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Why Hugh Freeze thinks Auburn ‘hit a home run’ with transfer WR Horatio Fields

Wide receiver was already a strength for Auburn following the 2024 season.

The Tigers lost KeAndre Lambert-Smith, but had exciting freshmen such as Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons returning along with other more raw freshmen like Bryce Cain and Perry Thompson.

Hugh Freeze and his staff hit the transfer portal anyway, adding top-ranked portal receiver Eric Singleton Jr. from Georgia Tech and fellow Power Four starter Horatio Fields from Wake Forest.

Singleton was the name that jumped out initially, and he’s already impressed during the first week of spring practice. However, Fields drew high praise from Freeze Tuesday morning, describing signing him out of the transfer portal as hitting a home run.

“I love long receivers. Always have,” Freeze said. “I think now we’ve got some of those that fit that mold. And Horatio certainly does. He’s stood out.”

Listed at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, Fields gives Auburn even more size on the outside opposite Coleman, who is 6-foot-3. Fields had a 50% contested catch rate on 24 contested targets last season, per Pro Football Focus, a better mark than any of Auburn’s other current receivers.

He caught 39 passes for 463 yards and four touchdowns with Wake Forest in 2024, the most productive season of his career so far.

Along with his ability to make plays on 50/50 balls, Fields has also stood out as a blocker in the practices open to media. He finished the 2024 season with a 68.8 run blocking grade, per PFF, higher than any Auburn receiver last season.

His blocking ability is another plus for the offense as it likes to run a lot of screens for Singleton out of the slot along with swing passes to running backs out of the backfield.

With Fields in the mix, Auburn has a deep receiver core of experienced players including Fields, Coleman, Singleton and Simmons, along with the other young returners — Cain and Thompson — and freshmen such as Sam Turner, Derick Smith and Erick Smith.

“I think it’s a really, really talented room,” Freeze said.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m

General

Glowing eyes Tuberville pushes bills to fight a ‘Dark Brandon’ cryptocurrency policy

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., reintroduced a pair of bills Tuesday aimed at bolstering cryptocurrency, including one to reverse Biden administration-era guidance dissuading Americans from holding crypto in their retirement accounts.

Alabama’s senior senator rolled out the announcement by tweeting his portrait with glowing/laser eyes — a popular meme among the crypto community:

Ironically, the meme gained popularity when then-President Joe Biden gave himself red laser eyes after referencing the 2024 Super Bowl in a tweet that came to known as ‘Dark Brandon.’

The glowing red eyes were also used in Donald Trump’s mugshot Elon Musk also participated in the trend last year while championing cryptocurrency

Initially introduced in 2022, the Financial Freedom Act was filed again by Tuberville on Tuesday.

It would reverse a Biden-era memo from the U.S. Department of Labor that limits options for where Americans can invest their retirement earnings, the senator’s office said in a press release.

The Financial Freedom Act would allow Americans to choose how they want to invest their money, including in crypto.

“The Biden administration was hellbent on controlling every aspect of Americans’ lives,” Tuberville said.

“Meddling in 401(k) investments through overregulation restrains financial growth and restricts personal liberty. The federal government, which is $36 trillion debt, shouldn’t be telling anyone how to invest their money. My bill ensures that hardworking Americans have the financial freedom to make decisions about how to invest their retirement savings.”

Also on Tuesday, the senator reintroduced the Prohibiting Foreign Adversary Interference in Cryptocurrency Markets Act, which would prohibit the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from registering a digital commodity platform that is owned in whole or in part by an entity organized or established in China.

The bill also requires the CFTC to revoke the registration of any digital commodity platform in the event an entity with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) acquires all or any part of the ownership of the entity.

Digital commodity platforms collect and store personally identifiable information — including Social Security numbers, mailing addresses, and sensitive financial account data — of their users, according to the senator’s office.

Allowing entities based in the PRC to access this information raises serious concerns related to investor protection, data privacy, national security, sanctions compliance, and anti-money laundering efforts. Companies based in the PRC all ultimately answer to the CCP.

“For four years, the Biden administration put America last – bowing to China at every turn and allowing our adversaries to get ahead,” Tuberville said. “Thanks to President Trump, those days are over. Crypto is the future and we have to make sure our markets are protected from bad actors like China who want to destroy us. This critical bill will protect our markets and make Americans safer.”

General

The Brooks Launch 10 running shoe is on sale at its cheapest price yet

Brooks is offering all new online deals this week on its popular running shoes, but sizes are going fast.

One of the more notable deals Brooks is offering this week is a new discount on its Launch 10 running shoe. This sneaker can now be can be purchased for $84.95 instead of its original retail price of $110.

Brooks Launch 10 road-running shoe – $84.95

The Brooks Launch 10 road-running shoe is on sale this week.

Buy Now

The Launch 10 on sale is available in both men’s sizes and women’s sizes. However, the men’s style is only available in one color as the others have sold out while the women’s sale style is available in three designs.

According to Brooks, the Launch 10 road-running shoe is made with light, responsive cushioning and an updated, breathable upper for maximum comfort.

A notable feature of the Brooks Launch 10 is its lightweight DNA cushioning, designed to adapt to every runner’s unique stride and provide an efficient push-off. This responsiveness enhances the running experience, making it ideal for both casual joggers and competitive runners alike.

The Launch 10 is also engineered warp knit upper, which not only allows for optimal breathability, but also ensures a snug fit that moves with the foot. This innovation contributes to reduced irritation during runs, providing both comfort and performance.

Those interested in this deal can browse the full listing on Brooks website here. You can also browse all Brooks shoes on sale this week here.

Generative AI was used to provide product description for this story, based on data provided by Brooks. It was reviewed and edited by AL.com.

General

Popular farm supply and home decor store opens another Alabama location

Farm and home supply retailer Rural King will hold a grand opening for its Jasper store on Friday, April 4, at 7 a.m.

Rural King is located inside the Jasper Mall in the site of the former Kmart, and will occupy an almost 90,000-square-foot space, according to the Walker County Chamber of Commerce.

The store will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Grand opening festivities will take place from Friday through Sunday. Loyalty members will earn double points on qualifying purchases and can enter to win 100 $25 gift cards.

The Jasper store will feature brands including Carhartt, Blackstone, Big Green Egg, Ariat, Under Armour, Black Rifle Coffee Co., Walnut Creek Foods and Henry Rifles. There are products for livestock, pets, birds, automotive needs, power equipment, power tools, grilling, food and cleaning products.

Last month, Rural King opened its fifth Alabama location in Saraland.

Since its founding in Mattoon, Ill. in 1960, Rural King has grown to more than 130 stores in fourteen states.

General

SEC basketball coach set to be hired at Big Ten school, reports say

Buzz Williams is set to be hired as head basketball coach at Maryland, according to multiple reports.

Williams leaves Texas A&M after coaching the Aggies to three straight NCAA tournaments. A&M averaged exactly 20 wins in his six years in College Station, going 23-11 this season.

At Maryland, Williams will replace Kevin Willard, who took the Villanova job. The Terrapins went 27-9 this season and reached the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 for the first time in nine years.

Williams has also coached at New Orleans, Marquette and Virginia Tech, winning a total of 373 games and reaching the NCAA tournament 11 times in 18 years. His best tournament finish was an Elite Eight run at Marquette in 2013, when the Golden Eagles also won the Big East championship.

General

Jeanne Marrazzo, Alabama doctor who replaced Fauci at NIAID, put on leave by Trump administration

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, a former director at University of Alabama at Birmingham, was put on leave today from her position at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, according to reports, as part of the Trump administration’s mass layoffs of federal health workers.

Marrazzo, who succeeded Dr. Anthony Fauci at the agency in 2023, was told she should not report to work, according to reports by Bloomberg and The New York Times.

She was instead asked to join The Indian Health Service, which provides medical and public health services to members of federally recognized tribes on or near reservations.

According to Bloomberg, Marrazzo was told on Monday by Thomas Nagy, the deputy assistant secretary for human resources at the Department of Health and Human Services, that she was being placed on paid administrative leave.

Marrazzo and other directors were given until Wednesday to decide whether they’ll accept the move to the Indian Health Service, the New York Times reported.

Marrazzo became the first openly gay director at NIAID when she left UAB to replace Fauci.

Before that, she led the division of infectious diseases at UAB for seven years.

She became a media fixture in Alabama during the COVID pandemic, frequently appearing on local and national news outlets to update the public on the latest developments with the virus.

Before COVID-19, Marrazzo was already prominent in the field of infectious diseases, with much of her work focusing on women, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

At the time of her appointment in 2023, Dr. Monica Gandhi, director of the Center for AIDS Research at the University of California at San Francisco, praised Marrazzo’s leadership.

“Her leadership style has really brought the division together at UAB and I have every confidence she can do this as head of NIAID,” she said.

General

Walmart is offering $260 off the Segmart 6-Person Patio Dining Set, but only for a limited time

Walmart is offering some of its best prices of the year during Super Savings Week, but this sales event officially ends at the end of the day Tuesday, April 1.

While these deals are still available, Walmart customers can get major deals on patio sets just in time for spring and summer. This includes a $260 discount on the Segmart Outdoor Dining Set that can now be purchased for $339.99 instead of its normal price of $599.99.

Segmart 6-Person Patio Dining Set – $339.99

The Segmart 6-Person Patio Dining Set is on sale for more than $200 off this week.

Buy Now

The Segmart Outdoor Dining Set has enough space to seat six people and comes with comfortable seating cushions available in two color options, blue and yellow.

“Refresh your outdoor living space with the Segmart 7-Piece Patio Dining Set. As the cornerstone of your entertainment area, it features a dining table, four stackable textilene chairs and two swivel chairs, making it an ideal spot for enjoying meals, hosting parties or simply relaxing,” Walmart’s product details state.

“Experience the unparalleled comfort, style, and durability of the Segmart 7-Piece Patio Dining Set, the perfect addition for your yard, garden, porch or poolside area.”

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

General

New construction tops $509.7 million in Huntsville area in first quarter of 2025

New construction in the Huntsville area topped $509.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, according to building permits issued in Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties.

Three projects totaling more than $10 million were issued permits, according to Southern Exposure Information. Topping the list is Huntsville Hospital’s Madison Street Tower expansion. Buildings at the Redstone Gateway and Cummings Research Park are the other projects.

Huntsville issued 381 permits totaling $281.8 million.
Madison County issued 508 permits totaling $121.9 million.
Madison issued 101 permits totaling $83.9 million.
Athens issued 97 permits totaling $41.4 million.
Decatur issued 85 permits totaling $30.3 million.
Priceville issued five permits totaling $213,000.

Here is a list of the top builders so far in 2025 and what they’re working on.

Robins & Morton Group

Robins & Morton is the builder for the most expensive project of the year so far. A permit was issued in February for a $112 million project that is part of Huntsville Hospital’s $150 million Madison Street Tower expansion.

The Huntsville Hospital expansion includes adding 154,000 square feet of new clinical space. The Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board unanimously approved the five-story addition late last year.

Most of the work will take place at the northeast corner of the hospital facing Madison Street and St. Clair Avenue. Construction is expected to take about two years. The $150 million project includes:

A new Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, made possible by a $10 million philanthropic donation – the largest private gift the hospital has ever received.
A new Neuro Intensive Care Unit for neurosurgical and stroke patients.
Three floors of new acute medical space.
120 new private patient rooms.
A new and improved Emergency Department vehicle entrance.

When construction is finished, HH Health System’s flagship facility will have a total of 931 patient beds – up from 881 currently. Seventy existing patient rooms are being converted from double occupancy to single occupancy.

Robins & Morton built the Madison Street Tower in 2006. Chapman Sisson Architects designed the tower and the expansion.

The hospital expansion is not the only project started by Robins & Morton this year. The firm is working on a $3.7 million, 28,000-square-foot buildout at 9700 Advanced Gateway. The facility will include office space and high bay space, Robins & Morton spokesman Chris Yazbec told AL.com.

Other top area builders for the quarter were:

Davidson Homes

Davidson Homes was the top homebuilder during the first quarter. It was issued 106 permits totaling $25.8 million. Davidson Homes is building homes in Huntsville, Madison, north Madison County, Decatur, Athens, Toney, Hartselle and Harvest.

It advertises homes starting in the $250,000 range and upward to more than $500,000.

Brasfield & Gorrie

Brasfield & Gorrie is working on a $25 million, 125,000-square foot building at 8500 Redstone Gateway. The building is managed by COPT Defense Properties.

The firm is also working on the Stadium Commons development near Joe Davis Stadium that was started last year.

Brasfield & Gorrie’s work in the Huntsville area has spanned projects in the commercial, aerospace, government, healthcare and industrial sectors. Notable projects include NASA test stands, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Bryant Bank, Alabama School of Cyber Technology, Dynetics, U.S. Courthouse, Davidson’s Technologies’ headquarters and Redstone Gateway buildings 1000, 1200 and 7000 in addition to 8500.

Lennar Homes

Lennar Homes has been issued 97 permits totaling $22 million. Lennar Homes is the main homebuilder for the Clift Farm development bordering north Madison off U.S. 72.

It has also constructed other homes in Madison and Athens, and the Retreat subdivision in Meridianville. Most of the homes listed on the Lennar website are in the $280,000-$400,000 price range.

Turner Construction

Turner Construction is the contractor for a $16.5 million building at 905 Mark C. Smith Drive in Cummings Research Park. The Huntsville-Madison Chamber was issued the permit for the work.

The firm has worked on several high-profile projects in the Huntsville area, including Huntsville’s new City Hall, which opened last year.

Edward Rose Associates

The Michigan firm was issued eight permits totaling $14 million for continued work on Signature Pointe Apartments on French Farms Boulevard in Athens.

Woodland Homes

Woodland Homes was issued 28 permits totaling $13.5 million Woodland Homes’ website advertises 15 new home communities, including in Madison, Athens, Meridianville, New Market and Owens Cross Roads. Most of the homes on the website advertise for more than $400,000.

Fite Construction

Fite Construction of Decatur was issued three permits totaling $8.1 million.

Two of the permits were issued for alterations to the Nucor Towers and Structures facility at 913 Maero St. NW in Decatur. The permits were issued to the City of Decatur’s Industrial Development Board

Fite is the builder of the recreation center at John Hunt Park, a preschool in Town Madison and several downtown Decatur projects.

Not included in the totals are projects that are ongoing that were started before the beginning of the year. That includes the $375 million Front Row mixed-use development going up at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street across from the Von Braun Center. ARCO/Murray National Construction, the top builder in the Huntsville area the last two years, is the contractor for that project.

General

Judah & the Lion coming to Huntsville in April, here’s how to snag last minute tickets

The Nashville born foik band Judah & the Lion kicks off their tour Tuesday, April 1 with shows scheduled across the country, including an upcoming show in Huntsville on April 15 at the Mars Music Hall.

The tour follows the incredible success and positive feedback on the pair’s most recent album “The Process,” which was inspired by singer Judah Akers’ personal life and struggles. The album, inspired by Kubler-Ross’ five stages of grief, became a song-cycle through the stages of grief and the lens of eventual forgiveness and hope.

Concertgoers can expect to hear popular songs off the “The Process” track list including “Floating in the Night,” and “Long Dark Night,” as well as previous popular released tracks such as “Take It All Back 2.0,” “Suit and Jacket,” and “Spirit.”

Alternative and indie artist Ethan Regan will join Judah & the Lion for this year’s tour as the duo’s opening act. Regan, a vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, is known for fusing gentle, yet heartfelt folk with alternative experimentation.

If you’re a fan of alternative and indie music with a bit of folk woven in, this concert is one you can’t miss. Both Judah & the Lion and Regan deliver beautifully crafted music with each genre effortlessly stitched throughout each song.

Where can I find last minute tickets to Judah & the Lion’s Huntsville show?

Those interested in grabbing last minute tickets to the Huntsville show, or any of the duo’s upcoming shows, can find great tickets on secondary markets such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek. On these verified ticket resell vendor sites, users can sort by price, best view, and more to find the right ticket for the occasion.

Huntsville show tickets range in price depending on the site and each section in the venue, below you can find a breakdown of the prices on each of these secondary markets for the upcoming April 15 show at the Mars Music Hall.

Vivid Seats: Tickets range from $45-193 per person

StubHub: Tickets range from $38-136 per person

Viagogo: Tickets range from $38-122 per person

Seat Geek: Tickets range from $37-165 per person

More upcoming Judah & the Lion tour dates

April 2: Indianapolis, Indiana at the Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

April 4: Cincinnati, Ohio at Bogart’s

April 5: Chicago, Illinois at the Riviera Theatre

April 6: Cleveland, Ohio at House of Blues Cleveland

April 8: Louisville, Kentucky at Old Forester’s Paristown Hall

April 10: Wilmington, North Carolina at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

April 11: Winston-Salem, North Carolina at The Ramkat

April 12: Asheville, North Carolina at The Orange Peel

April 16: Knoxville, Tennessee at The Mill & Mine

April 17: Chattanooga, Tennessee at The Signal

April 22: Dallas, Texas at House of Blues Dallas

April 23: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at The Jones Assembly

April 24: Austin, Texas at the Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater

General

April Fools’ Day: From mood-matching lingerie to Tiger Woods to Popeyes’ pickle menu

It’s no ordinary Tuesday.

Take caution in what you take as reported truth. That’s right, it’s April Fools’ Day, and it seems like everyone is having fun with the day.

It started early in the sports world as Tiger Woods announced on social media, despite tearing his Achilles, he would be playing in the upcoming Masters at Augusta. He quickly set the record straight.

According to The Associated Press, April Fools’ Day is celebrated a little differently around the world.

In France, the day is known as poisson d’avril, or “April Fish,” and has long had a fish-themed pranking tradition.

In Scotland, April Fools’ has a history of being a two-day event. April 1 is known as “Gowkie Day” or “Hunt the Gowk,” explained Encyclopedia Britannica. Gowk is a term used to describe a fool. On April 2, the celebration may become more physical, with children attaching “kick me” signs to people’s backs.

In Iceland, the idea is to trick someone in a way that makes them travel to a different location.

There has been a steady stream of humorous disinformation out there. Take a look at some of the more clever ideas:

Mood-matching lingerie

Journelle’s April Fools’ Day prank was a promotion for the Mood-Matching collection on its website. (Journelle IG/@shopjournelle)Mark Heim

Journelle posted on its Instagram story about its new Mood-Matching Lingerie collection, intimate attire that changes color based on your mood.

A click on the link will result in a message about it being a prank.

Protein-infused champagne

Might as well get the best of both worlds, right?

Protein Works announced its own protein-packed non-alcoholic champagne — packing 20g per glass.

Clever name, too: Doms Proteinon.

Sour Patch Kids

The popular candy planted the seed early, taking to social media to announce they are no longer sour, Just Patch Kids.

The post got more than 165,000 likes on social media. In addition, a poll was published for a better way to describe the popular sweet treat. In the end, though, the candy company to come back on Tuesday to state “sour forever.”

Reese’s Chocolatey Bread

Everybody’s favorite peanut butter cup, Reese’s, announced a “new” product: Reese’s Chocolatey Bread. The chocolate-infused bread covered in peanut butter would have been the latest evolution in the company’s culinary delight. Add jelly and you have “the ultimate PB&J experience,” the candy maker said.

But, alas, it is not to be.

Creme egg sauce

Creme Egg “On the Goo” sauce has a nice ring to it, amirite?

Cadbury has taken the delicious center and proposed to use it as a sauce for, well, just about anything.

A silent Nestle Crunch

The company introduced the quietest bar yet, made with cooked rice and 75 percent less noise.

Nutella BnB

A “stunning home rental” in Lake Placid, NY, curated for the ultimate Nutella Lovers.

“Created for the ultimate Nutella fans, travelers can immerse themselves in a Nutella-shaped house with furniture, decor and everything in between representing the beloved hazelnut spread,” the rental pitch goes.

Tic Tac’s newest flavor

Freshen your breath with the “Taste the blend of sweet, spicy and slightly fruity notes of cherry, cola and cinnamon and a unique pepper flavor.”

And, of course, the Tic Tacs look like Dr Pepper cans.

Ice cream with a kick

For those that have a sweet tooth?

Deep Indian Kitchen announced some, um, interesting flavors: Indian Ice Cream Flavors including Chicken Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala, Spinach Paneer, Butter Chicken and Chicken Vindaloo.

Limited edition, of course.

Popeyes Pickle Menu

Here’s the prank. The prank isn’t a prank.

Popeyes’ April Fools’ Day surprise is actually real.

Tuesday is the start of the limited-time Popeyes Pickle Menu with items including the Pickle Glaze Sandwich, Pickle Glaze Bone-In & Boneless Wings, Fried Pickles, and Pickle Lemonade.

“What started as a playful social tease has now become a full-fledged culinary reality – a Pickled Popeyes,” Bart LaCount, the chief marketing officer for Popeyes U.S. and Canada, stated in a press release.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.