takes orders via her Facebook page, filling requests for larger portions that include full pans of banana pudding meant to feed several people. Prices vary for special orders, topping out at $129.99, she says.

“I get some emails. I get text messages,” Morgan says. “Facebook is where most people contact me. Or word of mouth, somebody’s giving a friend or co-worker my phone number. It’s all through the week. ‘Where are you today?’ And I’m like, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’”

Banana pudding is perishable, so Morgan makes it fresh the night before she offers it to the public. Pudding Amore has a shelf life of six or seven days in the fridge, but many customers tell Morgan that point is moot, because they plan to scarf it down right away. (Jasmine Halsey, a first-timer who discovered Morgan’s booth at UAB Hospital, also said sharing was out of the question.)

Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding
Jasmine Halsey was a first-time customer for Pudding Amore Gourmet Banana Pudding in June 2025. Bettina Morgan of Hoover founded the company in 2017, and sells her pudding at various locations in the Birmingham area.(Mary Colurso | mcolurso@AL.com)

The fan base for Pudding Amore is devoted, but Morgan says she’s not stopping there. She hopes to expand her small business in the future, via a food truck or brick-and-mortar location in the Birmingham area. Her long-term goal is to establish a family company, passing down her recipe and methodology for the perfect banana pudding.

“I know that God has placed this business in my lap so I can potentially bless my children, great-grandchildren, etc.,” Morgan says. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but I know that the future is looking great.”

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General

TSA announces changes to security checks in 10 major airports across the US

Security check-ins will soon be easier and quicker for certain travelers.

The Transportation Security Administration announced new screening procedures for active-duty service members, civilian Department of Defense personnel and Gold Star Families.

“TSA reaffirms its commitment to ease travel for the military community through its TSA PreCheck program by providing it free to Gold Star families, discounting it for military spouses and creating expedited lanes for service members,” TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said in a statement. “By expanding access, easing enrollment, and partnering with our TSA PreCheck enrollment providers and industry partners, we strive to honor those who serve and the families who stand beside them.”

The new “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” program includes:

  • Dedicated security lanes are open at airports near military installations. This will start in 10 locations: San Antonio, Texas; Anchorage, Alaska; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; El Paso, Texas; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; San Diego, California; and Seattle.
  • PreCheck fees are waived for Gold Star Families. Gold Star Families are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters or other loved ones of a person who died in service to their country.
  • TSA is offering a $25 discount for PreCheck enrollment for spouses of military and uniformed service members.

What is PreCheck?

PreCheck offers enrollees reduced wait times and expedited service through screenings and checkpoints. Participants can keep shoes, belts and light jackets on and are not required to remove laptops or 3-1-1 liquids from their carry-on bags.

TSA is currently hosting PreCheck mobile enrollment events near major U.S. military installations. Cost varies based on enrollment provider, ranging from $77-$85. Membership is valid for five years.

Uniformed service members and civilian DOD personnel who already qualify will continue to receive complimentary PreCheck access. Children 12 and younger may accompany service members and DOD staff in the TSA lanes; minors 13-17 must be on the same airline reservation with the PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian.

You can see more on enrollment here.

Disabled veterans

TSA said it is also working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer free PreCheck to some disabled veterans. Eligible veterans will include those who have a service-connected disability that includes loss of an extremity, full or partial paralysis or blindness.

A timeline for those changes has not been announced.

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