Alabama News

We all carry an invisible burden of “to-do’s” — “I should clean out the garage,” or, “I need to read that book everyone’s talking about” — that clutter our internal worlds. The weight isn’t just from the task itself; it’s from the self-judgment and energy leakage tied to not doing it. Use this, the weekend of this solar season, as a permission slip to simply let it go.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You were once someone people could rely on to behave, but now you might be someone they have to relearn. The next chapter holds more risk, more authenticity, more artistry, more you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Projection is part of bonding. Someone is drawn to you. They see what they want to see and unconsciously fill in the blanks with their own hopes and needs. Stay grounded in your actual self.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re not obligated to live up to someone’s fantasy. You’re allowed to evolve, contradict their assumptions or simply not fit. Don’t over-explain your existence. If someone feels let down by your authenticity, that’s their disappointment to process — not your job to fix.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You recognize what matters to you. Sure, it feels good to be praised and rewarded, but that’s about what matters to them, not necessarily what matters to you. You’re after fulfillment. You’re developing taste, depth and originality — by asking: Is this true for me?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re cultivating a social atmosphere where kindness isn’t just offered; it multiplies. People feel better in your company — warmer, safer, freer to be real. That’s the structure you’re building: an invisible architecture of ease.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You don’t owe anyone their illusion of you. Relationships will be clarified in a moment when someone stops seeing you in a role and starts to understand you — the “actor” playing the role. Real closeness begins when the projection drops — and someone chooses to keep knowing you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). “Autopilot” mode isn’t the most exciting or involved way to do a job, but it definitely conserves energy. You’re in it for the long haul, so you need to pace yourself. Sometimes it’s just about showing up.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The aesthetics of an experience will matter to you more than they seem to matter to others. Because of this, there is beauty around you. You’ll be strategic in your placement of things and in your embodiment of beauty and order. Surprise is an essential element in your choices.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Don’t wait for a title to confirm your worth; build a life that reflects your values, and let the titles follow (or not). Purpose, joy and freedom are states, not positions. They’re flexible. They can live in many containers.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Why do ghosts haunt? Unfinished business. You’ll return to the places and people in your mind and in any way you can because you want to understand what happened back there. You’re hoping to learn something new to shed light on the history.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll crave knowledge, especially the kind that few would care to wonder about. You’ll prize understanding the internal logic of things. You’ll notice where the atmosphere doesn’t match the architecture — when the structure of a thing fails to reflect its soul.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The conventional thought: Healing must include forgiveness. In reality, forgiveness is a personal and complex process — sometimes essential, sometimes irrelevant, sometimes premature. Consider it optional. There are many ways to move on.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 19). You use your talent, take your prize, and when pressure is on, you level up. Then life rewards you with tickets to Levity Town; fabulous luck and stellar attitudes abound. Abundant opportunities are just one of the many perks to being you this year. You’ll laugh more than you thought possible. More highlights: upgrades at home, you’ll charm someone who intimidates everyone else and be given the keys to a kingdom. Gemini and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 8, 18, 40 and 16.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Sir Brian May made a triumphant return at Coachella 2025 alongside Benson Boone, showcasing resilience and loyalty to his craft. He continues crafting new Queen music, promoting astrophysics and leading with the heartful, visionary spirit classic to his Cancer sun sign. As Queen’s iconic guitarist — creator of the legendary “Red Special” — he channels emotional depth into soaring riffs and heartfelt ballads, passionate advocacy for animal welfare, conservation and scientific outreach.

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.

On Friday evening, Xavier Edwards stood in Academy Sports + Outdoors on Airport Boulevard in Mobile trying to make up his mind. The two footballs were staying in the shopping cart, but he had some other decisions that were “really hard.”

A 9-year-old who’ll be in the fourth grade at Dixon Elementary School in Irvington this year, Edwards had to figure out how to spend $250 before he left Academy.

On Friday, Edwards had been looking forward to attending AJ McCarron’s free football camp on Saturday at Mobile Christian School. Although the camp will be McCarron’s 10th annual event, Edwards would be attending for the first time.

The trip to Academy on Friday? “I didn’t even know why I was coming here,” Edwards said.

The youngster found out he was there with 19 others registered for Saturday’s camp who had been chosen to receive a $250 gift card to spend in the fifth year that Academy and McCarron have partnered for the giveaway.

“I’m like, ‘Free stuff?’” Edwards said of his reaction.

The gift card gave the young lineman a jump on his preparations for his season with the Bayou La Batre-based Bayou Seahawks.

“It truly is a blessing to be able to give back to the city of Mobile and the kids here in our community,” McCarron said. “It’s our youth. Some of these kids might not have any hope, and it gives them real hope. Being able to be picked and randomly selected and have the opportunity to do something that might not be an everyday thing for them, that’s the blessing behind it all, and I’m just super thankful for Academy to be sponsored by them for a fifth year and for them to be a part of this. The kids having $250 to get whatever they want for that, it’s just awesome to be a part of.”

McCarron was an All-State football and baseball player at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile. He went on to help Alabama win the BCS national championships for the 2011 and 2012 seasons as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback. McCarron won the Maxwell Award as the outstanding college player of the 2013 season, when he also was the runner-up in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy.

McCarron has had a nine-season NFL career and played two seasons with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL and the UFL. But his most recent game came on June 9, 2024, and a hallmark of McCarron’s camp has been his determination to complete a pass to every camper. With more than 400 youngsters registered for Saturday’s event, that will be a lot of passes.

“The arm’s great,” McCarron said. “I’ve been throwing a baseball all summer, so I’m oiled up and ready to go. …

“It’s always a blessing to give back to the city that helped raise me and to help the youth find their way along the process, so it’s been a blessing. I’m just excited for this camp. It’s going to be a hot one tomorrow, but it’ll be fun to see the kids out there having fun and learning something about the game of football.”

Assisting the youngsters with their shopping on Friday were members of the Mobile Police Department. Last year at the shopping spree, the officers helped 15 youngsters spend $200 apiece.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S 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.

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9 to win the championship of the NFL’s 2024 season.

The team had planned to present championship rings to its players, coaches and staff on June 6 during the team’s offseason program. But the rings weren’t ready.

The ring ceremony finally took place on Friday night, four days before the Eagles are scheduled to report for training camp to prepare for the 2025 season.

The rings are personalized with each player’s name and number. The ring for quarterback Jalen Hurts also carries the notation “MVP.” The former Alabama standout won the Most Valuable Player award for Super Bowl LIX.

The rings feature a pair of wings that can be extended from the body of the jewelry to reveal a favorite phrase of Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni: “You can’t be great without the greatness of others.”

The scores of each of Philadelphia’s postseason victories are engraved on the inside of the ring, along with another pet saying of Sirianni: “Tough Detailed Together.”

That all appears under a flag of Brazil, because the Eagles started their 2024 season by winning the first NFL game played in that country in Sao Paulo.

Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LIX roster included 13 players from Alabama high schools and colleges. In addition to Hurts, the championship players were:

• Reed Blankenship (West Limestone) started at safety.
• Fullback Khari Blasingame (Buckhorn) played reserve and special-teams roles.
• Defensive back James Bradberry (Pleasant Grove, Samford) was on injured reserve.
• Landon Dickerson (Alabama) started at left guard.
• Offensive lineman Jack Driscoll (Auburn) was on injured reserve.
• Defensive end Bryce Huff (St. Paul’s Episcopal) was designated as a game-day inactive.
• Linebacker Nicholas Morrow (Huntsville) played on special teams.
• Cornerback Eli Ricks (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
• DeVonta Smith (Alabama) started at wide receiver and became the first Crimson Tide alumnus to catch a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.
• Offensive lineman Tyler Steen (Alabama) played reserve and special-teams roles.
• Tight end C.J. Uzomah (Auburn) was on injured reserve.
• Defensive tackle Byron Young (Alabama) was on injured reserve.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S 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 22-year-old is in jail, accused in a Montgomery double homicide.

Dontrez Taylor is charged with capital murder and murder in the July 12 killings of Malik Benson, 27, and Dekeith Whatley,26. The victims were killed in separate, but linked, shootings six days ago.

Taylor was taken into custody Friday, said Montgomery police Sgt. Tina McGriff.

First responders were dispatched at 3:55 p.m. that Saturday to a report of people shot in the 400 block of North California Street and the 2700 block of Upper Wetumpka Road.

Officers were told the shootings were likely related.

Officers found Benson dead on California Street.

The second victim -Whatley – was found wounded on Upper Wetumpka Road. He, too, was pronounced dead.

Circumstances surrounding the deadly shooting have not been released.

Taylor is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Detention Facility.

Former Hewitt-Trussville star Steele Hall is officially a major league baseball player.

The Cincinnati Reds announced Friday they had signed the No. 9 overall pick. He signed for $5.75 million, according to MLB.com.

Hall, who started his high school career at Daphne before transferring to Hewitt-Trussville prior to his sophomore season, was named Alabama’s Mr. Baseball in June by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

The Class 7A Player of the Year hit .484 for the Huskies this spring with eight home runs, 14 doubles, 35 RBIs and 46 runs scored. He also was the MaxPreps Alabama Player of the Year.

Hall is the earliest pick straight from an Alabama high school since pitcher Braxton Garrett from Florence to the Miami Marlins at No. 7 in 2016. The only other higher picks straight from an Alabama high school in the main summer draft are shortstop Condredge Holloway from Lee-Huntsville to the Montreal Expos at No. 4 in 1971 and pitcher Rick James from Coffee-Florence to the Chicago Cubs at No. 6 in 1965.

Hall, who reclassified, is still only 17

Jackson 4-star quarterback Landon Duckworth made it official Friday night, recommitting to South Carolina during a ceremony in Jackson.

Duckworth originally committed to the Gamecocks in August of 2023 before decommitting in June of 2024. He chose South Carolina over Auburn this time around.

He is the latest of a flurry of Aggies committing to Power 4 schools, including RB EJ Crowell to Alabama and WR Keeyun Chapman and DBs Keegan Chapman and Jamarrion Gordon to North Carolina.

“He still does things that impress me every day,” Jackson coach Cody Flournoy said of Duckworth earlier this summer. “I’m a defensive guy by trade. So, I’m out there in the spring and summer trying to defend him and he frustrates me so bad because he makes it look so easy. He hits all his passes, reads all the coverages and, if you do have it covered, he just takes off running. It’s hard to defend.”

Duckworth helped Jackson to the Class 4A state football title in 2024 and was named the Back of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,439 yards and 39 touchdowns and rushed for 648 yards and 12 TDs. This summer, he was one of the standout performers in the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback competition.

“What you see is what you get,” Flournoy said. “The thing I love most about him is just the kind of person he is. He’s a nice, good dude. He is always smiling, loves to be around people. He has that infectious, happy personality.”

The 6-foot-4 Duckworth is No. 5 on AL.com’s A-List of the top senior prospects in Alabama and on the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is the No. 6-ranked quarterback nationally.

Duckworth also was named the Coastal Alabama Male Athlete of the Year after helping the Jackson basketball team to its second straight state title and participating in Jackson’s winning 4X100 relay team.

Duckworth and Jackson are scheduled to open the season Aug. 22 by hosting Class 6A power Saraland.

More recruiting news

Bessemer City four-star defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin announced an offer from Penn State. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound rising senior also holds offers that include Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, USC, Tennessee and Florida.

North Alabama offered Good Hope tight end Tucker Screws and Deshler linebacker Dayton Sanford.

In basketball, Park Crossing star Maliyah Meeks has picked up plenty of Division I traction in the last few days. Since Tuesday, she’s announced offers from North Alabama, UAB, Akron, Buffalo, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, Western Michigan, UT-Martin and Pennsylvania.

Bob Jones standout Elise McClain added a Division I offer from Howard. She also holds offers that include Alabama A&M, Seton Hall and NC Central.

Hoover star Kristen Winston added an offer from Maryland to her growing list of Division I schools.

In softball, Hazel Green’s Khloe Hunter committed to UAH on Tuesday.

AL.com sports writer Thomas Ashworth contributed to this report.

This post will be updated

An Alabama teacher is accused of having sexual relationship with an underage student.

Sarah Huggins Logan, 35, is charged with school employee engaging in a sex act, Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit officials announced Friday.

Sheriff’s office investigators on Wednesday received a report from the parents of a student at North River Christian Academy, said Capt. Jack Kennedy.

The parents reported they had discovered their juvenile daughter had been involved in a sexual relationship with a teacher. The school teaches students in grades pre-K through 12th.

TCVU’s Sexual Assault Section assumed the investigation.

After conducting interviews and recovering evidence, they obtained warrants for Logan. She was taken into custody Friday.

Kennedy said the school has cooperated in the investigation, and Logan is no longer employed at the school.

The investigation is ongoing, and more charges are expected.

There is a possibility of other victims, Kennedy said, and anyone who was a victim or has further information is asked to call the investigators at 205-464-8690.

Just hours after Astronomer posted a statement they would launch an investigation in CEO Andy Byron and chief people officer Kristin Cabot caught in an embrace at a Coldplay concert, it is being reported both have been put on leave pending the investigation.

Axios, citing a source familiar with the situation, first reported the news.

In addition, the company said the Byron apology circulating on social media was is fake and another employee, Alyssa Stoddard, who many had misidentified, was not at the event.

“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,” the statement read earlier Friday. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability. The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.”

The statement comes after Coldplay’s Chris Martin pointed out if the two who ducked out of the way of the camera were “having an affair or (are) just very shy.”

Byron and Cabot – both married – were those identified in the video. Byron ducked out of the frame while Cabot covered her face and turned around.

Byron became CEO of Astronomer in 2023, whereas Cabot, according to her now-defunct LinkedIn, joined Astronomer in November 2024.

Astronomer is a private data infrastructure and operations company.

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.

Fake emails claiming your Amazon Prime subscription will automatically renew are being sent to customers’ inbox.

According to reports, more than 200 million have been warned by Amazon.

In some instances, the email may include personal information, tempting customers to believe in the legitimacy of the email. In fact, as Malwarebytes reports, some emails include a “cancel subscription.” Others, as seen here, show an “update payment method” button.

If a scammer gets your information, they have access to details they can use to login to the Amazon site and purchase items.

“We’ve recently noticed an increase in customers reporting fake emails about Amazon Prime membership subscriptions. We want to help you stay protected by sharing important information about these scams,” Amazon’s warnings said.

Here’s what you can do:

• If you receive an email, don’t click on the links.
• If you are unsure, Malwarebytes suggest checking the “Message Centre” under your account. All company-issued messages appear here as well.
• Report the scam to Amazon.

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.