Has the Checkers in Tuscaloosa closed Those who have driven past the burger chain's 15th Street location may have noticed the lack of cars in the typically bustling drive-thru Signs pasted to the windows of the restaurant read "Sorry We Are Closed." No additional details are available on the signage READ MORE: Tuscaloosa KPOT Closing, May Become All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Spot Google search currently shows the 15th Street location and an additional location-- 5500 McFarland Boulevard in Northport-- are both 'temporarily closed.' Representatives from the corporate communications department of Checkers + Rally's Drive-In have not yet responded to the Thread's request for additional information No further details are publicly available at this time Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll Gallery Credit: (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread) Signs pasted on the windows of a Tuscaloosa drive-thru seem to indicate its closure.\nRead More Has the Checkers in Tuscaloosa closed READ MORE: Tuscaloosa KPOT Closing, May Become All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Spot The crowds gathered in Government Plaza downtown and another 1,000 or more in Snow Hinton Park The first two of those gatherings coalesced as about 200 organized by Alabama members of the 50501 Movement and Indivisible Northport-Tuscaloosa ― a nonparty-affiliated organization ― began a march from the Plaza joining those on campus who'd been directed to a roped-off "designated protest area." More: President Trump celebrates graduates during University of Alabama visit Because of the last-minute scramble to prepare both events made changes to scheduling in the days leading up to the protests causing some confusion about when each would start some showed at Government Plaza early as 2 p.m. though the march didn't begin until about 5 Organizers set up a public address system to address the assembled in the central court One woman wore the striking long blood-red gown and white cap from Hulu's six-season series "The Handmaid's Tale," based on the dystopian novel completed by Margaret Atwood in 1985 when she was a visiting professor in UA's English Department One man wearing a rope-bound robe and sandals carried a sign reading "Jesus Didn't Deport." Other messages quoted the Founding Fathers and others on the perils of tyranny and noted the United States was formed to escape kings An Indivisible Northport-Tuscaloosa coordinator said the message was that many Alabamians are not happy about Trump's visit "We feel that President Trump has taken more than he has given not only to the nation but to our community in particular," said Heather Love "The University of Alabama (system) is one of the biggest employers in the state and it feels kind of mocking that he's coming to speak here when he has taken millions of dollars of (research) funding away from our faculty away from people who rely on these jobs here in the university and who has stolen one of our students (doctoral student Alireza Douroudi was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in March) and is threatening visas of other students at the university," Love said More: It's not easy being the voice of the University of Alabama's commencement ceremonies we are here to gather to show that we are not happy with what's going on in the country generally and we're definitely not happy about him choosing Alabama to showcase himself as a positive figure ... UA's College Democrats, with assistance from the state party, organized its Tide Against Tyranny — same name as a change.org petition that drew about 25,000 signatures in its first four days — rally in Snow Hinton Park the 40-acre green space at the intersection of two of the city's busiest thoroughfares Speakers included students and recent graduates and three candidates running for the senate seat currently held by Tommy Tuberville Representative from Texas Beto O'Rourke delivered a fiery address followed by an equally passionate exhortation from Doug Jones a crowd estimated as about 1,200 had gathered to hear keynotes at the south end of the park under the pavilion near the web of climbing ropes known as the Space Net including "Hate Will Not Make Us Great Again," "Impeach Trump Again," "I Am Here Because I Listened in History," and "You Know It's Bad When an Auburn Woman is here to Defend Univ Senate hopeful Kyle Sweetser described himself as a former Republican who had to speak up after Jan "incited a violent mob attack on the Capitol he threw American military veterans and capitol police under the bus He pardoned the very violent criminals that attacked them...." More: Petition against Trump visiting Tuscaloosa gains nearly 25,000 signatures "I decided I had to do everything in my power to right this ship to speak out against the MAGA-controlled Republican Party the party that abandoned all of its principles and values for worship at the altar of Trump," Sweetser said believing the candidate was appealing to moderates such as himself he told the LGBTQ community 'I will fight for you.' Those were his words He could have worked with both parties to get things done He could have fought to bust up monopolies protect our national parks and improve the lives of everyday Americans," Sweetser said Trump cozied up to a select few billionaires abused his power with tariffs and unconstitutional executive orders and betrayed the trust of his most loyal followers "His authoritarian regime is anti-constitution The fever pitched even higher as O'Rourke stepped up That crowd of about 250 listened attentively and lined up to have him sign copies of his book "We've Got to Try: How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible," but the May 1 group seemed more like a summer church revival So this is what Alabama looks like," O'Rourke said He spoke on how Texas has been inspired by Alabama "Too many people in this country understand full well the threat that Donald Trump poses to us individually or they're hoping some cavalry is going to ride to the rescue or they're anticipating orders from headquarters "But the students at the University of Alabama took action themselves and that's the leadership that we need right now my hat is off to each and every single one of you who have shown up today because it is so easy to be tempted by despair "but instead you chose to stand up and be counted at this defining moment of truth." The barrage of bluster coming from the White House is by design He wants us to believe that he has all the power broadest possible coalition of Americans ... Someone in the crowd shouted out "We are the people!" O'Rourke and others applauded He went on: "We are the last and the best hope for this country just as this country remains the last and the best hope for this earth and we are grateful that you brought that power here today in Tuscaloosa Let's go out and share it with this country and win America back." Jones got a laugh from the crowd right away: "I have the bad misfortune that I always end up going behind a church choir .. and now I got to go behind Beto O'Rourke." The former Senator stipulated this event was not a protest "(Those movements) started on college campuses." "Everybody talks about Alabama and all the things that are bad about the engagement of Alabama public servants such as Lister Hill and John Sparkman "We have had such great leaders in our congressional delegation Can you name one thing that these (current) folks have done these days "But yet they support things like destroying the Department of Education if there is one person in this country who could use the Department of Education...." he trailed off and talk to your friends and your neighbors when you've got the bully pulpit of the presidency "And that's why justice has to get louder." Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at mark.cobb@tuscaloosanews.com Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person — Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to produce a new vehicle in Alabama footprint by localizing production in Tuscaloosa County The company explained in a news release that this decision strengthens Tuscaloosa's role within the global Mercedes-Benz production network Alabama lawmakers expressed their enthusiasm Governor Kay Ivey addressed the news in a social media post saying Alabama is the place to lead and the decision shows global companies have confidence in our state and workforce Senator Katie Britt echoed this sentiment in a news release calling the development "a huge win for our state." She added "Our state has a global reputation of excellence particularly when it comes to auto-manufacturing and production." SEE ALSO: Indy Grand Prix revs up Birmingham with race excitement & support for Children's Hospital When asked if the decision was influenced by former President Trump's tariffs on imported vehicles "We have been localizing products for almost thirty years and if the market conditions are suitable we will continue to do so." Details about the new vehicle remain unclear but Mercedes-Benz has described it as tailored to U.S Production is slated to begin at the Tuscaloosa County plant in 2027 Questions about whether the new vehicle will create jobs or increase factory output and tax revenue remain unanswered as a spokesperson indicated it is too early to tell Mercedes-Benz employed 6,000 people in Tuscaloosa with the plant producing 260,000 vehicles that year there's usually about a 10-day period in which the streets are relatively calm and the summer heat/humidity has yet to fully kick in It's sort of like those nature videos when an animal sticks it's head out of the ground to see if it's safe out Green Grass of Home / Anthony SiscoCartoons by Anthony Sisco highlighting the lighter side of Alabama's football .. coaches and rabid fans (and sometimes UA's other sports) See Also: Round'em Up Cowboys Crimson Tikes: Summer Break / Anthony SiscoAbout Crimson Tikes"Crimson Tikes" is the brainchild of Anthony Sisco who is passionate about all things Crimson Tide Although his career paths have taken him in different directions the cartoon centered around Alabama athletics has been a labor of love for the past few years where they raised two kids and a multitude of pets He attended Alabama through its distance learning program to study writing and literature Although Sisco still loves to visit Tuscaloosa whenever possible (the self-described lifelong zealot of Alabama football considers the campus "hallowed ground." his background includes two years in the U.S Calif.; plus 30 years of full and lay ministry that stretched from Atlanta all the way up to New England Mix in 20 years of various entrepreneurial pursuits and you’ll see hints of what he describes as spiritual insights and philosophical musings all with a Peanuts-type approach to the Crimson Tide.” Sisco's compilation books include: “Crimson Tikes - The Tradition Rolls On,” “Bouncing Back,” “Out of Order” and “The Best of Crimson Tikes.” They can be ordered at www.anthonysisco.com. Crimson Tikes: Free Laughs / Anthony Siscofeed The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER This is the 125th day of the year with 240 days remaining Figures' Bill Would Assist Struggling Rural Hospitals Mercedes Enhancing Tuscaloosa's Role in the Company Red Cross Hoping to Mitigate Traditional Summer Blood Shortage Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower Can Be Seen Overnight Unpaid Student Loans Being Sent to Collectors Education Department has resumed reporting defaulted student loan payments to collections agencies potentially affecting as many as 5 million borrowers The reporting began this morning of any loan that has not been on for about nine months Experts say borrowers at risk should take proactive steps before some of their wages and other income can be taken Detailed information to help borrowers get out of default is also available at StudentAid.gov/end-default Tuscaloosa County and City School System's Graduation Ceremonies This Week Read More: Tuscaloosa City Schools to Host High School Graduation Ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum Read More: Tuscaloosa County School System Announces High School Graduation Details Alabama Baseball Chokes at Vanderbilt Sunday After being blown out 12-2 in Friday's opening game 13-11 SEC) bounced back with a 5-2 win over #16 Vanderbilt (34-14 overall 14-10 SEC) Saturday to even the three-game SEC series Then came the Sunday afternoon rubber match on the SEC Network Bama held a 7-2 lead going into the eighth inning and looked to be in command until the wheels began to wobble with bullpen pitching The Tide allowed three runs by the 'Dores in the bottom of the eight The bottom of the nineth saw the wheels come completely off as Vandy plated four runs for only their second walk off win of the year The Tide next faces #15 Troy on the road in a hostile environment Tuesday night at 6:00pm Bama Softball Opens SEC Tournament Play This Week Coming off losing two of three at South Carolina this past weekend 12-12 SEC) opens play in the SEC Championship Tournament tomorrow The tournament opening is against Auburn (32-21 overall, 6-18 SEC) at 6:00pm in Athens Alabama is the tenth seed in the tournament and Auburn is 15th The winner of Tuesday's game will advance to play No approximately 35 minutes following the conclusion of the 4 p.m CT game between Florida and either Ole Miss or Missouri Birmingham Stallions Bask in First Place Tie The Birmingham Stallions (4-2) bounced back from last week's loss in dominating fashion on Sunday afternoon Birmingham’s defense put together another standout performance holding San Antonio’s offense to only 178 total yards Both the 178 total yards and the 24 rushing yards are new season-lows for Birmingham’s defense The win put the Stallions back in a first-place tie with Michigan.in the USFL Division of the UFL The Stallions will cap off their three-game home stand in a Week 7 matchup against the Houston Roughnecks at Protective Stadium.  The contest will be played on Sunday at 11:00am and will be aired live on ABC President Trump seems to be his own worst enemy He knows the national media will pounce on any comment that is not totally accurate calling them names and even seeks battles within his own party when he doesn't need to The bottom line is he seems to be in continual campaign mode instead of acting like the duly elected President of the United States By his very nature Donald Trump is combative That showed well before he was elected the first time But often he seems to seek battles he knows he cannot win This past weekend he told NBC News' Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press" he doesn't know if he has to follow the constitution as president While there have been past presidents who have stretched the parchment thin they are required by oath of office to swear to preserve The word "compromise" is not in his vocabulary His style of politics is winner-take-all In his mind he never makes a mistake or is wrong on an issue he is surrounded by "yes" people who never dare counter him out of fear of losing their jobs There are indeed issues where compromise may not be preferable compromise is essential for achieving consensus and moving forward in a society where diverse interests and opinions exist. It involves parties making concessions to reach agreements that may not perfectly align with their individual goals but serve the greater good.  The definition of compromise needs to be learned by both political parties otherwise our democracy will crash and burn I know people who know the president and like liberal comedian Bill Mahr said after dinner with him at Mar-a-Lago they think he is actually a pretty nice guy with a good sense of humor in person (Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the ownership staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.) Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news Senate Bill Would Make UA Center for National Water Policy.\nRead More Detailed information to help borrowers get out of default is also available at StudentAid.gov/end-default Read More: Tuscaloosa City Schools to Host High School Graduation Ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum Read More: Tuscaloosa County School System Announces High School Graduation Details Alabama is in the middle of building its roster for the 2025-26 season, but the current pieces in place have head coach Nate Oats bullish about the team’s shooting potential “We’re gonna have a really good shooting team,” Oats said at the Senior Bowl Charities Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, via AL.com “Maybe the best shooting team since I’ve been there The Crimson Tide currently rosters multiple players who shot at least 40 percent from three a season ago, including Aden Holloway (41.2), Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (42.2) and Houston Mallette (50.0). Those three guards were three of Alabama’s top four shooters last season by percentage. In addition to returning multiple strong shooters at the guard spot, Alabama brought in some capable shooters at the forward and center spots that can stretch the floor. “Our bigs can shoot, everybody in the frontcourt,” Oats said. “Really, there’s not a non-shooter on the floor, so we should have shooting everywhere. Our defense is gonna have to get a little bit better, but we’re gonna have good versatility and good shooting next year.” Top 101Shane BeamerPuts NCAA on blast Hot3Trump By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms and use of my personal information described therein The most notable addition Alabama made from a shooting standpoint in the frontcourt was Florida State transfer forward Taylor Bol Bowen Also in the frontcourt, Alavama brought back Aiden Sherrell at center, who shot just 33 percent on the year as a freshman but showed flashes of shooting potential. Noah Williamson is a capable shooter in his own right at 32.3 percent for his career giving Alabama multiple options to stretch the floor in a 5-out offense Alabama still has two open roster spots and will be looking to finalize its roster for the 2025-26 season in the next couple of weeks Be sure to check out BOL’s Alabama basketball roster tracker to keep up with where the 2025-26 roster stands throughout the offseason Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $11.99! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE! Nate Oats shared the latest on Philon and the draft process on Monday and hinted the Alabama guard is likely to turn pro.... Alabama basketball will play a strong mid-major opponent in the Ivy League's Yale during the 2025-26 non-conference slate.... Alabama's Labaron Philon, Mark Sears and Grant Nelson were all invited to the NBA Draft combine later this month in Chicago.... Keeping up with who's leaving and who's coming in for the Alabama basketball roster in 2025-26 throughout the offseason.... Alabama basketball made its fourth transfer portal addition in the form of Tarleton State transfer Keitenn Bristow.... Alabama guard Labaron Philon discussed going through the NBA Draft process and whether he's considering coming back to school.... BamaOnLine continues to gather information from its sources. Here is the latest batch of Alabama basketball roster intel.... Alabama basketball’s game against Illinois at Chicago’s United Center this upcoming season will be played on Wednesday, November 19.... The date for the return game of the home-and-home between Alabama and Purdue has been announced by Yea Alabama.... Alabama guard Labaron Philon declared for the NBA Draft, but is keeping the option open to return to school.... Alabama freshman forward Derrion Reid will transfer after a frustrating year dealing with injuries and missing games.... Alabama basketball’s game against Arizona at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena this upcoming season will be played on Saturday, December 13.... After spending two years in Tuscaloosa, sophomore forward Jarin Stevenson has opted to enter the transfer portal.... A roundup of way-too-early top-25 rankings for Alabama after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season this week.... The final AP Poll of the 2024-25 season was released on Tuesday, cementing Alabama in the top-10 from the first poll to the last this year.... After plenty of moves in the first week of the offseason, here's a breakdown of where Alabama basketball's roster stands.... Alabama locked down its third transfer portal addition of the offseason, bringing in Miami guard Jalil Bethea.... Three more Alabama players are “running it back,” as guards Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell and Houston Mallette will return.... The decision was expected, but Sherrell publicly announced on Saturday he was “running it back” with the Crimson Tide.... Alabama lost its second player to the transfer portal with sophomore forward Mo Dioubate announcing his departure.... Alabama landed another transfer portal player on Friday as Florida State forward Taylor Bol Bowen committed to Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.... BamaOnLine continues to gather information from sources, and here is the latest batch of intel on the Alabama men's basketball program.... BamaOnLine spoke to sources since the season ended, and here is the latest intel on how Alabama’s roster for 2025-26 is taking shape.... After redshirting this past season as a true freshman, Alabama guard/forward Naas Cunningham will transfer.... Breaking down which positions Alabama basketball needs to pursue in this transfer portal cycle in the coming weeks.... Hot3Trump, Saban blastedNIL order ripped © 2025 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC. expressed a desire to have star point guard Labaron Philon return for another year whose draft stock has risen after a strong freshman season has declared for the NBA Draft and received an invitation to the upcoming Draft Combine While he is committed to the draft process Philon has not completely ruled out returning to college basketball Oats reports that Philon has received positive feedback from the NBA suggesting a strong chance he will be drafted following his freshman year This marks a notable success story for a player initially not on draft boards but who has shown significant growth Despite the positive feedback from the NBA Philon is cautious and hasn’t closed the door on a potential return to Alabama highlighting the uncertainty that draft processes can present As Philon prepares for the NBA Draft Combine his performance will be critical in shaping his future potentially confirming his path to the NBA or allowing him to consider returning for another college season Labaron Philon’s rise from obscurity to a promising NBA prospect showcases the unpredictable nature of college basketball talent development emphasizing the importance of combining feedback with performance at critical moments The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it OK Privacy policy Many high schools in the Tuscaloosa County School system will celebrate their commencement exercises Wednesday, May 7, through Friday, May 9 Schools--with the exception of Northside High-- will host their graduation ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum. A clear bag policy is in effect at Coleman, and all who attend will be required to pass through a metal detector Dates and times for individual Tuscaloosa County graduation ceremonies are below Schools within the Hillcrest and Sipsey Valley zones will operate on an early dismissal schedule on May 8 to give families the opportunity to attend graduation ceremonies. Get more information on the dismissal schedule HERE READ MORE: Tuscaloosa City Schools to Host High School Graduation Ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum For more information on Tuscaloosa County School System graduation ceremonies, visit the TCSS website. Many TCSS schools will host their 2025 graduation ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum.\nRead More Many high schools in the Tuscaloosa County School system will celebrate their commencement exercises Wednesday, May 7, through Friday, May 9 Schools--with the exception of Northside High-- will host their graduation ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum. A clear bag policy is in effect at Coleman, and all who attend will be required to pass through a metal detector Schools within the Hillcrest and Sipsey Valley zones will operate on an early dismissal schedule on May 8 to give families the opportunity to attend graduation ceremonies. Get more information on the dismissal schedule HERE READ MORE: Tuscaloosa City Schools to Host High School Graduation Ceremonies at Coleman Coliseum For more information on Tuscaloosa County School System graduation ceremonies, visit the TCSS website. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org Employees with Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County School System deal every day with mental health issues in their student populations the coordinator of mental health services for the county schools said the system has regular issues with children as young as 3 years old Kelly said that at the time she started in her job with the county schools three nine-year-old students committed suicide in nearby counties they’ll make statements and know things that I guess most people don't want to believe that these children know,” Kelly said explaining the depth of the problem educators face daily director of special education for Tuscaloosa City Schools 4- or 5-year-olds that are having a lot of issues in our schools and that we're just trying to find out what to do next for them.” More: Tuscaloosa public schools have a plan to prevent student suicides “We see more issues with pre-K and kindergarten than we had ever seen before." They come into classrooms and cannot deal with any type of structure 'Sit at your desk for eight hours,' but just being told that it's not time to play right now or it's time to do this or get off of our iPads or off the computer Kids were having tremendous struggles just being able to move from one task to another,” Kelly said Those are the beginning of the issues children and adolescents face The more severe issues come with violent behavior against themselves or against others When someone reports to a teacher or an administrator that a student is talking about harming themselves therapists evaluate the student and see how best to help him or her including referring them to mental health providers outside the school Kelly said the suicide protocol numbers faced in the county schools are extremely high and have been rising because everybody freaks out and nobody wants to see a high number A high number means that we have seen these kids Kelly said the county schools had done at least 223 suicide protocols with students Both Tuscaloosa city and county systems have contracts with Indian Rivers Behavioral Health in Tuscaloosa to get immediate intervention for students with suicidal ideations The problem both systems face is a lack of mental health care professionals and facilities to handle the number of children who need help More: Where can you find help if you are thinking of suicide? “Our resources are very taxed right now because we just don't have enough mental health providers it can be anywhere from four months to a year before they can get in to see a counselor or psychiatrist depending on where they go,” said Tesney Davis coordinator of social services and mental health for the Tuscaloosa City Schools they might be taken directly to the hospital emergency room for treatment there are few mental health beds and long waits for the ones that exist as far as (providing) mental health services We just don't have enough people to provide the services that are needed in our community And we also have a lot of people who don't have insurance don't have financial means to pay for mental health services,” Davis said the mental health problems create barriers to teaching their subject matter but they also put new levels of responsibility on the teacher “Teachers don't come to school anymore just to teach kids math and reading Kids come and we have to teach them how to regulate emotions and all the things that I wouldn't say were never an issue but are very much issues now And I think if you interviewed any educator this is not exactly what I thought about education,” Kelly said but they're not trained to handle the mental health concerns that we have in our schools it's impacting not only the general education classrooms it's impacting the school as a whole.” While both school systems are working to train teachers in how to spot and handle mental health issues their primary job remains teaching their subject matter The school systems also employ social workers under the direction of Davis and Kelly who intervene when teachers or fellow students point out an issue that needs to be addressed The range of problems causing mental health issues in school-age children is vast is as harmful to students as abuse and neglect at home Students also face health issues with loved ones and many other factors that create problems many teachers are not equipped to deal with Davis and Kelly said the schools can monitor issues electronically The school-issued computers and iPads have filters that alert people when students communicate via email with such things as talk of suicide or of doing violence in the school They also can monitor which websites a child views using the school-issued devices If those monitoring devices find a problem notification is made to the mental health coordinators who begin an intervention “I get phone calls all the time about kids who are emailing back and forth about wanting to kill themselves I get most of those and some child abuse stuff I get notified when someone was going to bring a weapon to school tomorrow or there was going to be a bomb at school tomorrow or a fight or there (were) drugs or a vape or whatever It filters and we get notified,” Kelly said or law enforcement authorities when the situation dictates This begins a chain of events that mental health professionals in the school hope will prevent a violent act More: A tale of two teens: Learning to cope with life's challenges Children as young as pre-kindergarten are coming to school with behavioral issues related to not having learned to regulate their emotions There's a lot there if you're asking a 3-year-old or 4-year-old to be able to express their wants and needs There's a lot there that the kids are coming in with we are having referrals daily for 3-year-olds coming in we’re trying to develop more and more classrooms I don't want to say we have a waiting list but we have a waiting list and are trying to get all of our kids in and prepare them for kindergarten,” Prescott said lead to bigger issues as the child grows older Davis said TCS is working to develop programs to address the needs of the very young since mental health services for that age group are scarce The problem for both systems is a lack of funding to meet even the basic educational needs much less the extra needs mental health services require “I think if we put our money where our mouths are I don't think we'd have issues with employment I don't think we would have as many crimes happening because people would be doing things that are productive Look at all those people (with criminal problems) I can guarantee you they probably were dropouts or And I don't see it getting any easier,” Kelly said Reach Gary Cosby Jr. at gary.cosby@tuscaloosanews.com RAIN AHEAD: Most of Alabama will be dry during the day today but a few showers are possible over the southwest corner of the state this afternoon Tonight a large rain mass will likely move into the state ahead of a slow moving upper low to the west which will keep Alabama’s weather wet at times for several days Read More PLEASANT SPRING DAY: The sky is partly to mostly sunny across Alabama this afternoon with temperatures in the 60s and 70s A few isolated showers could form this evening over the Tennessee Valley otherwise tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 50s Read More it will likely be October before we see weather this nice again across Alabama with a few more clouds the farther north you go as an upper-level low spins over the Ohio River Valley Read More knew he made the right decision to open his own business but it wasn’t until he won the 2023 Birmingham Small Business Week Pitch Competition that he got an additional boost Read More COOL START: Temperatures are in the 40s across much of North/Central Alabama just before daybreak… for some places this will most likely be the last morning with temperatures in the 40s until late September or October Read More Sunday brought Alabama a taste of early spring and a mix of sun and clouds—especially north of the Tennessee River where a few sprinkles are still possible Read More Exceptional Anglers events at Oak Mountain State Park teach basic fishing skills to students with disabilities from Alabaster and Pelham city schools and the Shelby and Jefferson County school systems Read More Sunday brings Alabama a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively—with cooler temperatures and low humidity replacing Saturday’s storms in a refreshing pattern shift worthy of a “Cool Change.” Read More but dense fog may pose a travel hazard overnight and into Sunday morning across north Alabama and southern Tennessee Read More the severe threat is nearly over in Alabama as storms shift east into Georgia Read More strong storms remain active in eastern Alabama this evening with gusty winds Read More A new severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for northeastern Lee County and heavy rain moving east toward Auburn and Opelika Read More Severe storms continue across east Alabama with warnings active in Chambers County and strong storms impacting several others under Severe Thunderstorm Watch #221 through 10 PM Read More Strong to severe storms continue moving through east-central and southeast Alabama this evening with the threat of damaging winds and frequent lightning continuing through 10 PM Read More Stillman College will hold a commencement ceremony at 9 a.m May 10 at Stillman Stadium on the Stillman campus Stillman will have more than 100 candidates for graduation and will honor the class of 1975 during the ceremony The commencement speaker will be Melonie D Google’s vice president of employee engagement Parker was the first Black woman to serve as the vice president of human resources and communications at Sandia National Laboratories She also held a variety of leadership roles over a 17-year stint at Lockheed Martin More: Stillman College to open new tuition-free charter school this fall Stillman College was authorized by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1875 and began classes in the fall of 1876 in Tuscaloosa with six students The private school's initial mission was to educate Black men for the ministry The college was chartered as a legal corporation by the state of Alabama in 1895 The school's name was changed from Tuscaloosa Institute to Stillman Institute in honor of the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa and the school's name became Stillman College Stillman College has an enrollment of around 730 students and sits on more than 100 acres in Tuscaloosa Stillman's website is stillman.edu Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com Just as I was becoming firmly addicted to the flamboyantly flawed lawyer Jason Rich with his highway billboards advising motorists if they have had an accident to “Get Rich” and his Porsche license plate “GETRICH ” — Robert Bailey has published “The Boomerang,” a standalone “Boomerang” is 402 pages and I read it in three days a thriller and a page turner and whatever other term you like for a great read are discussing their present lives and future plans and Eli James as political adviser will guide Lionel Jefferson Cantrell’s career all the way to the White House where Eli will be chief of staff they toast one another in the Oval Office: “We’ve come a long way from Jackie’s Lounge in Tuscaloosa.” More: Novel 'Shepherd' uses mythic tale in modern setting | DON NOBLE and they have a big one: Lionel has cancer and two years to live kept secret from the American people for many years lest it disrupt the oncology industry and upset the stock market beautiful teenage dancer and soccer player an expert on cancer centers and experimental treatments With the help of his retired physician father and brilliant detective mother He is up against the national security apparatus of the U.S. Bailey has created a character for the ages: Eli’s wife’s childhood friend Nester is a hugely wealthy outlaw with an army If you take this book to the beach for your vacation week You’ll have this one finished by Wednesday a collection of original stories by Winston Groom Here are the Tuscaloosa-area high school top performers for the week from AHSAA soccer NORTHRIDGE BASEBALL: How Brookwood alum Brandon Johnson has transformed the Northridge baseball pitching staff shot 75 to finish in a 3-way-tie for 1st place and advance to play in the sub-state championships Section 2 South championship with a team score of 5-under par to advance to the sub-state championships competed unattached in the tournament and advanced to sub-state as well PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tuscaloosa Academy's Danilo Stojakovic named ASWA Class 2A boys basketball player of the year Northside's Allie Perdue produced the tournament's 3rd-lowest individual round of the day Section 2 championships to help power Northside to a 2nd-place team finish Tuscaloosa Academy's Anton Schmidt scored two goals and Simon Mitrev scored the other goal in a 3-2 win against Altamont in the AHSAA 1A/3A Elite 8 to advance to the state's Final Four for the third consecutive season Central's Avery Peterson placed 4th in discus throw (145-02) at the AHSAA 6A state championships Demopolis's Bo Davis finished 3rd at the AHSAA 5A state championships in javelin throw (164-01) Jakohri Johnson finished 7th in shot put (45-04.00) Bryant's Jamar Bankhead II won the AHSAA 6A state championship in discus with a throw of 172-00 Holy Spirit senior Joseph Jones won both the boys AHSAA 2A 100 meter dash (10.96) and the 200 meter dash (22.01) at the AHSAA 2A sectionals His time in the 200 set the school record by 0:44 seconds Central's Beniyia Harris finished 3rd in triple jump (37-04.50) in the AHSAA 6A state championships Hillcrest's Karley Malveo finished 5th in the AHSAA 7A discus throw (121-03) Northridge's Emma Kate Dickey placed 2nd (128.01) and Annabelle Bean 5th (117-03) in the AHSAA state javelin finals Northridge's Ava Maye placed 9th in the AHSAA 6A state triple jump championships (35-06.50) Bryant's Ava Jones placed 8th in the state in the AHSAA 6A finals in triple jump (35-11.75) Section 2 championships in both pole vault and discus We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at news@wvua23.com or call us at 205-348-7000 Alabama guard Labaron Philon declared for the 2025 NBA Draft on April 14. The freshman said he was “100%” focused on the draft, but “things can change” in terms of a return to school That’s still on the table for Philon, who has until May 28 to withdraw his name from the draft and come back for his sophomore year. But head coach Nate Oats shared the latest on Philon and the draft process on Monday and hinted the Alabama guard is likely to turn pro “We’re getting really good feedback from the NBA,” said Oats at the Senior Bowl Charities Celebrity Golf Classic, via AL.com. “He’s gotta go to the Combine. He’s gotta test well. He’s gotta do well in the workout. What I’m hearing, I think he’s gonna get drafted. Shoot, it’ll be a great success story. He comes in, he’s not on anybody’s draft board, he plays well and he ends up getting drafted after a year with us. Philon started 29 games as a true freshman in 2024-25 and averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 31.5 percent from 3-point range and 76.7 percent at the free-throw line. He scored in double figures 21 times. “He just kept finding his way onto the floor,” Oats said of Philon. “He kept making us better. What I told him is, ‘You’ve got a chance here, and if we’re better with you on the floor, we’re gonna put you on the floor.’ And we were better with him on the floor most of the year.” Philon was one of three Alabama players invited to the 2025 NBA Combine, which will take place in Chicago from May 11-18. That will be an important step in the draft process for the 6-foot-4, 177-pound guard, who is currently the 47th-best 2025 prospect, per ESPN Oats shared what he’s told teams about Philon ahead of the NBA draft which is scheduled to take place from June 25-26 inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn He needs to turn himself into a little bit better shooter he’ll turn himself into a really good shooter and he’s got all the other stuff they’re looking for.” Alabama head coach Nate Oats spoke highly about Alabama’s shooting potential as a team with its 2025-26 roster.... On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media The NBA announced the 75 players that have been invited to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine on Friday afternoon, with three Alabama players receiving an invitation: Labaron Philon, Mark Sears and Grant Nelson The combine is a multi-day showcase that will take place from May 11-18 this year in Chicago It serves as an opportunity for players to display their abilities in scrimmages workouts and measurements for NBA teams ahead of the draft this June Parts of the combine will be televised on ESPN and NBA affiliated networks The NBA announced today that 75 players have been invited to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, which will take place from May 11-18 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.Additionally, a select number of standout players from the 2025 NBA G League Elite Camp, which… pic.twitter.com/KlCy4tcvW8 Sears and Nelson have exhausted their college eligibility and are going through the draft process once more. Both players participated in it last season, but opted to return to school for an additional season. Both players are widely projected to go undrafted, occasionally being mocked in the late second round, but the combine still serves as a strong opportunity to connect with teams for potential undrafted free agent deals, should they not be selected in the draft. The most interesting Crimson Tide player to watch is Philon who declared for the draft after a stellar freshman season but still has the option to return for another season depending on what he hears during the draft process Philon has been mocked anywhere from the mid-first round to anywhere in the second round meaning his performance at the combine could heavily weigh into how teams view him Philon has until May 28 to withdraw from the draft and return to school Alabama has had six players drafted to the NBA under head coach Nate Oats This class is looking to add to that total Head coach Nate Oats highlighted strong responses from the NBA and emphasized Philon's potential for being drafted contingent on his performance at the upcoming combine The outcome of Philon's performances at the combine will significantly influence his final decision on whether to enter the draft or return to Alabama If he can elevate his draft status to the top 15-20 range it might sway his choice towards turning pro Philon's draft journey could impact Alabama's roster significantly as his decision not only reflects his ambitions but also shapes the team's future composition his situation will serve as a key point of interest for both fans and the coaching staff According to a report from CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, the Alabama Crimson Tide are set host the Yale Bulldogs as part of the program's 2025-26 college basketball non-conference schedule Yale is coming off a 2024-25 season in which the Bulldogs won both the regular season and tournament conference titles with a 22-8 overall record that featured a 13-1 mark against league opponents the Bulldogs also made their second-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and have made five trips to March Madness since the 2015-16 season headlined by a first round upset of Auburn as a No This matchup will be the second-ever meeting between Alabama and Yale on the hardwood Alabama won that matchup by a final score of 66-63 Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. his standing as a projected 1st Round pick points heavily toward him opting to stay in the draft The odds of Labaron Philon returning to Alabama are getting longer. Philon is focused fully on the draft, and while he didn't shut the door completely on a potential return to Tuscaloosa for his sophomore season Oats spoke to the media at the Senior Bowl Charities Celebrity Golf Classic. In a video posted by Al.com to YouTube “We’re getting really good feedback from the NBA he plays well and he ends up getting drafted after a year with us." Philon came to Alabama as a 4-star recruit but not many saw him as a potential one-and-done candidate He was the talk of the summer around the program and wasted little time carving out a starting role on a team that made it to the Elite Eight averaging 10.6 points and 3.8 assists per game while starting 29 of Alabama's 37 games Philon heads into the NBA Draft combine in Chicago as a projected 1st Round pick He'll have an opportunity to move up into the lottery depending on how he performs during the May 11-18 event His return for a second season in Tuscaloosa continues to look less and less likely Philon turning into a one-and-done is another feather in the cap of Oats as a developer Noah Clowney was on nobody's draft boards before becoming a 1st Round pick in 2023 after a single season in Tuscaloosa This is the question on every Alabama fan's mind right now How does Oats move forward without Philon and with two open roster spots available The staff has been quiet since Cedric Coward's commitment to Duke and Rylan Griffen visiting Tuscaloosa just to ultimately commit to Texas A&M There are no more known targets at this time But there's several players who are in the Transfer Portal right now who are going through the NBA Draft process Some of them will likely return to college instead of staying in the draft We'll find out in a couple of weeks at the end of the combine The deadline to return to school is May 28th I would expect Alabama to go hard after a big-named player who exits the draft There could also be a surprise or two on the horizon There are a lot of eligibility questions up in the air right now and someone unexpected could be granted another year and immediately jump on Alabama's radar That may feel like an eternity for Tide fans © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands Oats spoke to the media at the Senior Bowl Charities Celebrity Golf Classic. In a video posted by Al.com to YouTube Philon heads into the NBA Draft combine in Chicago as a projected 1st Round pick. He'll have an opportunity to move up into the lottery depending on how he performs during the May 11-18 event. His return for a second season in Tuscaloosa continues to look less and less likely. Philon turning into a one-and-done is another feather in the cap of Oats as a developer. Noah Clowney was on nobody's draft boards before becoming a 1st Round pick in 2023 after a single season in Tuscaloosa. Philon might be next. This is the question on every Alabama fan's mind right now. How does Oats move forward without Philon and with two open roster spots available? The staff has been quiet since Cedric Coward's commitment to Duke and Rylan Griffen visiting Tuscaloosa just to ultimately commit to Texas A&M. There are no more known targets at this time. But there's several players who are in the Transfer Portal right now who are going through the NBA Draft process. Some of them will likely return to college instead of staying in the draft. We'll find out in a couple of weeks at the end of the combine. The deadline to return to school is May 28th. I would expect Alabama to go hard after a big-named player who exits the draft. Someone like St. John's RJ Luis, Texas Tech's Darrion Williams, or Florida State's Jamir Watkins. There could also be a surprise or two on the horizon. There are a lot of eligibility questions up in the air right now and someone unexpected could be granted another year and immediately jump on Alabama's radar. Clarity will come over the next month. That may feel like an eternity for Tide fans. But patience is all that is left. Alabama guard Labaron Philon is going through the NBA Draft process. When speaking to the media on Monday, Nate Oats threw more cool water on Philon's potential return. – Alabama women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry announced the hiring of Brian Johnson as Director of Operations and NIL Partnerships/Brand Development on Monday How to watch Alabama high school baseball: Hoover vs Hoover High School will meet Tuscaloosa County High School in Hoover How to watch Tuscaloosa Co. vs. Hoover baseballTuscaloosa Co. and Hoover will face off on Monday, May 5, at 4:30 p.m. CT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country Follow your favorite team and never miss a game Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school baseball streaming live plus on-demand replays and highlights of all the action from thousands of schools across America Watch Hoover vs. Tuscaloosa Co. on NFHS Network! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at NFHS Network and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU Alabama head coach Nate Oats would love to have star point guard Labaron Philon back for another year After Philon saw his draft stock soar over the final half of his freshman season, he declared for the draft, and he was recently invited to the NBA Draft Combine later this month. Philon recently said he is committed to seeing the draft process through but he also said that “you never know what can happen,” not entirely shutting the door on a return to college basketball While Philon is not putting all his eggs in one basket, Oats revealed he’s heard a lot of “really good feedback” from the NBA. His current expectation is that Philon will go down as a really good success story after just one season for Alabama basketball “Now we’re getting really good feedback from the NBA but what I’m hearing is that he’s going to get drafted,” said Oats “I’m sure it will be a great success story he’s not on anybody’s draft board and ends up getting drafted after a year with us Nate Oats discussed feedback on guard Labaron Philon's status as an NBA Draft prospect:"I'm sure it will be a great success story. He comes in, he's not on anybody's draft board, plays well for us, and ends up getting drafted after a year with us. That's the plan right now." pic.twitter.com/zYAm5HUyAC 4 point guard nationally for the 2024 recruiting class He was overshadowed by more prominent NBA prospects nationally but he grew throughout the season and finished as Alabama’s 4th-leading scorer at 10.6 points per game Philon has a shot to solidify his outlook for the NBA Draft Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football "You learned a lot about winning here at Alabama and now we need you to help win for America," Trump said referring to UA's tradition of excellence in athletics and academics More: Fiery speeches mark protests of President Trump's visit to Tuscaloosa The May 1 ceremony preceded UA’s commencement ceremonies, which were May 2-4 at the coliseum. During those eight college-specific ceremonies, graduates’ names were announced and degrees conferred. Those ceremonies also were livestreamed at commencement.ua.edu Bell opened the ceremony by recognizing the achievements of this year's graduating class tonight is a unique and a special celebration of all that you have achieved the dedication it took to reach this moment and the bright future that lies ahead," he said represented a connection between academic inquiry "This evening is especially meaningful as we welcome the president of United States to our campus His presence and willingness to share a message with you truly makes this an unforgettable occasion A belief that anchors our mission at UA is that education and public service are linked that the knowledge that you gain in our classrooms like ours will help shape policy During the event, several speakers gave special acknowledgment to Bell for his leadership and contributions to UA. Bell has said he planned to retire as UA's president in July after leading the Capstone for 10 years The 67-year-old Bell announced those plans in a Jan saying his retirement will go into effect mid-summer who retired as UA's football coach in January 2024 reflected on the impact of Bell's leadership at UA because we always have the support that we needed And leadership is all about serving other people Saban congratulated the 2025 graduating class and encouraged them to strive for excellence in all their endeavors Saban was also given the task of introducing President Trump a moment Saban jokingly referred to as a being the opening act before the main event I feel like I'm the warm-up band for the Rolling Stones," he said Trump opened his remarks with a "Roll Tide!" and special recognition for the 2025 graduating class Trump praised the Alabama's football team's winning tradition and he lauded the members of the graduating class of 2025 for their academic success He encouraged graduates to carry on the same winning spirit outside the classroom who earned a second nonconsecutive term in office after the 2024 election highlighting the achievements of his administration and the potential for future progress "We're celebrating the most successful first 100 days of any presidential administration in the history of our country," Trump said He also shared his thoughts on various topics and political issues including gender identity and women's sports Trump concluded his remarks by encouraging graduates to strive for greatness despite their youthful age or other factors "if you're here today and think that you're too young to do something great The May 1 event marked Trump's third visit to the UA campus Trump attended the Alabama-LSU football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium The last sitting U.S. president to speak at the coliseum was Ronald Reagan in 1984 Brian Johnson Returns to Alabama Women’s Basketball Staff5/5/2025 9:23:00 AM | Women's Basketball Johnson re-joins the Crimson Tide staff as Director of Operations and NIL Partnerships/Brand Development TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry announced the hiring of Brian Johnson as Director of Operations and NIL Partnerships/Brand Development on Monday "We are excited to welcome Brian back to the University of Alabama," said Curry "Brian's previous impact on our program was tremendous combined with his forward-thinking approach to operations commitment to our student-athletes and innovative mindset will be instrumental in helping us continue to build a championship-level experience both on and off the court We are thrilled to have him back in this new role!" Johnson has served as an account and sales manager for C Cross Logistics following his seven-year stint at Alabama He will reunite with Curry in a similar role after serving as the Crimson Tide's director of operations from 2018-23 Johnson spent two seasons as UA's director of player development The Yale Bulldogs got a crack at the Auburn Tigers defeating Alabama's cross-state rival in the 2024 NCAA Tournament 78-76 in the round of 64 the Bulldogs will get a crack at the Crimson Tide with Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reporting that Alabama will host Yale as a part of the Crimson Tide's 2025-26 nonconference men's basketball schedule The date and time for the nonconference bout have not been announced yet The matchup will be the first time since 2008 that the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs have lined up on the hardwood Alabama hosted Yale during the Tide's 2008 nonconference schedule where Alabama secured a 66-63 victory at home in Coleman Coliseum Alabama senior Alonzo Gee scored 20 points in the victory over Yale and three other Crimson Tide players (Senario Hillman JaMychal Green) all scored double-digit points to help lead Alabama to victory Alabama's current nonconference slate for the men's basketball season stands at: Alabama is coming off a season where Nate Oats led the Tide to an Elite Eight appearance It was the second consecutive Elite Eight appearance and the third ever in Alabama men's basketball history Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_ Yale already took down one team in Alabama, now they'll have a crack at the Crimson Tide in the 2025 men's basketball season.\nRead More Source: Alabama will host Yale as part of its 2025-26 non-conference schedule Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_ Commencement ceremonies for high schools in the Tuscaloosa City School system will be held this Friday at Coleman Coliseum on the University of Alabama campus Below are the times and parking locations for each high school. A clear bag policy is in effect for all ceremonies, and guests are not allowed to bring weapons READ MORE: Tuscaloosa County School System Announces 2025 Graduation Information Doors will open one hour prior to commencement services. Tuscaloosa City Schools will also broadcast each ceremony live on its YouTube channel with broadcasts scheduled to begin about 10 minutes before start time READ MORE: Tuscaloosa City Schools Celebrate Surge in State Test Scores For more information on 2025 commencement services, visit Tuscaloosa City Schools HERE Graduation ceremonies for Paul W. Bryant, Central, and Northridge High Schools will be held at Coleman Coliseum on Friday, May 9, 2025.\nRead More Commencement ceremonies for high schools in the Tuscaloosa City School system will be held this Friday at Coleman Coliseum on the University of Alabama campus Below are the times and parking locations for each high school. A clear bag policy is in effect for all ceremonies, and guests are not allowed to bring weapons READ MORE: Tuscaloosa County School System Announces 2025 Graduation Information Doors will open one hour prior to commencement services. Tuscaloosa City Schools will also broadcast each ceremony live on its YouTube channel with broadcasts scheduled to begin about 10 minutes before start time READ MORE: Tuscaloosa City Schools Celebrate Surge in State Test Scores For more information on 2025 commencement services, visit Tuscaloosa City Schools HERE Although the olive loaf is similar to Italian mortadella sliced sausage meat with cubes of pork fat this former American favorite deli meat is a mixture of pork the olive loaf has been associated with more popular cuts like bologna and is not typical to find on mainstream grocery store shelves which means if you are a parent like I am ― or if you work in education ― it’s the hectic time of year There is a flurry of teacher appreciation days it’s the time of year when any and all school events are crammed into a three-week period a time when it takes a master scheduler to determine who goes where and when It's especially hectic when it comes to a family like mine with three school-aged kids But for a lot of parents with seniors, this month is probably like a last march of childhood: the proms have occurred. The senior recognition nights are underway. Exams are about to happen, the last day of school, and then, finally, the day that you both look forward to and also dread as a parent: high school graduation many of my friends have been posting daily childhood pictures of their high school seniors in honor of their upcoming graduation cherub-faced baby photos and preschool snapshots and images of my friends’ children growing up are so emotional that it even makes me tear up What do you say to a child that you’ve raised as they go off to college and/or move out of the home What words of wisdom do you share with a young adult getting ready to fly the nest as I don’t think anyone gave me such advice when I graduated from high school or college there were the “for the graduate” books with wise quotes about starting a new phase which I never actually read but still seemingly happen to own More: Sweet 16: Making the most of my daughter's milestone | THE MOM STOP There was the “Oh the Places You’ll Go” Dr Seuss book that my grandparents bought me and wrote an inscription on the front page And there were some faith-based books for college students that our church wrapped up and gave the seniors as a graduation gift I’m not sure about what wisdom they provided since I never actually read them I can’t remember what a single one actually said What I do remember is the advice my dad gave me as I graduated from high school and moved off to college: to keep saying my prayers Because he always told me he loved me and to keep saying my prayers or the miniature books “for the graduate” with wise saying or even the advice muttered behind the podium on the graduation stage don’t matter What is going to stick with these seniors as they embark on a new life stage has already happened the impression left on them by their parents and their loved ones at home I think that is probably what needs to be reiterated to these young adults as they near graduation: “You are loved Because they hopefully know they are loved And although I still have two more years until my oldest child graduates I have been thinking about what advice I will give her I think I will stick to the same vein of what my father always said to me And while these seniors are embarking on an exciting new chapter of their lives they probably want to hear that their families will be where they have always been ― right behind them  Lydia Seabol Avant writes The Mom Stop for The Tuscaloosa News After beginning his collegiate career in the conference, former Alabama Crimson Tide guard Rylan Griffen is set to return to the SEC this upcoming college basketball season Yes, a potential transfer portal target for Alabama this offseason, Griffen will not be returning to Alabama for the 2025-26 campaign, as the guard announced a commitment to the Texas A&M Aggies on Friday night who transferred from Alabama to Kansas last offseason is coming off a year in which he started 20-of-33 games for the Jayhawks to average 6.3 points and 1.3 assists per game on 37.2% shooting from the field Griffen was a key member of the Crimson Tide's 2024 Final Four team and started 33-of-73 games during his time in Tuscaloosa and 1.3 assists per game on 41.8% shooting from the field as well as 35.4% from three and 78.2% at the free throw line Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news Friends and family gathered May 2-4 in Tuscaloosa to celebrate spring graduation for the class of 2025 Around 6,000 students became University of Alabama graduates during spring commencement exercises at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus Eight college-specific ceremonies were held in total The spring 2025 commencement ceremonies also marked the final commencement for retiring UA President Stuart Bell Bell has said he planned to retire as UA's president in July after leading the Capstone for 10 years "It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to be a part of this community," said Bell during the May 3 ceremony at Coleman Coliseum who has shaken hands with over 100,000 graduates during his 10 year tenure expressed his gratitude to the graduates for allowing him to be a part of their journey "Thank you for letting us walk alongside you You have inspired us more than you will ever know," Bell told graduates Bell said graduation season has always been the best time of the year and expressed pride in seeing the students "I'm just really proud of them," Bell said Bell said he has also formed a special bond with students and their families over the years The class of 2025 recieved encouraging words from Bell former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban and U.S President Donald Trump in a special commencement ceremony held May 1 at Coleman Coliseum Thousands of UA spring graduates, students, family members and more filled Coleman Coliseum where Trump delivered a keynote address ahead of UA's spring 2025 commencement ceremonies the spring graduates represented 38 countries The 2025 class achieved a grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and included 816 first-generation college students 66 students who identify as veterans and 537 graduates with multiple majors Bell discussed the significance of the handshake during the commencement ceremony which Bell said was a symbol of accomplishments a recognition of everything that you've done to get here today and there's an awful lot that lies ahead for each one of you," Bell said Bell also encouraged graduates to remember the connections made during the students' time at the university including the bond they formed with professors "If there's one thing that becomes clear when you've stood on this stage for as many times as I have is that the journey is not about one person it's about the hands that you shake along the way Bell concluded his remarks by asking graduates to stay connected with the university and carry with them the values I hope that you're carrying with you more than a diploma," Bell said The spring ceremonies honored graduates from the Capstone College of Nursing the College of Communication and Information Sciences the College of Human Environmental Sciences the School of Law and the School of Social Work For more information about UA's class of 2025, go to https://commencement.ua.edu/meet-the-spring-class-of-2025 Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.    The Crimson Tide will host the Bulldogs in inside Coleman Coliseum on a date yet to be announced winning the Ivy League Tournament before losing to Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Alabama basketball will host Yale at Coleman Coliseum as a part of its 2025-26 non-conference schedule, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported on Saturday morning. The game’s date and tipoff time are still TBA. Yale is a strong mid-major program that has been one of the most consistent players in the Ivy League for a long time. The Bulldogs have made the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons and four of the last six, including upsetting 4-seed Auburn in the first round in 2024. As usual, Nate Oats is loading up on quality competition on the Crimson Tide’s non-conference slate next season. Alabama currently has marquee games locked in against Purdue at home, Arizona in Birmingham and Illinois in Chicago. The Tide will also have three games in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, and a TBD opponent in the annual SEC/ACC Challenge. Yale is the second mid-major added to the schedule so far joining a return game from North Dakota after Alabama traveled up north to play the Fighting Hawks last season The Crimson Tide currently has two open roster spots after bringing in four transfer portal additions and losing four players to the portal Be sure to check out BOL’s Alabama basketball roster tracker to keep up with where the 2025-26 roster stands throughout the offseason Did you pay attention to the top sports headlines in Tuscaloosa this week Now is the time to test your skills with this week's tuscaloosanews.com sports quiz spent the first two years of her collegiate career with the Chanticleers as she'll enter her junior season with the Crimson Tide in 2025-26 The All-Sun Belt Third Team member started in 29 of her 32 games during the 2024-25 season During that time on the floor she averaged 12.3 points on 57 percent from the field to go along with a team-high 6.4 rebounds (2.5 offensive) SEC's Top Prospects : SEC Daily, May 2, 2025 NEWS: Kansas transfer and former Alabama guard Rylan Griffen has committed to Texas A&M, he told @On3sports. The 6-6 junior and Dallas native brings long-range shotmaking to Bucky Ball as Griffen shot over 39% from three in his sophomore year at Alabama — a key contributor to… pic.twitter.com/2qSk2KHtRx Rookie minicamps for Alabama players…May 2-3: Jihaad Campbell (recovering from labrum surgery)May 2-4: Tyler Booker, Jalen Milroe, Robbie OuztsMay 9-10: Tim SmithMay 9-11: Que Robinson, Malachi Moore, CJ Dippre, James Burnip, Kneeland Hibbett https://t.co/36W1ZhlESg Jalen Milroe has been working with Jordan Palmer — the noted QB coach and brother of Carson Palmer — for a year and a half. Here he was on what the recent focus of those sessions has been. pic.twitter.com/zde1C3vv3M Jereem Richards 🇹🇹 runs a 200m World Lead (WL) of 19.86s (1.7) at the Grand Slam Track Miami!Alex Ogando 🇩🇴 was also 2nd in 19.86s.pic.twitter.com/wKp43YslEr AALIYAH NYE TONIGHT 🔥• 17 POINTS • 6/11 3PM pic.twitter.com/nwrqEOqatk 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭A moment for our 2025 Fern Hampton Academic Award winners! All three earned a ✨4.0 GPA✨ while majoring in the following degrees…💯 LaCoursiere - neuroscience with a minor in psychology 💯… pic.twitter.com/6tIWXqAKwZ Congrats to Harriet Lockley being named to the SEC Community Service Team! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/ByEcGIudhd 1938: Johnny Roberts was elected President of the A-Club for the 1938-39 school year was chosen as the University's Man of the Year by the Crimson White who kicked game-winning field goals against Tulane and Vanderbilt also starred as a sprinter on the track team As the only voter in the AP Top 25 poll who picked the Crimson Tide No I took my share of flak from around the country I stuck with the kids from Alabama because they gave me no choice How do you bail out on a team that refused to lose?" –– Former Tucson Citizen sports columnist Corky Simpson on the 1992 Crimson Tide