Alabama News

The White House is being mocked after posting a meme featuring President Donald Trump as Superman on its official social media accounts.

“THE SYMBOL OF HOPE. TRUTH. JUSTICE. THE AMERICAN WAY. SUPERMAN TRUMP,” the official White House account on X posted Thursday along with an American flag emoji.

The meme appeared to be a response to the new James Gunn “Superman” film that debuted Friday.

In an interview with The Times of London, Gunn described Superman as an “immigrant,” drawing backlash from conservatives who claimed the superhero franchise has gone “woke.”

“I mean, Superman is the story of America,” Gunn told The Times. “An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”

“[I]t’s about human kindness,” Gunn continued, “and obviously there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them.”

The White House’s portrayal of Trump as Superman drew condemnation from the president’s critics.

Liberal social media influencer Brian Krassenstein argued Trump is the antithesis of Superman.

“I’m at a loss for words,” he posted. “When you betray your base, sell out to Epstein’s pals, and tank the country, I guess all that’s left is to slap on a cape and pray the cult still cults.”

“Donald trump is quite literally the exact opposite of Superman,” added the handle @troubleman90, who has nearly 20,000 followers on X. “He’s probably the least Superman-like person on the entire planet.”

Others also drew contrasts between Trump and Superman.

“Superman was an undocumented immigrant who stood for humanity. Trump is a documented criminal who hides behind immunity,” tweeted progressive influencer Alex Cole.

“Superman was an illegal immigrant growing up on American farm and a hero from a comic book. Trump is a total opposite of Superman, a Superloser,” wrote Mario Pawlowski.

“Superman was created by sons of Jewish immigrants in 1938, during a time of rising fascism. He was a child refugee who changed his name, hid his origin, and protected a country that distrusted him. He’s literally the immigrant Trump demonizes. The White House has become a joke,” tweeted Karly Kingsley.

“I guess [the White House] thought we weren’t enough of a laughingstock to the rest of the world already,” added Republican-turned-Trump critic Ron Filipkowski on X.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize has been added to the American League roster for the MLB All-Star Game.

The former Springville High School and Auburn standout fills the spot left vacant when Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet pulled out of the game. Major League Baseball announced the change on Friday. Crochet is tied for the MLB lead in innings pitched this season and is starting for Boston on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 95th MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. FOX will televise the game.

Mize has a 9-2 record with a 2.63 earned-run average in 15 starts for the Tigers this season ahead of his scheduled start on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. In 85.2 innings, Mize has struck out 73 while yielding 80 hits and 21 walks.

Mize becomes the eighth former Auburn player selected for the MLB All-Star Game.

A member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, first baseman Frank Thomas has the most selections among Auburn alumni with five. He represented the Chicago White Sox at the 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 games.

Pitcher Tim Hudson represented the Oakland Athletics in 2000 and 2004, the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and the San Francisco Giants in 2014.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson represented the Athletics in 2014 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 and 2016.

Former Auburn players with one All-Star Game selection include Cleveland Indians outfielder Oris Hockett in 1944, Kansas City Royals outfielder Bo Jackson in 1989, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Gregg Olson in 1990 and Miami Marlins first baseman Garrett Cooper in 2022.

Mize joins St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan as players with Alabama baseball roots at this year’s MLB All-Star Game. A former Enterprise High School and South Alabama standout, Donovan is a National League reserve for Tuesday’s contest.

The first player picked in the 2018 draft, Mize entered the 2025 season with a 9-19 record and 4.36 ERA in 61 games since making his Major League debut with Detroit on Aug. 19, 2020.

Mize made seven starts with the Tigers during the coronavirus pandemic-affected 2020 season. In 2021, Mize posted a 7-9 record with a 3.71 earned-run average in 30 starts for Detroit, but he made it through only 10 innings in 2022 before being shut down by injuries.

Between starts on April 14, 2022, and April 4, 2024, Mize did not pitch for the Tigers. In June 2022, Mize had elbow surgery and, shortly after that, back surgery. A hamstring injury hampered his comeback in 2024.

Mize had a 19-2 pitching record at Springville High School before going 20-13 in three seasons at Auburn, where he struck out 324 in 267.1 innings.

Mize made 26 minor-league starts, with an 8-3 record and 2.71 earned-run average, before he made his MLB debut on Aug. 19, 2020. His minor-league work included a no-hitter for the Erie SeaWolves in his Double-A debut on April 29, 2019.

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

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey called his work as executive producer of the film “Nothing but a Winner: The Alabama Football Story” an opportunity to do something special for his alma mater.

“Nothing but a Winner” tells the story of Crimson Tide football with a focus on the Alabama eras led by coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant and Nick Saban.

“It was an opportunity to kind of be a part of something pretty special,” Humphrey said during a Friday appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” “My sister lives in (Los Angeles), and she’s always talking about Hollywood and movies and all the different things she does. I saw a good opportunity to not only kind of do something for my alma mater and create this great story, but I played underneath coach Saban and I just saw an opportunity to be a part of something special. And it’s come together just great.”

The film will be shown in theaters on July 31, with tickets available online, after having its red-carpet premiere on Wednesday at the Lyric Theatre in Birmingham.

Humphrey is not among the lineup of players interviewed for the film.

“I feel like to create something special, it’s not really all about you,” Humphrey said. “It’s about what you put into it, who you put around you to help out. And it was just different, going through all the process and different things. I am what I think a pretty good actor myself, but being behind the scenes was cool. It was definitely different. Something I’d always wanted to do. It’s just that the opportunity presented itself sooner than later, and it’s something I’d definitely like to do again. But it was awesome.”

While Humphrey does not appear on camera, other Alabama alumni who played in the NFL in the 2024 season do, including Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

Players from other eras also are represented, including Humphrey’s father, Bobby Humphrey, who played at Alabama from 1985 through 1988 and left the Crimson Tide for the NFL as the program’s career rushing leader.

“I kind of grew up right there in the shadows of Legion Field in the housing projects,” Bobby Humphrey said on Friday on “Good Morning Football” as he remembered an era when the Tide played most of its home games in Birmingham, “and I sold Cokes in the upper deck and I parked cars there during my time as a young boy. And I always wanted to attend Alabama. I can remember sitting in the upper deck and telling the other Coke guys that ‘One day, I’m going to be playing down there.’ Obviously, none of them believe me.

“But it came true one day when Ray Perkins showed up at my house and started recruiting me when I was at Glenn High School. My time there, we didn’t win a national championship like Marlon did, but we won several games and I had a good time there and was able to leave there as the all-time leading rusher till a lot of other backs came along.”

At one time, Humphrey’s dream of playing for Alabama would have been impossible, and the integration of the football program is included in the documentary.

“It’s one of the reasons I consider coach Bryant as one of the greatest coaches of all time,” Bobby Humphrey said, “because he was the one who pushed the issue, orchestrated the USC game, brought Black players to compete in front of a national audience and at Legion Field, right there in my backyard.

“I think there’s a scene in the film where a lot of the old players who played in that era had the confidence as well as the respect for coach Bryant – they went to Alabama because he asked them to come there – and he told them that he would protect them and to trust in him. And those players trusted him, believed in him, and it was a hard time back then.

“The film addresses it just head-on. That’s a good thing about it. History’s history. It is what it is. And coach Bryant was able to do that.”

Bobby Humphrey was a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his first two NFL seasons and a Pro Bowl selection in 1990.

After playing for Alabama’s 2015 CFP national-championship team and earning first-team All-American recognition by the Football Writers Association of American in 2016, Marlon Humphrey has been a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro during his eight seasons in the Baltimore secondary.

RELATED: MARLON HUMPHREY ON THE RAVENS DEFENSE: ‘I’VE LET THAT STANDARD SLIP’

Both players were prep stars in the Birmingham area – Bobby Humphrey at Glenn High School and Marlon Humphrey at Hoover High School.

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.

The National Weather Service issued an updated report at 2:55 p.m. on Friday for strong thunderstorms until 4 p.m. for Sumter, Greene, Hale and Marengo counties.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 2:55 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Boligee to near Lisman. Movement was east at 25 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Demopolis, Livingston, Jefferson, Forkland, Boligee, Epes, Myrtlewood, Nanafalia, Walden Quarters, Thornhill, Arcola, Dug Hill, Wedgeworth, Tishabee, Putnam, Pin Hook, Allison, Duffys Bend, Bluffport and Sawyerville.

The weather service comments, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

Preparing for approaching lightning: Expert safety 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 protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:

Lightning safety plan:

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

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

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

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

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

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

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

Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads

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

Beware of 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:

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

Prioritize visibility

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

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:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.

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.

The brand new reality dating series Kings Court premieres on Bravo Sunday, July 13 at 9/8c.

Those interested in checking out the latest Bravo reality dating series can stream the premiere even without access to traditional cable through Fubo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial), Sling (50% off first month) or Peacock (next day).

What is Kings Court about?

The debut season of Kings Court follows three single and eligible bachelors (“Kings”) on a mission to look for their “Queen,” and over the course of the season, the men will date 22 successful and ready-to-love women.

Kings Court is a spin-off of the Peacock original series Queens Court, and in a similar format to the original series, Kings Court will follow the men as they take the women on fun, adventurous dates to discover which of them tug at their heartstrings.

The ladies pull out all the stops to make a lasting impression, but it comes to a head at the elimination dinner party where the men choose who gets another chance at love and who goes home.

Season one of Kings Court is hosted by Hollywood power couple Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete, and the three eligible bachelors ready to find their true love are supermodel Tyson Beckford, NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer and WWE legend Thaddeus “Titus O’Neil” Bullard.

More on Kings Court season 1 cast

Tyson Beckford: Beckford has been linked to many relationships with high-profile women but has yet to settle down. Now in his 50s, Beckford finally feels ready to put the endless dating behind him and look for something more genuine.

Carlos Boozer: Despite two failed marriages, Boozer still hasn’t given up completely on finding another chance at love. With high hopes and an optimistic outlook, Boozer hopes Kings Court brings him closer to finding the one.

Thaddeus Bullard: Bullard is a single, divorced dad that’s focused his life around raising his kids. Now, he finds himself an empty nester and eager to find someone special to enjoy the next phase of his life with.

How to watch Kings Court season 1

Those interested in streaming the Kings Court premiere live can find it available for streaming through Fubo, DirecTV or Sling.

Kings Court will also be available for streaming through Peacock. New episodes will be available for viewers the day after they air on Bravo, so those hoping to catch the premiere episode of Kings Court can access it on Peacock Monday, July 14.

What is Fubo and DirecTV?

Fubo and DirecTV are two of the top streaming services steadily replacing traditional cable services. Both offer free trials to new subscribers, a plethora of popular live TV channels, on-demand streaming options and helpful features such as unlimited DVR storage.

Fubo considers itself a sports-focused live streaming service, but with over 100 live TV channels available through its base package at just $84.99 after its free trial, it offers much more to its subscribers.

Popular TV channels available through Fubo include ABC, FOX, BET, MTV, CNBC, MSNBC, USA and much more.

DirecTV mirrors Fubo by offering many of the same live TV channels and useful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNN, BET and much more.

Two other DirecTV packages are the Choice package (original price $114.99) and the Ultimate package (original price $129.99), both of which are part of an ongoing promotion that offers new subscribers $10 off the original price for the first three months of their subscription.

Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages can check them out here.

What is Sling?

Sling is another streaming service to consider if you want to access top-rated TV channels like Bravo. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month and one month free of AMC+.

Both the Sling Orange plan and the Sling Blue plan are normally $45.99 a month, but with the current promotion, Sling users will pay just $23 a month for the first month.

For those who wish to access channels from both the Sling Blue and Sling Orange plans can do so by signing up for the Orange + Blue plan, which combines the best of both plans for just $60.99 a month ($30.50 for the first month).

What is Peacock?

Peacock is one of the most popular alternatives to traditional cable. Users can stream hit movies and TV shows or explore a plethora of Peacock Originals.

Peacock currently offers two plans to choose from including their premium plan for $7.99 a month ($79.99 annually) and their premium plus plan for $13.99 a month ($139.99 annually).

The premium plan is the most popular package offering subscribers access to live sporting events, new and hit TV shows and movies, Peacock Originals and more.

Peacock’s premium plus plan comes with everything included in the premium plan along with the ability to download and watch select titles offline and the chance to stream your local NBC channels live at any time. Also, with the premium plus plan users can stream content without ad interruptions.

The brand new Peacock original reality series Love Island: Beyond the Villa premieres exclusively on the network Sunday, July 13.

What is Love Island: Beyond the Villa about?

The new series debuts the day its sister series, Love Island USA, closes out its seventh season, and with such a fierce fanbase, showrunners are excited to give fans a chance to catch up with their faves in Love Island: Beyond the Villa.

The new series follows fan-favorite stars of Love Island USA season six as they trade in tropical vibes for the appealing night life of Los Angeles, and during the series, the past islanders let cameras tag along as they explore new relationships, face the realities of fame and chase their dreams.

Meet the Love Island: Beyond the Villa season 1 cast

• JaNa Craig
• Aaron Evans
• Miguel Harichi
• Leah Kateb
• Kaylor Martin
• Connor Newsum
• Serena Page
• Kenny Rodriguez
• Olivia Walker
• Kendall Washington

In addition to the cast members listed above, additional islanders Kordell Beckham and Nicole Jacky will also make guest appearances throughout the season, and Love Island USA host Ariana Madix is set to make a cameo sometime during the debut season.

How to watch Love Island: Beyond the Villa season 1 on-demand

Those interested in checking out the latest installment of the Love Island franchise can stream Love Island: Beyond the Villa exclusively through Peacock. Plans start at just $7.99 a month.

What is Peacock?

Peacock is one of the most popular alternatives to traditional cable. Users can stream hit movies and TV shows or explore a plethora of Peacock Originals.

Peacock currently offers two plans to choose from including their premium plan for $7.99 a month ($79.99 annually) and their premium plus plan for $13.99 a month ($139.99 annually).

The premium plan is the most popular package offering subscribers access to live sporting events, new and hit TV shows and movies, Peacock Originals and more.

Peacock’s premium plus plan comes with everything included in the premium plan along with the ability to download and watch select titles offline and the chance to stream your local NBC channels live at any time. Also, with the premium plus plan users can stream content without ad interruptions.

Xavier Griffin always imagined playing college football for Alabama.

Griffin was born in Cullman and lived in Huntsville until he was 13 years old, basking in the tradition and history of Crimson Tide football.

Now a 5-star defensive recruit for Gainesville, Ga., Griffin originally committed to USC during the summer of 2024, but kept his options open. A recruiting visit and offer from Alabama culminated in Griffin’s commitment.

“I’ve been a fan and know so much about them already, the history,” said Griffin, who participated in Friday’s Hustle-Up 7on7 national tournament at the Hoover Met Complex. “There’s no doubt that I would want to play for them.”

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound EDGE/linebacker had offers from more than 25 schools, including most of the SEC along with Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame and more. He chose Alabama on June 29.

He’s ranked as high as the No. 8 overall player and top linebacker in the nation as well as the No. 1 player in Georgia by 247Sports.

Griffin is big, fast, versatile, athletic and has the ability to play multiple positions. He missed several games last season due to injury, but still managed 43 tackles — third best on the team — with 13 tackles for-loss and 6 sacks.

He had 52 tackles as a sophomore with a team-best 20 for-loss and 9 sacks, earning Region 8-6A first-team. Griffin was also an all-region basketball player a sophomore.

Gainesville coach Josh Niblett played at Alabama and previously coached at Hoover, Oxford and Oneonta. Niblett compiled a 236-58 record in the state with seven total state championships, six at Hoover. He has a 33-6 record in three seasons at Gainesville.

Niblett knows talent.

“He’s a special player in a lot of different ways,” Niblett said. “He can play second level for us or first level off the edge. He’s an unbelievable pass rusher so he’s got skills and talents that are going to take him a long way.

“What’s Alabama getting? Just getting a special kid because I know Alabama wants their coach to be right. They want to be back on top winning national championships and I’m alumni, so I want them back on top winning national championships.

“They’re bringing in kids that are going to be consistent, going to work hard, to do the little things. Kids that it means something to be at Alabama and it means something to him to be at Alabama. His family is from Alabama and they’re getting a kid that’s extremely talented. He’s the kid that’s going to allow them some opportunities like they have in the past to where they can move them around and create situations.”

Griffin was still considering choices after the Alabama offer.

“I really wasn’t sure yet because I was still going through the process,” he said. “But I felt like once I got to it and just keeping everything, the main thing, I mean, there was no doubt. Once I went on my official visit there was no doubt.”

There were numerous factors in choosing Alabama.

“The biggest for me was the brotherhood I felt when I was there,” Griffin said. “I felt a better connection with that than with any other school.”