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See the complete Week 2 AHSAA, AISA baseball playoff pairings

All the No. 1 teams in the final Alabama Sports Writers Association high school baseball rankings remain alive entering Week 2 of the playoffs.

Class 7A teams open play this weekend.

RELATED: Final ASWA Baseball Rankings

Hewitt-Trussville has been the No. 1 7A team all year. The Huskies host Sparkman in their opening round best-of-3 series.

One of the biggest Round 2 matchups happens in Class 1A where top-ranked Appalachian travels to No. 2 Hackleburg on Friday.

Hewitt and Class 2A No. 1 Vincent are the only top-ranked AHSAA teams playing at home this week. Prattville Christian (3A), Oak Grove (4A), Springville (5A) and Hartselle (6A) are all on the road. In the AISA. No. 1 Lakeside School hosts Wilcox Academy.

Here are this week’s pairings:

AHSAA

(All series will be Friday, April 25 – Saturday, Apr. 26 unless otherwise denoted)

CLASS 1A

Autauga Academy (12-17) at Millry (24-8), Thur., Apr. 24, 5 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr. 25, 1 p.m., if needed)

Brantley (17-2) at University Charter School (15-8), Fri., Apr. 25, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 11 a.m., if needed)

Fayetteville (20-10) at Florala (17-7), Thur., Apr. 24, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr. 25, 3 p.m., if needed)

Billingsley (20-8) at Leroy (22-8), ), Fri., Apr. 25, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, noon, if needed)

South Lamar (15-13) at Athens Bible (16-7), Fri., Apr. 25, 1 and 3:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, noon, if needed)

Appalachian (24-3) at Hackleburg (25-6), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Hubbertville (17-7) at Lynn (18-10), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 2 p.m., if needed)

Addison (23-8) at Pickens Academy (17-12), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

CLASS 2A

Tuscaloosa Academy (13-18) at Ariton (24-9), Thur., Apr. 24, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr., 25, 4 p.m., if needed)

Pike Liberal Arts (16-14) at Horseshoe Bend (9-12), Thur., Apr. 24, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 p.m., if needed)

Ranburne (16-17) at Cottonwood (19-5), Fri., Apr. 25, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

G.W. Long (19-10) at Reeltown (16-11), Thur., Apr. 24, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 p.m., if needed)

North Sand Mountain (21-8) at Vincent (25-5), ), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Sumiton Christian (22-7) at Lindsay Lane (19-15), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Decatur Heritage (25-5) at Red Bay (22-6), Thur., Apr. 24, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr. 25, 5 p.m., if needed)

Mars Hill Bible (18-12) at Westminster-Oak Mountain (14-12), Fri., Apr. 25, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

CLASS 3A

Flomaton (17-9) at Lee-Scott Academy (21-11), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Prattville Christian (30-2) at Wicksburg (16-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Providence Christian (15-12) at Saint James (18-10), Fri., Apr. 25, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Thomasville (19-7) at Glenwood (26-4), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Whitesburg Christian (20-10) at J.B. Pennington (20-13), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Collinsville (19-8) at Gordo (20-12), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Lauderdale County (20-13) at Winfield (28-6), Thur., Apr. 24, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 p.m., if needed)

Vinemont (24-9) vs. Phil Campbell (20-12), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

CLASS 4A

Oak Grove (26-3) at Satsuma (20-10), ), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Trinity Presbyterian (23-8) at Jackson (16-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

W.S. Neal (16-6) at Tallassee (20-10), Thur., Apr. 24, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr. 25, 5 p.m., if needed)

Opp (23-5) vs. Bibb County (23-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, noon, if needed)

Cordova (15-15) at Central-Florence (21-12), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Etowah (22-12) at New Hope (13-15), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Madison County (23-4) at Haleyville (24-8), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Alexandria (20-11) at Deshler (25-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, noon, if needed)

CLASS 5A

Demopolis (22-9) at Elberta (22-7), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, noon, if needed)

Marbury (29-6) at Faith Academy (21-5), Fri., Apr. 25, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Briarwood Christian (19-14) at St. Paul’s Episcopal (22-8), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Elmore County (24-9) at UMS-Wright (17-10), Fri., Apr. 25, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

American Christian (27-12-1) at Russellville (24-10), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Jacksonville (18-17) at Scottsboro (13-15), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, noon, if needed)

Madison Academy (31-6) at Leeds (24-12), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Springville (28-5) at Lawrence County (24-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 2 p.m., if needed)

CLASS 6A

Chelsea (21-9) at Saraland (21-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Calera (18-15) at Gulf Shores (20-12-1), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Hueytown (25-13) at Spanish Fort (20-13), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Stanhope Elmore (23-13) at Helena (20-14), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Hartselle (27-7) at Homewood (29-7), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Pell City (17-11) at Cullman (19-15), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 2 p.m., if needed)

Buckhorn (25-12) at Mountain Brook (26-8), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Gardendale (22-8) at Fort Payne (20-11), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 11 a.m., if needed)

CLASS 7A

Area 4 RU: Auburn (18-15) at Area 1 W: Alma Bryant (19-11), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Area 2 RU: Daphne (18-15) at Area 3 W: Enterprise (28-1), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 2 p.m.)

Area 3 RU: Dothan (19-10) at Area 2 W: Fairhope (26-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Area 1 RU: Baker (16-14) at Area 4 W: Central-Phenix City (30-8), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:40 and 6:30 CDT (Game 3, Apr. 26, noon (CDT)

Area 8 RU: James Clemens (24-11) at Area 5 W: Tuscaloosa County (26-12), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Area 6 RU: Hoover (20-17) at Area 7 W: Grissom (25-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Area 7 RU: Sparkman (20-19) at Area 6 W: Hewitt-Trussville (31-2), Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

Area 5 RU: Thompson (26-13) at Area 8 W: Bob Jones (32-9), Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

AISA

CLASS A

South Choctaw at Hope Christian, TBA

Abbeville at Patrician, TBA

Coosa Valley at Jackson Academy, TBA

Wilcox Academy at Lakeside School, TBA

CLASS AA

Morgan Academy at Macon-East, TBA

Lowndes Academy at Clark Prep, TBA

Southern at Fort Dale, TBA

Chambers at Bessemer Academy, TBA

This post will be updated

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Marjorie Taylor Greene says ‘evil is being defeated’ after death of Pope Francis

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, was condemned on social media after tweeting that God defeated “evil” hours after Pope Francis’ death was announced.

“Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God,” Greene tweeted late Monday morning.

She did not elaborate on what those shifts were, but critics on social media took her tweet to be referencing Francis.

“If you are here, who is running hell?” responded Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.

Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman from Illinois who has become critical of President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, also reacted to the tweet.

“You’re pure evil,” Kinzinger told the Georgia congresswoman.

Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humility and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives over climate change and critiques of capitalism, died Monday. He was 88.

Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Ferrell said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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How a supermarket icon changed the way we shop; see vintage Alabama photos

In May 1941, downtown Birmingham got its first “super store,” but it wasn’t a Walmart or Target – it was an A&P grocery store. Advertisements in the Birmingham News billed it as a “mammoth supermarket.”

Click through the gallery at the top of this story for vintage photos of A&P stores in Alabama.

A&P, founded in the mid-1800s in New York as the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc., began as a mail order tea company but would go on to revolutionize grocery shopping, according to Marc Levinson’s 2011 book ”The Great A&P and the Struggle for Small Business in America.”

Before the early 20th century, people purchased groceries by taking a list to a worker behind the counter and having that person fill the order (if you’re old enough, picture the mercantile shown on TV’s “Little House on the Prairie.”) In addition, groceries could be delivered and customers could run tabs. But in 1912, the company, by then known as A&P, opened an unusual kind of store.

“The cash and carry store, with plain furnishings and fixtures, offered no credit, no deliveries and no premiums – just quality groceries at very low prices,” according to a history on an archived company website.

One major change was that the canned goods, dairy and produce were lined up on shelves for customers to choose for themselves. It was the original “self-serve” shopping experience. In a new book, Levinson

[Shoppers] would have to go to two or three different grocery stories in their neighborhood if they wanted different type of goods, plus the butcher, the baker, and the fruit and vegetable store. … The consumer’s choices were pretty constrained.”

A&P in Selma, Ala., in 1965.Alabama Department of Archives and History

A&P and other grocers would later benefit from the invention of the shopping cart, invented in 1937 by Sylvan Goldman, owner of the Humpty Dumpty supermarket chain, according to an ad in The Oklahoma News.

The first store in Alabama opened in Fairfield in 1925, according to BhamWiki.com, a locally run encyclopedia site.

By 1941, there were 16 A&P stores in the Birmingham metro area, according to an article in The Birmingham News at the time. The article announced that a 17th location, the downtown “super-store,” would open in May at 1729 Fifth Avenue North.

A&P stores in Alabama

An A&P in Huntsville, Ala., date unknown.Huntsville Rewound

The article quoted company spokesperson A.J. Wright: “Thousands of housewives from throughout Birmingham already are familiar with A&P super markets because they have been shopping in them in 16 other parts of the city. Our new store will provide a convenient downtown location for these woman …”

A&P became known for its numerous in-house brands, including Eight O’Clock Coffee, America’s Choice, Via Roma, Live Better, Great Atlantic Seafood Market and Jane Parker.

The chain quickly became “the largest retailer in the world” and the first to sell $1 billion in goods, Levison wrote in his book. The chain would eventually include 16,000 stores.

In 1963, the chain debuted its version of S&H Green Stamps. The company offered Plaid Stamps that could be redeemed for merchandise.

The company enjoyed great success throughout the 20th century, but filed for bankruptcy in 2010. It closed in 2016.

These days, people who loved A&P’s brands can still find coffee and tea at the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company online. Check it out here.

A&P stores in Alabama

An A&P on Bell Street in downtown Montgomery, Ala., in 1949.Alabama Department of Archives and History

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Knicks-Pistons free livestream: Where to watch NBA playoffs game 2, TV, schedule

The No. 3 New York Knicks play against the No. 6 Detroit Pistons in game 2 of their NBA Playoff series tonight. The matchup will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on TNT. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Knicks currently have a 1-0 series lead, as they defeated Detroit 123-112 in the series opener. Notably, the Knicks went on a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to take control of the game.

In order to win game 2 tonight, the Knicks will need great performances from their star players Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The two players combined to score 57 points last game, and they shot efficiently from the field.

In order to bounce back tonight, the Pistons will need a better outing from their guard Cade Cunningham. He struggled to find his offensive groove last game, as he shot 8-21 from the field. The fourth-year player led Detroit in scoring during the regular season, so he will be a key player to watch throughout this series.

Fans can watch game 2 of this NBA Playoff series for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

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Dave Matthews Band is coming to Birmingham in June, here’s how to score the cheapest tickets

The popular rock group the Dave Matthews Band is currently on tour with a slew of show dates and festival dates scheduled for the year, including an upcoming show date in Birmingham at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater on June 24.

Dave Matthews Band was established over three decades ago, and since its inception, has garnered a die-hard fan base. With more than 25 million tickets sold since the band’s debut onto the rock genre scene, the group has become the second largest ticket-seller in history.

Along with their upcoming Birmingham show in June, Dave Matthews Band has several tour dates lined up around the country as well as performances scheduled for some of the biggest music festivals of the summer including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Lovin’ Life Music Festival, Boston Calling Music Festival and more.

Those interested in attending the Birmingham show, or any of the group’s show/festival dates can find the cheapest tickets available for purchase on secondary markets such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek.

Where can I find the cheapest tickets to the Birmingham show?

Those interested in seeing the world-class group while they’re in Birmingham can find the cheapest tickets available below.

Vivid Seats: ($101 per person)

StubHub: ($94 per person)

Viagogo: ($88 per person)

Seat Geek: ($97 per person)

More upcoming Dave Matthews Band show dates

  • May 2 – Houston, Texas
  • May 24 – Bethel, New York
  • May 27 – Syracuse. New York
  • May 30 – Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
  • May 31 – Columbia, Maryland
  • June 3 – Holmdel, New Jersey
  • June 13 – Cincinnati, Ohio
  • June 14 – Maryland Heights, Missouri
  • June 20 & 21 – Charleston, South Carolina
  • June 25 – Alpharetta, Georgia
  • June 27 & 28 – Chicago, Illinois
  • July 9 – Clarkston, Michigan
  • July 11 & 12 – Noblesville, Indiana
  • July 15 & 16 – Richmond, Virginia
  • July 18 & 19 – Saratoga Springs, New York
  • July 22 & 23 – Gilford, New Hampshire
  • July 25 & 26 – Camden, New Jersey
  • Aug. 1 & 2 – Big Sky, Montana
  • Aug. 22 – Inglewood, California
  • Aug. 23 – Mountain View, California
  • Aug. 26 – Stateline, Nevada
  • Aug. 29-31 – George, Washington
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South Alabama starting offensive lineman enters transfer portal

South Alabama starting left tackle Jordan Davis has entered the NCAA transfer portal, he announced on Monday.

Davis, a redshirt senior, has started 24 of a possible 26 games at left tackle for the Jaguars since joining the program from South Carolina prior to the 2023 season. The 6-foot-5, 306-pound Georgia native has one year of eligibility remaining.

Davis is the 10th South Alabama player — and fifth projected starter — to enter the portal since the end of spring practice, along with quarterback Gio Lopez, right tackle Malachi Carney, linebacker Aakil Washington and cornerback Ricky Fletcher. Lopez committed to North Carolina on Thursday, Fletcher to Ole Miss on Saturday.

Also Monday, tight end Will Loerzel has entered the transfer portal, a source confirmed to AL.com. Loerzel, a redshirt freshman from New Orleans, did not appear in a game for the Jaguars in 2024 and has four years of eligibility remaining.

South Alabama has added one player out of the portal, which closes for new entries on Friday. Quarterback Zach Pyron, an Alabama native who played three seasons at Georgia Tech before spending this past spring at Minnesota, signed with the Jaguars on Friday.

South Alabama football spring 2025 transfer portal departures

OT Malachi Carney (2 years of eligibility)*

OT Jordan Davis (1 year of eligibility)*

LB Julien Demby (3 years of eligibility)

OG Hayden Dozier (3 years of eligibility)

CB Ricky Fletcher (2 years of eligibility)^ — Ole Miss

LB Gavin Forsha (1 year of eligibility)#

TE Will Loerzel (4 years of eligibility)

QB Gio Lopez (3 years of eligibility)* — North Carolina

DB Lorenzo Smith (2 years of eligibility)

LB Aakil Washington (1 year of eligibility)*

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Does Jalen Milroe attending NFL Draft mean he’s a first-round pick?

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe might be one of the toughest prospects to nail down where he will be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Is he a first-round pick? A second-round pick? A third-round pick?

Most predictions foresee Milroe being selected in the first two days of the NFL Draft this week in Green Bay, but that’s about all the consensus you’ll find before the draft starts Thursday in Green Bay. The first round will take place Thursday before the second and third rounds

Milroe was extended an invite to the NFL Draft, despite the uncertainty. And he accepted. Some took that to mean it’s because teams think he will be a first-round pick, but ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter pumped the brakes some Monday.

“Just because Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was invited to attend the draft in Green Bay doesn’t mean the league expects him to be picked on Thursday night,“ Schefter wrote on ESPN.com. ”The league invites players it believes have a chance to be picked high, and even some that could still be on the board on Day 2. A team of league officials reaches out to the top prospects, but that should not be confused for a projection nor with the idea that the league has any inside info.”

Schefter, based on his intel, thinks Milroe is “a potential second-round pick to a team willing to bet on his upside.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

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GM will pay up to $12,700 to some Silverado and Sierra owners: Here’s who is eligible

Owners of some Chevrolet and GMC trucks could be eligible for payments of up to $12,500 as part of a $35 million settlement related to defective fuel injector pumps.

The settlement covers 2011- 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierras equipped with a 6.6L Duramax diesel engine and Bosch CP4 high-pressure diesel fuel pumps bought from a GM-authorized dealer in California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania or Texas from March 1, 2010 through Sept. 13, 2024.

There are different types of payments based on an owner’s situation. According to the settlement website, owners who paid out of pocket for repairs on the CP4 fuel pumps are eligible for cash payments as are those who no longer own their trucks or did not pay for a fuel pump repair. There is also money available for future repairs.

You can check the VIN lookup page for information on what vehicles are eligible.

General Motors has denied the claims but agreed to the settlement.

Different payments include:

  • Those who paid for CP4 repairs that weren’t under warranty could receive $6,356 to $12,712.
  • Those who no longer own their trucks and didn’t pay for repairs would receive $400 to $800.
  • Cash back up to $5,000 is also available for future repairs under some circumstances. Payments will vary based on how many people file a claim. You can file a claim online.

Claims require different types of proof of purchase and repairs.

The hearing on the final settlement is scheduled for April 25. Deadline to file a claim is expected to be July 21.

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AHSAA soccer poll: Homewood, St. John Paul II girls take over No. 1 spots

With sub-state tournaments for four of the five Alabama High School Athletic Association soccer classifications beginning Tuesday, we have a road map to the state title in place. How the journey will play out is to be determined.

The AHSAA coaches soccer poll for Week 11 stood pat for the top teams on the boys’ side, but we have new No. 1 teams in the Class 6A and Class 4A girls polls.

Homewood moved up to the top spot, knocking last week’s No. 1 Spain Park down to second in the 6A Top 10. The Patriots are 18-2-3 headed into the playoffs while Spain Park is 15-3-1. Mountain Brook (12-2-3) switched spots with Spanish Fort (16-1-2) at No. 3 and 4 in 6A.

In Class 4A, St. John Paul II of Huntsville moved up from second to No. 1 in place of now-No. 2 Montgomery Catholic. SJP2 is 14-1-2 while Montgomery Catholic is 16-4 on the season. There was also a switch in the No. 3 and 4 spots as Mars Hill Bible (15-1-4) replaced previous third-ranked American Christian (15-3).

The Oak Mountain boys continue to roll with machine-like precision despite having to eke out a win in a thriller against second-ranked Hoover last week. Oak Mountain is No. 1 in Class 7A and in the Super Poll, the ranking of the Top 10 teams regardless of classification, at 25-0. The Eagles have won 44 in a row and have a 56-game unbeaten streak. Hoover, No. 2 in both the Super Poll and the 7A poll, is 18-2-1 with both losses coming to Oak Mountain. The Bucs fell 3-2 to the Eagles on Thursday in a match decided on sudden-death penalty kicks (5-4).

MaxPreps also continues to rank Oak Mountain No. 1 in the nation with Hoover at No. 2.

Here are the Week 11 polls, with team records:

GIRLS SUPER POLL

  1. Vestavia Hills – 16-2-3
  2. Auburn – 15-3-1
  3. Oak Mountain – 14-4-3
  4. Hoover – 13-8
  5. James Clemens – 12-1-3
  6. Homewood – 18-2-3
  7. Spain Park – 15-3-1
  8. Springville – 14-3
  9. Westminster Christian – 13-3-1
  10. St. John Paul II – 14-1-2

CLASS 7A

  1. Vestavia Hills – 16-2-3
  2. Auburn – 15-3-1
  3. Oak Mountain – 14-4-3
  4. Hoover – 13-8
  5. James Clemens – 12-1-3
  6. McGill-Toolen – 13-4-3
  7. Hewitt-Trussville – 11-6-1
  8. Thompson – 16-5-1
  9. Daphne – 14-3-2
  10. Smiths Station – 18-4

CLASS 6A

  1. Homewood – 18-2-3
  2. Spain Park – 15-3-1
  3. Mountain Brook – 12-2-3
  4. Spanish Fort – 16-1-2
  5. Southside-Gadsden – 18-2-1
  6. Northridge – 16-4-1
  7. Pell City – 15-3-2
  8. St. Paul’s – 14-6-1
  9. Fort Payne – 15-6-1
  10. Baldwin County – 14-7-2

CLASS 5A

  1. Springville – 14-4
  2. Westminster Christian – 13-3-1
  3. St. Michael – 13-2-4
  4. Guntersville – 17-3-1
  5. Carroll-Ozark – 19-2-2
  6. Indian Springs – 10-3-3
  7. Faith Academy – 14-2-3
  8. Sylacauga – 15-3
  9. Bayside Academy – 9-5-2
  10. Boaz – 13-7-2

CLASS 4A

  1. St. John Paul II – 14-1-2
  2. Montgomery Catholic – 16-4
  3. Mars Hill Bible – 15-1-4
  4. American Christian – 15-3
  5. Orange Beach – 14-4-1
  6. St. James – 12-2
  7. St. Luke’s – 12-6
  8. Westminster-Oak Mountain – 8-9-1
  9. Tallassee – 8-18-1
  10. West Morgan – 3-4

CLASS 1A/3A

  1. Donoho – 19-0
  2. Houston Academy – 18-1-3
  3. Collinsville – 17-5
  4. Tuscaloosa Academy – 16-5
  5. Clements – 13-2-1
  6. Madison Academy – 10-3-1
  7. Lee-Scott Academy – 14-4
  8. Holy Spirit – 8-4
  9. Providence Christian – 9-7-1
  10. Glencoe – 6-4

BOYS

SUPER POLL

  1. Oak Mountain – 25-0
  2. Hoover – 18-2-1
  3. Homewood – 19-3
  4. Mountain Brook – 19-3-2
  5. Prattville – 17-3-1
  6. Briarwood Christian – 17-4
  7. Westminster-Oak Mountain – 15-5-1
  8. Florence – 17-3
  9. Guntersville – 20-4-1
  10. St. Luke’s – 13-7-2

CLASS 7A

  1. Oak Mountain – 25-0
  2. Hoover – 18-2-1
  3. Prattville – 17-3-1
  4. Florence – 17-3
  5. Davidson – 14-5-3
  6. Montgomery Academy – 14-5-2
  7. Grissom – 13-6-3
  8. Thompson – 13-7-1
  9. Baker – 14-4-1
  10. Albertville – 13-8-1

CLASS 6A

  1. Homewood – 19-3
  2. Mountain Brook – 19-3-2
  3. Briarwood Christian – 17-4
  4. Spanish Fort – 16-3-4
  5. Southside-Gadsden – 17-5-1
  6. Chelsea – 16-4
  7. Pelham – 16-4-3
  8. Gardendale – 17-3-2
  9. Cullman – 16-3
  10. Stanhope Elmore – 13-6-3

CLASS 5A

  1. Guntersville – 20-4-1
  2. Indian Springs – 14-3-3
  3. St. Michael – 16-7-1
  4. UMS-Wright – 15-1-3
  5. Lincoln – 20-1-2
  6. Springville – 11-2-1
  7. Brewer – 17-4
  8. John Carroll – 12-10-2
  9. Sylacauga – 15-5
  10. Faith Academy – 12-5-1

CLASS 4A

  1. Westminster-Oak Mountain – 15-5-1
  2. St. Luke’s – 13-7-2
  3. Saint James – 13-5
  4. Trinity – 13-3
  5. Tallassee – 18-6-3
  6. Orange Beach – 11-4-2
  7. Mars Hill Bible – 13-5-5
  8. Fultondale – 10-11-4
  9. Montgomery Catholic – 11-10
  10. White Plains – 12-5-1

CLASS 1A/3A

  1. Collinsville – 18-3-1
  2. Tanner – 16-5-1
  3. Susan Moore – 15-6-1
  4. Houston Academy – 20-4
  5. Tuscaloosa Academy – 18-5
  6. Madison Academy – 14-4
  7. Providence Christian – 14-2-4
  8. Tharptown – 6-4-2
  9. Lee-Scott Academy – 7-3-1
  10. Elmont – 10-12
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General

Trump administration makes major cuts to Native American boarding school research projects

At least $1.6 million in federal funds for projects meant to capture and digitize stories of the systemic abuse of generations of Indigenous children in boarding schools at the hands of the U.S. government have been slashed due to federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The cuts are just a fraction of the grants canceled by the National Endowment for the Humanities in recent weeks as part of the Trump administration’s deep cost-cutting effort across the federal government. But coming on the heels of a major federal boarding school investigation by the previous administration and an apology by then-President Joe Biden, they illustrate a seismic shift.

“If we’re looking to ‘Make America Great Again,’ then I think it should start with the truth about the true American history,” said Deborah Parker, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.

The coalition lost more than $282,000 as a result of the cuts, halting its work to digitize more than 100,000 pages of boarding school records for its database. Parker, a citizen of the Tulalip Tribes in Washington state, said Native Americans nationwide depend on the site to find loved ones who were taken or sent to these boarding schools.

Searching that database last year, Roberta “Birdie” Sam, a member of Tlingit & Haida, was able to confirm that her grandmother had been at a boarding school in Alaska. She also discovered that around a dozen cousins, aunts and uncles had also been at a boarding school in Oregon, including one who died there. She said the knowledge has helped her with healing.

“I understand why our relationship has been the way it has been. And that’s been a great relief for myself,” she said. ”I’ve spent a lot of years very disconnected from my family, wondering what happened. And now I know — some of it anyways.”

An April 2 letter to the healing coalition that was signed by Michael McDonald, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, says the “grant no longer effectuates the agency’s needs and priorities.”

The Associated Press left messages by phone and email for the National Endowment for the Humanities. White House officials and the Office of Management and Budget also did not respond Friday to an email requesting comment.

Indigenous children were sent to boarding schools

For 150 years the U.S. removed Indigenous children from their homes and sent them away to the schools, where they were stripped of their cultures, histories and religions, and beaten for speaking their native languages.

At least 973 Native American children died at government-funded boarding schools, according to an Interior Department investigation launched by former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Both the report and independent researchers say the actual number was much higher.

The forced assimilation policy officially ended with the enactment of the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978. But the government never fully investigated the boarding school system until the Biden administration.

In October, Biden apologized for the government’s creation of the schools and the policies that supported them.

Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo citizen who’s running for governor in New Mexico, described the recent cuts as the latest step in the Trump administration’s “pattern of hiding the full story of our country.” But she said they can’t erase the extensive work already done.

“They cannot undo the healing communities felt as they told their stories at our events to hear from survivors and descendants,” she said in a statement. “They cannot undo the investigation that brings this dark chapter of our history to light. They cannot undo the relief Native people felt when President Biden apologized on behalf of the United States.”

Boarding school research programs are feeling the strain

Among the grants terminated earlier this month was $30,000 for a project between the Koahnic Broadcast Corporation and Alaska Native Heritage Center to record and broadcast oral histories of elders in Alaska. Koahnic received an identical letter from McDonald.

Benjamin Jacuk, the Alaska Native Heritage Center’s director of Indigenous research, said the news came around the same time they lost about $100,000 through a Institute of Museum and Library Services grant for curating a boarding school exhibit.

“This is a story that for all of us, we weren’t able to really hear because it was so painful or for multitudes of reasons,” said Jacuk, a citizen of Kenaitze Indian Tribe. “And so it’s really important right now to be able to record these stories that our elders at this point are really opening up to being able to tell.”

Former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland described the cuts as frustrating, especially given the size of the grants.

“It’s not even a drop in the ocean when it comes to the federal budget,” said Newland, a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community (Ojibwe). “And so it’s hard to argue that this is something that’s really promoting government efficiency or saving taxpayer funds.”

In April 2024, the National Endowment for the Humanities announced that it was awarding $411,000 to more than a dozen tribal nations and organizations working to illustrate the impact of these boarding schools. More than half of those awards have since been terminated.

The grant cuts were documented by the non-profit organization National Humanities Alliance.

John Campbell, a member of Tlingit and the Tulalip Tribes, said the coalition’s database helped him better understand his parents, who were both boarding school survivors and “passed on that tradition of being traumatized.”

When he was growing up, his mother used to put soap in his mouth when he said a bad word. He said he learned through the site that she experienced that punishment beginning when she was 6-years-old in a boarding school in Washington state when she would speak her language.

“She didn’t talk about it that much,” he said. “She didn’t want to talk about it either. It was too traumatic.”

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Associated Press writer Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed to this report.

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