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Two Dothan students injured when storm damages school roof

Two students were injured when a storm hit Dothan Preparatory Academy early Monday afternoon.

The high winds – authorities don’t yet know if it was a tornado or straight-line winds – damaged a roof at the school, causing debris to fall.

The school serves seventh and eighth grade students.

Dothan police Lt. Scott Owens said the storm shortly before 1 p.m.

Two students sustained minor injuries and were treated on the scene by paramedics. One person was transported from the scene for anxiety-related issues.

Owens said all of the students are safe, and first responders are asking parents to stay away from the school because of the strewn debris.

Authorities have set up a reunification location for parents to pick up students. That location is the Doug Tew Recreation Center on Garland Road.

This story will be updated if more information becomes available.

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Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart among Cleveland Browns coach’s quarterback questions

The Cleveland Browns’ Kevin Stefanski noted something during his meeting with reporters at the annual AFC coaches breakfast at the NFL league meetings on Monday in Palm Beach, Florida.

“A lot of questions about the quarterback position,” Stefanski observed.

And most of the questions were about quarterbacks who aren’t on Cleveland’s roster, including two SEC stars available in next month’s draft – Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.

The reason? In Stefanki’s five seasons as the Browns coach, Cleveland has had 11 starting quarterbacks, and that list is going to grow in 2025.

Cleveland was supposed to have solved its QB questions in 2022, when Deshaun Watson signed a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract after the Browns obtained him in a trade with the Houston Texans. A suspension and injuries have limited Watson to playing in 19 of the Browns’ 51 games in his three seasons with the team.

Earlier this year, the Browns announced Watson “likely will miss significant time during the 2025 season.” Watson went out for 2024 when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon on Oct. 20. Cleveland reported Watson had ruptured the tendon again and had undergone a second surgery.

The only other quarterback on the Browns’ roster is Kenny Pickett, obtained in a trade this month from the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Pittsburgh Steelers starter served as season as Jalen Hurts’ backup as the Eagles won the NFL championship for 2024.

“Kenny Pickett’s a guy that I believe in, that we believe in,” Stefanski said, “so we’ll see how it all shakes out.”

With the No. 2 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 24, Cleveland is squarely in the quarterback market.

“I like a lot of guys in this class, not just the quarterback position,” Stefanski said. “… From where I sit, I’m excited that we’re going to get a really, really good football player on this roster. That’s for us to talk through in terms of which player that is, or if it’s a trade back. You’re moving back, you’re still getting players you like and you’re picking up players. So I think everything is available to us.”

Neither of the SEC quarterbacks that Stefanski talked about on Monday will be the No. 2 pick. But that doesn’t mean Milroe or Dart won’t end up with Cleveland, which is in position to deal in the 2025 draft with 10 picks.

Milroe’s 32 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons for Alabama and the quarterback’s fast 40 time at the Crimson Tide’s pro day have seemed to overshadow his passing ability in evaluations.

“I don’t see him just as a runner,” Stefanski said. “That’s certainly an element of his game. God’s blessed him with the ability to make plays with his feet when necessary. But he’s made plenty of throws in his career, so again, another really impressive young man, having gotten down there, spending some time with him and his family. I think he’s, again, done a really nice job just throughout this process.”

Stefanski was asked if Milroe had shown offseason improvement during his passing exhibition at Alabama’s pro day.

“I don’t know if I’d say improvement,” Stefanski said. “I mean, obviously, I know Senior Bowlers, you get in the seven-on-seven or that type of drill, so this is on air. But, yeah, I think you’re always looking at mechanics and how you can help a player. But I think the biggest thing is it’s such a body of work, it’s such an all-encompassing thing when you’re talking about evaluating these guys, so you don’t want to say, hey, he had a great throwing session that one day, that shoots him up your draft board. You take all of this into account.”

Cleveland is considered to have inside information on Milroe. The Browns’ offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, was Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2023.

“He knows a lot of these college quarterbacks,” Stefanski said, “when you’re in the game and you’re in recruiting and that type of thing, so has a very interesting perspective on all these players. He’s played the position at a high level. So certainly leaning on him, on what he believes in both in the evaluation on the tape and the evaluation of the player when you meet with them and the evaluation of the player when you’re seeing them throw live. …

“I mean, obviously, when you’ve coached a player, all those Alabama players, you lean in and you find out everything there is to know about the players. I mean that’s obvious. Jalen’s a young man that played really well for Tommy. They won a lot of football games. He’s still growing as a football player, too. It’s kind of one of the things we talked about yesterday is nobody’s a finished product when you come into the NFL, so excited about all these guys in terms of what type of jump they could have in their career.”

RELATED: BROWNS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR ON DRAFTABLE ALABAMA QB: ‘I HAVE A LOT OF LOVE FOR JALEN’

Dart enters the NFL after throwing for 10,617 yards and 72 touchdowns in three seasons at Ole Miss.

“A very impressive young man,” Stefanski said. “Has been coached really well. You know Joe Judge is down there as his quarterback coach, and Joe’s a former NFL head coach, former special-teams coach, offensive, defensive. Joe kind of knows the game, so you can tell that he’s been really well-coached and brought along the right way in this game, so impressive off the field and then did a nice job on the field as well.”

Stefanski said the type of offense that Dart operated at Ole Miss and what he’ll be called upon to do in the NFL isn’t a big deal in the evaluation process.

“I think that’s probably overstated,” Stefanski said. “I don’t know that there’s a huge difference in what colleges are doing and what people are doing in the pros these days. There’s certainly elements that you’re going to ask a quarterback to do differently regardless of what school he came from, so I don’t think that there’s a concern there.”

A quarterback who could go No. 2 to the Browns is Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Miami (Fla.) quarterback Cam Ward is the betting favorite to go to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 1 pick, leaving Sanders as a No. 2 option after throwing for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns for Colorado in 2024.

“He’s an extremely talented football player,” Stefanski said of Sanders. “Again getting to know the kid — you watch the tape, and I think the important part as an evaluator is you want to talk to the player about plays and how he plays, and I think he sees the game really, really well. Has been raised the right. I think they’ve done an outstanding job bringing him along in terms of understanding football. But he’s a very, very talented young man, but off the field is where I’m probably most impressed.”

Despite the rookie talk, Stefanski didn’t rule out Pickett being the Browns’ starting quarterback in 2025.

“Excited for Kenny and the opportunity to see what he’s capable of,” Stefanski said. “And he’s got the right makeup for it. …

“I think he’s a very intelligent, accurate passer, but he’s somebody that you’ve seen it from him. He’s made plays in games. He’s won football games with great decision-making. He’s a plus-athlete. I’ve seen him make all the throws. So I really think he fits in whatever you’re at whenever you’re planning on doing.”

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.

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Celtics-Grizzlies free livestream: How to watch NBA game tonight, TV, schedule

The Boston Celtics play against the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6:30 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 Celtics enter this matchup with a 55-19 record, and they have won eight consecutive games. Notably, the team is currently second place in the Eastern Conference.

In their last game, the Celtics defeated San Antonio 121-111. During the victory, Jayson Tatum led the Boston offense. He scored 29 points and shot 10-22 from the field.

The Grizzlies enter this matchup with a 44-30 record, and they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Grizzlies lost 134-127 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Grizzlies will need a great performance from their star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. He averages more than 22 points per game, which leads the team.

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.

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Time running out for Alabama CHOOSE Act applications: More than 27,000 students signed up

Alabama families have one more week to apply for education savings accounts through the state’s new school choice program.

The CHOOSE Act allows eligible students to receive up to $7,000 in tax credits that can be used for private school tuition.

Homeschoolers can receive $2,000, or up to $4,000 per family, for other educational expenses.

Eligibility will be determined by household income and certain student needs.

Applications close April 7 and will begin to be disbursed for use from July 1 to June 30 of the upcoming school year.

“Taxpaying Alabama families want school choice, and our ESA program, the CHOOSE Act, is providing that unique opportunity,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a news release.

“This program gives Alabama students greater flexibility to pursue educational options that meet their individual needs. I urge eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity and apply before the April 7 deadline.”

In its first year, the program is open to all students whose household income meets 300% of the federal poverty level.

For a family of four, that’s about $93,600 – which officials said covers about 75% of families in the state.

The first 500 ESAs will be given to students with disabilities. Additional priority will be given to:

  • Children of active-duty military service members who attend priority schools
  • Siblings of participating students
  • Low-income students

The Alabama Department of Revenue is overseeing the CHOOSE Act.

So far, ALDOR has approved at least 220 private schools and several dozen tutors, vendors and other service providers to accept ESAs this year.

(Can’t see the table? View it here.)

More than 27,000 students have applied to the program since January, according to the governor’s office.

The majority of current applicants already attend private schools or are homeschooled, AL.com found.

Officials have allocated $100 million to the program in its first year, which would cover up to 14,000 accounts.

All students, regardless of income or needs, can apply for the program starting in the 2028-29 school year.

How do I apply for a CHOOSE tax credit?

To apply, participants need to provide a birth certificate, proof of residency and proof of income. Additional documentation may be required if a student has a disability.

Payments do not go into the parent’s pocketbook or into their own wallets. They must coordinate through ClassWallet’s portal for those transactions.

If there are any funds left after that year, they are rolled back into the state’s CHOOSE Act fund. However, once a child is in the program, they’re given preference for the next year.

Under the current law, public school students may use ESAs if the school they plan to enroll in charges tuition. Some students who are not currently enrolled in public schools may be able to use funds for some services or classes that public schools provide.

Officials encourage families to direct any questions to ALDOR or to ClassWallet, the company helping to administer the program. Contact information and other parent resources are available at chooseact.alabama.gov.

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After redshirting, Alabama basketball player will enter transfer portal: Report

Alabama basketball’s 2024-25 roster has its first transfer portal casualty. Naas Cunningham is entering the portal, after the Crimson Tide’s season ended Saturday with an Elite Eight loss to Duke, ESPN’ Jeff Borzello reported Monday.

Cunningham redshirted the 2024-25 season and did not play. He follows the path of Kris Parker, who did the same for the 2023-24 Alabama team before transferring to Wake Forest last offseason.

Cunningham arrived at Alabama before the season as a top 50 player in his class. He redshirted the year, with Nate Oats citing the need for him to gain weight.

Oats praised his development midseason.

“When he’s at his peak, it looks like he should be an NBA player,” Oats said in February. “Can we get that every time or a lot more consistent than what it is? It’s hard for me to say right now just because he’s been out with illness and injuries so much. So right now we’re just trying to get him to continue to gain weight because he kind of lost a lot of what he gained when he got sick. So, kind of where that’s at.

“Great kid though, love him. Best teammate. Teammates love him. Coaches love him. Just gotta get him stronger, more consistent. His upside’s gotta show up more consistently.”

Alabama had one of its most successful seasons in program history, but fell short of Oats’ hopes by losing in the Elite Eight a year after going to the Final Four. Crimson Tide players are allowed to enter the transfer portal with the season now over.

The portal is open through April 22. Cunningham was the first Alabama player to make his decision to enter, although former Crimson Tide starter Rylan Griffen already announced he will be leaving Kansas, where he transferred following the 2023-24 season.

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Zappos is offering a rare deal on New Balance Classics 237v1 sneakers

Zappos just dropped a major discount on the super popular New Balance Classics 237v1 sneaker while supplies last.

With this deal, Zappos customers can get the New Balance Classics 237v1 sneaker for as low as $56 depending on which style/color you choose. These shoes typically sell for $80 each.

The New Balance 237v1 features a retro aesthetic that combines classic design elements with a modern twist. This allows for versatile styling that pairs well with a variety of casual outfits. Not to mention, it comes in a range of colors to perfectly match any one’s style.

RELATED: The ASICS GEL-Cumulus 26 running shoe is on sale at its cheapest price yet

Another notable feature of this New Balance Classic is the sneaker’s midsole technology which provides excellent cushioning and support, also making these sneakers ideal for both casual or activewear.

According to Zappos reviews, consumers say that they like the style and comfort of the footwear. They mention the colors are great, they go well with summer outfits and have a great retro vibe. Some are satisfied with the quality, however, some customers were not satisfied with the foam thickness and fabric wrinkles. Opinions differ on the fit, build quality and weight.

Those interested in this deal can checkout the full listing on Zappos’ website here.

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Social Security increase: Higher payments starting this month, here’s who qualifies

More than 3.2 million Social Security recipients will be getting a boost in their monthly benefits in April.

The increases are part of the Social Security Fairness Act signed into law by President Joe Biden in his final days of office. The act eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, two rules that reduced benefits for retirees – including some widows, widowers, and spousal benefit recipients – who received pensions from employers that weren’t covered by Social Security.

READ MORE: Social Security requirements changing April 1

Among those who could benefit from the change are some teachers, firefighters, and police officers in many states. Some federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System, and people paid by a foreign social security system were also under WEP and GPO.

Those who received a retroactive payment or who will get higher monthly benefits received notification from the Social Security Administration earlier this year.

Eligible recipients began receiving retroactive benefits dating back to January 2024 in March. The average retroactive payment was $6,710.

Through March 4, the agency has already paid 1.12 million people more than $7.5 billion in retroactive payments.

The monthly benefits increase will begin in April, based on date of birth for Social Security payments:

  • Birth date 1-10th of the month – Benefits paid second Wednesday of the month
  • Birth date 11-20th of the month – Benefits paid third Wednesday of the month
  • Birth date 21st -30th of the month – Benefits paid fourth Wednesday of the month

Beneficiaries who receive Social Security before May 1997 or those receiving both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income are on a different schedule with Social Security paid on the third and SSI on the first of the month.

How much increase will people receive?

The amount of monthly benefit change will vary greatly, according to the Social Security Administration. Depending on factors such as the type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of the person’s pension, the increase will amount to “very little” to more than $1,000 each month, the agency said.

The average monthly benefit is expected to increase by about $360 a month.

According to Kiplinger, the increased money will arrive the same way monthly benefits are received, either via direct deposit or a check. If your retroactive lump sum hasn’t arrived, you can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

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Birmingham man pleads guilty to deadly shooting in Homewood CVS parking lot

A Birmingham man has pleaded guilty to the shooting death of another man in the parking lot of a Homewood store.

Brennon Jabree Dinatale, 32, pleaded guilty Monday as his trial was set to begin before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Alaric May.

Dinatale was initially charged with capital murder in the 2022 shooting death of 39-year-old Eric Steven Kaczmarek in the parking of CVS on West Valley Avenue.

Dinatale pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of murder. Following his plea, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Jefferson County Deputy District Attorneys Warren Brooks and Deandra Ragland prosecuted the case. Dinatale was represented by lawyers Emory Anthony and Louvenia Borom.

A male was critically wounded in a shooting in the parking lot of the CVS at the corner of West Valley Avenue and Green Springs Highway in Homewood. (Carol Robinson)

The deadly shooting, which authorities at the time said was drug-related, happened Oct. 29, 2022.

The gunfire erupted at 5:31 p.m. that Saturday at the store on the corner of West Valley Avenue and Green Springs Highway.

Kaczmarek was taken to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m.

A witness at the time told AL.com she had just pulled up to the store after dropping her daughter off at the airport when she heard a loud noise that she thought was a car backfiring.

She looked at the car next to her, and saw the victim exit a vehicle. That car then took off.

Only one shot was fired, she said. “It was loud,‘’ she said.

Kaczmarek, she said, was holding his neck area as he approached the store asking for help. He then collapsed to the ground.

The woman told store workers to call 911, which they did. Store employees then applied pressure to the man’s wound while they waited for medics to arrive.

Dinatale has been jailed since in November 2022 arrest.

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Trump blasts Democratic senator for saying ‘average Middle American’ can’t find Greenland on a map

A Democratic senator thumbed his nose at Middle Americans after claiming they can’t find Greenland on a map, according to the Trump administration.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., made the remark during an appearance Monday on CNN to criticize Donald Trump’s effort to acquire Greenland.

“Look, your average Trump voter laughs at [Democrats] and says, ‘he’s owning the libs.’ And your average Middle American says, ‘Why are you wasting your time worrying about Greenland, I can’t even find it on a map?‘” Coons told CNN’s Dana Bash on “Inside Politics.”

The White House said Coons insulted America’s heartland.

“SHOWING THEIR TRUE COLORS: Democrat Sen. @ChrisCoons thinks “your average Middle American” is too stupid to find Greenland on a map,” the White House’s rapid response account on X posted Monday afternoon.

Greenland, a huge, resource-rich island in the Atlantic, is a self-governing territory of Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States. Trump wants to annex the territory, claiming it’s needed for national security purposes.

“President Trump says that the United States ‘will get Greenland.’ Let me be clear: The United States will not get it. We do not belong to anyone else. We decide our own future,” Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a Facebook post on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

Nielsen’s post comes a day after the U.S. president told NBC News that military force wasn’t off the table with regard to acquiring Greenland.

In Saturday’s interview, Trump allowed that “I think there’s a good possibility that we could do it without military force.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Walmart is offering a $300 Michael Kors crossbody for just $64 this week

During Walmart Super Savings Week, customers can now get limited time discounts on select Michael Kors handbags.

One deal worth mentioning includes a more than $200 markdown on the Michael Kors Mercer Extra-Small Logo Crossbody. This means you can get one for $64 compared to its original price of $298.

There are tons of other designs on sale with this particular bag, all of which can be purchased for under $100. However, select styles/colors have already sold out.

Michael Kors Mercer Extra-Small Logo Crossbody – $64.99

The Michael Kors Mercer Extra-Small Logo Crossbody is on sale at Walmart.com this week.

Buy Now

RELATED: Walmart just dropped a huge deal on the Blackstone ProSeries XL Griddle

The Michael Kors Mercer Extra-Small Logo Crossbody is made from a blend of materials, primarily composed of 84.9% coated canvas, 9.6% polyester and 1% polyurethane, with a luxurious trim of 100% leather for durability.

This Michael Kors crossbody bag also features three credit card slots and elegant gold-tone hardware. It comes with an adjustable and detachable leather shoulder strap that provides a drop of 22 to 25 inches, in addition to double rolled leather handles with a 3-inch drop for easy carrying.

A review from June 2024 reads “I recently purchased a tiny bag from Michael Kors, and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations! Despite its compact size, this bag can fit most of my basic everyday essentials, which is incredibly convenient. Not only is it functional, but it’s also incredibly cute and stylish. Whenever I carry it, my friends never fail to compliment its charm and versatility. What’s even better is that I bought it on sale, and it truly felt like a steal considering the quality and design. I highly recommend this little gem to anyone looking for a practical yet fashionable accessory that won’t break the bank!”

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

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