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Dear Annie: Grateful for Alcoholics Anonymous

Dear Annie: I’m writing in response to your column about the woman whose marriage had become strained due to her husband’s drinking. Kudos for emphasizing that he needs Alcoholics Anonymous, but I’d like to encourage you to highlight the importance of Al-Anon for family members a bit more strongly than just one sentence.

Al-Anon has been a lifeline for countless family members of those struggling with alcoholism. It’s not just a place to heal; it’s a community where people can vent, relate, and share their struggles and solutions. The support offered in Al-Anon helps you realize that you’re not to blame for your loved one’s addiction. It teaches that the responsibility for change lies with the person struggling with alcoholism, and it gives family members the tools to navigate this challenging journey with compassion and strength.

I can vouch for this program 100% because it saved my life and even helped heal my marriage. The encouragement and insight I found through Al-Anon helped me set healthy boundaries and rebuild my sense of self during a very difficult time.

Thank you for considering this and for the compassionate advice you offer to your readers. — Power of Al-Anon

Dear Power of Al-Anon: Thank you for your letter and highlighting many of the insights that you learned in Al-Anon.

I’m so glad that you found healing through this wonderful group.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].

General

Dear Annie: My husband’s family doesn’t take initiative to spend time with us

Dear Annie: As a wife, mother of three and a full-time program manager overseeing a crisis unit, I juggle a lot of responsibilities.

Despite my busy schedule, I find myself having to be the one to initiate contact with my husband’s side of the family. If I didn’t, we would likely never see them. Maintaining family connections is important to me, and I’m happy to make the effort, but I feel it’s a shared responsibility.

In today’s fast-paced world, I understand that communication can be difficult. Some people are naturally good at staying in touch, while others think about reaching out but may forget with everything else going on. But when it comes to family, I believe that no one should assume the burden alone; communication is a two-way street, and phones work both ways.

So, to the grandparents with a similar issue: I urge you to pick up the phone and make a plan if you’d like to connect. We can’t always know when you want to visit or talk, and none of us can read minds.

Shouldn’t the effort to stay connected be mutual and made together as a family? — It’s a Two-Way Street

Dear It’s a Two-Way Street: Thank you for your thoughtful letter.

Many readers have shared similar suggestions about the importance of grandparents taking the initiative in making plans with their families.

I’m sharing your letter here as an encouraging reminder for grandparents to reach out and say that they want to get together.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

General

Today’s daily horoscopes: Nov. 20, 2024

On the first full day in altruistic, socially conscious Aquarius, Pluto would like to remind us that freedom is never free. Freedom must be protected, and that protection comes at a cost. The price tag of freedom is paid in the currency of responsibility. Today, freedom and responsibility will move together like wings in flight. The more you take on, the higher you’ll soar.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll come up with 10 solutions to a one-solution problem, which is creative, vigorous and ultimately generous. You’ll be compelled to share your brilliance for the fun and use of others.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Too much sameness makes you run thought patterns in a loop — fine if you’re having a fantastic set of thoughts, but not good for thinking that’s stinking. Either way, it’s better to get out and do new things today.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll feel a pull toward the mysteries of your lineage. The stories of your elders will captivate you for a reason. They’ve shaped who you are, and you’ll find yourself mirroring their paths.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Why put yourself in a position to prove a point? There’s no need to start a competition. What would happen if instead you did all you could to support and highlight the wins of another? That would be a win for both of you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Step back and survey the scene. There are questions waiting to be asked. A good place to start: “Who can help?” and “What’s the simpler way?” Try to get to the source of the issue instead of merely treating symptoms.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your image only matters insofar as it helps you make a difference. Today, someone reveals how you’ve positively impacted their life — a deeper reward than any compliment or surface approval.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve scanned the horizon, and now it’s time to narrow in. Specialization is key. Focus on the area that sparks your deepest curiosity, dive into the details, and become an expert. Mastery comes from commitment, not breadth.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). People will look to you for a fresh perspective, and you’ll get them thinking in new directions. This is about a habit that needs breaking. Name it first and you’re halfway there. Changing one small thing will have a domino effect.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll have the gift of insight and will understand not just what’s happening but why it matters. Your newfound perspective gives you a calm persistence as you navigate opportunities and obstacles alike.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your experiences have mellowed you in lovely and surprising ways. Wisdom softens what once felt urgent. Accept the peace that comes with knowing you don’t need to fight every battle because your influence is quietly but profoundly felt without all the drama.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Uncertainty doesn’t equal danger, though your mind may need convincing. When your nerves spike this afternoon, it’s a natural but unnecessary reaction you can read as a reminder to breathe deep and think of the bigger picture.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your best moments happen when you are in a creative mindset. You have something inside you to express, and it will be a little different with each modality, so stay versatile and be on the lookout for different tools and skills you can add to your arsenal.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 20). A year of steady, rewarding growth. You’ll find the ideal balance between ambition and contentment, creating a life that’s on target with your goals while also being deeply fulfilling. More highlights: A journey gives you financial gains from something you thought was a long shot, and friendships that feel like family. Libra and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 11, 26, 30, 45 and 9.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Scorpio presidents of the United States have included John Adams (Oct. 30), James K. Polk (Nov. 2), James A. Garfield (Nov. 19), Teddy Roosevelt (Oct. 27), Warren Harding (Nov. 2) and most recently, President Joe Biden. There’s abundant Scorpio energy in Biden’s natal chart with the sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars all in the sign of transformation, hope and constant renewal. These water sign aspects are balanced by a Taurus moon of financial acumen.

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.

General

Bulldogs second half rally falls short as Michigan State beats Samford 83-75

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jaden Akins scored 25 points and Michigan State beat Samford 83-75 on Tuesday night, but Michigan State freshman Jace Richardson left the game late with a left ankle injury.

Richardson, the son of former NBA player and Spartan Jason Richardson, scored 12 points before leaving the game in the final minute and was helped to the bench where the training staff wrapped ice on his ankle.

The Spartans led the entire the entire second half and by as many as 13 points, 74-61, with 4:37 remaining. Josh Holloway scored eight points during a 12-5 surge to pull Samford 79-73 with 31 seconds left before the Spartans sealed it at the line.

Akins was 10 of 15 from the floor and 3 of 7 from long range. Frankie Fidler also scored 12 points and Szymon Zapala chipped in 10 for Michigan State (4-1), who shot 51% (28 of 55) from the floor, made 20 of 23 free throws (87%) and scored 27 points off 19 Samford turnovers.

Jaden Brownell scored 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and made three 3s to lead Samford (4-2). Holloway finished with 14 points and Lukas Walls added 12.

The Bulldogs opened the game on a 21-8 run that before Michigan State answered with a 30-7 surge for a 38-28 halftime advantage. Akins scored 13 first-half points.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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University of Mobile coach on death of player after collapsing: ‘He will be truly missed’

University of Mobile basketball coach Darnell Archey said Kaiden Francis, who died Tuesday after collapsing on campus, was everything you could hope for in a student-athlete.

“Kaiden exemplified everything you want from a basketball player coming into a program,” Archey told AL.com late Tuesday night. “Great listener, hard worker and was a sponge. He was willing to do whatever the team asked of him to do. Make the extra pass or get a huge defensive stop.

“In the time I have got to coach Kaiden, his growth on the basketball court was tremendous. This past weekend he had 10 points vs No. 20 team in the country. He was on pace to being freshman of the year in our league.”

Francis, a 6-foot-2 freshman guard from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, collapsed Tuesday morning and “never recovered and passed away earlier today,” University of Mobile President Dr. Charles Smith said in a statement.

Wednesday’s classes have been canceled to allow the university community time to gather. There will be campus-wide time of prayer and mourning on Wednesday.

“My heart breaks for his family, friends and teammates,” Archey said. “He will be truly missed.”

The No. 24 Rams are coming off an 81-49 win at No. 20 Life on Saturday to improve to 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in conference play.

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences university integrating faith and learning with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose.

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.

General

Huntsville Hospital to add 50 acute care beds, pending state approval

Huntsville’s population is increasing, and because of that, the Huntsville Hospital system will make a case before a state agency for why it needs additional beds.

The Certificate of Need Review Board will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday and hear Huntsville Hospital’s request for 50 additional beds for patients requiring short-term care. If approved, it will increase the total number of acute care beds in the Hospital system to 931.

General

Jacksonville State lands commitment from in-state defensive lineman

Jacksonville State kept a three-star defensive prospect in his home state.

Southside-Gadsden defensive end McCade Wright announced his commitment to Rich Rodriguez and Jax State on Tuesday, joining a 2025 class that already boasts plenty of in-state products.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound prospect took a visit to Jacksonville for the Gamecocks’ 34-31 win over Florida International on Saturday.

The defensive product picked the Gamecocks over offers that include UAB, Arkansas State, North Alabama, Murray State and Northern Arizona.

Wright was previously committed to UAB, but announced his decommitment on Oct. 29.

He finished his season with 49 tackles (31 solo), 10 tackles for loss, eight sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a receiving touchdown, according to his social media.

The Southside prospect is rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and On3.

Wright will join a 2025 recruiting class for Jax State that also includes in-state defensive back Jamarion Bennett from Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, along with Hoover tight end Christopher Warren, Jackson offensive lineman Markevian Blake, Weaver defensive back Kaden Gooden, Ramsay offensive lineman Lance Johnson and Lovejoy (Ga.) defensive lineman Antoniyo Smith.

General

Why is Alabama ahead of Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee in CFP rankings?

Alabama football and much of the SEC is in a log jam. In the latest College Football Playoff rankings, released Tuesday evening, the Crimson Tide is ranked fifth, second in the SEC to Texas, which checked in at No. 3.

The SEC’s place in the rankings is a bit complicated, with a glut of two-loss teams. Tennessee, which beat Alabama but lost to Georgia, was No. 11, while Georgia, which lost to Alabama but beat Tennessee, ran 10th.

Ole Miss, which beat Georgia but lost to LSU and Kentucky earlier this season, was ninth. On a teleconference for media members after the unveiling, CFP selection committee chair Warde Manuel was asked to explain how the committee made its rankings.

He said Alabama’s performances since losing to the Volunteers in October have played a big role.

“We have to look at Alabama the last three games,” Manuel said. “Particularly the two before they played Mercer. They won in dominant fashion, and we were really impressed with their win at LSU two weeks ago. So it is close. It’s a lot of conversations, and we’ll continue to monitor the performance of all of these teams as the season progresses.”

Following the defeat, Alabama first shut out Missouri in Tuscaloosa. The Tigers remained in the CFP top 25 despite a narrow loss to South Carolina Saturday, checking in at No. 23.

After that, the Crimson Tide faced a Saturday night in Death Valley, traveling to LSU. Alabama silenced the crowd in Baton Rouge, winning that game 42-13.

Manuel partially explained Tuesday why Tennessee was ranked behind the other two-loss SEC teams.

“They just had a loss to Georgia, and they had the loss at Arkansas,” Manuell said. “It’s really splitting hairs. They have great offense, great defense. They play hard. The committee just had a hard time. You’re talking about four really good teams, when you look at Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee. I think the committee, we debated it, as I said earlier, quite a bit as it came down to how we saw those teams. But they have beaten each other at different times.”

For Alabama, the path is fairly simple. If it wins out, it makes the playoff, and if it makes and wins the SEC championship game, it likely earns a first-round bye with one of the top four seeds.

The Crimson Tide is back in action Saturday at Oklahoma. That game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be aired on ABC.

General

Baldwin County deputy shoots at gun-wielding suspect, releases K9 after high speed chase

A Baldwin County sheriff’s deputy shot at a gun-wielding suspect after they say he disobeyed commands to drop his weapon following a high-speed chase Tuesday.

Members of the office’s Street Crimes Unit were in Foley around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday searching for a stolen vehicle reported to deputies earlier in the day.

The vehicle was spotted on Charolais Road near Baldwin County Road 65 when a deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop.

The driver then led deputies on a 12-minute high-speed chase spanning the outskirts of Foley, through Magnolia Springs and an area south of Magnolia Springs.

The suspect left the road, drove into a field and then got on Hartung Road when the pursuit ended.

The driver of the vehicle and the sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Jabari Maliek Stots, fled on foot.

Pursuing deputies allegedly saw a pistol in Stots’ hand and ordered him to drop the gun but Stots did not comply, the sheriff’s office said.

A K-9 was then deployed when Stots swung his arm and shoulder toward the pursuing dog when a deputy fired one shot at Stots.

The shot did not hit the suspect, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies made contact with Stots, who continued to resist apprehension, and eventually took him into custody.

Stots suffered injuries from the K-9 and received medical treatment.

He is expected to be booked in the Baldwin County jail on charges of resisting arrest, receiving stolen property, felony fleeing or attempting to prelude and a preexisting felony failure to appear warrant, the sheriff’s office said.

General

Elon Musk calls SPLC a ‘criminal organization’ for ‘hit piece’ on Babylon Bee sister site

The world’s richest man on Tuesday directed his anger at the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center, calling the Montgomery organization a “criminal enterprise” as it reported on an affiliate of the right-wing satirical website the Babylon Bee.

“The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a criminal organization imo,” tweeted Elon Musk.

Musk, whose first acts as owner of X — once known as Twitter — included reversing the Babylon Bee’s Twitter suspension, quoted a post written Tuesday by Babylon Bee founder Seth Dillon.

The post called the SPLC a “discredited, scandal-ridden smear factory.”

It said the SPLC was “about to publish a hit piece doxxing several of our ‘Not the Bee’ writers who wished to remain anonymous so they could speak freely, without fear.”

Doxxing is the malicious publication of information such as home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.

Not the Bee is self-described as “a humor-based news, opinion, and entertainment site” created by the Babylon Bee.

The SPLC story, written by reporters with the organization’s Hatewatch brand, was published later Tuesday and did not include personal information.

It asserted Not the Bee’s “publicly viewable source code exposes contact information for several dozen authors, including the real names of many of the most prolific pseudonymous content creators.

“The source code, visible to anyone with a web browser and not requiring an account on the site to view,” the article went on to say, “also revealed email addresses, IP addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, social media accounts, subscription and payment information, and more.”

Efforts to reach the SPLC were not immediately successful.

Dillon claimed the organization “extracted sensitive information from our site, then used that information to contact our writers directly.

“We’re determining how they obtained this information, but we already know why they went digging for it. They did it because they’re left-wing activists masquerading as journalists,” he wrote.

“They did it because they lack principles. They did it because they’re vindictive bullies who’ve admitted their aim is to ‘completely destroy’ individuals and organizations they disagree with by making them pay a steep price for speaking freely.”

The Bee was suspended from X, then known as Twitter, for misgendering Rachel Levine, the U.S. assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, when it dubbed Levine its “Man of the Year” in 2022.

Levine is the first openly transgender four-star officer and the highest ranking transgender official in the federal government.