Alabama News

Pressure? What pressure?

You’d think that trying to extend a 37-game winning streak and defending a state championship for a second time would weigh fairly heavily on a coach and his team. Replacing 77.6 percent of your offense with the loss of AL.com’s first Miss Football honoree also might cause a little unease.

Central-Phenix City flag football head coach Mitchell Holt said his 2025 Red Devils were approaching the season feeling what might be the opposite of pressure. “They have something of a chip on their shoulders,” he said, “because they want to prove they were as much of a part of it as those who graduated. They say, ‘We were part of the last two years, too. It’s time for us to step into the spotlight.’

“It will be a lot like two years ago,” Holt said. “Early on, we have to have patience and do a lot of learning from our mistakes. That might include losing a game, I just hope we don’t lose too many. Last year, we were really good, but we were better at the end of the season than we were at the beginning.

“It’s still July. We have a lot to clean up, but we don’t have to be our best come August. We have to be our best come October. We have to be patient with ourselves and control what we can with our work ethic.”

Last season’s 19-0 squad was led by Gerritt Griggs, now an incoming freshman on the University of Alabama softball team. Besides being selected as the first Miss Football and MaxPreps’ first flag football player of the year for the state, Griggs was the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 7A Softball Player of the Year and she helped lead Central to the AHSAA basketball final four in Birmingham where she scored 16 points with four 3-pointers in a loss to eventual state champ Hoover.

On the football field, Griggs threw for 3,283 yards, ran for 469 and caught 7 passes for 140 yards. She scored a team-best 13 rushing touchdowns, threw for 82 scores and scored 3 receiving TDs.

After the Red Devils finished the season as the No. 1 team in both the USA Today and MaxPreps national rankings, Holt and assistant Troy Jackson were named coaches for the NFC all-star team in the NFL Flag High School Girls Showcase in Orlando. The Central coaches were joined by Griggs – who was named the game’s MVP – and slot receiver Lumpkin in the 28-0 win.

“It was first class,” Holt said. “The girls received their jerseys and gloves, met NFL players and Gerritt filmed a session with (Minnesota Vikings receiver) Justin Jefferson. She got a shadow box with a pennant they did for the game and a flag signed by Jefferson. The game was on the NFL Live broadcast (on ESPN) and one of the girls, I think from Alaska, said, ‘I guess tomorrow I go back to being a nobody.’

“It was a lot of fun. A man my age doesn’t get too many cool things to do, but that was definitely cool.”

Besides Griggs and AL.com Terrific 22 pick Lumpkin, Central also lost Ally Supan – another Terrific 22 performer – to graduation. Lumpkin signed to play on the inaugural flag football team at NCAA Division II Wingate University with Shabreia Brannon and Janiyah Garrett signing with Shelton State Community College as the Alabama Community College Conference launches the sport this season.

Central returns four (of seven) starters on each side of the ball, Holt said. Two – rising seniors Mariah Harrison and Colby Cook – made the Terrific 22 squad last season. Harrison was the backup quarterback and will step in as starter after earning the all-star team spot as a wide receiver and safety. In the 55-7 state championship win over Spain Park, Harrison caught a 17-yard touchdown pass and threw a 46-yard TD pass. On the season, she threw for 640 yards and 15 scores and had 22 receiving TDs on 59 catches for 921 yards.

Cook played cornerback and wide receiver, where she was the third-leading pass-catcher (59 receptions, 614 yards, 16 TDs). Receiver Savannah Sevier (31 catches, 578 yards, 13 TDs) and two-year starter at center Khloe Broadwater (27 catches, 219 yards, 1 score) also return.

“We’ll have to change things based on the ability of our kids,” Holt said. “Mariah Harrison has a lot of the same abilities as Gerritt, but just a little different. We’ll have to change up our play-calling and what we tried to do.”

Harrison, Sevier, Cook and Ashlynn Nixon – a two-year starter at rusher – are back as defensive starters. Cook led the team last season with 13 interceptions to go with 30 flag pulls. Sevier had 17 stops with 7 interceptions and Harrison had 5 interceptions with 13 pulls.

Holt said he is expecting big things out of freshman linebacker Lauren Carrero, who played tackle football with the boys team in junior high last year. “She gets after it,” he said. “(Defensive back/receiver) Madison Fuller, a 10th grader, is another player who has stood out. She was the starting point guard for the basketball team and she is one of the most improved kids this summer. She played junior varsity last season and went to basketball as soon as their season was over.”

The Red Devils will host Tallassee for a jamboree game on Aug. 14 before kicking off the season Aug. 21 at home with a tri-match with Vestavia Hills and 2024 1A/5A state champion Montgomery Catholic.

“We will get everybody’s best shot,” Holt said. “We did our best to make our schedule as good as we could so we will be tested. We have scheduled Blessed Trinity from north Atlanta, a team that has won championships in Georgia, and they will be a good team.”

Central plays in Region 3 that includes Auburn, Opelika, Smiths Station and Park Crossing. The 15-game schedule for the Red Devils features a home game against Moody and a road trip to Prattville.

Pressure? What pressure?

You’d think that trying to extend a 37-game winning streak and defending a state championship for a second time would weigh fairly heavily on a coach and his team. Replacing 77.6 percent of your offense with the loss of AL.com’s first Miss Football honoree also might cause a little unease.

Central-Phenix City flag football head coach Mitchell Holt said his 2025 Red Devils were approaching the season feeling what might be the opposite of pressure. “They have something of a chip on their shoulders,” he said, “because they want to prove they were as much of a part of it as those who graduated. They say, ‘We were part of the last two years, too. It’s time for us to step into the spotlight.’

“It will be a lot like two years ago,” Holt said. “Early on, we have to have patience and do a lot of learning from our mistakes. That might include losing a game, I just hope we don’t lose too many. Last year, we were really good, but we were better at the end of the season than we were at the beginning.

“It’s still July. We have a lot to clean up, but we don’t have to be our best come August. We have to be our best come October. We have to be patient with ourselves and control what we can with our work ethic.”

Last season’s 19-0 squad was led by Gerritt Griggs, now an incoming freshman on the University of Alabama softball team. Besides being selected as the first Miss Football and MaxPreps’ first flag football player of the year for the state, Griggs was the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 7A Softball Player of the Year and she helped lead Central to the AHSAA basketball final four in Birmingham where she scored 16 points with four 3-pointers in a loss to eventual state champ Hoover.

On the football field, Griggs threw for 3,283 yards, ran for 469 and caught 7 passes for 140 yards. She scored a team-best 13 rushing touchdowns, threw for 82 scores and scored 3 receiving TDs.

After the Red Devils finished the season as the No. 1 team in both the USA Today and MaxPreps national rankings, Holt and assistant Troy Jackson were named coaches for the NFC all-star team in the NFL Flag High School Girls Showcase in Orlando. The Central coaches were joined by Griggs – who was named the game’s MVP – and slot receiver Lumpkin in the 28-0 win.

“It was first class,” Holt said. “The girls received their jerseys and gloves, met NFL players and Gerritt filmed a session with (Minnesota Vikings receiver) Justin Jefferson. She got a shadow box with a pennant they did for the game and a flag signed by Jefferson. The game was on the NFL Live broadcast (on ESPN) and one of the girls, I think from Alaska, said, ‘I guess tomorrow I go back to being a nobody.’

“It was a lot of fun. A man my age doesn’t get too many cool things to do, but that was definitely cool.”

Besides Griggs and AL.com Terrific 22 pick Lumpkin, Central also lost Ally Supan – another Terrific 22 performer – to graduation. Lumpkin signed to play on the inaugural flag football team at NCAA Division II Wingate University with Shabreia Brannon and Janiyah Garrett signing with Shelton State Community College as the Alabama Community College Conference launches the sport this season.

Central returns four (of seven) starters on each side of the ball, Holt said. Two – rising seniors Mariah Harrison and Colby Cook – made the Terrific 22 squad last season. Harrison was the backup quarterback and will step in as starter after earning the all-star team spot as a wide receiver and safety. In the 55-7 state championship win over Spain Park, Harrison caught a 17-yard touchdown pass and threw a 46-yard TD pass. On the season, she threw for 640 yards and 15 scores and had 22 receiving TDs on 59 catches for 921 yards.

Cook played cornerback and wide receiver, where she was the third-leading pass-catcher (59 receptions, 614 yards, 16 TDs). Receiver Savannah Sevier (31 catches, 578 yards, 13 TDs) and two-year starter at center Khloe Broadwater (27 catches, 219 yards, 1 score) also return.

“We’ll have to change things based on the ability of our kids,” Holt said. “Mariah Harrison has a lot of the same abilities as Gerritt, but just a little different. We’ll have to change up our play-calling and what we tried to do.”

Harrison, Sevier, Cook and Ashlynn Nixon – a two-year starter at rusher – are back as defensive starters. Cook led the team last season with 13 interceptions to go with 30 flag pulls. Sevier had 17 stops with 7 interceptions and Harrison had 5 interceptions with 13 pulls.

Holt said he is expecting big things out of freshman linebacker Lauren Carrero, who played tackle football with the boys team in junior high last year. “She gets after it,” he said. “(Defensive back/receiver) Madison Fuller, a 10th grader, is another player who has stood out. She was the starting point guard for the basketball team and she is one of the most improved kids this summer. She played junior varsity last season and went to basketball as soon as their season was over.”

The Red Devils will host Tallassee for a jamboree game on Aug. 14 before kicking off the season Aug. 21 at home with a tri-match with Vestavia Hills and 2024 1A/5A state champion Montgomery Catholic.

“We will get everybody’s best shot,” Holt said. “We did our best to make our schedule as good as we could so we will be tested. We have scheduled Blessed Trinity from north Atlanta, a team that has won championships in Georgia, and they will be a good team.”

Central plays in Region 3 that includes Auburn, Opelika, Smiths Station and Park Crossing. The 15-game schedule for the Red Devils features a home game against Moody and a road trip to Prattville.

Dolly Parton just can’t write music these days.

The country music legend, 79, revealed on the “Khloé in Wonder Land” podcast she is still grieving the death of her husband Car Dean.

“My husband passed away three months ago,” she said.

“Several things I’ve wanted to start, but I can’t do it. I will later, but I’m just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas. But I think I won’t finish it.”

It’s just too emotional, she said.

“I can’t do it right now because I’ve got so many other things that I can’t afford the luxury of getting that emotional right now,” she said.

The country music icon added she still loves music, and that won’t go away.

“There are times like that, things like that that will start here a little bit, but I’ll write something else, though, if it comes,” she said.

In March, Dean died in Nashville. He was 82, and the two were married for 60 years.

Parton announced the news at the time during in an Instagram post.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

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.

Gulf Shores city officials pushed back this week against federal immigration authorities who raised concerns about the construction quality of a new high school based on the presence of undocumented workers who allegedly cannot speak English.

The comments are also a defense of the project’s contractor, Auburn-based Rabren General Contractors.

“They are absolutely qualified to do the work,” said Councilman Philip Harris, a construction business owner. “For Homeland Security to question them like they did and want to question our school is totally inappropriate. I don’t know where it’s proven that illegal (immigrants) equals unskilled (workers) where legal equals skilled. Homeland Security has no position in making that statement.”

The issue burst into public view at Monday’s council meeting, weeks after a federal raid at the site led to 37 arrests. It’s also becoming a flashpoint in a growing political feud between longtime Mayor Robert Craft and challenger Angie Swiger, who says the public deserves more answers about safety following the collapse of a steel frame during January’s snowstorm.

“As was shared last week by the City, there is no evidence to indicate that the school was, is, or will be unsafe,” Craft said. “That assertion is pure conjecture.”

Swiger, at the council meeting, thanked Harris for providing a construction overview. She then later went on Facebook and bashed Craft and the council for not being transparent about the project.

She then accused Harris of providing a presentation that was a “grand effort” to belittle and shut down “anyone who dares question the council and mayor.”

Swiger is running against Craft during the Aug. 26 municipal election. Also running for mayor is businessman Ray Moore.

“Yes, I’m sure the school is going to be magnificent,” Swiger said. “We deserve to know it’s safe, and to know what is going on from our own city when it has to do with our hard-earned tax money.”

Harris, during Monday’s meeting, said he was “a little frustrated” over what he says is “misinformation” about the school construction.

His comments come after Steven Schrank, the special agent in charge of the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) told a Mobile TV channel last month that there were “significant issues” with the construction site that could raise questions about the standards applied by workers who “do not speak our language” and “do not have the necessary skills and certifications that we would expect.”

Federal agents arrested 37 immigrants during a June 24 raid at the construction site. Homeland Security did not respond to a follow-up email request by AL.com.

Craft was the first to defend the project’s construction quality, making a statement on June 30. He reiterated his statement this week after Swiger argued the lack of communication from the city allowed “imagination to take over” regarding the construction’s integrity.

The status of the high school project will be discussed during a 4 p.m. meeting Thursday by the Gulf Shores city school board.

Collapse

Harris noted that the only structural defect that occurred on site was related to the historic snowstorm that fell on coastal Alabama on Jan. 21.

A few days later, the steel truss framing for the future indoor athletic field collapsed. The field project is separate from the high school construction and is not considered part of the $138 million project.

“I’m getting these calls from Birmingham (asking me) ‘Why is your school falling down again?’” Harris said, referring to the reaction from the Schrank’s remarks.

Harris clarified that the only structural issue was the collapse of a steel frame during the January snowstorm.

“The building, when it fell, Rabren contacted the city, school board and our engineering and design firm the same day and said that it’s ‘our problem on site” and that it was ‘between us and subcontractors and the insurance companies,’” Harris said. “The city and school board is not involved in this in anyway. We don’t have a role there. They put investigators on the site immediately.”

Harris noted that Rabren has an ‘impressive’ 24-year track record with 358 completed construction projects, with 75 percent of their work coming from repeat clients.

The company’s portfolio includes the Auburn University School of Education building, Auburn High School, and George Washington Carver High School in Birmingham. In Gulf Shores, the company was the main contractor on The Lodge at Gulf State Park.

Critics questioned why federal authorities did not hold Rabren, the general contractor, responsible for having undocumented immigrants working on site. Similar criticism has existed in raids around the country, where Homeland Security appears to focused on arresting workers while leaving contractors unpunished.

In the Gulf Shores raid, Chris Cannon, assistant field officer with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in New Orleans, said it was conducted only after his agency received a tip about undocumented workers on site.

“We don’t just show up at places,” Cannon said after speaking during the Alabama Sheriff Association’s summer conference in Orange Beach on Tuesday. “It’s a targeted effort. We have to have some reason to be there. It’s not just drive around, see a bunch of people here, and now we’ll take action.”

Harris said he “fully supported” the ICE activity on the construction site, just not the agency’s assessment of a construction project.

School board view

Kevin Corcoran, the Gulf Shores city school board president, said he agreed with Harris’ review of the project in that “no structural contractors were impacted by the ICE investigation.

He also said it was his understanding that thousands of tests on structural components for the project has occurred, “all passing with results far exceeding required standards.” He credited oversight by firms like GMC, Volkert Engineering, and the Alabama Department of Construction Management “ensures full compliance with state codes and standards.”

Corcoran said that Gulf Shores school officials remain engaged throughout the process and have been regularly updated on the construction’s progress.

He also questioned concerns from Swiger about a lack of transparency and engagement from Craft and other council members.

“I attend virtually every City Council work session and meeting,” Corcoran said. “There is always an invitation at the end from (Craft) inviting anyone who was not on the agenda and wishes to speak to come forward and be heard. They are invited to the microphone and are able to share their thoughts. If it a specific concern, the mayor typically assigns a department head to get with the citizen after the meeting to address the concern.”

He said that he felt that Harris, who is also the mayor pro tem, did a “good job” of explaining the situation.

“In the hundreds of meetings I have attended, anyone who has spoken has always been treated politely and with respect and thanked for their comments,” he said.

There are plenty of iconic barbecue joints known throughout the state, and all for good reason, but they aren’t the only ones turning out some seriously good food.

As part of our Unsung Alabama series, we’re highlighting some of the state’s hidden treasures, and that includes the state’s many underrated barbecue joints. That’s why we recently asked AL.com and This is Alabama Facebook followers to share which barbecue spots they think deserve more love.

We got thousands of responses about eateries from all over the state, and from there, we narrowed them down to the restaurants included in our “Which unsung Alabama barbecue joint do you think is the best?” poll.

And while they might not have the same name recognition as other more iconic barbecue joints, these restaurants are beloved by their communities, and some have years of business and awards under their belt too.

So with that in mind, we thought we’d share a little more about the 9 unsung barbecue joints that might just be the best in Alabama.

You can read about each one below, and you can find out which restaurant got the most votes in our poll, which will remain open until noon on July 10, this Friday.

Promise Land B.B.Q.

20482 U.S. 11 in Woodstock

Promise Land B.B.Q. in the small town of Woodstock, near Tuscaloosa, has been around for years, but may get overlooked for the barbecue spots with more well-known names in the area. That’s a shame too, because when it comes to meaty ribs and a pull pork sandwich smothered in sauce, Promise Land has you covered. The take-out only eatery, open Tuesday through Saturday, offers plenty of other barbecue favorites and the Southern sides to go along with ‘em, and while it might be a drive, it’ll be worth it.

Related: The Alabama Barbecue Bucket List

Rock’s Famous BBQ

307 S. Memorial Drive in Prattville

Rock’s Famous BBQ in Prattville, open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, is dedicated to giving its loyal customers a “a down-home BBQ experience” by serving up meals filled with fall-off-the-bone meats and flavorful sides. Given that Rock’s menu includes everything from brisket to wings, slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork, bologna sandwiches, and more, served alongside classic sides like collard greens, fried tomatoes, homemade camp stew, and potato salad, it certainly seems like they’re doing just that.

Hootenanny BBQ

Serving the Huntsville area

Hootenanny BBQ might not have a permanent location, but that hasn’t stopped the Huntsville-based food truck and catering company from racking up fans and awards thanks to its flavorful barbecue. With an eclectic menu that’s always evolving, Hootenanny offers everything from classic pulled pork to brisket-topped cheeseburgers and more. Plus, you never know what specialty desserts, like Sun Drop cheesecake and strawberry banana pudding, will be up for grabs on any given day. To find out where they’ll be next, visit the Hootenanny BBQ Facebook page.

Related: 11 Alabama food trucks you need to try

Brad’s Bar-B-Que

1809 U.S. 78 in Oxford

Brad’s Bar-B-Que in Oxford is another beloved barbecue joint that’s off the beaten path, but still has managed to become a popular place to grab a delicious meal. Open from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Brad’s offers a menu of chopped pork, ribs and other barbecue favorites topped with their flavorful homemade sauce as well as Southern sides like creamy mac and cheese, baked beans and pecan pie. Plus, there’s fried catfish on the menu too if you’re looking to mix it up.

Bama Bob’s BBQ

3758 Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile

A meal at Bama Bob’s BBQ in Mobile is a hard one to forget, and not just because the restaurant’s unique decor includes a giant bull head mounted to the entrance. Nope, it’s the flavorful food, including pulled pork, ribs, wings, brisket and more served alongside sides like mashed potatoes, okra and green beans, that has likely made Bama Bob’s, which is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, such a standout among its customers. Whatever you order, just don’t forget to save room for its banana pudding or funnel cake fries too.

Fat Man’s Bar B Que

10179 Old U.S. Highway 231 in Cropwell

For a great meal in a comfortable setting, Fat Man’s Bar B Que in the small town of Cropwell is always a good choice. The family-owned restaurant, open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday, offers a variety of barbecue and Southern dishes including barbecue sandwiches, salads and plates as well as ribs, wings, burgers, country fried steak, catfish, its popular “Piggy Fries” and more. Plus, there are plenty of homemade sides and desserts, including chocolate silk pie, to pick from.

Buddy’s BBQ

103 Haynes Street in Talladega

Buddy’s BBQ in Talladega is a barbecue joint that got plenty of shout-outs when we asked readers for their suggestions, and if you’ve eaten there, it’s easy to understand why. The casual restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, features a menu that changes daily but often includes everything from barbecue favorites like brisket, pulled pork, ribs and smoked chicken to Southern classics like fried catfish, hamburger steak and more.

MaePop’s Barbecue

3010 Notasulga Road in Tallassee

Looking for a barbecue spot that’s got a little something extra going on? Head over to MaePop’s Barbecue in Tallassee, where you can find signature dishes like the “Kuntry Bumpkin Bowl” and “Cheesy Heifer” sandwich alongside classics like pulled pork and sliced brisket. Plus, there’s loaded nachos, BBQ mac and cheese and more on the menu, but you’ll have to act fast. Open for lunch Wednesday through Saturday as well as dinner on Thursday and Friday, MaePop’s Barbecue has been known to sell out before closing time.

Uncle Sam’s Barbeque

3043 Allison Bonnett Memorial Drive in Hueytown

Fans of Uncle Sam’s Barbeque in Hueytown think the popular restaurant has it all, and they’re not wrong. From sandwiches to jumbo potatoes, salads, fries, plates and more, Uncle Sam’s, which opens its doors at 10 am. seven days a week, serves it piled high with your choice of pork, beef and chicken. And that’s not even mentioning all the delicious sides, like potato salad, onion rings and more as well as the homemade pies, including chocolate, coconut and lemon, you can buy the slice or whole while you’re there.

An Alabama lawmaker who leads a state budget committee said President Trump’s tax cut and spending bill means Alabama will have to tighten programs that hundreds of thousands of families depend on for health care and food.

Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund committee, said the changes made by what Trump dubbed the “big, beautiful bill” were needed.

“Unfortunately, I think it was a very necessary piece of legislation at the federal level to make some much needed corrections,” Reynolds said.

“Take for instance Medicaid. It was simply an unsustainable program the way that program was growing.”

‘Very few healthy men on Medicaid’

Alabama’s budget for next year allocates more than $1 billion from the state General Fund to Medicaid, one-third of the total spending from the General Fund.

Overall, Alabama’s Medicaid program will cost about $10 billion next year, with federal dollars covering about 70%.

Reynolds said he would support an audit by a third party to review who receives Medicaid benefits in Alabama.

“It may be a good time to really pull back the covers and look at who is on Medicaid,” Reynolds said. “We know that about 52% of our Medicaid recipients are children. We have a lot of people on Medicaid that have disabilities and cannot work.

“But I suggest there may be some on there that don’t need to be on Medicaid.”

“We’ve just really got to do our due diligence to ensure that we are providing Medicaid only to those that need it,” Reynolds said.

Trump’s 900-page bill, passed by Republican majorities in Congress over united opposition from Democrats, cuts federal spending for Medicaid and for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

The savings are intended to offset the extension of tax cuts from Trump’s first term, new tax breaks for individuals and businesses, and increased spending on defense, immigration enforcement, and border security.

Alabama Arise, which advocates for policies that benefit people in poverty, says Trump’s bill will hurt hundreds of thousands of Alabamians who depend on SNAP and Medicaid, including for temporary setbacks such as a job loss.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the changes in the bill would result in almost 12 million people nationally losing their health insurance coverage by 2034.

The CBO said the bill would cut federal spending on healthcare by about $1 trillion over a decade.

Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, who chairs the General Fund committee in the Senate, said Trump’s bill will have more impact on states that expanded their Medicaid programs under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act than it will on Alabama, one of 10 states that did not expand.

“The overall picture, I believe, is Alabama is going to be in fairly good shape,” Albritton said. “The doom and gloom I don’t think is going to hit the fan.”

Medicaid expansion would have added hundreds of thousands of working people to the rolls.

Still, Alabama’s unexpanded Medicaid program is large, serving an average of about 1 million people each month.

Slightly more than half are children up to age 18. Other main groups are the blind and disabled, pregnant women, and people 65 and older in poverty.

Albritton said he does not expect many to lose coverage because of Trump’s bill.

“If there is, it’s going to be very, very few,” Albritton said. “Alabama is already in compliance with this in that we cover mostly women and children and the disabled.”

“There are very few healthy men on Medicaid at this point.”

The senator said there is still not a full understanding of everything the bill does because some of it depends on new federal regulations that will be written.

“We won’t know that for another year,” Albritton said.

‘Better than we thought’

The National Academy for State Health Policy said states that did not expand Medicaid, like Alabama, can expect to see reduced federal funding for Medicaid of 6% to 11%.

Reynolds said the state’s Medicaid professionals are trying to determine how much will be cut. He does expect a reduction in federal Medicaid dollars.

“That’s why we’ve got to work on ensuring that our programs are lean as they can be and that we are providing Medicaid to those that really need it,” Reynolds said.

His Senate counterpart, Albritton, said that overall he does not expect major negative consequences for the state budget or for those who depend on Medicaid.

“I think on both sides we’ve come out better than we thought we would. I think we’re going to be able to handle this,” Albritton said.

Reynolds said the addition to the bill of $50 billion intended to help rural hospitals and health providers should help.

Reynolds said he has been in meetings with other legislative leaders and is sharing information with the budget committee members to prepare for the impact of the bill.

“We have talked about Medicaid for weeks now about what potentially could happen there,” Reynolds said.

He said the discussions have included what to do about those who lose health insurance.

“We certainly have to begin to have that conversation as well because that too can impact our hospitals and our nursing homes,” Reynolds said.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the bill will make it harder for people to obtain and keep their health insurance policies purchased through the marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act, partly by shortening the annual open enrollment period and requiring more documentation.

Also, the cost of premiums will rise about 75% after this year because enhanced tax credits to help pay for premiums during the COVID pandemic will expire, the KFF said.

No more candy or Cokes through SNAP?

The bill is intended to save federal dollars by shifting more of the cost of SNAP, formerly called food stamps, to the states.

Federal dollars now pay 100% of SNAP benefits. In Alabama, that amounted to about $1.8 billion last year.

An average of 750,000 people received SNAP benefits in the state last year, an average monthly benefit of about $200.

The bill will require states to pay a portion of SNAP benefits beginning in 2028. States can avoid that if they keep payment error rates below a certain target.

Reynolds said Alabama should begin to look at cost-savings. One possibility is to tighten the rules on SNAP purchases and exclude sodas and candy.

“That may be something we have to consider in Alabama to ensure again that we are providing the SNAP benefits to the kids that need it,” Reynolds said.

According to Alabama Arise, the changes to SNAP will result in the most negative consequences from the bill.

Alabama Arise said the new cost-sharing for SNAP would cost Alabama about $200 million if it was implemented now.

The bill also imposes new 80-hour a month work requirements on many SNAP recipients.

“Federal SNAP cuts will leave more Alabamians unable to afford to keep food on the table,” Alabama Arise Executive Director Robyn Hyden said in a news release.

“That is a step in the wrong direction, and it will undermine the benefits of the state grocery tax reduction that Alabama legislators enacted unanimously this year.”

Education budget could benefit

Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, chairman of the education budget committee in the House, said he does not expect the “big, beautiful” bill to have a major impact on school funding.

As a general rule, when Alabamians pay less in federal income taxes, they pay more in state income taxes.

That’s because Alabama allows taxpayers to use their federal taxes as a deduction to reduce what they owe in state taxes. Alabama is the only state that allows taxpayers to deduct all their federal taxes paid.

“Generally, if the federal taxes go down, which the big beautiful bill says it will, then our state receipts go up,” Garrett said.

State income taxes are the largest source of money for Alabama’s Education Trust Fund.

The bill creates federal income tax deductions for overtime pay, tips, and taxable income for people age 65 and over.

Alabama approved a state income tax exemption on overtime pay that was in effect from January 2024 through June of this year.

But lawmakers chose to let it expire because it reduced revenues to the Education Trust Fund more than expected.

Garrett said a larger concern for the education budget than the Trump bill is the delay of $68 million in federal funds for Alabama school systems for after-school, English learner and professional development programs.

The money is typically sent out July 1 every year, but federal officials notified the state that it was on hold pending a review.

“It’s my understanding, that they’re just reviewing that to make sure it’s compliant with the overall administration initiatives,” Garrett said. “But the longer that money is delayed being released, then it doesn’t get to the local level as soon as it needs to.”

Garrett said the Legislature passed the education budget for the upcoming school year with the expectation that the federal funds would be available.

The Legislature is not in session now and will begin the 2026 session in January.

Garrett said he expects hearings on the state budgets to happen in the fall.

Cuts to service might be coming

Reynolds said the tax revenues that support the General Fund are strong overall.

He said the extension of the 2017 federal tax cuts should help the economy.

Still, Reynolds acknowledged that the state might have to reduce some services because of the changes coming.

“I can’t say that the General Fund can supplant all the federal dollars that we may lose,” Reynolds said.

“But we do a balanced budget and we’re going to work hard to continue to provide services to the Alabamians that need it.”

“We will work hard to not have a significant impact on the General Fund because we’ve got to make it work,” Reynolds said.

“And we’ve got to make it work within the parameters of this legislation.”

The countdown is on for the return of the Snack Wrap.

The cult-favorite snack from McDonald’s returns on July 10. The wraps feature with lettuce, cheese, chicken, and signature sauce inside a flour tortilla.

McDonald’s first launched the snack wrap in 2006, and the item became a crowd favorite, particularly for the $2 price. The Golden Arches discontinued the Snack Wrap in 2016.

In the meantime, other fast food chains are trying to woo McDonald’s fans with their chicken options.

Taco Bell debuted its new Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos last month. The lineup includes:

• Crispy Chicken Taco : A crispy chicken strip layered with purple cabbage, crisp lettuce, pico de gallo and shredded cheddar cheese.
• Crispy Chicken Burrito: A full-sized burrito featuring two Crispy Chicken Strips surrounded by a bed of purple cabbage, crisp lettuce, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese

On July 10, Taco Bell is selling the Crispy Chicken Taco and Burrito for $2.40 each.

In April, Taco Bell announced the return of its chicken nuggets. The all-white meat chicken bites are marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor and breaded with a blend of breadcrumbs and tortilla chips. Taco Bell also offers a line-up of dipping sauces for the nuggets: Hidden Valley Fire Ranch, Bell, and Jalapeño Honey Mustard.

A new feature available on the MyAT&T app will protect cell phone users from criminals trying to rack up unauthorized charges on their accounts.

The telecommunications giant rolled out Wireless Account Lock this week. The free feature prevents account changes, including billing updates or wireless number transfers, the company said. You can lock and unlock it at any time and it’s easily accessible via a toggle button on the user’s my AT&T app.

“If you are trying to keep any type of online account safe, here is a key point: Most attacks happen when someone is pretending to be you,” AT&T said on its website. Criminals put a lot of energy into getting your username and password. They send fraudulent emails and text messages asking you for it. They buy ads on search engines that look like links to real webpages – then ask for your password on a fake site.

“Wireless Account Lock can help with this on your wireless account,” it added.

What does the feature do?

The lock aims to thwart criminals by forcing an extra step before important account changes can be made. For example, it prevents someone from using the phone to purchase another device that the victim pays for even as the purchase is shipped elsewhere. It also prevents a SIM swap – moving a phone number to a SIM in a different device.

The lock stops unauthorized upgrades to a device or adding a new line, as well as any changes to billing information, authorized users or phone numbers.

You can turn the feature off with a quick switch, something AT&T said could be necessary in some cases.

“Keep in mind that if you select this extra protection, you may need to be available to temporarily unlock your account for a family member. They may want to buy a new device on the account or make other changes,” the company said.

Similar lock features are also offered to business and prepaid wireless accounts.

No. 8 Iga Swiatek plays against Belinda Bencic in the Wimbledon semifinal today. The match is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. CT on ESPN. Fans can watch this tennis match for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

Swiatek has a 5-0 record at Wimbledon this year, so she will look to remain undefeated this morning. Notably, Swiatek is coming off back-to-back impressive wins.

In her Round of 16 match, Swiatek defeated No. 23 Clara Tauson in two sets. During the victory, Swiatek only lost a total of five games.

In her quarterfinal match, Swiatek was able to sweep No. 19 Liudmila Samsonova. If Swiatek performs similarly today, then she should reach the Wimbledon Final.

Bencic is coming off an impressive victory against No. 7 Mirra Andreeva. During the victory, Bencic had to win both sets via tiebreakers. If she continues to play at a high level today, then Bencic could pull off the upset.

Fans can watch the Wimbledon semifinal for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

Alabama athletics had the least equitable spending between men’s and women’s sports among SEC public schools during the 2024 fiscal year. However, there’s a simple explanation for why the discrepancy was so large: Nick Saban’s retirement.

According to financial reports submitted to the NCAA and obtained by AL.com through a series of open records requests, UA spent $143.5 million on men’s sports from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The Crimson Tide put $29.7 million into women’s programs, just 20.7% of what it shelled out for the men.

That’s the lowest comparative percentage in the league, by a healthy margin. Ole Miss, which put $87 million into men’s programs and $24.3 million into women’s, was second at 27.9%.

Alabama was an outlier in several financial categories for 2024, and the answer always came back to the football coaching transition. The discrepancy between men’s and women’s sports spending was no different, as UA open records and projects specialist Jessica Schingle explained while discussing how the Crimson Tide lost money on athletics during the fiscal year.

“The net loss reported for the year was largely due to one-time expenses associated with the football coaching transition,” Schingle said in an email accompanying Alabama’s financial report.

Overall, UA spent $262.8 million in 2024 including $89.6 million not allocated by gender, up from $212 million in the previous fiscal year. That led the SEC by a healthy margin.

In 2023, when things were a bit more normal in Tuscaloosa, UA spent $28.5 million on women’s sports. That was nearly 26% of the $109.6 million it shelled out for men’s programs.

Back in 2024, Auburn put 35.6% of its men’s program spend into women’s sports, good for 7th among the public SEC schools. Vanderbilt was not included, due to its status as a private university, not subject to open records requests.

South Carolina was the closest to equal spending, with 42.8% of its men’s total going to women’s programs. LSU ran second, at 41.4%.

In terms of real dollars, Alabama looked much better when it came to women’s sports. The Crimson Tide spent $29.7 million on women’s programs in 2024, eighth among the SEC’s public universities.

UA sat one spot behind South Carolina, which spent $31.3 million on its women’s programs. Texas A&M led the way overall, with $54.2 million in women’s program spending.

The Aggies beat out second-place Tennessee by a significant margin. The Volunteers put $40.1 million into women’s sports, just ahead of third-place Texas, which spent $37.4 million.

Auburn ranked sixth for FY 2024, at $34.6 million. LSU ($35 million) and Oklahoma ($34.6 million) each ranked ahead of AU.

Only three public SEC schools spent less than $25 million on women’s sports in 2024. Ole Miss came in at $24.3 million, and Missouri spent $24 million.

Mississippi State was the lone school spending less than $20 million, bringing up the rear at $19.6 million on women’s sports.