Alabama News

Before Tuesday night, the last time fans in Tuscaloosa had seen Montana Fouts toe the rubber at Rhoads Stadium was on May 28, 2023.

Seventeen days after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Fouts worked 3.2 innings of relief as Alabama defeated Northwestern 3-2 in the deciding game of an NCAA Super Regional to send the Crimson Tide to the Women’s College World Series.

This week, Fontana returned to her alma mater with the Talons of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. The Talons finished their regular-season schedule with games against the Volts on Tuesday and Wednesday and will play the Bandits in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Championship, a best-of-three series starting on Saturday.

“Yesterday, I would say I was pretty overwhelmed,” Fouts told Softball America after Wednesday night’s game, “but it was like an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I feel like just being here just a lot of memories came back. Like, they talk about the sights, the smells, all of the things, and I feel like all of that kind of just hit me in the best way possible because I was just really thankful to have all those memories.

“But then now to be able to recreate them with this team because I’m just so fortunate to love each and every one of them, too, so it’s just being able to have your worlds collide and experience the gratitude. But then now we’re on a mission, and I’m excited to do it.”

The AUSL Championship starts at 2 p.m. CDT Saturday. Game 2 is set for 1 p.m. Sunday. If needed, Game 3 will be played at 6 p.m. Monday. ESPN will televise the first two games of the championship series from Rhoads Stadium, with ESPN2 getting the potential telecast on Monday.

Fouts will start in the circle for the Talons in Sunday’s game.

Saturday’s game is sold out, but tickets are available online for the games on Sunday and Monday.

The first-year softball circuit has four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts – that barnstormed through 24 games apiece in the league’s first season. The schedule included stops in Rosemont, Illinois; Wichita, Kansas; Sulphur, Louisiana; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Norman, Oklahoma; Omaha, Nebraska; Round Rock, Texas; Seattle and Salt Lake City as well as Tuscaloosa.

The Talons had the best regular-season record at 18-6, with the Bandits qualifying for the championship series at 15-9.

Bandits shortstop Skylar Wallace played at Alabama in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, then played for Florida for three seasons.

Fouts completed the regular season with a 3-2 record in 11 games, including five starts. She posted a 2.71 ERA in 31 innings. Fouts struck out 26 while yielding 27 hits and nine walks. The Talons put Fouts on the injured list on June 20, and she returned to the active roster on July 13.

On Tuesday, Fouts got the pitching win by working the first four innings of the Talons’ 6-4 victory. She struck out six and yielded three runs on four hits and two walks.

On Wednesday, the Volts turned around the score for a 6-4 victory over the Talons on the final night of the regular season. Fouts struck out the side in the top of the seventh in a relief appearance, then signed autographs for what amounted to a reunion of her fan club, including girls at least 2 years older than the last time they saw her pitch.

“They like show me pictures from us, like, two years ago,” Fouts said, “and it’s like all of them grow like this much, and I’m like, ‘This isn’t fair.’ But it’s truly an honor to be here and be able to play. And I mean, they’re the future, like, being able to come here and support us as Talons and not just Alabama. I feel like that’s just going to help the sport grow, and I’ve met several girls tonight that told me that they want to be out here one day, and that’s exactly what I was doing when I was that age. So I just think the sport’s growing, and it’s beautiful.”

A four-time All-American selection by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association – first team in 2021 and 2023 and second team in 2019 and 2022 — at Alabama, Fouts posted a 100-32 record with a 1.66 earned-run average in 160 games. In 852.2 innings, Fouts struck out 1,181 with the Crimson Tide.

The NFCA Pitcher of the Year in 2021, Fouts threw a no-hitter against UCLA in the Women’s College World Series that season.

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

Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary usually has the broad and bland “to get better” response when asked in training camp about his personal goal for the season. But before Year 4 in the NFL, the former Williamson High School and Auburn standout has a specific and possibly unique objective.

“That’s one thing I really want to do is talk more trash, get in people’s heads,” McCreary said during an appearance on NFL Network’s “The Insiders.” “… I feel like a lot of people underestimate me with that because I’m so quiet, so I feel like I just got to bring it out like me off the field. I have fun and talk trash to my friends, but when I get on the field, I just do my work and be quiet. But now I just got to show.”

After joining Tennessee in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, McCreary played every defensive snap as a rookie. In 2024, McCreary did not intercept a pass for the first time in his career, but he did tie the Indianapolis Colts’ Mike Hilton for the most tackles for loss among the NFL’s defensive backs with 12.

This season, McCreary wants to establish himself as the top slot cornerback in the NFL.

“That’s always been my goal is just to get better every year,” McCreary said. “But now it’s me trying to be the top. I want to be the top corner. I want to be the top person in the game, the DB that people talk about because I feel like a lot of people look over me and just don’t look at the plays I make on the field. So it’s just my time to show people that I’m out there, I’m on the field, I matter, and I’m going to show them that. …

“This year is personal. Everybody know me as a quiet guy, I would say, and I feel like going to my Year 4 I got to show them all of me. I just got to express who I truly am on and off the field, and I feel like this the year. It’s contract year, and I’m just going to give everybody all I got and just show people who I’m truly made of on that field.”

McCreary is entering the final season of his four-year, $9.166 million rookie contract. This offseason, the Chicago Bears made Kyler Gordon the NFL’s highest-paid slot corner with a three-year, $40 million contract. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed slot corner Jourdan Lewis away from the Dallas Cowboys with a three-year, $30 million contract.

“I watched their game,” McCreary said. “I see how they play, and I feel like I play up to that level, too, man. I just want to show people what type player I am. I deserve to have that, so I want to show people that I can be just as at that level as they can, too.”

In McCreary’s first NFL season, the Titans won seven games. In his second, they won six. And by falling to three victories in 2024, Tennessee got the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Titans used No. 1 choice to acquire Miami (Fla.) quarterback Cam Ward. McCreary said Ward has “confidence through the roof, and that’s what type person we need.”

“Going into this season with the Titans,” McCreary said, “I feel like we’re going to show people who we really made of and what we truly are because I feel like a lot of people don’t respect us. They don’t talk about the Titans a lot, and I feel like this year, especially with Cam Ward, that guy, that quarterback, I feel like we’re going to do good with him.”

Tennessee starts its three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Titans’ regular-season slate kicks off on Sept. 7 against the Denver Broncos.

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 National Weather Service issued a report at 6:31 p.m. on Friday for strong thunderstorms until 7 p.m. for Cleburne, Talladega and Clay counties.

Residents can be ready for wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 6:31 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Barfield, or near Lineville, moving north at 25 mph,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Oxford, Lineville, Ashland, Munford, Grant Town, Barfield, Anniston Regional Airport, Delta, Mount Cheaha, Camp Mac, Ironaton, Jenifer and Lake Chinnabee.

According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

When lightning looms: Expert safety tips for thunderstorms

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.

To guarantee your safety in the midst of a thunderstorm, take into account the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Navigating heavy rain: Essential safety measures for wet roads

Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of swollen waterways:

Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Slow down and drive with care:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Visibility matters:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.

If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

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 folks at Dave & Buster’s couldn’t let a good opportunity pass them by.

So, the social media team trolled Chuck E. Cheese after a viral story about the children’s amusement center’s famed mouse getting handcuffed and arrested – in front of children – for credit card fraud.

“Some would say he was Dave and Busted,” the post on X read Friday.

The Tallahassee Democrat reports Jermell Jones, who was in full costume, was arrested on three felonies on July 3 after a customer reported a stolen credit card the month prior.

While a spokesman said the intent was to walk Jones, or Chuck E., outside before arresting him, that’s not what happened.

According to police reports, one officer, while grabbing the employee, referred said, “Chuck E, come with me, Chuck E.”

“But when they approached him, he immediately tenses up and resists, and so at this point they make the decision to put him in handcuffs, keeping in mind the safety of not only the customers, but the suspect, as well as the officers themselves,” police spokesperson Alicia Hill told the Democrat.

Photos later showed Jones unmasked with the rodent head on the squad car.

Hill called it “unfortunate” the subject of the investigation was in costume.

The investigation began when a woman called police to report that someone was using her child support Visa debit card, which she hadn’t seen since a visit Chuck E. Cheese in late June, police records stated. Charges to the card were made at a smoke shop, grocery store and a Whataburger.

Get the full story at the Democrat.

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.

Nearly four months on from Auburn basketball’s second ever Final Four appearance last season, Neville Arena received new signage on Friday.

A 2025 Final Four banner was hung outside the arena’s entrance, replacing the 2019 banner that celebrated the Tigers’ first ever Final Four berth.

The banner is located right below the Neville Arena sign next to the scholarship entry. That location makes it visible to anyone driving or walking down South Donahue Drive.

Auburn clinched the Final Four berth after running through the first two weekends of the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, the first time the program ever held that position. The run ended in the national semifinals with a loss to Florida, the eventual national champion.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkusor email him at [email protected]m

He’d uploaded some cover tunes and originals to YouTube, but Noah Thompson’s had never sung in front of a live audience before his audition for season 20 of “American Idol.”

Thompson hadn’t even signed up for “Idol.” A friend had.

It all worked out for Thompson, a construction worker turned country singer. He ended up winning “Idol” 20.

On Saturday, Thompson will perform at Rock the Dock, a free concert at City Harbor in Guntersville. Matt Stell, known for country hits like “Prayed For You” and “Everywhere But On,” is the headliner. Mattie Pruitt, who reached the top 10 in season 23 of “Idol,” opens the show, which starts at 6.

On a recent afternoon, Thompson, now based in Nashville, called in for a phone interview from his home state of Kentucky, where he’d been spending time with his young son. Edited excerpts below.

Noah, what’s the story behind the title track on your new EP, “Kids Like Me”? The acoustic guitar intro reminded be a bit of Alice In Chains.

Noah Thompson: That song right there really set up the whole project. We wrote that song about two years ago, and I instantly just fell in love with it, man. I knew I wanted it to be this acoustic, raw kind of thing.

Lyrically, I wrote it with two of my buddies. I sat down and explained to them what I wanted to say, without telling them what to say. We more or less sat down and had a conversation. We all three kind of had similar upbringings, but in different dynamics.

It was just a song about growing up quick and not knowing which way to turn. You don’t really necessarily have anybody else to lean on other than yourself. That was what the song said for me, anyways, and that’s why I instantly fell in love with it.

For the production, we went with a Stephen Wilson Jr. kind of vibe. I don’t know if you’ve heard of that guy yet, but he’s blowing up and he’s amazing.

Several of your tracks have organic sounding intros and verses. Then the verses are bigger, sleeker sounding. What about that kind of song arrangement appeals to you?

When we sit down and write the song it’s more about the message for me than anything. Just making sure I get across to the audience about what it is I want to say, and make sure we capture that as much as we possibly can.

But with the production, we figure out where a moment where people can go, oh, wow, I didn’t sense that was coming. That really grabbed me it, engaged me and I want to keep listening to the song. Those moments are very important.

It’s kind of your version of Nirvana’s loud-quiet-loud dynamic, which they got from the Pixies.

That’s the kind of stuff I grew up on. Nirvana, all that stuff. Growing up, with my dad I’d listen to Foo Fighters, Daughtry, Nickelback. I had those kinds of guys to look up to on the rock side.

And then I had a mix of guys like Ryan Adams and David Gray, those songwriters who were deep lyrically. Guys that could just write a song, sit there and just sing and play guitar and hold a whole room.

During your run on “American Idol” you covered Jason Isbell’s song “Cover Me Up.” Why’d you pick that song to cover on “Idol”? And how does Isbell’s songwriting feed into what you do?

To be honest with you dude, I forgot I sang that song on the show. But I love Jason, man. He’s such a storyteller. And so is Tyler Childers, we grew up in the same hometown.

The cover of Rhianna’s hit “Stay” you performed on “Idol,” a studio version of which was released in 2022, was well done. A mix of country, R&B and rock. What drew you to that song?

There was a little clip of me singing a verse in the chorus of that song, which that was the only bit of the song that I knew. The producers knew that I could sing it, so therefore they were asking me about singing. I was like, nah, man. That’s a girl song, you know what I mean?

But then we ended up talking it through, and I learned the rest of the song and it ended up becoming my whole moment on the show. That song changed things for me and kept me in the game.

You made your Grand Ole Opry debut recently. Were you more nervous for that or your first time singing on “Idol”?

“Idol” for sure. I’ve got so much experience now with performing and whatnot. But don’t get me wrong, I was still nervous for the Opry because it was just the most incredible thing I’ve ever gotten to do. I enjoyed it a lot. But performing on national television every day of the week with “Idol” was a little bit different.

Carrie Underwood gave you the invitation to perform at the Opry, when you both returned to “Idol” this year. What was that like?

It was incredible. Obviously, Carrie Underwood is amazing and she’s an Opry member. We flew out to L.A. and got to go back on the show.

She’s the sweetest human being. Before we even started filming, she was holding my hand, talking to me. She’s got the best soul. But for her to be the one to ask me, that was a big deal for me, man. I thought it was super cool.

After being on “American Idol,” what’s the strangest place you’ve gotten recognized in public?

It has to be in the bathroom at the Nashville airport about a year ago. Iwalk out of the stall, and some dude was like, hey, man!

Plenty of people will have a chance to see some St. John Paul II football this season, and head coach Kevin Creehan is embracing that opportunity.

This season will see the Falcons play their home games at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, the home of Huntsville City FC.

The Falcons will share the venue with Grissom, which will also play there under first-year coach Preston Judah.

Playing games at the stadium — which has a capacity of 6,000 fans — demonstrates to athletes that there is “a commitment in place” for excellence, Kreehan told AL.com.

“That’s the most important thing that we’ve done so far, is over the course of the last years, we started to show people that this isn’t something we just also do,” he said. “This is now a commitment. This is important to us. We want to be good at it, and we’re going to do all the things that are necessary in order to be good at it.

“For this year, man, it’s exciting. It’s a professional stadium, you’re not going to be able to find a nicer stadium in Alabama; it should be exciting, it should be an event. We want the whole school there. We want it to be an event when we play home games, not just another game.”

Along with St. John Paul II and Grissom, select home games for Huntsville, Mae Jemison and Columbia will also be played at the stadium.

But, different from other programs, St. John Paul II’s schedule features five games on Thursday nights; the lone home game on a Friday for the Falcons is a matchup against Madison Academy on Oct. 17.

“It’s really exciting,” quarterback Joey Ross said of playing on Thursdays. “The more exposure you can get from it, because it’s the only game that night, and it’s football, it’s still going to be fun no matter what.”

The opportunity for St. John Paul II to get half of its schedule on Thursday nights provides not just enhanced recruitment visibility for players, but will also let people in the community have the chance to see the program since it will be the only game in town.

“When coaches come in from out of town, and there’s 30 games they can see on Friday night, but only one on Thursday night, they’re going to come in, they’re going to watch the Thursday night game, and then they’re going to pick one of those games on Friday,” Kreehan said. “That means that our guys are going to get a little bit more exposure than they would have otherwise.

“In some ways, this is an opportunity for us to be an introduction or, at worst, a rebrand, but maybe even an introduction, to people that are unfamiliar with our school, what our mission is and what our potential is.”

As for the team, which has had a busy summer with a weight program and 7-on-7 action, players feel encouraged with where the program is heading into the second season under Creehan.

“Watching us play in the summer, it’s the most prepared I’ve ever seen us,” Mark Andrzejewski said. “Everyone around is getting better on the team.”

While Kreehan’s two-season tenure has been short, it marks the first time since 2019 that the Falcons have been coached by someone who’s been with the program longer than a year; the last multi-season coach was David Lloyd, who led St. John Paul II to a 9-3 record and first-round playoff win in 2019 before taking over at Randolph.

“Having someone you can rely on that’s not going to leave is really helpful,” Ross said. “You know he’s going to be there, he’s going to show up every day and then you just follow that path. Everyone starts thriving and being there on time; he’s a good culture starter.”

The consistency has not only helped the current and future players within the program, but has also taken steps in establishing a culture at the school that Creehan and his staff have brought since the first day.

St. John Paul II will open its season on Thursday, Aug. 21, against Elkmont at Joe Davis Stadium after a jamboree matchup at Etowah on Friday, Aug. 15.

“When you look at the culture that we’ve tried to instill, this group here is the first one to be able to take it for a full calendar year,” Kreehan said. “That means that we have a weight program, all offseason and it never, never really stops; all the way through, we have the summer program, we have players throw and catch, those kinds of things that happen on their own.

“All those things, you can see the fruits of those starting to come through. We’ll see how it goes. I don’t want to be providing too many predictions. We could be a lot better than we were last year, and still don’t have a great record. We have to be a lot better than we were a year ago and also be able to figure out how to put it together enough to win.”

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A potential World Series preview headlines the weekend MLB slate, as the New York Yankees host the Philadelphia Phillies. Another prominent interleague series includes the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.

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The New York Liberty are coming off a decisive win over the Indiana Fever. The defending champs will host the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in a matchup of two of the league’s top teams. Another prime matchup to consider on Sunday is the Minnesota Lynx vs. the Atlanta Dream. Minnesota owns the league’s best record at 21-4 entering the weekend.

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After a monthlong freeze, Alabama schools will regain access to nearly $70 million in federal funds that were under review by the Trump administration.

“I am ecstatic that our stance for reasonable transparency and consistency in government has won the day,” State Superintendent Eric Mackey said in a statement Friday afternoon. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for maintaining the faith with our students and our schools.”

Worried that states were misusing the funds for so-called “woke” programs, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon alerted states in late June that until further review, the department would not release expected funds for the following federal grants:

• Title I-C for migrant education
• Title II-A for professional development
• Title III-A for English learner services
• Title IV-A for student support and academic enrichment
• Title IV-B for 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Amid pressure from Congress, the department last week released $1.3 billion in 21st Century grants, which support thousands of afterschool programs across the country. Mackey said he was alerted on Friday afternoon that the department will release the remaining funds to states starting July 28.

The release will end weeks of uncertainty for educators who rely on the money to fund English language instruction, afterschool programs and other services. Alabama officials estimated that the grants amounted to about $68 million for local schools.

“This isn’t just a budget issue—it’s a matter of justice and equity,” Richard Franklin, a Birmingham teachers union rep, said after the freeze. “Our students in Birmingham deserve every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Stripping away federal funding that supports special education, mental health, reading programs and school safety would be devastating. We cannot allow our kids to become political casualties.”

States typically receive those funds by July 1, enabling them to hire staff and fund services before the school year begins. In Alabama this month, districts scrounged for cash to fund summer programs and services for high-needs students. Some said they would have to cut programs if the money didn’t come through.

Some school districts in Alabama start classes as soon as July 31 this year.

“This is indeed great news to start the new school year,” Mackey continued. “Huge win for state chiefs— from both red and blue and purple states who all worked arm in arm on this common issue important to us all.”

In withholding the funds, the federal Office of Management and Budget, said some of the programs supported a “radical leftwing agenda,” according to the Associated Press.

Two dozen states sued the office in mid-July, alleging that the move violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which requires any executive withholdings of budget authority to be reviewed by Congress.

Alabama Congresswomen Rep. Terri Sewell (D) and Sen. Katie Britt (R), also urged a release of the funding in separate letters last week.

“I applaud the announcement from OMB Director Vought to release the outstanding education formula funds to states,” Britt said in a statement Friday. “I have long stated our local communities know how to best serve students and families. This funding will help states and school districts provide students an excellent education.”

Earlier this year, the department froze nearly $9 million in pandemic relief funds meant for a school construction project in Selma and a statewide program for struggling readers. McMahon recently reversed course on that decision, allowing Alabama and other states to file for reimbursements.