Williams leaves Texas A&M after coaching the Aggies to three straight NCAA tournaments. A&M averaged exactly 20 wins in his six years in College Station, going 23-11 this season.
At Maryland, Williams will replace Kevin Willard, who took the Villanova job. The Terrapins went 27-9 this season and reached the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 for the first time in nine years.
Williams has also coached at New Orleans, Marquette and Virginia Tech, winning a total of 373 games and reaching the NCAA tournament 11 times in 18 years. His best tournament finish was an Elite Eight run at Marquette in 2013, when the Golden Eagles also won the Big East championship.
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, a former director at University of Alabama at Birmingham, was put on leave today from her position at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, according to reports, as part of the Trump administration’s mass layoffs of federal health workers.
Marrazzo, who succeeded Dr. Anthony Fauci at the agency in 2023, was told she should not report to work, according to reports by Bloomberg and The New York Times.
She was instead asked to join The Indian Health Service, which provides medical and public health services to members of federally recognized tribes on or near reservations.
According to Bloomberg, Marrazzo was told on Monday by Thomas Nagy, the deputy assistant secretary for human resources at the Department of Health and Human Services, that she was being placed on paid administrative leave.
Marrazzo and other directors were given until Wednesday to decide whether they’ll accept the move to the Indian Health Service, the New York Times reported.
Before that, she led the division of infectious diseases at UAB for seven years.
She became a media fixture in Alabama during the COVID pandemic, frequently appearing on local and national news outlets to update the public on the latest developments with the virus.
At the time of her appointment in 2023, Dr. Monica Gandhi, director of the Center for AIDS Research at the University of California at San Francisco, praised Marrazzo’s leadership.
“Her leadership style has really brought the division together at UAB and I have every confidence she can do this as head of NIAID,” she said.
Walmart is offering some of its best prices of the year during Super Savings Week, but this sales event officially ends at the end of the day Tuesday, April 1.
While these deals are still available, Walmart customers can get major deals on patio sets just in time for spring and summer. This includes a $260 discount on the Segmart Outdoor Dining Set that can now be purchased for $339.99 instead of its normal price of $599.99.
Segmart 6-Person Patio Dining Set – $339.99
The Segmart 6-Person Patio Dining Set is on sale for more than $200 off this week.
The Segmart Outdoor Dining Set has enough space to seat six people and comes with comfortable seating cushions available in two color options, blue and yellow.
“Refresh your outdoor living space with the Segmart 7-Piece Patio Dining Set. As the cornerstone of your entertainment area, it features a dining table, four stackable textilene chairs and two swivel chairs, making it an ideal spot for enjoying meals, hosting parties or simply relaxing,” Walmart’s product details state.
“Experience the unparalleled comfort, style, and durability of the Segmart 7-Piece Patio Dining Set, the perfect addition for your yard, garden, porch or poolside area.”
New construction in the Huntsville area topped $509.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, according to building permits issued in Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties.
Three projects totaling more than $10 million were issued permits, according to Southern Exposure Information. Topping the list is Huntsville Hospital’s Madison Street Tower expansion. Buildings at the Redstone Gateway and Cummings Research Park are the other projects.
Madison County issued 508 permits totaling $121.9 million.
Madison issued 101 permits totaling $83.9 million.
Athens issued 97 permits totaling $41.4 million.
Decatur issued 85 permits totaling $30.3 million.
Priceville issued five permits totaling $213,000.
Here is a list of the top builders so far in 2025 and what they’re working on.
Robins & Morton Group
Robins & Morton is the builder for the most expensive project of the year so far. A permit was issued in February for a $112 million project that is part of Huntsville Hospital’s $150 million Madison Street Tower expansion.
The Huntsville Hospital expansion includes adding 154,000 square feet of new clinical space. The Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board unanimously approved the five-story addition late last year.
Most of the work will take place at the northeast corner of the hospital facing Madison Street and St. Clair Avenue. Construction is expected to take about two years. The $150 million project includes:
A new Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, made possible by a $10 million philanthropic donation – the largest private gift the hospital has ever received.
A new Neuro Intensive Care Unit for neurosurgical and stroke patients.
Three floors of new acute medical space.
120 new private patient rooms.
A new and improved Emergency Department vehicle entrance.
When construction is finished, HH Health System’s flagship facility will have a total of 931 patient beds – up from 881 currently. Seventy existing patient rooms are being converted from double occupancy to single occupancy.
Robins & Morton built the Madison Street Tower in 2006. Chapman Sisson Architects designed the tower and the expansion.
The hospital expansion is not the only project started by Robins & Morton this year. The firm is working on a $3.7 million, 28,000-square-foot buildout at 9700 Advanced Gateway. The facility will include office space and high bay space, Robins & Morton spokesman Chris Yazbec told AL.com.
Other top area builders for the quarter were:
Davidson Homes
Davidson Homes was the top homebuilder during the first quarter. It was issued 106 permits totaling $25.8 million. Davidson Homes is building homes in Huntsville, Madison, north Madison County, Decatur, Athens, Toney, Hartselle and Harvest.
It advertises homes starting in the $250,000 range and upward to more than $500,000.
Brasfield & Gorrie
Brasfield & Gorrie is working on a $25 million, 125,000-square foot building at 8500 Redstone Gateway. The building is managed by COPT Defense Properties.
The firm is also working on the Stadium Commons development near Joe Davis Stadium that was started last year.
Brasfield & Gorrie’s work in the Huntsville area has spanned projects in the commercial, aerospace, government, healthcare and industrial sectors. Notable projects include NASA test stands, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Bryant Bank, Alabama School of Cyber Technology, Dynetics, U.S. Courthouse, Davidson’s Technologies’ headquarters and Redstone Gateway buildings 1000, 1200 and 7000 in addition to 8500.
Lennar Homes
Lennar Homes has been issued 97 permits totaling $22 million. Lennar Homes is the main homebuilder for the Clift Farm development bordering north Madison off U.S. 72.
It has also constructed other homes in Madison and Athens, and the Retreat subdivision in Meridianville. Most of the homes listed on the Lennar website are in the $280,000-$400,000 price range.
Turner Construction
Turner Construction is the contractor for a $16.5 million building at 905 Mark C. Smith Drive in Cummings Research Park. The Huntsville-Madison Chamber was issued the permit for the work.
The firm has worked on several high-profile projects in the Huntsville area, including Huntsville’s new City Hall, which opened last year.
Edward Rose Associates
The Michigan firm was issued eight permits totaling $14 million for continued work on Signature Pointe Apartments on French Farms Boulevard in Athens.
Woodland Homes
Woodland Homes was issued 28 permits totaling $13.5 million Woodland Homes’ website advertises 15 new home communities, including in Madison, Athens, Meridianville, New Market and Owens Cross Roads. Most of the homes on the website advertise for more than $400,000.
Fite Construction
Fite Construction of Decatur was issued three permits totaling $8.1 million.
Two of the permits were issued for alterations to the Nucor Towers and Structures facility at 913 Maero St. NW in Decatur. The permits were issued to the City of Decatur’s Industrial Development Board
Fite is the builder of the recreation center at John Hunt Park, a preschool in Town Madison and several downtown Decatur projects.
Not included in the totals are projects that are ongoing that were started before the beginning of the year. That includes the $375 million Front Row mixed-use development going up at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street across from the Von Braun Center. ARCO/Murray National Construction, the top builder in the Huntsville area the last two years, is the contractor for that project.
The Nashville born foik band Judah & the Lion kicks off their tour Tuesday, April 1 with shows scheduled across the country, including an upcoming show in Huntsville on April 15 at the Mars Music Hall.
The tour follows the incredible success and positive feedback on the pair’s most recent album “The Process,” which was inspired by singer Judah Akers’ personal life and struggles. The album, inspired by Kubler-Ross’ five stages of grief, became a song-cycle through the stages of grief and the lens of eventual forgiveness and hope.
Concertgoers can expect to hear popular songs off the “The Process” track list including “Floating in the Night,” and “Long Dark Night,” as well as previous popular released tracks such as “Take It All Back 2.0,” “Suit and Jacket,” and “Spirit.”
Alternative and indie artist Ethan Regan will join Judah & the Lion for this year’s tour as the duo’s opening act. Regan, a vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, is known for fusing gentle, yet heartfelt folk with alternative experimentation.
If you’re a fan of alternative and indie music with a bit of folk woven in, this concert is one you can’t miss. Both Judah & the Lion and Regan deliver beautifully crafted music with each genre effortlessly stitched throughout each song.
Where can I find last minute tickets to Judah & the Lion’s Huntsville show?
Those interested in grabbing last minute tickets to the Huntsville show, or any of the duo’s upcoming shows, can find great tickets on secondary markets such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek. On these verified ticket resell vendor sites, users can sort by price, best view, and more to find the right ticket for the occasion.
Huntsville show tickets range in price depending on the site and each section in the venue, below you can find a breakdown of the prices on each of these secondary markets for the upcoming April 15 show at the Mars Music Hall.
Take caution in what you take as reported truth. That’s right, it’s April Fools’ Day, and it seems like everyone is having fun with the day.
It started early in the sports world as Tiger Woods announced on social media, despite tearing his Achilles, he would be playing in the upcoming Masters at Augusta. He quickly set the record straight.
According to The Associated Press, April Fools’ Day is celebrated a little differently around the world.
In France, the day is known as poisson d’avril, or “April Fish,” and has long had a fish-themed pranking tradition.
In Scotland, April Fools’ has a history of being a two-day event. April 1 is known as “Gowkie Day” or “Hunt the Gowk,” explained Encyclopedia Britannica. Gowk is a term used to describe a fool. On April 2, the celebration may become more physical, with children attaching “kick me” signs to people’s backs.
In Iceland, the idea is to trick someone in a way that makes them travel to a different location.
There has been a steady stream of humorous disinformation out there. Take a look at some of the more clever ideas:
Mood-matching lingerie
Journelle’s April Fools’ Day prank was a promotion for the Mood-Matching collection on its website. (Journelle IG/@shopjournelle)Mark Heim
Journelle posted on its Instagram story about its new Mood-Matching Lingerie collection, intimate attire that changes color based on your mood.
A click on the link will result in a message about it being a prank.
Protein-infused champagne
Might as well get the best of both worlds, right?
Protein Works announced its own protein-packed non-alcoholic champagne — packing 20g per glass.
Clever name, too: Doms Proteinon.
Sour Patch Kids
The popular candy planted the seed early, taking to social media to announce they are no longer sour, Just Patch Kids.
The post got more than 165,000 likes on social media. In addition, a poll was published for a better way to describe the popular sweet treat. In the end, though, the candy company to come back on Tuesday to state “sour forever.”
Reese’s Chocolatey Bread
Everybody’s favorite peanut butter cup, Reese’s, announced a “new” product: Reese’s Chocolatey Bread. The chocolate-infused bread covered in peanut butter would have been the latest evolution in the company’s culinary delight. Add jelly and you have “the ultimate PB&J experience,” the candy maker said.
But, alas, it is not to be.
Creme egg sauce
Creme Egg “On the Goo” sauce has a nice ring to it, amirite?
Cadbury has taken the delicious center and proposed to use it as a sauce for, well, just about anything.
A silent Nestle Crunch
The company introduced the quietest bar yet, made with cooked rice and 75 percent less noise.
Nutella BnB
A “stunning home rental” in Lake Placid, NY, curated for the ultimate Nutella Lovers.
“Created for the ultimate Nutella fans, travelers can immerse themselves in a Nutella-shaped house with furniture, decor and everything in between representing the beloved hazelnut spread,” the rental pitch goes.
Tic Tac’s newest flavor
Freshen your breath with the “Taste the blend of sweet, spicy and slightly fruity notes of cherry, cola and cinnamon and a unique pepper flavor.”
And, of course, the Tic Tacs look like Dr Pepper cans.
Ice cream with a kick
For those that have a sweet tooth?
Deep Indian Kitchen announced some, um, interesting flavors: Indian Ice Cream Flavors including Chicken Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala, Spinach Paneer, Butter Chicken and Chicken Vindaloo.
Limited edition, of course.
Popeyes Pickle Menu
Here’s the prank. The prank isn’t a prank.
Popeyes’ April Fools’ Day surprise is actually real.
Tuesday is the start of the limited-time Popeyes Pickle Menu with items including the Pickle Glaze Sandwich, Pickle Glaze Bone-In & Boneless Wings, Fried Pickles, and Pickle Lemonade.
“What started as a playful social tease has now become a full-fledged culinary reality – a Pickled Popeyes,” Bart LaCount, the chief marketing officer for Popeyes U.S. and Canada, stated in a press release.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
A juvenile is in custody after police say he fired multiple shots at Tuscaloosa officers.
The officers were patrolling the 600 block of 23rd Avenue East about 6:30 p.m. Monday after gunfire had been reported in that area the day before.
While on patrol, they spotted a male who was rapidly walking between two houses. As they drove past the house, said Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy, they saw the male standing in a “semi-concealed” position, wearing a mask and brandishing a gun.
The suspect fired at least eight rounds in rapid succession at the officers, who accelerated and drove past the suspect.
The suspect was then observed running away and jumping fences, Kennedy said.
“The officers did not stop, or otherwise make any contact with the suspect, and were merely driving along the street when they were fired upon,” Kenned said. “The officers did not return fire.”
The bullets did not hit the police vehicle but did hit a nearby home.
“The angle of the strikes, as well as the officers dash cam video confirmed that the suspect was firing towards the officers’ vehicle,” Kennedy said.
Police set up a perimeter and began searching for the suspect.
The Violent Crimes Unit was called out to assume the investigation. Only investigators and supervisors not affiliated with TPD were involved in the investigation, Kennedy said.
After speaking with witnesses from the neighborhood, as well as reviewing the officers’ dash cam and body cam, and multiple sources of surveillance video, a 15-year-old boy was developed as a suspect.
The teen suspect and the alleged gun he used were located later Monday night.
The suspect is charged through juvenile court with two counts of attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Kennedy said the 15-year-old is also suspect of firing shots in the area on Sunday.
However, Broome’s return to the game and subsequent 3-pointer didn’t erase his injuries altogether. Auburn associate head coach Steven Pearl was interviewed on The Next Round Tuesday morning and outlined what this week will look like for Broome as he recovers for Saturday’s game in the Final Four.
“Johni is not going to practice today. He’s going to take today off and continue to rehab the seven different things that he injured on that one play,” Pearl said on the show. “The most important thing is just getting his legs back underneath him, continue to manage some of the things that are bummed up on him right now and as the week progresses, hopefully his status does as well.”
The injury occurred as Broome landed after contesting a shot, coming down awkwardly on his right arm and left leg. Broome is averaging 17.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game during the NCAA tournament, scoring 25 and grabbing 14 boards in Sunday’s win over Michigan State.
Saturday’s Final Four game against Florida is set to tip off at 5:09 p.m. The game will be televised on CBS.
The Denver Nuggets play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in an NBA game tonight. The matchup will begin at 9 p.m. CT on TNT. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Nuggets enter this matchup with a 47-28 record, so they are just 1.5 games behind Houston for the second seed in the Western Conference.
In their most recent game, the Nuggets defeated Utah 129-93. During the victory, Nikola Jokic led the Denver offense. He scored 27 points and accrued six assists, so he will look to perform similarly this evening.
The Timberwolves enter this matchup with a 43-32 record, so they are competing for the fifth seed in the Western Conference. In their last game, the Timberwolves defeated Detroit 123-104.
During the victory, Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota offense. The two players combined to score 51 points, and they shot 18-37 from the field. If these players perform similarly tonight, then Minnesota will be a difficult team to beat.
Fans can watch this NBA game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.