Dear Annie: I have two granddaughters six years apart in age, one a teenager, one a young adult. For a number of unfortunate reasons, the older sister is quite hostile and unkind toward the younger sister.
She is extremely envious of any positive attention her little sister gets. This has not improved over time. The older sister did not have many of the advantages that the younger sister has had. The older sister did not graduate from high school, but she got her GED. The younger sister is thriving in high school, in fact, is set to graduate a year early, and has earned several academic awards.
Graduation is coming up, with a small family celebratory dinner afterward. Honestly, I’m having fantasies of gently suggesting the older sister not come. She will not be there to celebrate her younger sister. The experience will fuel her envy, and I don’t think she will be able to resist making mean comments to and about her little sister. Plus, I want to be able to celebrate my youngest granddaughter, but I feel constrained about doing that given how the older one feels. I also don’t want to be critical of the big sister in this situation where she’ll already be hurting a lot.
Do you have any advice? — The Green-Eyed Monster
Dear Green-Eyed Monster: It’s easy to see where you’re coming from, but disinviting the older sister would likely fuel further resentment. Having a gentle discussion with her beforehand would be the kinder approach. Consider telling her, “This event is meant to celebrate your sister. If that’s something you can’t fully support right now, it’s OK to sit this one out.” That gives her a choice, but with boundaries, and makes the expectations for the evening clear.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I belong to a local social media group that lets people loan and borrow items. I recently posted a query asking to borrow a piece of equipment for an upcoming surgery, and someone graciously responded. I’d like to include a token of my gratitude upon returning the item, but have no idea what, since this person is a stranger to me. Can you suggest something?
GENTLE READER: The surgery and the need for the equipment is what connects you to this stranger, more so than any candle or coffee store gift card. Miss Manners is certain that your heartfelt gratitude, in the form of a gracious and appreciative handwritten letter, will be thanks enough. That, and returning the equipment devoid of any bodily fluids.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
Dear Annie: I’m a 44-year-old autistic man living in Montana. I am happily involved with a woman who has five kids, ages 12 to 24. My question is about breaking unhealthy patterns. Growing up, my family often held grudges against me for my past mistakes, even when I’ve admitted my faults and failures. Now I find myself doing the same with my stepkids, holding onto their mistakes longer than I should.
Everyone says that because I am disabled with autism that I am a nobody. Yet I am finishing my doctorate degree in psychology. I am so confused. I’m trying to make sense of who I really am and who I want to be. How can I break that cycle? How can I stop repeating the same patterns I was raised with? — Confused in Montana
Dear Confused in Montana: First off, you are not a nobody. You’re a partner and a parent with your doctorate nearly in hand. Despite the challenges you’ve faced, you’ve overcome them, striving to be better than those who raised you, than who you were yesterday. That takes strength.
The fact that you recognize this pattern and wish to change it already says a lot. Most people can’t even do that, so kudos to you. Awareness is good; now take it a step further. When you feel yourself losing patience or holding onto your stepkids’ stumbles, remember to separate the here and now from the pain of your childhood. Your kiddos deserve the grace, compassion and acceptance you didn’t get.
You can’t change your past, but you can be the person for these kids that you never had. From the sound of it, you already are.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].
“I talked to them at the combine, and we had a very good talk,” Broome said during a Thursday night appearance on SiriusXM. “Just how my schedule was, I wasn’t able to get out there (for a workout). But it’s a good group. I think I’m in a good situation. I walk into a very good team that I can help win games and get in the playoffs.”
A seven-season playoff run ended for Philadelphia in 2024-25 as the 76ers posted a 24-58 record. Seven-time All-Star and 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid played in only 19 games, and nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George missed half the schedule as injuries wrecked the Sixers’ season.
On Wednesday night, Philadelphia added Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick. The rookie figures to join Tyrese Maxey in the 76ers backcourt in the 2025-26 season.
In the frontcourt, Philadelphia has Embiid at center, George at small forward and a question mark at power forward.
“I’m able to learn from guys like Embiid at my position,” Broome said. “He’s the MVP. Get in there, pick his brain. You know, play with the great guards. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
Kelly Oubre Jr., Guerschon Yabusele and Justin Edwards could join Broome as power-forward options and frontcourt depth for the 76ers next season.
Last season, the 6-foot-8 Oubre averaged 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 60 games, with 57 starts; the 6-foot-8 Yabusele averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 70 games, with 43 starts; and the 6-foot-6 Edwards averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 44 games, with 26 starts, for Philadelphia. Oubre has a player option to return to the Sixers next season, Yabusele is set to become a free agent next month and Philadelphia has a team option to bring back Edwards.
“I’m a winner,” the 6-foot-10 Broome told ESPN moments after being drafted. “I get things done offensively and defensively, so the Sixers got a good one.”
Broome attended the second round of the NBA Draft on Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
“Being here, this is probably the most exciting moment of my life so far,” Broome said. “As a kid you always want to be drafted, hear your name called, put on the hat, so kind of going through the moment, I don’t know, it just feels surreal.”
During the 2024-25 college basketball season, Broome’s accolades included consensus first-team All-American, the SEC Player of the Year Award, the SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player Award, The Sporting News National Player of the Year Award, the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award and the Pete Newell Big Man of the Year Award as he helped Auburn reach the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
In his final season at Auburn, Broome averaged 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocked shots in 36 games. He led the SEC in rebounds and blocked shots. His 389 rebounds set a school single-season record, and Broome left the Tigers ranked second in rebounds, third in blocked shots and eighth in points in Auburn history.
But the NBA wanted to see more from Broome, so he put his work on display again at the Draft Combine and in individual workouts for teams.
“It’s been a long two months, a long process,” Broome said, “but having everybody with me, it means a lot. And, man, I’m ready to get to Philly. I’m ready to work. This moment is amazing. I don’t even know how to act right now. I’m a Philadelphia 76er.”
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
Crushes aren’t age-bound; they’re psychological and physiological responses to admiration, longing, idealization and more. Even mature individuals are still human, with tender hearts and nervous systems wired for attraction, novelty and fantasy. The difference is that mature people often have a stronger filter; they may not act on these feelings, but when the moon and Mercury get dramatic in Leo, they might.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll strike a deal pleasing to all. How? You’ll demonstrate genuine respect. You’ll take the time to find out what others want — and more importantly, what they need. Then, you’ll customize your offering or find a customer that’s a better fit.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Don’t waste time being myopic about your scene. Open the conversation. Valuable insight comes from people who see what you’re doing with objectivity. Distance brings clarity, whether it’s physical, emotional or ideological.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You live in a way others can feel — even if you never explain it. Even when you slip (as all humans do), you correct with grace and keep showing up as someone worth learning from. Your integrity radiates.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll bring about a change, first by talking about it, because talking leads to doing. Sometimes, you’ll be talking only to yourself — perfect! Use kind and constructive terms – not too intense. Call the work “light” and it will be.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Authentic connection is the theme; what unfolds when people drop the performance and just show up. You have the emotional intelligence to accept and value people for how they think and express themselves, even when it’s different from your own process.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your emotions run deep and strangely specific today. Your body picks up what your mind can’t yet name — a shiver, a tug, a pause. Pay attention. These subtle cues are your map forward.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Listen closely; there’s more to the story than you’re being told. Fortune favors the curious. Get to the bottom of it and you’ll be shown many interesting and useful truths along the journey.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Wind blows, water rushes, sand shifts — you expect it. But when the ground moves, it’s a surprise because such seismic changes aren’t as common. The same principle applies though: Your stability comes from flexibility, not rigidity. Blessed be the benders.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ve had wilder moments, but a kind of maturity settles over your personal life. You’re treating love like something you nurture, not something you chase. That mindset — sustained care, not constant thrill — is what gives love a chance to endure.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Ambitious people like you aren’t afraid of “no.” If that’s the answer, you want it fast so you can move on. The goal isn’t to coax a lukewarm yes; it’s to find the big, clear yes that actually leads somewhere. A half-hearted yes is just a slow no.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Just because someone has the capacity for greatness, speed or elevation doesn’t mean they always need to use it. Sometimes the wiser or more effective choice is to move slowly, steadily and deliberately. How many times have you seen a winged bug crawl? Many.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You have the instincts to spot the real deal, the time savers and time wasters. Trust your read, and don’t second-guess it. Your judgment has been sharpened by experience. You no longer need proof to know what you already feel.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 27). People want to be a part of your world. Spontaneity is alive, fun is a constant and the muses love you most. You’ll keep people wondering, checking in, joining and initiating the happenings you love to be a part of. More highlights: Strong social connections of mutual benefit; two savvy, significant and beneficial financial moves; and family growth. More highlights: Capricorn and Leo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 13, 27, 33, and 19.
Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.
The Miss Alabama 2025 pageant is heating up this week, with two nights of preliminaries completed before Saturday’s finale.
Three contestants earned special notice at Thursday’s preliminary event, winning in talent and evening gown competitions.
Lauren Vance, left, and Evie Smith react to winning a tie for the talent preliminary at the 2025 Miss Alabama Thursday preliminaries at Samford University’s Wright Center in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Will McLelland | [email protected])Will McLelland
Lauren Vance, Miss Tennessee Valley, and Evie Smith, Miss Vestavia Hills, tiedforthetop score in talent.
Vance 22, played “Valse Dramatico” on the piano. She’s from Muscle Shoals, studying in a doctor of optometry program at UAB. Her community service initiative is The Two-Hour Challenge: Trading Virtual for Value.
Smith, 18, performed a baton routine to “Cup of Life.” She’s from Slocomb and a student at Auburn University, majoring in rehabilitation and disabilities studies. Her community service initiative is A.C.T. — Advocating for Children of Trauma.
Emma Walters reacts to winning the evening gown preliminary at the 2025 Miss Alabama Thursday preliminaries at Samford University’s Wright Center in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Will McLelland | [email protected])Will McLelland
Emma Walters, Miss West Alabama, earned the top score in the evening gown competition. Walters, 20, is from Birmingham. She’s a student at Auburn University, majoring in physician assistant studies. Her community service initiative is Love the Skin You’re In.
A total of 43 women are vying for the state title, along with scholarship money and the chance to move on to the Miss America pageant.
Preliminary events held this week, Wednesday through Friday at Samford University’s Wright Center, give each contestant a chance to strut her stuff in talent, evening wear, health and fitness and on-stage interview segments. The contestants also chat with the judges this week during off-stage interviews and showcase their community service initiatives.
Preliminaries help to determine the semifinalists who’ll compete on Saturday in the pageant finale.
(See photos from Thursday’s preliminary in the gallery at the top of this post.)
Rylie Dewley, left, and Abby Sosa react winning a tie for the talent preliminary at the 2025 Miss Alabama Wednesday preliminaries at Samford University’s Wright Center in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Will McLelland | [email protected])Will McLelland
Rylie Dewley, Miss Eastern Shore, and Abby Sosa, Miss Hidden River, tiedforthetop score in the talent competition.
Dewley, 21, performed a baton routine to “Thunderstruck.” She’s from Grand Blanc, Michigan, and a student at the University of Alabama, majoring in political science. Her community service initiative is Start Heart Smart.
Sosa, 21, performed a Latin jazz dance to “Bailar/Let’s Get Loud.” She’s from Cullman and a student at the University of Alabama, majoring in communications. Her community service initiative is Bridging the Gap: Inspiring Latina Generational Transformation.
Emma Terry reacts to winning the evening gown preliminary at the 2025 Miss Alabama Wednesday preliminaries at Samford University’s Wright Center in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Will McLelland | [email protected])
Will McLelland
Emma Terry, Miss Hoover, earned the top score in the evening gown competition. Terry, 22, is a UAB graduate from Leeds who majored in accounting. Her community service initiative is Stomping Out ALS Once Step at a Time.
Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025, will be back in her home state this weekend to crown the new Miss Alabama. Stockard, who won the title of Miss Alabama 2024, became Miss America earlier this year and continues her reign as the national titleholder.
Also, a People’s Choice Contest for Miss Alabama allows the pubic to vote online for their favorite contestants in advance of the finals. Each vote costs $1. The contestant with the most votes will earn a spot among the top 13 finalists on Saturday.
Competitors perform at the 2025 Miss Alabama Thursday preliminaries at Samford University’s Wright Center in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Will McLelland | [email protected])
Will McLelland
Thursday’s preliminary event included production numbers by former Miss Alabama winners and this year’s contestants, performing to songs such as “Celebration,” “The Truth” and “Born to Fly.” Miss Alabama 2006, Melinda Toole Gunter, was the emcee for Thursday’s event.
Judges for this year are David Blackledge, Cleo Coker Gravitt, Sandy Darby Thompson, Ashley Gibson Barnett, and Darris Waren.
If you go:
The Miss Alabama 2025 competition is set for June 25-28 at Samford University’s Wright Center, 872 Montague Drive in Birmingham. Preliminary competitions are set for Wednesday through Friday, June 25-27, at 7 p.m. The finals are scheduled for Saturday, June 28, at 7 p.m.
However, a handful of other Tigers will have a chance to sign two-way contracts with NBA teams.
Below, AL.com will keep a tracker of where Auburn’s remaining NBA-eligible players sign two-way contracts. This will be updated as new reports become available.
SG Miles Kelly reportedly signs with the Dallas Mavericks
C Dylan Cardwell reportedly signs with the Sacramento Kings
The man nicknamed the Dakota Durant has earned an NBA opportunity.
Alabama men’s basketball forward Grant Nelson has signed a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, UA announced. Nelson went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Nelson will compete for a two-way spot in training camp with the Nets, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported. If Nelson sticks with the Nets, he will join former Alabama forward Noah Clowney
Nelson, a native of Devils Lake, North Dakota, spent the past two seasons with Alabama. He played in 74 games across those seasons, averaging 11.5 points per game this past season to go with 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. The 6-11, 230-pound forward ranked fifth in the SEC in rebounds per game. Nelson tallied double-figures in 21 games.
He finished his career, that also included three years at North Dakota, with 1,907 points and 1,017 rebounds.
Nelson’s signature moment of his time at Alabama emerged in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. He reached another gear in the Sweet 16, scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds to go with five blocks to upset No. 1 seed UNC. That pushed Alabama to the first Elite Eight under coach Nate Oats. Then Alabama beat Clemson to reach the program’s first Final Four.
Nelson also became known for some signature dunks during his time with the Crimson Tide. Against UConn in the Final Four, Nelson dunked over Donovan Clingan. Portland drafted Clingan with the seventh overall pick a season ago.
Then this past season, Nelson’s most memorable dunk happened against Auburn in Auburn. Alabama upset the No. 1-ranked Tigers, and during the game, Nelson dunked over Dylan Cardwell. Then Nelson hit the crimson crane, facing Auburn star Johni Broome.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, the former Alabama men’s basketball guard agreed to a two-way deal with Milwaukee, UA announced.
The All-American guard spent the past three seasons playing for the Crimson Tide, leading Alabama to the Final Four in 2024 and the Elite Eight in 2025. Sears was also a key piece of the 2022-23 team that earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet 16.
Sears is a Muscle Shoals native. He first played for Ohio before returning to his home state. His 2,841 career points rank 19th in Division I history. Sears tallied 690 of those points this past season, the fourth-most for a single season in program history. One of his signature games: Sears made 10 triples to lead Alabama to a win over BYU in the Sweet 16. That was a program record for 3-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game.
1,950 of his points he scored at Alabama. That’s second-most in program history.
Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats was asked where Sears belongs in UA history after Alabama fell to Duke in the Elite Eight this past season.
“You’ve got to put him up there with the greats,” Oats said.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
The newest “Golden Bachelor” made it clear he has an age limit for the upcoming season.
Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL player, made an appearance on “MGoBlue Podcasts With Jon Jansen” and shared what he is looking for in a companion.
“‘If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,’” he said he told the producers of the reality show, per The Hollywood Reporter. “This is not ‘The Silver Bachelor.’ This is ‘The Golden Bachelor.’”
Owens, who played his college football at Michigan, explained while going through the casting process, producers asked him, “‘What’s your preferences?’ so I just said, ’45 to 60,’ just being honest.”
Owens shared he had lunch with an executive producer on the show.
“(The executive producer) goes, ‘But they’re going to be hot, don’t worry about it, don’t worry about it.’ He goes, ‘You can’t use the word cut,’ I go, ‘That’s an NFL term,’” he added.
Plus, he said, “They’ve got to be fit, because I stay in shape and workout and stuff. And I told them to try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs.”
Owens, who is now a lawyer, had a nine-year NFL career as a linebacker with the Los Angeles Rams after his college career with the Wolverines.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
