The National Weather Service issued a rip current statement at 3 a.m. on Thursday valid from 6 a.m. until Sunday 6 p.m. for Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The weather service says, “Dangerous rip currents expected.”
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” explains the weather service. “Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”
Navigating rip currents: Your survival manual
Rip currents, those swift-moving channels of water flowing away from the shore at surf beaches, can pose a serious threat to beachgoers. These currents vary in speed and can swiftly become perilous for anyone venturing into the surf. Even strong swimmers can find themselves overpowered by the force of a rip current. It’s essential to know how to respond if you’re caught in one. Here’s what you need to do, based on guidance from the weather service:
Stay calm – they won’t drag you under:
Your first rule of thumb: Keep a clear head. Rip currents won’t pull you beneath the water’s surface. Panic is your enemy; it depletes precious energy needed for your survival.
Go with the flow, but not toward the beach:
Don’t swim towards the beach against the rip current. Instead, swim parallel to the beach and out of the rip current.
Signal for help if necessary:
If you find yourself unable to reach the shore, try to relax. Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms. This increases your visibility to potential rescuers.
Seek lifeguarded beaches:
Whenever possible, opt for beaches with lifeguards. Their watchful eyes and swift response can make all the difference in a water emergency.
Never swim alone on unguarded beaches:
If you choose to swim on beaches without a lifeguard, never swim alone. Take a friend and have that person take a cell phone so that person can call 911 for help.
With these insights into rip currents and how to react, you can enhance your safety when enjoying the beach. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize your well-being while relishing the surf.
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.
Dear Eric: I’ve been friends with “Steven” for 40 years. We’ve dabbled in romance a few times when we were both single, but we always return to the platonic comfort zone. We live in separate states and haven’t seen each other for 15 years. We talk on the phone about once a month, and I’m satisfied with that.
Steven, however, continues to press for getting together. He’s even offered to pick up the whole tab on a mini vacation. Fifteen years is a long time, and I’ve had some injuries and illnesses that have aged me. I take meds that cause weight gain. In fact, I am now 100 pounds more than when Steven saw me 15 years ago and I’m ashamed for him to see me this way.
I’ve mentioned in conversation that I’ve gained a lot of weight and that I walk with a limp, etc. He doesn’t comment on the subject, just keeps trying to get together with me and I keep making excuses. I’m afraid he’s going to just decide to come to visit me so I can’t get out of it. What can I say to make Steven understand I really don’t want him to see me without insulting him or destroying our friendship?
– Hiding the Truth
Dear Truth: Steven may be interpreting your protests as insecurity and, through his insistence, may think that he’s being supportive. A kind sentiment, but not one you have to accept if you truly just don’t want to see him. It’s hard to feel secure in a friendship if you’re always afraid he’s going to show up uninvited. Being clearer, and firm, about your boundary may be helpful here. You don’t have to make excuses or debate with him. Telling him, “I appreciate you and I really look forward to our phone calls, but I don’t want to visit. I know that’s something you want, but as my friend can you respect my wishes?” will be revealing.
If he won’t respect your boundaries, he’s not the good friend he thinks he is. And a friend who can’t or won’t respect a boundary is already working to destroy the friendship.
Regardless of what Steven wants, I want to emphasize how important your comfort and feelings of self-worth are. You may already know this, but it bears repeating that you’re not less valuable as a friend nor as a person because your body looks and functions differently. If you can, please talk to a counselor or support group that focuses on body image and body acceptance. Make sure the values of the group align with yours; some might be more interested in changing you than helping you eliminate shame. Do it for yourself, not for Steven, because you’re worth it.
Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.
Dear Annie: I have three children, a son and two daughters. I am a widow, and my family has always been close and caring. My son lives in the same city as I do. He’s very caring and checks on me every day.
My daughters live out of town, about two hours away. My oldest daughter and her husband come about once a month. They are very attentive. My youngest daughter has always been very close, and she would come often. She is divorced and has four grown children and five grandchildren. Her former husband was having an affair and she divorced him six years ago. I think the affair took her by surprise.
She has since met someone new. He’s a very nice man, and they have an exclusive relationship. In the past, she came about every six weeks, and we talked daily. But now she seldom comes to visit.
I have helped her financially, doing things for my grandchildren and for her, paid for her divorce, bought furniture and other necessities. She says that nothing happened to cause her not to come and visit as before.
I had hip replacement surgery several years ago, and I have to use a walker. I no longer drive. She came in late January and spent a night, and that is the only time I have seen her this year. She does call almost every day.
I don’t understand the change in her behavior. I try not to dwell on it, but during the holiday season, it is on my mind. She says nothing has happened, that she is just busy, that I have not done anything to hurt her feelings in any way.
I miss her and the rest of the family does as well. Do you have any suggestions? — Missing My Daughter
Dear Missing My Daughter: It sounds like you have a wonderful relationship with all three of your children. It’s easy to get lost in the duties of everyday life — especially in a new relationship — so I would give your daughter the benefit of the doubt. It sounds like she really is busy.
If you want to see more of your daughter, consider inviting her and her new boyfriend over more frequently, rather than just counting on her to drop by on her own initiative. No need to go all out on hosting; a simple, “I miss you, come over for pizza on Friday night!” could be all it takes. If she repeatedly rejects your offer, it might benefit you to open up about your feelings and tell her how much her visits mean to you, especially if she is calling you almost daily.
“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].
The cosmic match is between Mercury, the minister of communication, and Jupiter, the big daddy of luck. The contestants face off, Mercury in the Sagittarian part of the ring and Jupiter in social Gemini. The omen distills to this: When people don’t say what they mean, it’s usually not out of malice or ill-intent. White lies buffer feelings and keep skimming along the surface.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Even though it’s fun to be good at something out of the gate — and being the sign of beginner’s luck, this often happens for you — the gentle steady gains of the day will have more to teach you than any easy win could.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When you see people get the things you are also wishing for, it makes you so happy. It gives you the feeling good fortune will soon visit you, too, and you’re right about this. Open your hands and heart; it’s coming.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your group is made up of individuals going at the pace that suits them. Your patience and support will be needed, and in large supply. Follow the “no one left behind” rule and eventually you’ll all get to the same destination.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your eagerness endears you to leaders. Being up for anything, game to make the most of what’s there and happy to hear any nugget that might contribute to your process is the attitude that will lead you to opportunities in a fresh new environment.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The thrill of competition will pale in comparison to the joy of cheering others on. So while winning will be fun, watching someone else win might be even more fun. However this goes, you really can’t lose.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). To truly know someone, see them in a variety of contexts. Each environment reveals a slightly different facet of who they are. The changes may be subtle, but you notice such things, and all will offer insights to deepen your understanding.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Each time you try, it counts for something, it changes your odds, it creates new probabilities. You’ll be inspired to try often today, and those odds keep stacking up in your favor. Your luck will turn, but more importantly, your skills will sharpen.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). “I’ll think about it” is usually what you say as a nicety to buffer the social situation. Deliberation will be unnecessary today. You’ll know immediately what you want, what you’re interested in and what you’ll pass on.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Unlike auto insurance, life doesn’t give you a discount for being a safe driver. In fact, it may penalize you, as fortune quite often favors the bold. To risk with your heart is to risk more than money, but life rewards it.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). A project you’ve put time and thought into is becoming something that only you can finish. Collaboration is ill-advised. Your personal power will surge as you take charge and sprint to the finish.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What you’re giving the world is precious. Consider it a treasure. Treasures are hidden away for safekeeping or publicly shown under protective measures. How can you simultaneously give and preserve the brilliant value you offer the world?
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Any fool can pretend to know the answer when they don’t. It takes a smart fool to pretend not to know the answer when they do. Tricking the mind to perceive beyond preconceptions will open life to a fuller range of options.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 26). A year for doubling down on your talents. Watch them grow exponentially and in fast-motion. What you do to execute your responsibilities with style brings unexpected adventure, opportunity and bounty. More highlights: New modes of transportation, old friends make new relationships, and you’ll discover resources that lift the group to the level of thriving. Virgo and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 14, 17, 21, 34 and 13.
CELEBRITY PROFILES: His penchant for keeping a meticulous diary, a habit he’s maintained since 1977, is the basis for decades of literary work from the beloved humorist David Sedaris. Capricorn is known for ambition, civic responsibility and work ethic, which Sedaris exemplifies, not only through his intensive tour schedule and endurance feats of book signing, but also for his hobby of roaming the English countryside picking up garbage.
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.
An investigation is underway after a deadly Christmas night shooting in the Center Point area.
Birmingham police and Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. The location is a neighborhood in the 500 block of 26th Avenue N.W.
According to police radio traffic, the victim was shot in unincorporated Jefferson County and ran a block before collapsing inside the city limits.
The victim was pronounced dead on the scene.
Because the shooting happened in the unincorporated area, the sheriff’s office will handle the investigation.
When the NFL kicked off its 15th Sunday of the 2024 season on Dec. 15, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a two-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens at the top of the AFC North standings. Ten days later, the Ravens have a one-game lead on the Steelers after the NFL’s Christmas doubleheader.
Baltimore beat the Houston Texans 31-2 and Pittsburgh lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 29-10 on Wednesday. All four teams already had secured spots in the AFC playoffs.
By completing their three-games-in-11-days schedule, including a 34-17 victory over the Steelers, with three wins, the Ravens improved to 11-5 with one game remaining on their regular-season schedule. The Steelers faced the same scheduling challenge and lost all three of their games to fall to 10-6.
Because Kansas City wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs and the accompanying first-round bye, the difference between winning the AFC North title and finishing second will be a home game for the winner and a road game for the runner-up in the first round.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens catches the football during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Kansas City Chiefs 29, Pittsburgh Steelers 10
Kansas City ran its record to 15-1 with its sixth straight victory as it preps for a postseason run at a third straight Super Bowl victory.
Patrick Mahomes threw two first-quarter touchdown passes and added a third in the fourth quarter, when the Chiefs expanded a six-point lead.
Six players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Kansas City-Pittsburgh game:
Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Auburn) made one tackle.
Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) started at safety for the Steelers. Fitzpatrick tied for the team lead with seven tackles.
Steelers cornerback Zyon Gilbert (Jeff Davis) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Najee Harris (Alabama) started at running back for the Steelers. Harris ran for 74 yards on 13 carries and caught two passes for 7 yards. Harris surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the 2024 season in the game. He became the 14th player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons.
Steelers outside linebacker Eku Leota (Auburn) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Steelers linebacker Jeremiah Moon (Hoover) made one tackle on special teams.
Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun (Samford) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
George Pickens (Hoover) started at wide receiver for the Steelers. Pickens returned from a three-game injury absence with three receptions for 50 yards.
Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (Central-Phenix City) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (South Alabama) averaged 44.5 yards on four punts, with a 36.0-yard net. Waitman had a 40-yard punt that was returned 25 yards to the Pittsburgh 42-yard line, a 58-yarder returned 7 yards to the Kansas City 21, a 31-yarder returned 2 yards to the Kansas City 21 and a 49-yarder for a fair catch at the Kansas City 29
Chiefs wide receiver Montrell Washington (Samford) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Steelers wide receiver Quez Watkins (Athens) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Kansas City completes its regular-season schedule against the Denver Broncos at noon CST Jan. 5 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Pittsburgh plays the Cincinnati Bengals at noon Jan. 5 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III tries to get past Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey after catching a pass during an NFL game on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston.(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Baltimore Ravens 31, Houston Texans 2
After running for 162 yards on 24 carries against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Henry ran for 147 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries for Baltimore on Wednesday.
The former Alabama All-American opened the scoring against the Texans on a 2-yard run with 10:08 left in the first quarter, when Henry totaled 86 rushing yards. The touchdown was Henry’s 16th of the season, the most for a player in one season in Ravens’ history.
Henry also had two receptions for 18 yards.
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 10-of-15 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 87 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown, on four carries. During the game, Jackson surpassed Michael Vick as the NFL’s career leader for rushing yards by a quarterback.
In addition to Henry, 10 other players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Baltimore-Houston game:
Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) started at defensive end for the Texans. Anderson made three tackles, shared one sack, recorded two tackles for loss, registered two quarterback hits and broke up one pass.
Ravens cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (St. Paul’s Episcopal, Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive. A hamstring injury kept Armour-Davis off the field.
Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville) started at wide receiver for the Texans. Collins had three receptions for 59 yards.
Ravens wide receiver Malik Cunningham (Park Crossing) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Ravens guard Darrian Dalcourt (Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (Alabama A&M) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Christian Harris (Alabama) started at linebacker for the Texans. Harris made five tackles.
Tytus Howard (Monroe County, Alabama State) started at left guard for the Texans.
Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Alabama) started at cornerback for the Ravens. Humphrey made seven tackles, recorded one tackle for loss, broke up one pass and forced one fumble (which was recovered by Houston).
Kamari Lassiter (American Christian) started at cornerback for the Texans. Lassiter made six tackles and recorded one tackle for loss. With 10:09 left in the first half, Lassiter tackled Baltimore running back Derrick Henry in the end zone for a safety.
Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (Alabama) had five receptions for 48 yards.
Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce (Daphne, Samford) made two tackles.
Texans tight end Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama) started at linebacker for the Texans. To’oTo’o made five tackles.
Texans safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Texans offensive tackle Kilian Zierer (Auburn) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Baltimore concludes its regular season against the Cleveland Browns at noon Jan. 5 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Houston (9-7) plays the Tennessee Titans at noon Jan. 5 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
A man has died after a head-on collision early Christmas morning in Lawrence County.
Kaelin M. Simpson, 28, of Hillsboro, died after his car collided with a vehicle driven by Ziyad M. Al-Dabashi, 44, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
“Simpson was pronounced deceased at the scene. Al-Dabashi was injured and air lifted to Huntsville Hospital for treatment,” the agency said in a press release Wednesday.
The crash happened at about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, according to the agency. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt when they crashed head-on on Alabama 20 near Lawrence County 434, about a mile north of Hillsboro.
Simpson was driving a 2004 Honda Accord and Al-Dabashi was driving a 2002 Lexus LX470.
KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) — Maui police are investigating the discovery of a body in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane after it landed in Maui, the airline and police department said in statements on Wednesday.
The body was found in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears on flight 202, which arrived at Kahului Airport from Chicago on Tuesday, United said in an emailed statement. The airline said the wheel well of the Boeing 787-10 was accessible only from the outside of the aircraft, and that it was unclear how or when the person accessed it.
In an emailed statement, the Maui Police Department said it was “actively investigating” the discovery of the body.
Neither United nor the Maui Police Department shared further information.
The Associated Press called Kahului Airport on Wednesday and was directed to a public affairs officer for the state department of transportation. A spokesperson for the department said in an email that it had no additional details beyond what United had confirmed.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris became the 14th player in NFL history to record 1,000-yard rushing seasons in each of his first four years in the league.
With 71 yards on 13 rushing attempts in a 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Harris pushed his 2024 totals to 1,007 yards and five touchdowns on 251 carries.
The former Alabama All-American had 1,200 rushing yards as a rookie in 2021, 1,034 yards in 2022 and 1,035 yards in 2023.
The first NFL ball-carrier to record four 1,000-yard performances in his first four seasons was Tony Dorsett for the Dallas Cowboys from 1977 through 1980. Before Harris, the most recent had been the Tennessee Titans’ Chris Johnson from 2008 through 2011.
In between Dorsett and Johnson, Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin, Terrell Davis, Eddie George, Corey Dillon, Jamal Lewis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Clinton Portis and Adrian Peterson achieved the feat.
Harris became the 12th player with 1,000 rushing yards this season, and he’s the fourth Alabama alumnus to do so in 2024, following the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry, Green Bay Packers’ Josh Jacobs and Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs.
Harris is among the 18 players from Alabama high schools and colleges who have rushed for 1,000 or more yards in an NFL season. Those players have combined for 52 1,000-yard seasons.
The NFL 1,000-yard rushers with Alabama football roots include (with yearly totals presented as rushing attempts-rushing yards-rushing touchdowns):
