Alabama News

Tommy Tuberville wants to be the next governor of Alabama. He’s already thrown his MAGA hat into the ring, which means he will be the next governor of Alabama. That’s the way politics is played around here.

The Democratic candidate to be named later for the state’s highest office in 2026 will be the equivalent of a non-conference cupcake in the same field as the current U.S. senator. Mike Shula had a better chance to beat Tuberville in an Iron Bowl.

Shula and Alabama went 0-4 against Tuberville and Auburn from 2003-06, but the Tigers didn’t win a single one of those games by more than 10 points. It’ll be an upset if next year’s gubernatorial vote is that close.

That said, our next governor already is failing one of his most well-known constituents on a statewide issue of supreme importance that Tuberville fully understands. Where is the former Auburn football coach when the current Auburn coach needs him most?

This has been the summer of Hugh Freeze’s discontent. In the eyes of his critics, he’s playing too much golf and landing too few commitments after losing too many games during his first two seasons. The latest shot across his bow came from, of all places, Golf Digest.

The magazine that good-naturedly declared the undefeated 2004 Auburn football team national champions — at coach Tuberville’s humorous request — posted a story on its website Saturday under this headline: “Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze plays a lot of golf, leading to speculation that it is hurting recruiting efforts.”

The article, barely longer than the headline, cites the enterprising June 24 piece by al.com‘s Matt Stahl, which documented that Freeze does indeed play a lot of golf. That was true at Freeze’s previous job at Liberty, as Auburn knew, and it has remained true since he unpacked his clubs in the Loveliest Village.

If there is anyone on God’s well-manicured green earth who has walked in Freeze’s shoes 18 holes at a time, it’s Tuberville. Never known as a grinder as a football coach, he enjoyed his down time and spent much of it working on his golf swing.

Of all the concerns about Tuberville during his solid decade as the Auburn head coach, I don’t recall the number of rounds he played or the relatively high quality of his game being prominent among them. It helped that he led the Tigers to two SEC West titles, one SEC championship in that undefeated 2004 season and six straight wins over Alabama.

All of which makes Tuberville the perfect person to stand up and speak up for Freeze while so many others are questioning him. The senator could go on Fox News, the favorite TV channel of current and former Auburn coaches in multiple sports, and make a case for the importance of recharging your batteries and renewing your spirit with a 9-iron in your hands.

Tuberville could cite his favorite president, Donald Trump, and his old coaching and golfing rival, Steve Spurrier, as examples of people in high places that took every opportunity to hit the links.

Freeze certainly could use the encouragement if not a full-on endorsement.

As of Sunday afternoon, 247Sports ranked Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class – with seven commitments, none of them in the top 100 – at No. 86 in the nation. The raw number is surprising enough, especially since Freeze’s first two full-year Auburn classes finished No. 10 in 2024 and No. 8 in 2025. The comparisons are downright shocking.

Start with the in-state rivalry. Alabama’s class at No. 5 is ranked 81 spots higher than Auburn’s. Don’t recall recruiting misfit Bryan Harsin ever falling that far behind recruiting master Nick Saban, at least by the numbers. Kalen DeBoer has nuked the “Husky Harsin” narrative, landing pledges from almost as many five-star prospects as Freeze has total commitments.

There are 16 SEC teams. Auburn’s current class is ranked 16th among them. There are 68 power conference teams, 67 in the SEC (16), Big Ten (18), ACC (17) and Big 12 (16) plus Notre Dame. Auburn’s current class is ranked 67th among those 68 teams. Colorado is the only power conference team ranked behind Auburn at No. 101. Makes you wonder about the loud voices that wanted Deion Sanders to take over on the Plains because he allegedly would have cleaned up in recruiting there.

Freeze and Auburn AD John Cohen tried to explain the current recruiting situation at an event last week in Alexander City. They said, in moving forward in this uncertain revenue-sharing era, they’re doing things “the right way” with their pragmatic approach, mindful that written offers to high school seniors can’t be extended until Aug. 1 nor inked until the December signing period.

That explanation implies that other schools are doing things the wrong way, that Auburn’s 2026 class will make a different statement by December and that recruiting rankings are as fleeting as golf handicaps.

No one knows this territory better than Tuberville. If he wants to be a champion for the people of Alabama on a micro level, there’s no better place to start than with a public defense of one of the state’s most prominent citizens. Today’s a great day to fire off a few words in support of Hugh Freeze.

Texas tragedy

Among the victims of Friday’s flooding in Texas Hill Country was 8-year-old Sarah Marsh of Mountain Brook, reports AL.com’s Hannah Denham.

At our deadlines the overall death toll being reported by the Associated Press had risen above 80. Ten girls from Camp Mystic were still missing. Sarah was attending that Christian retreat near the Guadalupe River when heavy rains overnight Thursday into Friday led to flash flooding that devastated the area.

Meteorologist James Spann posted on social media that Sarah was a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary School in Mountain Brook.

Union effort

The United Auto Workers has taken steps to unionize workers at an Alabama powertrain plant, reports AL.com’s William Thornton.

Last year the UAW invested millions into expanding its footprint, and union officials vowed to increase unionization in the South. It met rejection in Tuscaloosa County, where 56% of Mercedez-Benz employees voted against joining.

Then last week, the UAW filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to represent workers at Huntsville’s International Motors. The plant manufactures diesel engines and transmissions for International’s assembly plants.

According to the paperwork, it affects 220 full- and part-time manufacturing employees.

Risky celebration

Fourth of July celebrations didn’t go off without at least some fireworks-related injuries.

At Lake Martin, an explosion on a pontoon-boat-turned-launch-pad resulted in six injured people, reports AL.com’s Carol Robinson and Jeremy Gray.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the fireworks were not permitted.

Two people were airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. The others were taken to area hospitals.

The explosion took place in Blue Creek on Lake Martin in Tallapoosa County.

Mormons in Madison

The City of Madison’s zoning board has approved what would be the second Mormon temple in Alabama, reports AL.com’s John R. Roby.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wants to build a one-story, 30,000-square-foot facility topped with a 120-foot spire.

Just last week, Madison’s planning commission recommended that the city annex just under 14 acres of the church’s property on the east side of the temple site.

There are an estimated 40,000 Mormons living in Alabama. Their other temple opened in Gardendale 25 years ago.

RIP Bruce Underwood

Longtime radio host, former TV journalist and popular Guntersville personality Bruce Underwood has passed away, according to a story by WHNT and a social-media post by the Guntersville Advertiser-Gleam. Congressman Robert Aderholt also acknowledged Underwood’s passing with a weekend post.

Underwood started doing radio while Alabama’s governor was Jim Folsom — Big Jim Folsom.

WHNT reported that Underwood had been doing a morning radio show on WTWX 95.9 in Guntersville since 1958. He also became one of WHNT’s first reporters when they hired him to cover Marshall County in 1963. And he had been a weather observer for the National Weather Service, calling in temperatures and rainfall totals since the late 50s.

Quoting

“Twenty years ago, if you would have asked me, ‘Would you want to have A-Day?’ I’d say, ‘Yes.’ Today, I would say, with all the things that come now surrounding it, I think it’s better for us not to have A-Day and focus on the UA-generated events that don’t require so much security personnel and other logistical support.”

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, to The Tuscaloosa News

By the Numbers

$8 million

That’s the budget shortfall the University of Montevallo is trying to chip into by canceling some majors, laying off some staff and increasing tuition.

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1902, Negro League pitcher, catcher and, later, manager Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe of Mobile.

In 1906, Hall of Famer pitcher Satchel Paige of Mobile.

In 1927, singer, songwriter and guitarist Charlie Louvin of Section.

In 1980, Miss America 2005 Dr. Deidre Downs Gunn of Pelham.

The podcast

A hundred years ago, making a sandwich required superior knife skills and the will to continue with but one more of the mountain of repetitive tasks in the invisible load of typical domestic housework. Then, on July 7, 1928, the first presliced loaf of bread was sold. Even children could make their own sandwiches. It was neater, quicker, and … well, it truly was the greatest thing since … At this point in the sun’s journey through domestic Cancer, we’re reminded that sometimes genius is what you take off your plate.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There’s something you’ve been holding in. When you release it, you’ll realize how much lighter and more focused you become. The clarity will subtly improve your decisions, your energy and even the way people respond to you. You’ll feel more like yourself again.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your perspective shapes your experience more than you realize. Something that feels like a setback — rejection, delay, inconvenience — is actually a hidden blessing. And what seems exciting or desirable might turn out to be a burden, so check it and mentally try it on. Vet your options.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you feel the spin, just zoom in on the next move — the next sentence, the next frame, the next dish to wash. That kind of focus conducts your power. You’re doing it. You’re alive and awake in the thick of your purpose. The rest is just pacing.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Aesthetics matter, but honesty matters much more. A messy truth spoken gently will have far more impact than a polished performance. Today, vulnerability looks better on you than perfection.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve been polite long enough. Today’s the day to set terms, state needs or make a clean break. You don’t have to be harsh — just resolute. Say it directly and with a smile, and you’ll get your needs met.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A memory surfaces to redirect you. What you learned back then is finally useful now. Apply it and watch the tension dissolve. This insight brings relief, and a sense that you’re right where you need to be.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Don’t confuse discomfort with deficiency. Some people think, “If I feel off here, maybe I’m not good enough.” But really, that feeling can be situational, not personal. You’re learning to separate the two, and it’s empowering.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Someone’s thinking of you but holding back from reaching out. You’ll sense it anyway — your emotional radar is that strong right now. Let the connection speak through intuition before it takes shape in words or action.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Write down the unedited version of your experience — not for anyone else, just for you. Honesty is a map. When you’re ready to share, it’ll be because you’ve already made it somewhere worth inviting others to.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll catch yourself being critical of your own progress, but pause. The truth is, you’re doing something many people wouldn’t even attempt. Celebrate your courage, not just your results. Tonight, a little order brings a surprising sense of peace.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The storyline keeps twisting, and you’re rolling with it. You’re learning that fulfillment doesn’t always come with certainty — it comes from staying curious. When you reflect on this day, you might be surprised at the random detail you claim as the highlight.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). What once felt charged now feels neutral. You’ll glide through moments that used to snag you. This calm represents evolution. Your mood sets the tone for everyone, whether you mean this to happen or not.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 7). This year, your instincts sharpen, and you’ll make decisions with more ease than ever before. You’ll feel freer — financially, emotionally, creatively. More highlights: a reunion with someone who brings out the best in you. A move or change of setting refreshes your spirit. You’ll be asked to lead, and you’ll do it on your own terms, creating something totally original and galvanizing a group that loves it. Gemini and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 17, 21, 39 and 45.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: His song “Octopus’s Garden” captures his Cancerian longing for comfort, whimsy and underwater peace — a dreamy escape from the spotlight. Ringo Starr is the beloved drummer of The Beatles, known for his steady beat, distinct charm and signature wit. Like many Cancers, he radiates warmth and loyalty, often described as the emotional glue of the band. Ringo leads the All-Starr Band, spreading peace and love and signing off every social post with those exact words — classic Cancer tenderness.

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.

A north Alabama woman was killed and five others injured in a head-on crash in Cullman County.

Alabama State Troopers identified the fatality victim as Cynthia Ruth Baker Reeves. She was 55 and lived in Hartselle.

The wreck happened at 3 p.m. Sunday on Cullman County 222 near Cullman County 351, about one mile south of Crane Hill.

Senior Trooper Gregory Corble said Reeves was driving a Chevrolet Impala that collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado driven by 39-year-old Shawn P. Bagwell of Cullman.

Reeves was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene, Corble said.

Bagwell was injured and airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.

Four children in the Silverado – ages 14, 13, 11 and 8 – were also injured and taken to a hospital.

The investigation is ongoing by troopers.

Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin is no stranger to stirring the pot on social media.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze was the latest to be targeted by Kiffin, becoming the punching bag for a Sunday evening dig on X (formerly Twitter).

Kiffin quoted a post from Freeze on May 19 that showed him playing golf, writing “Great job Coach!! Game is on,” with a fire emoji.

Freeze’s frequent golf outings have drawn criticism, as he logged 10 rounds of golf from June 1 to June 24, according to the USGA’s Golf Handicap Information Network database.

During that time, Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class had numerous decommitments and now ranks 86th in the country, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Ole Miss’ 2026 recruiting class currently ranks 37th.

That was the second post of the evening from Kiffin aimed at Freeze, following a picture of a young woman standing next to a large fish, with a caption that tagged Freeze.

The Tigers and Rebels won’t meet on the field in 2025, but Kiffin’s trolling of fellow coaches — including Freeze — is nothing new.

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

When Jakorian Bennett joined Las Vegas as a fourth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Josh McDaniels served as the Raiders’ head coach. For the former McGill-Toolen Catholic High School star’s second season, Antonio Pierce was at the helm. As the cornerback nears his third campaign, Bennett is working for Pete Carroll as the coach prepares for his first season with Las Vegas and 19th as an NFL head coach.

The coaching changes have meant starting over annually for Bennett and the rest of the Raiders.

“I feel like there’s no other way that you would want it,” Bennett said about the necessity of proving himself annually. “You don’t want nobody to just give you anything, you know? Like, I’m here to work, and I just got to show the coaches, like, who I am, who I know I can be, and just go out there and just continue to compete.”

Carroll’s first NFL job came in 1984 as the secondary coach for the Buffalo Bills, and the defensive backs remain of particular interest to the coach.

“He’s all about just getting the ball,” Bennett said, “and, like, that’s what I want to lowkey kind of implement in my game, because I had a lot of breakups or whatever, but if I could turn those breakups to picks, I could really, like, help change the game, and so he’s really all about just getting the ball back. He’s all about the ball. That’s what we preach each and every day, so him instilling that confidence in us, it means a lot, and it’s going to translate to the field.”

Bennett considers himself “a shutdown corner,” but he has not intercepted a pass in the NFL yet. He had eight pass breakups in 2024, a season cut short by a shoulder injury that required surgery.

“I haven’t had both my shoulders since college, you know?” Bennett said. “So, like, man, I go out there during games knowing that my shoulder’s going to pop out. Like, probably last season my shoulder probably popped out like five times because I had, like, a torn labrum, you know? Like a lot of people don’t know that, but I was just thugging it out, you know? They’ll put it back in, go back in or whatever.

“But it feels good to have it back right. Now it’s just kind of time to keep taking that next step.”

As a fourth-round rookie from Maryland, Bennett played in 14 games, with four starts, and had 360 defensive snaps. Last season, Bennett played in 10 games, with seven starts, and had 461 defensive snaps.

Quarterbacks throwing to receivers covered by Bennett in 2023 had a 102.5 passing-efficiency rating as they completed 26-of-38 passes for 316 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Last year, the passing-efficiency rating when targeting Bennett dropped to 67.7 as quarterbacks were 23-of-44 for 233 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

“I was feeling good going into last year,” Bennett said. “Just felt confident. Felt like, you know, when you get that experience, it’s like everything just kind of slows down. And I had a lot of guys that believed in me, so this year I’m going to try to do the same thing. You know, keep my head down, just keep working.”

Three cornerbacks played more defensive snaps for Las Vegas than Bennett during the 2024 season. The Raiders released Jack Jones on April 6 after he played 94 percent of the defensive snaps last season. Nate Hobbs left in free agency after playing 50 percent of the defensive snaps in 2024.

Decamerion Richardson is back after playing 559 defensive snaps, or half of Las Vegas’ total, last season. This offseason, the Raiders added Darien Porter and Eric Stokes to the competition at outside corner. Porter came aboard from Iowa State as a third-round pick in the NFL Draft in April, and Stokes joined from the Green Bay Packers as a free-agent signing.

On their summer break, the Raiders open training camp when the rookies report on July 17 and the veterans come in on July 22. Las Vegas starts its three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 7 against the Seattle Seahawks and kicks off its regular-season slate on Sept. 7 against the New England Patriots.

An All-State sprinter at McGill-Toolen, Bennett and the Yellow Jackets reached the AHSAA Class 7A football championship game in each of his final three seasons at the Mobile school.

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.

Elon Musk said he’s carrying out his threat to form a new political party after his fissure with President Donald Trump, announcing the America Party in response to the president’s sweeping tax cuts law.

Musk, once an ever-present ally to Trump as he headed up the slashing agency known as the Department of Government Efficiency, broke with the Republican president over his signature legislation, which was signed into law Friday.

As the bill made its way through Congress, Musk threatened to form the “America Party” if “this insane spending bill passes.”

“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,” Musk said Saturday on X, the social media company he owns. “Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

Asked about the effort by reporters on Sunday afternoon as he prepared to return to Washington from his home in New Jersey, Trump called Musk’s proposition “ridiculous,” going on to tout “tremendous success with the Republican Party.”

“The Democrats have lost their way, but it’s always been a two-party system,” Trump added. “And I think starting a third party just adds to confusion. It really seems to have been developed, but three parties have never worked.”

On Truth Social, Trump posted that Musk had gone “completely “off the rails,” essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks.”

Trump added that third parties “have never succeeded in the United States…. The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS, and we have enough of that with the Radical Left Democrats, who have lost their confidence and their minds!”

The formation of new political parties is not uncommon, but they typically struggle to pull any significant support away from the Republican and Democratic parties. But Musk, the world’s richest man who spent at least $250 million supporting Trump in the 2024 election, could impact the 2026 elections determining control of Congress if he is willing to spend significant amounts of money.

His reignited feud with the president could also be costly for Musk, whose businesses rely on billions of dollars in government contracts and publicly traded company Tesla has taken a hit in the market.

It wasn’t clear whether Musk had taken steps to formally create the new political party. Spokespeople for Musk and his political action committee, America PAC, didn’t immediately comment Sunday.

As of Sunday morning, there were multiple political parties listed in the Federal Election Commission database that had been formed in the hours since Musk’s Saturday X post with versions of “America Party” of “DOGE” or “X” in the name, or Musk listed among people affiliated with the entity.

But none appeared to be authentic, listing contacts for the organization as email addresses such as ” [email protected] ″ or untraceable Protonmail addresses.

Musk on Sunday spent the morning on X taking feedback from users about the party and indicated he’d use the party to get involved in the 2026 midterm elections.

Last month, he threatened to try to oust every member of Congress that voted for Trump’s bill. Musk had called the tax breaks and spending cuts package a “disgusting abomination,” warning it would increase the federal deficit, among other critiques.

“The Republican Party has a clean sweep of the executive, legislative and judicial branches and STILL had the nerve to massively increase the size of government, expanding the national debt by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS,” Musk said Sunday on X.

His critiques of the bill and move to form a political party mark a reversal from May, when his time in the White House was winding down and the head of rocket company SpaceX and electric vehicle maker Tesla said he would spend “a lot less” on politics in the future.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who clashed with Musk while he ran DOGE, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that DOGE’s “principles” were popular but “if you look at the polling, Elon was not.”

“I imagine that those board of directors did not like this announcement yesterday and will be encouraging him to focus on his business activities, not his political activities,” he said.

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan became the fifth former South Alabama player picked for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game when he was named a National League reserve on Sunday.

The 95th MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta. FOX will televise the game.

After the starting lineups for the game were revealed last week, the pitchers and reserves were announced on Sunday.

Donovan is going to the All-Star Game for the first time in his fourth season with the Cardinals. St. Louis selected the former Enterprise High School star in the seventh round of the 2018 draft after his third season at South Alabama.

This season, Donovan has a .296 batting average, .367 on-base average and .431 slugging percentage in 82 games. Among National League hitters, he ranks fifth in batting average and fifth in doubles with 22 in 2025.

A versatile glove in the field, Donovan has played in 65 games at second base, 17 in left field, six at shortstop and two at designated hitter for the Cardinals in 2025.

Former South Alabama outfielder Luis Gonzalez represented the Arizona Diamondbacks at five MLB All-Star games – 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

Three other USA alumni were picked for one MLB All-Star Game apiece – Cardinals third baseman David Freese in 2012, New York Mets outfielder Lance Johnson in 1996 and Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lieber in 2001.

Fan voting chose the starting lineups for the MLB All-Star Game. Eight pitchers and one reserve at each of the other nine positions for each league’s team were determined by player votes. The Commissioner’s Office then added six players to complete the rosters, using those selections to ensure that every team had at least one representative.

The starting lineups include:

American League

Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

First baseman: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

Second baseman: Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers

Shortstop: Jacob Wilson, Athletics

Third baseman: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

Outfielders: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees; Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers; Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers

Designated hitter: Ryan O’Hearn, Baltimore Orioles

National League

Catcher: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

First baseman: Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers

Second baseman: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets

Third baseman: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres

Outfielders: Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves; Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs; Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs

Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

The managers – the New York Yankees’ Aaron Boone for the American League and Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dave Roberts for the National League – will pick the starting pitchers.

The American League pitchers are the Houston Astros’ Hunter Brown and Josh Hader, Kansas City Royals’ Kris Bubic, Boston Red Sox’s Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Crochet, Texas Rangers’ Jacob deGrom, New York Yankees’ Max Fried, Los Angeles Angels’ Yusei Kikuchi, Seattle Mariners’ Andres Munoz and Bryan Woo, Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal and Chicago White Sox’s Shane Smith.

The National League pitchers are the San Diego Padres’ Jason Adam, Chicago Cubs’ Matthew Boyd, New York Mets’ Edwin Diaz, Washington Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Milwaukee Brewers’ Freddy Peralta, San Francisco Giants’ Robbie Ray, Randy Rodriguez and Logan Webb, Atlanta Braves’ Chris Sale, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes and Philadelphia Phillies’ Zack Wheeler.

The American League reserves include catcher Alejandro Kirk of the Toronto Blue Jays, infielders Jonathan Aranda and Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays, Alex Bregman of the Boston Red Sox, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees, Jeremy Pena of the Houston Astros and Bobby Whitt of the Kansas City Royals; outfielders Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians and Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners; and designated hitter Brent Rooker of the Athletics.

In addition to Donovan, the National League reserves include catcher Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies; infielders Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds, Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves and Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks; outfielders Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks, Kyle Stowers of the Miami Marlins, Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres and James Wood of the Washington Nationals; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies.

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

A woman from South Carolina has died and another person was injured after a car crash in Cleburne County Sunday morning.

Elizabeth E. Melton, 74, died after her vehicle struck another car and a tractor-trailer hit her car at about 7:23 a.m. Sunday. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, about two miles east of Heflin, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Melton, of Summerville, S.C., was driving a 2024 Buick Encore when she hit a 2019 Land Rover Discovery, driven by James Johnson, 65, of Covington, GA, according to the agency.

“After the initial impact, a 2024 Volvo tractor-trailer driven by Joshua J. Waiters, 36, of Roanoke, Va., struck the Buick,” it said in a press release Sunday.

David Clark, 62, was a passenger in the Buick. He was taken to Tanner Medical Center in Carrolton, GA.

The incident happened on Interstate 20 near the 207 mile marker. An investigation is underway.