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17,000 tubs of ice cream recalled, may contain plasti

Iowa-based Wells Enterprises, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall on over 17,000 tubs of ice cream products because they may contain plastic.

The recall, initiated in April, affects products in 103 facilities around the country. Wells Enterprises owns brands including Blue Bunny, Halo Top, and Blue Ribbon.

A list of the affected ice cream products and recall numbers is available in an FDA recall announcement. Companies that distributed the ice cream products include Gordon Food Service, U.S. Foods, Inc. and Sysco.

The ice cream products have expiration dates ranging from March to October 2026.

The FDA classified the recall as a Class II. According to the agency, a Class II recall is “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

General

Motorcyclist ejected from bike, fatally struck by garbage truck

A St. Clair County man was killed in a morning crash on U.S. 231.

The wreck happened at 6:19 a.m. Monday, about one mile north of Pell City.

ALEA Sr. Trooper Vu Quang said 35-year-old Randall Foster was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he lost control and was thrown from the bike.

Foster, of Ragland, was then struck by an oncoming Peterbilt garbage truck driven by 36-year-old Jeremiah B. Harris of Steele.

Foster was pronounced dead on the scene.

The investigation is ongoing by troopers.

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Madison water board refuses to revote or pause fluoride removal

Madison’s water authority will proceed with its contentious decision to stop adding fluoride to the water it sells to over 19,000 customers.

The decision came after Connie Spears, the Madison City councilor who sits on the Madison Utilities board, unsuccessfully pushed the board to reconsider its March 17 vote to stop fluoridating the drinking water. Spears said she had received 160 emails on the issue – with 79% of them requesting the utility maintain fluoridation.

Spears’ motion to rescind the March vote failed without a second. She then moved to pause the end of fluoridation to allow for more study, to “get additional answers for questions that I requested that were not answered [in a May 13 meeting], and to calculate the rate implications for all of our customers.”

Board Chairman Terris Tatum and Spears voted in favor, with members Kerry Straub, Larry Miles and Al Sullivan voting against.

Monday’s meeting stood in stark contrast to two previous water board meetings and a city council session that all drew dozens of speakers, most of them opposed to fluoride removal. Seven residents attended and five addressed the board before it voted – all of them requested the members to reconsider.

Several in attendance later expressed dissatisfaction with the process, pointing to the preponderance of pro-fluoridation voices over the three meetings.

“Chairman Tatum invited us to take part [in the meetings], and yet here’s a case where 70% of the population says they want fluoridation, but they’re not listening to us,” Madison resident Michael Goodman said. “He’s asking the public to be present at the meetings and be involved, and he’s heard that 70% of the people want fluoridation.”

Monday’s vote means the utility will stop adding fluoride June 16. Fluoride is a chemical that U.S. public health officials have recommended including in public drinking water since the 1940s to combat tooth decay, particularly in children. Madison has fluoridated since 1991.

Alabama has seen more water utilities stop fluoridating in recent years, according to AL.com. Madison will become the state’s only Big 10 city, though, to halt the practice.

Health officials have said many objections to fluoridation are based on poor science or upon studies of conditions that do not match those in U.S. water supplies.

Jim Hatcher, a longtime dentist in Madison, called on the board Monday to revote the decision. He criticized the members for seeking public comment months after the March 17 decision

At a marathon public meeting last week, “it felt like you were just trying to check a box by having public comment,” he said. “A revote now would go a long way to restoring the integrity of the board.”

Hatcher made reference to the arguments of fluoridation supporters at the previous three meetings. Many have pointed to concerns that poorer children will not receive adequate dental care, leading to more cavities and more time lost from school. Others have accused the board of making decisions without sufficient public input and of giving opaque explanations for the policy change.

“You may care more now that most Madison residents want this,” Hatcher said. “You may care more that without optimally fluoridated water, some folks may not want to move to Madison, thus affecting property values.”

In an April appearance before Madison City Council, water manager David Moore said the decision “was made based upon structural problems, degradation, it was made on employee health concerns.”

Yet last week, utility officials said they put great emphasis on “a national conversation” surrounding fluoridation led by people like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has suggested the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stop recommending fluoride be added to public water supplies.

General

How will Alabama’s offense change with Jalen Milroe? What Kalen DeBoer said

For the past two seasons, Alabama football’s offense was centered around one man’s skillset. Jalen Milroe was the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback, and the attack was built around his athleticism.

Now, Milroe is gone to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, and one of Ty Simpson, Austin Mack or Keelon Russell will be the Tide’s starter. During an appearance on Greg McElroy’s Always College Football podcast, released Monday, DeBoer was asked by the ex-UA starter how the offense would change, given that none of the three competitors plays a similar game to Milroe.

DeBoer didn’t share much detail, but did acknowledge that the attack would be different.

“I think we are more similar of a group as (McElroy) mentioned, I think in your own words, than maybe the diversity of who we had as far as skill sets and how different they were (in 2024) and how you wanted to use it,” DeBoer said. “Jalen, as far as explosiveness, I don’t know if I’ve every seen anything like it with a quarterback who could use his legs, or had that luxury in that fashion. And you have make sure you’re utilizing the skillsets of your players and Jalen certainly had, I always referred to it as a superpower, that we had to make sure we incorporated into our plan.

Simpson is the clubhouse leader for the job after spring practice. He can certainly move around, but isn’t the same athlete Milroe was.

Neither are Mack or Russell. However, DeBoer pointed out that none of them are helpless in the pocket.

“I think all three quarterbacks that we have do have the ability to extend plays. You know that, I’m speaking your language, quarterback, what they’re doing as far as moving the chains,” DeBoer said. “ Using their legs to keep plays alive. And Austin Mack, even as big as he is, once he gets moving, he covers a lot of ground. And Ty was a great duel-threat, and Keelon has the same abilities, to make people miss and probably faster than most people think.”

DeBoer said Alabama would like to choose its next starter a “week-and-a-half” before its Aug. 30 season-opener at Florida State. Simpson was the the frontrunner after spring, having served as UA’s primary backup for the past two years behind Milroe.

Mack was with the Tide last year after following DeBoer from Washington as a transfer, and Russell joined as a five-star true freshman.

General

Louisiana-Lafayette’s leading scorer commits to Jacksonville State basketball

Former Louisiana-Lafayette guard Mostapha El Moutaouakkil has committed to Jacksonville State, he announced on social media Monday evening.

Last season saw El Moutaouakkil lead the Ragin’ Cajuns’ scoring efforts with a team-high 14.5 points per game, ranking 12th in the Sun Belt Conference.

The 6-foot-6, 195 guard shot 46% from the field as he started 30 of his 33 games played amidst a 12-21 year for Louisiana.

A native of Morocco and graduate of Eaglecrest High in Denver, Colorado, El Moutaouakkil scored a season-high 28 points against rival ULM and had a double-double for 17 points and 11 rebounds against South Alabama.

He also averaged 5.2 rebounds per game to lead the Ragin’ Cajuns, adding 45 steals, 36 assists and 11 blocks.

Before his time with the Sun Belt Conference program, he spent two seasons at NJCAA Division I Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Florida, where he averaged 25 points per game in the 2023-24 season.

His impressive offensive campaign saw him rank fifth among all qualified NJCAA players in that season, where he was named NJCAA National Player of the Week twice.

He adds to a group of offseason additions for Jax State that includes:

— Guard AC Bryant (Alabama A&M)

— Guard Jaye Nash (Tulsa)

— Guard Mostapha El Moutaouakkil (Louisiana)

— Forward Bencao Vungo (East Carolina)

— Forward Emondrek Erkins-Ford (JUCO, Eastern Florida State)

General

Finebaum announces death of ‘iconic’ caller: ‘A Mount Rushmore caller’

Paul Finebaum announced Monday during “The Paul Finebaum Show” the death of “one of the truly iconic callers in the history” of his show.

The SEC Network analyst, citing family members, revealed “Larry from Shelby” died recently.

“One of the greatest and most beloved callers in history of the show,” Finebaum said when reached by AL.com on Monday night. “Clearly, a Mount Rushmore caller.

“After we broke the news, the first two callers, ‘Squirrel from Mississippi’ and ‘Vance from Georgia’ tried to talk about Larry and neither could finish call, both breaking down in tears and having to hang up. Many others did same.

Larry Wallace’s call to the show last week was “heartbreaking and gut-wrenching,” Finebaum said on the broadcast.

“He was on oxygen, on a ventilator at the hospital, but he wanted to call.

“We felt fairly certain it would be his final call, but we are so appreciative of him and his family for keeping us updated.”

“Larry from Shelby” was an avid Alabama fan, a Vietnam vet and spent most of his life in law enforcement, all of which he proudly displayed during his calls.

“He called us last week while on a ventilator to say goodbye,” Finebaum said.

His memorable calls were too many to list but perhaps none shocked Finebaum as much as a call in 2021 when “Larry from Shelby” said he drinks 25 Bud Lights per game on Saturdays. He added, in a way only Larry could, that he didn’t eat much when he drank because it would ruin the buzz.

Take a listen below.

“Just an amazing friend to us all,” Finebaum said.

RIP, “Larry from Shelby.”

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.

General

Hard truths driving change for Alabama football after ‘unacceptable’ 2024 season

If you’re frustrated with how the 2024 season went for Alabama football, you’re not alone.

Plenty of players and staff members have expressed similar sentiments. And they’re making sure 2025 isn’t a repeat of 2024, a season in which Alabama lost four games and missed the expanded College Football Playoff.

“There is confrontation that has to happen,” said David Ballou, Alabama’s director of sports performance. “There’s things that have to be said and there are truths that have to be said. Coming off last season, which was unacceptable, there was a lot of truths that had to be said with these guys.”

Ballou was among those interviewed for the “All In” special on Alabama football spring practice that premiered Monday on SEC Network. He said that an important point of emphasis this offseason has been accountability to the standard built with Alabama in prior seasons. Ballou worked under Nick Saban before staying on the staff with new coach Kalen DeBoer.

“We know that was not the standard of Alabama and how they play football here,” receiver Germie Bernard said of 2024. “Coming into this year, it’s like man everybody has to grow up and mature. Everybody is going to have an important role on this team.”

Ryan Williams, who originally committed to Saban then re-committed to DeBoer, said the new culture had an uphill battle.

“When coach DeBoer first got here, it was kind of a culture shock,” Williams said. “Just listening to the other guys. Some people weren’t bought into coach DeBoer yet. Now that we’re in year 2, basically everyone that’s here, they’re bought into coach DeBoer and the rest of the coaching staff and everything we do.”

General manager Courtney Morgan, who came over from Washington with DeBoer, said the players now understand what’s expected of them.

“I think the No. 1 word you can use is trust,” Morgan said. “I think there’s more trust in the building between the coaches and the players because we’ve been together for a year.”

Morgan also said the players understand what’s expected of them.

“You have a new coach taking over for an old coach, the expectations can get lost a little bit,” Morgan said. “There’s always a little stubbornness.”

Linebacker Justin Jefferson, who also played for Saban, said everybody is buying into the coaches.

“Especially after losing four games, you’ve got to buy into something,” Jefferson said. “Can’t do that again. Can’t do that again. I really feel like it’s a lot of buzz, a lot of anticipation, a lot of excitement for what’s coming. Really anxious to get to work.”

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

General

New Detroit Lions running-backs coach on Jahmyr Gibbs: ‘I’m going to push him like no other’

The Chicago Bears’ selection of Ben Johnson as their head coach triggered a chain reaction that reunited Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the NFL with a former college position coach.

Johnson served as Detroit’s offensive coordinator for the previous three seasons. When he left this offseason to take the reins in Chicago, Johnson took with him Antwaan Randle El, the Lions’ wide-receivers coach, to handle that job and work as assistant head coach with the Bears.

Afterward, Detroit shifted its assistant head coach, Scottie Montgomery, from running-backs coach to wide-receivers coach, then hired Texas running-backs coach Tashard Choice for that spot on Dan Campbell’s staff.

Choice previously coached Gibbs in 2020 and 2021 at Georgia Tech.

“For him, the sky’s the limit,” Choice said of Gibbs. “But I’m going to push him. I’m going to push him like no other. I have to.”

After the 2021 season, Choice and Gibbs left Georgia Tech. Choice joined Steve Sarkisian’s staff at Texas. Gibbs transferred to Alabama, where he ran for 926 yards and seven touchdowns on 151 carries and caught 44 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns in 2022 before the Lions picked him No. 12 in the 2023 NFL Draft.

In both of his NFL seasons, Gibbs has been selected for the Pro Bowl. He has run for 2,357 yards and 26 touchdowns on 432 carries and caught 104 passes for 833 yards and five touchdowns for Detroit.

Gibbs joined Pro Football Hall of Fame member Edgerrin James as the only players in NFL history with at least 2,000 rushing yards, 25 rushing touchdowns, 100 receptions and five touchdown receptions in their first two seasons in the league.

“To see him progress, to see how smart he is – he’s one of the smartest running backs I’ve ever coached,” Choice said. “He’s a natural football player. You tell him something, he understands it; he gets it right now. You don’t have to coach him over and over again on football stuff. It’s easy to him.

“So having the opportunity to get around him now coaching, I’m going to be harder on him even more. I tell him all day, like, Zero, he can’t do anything right on the field, but Jahmyr Gibbs I love. Same thing with David Montgomery. When they’re on the football field, they’re the player, not the person. I’m coaching them to get better.”

During his two NFL seasons, Gibbs has shared carries with Montgomery. Montgomery has 404 carries for 1,790 yards and 25 touchdowns and 52 receptions for 458 yards in the past two seasons.

Gibbs and Montgomery are the only running-back tandem in NFL history to record at least 10 rushing touchdowns apiece in back-to-back seasons.

For those who knew what to look for, Choice said, it wasn’t hard to see Gibbs would be a top-flight running back, even though some colleges recruited him as a defensive back.

“When I saw Jah first play in person,” Choice said, “me and my friend go up to a game and he ran the first run and my friend just did me like this in the crowd, like ‘Get out of here.’ And I kept looking at other running backs, and it’s like, ‘Nah, none of them’s better than him.’ …

“When you see a running back and you know he’s a dude, it don’t take you long. It ain’t like you got to watch a movie and it’s the Titanic and you got to wait till the water comes. Uh-uh. Right off the top, you know it’s coming, so it’s like when I saw him, you knew it. The schools that wanted him as a DB, I was so happy I didn’t have to go against them. I’m at Georgia Tech, I didn’t have to recruit against them. But to understand, to see it, you could just see how he worked, and the fact that he could play DB let you know his movement. We put him on punt team; he could be a gunner. I saw it at Georgia Tech. He was a really, really good athlete, and he just loved football.

“But when you watched him, his ability to make people miss, to see the field, to make the second and third defender miss without even looking at him, those are qualities I learned from high-ranking people that recruit and draft guys.”

The OTA portion of Detroit’s offseason program is scheduled to begin May 28. In Phase 3 of the offseason workouts, teams are allowed to hold 11-on-11 (but still no-contact) drills.

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

How Kalen DeBoer challenged Alabama football in first meeting before 2025 season

The first meeting coach Kalen DeBoer held with Alabama football for the 2024 season followed a few days of chaos. Fast forward a year, and the first meeting DeBoer conducted for the 2025 season set an expectation.

Crimson Tide cornerback Zabien Brown recapped both during an interview for the “All In” special on Alabama football spring practice that premiered Monday on SEC Network. The first meeting DeBoer held was the night he got off the plane for the first time in Tuscaloosa, two days after Nick Saban retired as coach of Alabama. That meeting was more about DeBoer introducing himself amid a whirlwind couple of days.

The first meeting for 2025 was different.

“Our first meeting this year,” Brown said, “was ‘what are y’all going to do? Y’all going to have to show me. Can y’all work? Can y’all sustain? The competitive nature. Can y’all show me? Can y’all get better?’”

Alabama is fresh off a 2024 season in which it lost four games and did not make the College Football Playoff. Even though it was a bridge year of sorts, all the players and staff members interviewed for the SEC Network special made clear that wasn’t good enough. Improvement in 2025 is required.

“We know that was not the standard of Alabama and how they play football here,” receiver Germie Bernard said. “Coming into this year, it’s like man everybody has to grow up and mature. Everybody is going to have an important role on this team.”

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

General

Kalen DeBoer reveals when Alabama football hopes to name 2025 starting QB

Just like every other offseason where Alabama football’s starting quarterback job is up for grabs, the position battle is the talk of the offseason. With Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell all vying for the gig, Kalen DeBoer rarely gets through an offseason interview without being asked about it.

An appearance on Greg McElroy’s Always College Football podcast, released Monday, was no exception. The former Alabama signal-caller asked DeBoer when he was hoping to have his Week 1 starter chosen by.

The coach said he hoped to have one set by “the last week-and-a-half” leading into UA’s season-opener against Florida State.

“We usually have a little bit longer of a phase of game (week), we call them bonus practices leading up to Week 1, and there’s a weekend before and then a few days before that.” DeBoer said. “That’s kind of when you really for sure like to have the starter named and him be able to start really being in sync with his receiving corps, gelling that way and really dialing in on the reps. But if you feel like you’re at the point earlier, it’s been a few practices earlier, maybe a week earlier at some point.”

After spring practice concluded, Alabama’s coaching staff revealed that Simpson was the clubhouse leader for the job replacing Jalen Milroe. The redshirt junior served as the Crimson Tide’s primary backup for the past two seasons.

Simpson continues to face strong competition from Mack, who followed DeBoer from Washington and is the only QB of the group who was recruited primarily by new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and the true freshman Russell, who was a five-star prospect and Elite 11 MVP whose commitment Alabama flipped from SMU.

During the Monday podcast, McElroy asked DeBoer what was the most important trait he needed to see from a potential starter.

“People sometimes get caught up into who’s great now? Who had the best completion percentage and all those things?” DeBoer said. “Those are all important, right? But, I think in the end, it’s who’s moving the ball down the field for the ones, the twos, the most consistently when you’re here in practice each and every day.”

Alabama will begin preseason camp in early August. The Crimson Tide opens the 2025 season, DeBoer’s second in charge after replacing the retired Nick Saban, at Florida State on Aug. 30.