It’s Friday, which means the first order of business is the Alabama News Quiz. It’s easy, it’s multiple-choice, it’s only five question, and you can take it right here:

Now for the report. Listen to it on the podcast here (more from the newsletter below):

The prez and the coach

President Trump delivered a nearly hourlong address to University of Alabama students Thursday evening at a pre-commencement event. He stressed to the graduating students that they can be successful while they’re still young and that “If you want to change the world you have to be okay with being on the outside.”

That and other points of encouragement were mixed in with standard Trump rally points such as his claim that the 2020 election was rigged, the poor performance of the Biden administration and the prosperity he says import tariffs are going to bring.

Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban introduced the president. Saban spent a few minutes applying “the process” to the Class of ’25, telling them that self-discipline and good decisions will put them in position to succeed. On speaking before POTUS came onstage, the coach said he felt like he was the opening act for the Rolling Stones.

Hospital … opening?

We keep hearing and reading about hospitals in rural areas having to cut or shut down operations. And it’s a real problem that hasn’t shown many signs of getting better. Medical services are geographically scattered in many places, adding minutes to the time it takes to receive emergency service.

However, reports AL.com’s Savannah Tryens-Fernandes, one recent closure appears to be reversing itself: Thomasville Regional Medical Center has been sold and may soon reopen.

A judge in Clark County approved the sale.

The Thomasville facility closed last fall after it defaulted on about $40 million in loans. Prestige Thomasville LLC, an company formed by Baldwin County telecommunications company JMF Solutions, acquired the hospital, according to Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day.

Part of the proceeds of the sale will go toward paying down the debt.

A veteran of the pulpit

A man who served as the pastor of a church for 72 years has died, reports AL.com’s Greg Garrison.

The Rev. William M. Norwood began preaching at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in 1953. That’s in Birmingham’s Ensley neighborhood.

He was originally from Greene County and started preaching to sharecroppers there when he was a teenager.

He died on April 24.

William M. Norwood was 98 years old.

Closing

Robert Moore and Company Christmas Town in Mobile, after more than 50 years in business.

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1941, former major league pitcher Clay Carroll of Clanton. He was a relief pitcher in Cincinnati during those Big Red Machine years.

In 1950, pro wrestler Randy Colley of Alexander City. You may know him as Moondog Rex of the Moondogs tag team of the WWF.

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