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General

Mass layoffs in Alabama remained above pre-pandemic levels in 2024

Alabama saw fewer mass layoffs last year than in 2023, yet the number of job losses for large employers still remained above pre-pandemic levels.

Nearly 2,000 workers in Alabama were laid off in mass layoffs and plant closures in 2024, according to WARN notices filed with the Alabama Department of Commerce. About 21 employers in industries ranging from manufacturing to retail reported mass layoffs, with about half of them also permanently closing their facilities last year.

Mass layoffs can happen for a variety of reasons, depending on factors like the size of the firm or what’s going on in a particular industry, said Sam Addy, a senior research economist and the associate dean for economic development outreach at the University of Alabama.

“If that firm was running on operations that were outdated, it’s being outcompeted, you definitely would have mass layoffs,” Addy said. “This could be either planned, or involuntary, or when they get a shock like contracts that are breached.”

Mass layoffs are classified as those in which a company that employs at least 100 people lays off 50 or more workers. Federal law requires those large employers to file a public WARN notice with the state 60 days in advance of mass layoffs or plant closures. Those WARN notices are published by the Alabama Department of Commerce.

In 2023, mass layoffs — primarily in the manufacturing industry — affected more than 4,000 workers.

That was a big jump at the time, closer to 2020’s peak of more than 5,000 job cuts in mass layoffs.

In the two years that followed, mass layoffs dipped drastically, impacting about 800 jobs per year in 2021 and 2022. Last year’s levels dipped much closer to 2019, which recorded roughly 1,800 layoffs, per WARN notices.

In 2024, the economy saw broad improvements, Addy said, buoyed by the Federal Reserve’s moves to slowly and incrementally lower interest rates. He pointed to broader employment numbers to put layoffs into context.

“Mass layoffs, as a share of total employment, it’s smaller for last year than the previous year,” Addy said.

Even though there were more unemployed people, on average, in the state last year than in 2023, total employment was up. The average monthly number for total employment in Alabama last year was 2.27 million, up from 2.25 million in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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In 2024, Auburn saw the highest share of layoffs, with 267 employees in the area reportedly losing their jobs. That was split between two mass layoffs. In August, Auburn University ended its contract with custodial service provider Sodexo Inc. and Affiliates, laying off 170 employees. Previous Sodexo employees were able to apply for positions with Auburn’s new custodial partner, ABM.

And earlier in the year, Thermo Fisher Scientific closed its biotechnology plant in Auburn, laying off nearly 100 workers. Auburn’s economic development department helped find every employee a new position within three months, and the site has since been sold to another company, said city spokesman David Dorton.

“Our Economic Development department has dedicated workforce staff which immediately mobilizes to set meetings with employees in an affected industry and will pretty quickly provide resume assistance workshops, mock interviews, and specialized job fairs on site for affected employees,” Dorton said in an email to AL.com. “They’ve got a great track record of placing a very high percentage of employees in other positions within a short period of time.”

Meanwhile, one of the mass layoffs in Alabama impacted roughly 160 workers statewide, when Walmart ended its contract with Florida-based sales company T-ROC, said Stefania Jones, spokeswoman for the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Total layoffs for Alabama in 2024, which include cuts by small businesses, were just below the previous year’s level. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 223,000 layoffs for total nonfarm employers in Alabama between January and October, down just 2% from the same period in 2023.

Not included in 2024’s layoffs headcount were three employers who filed notices of pending layoffs at the end of 2024, which are expected to impact nearly 800 employees combined within just the first five weeks of the new year. In November, the Boeing Company filed its second WARN notice of the year, reporting layoffs of 158 employees in Huntsville earlier this month.

In December, Big Lots reported that it planned to layoff nearly 500 employees at its distribution center in Montgomery early this month as part of the company’s nationwide closures, according to a WARN notice. Auto parts manufacturer WKW North American LLC also filed a WARN notice with planned layoffs of 140 employees in Pell City starting next month.

General

Did Derrick Henry run his way to a contract extension in Baltimore?

The Baltimore Ravens signed running back Derrick Henry to a two-year contract as an NFL free agent last offseason. After one season, has the former Alabama All-American already outplayed the $16 million deal?

At his end-of-season press conference, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said a contract extension wasn’t out of the question for Henry.

“We’ll look at that,” DeCosta said. “I think it’s a good question. I’m just so grateful that Derrick chose us last year. He came in and, I can honestly just say, his attitude and the way that he played was amazing to watch. His relationship with his teammates, his humility as a player, his work ethic — I can’t wait to see him next year. I know it was tough on him to end the way it did — tough on all of us.

“But I think we have a chip on our shoulders to come back next year with a vengeance, to start faster than we started this year, to not start 0-2 next year, to get out of the gates faster. I think Derrick will be a big part of that.”

Baltimore’s season ended in the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs when the Ravens lost to the Buffalo Bills 27-25 on Jan. 19.

During the 2024 regular season, Henry ran for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns on 325 carries. His yardage total was the 11th-highest in a single season in NFL history, and his TD total tied for the league lead. With his two touchdowns scored on his 19 receptions for 193 yards, Henry set a franchise single-season record with 18 touchdowns in 2024.

“I think he proved that he had a lot left in the tank,” DeCosta said.

That was in question when the 2023 season ended.

From 2019 through 2022, Henry ran for 6,590 yards and 59 touchdowns on 1,370 carries in 55 regular-season and five playoff games for the Tennessee Titans. He averaged 109.8 rushing yards per game and 4.81 yards per carry across those four seasons.

In 2023, Henry averaged 68.6 rushing yards per game and 4.17 yards per carry and turned 30 years old three days before the regular-season finale.

The Ravens landed Henry for a contract that made him the seventh highest-paid running back in the NFL in the 2024 season at $11 million, with his signing bonus making up $7.79 million of that. His base salary and signing bonus totaled $9 million, but Henry also collected $500,000 each for reaching 1,200 rushing yards, 1,500 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns and 15 touchdowns to add $2 million to his intake.

Of the running backs under contract for the 2025 season, Henry’s payday of $7 million ranks as the seventh-highest. Henry has a $6 million base salary and is due a $1 million bonus if he’s on the roster on March 16.

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

Miss Manners: My parents refuse to use my legal name

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I kept my birth name when I got married 10 years ago. However, my parents insist on calling me “Mrs. Husband’s Last Name.”

They’ve used a variety of excuses — they were being polite to my husband (who, luckily, doesn’t appreciate their gesture), or they were keeping things simple for the mail carrier. They’ve even insisted that I am still “thinking” about changing my name and that they will use this in the interim.

This has gotten tricky when it has legal/financial consequences. They generously booked a trip for the extended family through their travel agent, but the name they booked doesn’t match any of my travel documents. I got mad at them, and they said I need to “just say thank you” and called me ungrateful. What is the correct response that doesn’t leave me waving to them from the other side of the TSA line?

GENTLE READER: “If you could please use my legal name on any official documents, that would save us all a lot of confusion and paperwork.” And then Miss Manners suggests you let them have their way for the less formal correspondence. At least for the time being.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

General

Miss Manners: I need alone time, but my friend keeps talking

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How do I tell my friend to go away and leave me alone? I need my alone time to recharge, but she will keep talking and bothering me, especially during lunch at the studio where I work.

She loves to eat spicy chips and they smell gross, and I don’t think she has ever chewed with her mouth closed. Other than that, she is a good friend.

How do I tell her to just GO AWAY when I want to eat my food in peace?

GENTLE READER: Tell her that meeting at the studio is not a viable option for you. It is your workplace and not a place you like to eat socially.

Then, just one time to show goodwill, offer to go out to lunch instead. Miss Manners cannot guarantee that your friend will keep her mouth closed while she eats there, either, but if you choose the restaurant wisely, perhaps you can avoid one that serves gross-smelling snacks.

General

Asking Eric: Avoiding self-centered, badmouthing friend

Dear Eric: I have an acquaintance whom I avoid every chance I get.

Not only does this woman latch onto me every time she sees me, but the worst part, besides not being able to get away from her, is the deplorable way she speaks of her daughter.

She controls her every move and puts her down every chance she gets. Her daughter, in my opinion, was a very sweet, loving child, but as an adult she is now a heroin addict with no direction.

This woman gripes incessantly on how she sees others with their children and how proud they are, but she has nothing to be proud of. And she still wants to control her daughter who is now 30, and all the while talks terribly about her.

Should I continue listening to her nonsense, or should I give her a mouthful of the home truths about her daughter that she deserves?

– Exasperated

Dear Exasperated: Should you continue wasting your time? In this one precious life? No.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

General

Asking Eric: Volatile daughter blames parents for everything

Dear Eric: My husband and I have two daughters, both in their 40s. The younger one has a career, is married and pays her own bills. The other has never been functional and ebbs and flows in and out of stability.

She has a volatile and intense personality. She has a husband who is disabled, and they live on the husband’s disability income.

No one in the house has any hobbies or even leaves the house except to go to many, many doctors, none of which “work for her.”

We do our best to support them as we can, which usually means having them over for dinner, helping to keep their cars running, generous gifts on their birthdays and holidays, but several times a year this daughter will come at us aggressively about some perceived slight.

We’ve come to believe that there is not enough time, money or love in the world to make any significant difference in their lives or our relationship. We are currently on a communication break because she showed up unannounced at our house screaming at the most recent imagined slight.

We’re not sure if or how to renew the relationship without just setting ourselves up for the next attack. How do we maintain a relationship with her without feeling like we are just beating our heads against the wall?

– Exhausted Parents

Dear Parents: As parents who’ve witnessed her lifelong struggles – be they the result of emotional or mental imbalances, personality issues, or some combination thereof – you naturally want, and feel a responsibility, to relieve her suffering. It’s frustrating and painful for you and for her that you can’t.

But this is not a failure on your part.

Continuing to hold a very clear, strict boundary about communication will help everyone involved. That may look like telling her “If you are upset, write it down in a letter – not a text. We will read it when we’re emotionally ready to and then we can jointly figure out how to address it, if at all.”

It will probably be hard for her to understand that the narrative in her head isn’t one that you are responsible for nor one that you have to be a part of. But processing those feelings is her work to do.

An equal part of this healthy boundary is recognizing the places where you and your husband are trying to fix things that are beyond your control and releasing them. You would likely do anything to solve her problems, but being available to be browbeaten whenever she wants is not a solution. If you can work on letting go of the expectation you have of yourselves, you’ll also find it easier to maintain a boundary that can actually lead to change.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

General

Update: Weather alert for strong thunderstorms in Pickens and Sumter counties until 3 a.m. Friday

An updated report from the National Weather Service was issued on Friday at 2:23 a.m. for strong thunderstorms until 3 a.m. for Pickens and Sumter counties.

Residents can anticipate wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 2:23 a.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Prairie Point to near Paulette to near De Kalb. Movement was northeast at 50 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Aliceville, Carrollton, Pickensville, Memphis, McMullen, Garden, Panola, Bevill Lock And Dam, Geiger, Gainesville Lake Campground, Warsaw, Dillburg, George Downer Airport, Owens and Cochrane.

The weather service states, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:

Lightning safety plan:

When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

Wait for the all-clear:

After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of swollen waterways:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Slow down and drive with care:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

Today’s daily horoscopes: Jan. 31, 2025

The way we present ourselves tells people how we want them to see us and gives suggestions as to what to do with us. This is just the way of the material world. Maybe we don’t like to give labels, but we must because processing is impossible without them. To keep things from falling into chaos, the world demands a taxonomy. Today’s decisions meet the demand.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). As security guards know, a good part of the job is just staying awake. To passively wait around for something to go wrong is to risk being drowsy when it’s time to activate. Do the rounds. Check things out that don’t appear to need it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You wonder if there’s a better use of your energy and talent to be mined. When a challenge is a good fit for you, you feel it. You just know. Your native capacities will rise to meet the moment.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The perks of being honest about what you want and really going for it are many. There’s a wonderful stability and freedom that comes with following your true path. And today you’ll find support in unexpected places.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You are so conscious of needing to earn your way, you sometimes hold back from going for what you really want. Pretend you don’t need a reason. Pretend that you being you, and wanting what you want, is enough. What then?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There’s a difference between helping because you want to and feeling like you must because no one else will step up. Service feels like a burden when it’s expected instead of appreciated.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The potential for failure is part of what makes the journey worthwhile, and by allowing yourself to fail or succeed on your terms, you redefine what’s possible and create space for your full expression.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Anyone who tries to make you believe you don’t have options probably isn’t presenting your best one. The first step in claiming your power is recognizing in what ways you are free and able. The next step is in noting your points of leverage.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Hindsight is always 20/20. You made a choice with the information you had at the time. Don’t let the weight of judgment land solely on your shoulders. You did your best in the moment, and that’s what matters most.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Prioritize your needs without guilt or apology. Step into your power as someone who chooses rather than merely reacts. Keep building a life that honors your worth; you’re setting the tone others will soon sing to.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). People have a different reaction to you than you’re accustomed to. This is proof that you’re stepping into a new role. Over time, people will adjust to new dynamics — or they won’t. Either way, you’ll be freer.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll boldly break the ice, be quick to respond or be first in line — moves that lead to a position of favor, not despite their intrinsic risk, but because of it. To initiate takes courage. Famously, fortune favors the bold.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You know what it means to be loyal to others, but loyalty to yourself is something you embody unthinkingly to tremendous effect. Loyalty helps you keep nurturing your talents, advocating for yourself and following through with projects to the end.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (JAN. 31). You’ll succeed spectacularly in your aims to use your talent to make a difference. Witnessing your work, people will be moved to joy, tears, action and financial contribution. More highlights: A fortuitous reversal, travel reunites hearts and begins beautiful new relationships, too. You’ll make bright and novel contributions to a group project. Virgo and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 31, 39, 46 and 12.

Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

General

McGill-Toolen honors coach Phillip Murphy, then knocks off Faith Academy

Andrew Murchison scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, and McGill-Toolen ended the regular season with a 51-34 win over visiting Faith Academy on Thursday night.

Prior to the game, the school celebrated coach Phillip Murphy’s 400th win, which came against St. Paul’s earlier this season.

General

South Alabama basketball drops 3rd straight game, 2nd straight to ULM, 62-58

Suddenly, South Alabama’s 4-0 start to Sun Belt Conference play seems like a long time ago.

The Jaguars dropped their third straight game and fourth in six outings on Thursday night, falling 62-58 Louisiana-Monroe at the Mitchell Center. It was South Alabama’s second loss in four days to the Warhawks, who came into Thursday in last place but swept the season series for the first time since 2018.

“Success is very fragile,” South Alabama coach Richie Riley said. “We were playing at a high level for a month, month and a half, and we’ve (not been able) to sustain it. It’s a long season, and we’ve got to find it again.

“We’re hurting ourselves right now losing these games. We’re hurting our (Sun Belt tournament) seed, we’re hurting our position in the league. We’re just giving away a lot of games.”

South Alabama trailed nearly throughout on Thursday, falling behind by 13 points in both halves before a furious rally in the final 10 minutes. The Jaguars (14-8, 6-4 Sun Belt) actually took the lead at 52-51 with 5:27 remaining and were tied twice in the final 2:36 behind several big shots by Judah Brown, but could not finish off the comeback.

Tyreese Calhoun scored a game-high 22 points — including six 3-pointers — and accounted for seven straight ULM points at one stretch. His step-back jumper with 1:22 remaining gave the Warhawks (6-17, 2-8) the lead for good at 60-58.

South Alabama had several opportunities to tie or take the lead late, but missed two shots and committed two turnovers in the final 1:07. ULM’s Jalen Bolden stole the inbounds pass with 5 seconds left, then teammate Coltie Young — who scored 17 points — buried two free throws to ice the game.

Brown led the Jaguars with 21 points, while JJ Wheat added 12 and John Broom grabbed 10 rebounds. However, Barry Dunning and Myles Corey — South Alabama’s top two scorers this season — provided just 9 points on Thursday after averaging a combined 27.6 entering the night.

After averaging more than 75 points per game through its first 18 games of the season, South Alabama failed to reach 70 for the fourth straight contest. Since halftime of a 64-63 win over Troy on Jan. 18, the Jaguars have been outscored by an average of more than six points per half.

“We’re just not shooting the ball very well,” Riley said. “We have to do what we do and that’s move the ball side to side. … We’ve got 5 guys out there that can dribble, pass and shoot, and it’s been really good for us until recently. We’re trying. We’re playing different lineups, we’re making a lot of adjustments. It’s not for lack of effort.”

South Alabama is at Louisiana at 7 p.m. Saturday, the first of three straight road games that will also take the Jaguars to Coastal Carolina on Feb. 5 and to Akron for a Sun Belt-MAC Challenge game on Feb. 8. USA’s next home game is Feb. 14 vs. Marshall.