Alabama News

General

Alabama freshman Rep. Figures to focus on infrastructure, farming in new committee roles

Freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures of Alabama was named to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the Agriculture Committee for the 119th Congress on Tuesday.

The appointments represented the first two congressional committees Figures, D-Mobile, will serve on since he was elected to serve in Alabama’s 2nd congressional district seat.

“These committees will allow us to have a direct role in delivering resources to address many critical needs in Alabama’s Second Congressional District,” Figures said in a statement. “From the I-10 Bayway Bridge to ensuring our port has the resources it needs to thrive to supporting our famers and rural communities, these committee assignments are vital to moving our district and our state forward.”

Figures is the only member of the Alabama congressional delegation to be named to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. He told AL.com on Tuesday that one priority for him will be to ensure that the Gulf Coast Amtrak service – offering twice-daily service from New Orleans to Mobile – moves forward. The project requires infrastructure work to be completed in Mobile before the trains can get started sometime during the summer of 2025.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure committee oversees all modes of transportation including railroads, mass transit, bridges, highways, aviation and maritime. It also has jurisdiction over other aspects of infrastructure, such as clean water and wastewater management, the transport of resources by pipeline, flood damage reduction, the management of federally owned real estate and public buildings, the development of depressed rural and urban areas, disaster preparedness and response, and hazardous materials.

Figures is also joining the Agriculture Committee. Also on that committee is Republican U.S. Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise, who was elected last year to represent Alabama’s 1st congressional district in the deep southern part of the state.

Said Figures, “Being appointed to the Agriculture committee this year is crucial for our rural communities, with the upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill, which will provide needed resources for our farmers, allocate SNAP benefits, and protect and preserve our rural healthcare and hospital systems, and support our land grant schools across the State of Alabama.”

Moore, according to a spokesperson, will also serve on the House Judiciary Committee. He will be on the committee’s Immigration, Oversight and Crime subcommittees. The House Agriculture Committee has yet to finalize its subcommittee assignments.

Other committee highlights among the Alabama congressional delegation:

• U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, will remain as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
• U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, is expected to remain on the House Appropriations Committee, where he will continue to serve as chairman of the Labor, Health & Human Services and Education Subcommittee, according to a spokesperson. The Appropriations Committee has not released its committee assignments yet.
• U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, will serve on both the Energy and Commerce Committee as well as the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. A spokesperson for Palmer said that once subcommittees are confirmed, they will release more details.
• U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, was appointed last month to the House Appropriations Committee. Future committee and subcommittee assignments will be announced in the coming days.

Read More

General

10 can’t-miss College Football Hall of Fame candidates from the SEC

The only thing surprising about Nick Saban’s inclusion in the College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 was the timing of the news.

Candidates who waited decades for enshrinement are not unusual on the College Football Hall of Fame’s roster. But in his first appearance on the ballot, Saban seemed as sure a thing as there could be for enshrinement, and the former LSU and Alabama coach didn’t have to wait even until Wednesday to get the news.

The College Football Hall of Fame had announced last week the newest set of inductees will be revealed on Wednesday afternoon. But Saban’s on-air teammates on ESPN’s “College GameDay” informed him of the honor during their Friday night telecast.

Saban is among four coaches who will be enshrined along with 18 players in the Class of 2025. The ballot included 15 former SEC players and three former SEC coaches. Are there any more sure-things among the SEC candidates this year?

Yes, but sometimes even sure-things have to wait for enshrinement.

Former Alabama running back Mark Ingram and former Florida coach Urban Meyer also were on the ballot for the Class of 2025, and based on players and coaches who share their credentials, both are going to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. But that doesn’t mean they’ll be among the names revealed as the newest Hall of Famers on Wednesday.

The addition of Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch and Alabama cornerback Antonio Langham with the Class of 2024 brought to 104 the number of Hall of Famers who played in the SEC. The conference also has had 30 of its coaches reach the College Football Hall of Fame, including Saban.

Based on the current criteria to be considered for the College Hall of Fame, the SEC has built up a candidates list that includes 473 former players (although not all are in the current eligibility window). Clearly, not all the qualifying players are going to make it – or even reach the ballot. The same goes for the conference’s eligible coaches.

But the players and coaches who are in the College Football Hall of Fame provide insight into which of the SEC’s luminaries are going to be enshrined in the classes to come. There will be many, but here are 10 candidates whose qualifications stamp them as sure-fire selections at some point:

Will Anderson Jr., linebacker, Alabama 2020-2022

Anderson isn’t eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame yet. He isn’t 10 seasons removed from his final college game, and he’s still an active NFL player. But when he becomes eligible, Anderson will do so as a two-time unanimous All-American. There have been 39 of those, plus the only three-time unanimous All-American – Georgia running back Herschel Walker. Walker is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame as are the SEC’s other two two-time unanimous All-Americans – Tennessee safety Eric Berry and LSU running back Billy Cannon. Of the 34 other two-time unanimous All-Americans who are eligible, 33 have been enshrined, with Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon going in with the Class of 2024. The exception is Michigan defensive back Tripp Welborne.

Joe Burrow, quarterback, LSU 2018-2019

After three seasons at Ohio State, Burrow came to LSU and, in 2019, led the Tigers to the CFP national championship as he won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award. The first 17 players to win those three awards in the same season are in the College Football Hall of Fame. This also serves as a harbinger of enshrinement for Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Alabama running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver DeVonta Smith as it did for Georgia running back Herschel Walker and Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel on their way to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Grant Delpit, safety, LSU 2017-2019

Delpit was a two-time consensus All-American. That seems a pretty solid credential for College Football Hall of Fame consideration, but it hasn’t proven to be a slam-dunk for enshrinement. The SEC has had 29 players who have been consensus All-Americans at least twice. Twenty-five are eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame, but eight haven’t made it. Delpit’s advantage is his position. Of the 10 SEC offensive and defensive backs who have been two-time consensus All-Americans and are eligible, all are in the College Football Hall of Fame. At the other positions, the entrance rate is 7-of-15. That bodes well for Delpit and Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick when they become eligible.

Mark Ingram, running back, Alabama 2008-2010

You can look at Ingram’s credentials as the Heisman Trophy winner for the 2009 BCS national-championship team and mark him as a future inductee for the College Football Hall of Fame. But here’s a practical reason: The player who finished as the runner-up to Ingram for the 2009 Heisman Trophy, Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, was a member of the College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

Eli Manning, quarterback, Ole Miss 2000-2003

Manning won the Maxwell Award in 2003, when he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Oklahoma quarterback Jason White and Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Of the first 25 players who received the Maxwell but didn’t win the Heisman, 23 are in the College Football Hall of Fame. The exceptions are Temple QB Steve Joachim in 1974 and Penn State QB Chuck Fusina in 1978. Manning might have to wait in line, though, as the College Football Hall of Fame catches up with this century. The 2000 through 2002 Maxwell winners – Purdue QB Drew Brees, Miami (Fla.) QB Ken Dorsey and Penn State RB Larry Johnson – weren’t Heisman winners and aren’t in the College Football Hall of Fame yet. Alabama quarterbacks AJ McCarron and Tua Tagovailoa also were Maxwell winners, with both finishing as Heisman runners-up.

Johnny Manziel, quarterback, Texas A&M 2012-2013

The College Football Hall of Fame eligibility rules say: “While each nominee’s football achievements in college are of prime consideration, his post-football record as a citizen is also weighed. He must have proven himself worthy as a citizen, carrying the ideals of football forward into his relations with his community and his fellow man. Consideration may also be given for academic honors and whether or not the candidate earned a college degree.” Is that going to make a difference for Johnny Football? No, because he won the Heisman Trophy. Every Heisman Trophy winner from 1935 through 2002 has been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, and three players from beyond that block already are in – 2004 winner Matt Leinart, 2005 winner Reggie Bush and 2007 winner Tim Tebow. And Manziel didn’t have to give back his Heisman, so he can wait to hear his name called along with Mark Ingram, Cam Newton, Derrick Henry, Joe Burrow, DeVonta Smith, Bryce Young and Jayden Daniels, the SEC’s other unenshrined Heisman winners.

Urban Meyer, coach, Florida 2005-2010

Fifteen SEC coaches have won national championships (either awarded by The Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, National Football Foundation or Football Writers Association of America or captured on the field in the playoff era). Nine are in the College Football Hall of Fame, including Nick Saban in the Class of 2025. Paul Dietzel, Gene Chizik and Ed Orgeron do not have career records that meet the .600 minimum winning percentage and are not eligible. Georgia’s Kirby Smart has not coached long enough to be considered. That leaves Florida’s Urban Meyer and LSU’s Les Miles unaccounted for among the SEC’s 15 national-championship coaches. Meyer made his first appearance on the ballot this year. He won two BCS national championships in six seasons at Florida and a CFP national title at Ohio State and owns a career record of 187-32 (65-15 at Florida) – an .854 winning percentage. Miles’ candidacy carries a big asterisk. Miles’ LSU teams won BCS national championships in 2007 and 2011, and he has a career record of 145-73 – a .665 winning percentage. But his official record, reflecting NCAA sanctions, is 108-73 – a .597 winning percentage that’s just below the threshold for consideration.

Cam Newton, quarterback, Florida 2007-2008, Auburn 2010

Newton has the Heisman-Maxwell-Camp ticket into the College Football Hall of Fame. But will the Auburn QB really be inducted based on one season as a college starter? The College Football Hall of Fame is loaded with players who ignited in their final season, and few of them had a season as good as Newton did for the 2010 undefeated BCS national-championship team, when he broke the SEC single-season record for yards of total offense. Newton broke the total-offense record set by Florida’s Tim Tebow in 2007, when he broke the record set by Kentucky’s Tim Couch in 1998, when he broke the record set by Tennessee’ Peyton Manning in 1997, when he broke the record set by Florida’s Danny Wuerffel in 1996. Wuerffel, Manning, Couch and Tebow are already in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Patrick Peterson, cornerback, LSU 2008-2010

Does having an NFL career worthy of Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration help a College Football Hall of Fame candidate? It doesn’t seem to hurt, as illustrated by the rapidity of Peyton Manning’s College Football Hall of Fame enshrinement after he retired from the NFL. There are 31 former SEC players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for their NFL careers. Sixteen of those players meet the first-team All-American eligibility requirement for the College Football Hall of Fame, and only two of those 16 haven’t reached the College Football Hall of Fame, too. Georgia defensive lineman Richard Seymour and LSU fullback Jim Taylor are the only members of the SEC’s Pro Football Hall of Fame representation who are eligible for the College Football of Fame but aren’t in – and Seymour was on the Class of 2025 ballot and might get the nod on Wednesday. In his 13 NFL seasons, Peterson was a Pro Bowler eight times and first-team All-Pro three times, and his countdown to the Pro Football Hall of Fame started in 2024, his first season out of the NFL. It also makes him eligible for consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame now. Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans and pass-rusher Myles Garrett are other current pros worthy of the NFL effect. On the flip side, could Alabama running back Trent Richardson’s College Football Hall of Fame candidacy be adversely affected by perceptions about his NFL career?

Kirby Smart, coach, Georgia 2016-2024

Smart is still one season away from meeting an eligibility requirement for the College Football Hall of Fame. Coaches are required to have a minimum of 10 seasons. They also need at least 100 games and a .600 winning percentage, which seems a lower bar than players are required to clear. Maybe that’s why the SEC had eight coaches who would go on to the College Football Hall of Fame on the sidelines in the 1946 through 1948 seasons and seven in eight other seasons. Georgia would have to lose its next 52 games for Smart to fall below the .600 winning-percentage standard. Smart also has two CFP national championships as pass cards for admission to the College Football Hall of Fame. But when Georgia defeated Texas 22-19 in overtime in this season’s SEC Championship Game, Smart had his third conference crown. Eleven coaches before him had won three SEC championships, and all are in the College Football Hall of Fame (although Tennessee’s Johnny Majors enshrinement came as a player, not as a coach).

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

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

Read More

General

Wayfair is offering $175 off this ‘extremely comfortable’ egg chair, how to claim yours

Wayfair just dropped all new deals and discounts on its website, but they’re only available for a limited-time.

During this week’s sale, Wayfair is offering the stylish Dakota Fields Wellingborough Egg Chair for just $119 instead of the usual price of $295, a $175 discount overall.

“Featuring a gorgeous teardrop shape and intricate abstract design, [the Dakota Fields Wellingborough Egg Chair] not only gives your patio a modern look, but also offers incredible comfort. This is constructed with a beautifully wrapped wicker with a sturdy metal frame, allowing you hours of relaxation whenever you need it,” Wayfair’s product details state.

RELATED: Walmart is offering $50 for new Walmart+ members, how to get yours

This particular patio chair also has an impressive 4.6 stars out of 5 stars.

“I recently purchased this patio chair, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice!” one recent review states. “Assembly was simple—everything fit perfectly, and the instructions were straightforward. Once set up, the chair looked absolutely stunning in my patio space. Not only does it look great, but it’s also extremely comfortable to sit in, whether you’re enjoying a morning coffee or relaxing in the evening. The materials feel durable and of high quality, so I’m confident it will hold up well over time. Highly recommended!”

RELATED: Walmart is offering $100 off VIZIO 43″ smart TV among other deals

Another review for this chair states, “This chair fits perfectly on the deck. The colour goes with my theme and it’s so comfortable. When I read the reviews I was concerned about putting it together, but I did it without issue and I did not find it awkward or difficult. Love it.”

Those interested in this deal can checkout the full rundown on Wayfair’s website here. You can also browse all deals Wayfair is offering right now here.

Read More

General

Trump as a dumpster fire? Jimmy Kimmel gag gives Roy Wood Jr. pause

When Alabama comedian and TV host Roy Wood Jr. brought footage of himself fighting a literal dumpster fire, Jimmy Kimmel brought the easy shot at Donald Trump.

If nothing else, the exchange during Monday’s episode of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” shows what it takes to stop the quick-witted Wood in his tracks. He obviously wasn’t thinking about going political when he visited Kimmel’s show to talk about a visit with Los Angeles firefighters and the new Hulu special he’s releasing on Friday.

Wood told Kimmel that he’d wanted to get a firefighter T-shirt to help promote first responders who’d been fighting the massive wildfires devastating the Los Angeles area. That led to him riding along with the firefighting crew of Station 16 in Compton.

“I’m thankful to be out here and just have an opportunity to, as best I can, get an understanding what’s going on and also see where I can help,” said Wood. He explained that because Compton is “way south of everything that’s been making the news,” the crew hasn’t been fighting wildfires directly. But they have been covering more territory as resources have been shifted to battle the blazes.

After some mockery of his “slow motion” descent of the firehouse pole — “I’m 46, man, you can’t just be racing down the pole like that” — Wood talked about a ride-along that stretched out as one call followed another. And yes, one was a blazing dumpster.

“Oh, it’s the president,” said Kimmel, who clarified a few seconds later that he meant the president-elect.

“Oh year, it was a dumpster fire,” said Wood. He paused and decided to pass up on the opportunity to pile on. “I was a dude on a truck learning about what other benevolent people are doing for the people of southern California.” Firefighting was the first job he ever wanted, he said, but the physical fitness requirements put him off and he decided to major in journalism instead.

Some context on Kimmel’s part: He began Monday night’s broadcast with an emotional monologue about the “very scary, very stressful, very strange week” the show’s staff had experienced. “I think I speak for all of us when I say it has been a sickening, shocking, awful experience,” Kimmel said. “But it has also been in a lot of ways a beautiful experience, because once again we see our fellow men and women coming together to support each other.”

“I don’t want to get into the vile and irresponsible and stupid things our alleged future president and his gaggle of scumbags chose to say during our darkest and most terrifying hour,” Kimmel said. “The fact that they chose to attack our firefighters, who apparently aren’t white enough to be out there risking their lives on our behalf, it’s disgusting but it’s not surprising.”

Trump has criticized California officials, particularly Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying their policies exacerbated the fires and hampered the response; Newsom and others have disputed the criticisms. Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville questioned by other states should “be bailing out California for choosing the wrong people to lead their state” and said aid should be linked to policy changes.

The monologue and other clips from the show have been designated as fundraisers on YouTube; the streaming service said Tuesday that the clip has helped raise more than $40,000 for World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in crisis situations.

For viewers interested in hearing more about Wood’s upcoming special and his life after “The Daily Show,” his appearance revealed an insight or two.

“I titled the special ‘Lonely Flowers’ because I feel like we as a people we’re all beautiful but we’re separated,” said Wood. “Put flowers together, you have a bouquet, and that’s something that’s beautiful. And I think that what we’ve learned over the past couple of days in these fires in Los Angeles is just how beautiful of a society we are when things come together.”

As for his recent career moves, he conceded that not landing the gig as “Daily Show” host stung a little.

“I told my mama, originally, when Trevor Noah said he was leaving the Daily Show, I called my mom, I’m like, ‘They might let me host. You can go on and quit your job,’ he said. “And then I didn’t get to host, I had to call my mom back, I said ‘You ain’t quit that job now, did you? Good. But Hulu gon’ hook me up. I might can pay off the car. We’ll see.‘”

“Lonely Flowers” will begin streaming Friday, Jan. 17, on Hulu.

Read More

General

Rookie QB Bo Nix downplays shaking off spinal fractures to start every game for Broncos

Bo Nix started all 17 regular-season games for the Denver Broncos during the 2024 regular season, then made his 18th start on Sunday in a 31-7 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills that ended his rookie campaign.

After taking 1,130 offensive snaps in his first NFL season, the former Pinson Valley High School and Auburn quarterback said he was thankful to have gone from the No. 12 pick in the NFL Draft on April 25 to the Broncos’ starting lineup in Denver’s season-opening game on Sept. 8.

“I think the best experience is going out there and doing it,” Nix said. “When you see it — OK, say you’re on the sidelines seeing somebody else do it. You still, once you get in there, you’re feeling those moments for the first time, and that could be a year or two later, so it was a blessing to be able to play right away.

“I learned a lot. I feel like I’m further ahead, further along than what I would be had I not.”

But it wasn’t easy in a league where 18 of the 32 teams did not have the same quarterback in the lineup for every game. Nix revealed in speaking with reporters on Monday that he played in a 41-32 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 2 with three transverse-process fractures sustained in the previous game – a 29-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 24.

A transverse-process fracture is a break in the bony extensions on the sides of a vertebra in the spine.

“It was a long 18-, 19-week season, but, fortunately, God was good to me this year,” Nix said. “He allowed me to stay upright. I was healthy, got to play each and every game. Obviously, we all play with some bruises and some cuts and scrapes, but the Vegas week was just I had a little transverse process fracture in my back. But that week got treatment and kind of made it through to that week. Monday night football, it was a stretch that we were all kind of banged up, and I wasn’t going to miss the first Monday night game, so I got treatment on it. And then we were fortunate to have an off week that next week and kind of went away after that. But for that moment, it was annoying, but we all play with annoying things.”

Denver guard Quinn Meinerz said Nix’s toughness was among the qualities that allowed him to lead the Broncos to their first playoff appearance since the 2015 season as a rookie.

“He doesn’t flinch,” Meinerz said on Monday. “He never flinched all year, whether he was playing in his first game or playing injured. That shows his toughness and his competitiveness, and you see it on display every single week.”

Asked what he’d learned during all that experience as a rookie, Nix cited two things.

“Right off the top is just understanding the difference in NFL and what I learned this year with red zone and third downs,” Nix said. “That’s the most important part of the game. So I feel like the red-zone and third-down areas on the field are where I can make growth and understand and be a little bit more aware of certain situations and just different football topics that I can learn from just within the reps that I had this year, just what I could do differently for next year and keep us on the field for longer.”

When he returns in April from his first NFL offseason, Nix said he thought he would be “a little bit more ahead after knowing a little bit more what to expect.”

Broncos offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey said Nix would be more than “a little bit” better in 2025.

“Right away, Bo captured this locker room by the way that he works, by the person that he is and the way that he progressed,” McGlinchey said on Monday. “It takes a lot of hard work to get better week-in and week-out, and it takes a lot of focus, and a lot of the guys aren’t ready to commit themselves to that. I think Bo is certainly a shining example of that, and it permeated through our locker room.

“The improvement from him going forward is just going to be exponential.”

Because of his teammates and coaches, Nix said he was able to have “a great rookie year.”

“Unfortunately and fortunately, I played on a lot of teams that seasons have ended, so you know all good things come to an end,” Nix said. “This has been a good run. Started where we were and then to be where we are now, play an extra week of football, have an opportunity to play in the playoffs. It’s exciting, and it’s an exciting time to be in Denver right now.

But I love this team, will always appreciate what they did for me as a rookie coming in, learning the NFL. It was an honor to play with those guys each week. As I also understand that teams change, so sometimes you don’t have the same team the next year, but got great guys in the locker room, really enjoyed being around them.”

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.

Read More

General

Tuberville praises Pete Hegseth at hearing: Claims ‘woke’ policies hurt military recruitment

In a Senate hearing today to confirm Pete Hegseth’s nomination for U.S. Defense Secretary, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R. Ala., said military recruiting was his biggest concern.

“Why would you fight for a country you don’t love? That’s what I keep hearing from a lot of our college kids that they’re getting from these woke universities that they go to now,” Tuberville said.

“That is one of the excuses I get from our kids. We’ve got to break that,” he added.

“I had a young man that forever he wanted to go to West Point. I got him a nomination. I got him accepted and he turned it down. He says, ‘Coach, I’m not getting involved with that mess.’”

Tuberville also said he met with Navy SEALs who “just got back from crawling around in the mud and the muck overseas, unknown places…. First week they’re back, what do they do, they had go through a week of DEI training. Both are now out. They give it up.”

He questioned Hegseth on how he planned to raise enlistment numbers, which have been falling over the last 20 years, according to the Department of Defense.

“I think it comes down to leadership,” Hegseth said.

“Clear leadership from President Trump. Through me,” Hegseth added. “So, you have to rip, root and branch, the politics and divisive policies out of these institutions and focus them on creating and preparing actual future military leadership.”

Referring largely to DEI initiatives, Hegseth said these “divisive policies” are the reason generational military service is becoming less common in America.

“The chain is starting to break with generations of people my age and older talking to their kids and grandkids wondering, pondering, do I want them to serve? Will my country use them responsibly? When that kind of doubt is cast you get serious recruiting problems like we do right now.”

Hegseth said he believes the country will see a “recruiting Renaissance” under Trump’s second presidency.

“That sends signals to the world,” he said.

“To our enemies and our allies alike that is America’s back. And thankfully then we have the men and women of our country willing to want to serve.”

During the hearing Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D- Mass., questioned Hegseth about his previous comments that women shouldn’t serve in the military.

In a book Hegseth released in 2024, he wrote “Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially not in combat units.”

But Hegseth said Tuesday the comments were “misconstrued.”

Tuberville also questioned Hegseth about the Defense Secretary’s civilian staff growing from 1,500 people in 2001 to 3,000 people last year. And Hegseth promised to trim down senior Pentagon personnel.

Past allegations accusing Hegseth of sexual assault, drinking on the job, and claims by former co-workers that he mismanaged veterans’ organizations he led were also raised as a point of concern during the hearing.

In his exchange with Sen. Joni Ernst, D-Ia., Hegseth said he would appoint a senior level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention in the military but claimed that the allegations against him were a “coordinated smear campaign.”

He went on to say that the media is trying to “destroy” him “because I am a change agent, a threat to them.”

Read More

General

Former mayoral candidate announces run for Birmingham city council

Darryl Williams, a former Birmingham mayoral candidate has told AL.com that he plans to run for the Birmingham City Council in District 4.

“I can do more for people in this district than other people that I know. I’m looking to help the elderly and the kids,” Williams said to AL.com. “If you ride around in Inglenook, Collegeville, Airport Road, anywhere in District 4, they’ve only patched the roads instead of repaving like they have in Lakeview, Avondale, Woodlawn, and parts of Center Street.”

Read More

General

Police trying to ID Montgomery robbery suspect wearing FedEx jacket, brandishing flare gun

Authorities are trying to identify the suspect in a Montgomery business robbery.

The unidentified suspect, police said, was wearing a jacket the FedEx logo and armed with a flare gun.

The holdup happened at 10:05 a.m. Friday at convenience store in the 400 block of Coliseum Boulevard.

Police say the suspect entered the business, produced what is believed to be an orange flare gun, demanded money, and left the scene in an unknown direction.

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers on Tuesday released photos of a male suspect.

He was wearing a jacket with the FedEx logo and glasses. He is believed to be about 6 feet tall with facial hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1-STOP (251-7867).

Read More

General

Troy football announces 7 more transfer players for 2025

Troy on Tuesday announced seven more incoming football transfers, bringing the official total to eight for 2025.

Added to the 2025 spring roster Tuesday were cornerbacks Kaleno Levine (Missouri State) and Jaquez White (Washburn), defensive lineman Taleeq Robbins (Houston), safety Steven Sannieniola (Vanderbilt), offensive lineman Patrick Screws (Georgia Tech) and wide receivers Kristian Tate (Delaware State) and Tray Taylor (Coastal Carolina). They join four other incoming transfers the Trojans announced on Monday.

Levine (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) played the last two seasons on the FCS level after transferring in from junior college, and has one year of eligibility remaining. In 16 games at Missouri State, the Fort Worth, Texas, native totaled 57 tackles, six pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Robbins (6-1, 282) spent one year at Ole Miss and another in junior college before playing the last two seasons with the Cougars. The Pennsylvania native had 10 tackles in 10 games at Houston in 2023, but did not see any action in 2024. A 3-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, has one year of eligibility remaining.

Sannieniola (6-2, 205) was a 3-star prospect in the 2022 signing class and has two years of eligibility remaining. The Bowie, Md., native played in nine games during his career at Vanderbilt, totaling 10 tackles with a tackle for loss.

Screws (6-5, 310) was a three-star prospect in the 2023 class out of Eufaula High School. He did not see any game action the last two seasons at Georgia Tech and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Tate (6-2, 175) caught 28 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns for the FCS Hornets this past season. The Seat Pleasant, Md., native redshirted in 2023 and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Taylor (5-8, 160) caught 18 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 58 yards in his lone season at Coastal Carolina. The Shreveport, La., native previously spent two seasons in junior college and has one year of eligibility remaining.

White (6-1, 180) played in 21 games the last two seasons at Division II Washburn, totaling 74 tackles, 11 pass breakups, two blocked field goals and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. The Blackshear, Ga., native has two years of eligibility remaining.

Troy finished 4-8 in 2024, its first season under coach Gerad Parker.

Troy football 2025 incoming transfers

David Daniel-Sisavanh, SAF, 6-2, 185, Woodstock, Ga./Georgia

Deairich Jackson, DE, 6-4, 255, Fayetteville, Ga./Coffeyville (Kan.) CC

Vysen Lang, OL, 6-4, 340, Pike Road, Ala./Tennessee

Garner Langlo, OL, 6-7, 300, Hartford, Ala./Appalachian State

Kaleno Levine, CB, 5-11, 180, Fort Worth, Texas/Missouri State

Taleeq Robbins, DL, 6-1, 282, Philadelphia, Pa./Houston

Steven Sannieniola, SAF, 6-2, 205, Bowie, Md./Vanderbilt

Patrick Screws, OL, 6-5, 310, Eufaula, Ala./Georgia Tech

Kristian Tate, WR, 6-2, 175, Seat Pleasant, Md./Delaware State

Tray Taylor, WR, 5-8, 160, Shreveport, La./Coastal Carolina

Jaquez White, CB, 6-1, 180, Blackshear, Ga./Washburn

Read More

General

Legendary country music singer sets Alabama concert

Even after thousands and thousands of shows, Trigger has more miles to go.

Willie Nelson is bringing Trigger, his battered old nylon-string guitar named after singing cowboy Roy Rogers’ horse, back to Huntsville this year.

Country music legend Nelson, 91, and his band will play a concert April 16 at Orion Amphitheater. Tickets ($49.50 – $129.50, plus applicable fees) go on sale 10 a.m. Friday via .axs.com and the Orion Box Office, located at 701 Amphitheater Drive N.W.

Nelson, age 91, is revered for writing gems like “Crazy,” popularized by Patsy Cline. Of course, he’s best known for his performances of classics like “On The Road Again,” “Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain,” “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” and “Whiskey River.”

Nelson and his band, billed as Willie Nelson & Family, previously played Orion in 2023. According to setlist.fm, their 15-song set that night included covers of Merle Haggard’s “Workin’ Man Blues,” Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia (On My Mind.”

Read More