Alabama News

Former President Joe Biden briefly considered pardoning former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman of his conviction on a federal bribery charge during Biden’s last days in office, but changed his mind the following day.

That’s according to The New York Times, which reviewed several of Biden’s clemency actions at the end of his term as part an investigation into how those actions were made.

Biden, in an interview with the Times, said it was not an “easy” decision.

“In this case, I viewed the facts, reflected on it a bit more, and deliberated more on it with my team and decided not to grant the pardon. And I didn’t make this decision quickly. I made it thoroughly and after significant discussion.”

Attempts to reach Siegelman for comment Monday were not immediately successful.

The Times’ investigation reviewed records and related emails as the Trump White House, the Justice Department and Congress are investigating those decisions related to Biden’s mental acuity and the use of the autopen device to sign the official documents.

Biden reduced the sentences of nearly 4,000 federal convicts and pre-emptively pardoned some high-profile names, saying he wanted to spare them possible investigation or prosecution by the Trump White House.

Siegelman was elected governor in 1998 and narrowly lost to Republican Bob Riley in his bid for re-election in 2002.

In 2006, a federal jury convicted Siegelman of bribery for appointing HealthSouth Founder Richard Scrushy to a state hospital regulatory board in exchange for $500,000 in donations to a campaign to establish an education lottery.

Siegelman had personally guaranteed the lottery campaign’s debt, but he contended that he could not have personally benefited from the campaign contributions. He also said he signed on an additional guarantor for the debt after the bribe was supposed to have occurred.

Siegelman, who was out on appeal for some time after his conviction, was released from prison in 2017.

Former President Barack Obama also denied Siegelman’s request for a pardon at the end of Obama’s term in 2017.

According to The Times, Biden held two meetings on Jan. 18 and 19, to discuss several high-profile clemency decisions.

A summary of the Jan. 18 meeting shows that Biden had decided to grant a pardon to Siegelman.

But the summary of the second meeting the following day stated the president had decided to rescind his approval of the pardon.

Biden told the Times that he considered the fact that Siegelman is no longer in prison, and rescinded his decision after deliberating.

“Look, Siegelman was out of jail,” Biden said. “He had served his time. And there was no — so he wasn’t in jeopardy. And what I concluded was, there’s — and these aren’t easy decisions, but there are a lot of people who are considered for pardons. And I was proud I ran the process I ran.”

The brand new true-crime series A Killer Among Friends premieres on Investigation Discovery Monday, July 14 at 10/9c.

Those hoping to check out the new series can stream the premiere live through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

What Is A Killer Among Friends about?

The latest true-crime ID series examines a new startling story each episode. Throughout the series, viewers will hear of how a murder changes groups of friends forever whether it be the tragic loss of a member of their inner circle, or their terrifying closeness to the killer. Viewers will follow these individuals as they uncover secrets and confront the painful truth.

The series debut episode titled “The Campus Killer” details the case of a university football player who is shot and killed while celebrating his 21st birthday with his college buddies.

Even though there are many witnesses, no one can identify the killer. Investigators question everyone in Trent’s inner circle, but no one can think of a single person who would want to hurt the popular athlete.

As the campus reels from the tragedy, Trent’s friends fear that the killer was actually targeting one of them and worry whoever it was will come back to finish the job.

How to watch A Killer Among Friends season 1

Those interested in checking out the latest true-crime ID series can find A Killer Among Friends available for streaming through Philo, DirecTV or Sling.

Both Philo and DirecTV offer free trials while Sling offers those that commit to a paid subscription half off their first month.

What is Philo?

Philo is considered one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market. Known as an entertainment-focused streaming service, Philo offers its subscribers access to over 70 top-rated TV channels such as TLC, MTV, BET, AMC, CMT, Investigation Discovery and more.

New users can enjoy Philo’s 7-day free trial and continue to stream top channels, hit TV shows and movies on-demand for just $28 a month once the free trial expires.

Those looking to customize their flow of content even further on Philo can consider including add-ons such as MGM+, STARZ, and AMC+ in their subscription.

What is DirecTV?

DirecTV is a top streaming service perfect for those looking to access a plethora of live TV channels and enjoy helpful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular TV channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNBC, BET, CNN and more.

DirecTV has also recently introduced a lineup of genre packs, which allows subscribers to choose their favorite viewing options based on what genre they watch the most. With genre packs, users can get the channels and content they want without filler channel overload. Packs start at just $34.99 a month.

Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages and the new genre packs 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 Investigation Discovery. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month.

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).

The jokes have been plentiful lately about college athletes staying around for too many years. The “LinkedIn all-stars”, mid-20s players who have waivered their way to extra seasons of eligibility, especially since 2020 when every college player got COVID-19 year.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, speaking Monday in Atlanta to begin the conference’s media days, suggested things might have gone too far.

“My guess is you have to return to the early 1900s,” Sankey said. “Literally, if you go to the first quarter century and look at some of the practices around college sports, you start to see the same things that we are seeing today, an older group of college athletes, constant movement without a lot of oversight, and questions about whether there are real academic standards that apply.”

Over the past year, eligibility standards have been even further compromised. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia sued for more seasons, arguing that his two years at a junior college shouldn’t count toward his NCAA eligibility.

Pavia got an injunction in his favor, leading to other players receiving seasons of eligibility back. On Monday, Sankey suggested that players sticking around for too long was hurting the younger side of rosters.

“As the world changes throughout college sports, we have to hold on to some values that are at the center of what we do on our academic campuses,” Sankey said. “We need to invite young people into higher education with the goal of moving them from adolescence to adulthood. We need to require unapologetically a person to make meaningful progress towards a degree, and if they don’t make that meaningful progress, then simply understand they won’t be able to participate in the athletics experience.”

Sankey and other commissioners have called for common standards across college athletics, whether regarding revenue sharing, transfer portal issues or NIL. The eligibility issues were no different.

“There is a need to return to a common standard for athletics participation,” Sankey said. “It’s embedded in the undergraduate educational experience that helps foster a college-going culture to the next generation who seeks to enroll and participate in college athletics, all while requiring meaningful academic progress leading to a degree, not subject to the whim of requested or granted waivers, and not resulting in legal decisions that will vary from courtroom to courtroom.”

SEC media days are scheduled to continue through Thursday in Atlanta.

Burger King is ushering in a new era of its iconic Whopper.

On July 15, the burger chain will debut the BBQ Brisket Whopper. The burger features slow-cooked BBQ brisket, crispy onions, American cheese and barbeque sauce, on a flame-grilled beef patty with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

The BBQ Brisket Whopper is the newest “Whopper By You,” a campaign from Burger King that allows customers to help shape the menu by submitting their dream Whopper creations.

In February, Burger King introduced the Steakhouse Bacon Whopper, a combination of signature steakhouse favorites like crispy onions, bacon, Swiss cheese, creamy peppercorn aioli, lettuce and tomato.

Are Burger King locations closing?

In April, a major franchisee for Burger King restaurants in the Southeast filed for bankruptcy.

Consolidated Burger Holdings of Destin, Florida filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, USA Today reported. Consolidated Burger Holdings operates 57 Burger King locations, including locations in Valdosta, Georgia and in Tallahassee, West Palm Beach and Naples, Florida. Four of its locations are in Walmart stores.

Consolidated plans to keep its Burger King restaurants open while it seeks to sell the company and its assets.

Consolidated Burger acquired its stores in 2018. For 2024, sales dropped almost $10 million from 2023 and losses grew to $12.5 million. In its filing, the company said it has about $77.9 million in assets and $77.9 million in liabilities.

Two people were killed in separate weekend shootings in Bessemer.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office on Monday identified the victims as Vincent Edwin Pritchard, 56, and Cateria Sharae Birchfield, 26. Both lived in Bessemer.

Pritchard was shot at 10:58 p.m. Friday in the 2400 block of Sixth Avenue North in Bessemer. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:08 p.m.

Annie Sillimon, 50, is charged with murder in Pritchard’s slaying. The Bessemer woman was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 4:30 p.m. Sunday and remains held without bond.

Cateria Sharae Birchfield, 26, was shot at 2:06 a.m. Saturday in the 200 block of 26th Street South in Bessemer.

She was taken to UAB Hospital where she died at 3:51 a.m.

Police have charged 24-year-old Audrina Peterson with murder in Birchfield’s death.

Peterson, of Bessemer, was booked into the county jail at 4:46 p.m. Sunday. She, too, remains held without bond.

Additional circumstances surrounding the killing, including motives, have not been released.

The victims are Bessemer’s fourth and fifth homicides this year.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Bessemer Police Department at 205-425-2411, 205-481-4366, Tip Line at 205-428-3541 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

A major grocery store chain is going old school when it comes to coupons – or at least as old school as one can get in a digital age.

Select Kroger stores are offering in-store printed flyers that can be scanned so shoppers can access online coupons. The change addresses concerns that some non-digitally savvy shoppers were missing out on coupon deals.

“We are always listening to our customers to create a better shopping experience. To make it simpler for our customers to take advantage of the full value our stores offer, we are providing an easy-to-use flyer that customers can scan to save with digital coupons,” a Kroger spokesperson told Newsweek.

Weekly digital deal sheets are now available at the front of some Kroger locations. The addition has not been implemented nationwide.

READ MORE: National grocery chain plans to close 60 stores over the next 18 months

How popular are digital coupons?

The addition comes after studies show the continued growth of digital coupons and the important role they play as inflation-weary consumers look for savings and stores seek to grow their bottom lines.

According to an analysis by Capital One, the use of digital coupons – including downloadable and mobile coupons as well as coupon codes and automatic discounts – continues to rise. In 2024, 165.5 million American consumers, roughly 62% of adults, redeemed a digital coupon. The vast majority of those, 94%, are redeemed using a smartphone while shopping online, however, and only 35% of those surveyed said they used digital coupons while shopping in a store.

Stores have a large incentive for pushing coupons. Thirty-nine percent of those polled said they would purchase a new brand because of a coupon and 48% said they avoided brands that didn’t provide coupons or discounts.

The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft resumes at 10:30 a.m. CDT Monday, when the big-league teams start picking with the fourth round. The 30 teams will select 510 more players after 105 choices on Sunday night.

Seven years ago, the draft started with Auburn pitcher Casey Mize going to the Detroit Tigers at No. 1. The St. Louis Cardinals picked South Alabama infielder Brendan Donovan 212 selections later in 2018.

Despite the difference in their status starting professional baseball, Mize and Donovan have wound up in the same place this week – at Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game.

The Detroit pitcher and St. Louis second baseman are at the All-Star Game for the first time in their careers. They’ll be on opposite sides, with Mize on the American League and Donovan on the National League.

The number of MLB All-Star Game selections who played at Alabama high schools or colleges or reached professional baseball from the state’s industrial leagues or sandlots is at 56 with the additions of Donovan and Mize.

This year’s all-stars also are former Alabama prep standouts – Donovan at Enterprise High School and Mize at Springville High School.

Tuesday night’s game will be the 15th in the past 16 in which at least one player with Alabama baseball roots has been included among the game’s best.

After there were no players from Alabama high schools and colleges for the MLB All-Star games in 2008 and 2009, the Atlanta Braves’ Tim Hudson (Glenwood, Chattahoochee Valley/Auburn) made the NL pitching staff in 2010, and at least one of the all-stars has had Alabama roots at every game since, except for the 2020 contest.

The state’s longest streak of All-Star Game representation is 25 years – from 1952 through 1976. Hank Aaron was an All-Star in 21 of those seasons, and Willie Mays was for 20.

Aaron and Mays were joined by five other players from Alabama high schools and colleges in the All-Star Game in 1962 (at the second All-Star Game that year), 1969 and 1972.

Of the 94 previous All-Star games, 75 have included at least one player with Alabama baseball roots.

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

The 56 players picked for the MLB All-Star Game with Alabama baseball roots (that is, played at an Alabama high school or college or moved from the state’s sandlots and industrial leagues into pro ball) include:

Hank Aaron, Central High School in Mobile: 21 All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game every season from 1955 through 1975 and went to 25 All-Star games, playing in 24. From 1959 through 1962, two All-Star games were played each season, primarily to raise money for the players’ pension fund. Aaron did double All-Star duty in those seasons. Aaron represented the Milwaukee Braves in his first 11 All-Star seasons, the Atlanta Braves in the next nine and the Milwaukee Brewers in the final one. He started 17 games. In contrast to his Hall of Fame career, the Mobile native batted .194 with two home runs in 72 All-Star Game plate appearances.

Willie Mays, Fairfield Industrial High School: 20 All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game every season from 1954 through 1973, including both All-Star games in 1959 through 1962 to give him a total of 24 games in 20 seasons. Mays represented the New York Giants in his first four All-Star seasons, the San Francisco Giants in the next 14 and the New York Mets in the final two. He started 18 games and was the MVP of the 1962 and 1968 contests. Mays is the All-Star career leader in runs with 20, hits with 23, total bases with 40, triples with three, stolen bases with six and singles with 15.

Craig Kimbrel, Lee High School in Huntsville, Wallace State: Nine All-Star seasons

The pitcher has been selected for the All-Star Game in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Kimbrel represented the Atlanta Braves in his first four All-Star games, the Boston Red Sox in the next three, the Chicago Cubs in 2021 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023. Kimbrel was the winning pitcher in the 2017 All-Star Game, when he worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth before the American League scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. Kimbrel earned a save in the 2023 All-Star Game with a scoreless ninth in the National League’s 3-2 victory.

Early Wynn, Geneva County High School: Seven All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 1947, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960, including both All-Star Games in those final two years. Wynn represented the Washington Senators in his first All-Star season, the Cleveland Indians in the next three and the Chicago White Sox in the final three. He started for the American League in 1959’s first All-Star Game and was the winning pitcher in the 1958 All-Star Game.

Willie McCovey, Central High School in Mobile: Six All-Star seasons

The first baseman was selected for the All-Star Game in 1963, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971. McCovey represented the San Francisco Giants. He started four games. Batting cleanup for the National League, McCovey hit two home runs and was the MVP of the 1969 contest.

Billy Williams, Mobile County Training School: Six All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1962, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1972 and 1973. Williams represented the Chicago Cubs. He started two games, hit .273 in his All-Star career and homered in the 1964 game.

Luis Gonzalez, South Alabama: Five All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. Gonzalez represented the Arizona Diamondbacks. He started one game. Gonzalez had four hits, including two doubles, in seven All-Star at-bats.

Jimmy Key, Butler High School in Huntsville: Five All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 1985, 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1997. Key represented the Toronto Blue Jays in the first two games, the New York Yankees in the next two and the Baltimore Orioles in the last one. Key was the winning pitcher in 1991 and the starting pitcher in 1994 for the American League.

Amos Otis, Williamson High School in Mobile: Five All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1976. Otis represented the Kansas City Royals. He started one game.

Jorge Posada, Calhoun Community College: Five All-Star seasons

The catcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2007. Posada represented the New York Yankees. He started two games.

Frank Thomas, Auburn: Five All-Star seasons

The first baseman was selected for the All-Star Game in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Thomas represented the Chicago White Sox. He started two games. In six All-Star plate appearances, Thomas had four hits, including a home run, and one walk.

Dixie Walker, Birmingham industrial leagues: Five All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947. Walker represented the Brooklyn Dodgers. He started three games.

Ben Chapman, Phillips High School in Birmingham: Four All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936. Chapman represented the New York Yankees in the first three games and the Washington Senators in the final one. He started one game, becoming the first player to bat for the American League in the first MLB All-Star Game in 1933.

Tim Hudson, Glenwood School in Smiths Station, Chattahoochee Valley/Auburn: Four All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 2000, 2004, 2010 and 2014. Hudson represented the Oakland Athletics in the first two games, the Atlanta Braves in the third and the San Francisco Giants in the final one.

Rip Sewell, Alabama Military Institute in Anniston: Four All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 1943, 1944, 1945 and 1946. The Decatur native represented the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sewell famously gave up a home run to Ted Williams on his eephus pitch in the 1946 All-Star Game.

Josh Donaldson, Faith Academy in Mobile, Auburn: Three All-Star seasons

The third baseman was selected for the All-Star Game in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Donaldson represented the Oakland Athletics in the first game and the Toronto Blue Jays in the other two. He started two games.

Lee May, Parker High School in Birmingham: Three All-Star seasons

The first baseman was selected for the All-Star Game in 1969, 1971 and 1972. May represented the Cincinnati Reds in the first two games and the Houston Astros in the final one. He started one game.

Jake Peavy, St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile: Three All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 2005, 2007 and 2012. He represented the San Diego Padres in the first two games and the Chicago White Sox in the final one. He started on the mound for the National League in the 2007 All-Star Game.

Tommie Agee, Mobile County Training School: Two All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1966 and 1967. Agee represented the Chicago White Sox.

Tim Anderson, Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa: Two All-Star seasons

The shortstop has been selected for the All-Star Game in 2021 and 2022. Anderson started the 2022 game for the American League.

Frank Bolling, McGill Institute in Mobile, Spring Hill College: Two All-Star seasons

The second baseman was selected for the All-Star Game in 1961 and 1962, including both games both years. Bolling represented the Milwaukee Braves. He started two games.

Clay Carroll, Chilton County High School: Two All-Star seasons

The relief pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 1971 and 1972. Carroll represented the Cincinnati Reds.

Clay Holmes, Slocomb High School: Two All-Star seasons

The relief pitcher has been selected for the All-Star Game in 2022 and 2024. Holmes represented the New York Yankees.

Frank Lary, Tuscaloosa County High School, Alabama: Two All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 1960 and 1961, including both games in 1960. Lary represented the Detroit Tigers.

Carlos May, Parker High School in Birmingham: Two All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1969 and 1972. He represented the Chicago White Sox. Both years that May was on the American League team, his brother Lee May was on the National League team.

Don Mincher, Butler High School in Huntsville: Two All-Star seasons

The first baseman was selected for the All-Star Game in 1967 and 1969. Mincher represented the California Angels in the first game and the Seattle Pilots in the second.

Satchel Paige, Mobile native: Two All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 1952 and 1953. Paige represented the St. Louis Browns. Perhaps the biggest star in the history of the Negro Leagues, Paige pitched an inning in the 1953 All-Star Game at the age of 47. Paige was selected for six of the Negro Leagues’ East-West All-Star games during seasons when his league had a Major League designation.

Virgil Trucks, Tarrant City High School: Two All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 1949 and 1954. Trucks represented the Detroit Tigers in the first game and the Chicago White Sox in the second. He was the winning pitcher for the American League in the 1949 All-Star Game despite giving up two runs in two innings, and he earned a save (awarded retroactively, since the statistic didn’t exist at the time) in the 1954 All-Star Game by closing the American League’s 11-9 victory with scoreless ninth.

Bob Veale, Holy Family High School in Birmingham: Two All-Star seasons

The pitcher was selected for the All-Star Game in 1965 and 1966. Veale represented the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Leon Wagner, Tuskegee: Two All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1962 and 1963, including both games in 1962. Wagner represented the Los Angeles Angels. He started three games and earned the MVP Award for the second game in 1962 when he had three hits, including a two-run homer, in the American League’s 9-4 victory.

Harry Walker, Birmingham industrial leagues: Two All-Star seasons

The outfielder was selected for the All-Star Game in 1943 and 1947. He represented the St. Louis Cardinals in the first and the Philadelphia Phillies in the second. He started two games. Walker and his brother, Dixie Walker, batted first and second, respectively, for the National League in the 1947 All-Star Game.

One-season All-Stars

Players with Alabama roots who have been selected for the All-Star Game in one season include:

• Pitcher Doyle Alexander (Woodlawn High School in Birmingham) represented the Detroit Tigers at the 1988 game.
• Catcher Alex Avila (Alabama) represented the Detroit Tigers at the 2011 game as a starter.
• Pitcher Jeff Brantley (Berry High School) represented the San Francisco Giants at the 1990 game.
• Pitcher Britt Burns (Huffman High School in Birmingham) represented the Chicago White Sox at the 1981 game.
• First baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper (Auburn) represented the Miami Marlins at the 2022 game.
• Outfielder David Dahl (Oak Mountain High School) represented the Colorado Rockies at the 2019 game. He singled and scored in his only plate appearance.
• Third baseman Jim Davenport (Thompson High School in Alabaster) represented the San Francisco Giants at both 1962 All-Star games. He singled in his only All-Star Game at-bat.
• Second baseman Brendan Donovan (Enterprise High School, South Alabama) is representing the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2025 game.
• Pitcher Sammy Ellis (Ensley High School in Birmingham) represented the Cincinnati Reds at the 1965 game.
• Outfielder Lou Finney (Five Points High School) represented the Boston Red Sox at the 1940 game. He was walked by Carl Hubbell in his only All-Star plate appearance.
• Third baseman David Freese (South Alabama) represented the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2012 game.
• Shortstop Gunnar Henderson (Morgan Academy) represented the Baltimore Orioles at the 2024 game as a starter.
• Outfielder Oris Hockett (Auburn) represented the Cleveland Indians at the 1944 game. Hockett went to Auburn on a football scholarship, but he stayed only one year on the Plains.
• Outfielder Bo Jackson (McAdory High School in McCalla, Auburn) represented the Kansas City Royals at the 1989 game as a starter. He won the MVP Award for the contest when he led off for the American League with a home run.
• Outfielder Lance Johnson (South Alabama) represented the New York Mets at the 1996 game as a starter. Johnson had three hits, including a double, in four trips to the plate and stole a base in the 1996 All-Star Game.
• Outfielder Cleon Jones (Mobile County Training School, Alabama A&M) represented the New York Mets at the 1969 game as a starter. Jones had two hits and two runs in the National League’s 9-3 victory.
• Pitcher Todd Jones (Jacksonville State) represented the Detroit Tigers at the 2000 game. Jones retired all three batters he faced, including striking out Andruw Jones.
• Pitcher Jon Lieber (South Alabama) represented the Chicago Cubs at the 2001 game.
• Outfielder Heinie Manush (Tuscumbia) represented the Washington Senators at the 1934 game as a starter. A member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Manush played most of his career before the All-Star Game started in 1933.
• Pitcher Casey Mize (Springville High School, Auburn) is representing the Detroit Tigers at the 2025 All-Star Game.
• Second baseman Billy Moran (Russell County High School) represented the Los Angeles Angels at both 1962 All-Star games as a starter.
• Pitcher Gregg Olson (Auburn) represented the Baltimore Orioles at the 1990 game.
• Pitcher David Robertson (Paul W. Bryant High School in Cottondale, Alabama) represented the New York Yankees at the 2011 game.
• Pitcher Sergio Romo (North Alabama) represented the San Francisco Giants at the 2013 game.
• Catcher Luke Sewell (Wetumpka High School, Alabama) represented the Chicago White Sox at the 1937 game.

Other Alabama All-Star natives

Shortstop Ozzie Smith is a native of Mobile and was an All-Star in 15 seasons. But he played high school and college baseball in California. He’s the top example of the 14 All-Stars who were born in Alabama but moved out of the state during their childhoods. Other Alabama All-Star natives who grew their baseball roots in other states include Bruce Benedict, Matt Cain, George Foster, Monte Irvin, Corey Kluber, Hersh Martin, Ken McBride, Terry Moore, Alex Rios, Don Sutton, Andre Thornton, Willie Wilson and Rudy York.

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

Mike Shula is back in the SEC in a full-time coaching role, about to embark on his first season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at South Carolina.

Shula, the former Alabama quarterback and head coach who spent last season as an analyst on the Gamecocks’ staff, replaces Dowell Loggains — now head coach at Appalachian State. Shula now has at his disposal one of the more talented quarterbacks in the country in sophomore LaNorris Sellers.

Asked Monday at SEC Media Days about Shula’s work with Sellers thus far, Beamer described it as “fantastic.”

“Last year … Dowell Loggains, our offensive coordinator was in the press box,” Beamer said during an appearance on SEC Now on the SEC Network. “So between series, LaNorris was on the iPad on the sidelines with Mike Shula. So that was a good and then (Shula) was in every quarterback meeting as well.

“The fact that he has played the position and literally has been in LaNorris’ shoes as a starting quarterback in the SEC, it’s really beneficial. So he’s been able to take a lot of the things from a fundamental standpoint with LaNorris and make him better.

“And then overall from this an offensive standpoint, some of the tweaks we’ve made schematically, the staff dynamic, it’s been really good so far and it was an easy, easy transition.”

Beamer said he never had a second thought about elevating Shula to offensive coordinator once Loggains left for App State. He said Sellers quickly signed off on the move.

“I was here in Atlanta when the news was announced that we were going to have an opening; I was here for the SEC championship,” Beamer said. “I was on the phone with LaNorris and his family that night, (told him) I just wanted to make sure ‘you see things the same way’ and he was 100% adamant that Mike was the right guy and he’s 100% right.”

In addition to his time at Alabama, Shula spent more than two decades as a high-level assistant in the NFL. Among the pro quarterbacks with whom he worked were Josh Allen, Eli Manning and Cam Newton, whom he helped lead the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl at the end of the 2015 season.

This is an opinion cartoon.

Who are these masked aggressors who are making people of color disappear from construction sites, schools, farms and the service industry? ICE, ICE … maybe?

This isn’t just about immigration. It’s about the death of due process. The destruction of America as we know it, and it’s happening right in front of our eyes. The democracy death march is in progress.

Today’s cartoon was inspired by Alabama author Frye Gaillard, who posted this passage on his Facebook page:

“Back when I was younger and the Ku Klux Klan intermittently roamed through the South on missions of racial intimidation, they most often covered their faces with hoods. I always assumed they did this out of shame; why else would they fear being recognized?

“I wonder if the same thing is true of ICE. Yes, I know they profess a fear of being doxxed, which is, at its heart an admission of cowardice not present among most law enforcement professionals. But however deeply it may be buried within the anonymity and the bluster, I bet there is also shame. These are human beings, no matter how much they try not to act like it.

“I want to be clear. I’m not equating ICE with the Klan. ICE is much worse. The Kluxers, for all the deadly harm they caused, never operated under direct orders from a U.S. President. That’s a big difference. A difference so vast, in fact, that it’s sometimes hard to comprehend.”

Thanks for letting me borrow your words and stuff, Frye.

Frye Gaillard is author of A Hard Rain and co-author with Cynthia Tucker of The Southernization of America. His latest book is titled Heroes and Other Mortals; Stories of Our Better Angels.

Related:

• John Archibald: Psych! ICE bait and switch detentions show immigrants a thing or two about America
• Roy S. Johnson: Yo, Trump, there’s no prize for gaining peace (maybe) overseas while disturbing it at home

JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group and AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award for local and state cartoons by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler @[email protected].

The SEC potentially moving to nine conference games from its current set-up of eight continues to be a topic of discussion in college football, an issue that commissioner Greg Sankey addressed Monday.

In his address to reporters at the opening of SEC Media Days in Atlanta, Sankey that whether or not the SEC goes to eight or nine conference games in football in the future, the league’s members will still be playing the toughest schedule in the country. The SEC and ACC play eight conference games, while the Big 12 and Big Ten play nine.

“It is absolutely fully 100% correct that in the SEC we play eight conference games while some others play nine conference games; that’s never been a secret,” Sankey said. “It’s also correct that last season all 16 members of the Southeastern Conference played at least nine games against what you would label ‘power’ opponents. We had several that played 10 of their 12 games against power opponents. Some conferences have that, some don’t. The same will be true this year.

“I don’t believe there’s anyone looking to swap their conference schedule and its opponents, with the opponents played by Southeastern Conference teams in our conference schedule, be it eight or nine. … In the SEC, we’re not lacking for quality competition among our 16 football teams.”

That said, the SEC must make a decision on its schedule format before the 2026 schedule can be released. Typically, the league has announced the upcoming year’s schedule in December.

Sankey added that the SEC and its membership has taken a “wait and see” approach on scheduling, given the uncertain future of the College Football Playoff format. The CFP is committed to staying at 12 teams only through the 2025 season, making the SEC’s scheduling timetable flexible.

“… We’re going to continue to evaluate whether increasing the number of conference football games is appropriate for us — and as I’ve said repeatedly, understanding how the CFP will evaluate strength of schedule and even strength of record is critically important in our decision-making,” he said. … “I’ve been careful about giving dates. I’ve said repeatedly I learned during COVID that you want to use your time. It won’t linger terribly.”