Alabama News

Dear Eric: My daughter has a “live-in boyfriend” who, since he moved in, thinks he is the king of the household. He is very disrespectful to me, her dad and her stepmom.

I tolerated the stuff he said about her dad, and I tolerated him skipping paying my daughter his share of the mortgage for a few months. But when it got so she almost lost her house, I was very upset to say the least.

I said he was like a tenant and needed to help her out, which was the deal when he moved in. He read my text to her and he became enraged. He called me delusional, argumentative, a dictator and dramatic.

He also said my grandkids didn’t want to be around me. I sent his texts to my daughter and I said I need an apology from him. I never got it, and I said I never want to be around him. She told me I should talk to him first. I said he claims that he loves you and he should apologize to me and should respect me. Am I wrong?

– Disrespected Mom

Dear Mom: You’re not wrong at all. This man seems like a nightmare. It’s also possible that he is emotionally abusing your daughter, in addition to shirking his financial responsibilities. By trying to drive a wedge between you and your daughter, and you and your grandkids, he’s doing something called isolation, which is one of the hallmarks of emotional abuse.

Talk seriously, in person and privately, with your daughter about the concerns you have. Try to shift the focus from the apology you’re owed. Instead, point out the unhealthy ways that her boyfriend is behaving – controlling behavior, anger and lashing out, isolating her and her kids, and monitoring her communication. These are all dangerous. But there are resources available to your daughter. A strong family and friend support system is key, so keep in contact. You can also refer her to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE or TheHotline.org). Offer to let her use your phone, if she’s wary of him seeing who she’s calling.

Even if she doesn’t share your concerns, encourage her to just have a conversation with someone else about it. These behaviors may seem like personality quirks to her, but they’re not and they need to be addressed – potentially by removing him from the home – before they escalate.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

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.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every day until Aug. 29, Creg Stephenson is counting down significant numbers in Alabama football history, both in the lead-up to the 2025 football season and in commemoration of the Crimson Tide’s first national championship 100 years ago. The number could be attached to a year, a uniform number or even a football-specific statistic. We hope you enjoy.

Jalen Hurts made a career of overcoming adversity, beginning with his first game at Alabama.

Hurts impressed during the spring and fall of his true freshman year, but redshirt freshman Blake Barnett — a former five-star recruit from California — earned the start for the 2016 season-opener vs. USC in Arlington, Texas. Alabama’s first two possessions ended in punts and without a first down, and Hurts got into the game the third time the Crimson Tide had the ball.

He promptly fumbled the ball away on first down.

Alabama’s next two series resulted in punts, but USC had managed just three points. Coach Nick Saban stuck with Hurts, and boy did it pay off.

Hurts threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to ArDarius Stewart on third-and-13, sparking a 52-6 rout of the Trojans. What looked to be a marquee matchup between two Top 20 teams turned into a laugher.

Alabama had found a star in Hurts, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more. It was a phenomenal debut for a true freshman, and a sign of things to come.

“I think Jalen, each series that he played, got more and more comfortable,” Saban said afterward. “He adds a dimension with his athleticism and his ability to run that I think is very effective, and I think that that actually opened up the running game.”

Hurts had a fantastic all-around season as a freshman, passing for 2,837 yards and 23 touchdowns with nine interceptions and rushing for 954 yards and 13 scores. He threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in a 51-3 rout of Mississippi State in mid-November, a week after he’d run 21 yards in the fourth quarter for the game’s only touchdown in a 10-0 victory over LSU.

Alabama made it through the season undefeated, and beat Florida 54-16 in the SEC championship game. Hurts was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, the first true freshman to win the award since Georgia’s Herschel Walker in 1980.

Barnett was long gone by then. He left the team in late September, and by early December had landed at Arizona State (he ultimately played one season with the Sun Devils before transferring again, ending his career at South Florida).

The Crimson Tide beat Washington 24-7 in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal before losing to Clemson 35-31 in a classic national championship game. Hurts accounted for a pair of touchdowns in that game, but began to show the passing inconsistency that would plague him for the remainder of his Alabama career.

Hurts passed for 2,081 yards and 17 touchdowns with just one interception in 2017, adding 855 yards and eight scores rushing for an Alabama team that lost just once in the regular season (at Auburn) and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff for the fourth straight year. It was at halftime of the national championship game in Atlanta that Saban famously benched Hurts for Tua Tagovailoa, who led the Crimson Tide to a comeback win over Georgia and threw the game- and title-winning touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith in overtime.

Hurts said all the right things despite his disappointment and ultimately elected to stay at Alabama rather than transfer away during the offseason. As Tagovailoa put up otherworldy passing numbers for another dominant Crimson Tide team in 2018, Hurts patiently waited on his turn.

It came in the SEC championship game (ironically vs. Georgia and again in Atlanta), when Tagovailoa injured his ankle in the fourth quarter. Hurts entered the game with Alabama down 28-21, and it was like he’d never left.

Hurts led the Crimson Tide to two touchdowns in the final 5:19, the first a 10-yard bullet of a pass to Jerry Jeudy in the end zone and the second his own 15-yard run. It was a Hollywood-style redemption story for Hurts, whose performance had Saban nearly in tears in the post-game.

“I’ve probably never been more proud of a player than Jalen,” Saban said, barely able to keep his composure.

“It’s unprecedented to have a guy that won as many games as he won … start as a freshman, only lose a couple of games the whole time that he was the starter, and then all of a sudden he’s not the quarterback. How do you manage that? How do you handle that? You’ve got to have a tremendous amount of class and character to put team first, knowing your situation is not what it used to be.”

Tagovailoa returned for the playoff, throwing four touchdown passes in a 45-34 victory over Oklahoma — and Kyler Murray, the man who had beaten him out for the Heisman Trophy — in the Orange Bowl. Alabama lost 44-16 to Clemson in the national championship game, with Hurts playing a handful of snaps late.

That would be Hurts’ last game at Alabama, as he transferred to Oklahoma prior to the next season. He had a spectacular year for the Sooners in 2019, throwing for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushing for 1,298 yards and 20 TDs — finishing second in the Heisman voting behind LSU’s Joe Burrow.

Hurts was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, and became the team’s starter late in his rookie season. In 2024, he not only led the Eagles to the Super Bowl, but was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Hurts remains beloved in Tuscaloosa, as renowned as much for the humility, unselfishness and character he showed after being benched in 2017 as for his production when he was on the field. And it all started with a 39-yard throw to ArDarius Stewart against USC.

Coming Wednesday: Our countdown to kickoff continues with No. 38, the last time Alabama played one of its SEC rivals on the road.

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my husband for 22 years and married for 18. I’ve had multiple illnesses and continue dealing with them. We haven’t been intimate in four years.

We live together but no longer sleep together. My husband doesn’t like to have fun or travel with me. He’s boring and likes to argue, which makes me angry. I want to get away from him and find someone who can make me happy. I came out of abusive relationships before I met him. What should I do? — DISILLUSIONED IN CONNECTICUT

DEAR DISILLUSIONED: It might benefit you to talk with a licensed mental health professional. Try to find out why you tolerated abusive relationships before you met your husband and how the one you have with him has gone sour. Has your husband always been boring and argumentative, or did it begin when you stopped sleeping together?

Before embarking on a new relationship expecting that you will find someone who magically makes you happy, spend some time ON YOUR OWN. It’s important that you understand what has gone wrong in your previous relationships with men so that you don’t repeat mistakes you may have made in the past.

Read more Dear Abby and other advice columns.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Darius Rucker went viral for slamming online scammers in an explosive social media rant after his name was being used to steal money from fans.

The country music star called those involved “losers” and warning his followers not to fall for fake accounts.

Rucker took aim at recent fraudulent activity attached to his likeness.

“Yo don’t you have anything better to do than try to scam people,” he posted on social media. U guys are the friggin worse. U are not me and have nothing to do with me. Losers man!!”

In a separate post, Rucker made it clear he only has a single social media account.

“Everyone, this is my only account,” he posted. “Don’t have a personal account or anybody who works for me, including my kids, will not have an account that will ask u for money. They are scammers.”

Earlier this month, the former “Hootie and the Blowfish” lead singer was giving fans a refund.

The country music star took to social media to apologize for his voice giving out just a couple of songs in to his Atlantic City show.

“I feel awful and I’m so sorry — I have never lost my voice in all my years of performing,” Rucker posted on his Instagram story Sunday.

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.

Forgotten town?

Many residents in the town of Camp Hill are still trying to pick up pieces more than two years after a hailstorm bore down on the small Tallapoosa County community and its roofs, windows and cars, reports AL.com’s Alaina Bookman.

After the storm, in March of ’23, there was no FEMA assistance. A nonprofit called ACROSS brought in more than a million dollars of donations, much of it in the form of meals and tarps.

That group partnered with another one called Groundswell to land a big EPA grant, but ACROSS founder Warren Tidwell said that went away with this year’s federal cuts.

The area has around 1,000 residents. More than a third live below the poverty line, and many are seniors.

That all adds up to a lot of remaining tarped roofs and covered windows. Longtime local official Juanita Woody estimates that about 50 homes still have damage.

ACROSS — that’s an acronym for Alabama Center for Rural Organizing and Systemic Solutions — is still working to raise money for the work.

Golden Dome czar

North Alabama Congressman Dale Strong has voiced his support for the newly confirmed Golden Dome program manager, reports AL.com’s John R. Roby.

On Friday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Gen. Michael A. Guetlein to the position overseeing Golden Dome, which is the future missile-defense system expected to incorporate technology in space to defend the U.S. against modern threats.

Said Strong: “President Trump’s decision to have Gen. Guetlein serve as the Golden Dome Czar is a strategic move to strengthen our national defense at a critical time.”

Guetlein has been vice chief of space operations for Space Force and was the program executive for programs and integration within the Missile Defense Agency at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville from April 2017 to June 2019.

There still isn’t much information out there on Golden Dome, but it would undoubtedly have impact on North Alabama’s military, space and defense-industry scene. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” put $25 billion toward the project, and President Trump has said it would eventually reach a total cost of $175 billion to implement by the time he leaves office.

And you know the rule: The price tag on a government proposal often turns into a starting point.

Rock on

A Hard Rock hotel is coming to Alabama, reports AL.com’s Megan Plotka.

And in a world where tourism-related establishments aren’t always spot-on artistically appropriate, Hard Rock is headed to the Alabama region most associated with rock and roll music: the Shoals area. Specifically, in the heart of Florence where an empty Days Inn has been sitting.

Neighboring Muscle Shoals is world-famous for the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and FAME Studios, where rock and R&B history has been made so many times over. Florence was also the birthplace of W.C. Handy, the Father of the Blues, and Sam Phillips, who founded Sun Records and launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

The hotel will be a REVERB, which is like other upscale Hard Rock hotels with a recording studio, live music venues and restaurants but without that gambling that’s popular at other locations.

Hard Rock says the hotel will bring more than 200 jobs when it opens in 2028.

Wanted: Your take

Have a thought, comment or bone to pick?

Sound off on the “Down in Alabama” podcast with a comment up to 15 seconds long, and we’ll try to include it on a future DIA podcast episode.

The number is 205-304-1814.

Let us know what you’re thinking about the news, local or state or beyond. Sports is always good. What you love or hate about back to school would be a great topic to address.

Or, if we end up playing them regularly, what should we call such a segment?

The number, again, is 205-304-1814.

Closed

The Crescent Theater in Mobile, which originally opened in 1885 and has had multiple reopenings after previous closings.

Quoting

“I’ll allow the contents of the conversation … to stay between the two of us.”

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, on video of her appearing to give Sen. Chris Murphy what-for on the Senate floor.

By the Numbers

287

That’s how many current and former NASA employees signed a letter calling on interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy to oppose the deep cuts proposed by the Trump administration.

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1934, actress Louise Fletcher of Birmingham. She won the Oscar for Best Actress in 1976 for playing the infamous Nurse Ratched on “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

In 1965, current Congressman from Alabama 4 Robert Aderholt of Haleyville.

The podcast

As the first of his Twelve Labors, Hercules strangled the Nemean lion, a beast with skin so impenetrable he could only skin it using its own claw. Hercules then wore the hide as armor — that classic lion-hooded look. So we enter the season of pride, when our confidence cannot be cut down except by the claw of self-criticism. Step into your own legend. Wear what you’ve survived.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You already know what lights you up. That’s huge. That’s more than most. But right now, you’re carrying so many people and pieces that there’s barely enough oxygen for a spark, let alone a fire.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Just because something isn’t part of daily life doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant. A passport, a deed, a birth certificate — they sit in drawers until the moment they’re everything. So does a certain memory. It proves something real when you most need to remember.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If the door won’t open, it may not be locked — it may be you, holding it closed. Either you walk out or you realize you’re choosing to stay. Either way, you’re no longer guessing. If you can leave, you weren’t stuck, just scared. And if you can’t, now you know where to work.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll make someone laugh without even trying — a cashier, a neighbor, a friend. Their smile lingers, and the good energy bounces back to you all day. These loops of joy you create are not a fluke. They’re becoming your signature style.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re ready to break a pattern that stopped serving you. It begins with one altered response — a sentence you don’t send, a question you ask instead of assuming. The change may be subtle, but it’s major.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Someone shows you what they want by what they pay attention to. Take notes. Stay real, present and open to all kinds of information, good, bad or other. You’re always better off responding to reality than selling yourself on a dream.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It feels like you’re not in a season of wide-open choices. You’re in a season of survival with a light that needs to be kept, like a secret flame — hidden in a locket, glimpsed when you can, fed with what you find. That’s still holy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Do you want too much, consume too much or just have too much? It helps to ask the question even though you already know the answer. You’re in just the right mood to remedy the situation to some degree today and start the trend toward less.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re listening more closely, not just to words but to rhythm, silence and timing. Something unsaid becomes clear. Someone shows you who they are, and because you’re paying attention, you’ll have new options going forward.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s elegance in how you prepare, how you handle the small things before they grow teeth. Today, your foresight is the magic. You’ll prevent a problem or smooth an edge long before anyone else notices the potential problem.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It can be just as scary to walk up to a closed door as it is to walk up to one that will open to welcome you. Every journey is uncertain, so why not go forward in the spirit of adventure and fun? The right doors want you to open them.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As the ethereal sign of the zodiac, sometimes it’s good to remember what ghosts teach us: when we feel confused, powerless and stuck, it helps to be seen by other people. Make some noise, rattle some chains, and ask for help.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 22). A year when you keep following your instincts and making the world move. Though you care for, give to and lift an entire group of people, you remain the star of your story, and will be celebrated in proof that what you build matters to people and even changes lives. More highlights: Family bonds will be braided beautifully. You’ll travel for love. You’ll make a sale that helps you move to a new stage in your career. Taurus and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 30, 7, 18 and 27.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Selena Gomez first captured the public’s heart as a relatable Disney star, then evolved into a chart-topping musician, award-winning actress and beauty mogul. Cancers treasure home and connections, and Selena openly prioritizes mental health, taking social media pauses and founding a mental health fund through her inclusive Rare Beauty brand. The show business lifer was born when the sun, Mercury and Venus were all in the charismatic station of Leo, so the desire to entertain is written in her stars.

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 South All-Stars rallied to tie the nightcap of the North-South All-Star baseball doubleheader series 7-7 on Monday to wrap up Day 1 of All-Star Week in Montgomery after whipping the North 16-6 in the opener.

UMS-Wright’s Ty Waters was named the South MVP while Vestavia Hills’ Gavin Smith was the MVP for the North for the games played at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium.

All-Star rules allow the final game to end in a tie after 7 innings.

The North All-Stars jumped to a 5-1 lead after the first inning of Game 2, but the South clawed back with 3 runs in the top of the third and added another run in the fourth to knot the score. The North pulled ahead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the Southern stars ended the game with 2 runs in the top of the seventh.

The North had a final shot at a win in the bottom of the seventh when Homewood’s Levi Nickoli walked and took second on a deep fly out to right by Smith. With 2 outs, Muscle Shoals Dylan Olive walked and Westbrook Christian’s Brodie Johnson reached on an error to load the bases.

Briarwood Christian’s Parker Daniels battled Waters, who pitched the final inning, with the bases loaded. One inside pitch almost hit Daniels and another hit his bat before striking his arm. With a full count, Waters fanned a hard-swinging Daniels for the out. He struck out 2 in the inning.

The South out-hit the North 10-7 in Game 2 with Waters collecting a single and double. He had a triple in the first game and came up a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. John Michael Mordecai of Wicksburg also had a double and single in Game 2. Gage Davis of Elmore County threw 3 shutout innings to highlight the South’s six pitchers in the second game. He struck out 4.

The North was led by Daniels, who had a hit and drove in 2 runs. Spain Park’s Rhys Jones pounded a triple to drive in a run, Nickoli had a single and an RBI and Winfield’s Kyson Key had a hit and an RBI.

The North All-Stars hold a 24-18-5 edge in the series that began in 1997.

In Game 1, the North took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on Vestavia’s Smith. The North added three more runs to take 4-0 lead, but the South struck quickly to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the inning.

The South, coached by Rehobeth’s Adam Foster and Trinity Presbyterian’s Chad Mansmann, dominated play the rest of the game with Glenwood’s Hudson Campbell and Reeltown’s Hutson Lewis driving in a run each with singles. Prattville Christian’s Jack Diefenderfer had 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. Waters also slammed a triple and a single drive in 3. Florala’s Easton Walsh had 2 hits.

Campbell was also the winning pitcher for the South, striking out 5 and allowing a hit over 2 innings. G.W. Long’s Blayne Wood also struck out 3, allowed 2 unearned runs on 4 hits over 2 innings.

Brodie Johnson of Westbrook Christian and Abe Martin of Southside had 2 hits each for the North, coached by Ryan Keedy of Gardendale and Justin Cantrell of Deshler. Fayetteville’s Benton Cantrell also smacked a double.

GOLF

The South All-Star teams swept the golf competition at Montgomery’s Arrowhead Golf Club on Monday.

The South girls, coached by Adam Byrd of Auburn and Krystle Avery of St. Paul’s, topped the North 43.5-28.5 in the match play competition. The South boys, coached by Alex Davis of Smiths Station and Mark Wicker of Elba, beat the North All-Stars for the first time in the six-year series with a 3-1-1 match-play edge to win 56.5-33.5.

Defending Class 1A/3A girls golf state champion Julie Waldo of Alabama Christian teamed with Bailee Reaper of Spanish Fort to beat Hana Crockatt of Bob Jones and Katherine Taylor of Tuscaloosa Academy 15-3 to set the pace for the South girls.

The South won 3 of 4 matches over the North, which still holds a 4-2 edge in the series after Monday’s loss. North coaches were Courtney Coots of West Point and Scott Taylor of Tuscaloosa Academy.

South golfer Jackson Doggett of Jackson High School, playing by himself, tied Will Abernathy of Athens and Nic Ibarra of Fayetteville 9-9. Elba’s Jay Wilson and Bayshore Christian’s Michael Heaton beat the North’s Jay Whaley of Oxford and Drew Clark of Southside 15-3 for the biggest margin of victory in the South win.

The South girls MVPs were Waldo and Reaper and the North MVPs were Emma Jones of Boaz and Carli Aris of West Point. The South boys MVPs were Wilson and Heaton. The North boys MVPs were Brodie Abernathy of Westbrook Christian and Caden Wood of Piedmont.

Competition continues on Tuesday at Gateway Park with boys and girls cross country races at 8 a.m. The boys and girls tennis will begin at 4 p.m. at Lagoon Park. The boys and girls basketball games will be at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively.

The basketball games will be live steamed over the NFHS Network and AHSAA TV Network via WOTM TV.

The AHSAA 2025 Summer Conference also gets underway at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center at 8 a.m. Tuesday with more than 4,000 coaches and administrators attending this week.

AHSAA NORTH-SOUTH

ALL-STAR RESULTS/SCHEDULE

Girls golf: South 43.5, North 28.5 (North girls lead series 4-2)

Boys golf: South 56.5, North 33.5 (North boys lead series 5-1)

Baseball: South 16-7, North 6-7 (North boys lead series 24-19-5)

Girls cross country: Gateway Park, Tuesday, 8 a.m. (North leads series 5-2)

Boys cross country: Gateway Park, Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. (North leads series 5-2)

Girls basketball: Cramton Bowl Multiplex, Tuesday, 5 p.m. (North leads series 24-3)

Boys basketball: Cramton Bowl Multiplex, Tuesday, 5 p.m. (North leads series 51-30)

Girls tennis: Lagoon Park, 5 p.m., Tuesday (North leads series 4-0)

Boys tennis: Lagoon Park, 5 p.m., Tuesday (North leads series 3-1)

Softball: Lagoon Park, 4 p.m., Wednesday (North leads series 29-25-2)

Girls soccer: Emory Folmar Soccer Complex, 5 p.m. Wednesday (North leads 19-3-1)

Boys soccer: Emory Folmar Soccer Complex, 7 p.m. Wednesday (North leads 16-4-1)

Volleyball: Cramton Bowl Multiplex, Thursday, 2 p.m. (North leads series 16-10)

On Monday at 11:03 p.m. a heat advisory was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for Coffee, Dale, Henry, Geneva and Houston counties.

The weather service states, “Heat index values up to 111 degrees expected.”

“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” says the weather service.

Mastering the heat: Guidelines for staying safe in high temperatures

• Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids.
• Seek shelter: Opt for an air-conditioned room to stay comfortable.
• Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of the sun, and make sure to check up on relatives and neighbors.
• Child and pet safety: Never leave young children and pets unattended in vehicles, especially when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures within minutes.
• Caution outdoors: If you must work or spend time outdoors, take extra precautions.
• Optimal timing: Consider rescheduling strenuous activities to early morning or evening if possible.
• Recognize heat-related issues: Recognize the warning signs and familiarize yourself with symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Dress for comfort: Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing to stay cool.

Additional recommendations for outdoor workers:

• For outdoor workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
• If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
• In emergencies, call 911 for immediate assistance.

These NWS heat safety directives are essential for safeguarding your well-being when facing high temperatures. Stay well-informed and take the necessary precautions to shield yourself and others from the potential hazards of extreme heat.

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 National Weather Service released a heat advisory at 10:42 p.m. on Monday in effect until Tuesday at 9 p.m. for Blount, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Elmore, Macon, Bullock, Lee, Russell, Pike and Barbour counties.

The weather service adds to prepare for, “Heat index values up to 107 degrees.”

“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” explains the weather service.

Mastering the heat: Guidelines for staying safe in high temperatures

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids.
• Seek shelter: Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room to keep cool.
• Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
• Child and pet safety: Never leave young children and pets unattended in vehicles, especially when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures within minutes.
• Caution outdoors: If you must work or spend time outdoors, take extra precautions.
• Select the ideal time: If possible, move strenuous activities to early morning or evening for more favorable conditions.
• Recognize heat-related issues: Recognize the warning signs and familiarize yourself with symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Dress comfortably: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to stay comfortable.

Additional recommendations for outdoor workers:

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas for outdoor workers.
• If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
• In emergencies, call 911 for immediate assistance.

These NWS heat safety directives are essential for safeguarding your well-being when facing high temperatures. Stay well-informed and take the necessary precautions to shield yourself and others from the potential hazards of extreme heat.

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 Los Angeles Lakers waived center Trey Jemison on Monday.

The NBA team parted ways with the former UAB standout after he had two points, nine rebounds and three assists in three games with Los Angeles’ team in the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas over the previous 11 days.

Jemison also had three points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots in two games for the Lakers in the California Classic Summer League in the first week of July.

Jemison joined Los Angeles on a two-way contract on Jan. 18. In 22 games with the Lakers in the 2024-25 season, Jemison averaged 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds.

The Lakers picked up Jemison after the New Orleans Pelicans released him on Jan. 9. In 16 games with New Orleans, Jemison averaged 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds.

A prep standout at Homewood and Hoover before averaging 9.1 points and 8.4 rebounds in his final season at UAB, Jemison was playing for the NBA Gatorade League’s Birmingham Squadron during the 2023-24 season when his 11.8-rebounds-per-game average attracted the attention of the NBA’s worst rebounding team.

The Washington Wizards signed the center to a 10-day contract on Jan. 20, 2024. Jemison didn’t get much of a chance with the Wizards, though. During his 10-day stay, he played one minute across two games. But the day that contract ran out, Jemison signed another 10-day deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, who had been hit by an epidemic of injuries.

This time, Jemison got to play, and when his 10-day contract expired, Memphis signed him to a two-way contract.

With the Grizzlies, Jemison played in 23 games, with 14 starts. He made 55.1 percent of his shots as he averaged 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

The Grizzlies waived Jemison on July 24, 2024. The Pelicans claimed his contract off the waiver wire, bringing him back to New Orleans after he’d attended training camp with the team as a rookie.

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