Alabama News

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Madison advances plan for $7M Toyota Field upgrade, with potential to spend much more

A deeply divided Madison City Council made a deadline-driven decision Friday to move ahead with a middle-ground option for required upgrades to Toyota Field.

The council voted 5-2 to authorize its architect to resume planning for a one-story building that will house a visitor’s locker room and facilities for female staff and umpires – upgrades required by Major League Baseball to be in place by April 2026. The cost of the work is estimated at around $7 million.

But Council President John Seifert vowed to call another meeting in two weeks to continue to consider a much more expensive option that would see a four-story addition rise alongside left field. That would include expanded seating and event space on top of the locker facilities, which stadium owner Ballcorp and Madison’s own financial adviser have said would pay back the cost through additional tax revenue.

Councilors were motivated in part by the looming compliance deadline imposed by Major League Baseball. Construction of a one-story addition would meet those requirements by the deadline and would leave open the possibility of later adding the other three stories.

Yet after a series of procedural votes, Councilors Greg Shaw and Teddy Powell, who had long advocated for the four-story option, expressed frustration with yet another delay in a process that has dragged for years.

Advancing the one-story option, “makes no sense to me,” Shaw said.

“We’ve had financial advisers tell us how to move forward, we can read numbers, there’s zero risk, and we’re dragging our feet … it absolutely blows my mind that as intelligent as everybody is on this council, [you] do not look at these numbers and see that,” he said.

The $46 million Toyota Field held its first game in 2021. Major League Baseball later revised facility standards for its teams and their minor league affiliates. The Trash Pandas are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.

Ballcorp first approached Madison in January 2023 about the mandated upgrades. Since then, the city has grappled with how to fund the improvements and how extensive they should be.

Ballcorp has steadfastly backed a plan to build a four-story structure. Madison has said it would issue bonds for up to $30 million – though more likely it would be a mix of cash and debt financing — to fund that plan.

Powell said the smaller-scale option flew in the face of the city’s own financial expert, Rush Rice. On Friday, Rice said his firm had looked at Ballcorp’s books and found the privately held company to be financially, “quite sound.”

“We didn’t have any problem buying into the plans for the future and the upside potential,” Rice told councilors. “We think the upside is very high for Ballcorp and for the city.”

Yet the council seemed poised to eliminate the four-story option entirely in February, after Seifert said it no longer had support – and Mayor Paul Finley has promised to veto the move.

Powell voiced doubts that the four-story option would ever return to the table and said the council’s move Friday flew in the face of Rice’s expertise.

“We’re basically saying we’re better than our financial adviser, we are smarter than that guy, so why do we even hire people?” Powell said.

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Major Birmingham nonprofit names new leader as longtime CEO retires

The YMCA of Greater Birmingham has brought in an Indiana nonprofit leader to open its next chapter.

Chad Zaucha will become president and CEO starting June 2. He replaces Dan Pile, who has led the organization since 2017 and has overall had a 45-year career with YMCA.

Under Pile, Birmingham’s Northeast YMCA launched a $15.3 million redevelopment project on its 8-acre Roebuck campus. The effort includes 22 Habitat for Humanity homes and a renovated community resource center.

“Our committee was focused on finding a visionary leader with a bias for action who could advance the outstanding work, collaborations and foundation already established by Dan, and we wholeheartedly believe Chad is that person,” said Chip Watts, board chair for YMCA of Greater Birmingham. “The Board of Directors thanks Dan Pile for his service to our YMCA and the legacy he leaves here.”

Zaucha has been president and CEO of the YMCA of Muncie in Muncie, Indiana, and brings over 20 years of Y leadership experience to Birmingham.

Zaucha graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor of science degree in health education; and a master’s degree in physical education.

He started his YMCA career with the YMCA of Clay County in Brazil, Indiana.

He’s led YMCA operations in membership, wellness and aquatics, youth and teen programming and residential camps.

He has helped raise more than $50 million in capital programs and facility development.

He has led successful annual campaigns, endowment growth, and competitive grant strategies. He currently serves on the YMCA of the USA’s National Human Resources Task Force, chairs the Indiana State Alliance of YMCAs, is a member of the New Market Opportunity Fund CDE Advisory Board and is a leader at various national and regional conferences.

Zaucha has been active in his church, and has served in numerous civic and education-based leadership roles—including the Muncie Chamber of Commerce, Education Transformation Team for Muncie Community Schools and as a Cradle to Career Collaborative Action Network leader.

He will move his wife, Ashlee, and four children to Birmingham: Reese, Brecke, Ryker and Beaux.

Zaucha enjoys fishing, golf and reading in his free time.

The YMCA of Greater Birmingham opened in 1884, with a mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body.

The YMCA of Greater Birmingham has seven membership branch locations, two youth centers, Camp Cosby sleepaway camp and dozens of after-school sites.

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Wayfair is offering an insane deal on the GE Profile Nugget Ice Maker

Wayfair just dropped an unbeatable deal on the cult-favorite GE Profile Nugget Ice Maker during its Memorial Day Clearance event happening this weekend.

With this deal, Wayfair customers can score the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker for only $388 instead of its typical $550 price tag. Free shipping and returns are also included.

RELATED: Walmart just dropped rare deal on the GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank

The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker is considered the OG nugget ice maker. However, people continue to gravitate towards this brand despite the price due to its compact size, stylish design and, most importantly, its ability to store the ice. Other cheaper models require you to transfer the ice to the freezer or it will melt.

The Frigidaire Gallery Nugget Ice Maker is another notable model that stores the ice and also happens to be on sale at Wayfair this week for only $199, but it is much bigger and takes up more counter space compared to the compact Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker.

RELATED: Frigidaire’s popular Nugget Ice Maker is only $199 this week

“Opal Nugget Ice, The Good Ice – Serve up chewable, crunchable, craveable nugget ice that’s ready fast and retains its flavor, unlike traditional hard cubes. Refreshing nugget ice is made from compacted ice flakes and is perfect for cocktails sodas and other beverages,” Wayfair’s product details state.

“Innovative design avoids clumping and leaks by recirculating melted ice to the water reservoir. You’ll always have fresh ice on hand thanks to a smart, automatic ice maker that refills when your ice is running low.”

Users can also pair the ice maker’s built-in WiFi with the SmartHQ™ app to monitor device status and schedule fresh ice. Plus, receive automatic software updates and access voice control capabilities through Alexa and Google.

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

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Shoppers at major grocery store chain were overcharged, investigation alleges

A new investigation from Consumer Reports, The Guardian, and the Food & Environment Reporting Workshop found customers who shop at Kroger have been unknowingly paying full price for discounted items.

The investigation alleges price tag discrepancies at the supermarket giant’s stores leading to customers being overcharged on many items marked as discounted or on sale.

“People should pay the price that is being advertised, that’s the law,” Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and the founder of Consumer World, said in the investigation. “The issue here is that shoppers can’t rely on the shelf price being accurate, and that’s a big problem.”

According to the complaints the publications reviewed, while Kroger employees work quickly to correct pricing errors, many of the mistakes go unnoticed.

In a statement to the publications, a representative for Kroger said it is “committed to affordable and accurate pricing” and that it regularly conducts price checks that review “millions of items weekly to ensure our shelf prices are accurate.”

“While any error is unacceptable, the characterization of widespread pricing concerns is patently false,” the company said.

Read the full investigation here.

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Alabama fish advisories 2025: Don’t eat fish from these waters, state warns

Alabama has released its list of fish consumption advisories for 2025 to warn the public not to eat fish from some waterways due to the presence of harmful substances like mercury or other chemicals.

The Alabama Department of Public Health issues the guidelines each spring based on fish samples caught the previous fall. Last year, the agency collected nearly 500 samples to look for harmful substances, such as PCBs and PFOS, man-made chemicals that do not easily break down.

“Unfortunately, certain toxic chemicals have been found in some lakes and rivers in Alabama,” the advisory said. “Some of these chemicals can accumulate in fish.”

“The recommendation of a fish consumption advisory does not necessarily mean that the waters under advisory are unsafe for recreation… Activities such as swimming, boating, or catch-and-release fishing in waters that have fish consumption advisories are considered to be safe.”

This year’s advisories include 22 locations where the state recommends not eating any species of fish caught there, compared to 19 last year. The advisory locations for 2025 are:

• Baker’s Creek embayment at Wheeler Reservoir. (Morgan County) All species — Do not eat (PFOS)
• Bear Creek Reservoir, dam forebay area. Bear Creek mile 75. (Franklin County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Chickasaw Creek, entire creek. (Mobile County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Cold Creek Swamp, from the confluence of Cold Creek with the Mobile River west through the swamp. (Mobile County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Cowpen Creek, upstream of confluence with Fish River. (Baldwin County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Mobile River at Cold Creek, at river mile 27. (Mobile County) All species —Do not eat (Mercury)
• Polecat Creek, upstream of confluence with Fish River. (Baldwin County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Binion Creek, immediately upstream of U.S. 43. (Tuscaloosa County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Lewis Smith Reservoir, mouth of Clear Creek, Sipsey Fork in the vicinity of Clear Creek and Butler Creeks. Approximately 2.3 miles upstream of Alabama 257 bridge. (Winston County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Choccolocco Creek, entire length of creek from south of Oxford to Logan Martin Reservoir. (Calhoun, Talladega Counties) All species — Do not eat (PCBs)
• Choccolocco Creek, in the vicinity of County Road 399 bridge. (Talladega County) All species — Do not eat (PCBs, Mercury)
• Choccolocco Creek embayment, approximately 1 mile upstream of lake confluence. (Talladega County) All species — Do not eat (PCBs)
• Big Escambia Creek at Louisville and Nashville Railroad bridge crossing, Approximately 0.5 miles upstream of the Alabama /Florida state line. (Escambia County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Blackwater River In the area between the mouth of the river and the pipeline crossing southeast of Robertsdale. (Baldwin County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Blackwater River Between the County Road 4 bridge and the Alabama/ Florida state line. (Escambia county) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Little Escambia Creek at Wolf Log Road. (Escambia County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Murder Creek Between the confluence with Burnt Corn Creek and Conecuh River (Escambia County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Pea River, approximately 0.5 miles downstream of Beaverdam Creek/Pea River confluence, south of Elba.. (Coffee County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Perdido River in vicinity of U.S. 90 bridge crossing. (Baldwin County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Persimmon Creek at Alabama 106, west of Georgiana. (Butler County) All species —Do not eat (Mercury)
• Sepulga River in the vicinity of Brooklyn. (Escambia County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)
• Yellow River At County Road 4 bridge. (Covington County) All species — Do not eat (Mercury)

The full list of 2025 fish consumption advisories can be found here, sorted by region of the state.

Some of the advisories warn that people should not eat any fish at all or limit their consumption of certain species in a given time period. ADPH considers one 8 oz. portion of fish to be a meal.

In general, ADPH says that larger, older fish tend to have higher levels of contaminants because the fish build up levels of harmful substances over time.

Women who are pregnant or nursing and children under 14 years old are considered more at-risk, according to the ADPH advisory.

“Developing bodies, such as infants and small children, are at a greater risk since their brains and nervous systems are still forming. The body naturally removes small amounts of contaminants, like mercury, but contaminants can build up in the body if too much is consumed,” the report says.

Those groups are advised to:

• Not eat any king mackerel, shark, swordfish, or tilefish.
• Limit white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces a week.
• Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
• Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
• Follow the recommendations listed above when feeding fish and shellfish to young children, but serve smaller portions.

The advisories are meant to help people avoid eating too much mercury, PCBs or PFOS with their fish.

Mercury is a natural substance that can be found in greater concentrations due to human activity, particularly from burning coal or other fossil fuels that release mercury into the air. Modern coal-fired power plants are required to use technology to reduce mercury emissions.

Mercury is a neurotoxin and can have negative effects on unborn children, impacting development and cognition. In adults, exposure to mercury can cause kidney damage, nervous system damage or heart disease, though that is less common.

PCBs and PFOS are man-made chemicals that can be found in high levels in waterways because both chemicals are extremely long-lasting and do not easily break down in a natural setting.

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Alabama cracks down on deceptive lawyer ads: ‘Public trust and confidence’ at stake

Just over 20,000 lawyers are licensed to practice in Alabama and ads for their services dominate TV screens, highway billboards, and social media.

But the ways they market their services to potential clients are about to change with new rules the state’s Supreme Court released this week to curb deceptive advertising and address the changing technology landscape.

Under the updated regulations, any lawyer not licensed to practice in the state must disclose that fact in all forms of client-seeking communications that may be viewed by people in the state, including online content.

In a news release on the development, the high court noted that the public is concerned that there is “too much” deceptive lawyer advertising, which it says an Alabama State Bar survey confirmed.

“The survey found that Alabamians overwhelmingly believe attorneys who appear in advertisements should be licensed to practice in the state,” the release said. “The survey also found Alabamians want to know if an advertising attorney has a law office in their community, whether advertising attorneys will personally handle their case, and whether an advertised verdict amount was actually received.”

The new rules require disclosure if a lawyer or law firm does not have a bona fide office in Alabama. Qualifying offices, including personal residences, must be physical locations, “maintained by the lawyer or law firm where the lawyer or law firm reasonably expects to furnish legal services in a substantial way on a regular and continuing basis.”

The regulations specifically ban speed-reading and tiny-font disclaimers, manipulating internet search keywords to divert clients from competitors. Also among the prohibitions is advertising “no fee unless we win” without disclosing that clients would still pay costs, including court filing fees in cases without recovery, which is different from professional services fees.

“It is not required that a communication to prospective clients concerning fees and expenses contain the details that would be in a fee contract with a client, but the communication must not suggest or indicate a free arrangement that is not accurate,” the rule states.

These regulations do not apply to a lawyer’s “scholarly article, blog, or other communication that is strictly educational or that merely provides information about legal matters to the public and does not solicit legal employment.” But lawyer and law firm websites, social media pages, professional networking websites and traditional media like billboards are subject to them.

Short-form digital communications like banner ads, X (Twitter) posts, social-media posts, must have disclosures, disclaimers, and other statements on a link, which must be accessible by a prospective client with one click or keystroke.

Violators may face disciplinary action even if they are not licensed to practice in the state.

When discussing the court’s intentions, Chief Justice Sarah Stewart characterized the regulations as balancing the constraints of the constitutions and public protection. “We are always mindful that the public trust and confidence in the justice system must dictate what we do every day,” she said.

Jerrika Jones, a lawyer based in Huntsville, described portions of the new rules as overreach and expressed concerns about potential First Amendment issues when regulating attorney speech. “It’ll have a chilling effect to where we’re not advertising,” she told AL.com, questioning what alternatives would remain.

Jones said lawyers can better manage client expectations and noted that some social media platforms may not allow for links in posts, and specifically mentioned Instagram.

“You can’t click on links and posts in Instagram,” she said. “I mean, you can be linked to other accounts, but you can’t be linked to websites and Instagram. If you put a hyperlink in the post, it’s dead in the water.”

The new rules, she said, raise concerns about the court trying to control how lawyers run their businesses.

“I just feel like we’re getting into the weeds and we’re getting nitpicky,” she said.

“Not all of us are making a lot of money, and so maybe some of us can’t afford a full staff, maybe some of us can’t even afford an assistant, and so you’re telling us that now we also have to dole out money for office space?” the attorney added.

Jones challenged the bona fide office requirement, arguing that it does not recognize modern practice arrangements like virtual offices and shared conference facilities.

“When they need to meet with a client, they can come to the conference room,” she added, explaining that some attorneys with their names on the window in her office complex in downtown Huntsville use shared spaces and do not have dedicated physical offices. She said that virtual receptionists can handle scheduling and calls.

As an accommodation, the new rules provide that, without a bona fide office, lawyers can say things like “available for consultation” or “available by appointment,” or that the lawyer has a “satellite office,” if those statements are true.

Samuel Christopher, growth strategy officer at Beach Law, said the Huntsville-based firm welcomes the new rules.

“At Beach Law Practice we believe that these updated rules will enhance public trust, promote accountability, and ensure that legal advertising remains a tool for informed choice, not confusion,” Christopher said in a statement to AL.com.

The new rules go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

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Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots festival off to hot start: See photos from Day 1

“It’s a little warm out there, ain’t it?” Kameron Marlowe asked Friday afternoon during his performance at the Sand in My Boots festival. “Anybody drinkin’ yet?”

Marlowe got a ready affirmative on both counts, and he wasn’t the only performer to mention the heat. Rapper T-Pain, who played the Dangerous Stage a few hours after Marlowe, was equally emphatic, and he performed well after sunset.

But the blazing conditions of the afternoon did nothing to keep away the biggest May festival crowd that Gulf Shores has seen in years. By that measure alone, Sand in My Boots appeared to have gotten off to a very strong start.

Billed as a one-year takeover of the Hangout Music Festival, Sand in My Boots features a country-oriented lineup and other amenities curated by country superstar Morgan Wallen.

Some features had names referring to Wallen song titles or interests, such as Love Somebody Lane, the new name for the festival’s onsite wedding chapel. The small stage in the courtyard of the Hangout restaurant, previously known as the Mermaid Stage, was now “’98 Braves Park.” In a nod to “Flower Shops,” Wallen’s duet with Ernest, there was even an actual flower shop on the beach.

Other rebranding was a little more generic. Food options included a “Boot Scootin’ Smoothie” stand and “Cowboy Nachos,” for example.

The number of artists and of stages was down compared to the Hangout Fest’s peak years. Massive artist merch stands, including one specific to Wallen, occupied the corridor where fans once would have entered the Boom Stage. But the layout arguably had some similarity to the fest’s early years, when a site plan featuring two big stages and two small ones meant there was little sonic bleedover from one stage to another.

While some Hangout Fest diehards were upset with the shift to a country format, Sand in My Boots sold out the same day tickets went on sale last October. That meant Friday brought something the Hangout Fest hasn’t delivered since before the pandemic: A capacity crowd of 40,000.

If turnout was a little light in the early afternoon, that began to change rapidly around 5 p.m. as the sun sank toward the horizon. The swelling attendance brought energy, but also a level of congestion that Hangout fans hadn’t experienced in a while. At the peak of the evening there seemed to be long lines everywhere – restrooms, bars, concession stands – which did nothing to make it easier for thousands of people to shift back and forth between the two main stages.

The biggest beneficiary of the mass energy was headliner Post Malone, who used a new proscenium on the main Sand in My Boots Stage to put himself in the middle of the crowd. Backed by a large band and a lot of pyrotechnics, Malone ranged through a catalog that includes hits in a variety of genres, including mainstream pop (“Circles” and “Sunflower”) and country (the more recent “I Had Some Help”). He made a point of thanking fans repeatedly through the show for giving him the support that allowed him to carry on chasing his dream. “It’s the most amazing feeling in the world and I’m the luckiest man alive and I just wanted to say thank you so very very very very much,” he said.

Sure, he might also have told them that “it means the world that y’all came out and spent the night with us, ladies and gentlemen, in Pensacola,” but the geographic flub was overshadowed by the joy of the moment. And his self-deprecating streak made it easy to laugh with him. “I came here tonight to play some sh–ty music and party a little bit while we do it,” he said, to cheers.

The festival continues through the weekend. Saturday brings main-stage performances by Alabama country artists Ella Langley and Riley Green, with Brooks & Dunn headlining. There’s also a slate of noteworthy rap acts on the Dangerous Stage: Moneybagg Yo, Three 6 Mafia and 2 Chainz. Wallen closes things out on Sunday, after a slate that includes Wiz Khalifa, Future Islands, Ernest and the War on Drugs.

For full event information, visit www.sandinmybootsfest.com.

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Update: Severe thunderstorm warning previously issued for Chilton and Coosa counties will expire at 7:15 a.m.

The warning was issued for Chilton and Coosa counties.

“The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire,” states the National Weather Service.

Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice

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, consider the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
• 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.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested 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 you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides 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, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads

Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and drive with care:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Visibility matters:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix 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.

If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on 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.

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7 items you need in an Alabama kitchen: Golden Eagle, Wickles and more

There are just some things you can find in most Southern kitchens. A copy of “Calling All Cooks.” Some Conecuh Sausage. Maybe a jug of Milo’s or Red Diamond tea.

We here at AL.com decided to discuss the one (or two) Alabama products that are always in our kitchen. So pull up a chair and sit a spell and let’s talk about some of our favorites.

Golden Eagle Syrup

There are a lot of Alabama food brands I love and can often be found in my fridge and pantry, but my favorite among them all, for sentimental reasons, has to be Golden Eagle Syrup. Made in the small town of Fayette, or “Syrup City” as I learned it’s called, Golden Eagle Syrup played a big role in one of my favorite family traditions growing up. For years, my grandmother would come over every Christmas morning and make us all biscuits from scratch. Then, while they were still warm, she’d fill them with a mixture of butter, peanut butter and a hefty pour of Golden Eagle Syrup. It was the sweetest morning treat reserved only for that occasion, and I looked forward to it almost as much as my gifts every year. So now, as an adult, I keep a jar of Golden Eagle Syrup around anytime my sweet tooth (and nostalgia) kicks in.—Amber Sutton

READ MORE: The story of Alabama’s beloved Golden Eagle syrup

Wickles Pickles

If you peek inside our fridge right now, alongside the John’s Famous Slaw Dressing and the Dreamland Bar-B-Que sauce, you’ll find three or four jars of another Alabama staple, Wickles Pickles. We keep more jars in the kitchen pantry in case of emergency. The Original Pickle is an ol’ reliable that not only complements cheeseburgers and leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches, but that we also serve with my homemade pimento cheese and Bill-E’s Small Batch Bacon on a King’s Hawaiian roll for the perfect gameday appetizer. And don’t dare throw away that liquid gold left in the jar when all the pickles are gone. It comes in handy for brining a chicken, boiling a batch of peanuts, mixing a mint julep — even relieving muscle cramps. (I’ve tried it! It works!) My wife also uses another wickedly delicious Wickles product, the Wicked Okra, in an easy-to-make, guaranteed-to-please bacon-wrapped pickled okra appetizer that is a hit every time she takes it to a party. – Bob Carlton

Bagels from Canadian Bakin’ in Huntsville

If your bagel experience has been the packaged/grocery store variety, this isn’t the same sport. Completely different freshness, texture and X factor. Whatever Canadian Bakin’ owner/baker Matt Johnson does in his process must involve witchcraft. – Matt Wake

“Centennial Collection” and other community cookbooks

No Alabama kitchen is complete without a vintage cookbook, and my favorite ones come from community organizations, church groups, social clubs and the like. These collections are delightful time capsules, stuffed with blueprints for dishes that home cooks were proud to make and serve to their families. I’m especially fond of retro recipes that seem a little outrageous today — or even downright unhealthy — using flavored gelatin, canned fruit, hot dogs, lunch meats, canned soups, olives, pickles and other, um, interesting ingredients. Just reading about these dishes is a kitschy nostalgia trip. Of course, such cookbooks also contain recipes for tasty dishes that stand the test of time. For kitsch and classics, I turn to my copy of “Centennial Collection: Favorite Recipes From the Newspaper Employees.” This cookbook was published in 1988 by The Birmingham News in honor of its 100th year. It includes an easy recipe for strawberry pretzel salad — even a klutzy cook like me can make it — plus refrigerator rolls, cheese straws, chilis, slaws and lots of hearty casseroles. The book is out of print and hard to find, but well worth the effort. (Pro tip: Try a search on Ebay.) — Mary Colurso

Dale’s Seasoning

Not many Alabama food brands have been around longer and are more iconic than Birmingham’s Dale’s Seasoning, the savory, soy sauce-based steak marinade that goes back to 1946, when the old Dale’s Cellar Restaurant opened in downtown Birmingham. That restaurant and the other Dale’s Steakhouse restaurants that followed are all gone – the last one closing in 2014 – but Dale’s Seasoning is not only still around, it’s still owned and operated by the same family that started Dale’s nearly 80 years ago. After Dale’s grew to become a nationwide brand, their marketing folks put together a memorable ad campaign with the catchy jingle: “How Do You Do Your Dale’s?” Loyal Dale’s customers came up with enough recipes to fill a cookbook – from grilled chicken kabobs to stir-fried vegetables, baked beans to roasted Brussels sprouts, sloppy joes to Bloody Marys. As Alan Seigel, the vice president of Dale’s Seasoning, once told me, “There is no wrong way to use it. You can put it on anything.” – Bob Carlton

Play House Spices

The world of rubs, seasonings and marinades is rich with home-grown products, and as a north Alabama native I’ll probably always have a Sam’s Club half-gallon jug of Dale’s steak seasoning on hand. But here’s something newer that’s become a household essential in recent years: Play House Spices, a line of hand-blended seasonings created in Mobile. The names are evocative of the Alabama landscape, such as the Ono Island rub, the Old Dauphin Way blackening spices and the Causeway Blend sweet heat rub. Our go-to is the Dauphin Island Blend, which “combines the zest of the Caribbean with the flavors cherished by Gulf residents” and is particularly recommended for fish, shrimp and chicken tacos. (Ingredients include lime zest, orange zest, cumin and chives, so it’s no run-of-the-mill flavoring.) Play House products are made without MSG and added sugar, and there are several low-sodium or salt-free blends. For full information including the products, recipes, and information on ordering and retail outlets, visit the company’s website. – Lawrence Specker

Coffee from Kaffeeklatsch in Huntsville

Kaffeeklatsch roasts its coffee beans with a machine that’s almost a hundred years old. Roasting produces a complex aroma that wafts in the air downtown. That aroma has Pied Piper-ed many a first-time customer into Kaffeeklatsch since it opened in 1977. The ‘Klatsch gets its beans from places like Indonesia, Columbia and Kenya. – Matt Wake

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General

Just 1 SEC school spent more than Alabama on football recruiting in FY 2024

Tennessee led the SEC in football recruiting spending during Fiscal Year 2024. The Volunteers spent $5.4 million in the category, according to financial reports submitted to the NCAA by the league’s 15 public schools, obtained by AL.com via a series of open records requests.

Alabama came in just below Tennessee. The Crimson Tide spent $5.3 million on football recruiting during FY 2024, a large jump from the previous fiscal year, when UA shelled out $2.9 million in the category.

Vanderbilt is a private school and is not subject to open records requests. For that reason, the Commodores were not included in the rankings.

Fiscal years do not overlap perfectly with recruiting class calendars. FY 2024 ran from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, while the early signing period for each class falls in December.

Football recruiting spending jumped throughout the league. In FY 2023, only three schools spent more than $3 million, a number that jumped to seven for FY 2024.

After Georgia led the league by spending $5.3 million in FY 2023, the Bulldogs dropped to fourth, reporting just over $4 million in football recruiting expenses this past fiscal year. Texas A&M ranked second in FY 2023, at $4 million, and moved down to third at $4.1 million for FY 2024.

Auburn’s football recruiting spending was one of the few in the league to go down for FY 2024, when the Tigers dedicated just under $1.5 million to the efforts. AU had spent just under $1.6 million for FY 2023.

Auburn remained steady at 12th in spending across the league’s public schools.

Nine schools spent more than $2 million on football recruiting in FY 2024, up from seven the previous year. Nine of the 15 public SEC schools saw their budgets increase, with Texas A&M, Georgia, Texas, Florida, Auburn and Arkansas the exceptions.

Tennessee took the biggest jump, which vaulted the Volunteers to first in recruiting spending. UT had spent $2.6 million in FY 2023, ranking sixth among SEC public schools.

Just as in many spending categories, Mississippi State ranked dead last in the league during FY 2024. However, its football recruiting spending went up, from $774,938 to $990,390.

The Bulldogs remain the only public SEC school to spend less than $1 million on football recruiting. The next lowest on the list was Kentucky, which spent $1.2 million in the category.

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