Alabama News

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My boyfriend and I share an apartment, and also share two pet snakes. These are not large reptiles, and are kept in very secure glass tanks behind closed doors.

We understand that many people are not comfortable with reptiles, so we never let them roam around the apartment. If we have company, we never bring our pets out or even open the door to that room; they stay completely out of sight. We would never presume to force anyone to interact in the slightest with an animal that caused them anxiety.

The problem is that my boyfriend’s father is so afraid of snakes that he will not even set foot in the apartment, despite the fact that they are securely contained and not visible. I would love to be able to entertain his family in our home, but his father is adamant that he will not come over until the snakes are no longer there.

Is it rude of us to persist in eating meals at their house and then not reciprocating? We are young and broke, so entertaining them in a restaurant is not a real possibility. Do we have to get rid of two pets in order to satisfy his father?

GENTLE READER: What you need is a mutual agreement on how you will reciprocate their hospitality. Would your boyfriend’s parents, for example, be amenable to having you sometimes prepare and bring a meal to them?

Surely that is preferable to finding alternative living arrangements for Antony and Cleopatra.

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.

On Thursday at 3:51 a.m. a dense fog advisory was released by the National Weather Service in effect until 9 a.m. for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman counties.

The weather service states to expect, “Visibility as low as one-quarter of a mile in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” explains the weather service. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels

If a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility often drops to just a quarter-mile or less. These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.

If driving in fog becomes unavoidable, remember these safety tips:

Moderate your speed:

Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility matters:

Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use them.

Avoid high-beams:

Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.

Keep a safe distance:

Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.

Stay in your lane:

Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.

Zero visibility protocol:

In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.

Limited parking options:

If there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don’t mistakenly run into you.

By adhering to these recommendations from the weather service, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

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.

As the moon lifts its antlered head through the trees, velvet light brushing what hasn’t quite hardened yet, remember that you are still growing — bone under softness, instinct under stillness, a shape not fully spoken. This is not the harvest. This is the dream of what might stand tall by the end of the season. Listen. Something is forming.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re the translator today — between people, between ideas, between head and heart. Talk about this talent of yours. Someone needs your knack for breaking down the complicated into something they can actually use.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll feel a pull to protect your time, and rightly so. A short “no” will save you hours. You don’t have to justify your boundaries; just honor them. Because explaining things will be tedious and unnecessary for both you and the listener.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll feel a rush of pride not for what you accomplished but for how you handled yourself. The emotional poise you showed under pressure is the real win. Anyone with grace understands how much work it can be to keep cool and controlled.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your instincts are sharp, though you might second-guess them just because others move with more certainty. Mind you, that doesn’t make them right. Confidence and rightness aren’t synonymous. But your impetus to move is based in what’s good for all.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Being open and saying “yes” will bring surprising rewards. You’ll likely agree to something spontaneous — an outing, an event, a project — that you wouldn’t have planned for yourself. That “yes” becomes the entry point to adventure.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Someone you admire needs you, too. Your opinion is unlike any other, believe it. When people turn the floor over to you, be honest. This is your cue to stop underestimating the impact you’re already making.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today you’ll feel the power of restraint. You won’t need to correct, confront or control. Instead, you only need to observe. Your presence radiates a truth that others feel, and it helps them witness themselves more realistically.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Weirdness will have you laughing. This is a good sign. When levity returns, it’s usually because life gets easier. Either you’re well-rested and stronger or you’re too tired to care anymore. Both work!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s a new tool or method that will change how you work. Invest the time to figure it out. It’s hard to stop and take the time to learn, but the upgrade you make now will save you time in the end.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). A project that once felt overwhelming now has a clear next step. It’s so easy to move forward now, mainly because you’ve stopped trying to solve the whole thing at once. You can go the whole way only knowing one or two steps at a time.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s someone you want to reach — not with logic, but with delight. A gesture, the sort of text only you could send, the ribbing that says “we’re in on something that’s only for us.” You make them feel special.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If you have to pay someone to fix a problem, treat it like a lesson. Learn what you can so you’re more self-sufficient the next time it comes up. Don’t just buy the fix — buy the knowledge.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 10). You’re learning to wield your sensitivity like a secret weapon. This year brings a role reversal — you’ll be leading where you once followed, mentoring where you once asked. More highlights: A signature project takes flight and gains momentum. You’ll cash in on something you put years of time and energy into. A love story evolves, sometimes like a walk on the beach, sometimes like a roller-coaster at the fair, sometimes like a dance in the club. Gemini and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 14, 21, 39 and 42

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Sofia Vergara turned her comedic gifts and commanding presence into a major career, from “Modern Family” to judging “America’s Got Talent.” Her Cancer sun gives her emotional depth beneath the glamour, and a fierce loyalty to family, heritage and her own self-made empire. Known for blending beauty and business savvy, Vergara’s latest ventures include launching lifestyle brands and championing Latinx representation in entertainment.

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.

College football in Alabama is “a little different,” just ask former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.

He won the national championship and Heisman Trophy with the Tigers in 2010 and may be the most vocal former player in the media.

On a recent episode of his podcast titled 4th&1 with Cam Newton, the Auburn legend talked about how much college football means in the state. His point was best summed up by a quote former head coach Gene Chizik once gave Newton at Auburn.

“He said, Cam, the four most important people in the state of Alabama is the head coach of Auburn. It’s the head coach of Alabama. It’s the starting quarterback for Auburn, and it’s the starting quarterback for the University of Alabama. You’re one of those four,” Newton said Chizik told him.

Newton’s Heisman-winning season in 2010 was the only year he spent on the Plains, but he was still able to get a sense of the passion fans in the state have for college football.

“The State of Alabama does not have no professional sports,” Newton said. “Anybody from Alabama, whether you’re from Dothan, Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery, Bessemer, you asked this one question on Thanksgiving: ‘what color you wearing?’”

Newton won the only Iron Bowl he participated in, beating Alabama 28-27 in a game that earned the nickname of “The Camback” after Auburn overcame a 24-0 deficit to beat the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.

“Man, listen, call them crazy. I call them rambunctious, beautiful people. Belligerent fans,” Newton said. “Not all fans make it in this state.”

Newton also made a bold statement when comparing the excitement of an SEC matchup to a big game in the Big 10.

“A 8-2 or 7-3 SEC-SEC matchup is way better than a 6-0, 6-0 Big 10 matchup,” Newton said. “It’s just different brotha.”

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

AJ McCarron didn’t ease his way into the answer.

Chris Stewart, McCarron’s co-host on the podcast “The Dynasty,” asked the former Alabama quarterback how nice it is seeing the Crimson Tide recruit well while Auburn struggles.

“Hugh Freeze is full of shit,” McCarron said. “And I think Hugh Freeze is trying to do whatever he can to save face. He’s starting to feel pressure at Auburn. I think going into his third year, not having the success that the alumni, the boosters, everybody donating a lot of money, thought that he would have by this point, I think he’s trying to figure out and scramble on why they are not successful.”

Auburn has the No. 71 recruiting class as of Wednesday night, per On3/Rivals. Meanwhile, Alabama ranks No. 5. This comes after the Tigers landed two top-10 recruiting classes.

Freeze and Auburn athletics director John Cohen spoke recently about the recruiting struggles, and they suggested the Tigers are going about things the “right way” while other programs are not. Freeze and Cohen mentioned Aug. 1 as a pivotal date because that’s when offers that are made verbally now can be offered in writing.

“In my opinion we can’t put ourselves in jeopardy,” Freeze said. “We’ve got great interpretations from our administration and our legal team on what the settlement really means and how we should operate. That’s what we’re doing. If others are operating in a manner not with that, I’m hopeful they’ll be called out on that at some point.”

McCarron said he played golf recently with someone connected at Auburn, and people on the Plains, after significant financial investment into rosters the past few seasons, are “pissed on the fact that it hasn’t been successful like they thought it would be,” McCarron said.

Freeze has lost both Iron Bowls in which he’s coached. The Tigers also finished below .500 in each season.

“The state of Alabama is ran by Alabama fans, Alabama alumni, whether you like it or not,” McCarron continued in his monologue. “I’ve never been one to absolutely hate on Auburn. Hell, I’ve caught hell from Alabama fans for cheering for some of my friends that played at Auburn. It proves, like I was talking about with recruits, if you are from the state of Alabama, I think it is dumb for you not to sign with the University of Alabama and pick Auburn over Alabama.”

McCarron said in life after football, UA “supplies more avenues for that.”

“I think life after football is set up for success a lot more than Auburn,” McCarron said. “I think that has been proven when it comes to the recruiting standpoint. And that, I mean, that’s just my take. But I think it also shows with why Hugh Freeze is struggling a little bit.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

A former Alabama police officer charged with murder for shooting an armed Black man in the man’s front yard during a dispute with a tow-truck driver shouldn’t be granted immunity before going to trial, the state’s attorney general says.

In a court brief filed late Tuesday, Attorney General Steve Marshall said a lower court was correct in ruling that former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette, 25, failed to show “a clear legal right to prosecutorial immunity” when he fatally shot Stephen Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023.

Shortly before 2 a.m., Marquette and two other officers accompanied the tow truck driver to repossess Perkins’ pickup truck at his home in Decatur. When Perkins emerged from his house pointing a gun at the truck driver, Marquette fired 18 bullets less than two seconds after the officers emerged from a concealed position and identified themselves as law enforcement, according to body camera footage.

The appeals court decision, and the fate of the trial, hinges on Alabama’s “ stand your ground ” law, which grants immunity from prosecution to anyone who uses deadly force as long as they reasonably believe they’re in danger and are somewhere they’re rightfully allowed to be. Alabama allows judges to determine if someone acted in self-defense before a case goes to trial.

After a Morgan County judge denied Marquette immunity in April, the ex-officer’s lawyers asked the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the decision. The appeals court said the circuit judge’s decision was a “gross abuse of discretion” because the judge didn’t give enough weight to Marquette’s assertion that he feared for his life after Perkins pointed his gun at the officer before he was shot.

If the appeals court rules against Marquette, he will go to trial in September.

The shooting drew regular protests in the north Alabama city, and the three officers were fired after personnel hearings. Marquette is white.

While the attorney general’s brief didn’t contest that Marquette feared for his life, he argued that witnesses in a pre-trial hearing failed to establish that Marquette was at Perkins’ house on legitimate police duty, and therefore “there remain open questions regarding whether he had a legal right” to be there.

The brief, written by the Assistant Attorney General Kristi Wilkerson, pointed to conflicting testimony from the two officers who were with Marquette when he shot Perkins.

One officer testified that the three officers were at Perkins’ house to investigate a misdemeanor menacing charge since Perkins had previously pulled a gun on the tow truck driver in an attempt to repossess Perkins’ truck earlier that night. The other officer testified that he was unaware of a menacing investigation, saying that he believed they were there to assist in “keeping the peace.”

Alabama law requires a court order for law enforcement to be involved in a vehicle repossession — which the officers didn’t have.

Testimony from a state agent who investigated the shooting, Jamie King, also conflicted with both officers’ accounts of the moments leading up to the shooting. King said that while Marquette may have feared for his life, the three officers were not positioned in an effective way to keep the peace or to investigate menacing since they were intentionally out of Perkins’ view until seconds before the shooting.

Marquette’s attorneys have argued that there is more than one way to conduct police operations.

In light of the ambiguity, Marshall’s office said deference should be given to the trial court’s position, and that a jury “alone is in the best position to determine the trustworthiness of testimony presented to it.”

All parties in the case are prohibited from speaking to the media.

Alabama’s utility regulators can continue to hold closed-door meetings to determine price hikes, in an apparent departure from common practices in neighboring states, a circuit court judge ruled.

The decision on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy sources.

The watchdog group was denied access to two meetings in 2024 where the public service commission decided how Alabama Power — the state’s largest electricity provider — should adjust prices based on volatility in global fuel costs.

The lawsuit argued the denial flouts both local regulations and regional norms.

Montgomery circuit Judge Brooke Reid ruled against the environmental advocates in a one-page order after a hearing in June. She said the group’s rights had not been substantially violated. At the June hearing, Reid said the commission’s “interpretation of its own rules should be given deference.”

Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, blasted Reid’s decision in a statement on Monday.

“While other Southern states have meaningful public engagement in fuel cost proceedings, Alabama Power customers will continue to be shut out of the process,” Tidwell wrote.

The Alabama Public Service Commission has rules that govern how Alabama Power can change electricity prices to offset increases in fuel costs, which tend to be volatile.

Those rules say that the public is entitled to hear evidence and participate in proceedings that adjust fuel costs to ensure these changes are “just and reasonable.”

The lawsuit said there have been only two public fuel cost hearings since the commission’s current rules were adopted in 1981.

By contrast, the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates a sister company of Alabama Power, has held at least 26 public formal fuel cost proceedings, according to the complaint.

The last public meeting in Alabama was called because the 2008 financial crisis caused fuel prices to skyrocket rapidly, according to attorneys for the state commission.

They argued that the commission hasn’t technically initiated a new proceeding since that change 16 years ago, even though rates have been adjusted over 15 times since then, so they are not compelled to invite public input.

Attorneys for the state also argued that the public has “plenty of opportunities for input” even without public meetings, because the commission publishes monthly reports on fuel prices online, and rate changes are subject to public appeal.

Alabama Power is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, which reported $4.4 billion in profit in 2024, according to annual shareholder reports. Alabama Power serves about 1.5 million of the state’s roughly 5 million residents.

Most Alabama residents get electricity through municipal or cooperatively owned utilities.

In 2023, the average Alabama Power consumer was paying about $159 per month, compared to the statewide average of approximately $132 per month, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Alabama Power did not respond to an emailed request for comment on Wednesday afternoon inquiring about recent rates.

After the ruling, Energy Alabama’s executive director Daniel Tait said in a statement that the decision was “disappointing” for “Alabamians who have no choice but to pay the high cost of fossil fuels on their Alabama Power bill.”

A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 7:43 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 8 p.m. for Choctaw and Clarke counties.

Brace for pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 7:42 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Coffeeville, or 21 miles south of Butler, moving east at 20 mph,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.”

The alert is for Coffeeville.

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

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations

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, keep these recommendations in mind:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, 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.
• 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, as they 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 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, 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.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of swollen waterways:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Slow down and drive with care:

If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Visibility matters:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant 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:

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.

A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 7:32 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 8 p.m. for Talladega County.

Prepare for pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 7:32 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over Bon Air, or near Childersburg, moving southeast at 15 mph,” says the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Sylacauga, Childersburg, Oak Grove, Bon Air, Sycamore, Sylacauga Municipal Airport, Varnons, Overbrook, Gantts Quarry and Mignon.

According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

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 ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• 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 with no 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 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.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures 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:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

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, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer 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:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly 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.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

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 Philadelphia 76ers waived former Alabama forward Alex Reese on Wednesday, the NBA team announced.

The Sixers parted ways with Reese to sign forward Dominick Barlow to a two-way contract.

Reese played in 14 games for Philadelphia in the 2024-25 season and was on the 76ers’ summer-league team. The 6-foot-9 forward had two points and three rebounds in 12:18 of court time in Philadelphia’s 93-89 loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday on the opening day of the Salt Lake City Summer League. But he did not play in the Monday and Tuesday games because of Achilles soreness.

At Pelham High School, Reese was a three-time All-State selection and the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 6A boys’ Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season.

In 124 games in four seasons at Alabama, Reese averaged 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds.

After working as a bartender and a furniture mover in a year away from basketball, Reese returned to the court in the 2022-23 season, when he averaged 23.7 points per game in the Luxembourg Basketball League. Reese averaged 11.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots in 43 games with the Rip City Remix of the NBA Gatorade League in the 2023-24 season.

Reese made his NBA debut with a basket and a rebound in 1:53 on the floor in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 128-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 27. But he did not play again for Oklahoma City.

Philadelphia signed Reese from Rip City on Feb. 20. In 14 games with the Sixers, Reese averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.3 minutes.

In 26 games for the Remix and five games for the Delaware Blue Coats in the NBA G League, Reese averaged 16.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocked shots in the 2024-25 season.

A 6-foot-9 forward, Barlow has averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 96 NBA regular-season games over the past three seasons.

The 76ers open play in the NBA 2K26 Summer League against the San Antonio Spurs at 9 p.m. CDT Thursday in Las Vegas. ESPN will televise the game.

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