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In vitro bills, Britt’s gig, AU perfection: Down in Alabama

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In vitro bills, Britt’s gig, AU perfection: Down in Alabama


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Temporary IVF fix?

Both chambers of the Alabama Legislature Thursday passed bills that would shield in vitro fertilization clinics from legal actions, reports AL.com’s Mike Cason.

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The bills are nearly identical, so it’s possible that early next week they’ll be able to give final passage to one for the governor to sign. The House of Representatives passed its bill 94-6, with four Democrats and two Republicans voting against it. The Senate passed its bill 34-0.

This almost certainly isn’t a permenent fix as lawmakers try to get IVF clinics reopened and operating after the state Supreme Court ruled that human embryos had the same rights as children according to the state Constitution. As a matter of fact, an early version of the bill on Thursday would have automatically repealed itself in June 2025.

That part was removed, but we can consider this a band-aid fix to keep and reopen the clinics.

One of the House sponsors, Decatur Republican Terri Collins, said she expects something more permanent to be carved out in the next year.

The debate we might expect includes the personhood issue (what point a fertilized egg becomes a person), whether the next step will be a state Constitutional amendment (the state high court ruling cited constitutional law), and how narrow or broad the clinics’ immunity should be.

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That is, will the immunity take away legal recourse from patients who suffer legitimate medical problems caused by IVF services?

Then again, maybe it wouldn’t be a government law without unintended negative consequences.

But can she rebut all that SOTU applause?

If, in this presidential election year, the Republicans were looking for a contrast to President Biden to give the GOP response to the State of the Union address, they sure found it in U.S. Sen. Katie Britt.

Obviously Biden’s a man and Britt’s a woman. Biden’s from Pennsylvania and later Delaware; Britt’s from Enterprise.

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And while Britt’s a freshman senator, Biden won a Senate seat during the same election that Nixon beat McGovern. Now 81, Biden had already been in Washington nine years when Britt was born.

AL.com’s Howard Koplowitz reports that House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that Britt would handle the GOP response that’ll be aired immediately after Biden’s speech on March 7.

Whether any of those differences I mentioned means a hill of beans will be up to the viewer. But one advantage Britt has is that she can say what she wants to say without being interrupted by insincere applause every 12 words — a staple of modern SOTU speeches.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey pointed out in a statement that Britt will be the first Alabamian to give the rebuttal.

“Sometimes the best man for the job is a woman,” the governor said.

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Perfecto

Right-handed pitcher Maddie Penta recorded the third perfect game in Auburn University softball history Thursday night at Jane B. Moore Field.

Now, for those not highly versed in softball or baseball, pitching a perfect game means nobody on the other team reached base at all. You don’t have to strike them all out, but you can’t allow any baserunners, even by a fielder’s error. So during in the last inning of a perfect game, behind the pitcher are seven fielders, all thinking “please don’t hit it to me.”

So on Thursday the Tigers beat Georgia State 8-0 in six innings. Penta, who threw a no-hitter just Sunday, topped that with her first perfect game. She struck out 13 of the 18 batters she faced.

Seen on Jeopardy!

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  • Clue: Auburn QB Bo Nix made an NIL deal with Milo’s, maker of this 2-word sugary drink – then transferred out of the South to Oregon.
  • Correct response: Sweet tea.
  • Clue: It’s the nickname of Alabama CB Ga’Quincy McKinstry, whose smile resembled this pitch “Man;” Now he has an NIL deal with the drink, oh yeah.
  • Correct response: Kool-Aid.

(These were easier than even our weekly Monday quiz.)

Quoting

“I never liked being punched in the face when I was younger. I was quickly reminded again of why I was never too fond of it.”

Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler, who was punched in the face while trying to arrest a man wanted in connection with a stolen vehicle.

By the Numbers

700

Only six high school baseball coach in Alabama have reached 700 career wins. The latest? Hewitt-Trussville’s Jeff Mauldin this week.

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More Alabama News

On This Date

In 2007, A tornado outbreak across the South included one twister that killed nine people in Enterprise, eight of them students at Enterprise High School.

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Alabama

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

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Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine


As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine nears its conclusion, the Detroit Lions continue to work to identify potential fits for the franchise.

The Lions own pick No. 17 in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Though Taylor Decker recently announced his return for the 2026 season, Detroit could still be thinking offensive line in the draft’s opening round.

If the Lions opt to fortify their offensive line, one name to watch for Detroit is Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. A Lions scout pulled Proctor aside to talk at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.

Now, Proctor confirmed to Crunch Time Sports that he met with the Lions at the NFL combine.

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Proctor started 40 games across his Crimson Tide career, missing just the first two games of the 2024 season with injury.

The 6-foot-7, 366-pound lineman was Alabama’s highest-graded player last season with an overall offensive grade of 85.9, per Pro Football Focus. Proctor had a pass-blocking grade of 84.2, a run blocking grade of 81.1 and allowed just two sacks during the 2025 college football season.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a likeFollow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions



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Alabama lawmakers react to U.S. early morning military strike on Iran

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Alabama lawmakers react to U.S. early morning military strike on Iran


Alabama lawmakers are weighing in with their opinion after Donald Trump announced that the United States conducted a military strike on Iran overnight.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey responded to a video from the White House X account announcing that we’ve taken military action.

“Strong leadership requires hard decisions,” Ivey posted to X. “This is exactly how we will achieve peace through strength. As @POTUS said, our Armed Forces WILL prevail. May God continue to bless the brave men and women in our military! And may God bless President Trump and our great country.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt said in his own statement that he stands with Trump’s decision. The statement released earlier today, Saturday, Feb. 8, encouraged Trump for taking military action.

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“For five decades, Iran has openly called for ‘death to America,’” Aderholt wrote. “I remember clearly when they orchestrated the deaths of 241 U.S. Marines in Beirut in 1983. In the years since, the regime has continued pursuing nuclear capabilities that threaten the United States and our allies. I stand with President Trump has he leads these strikes. May God bless the members of our armed forces carrying out these operations”

In addition to being the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Aderholt is also a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall echoed similar sentiment to Aderholt. He cites the same quote.

“For 47 years the vicious Iranian regime has chanted ‘death to America,’” Marshall wrote. “It’s time for swift and decisive action. May God bless the men and women of the Armed Forces. May God bless America.”

Senator Katie Boyd Britt says she echoes Trump’s message from earlier this morning.

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“Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism,” Britt said on X. “For 47 years, this murderous regime has operated a terror network that has brought death and destruction to the world and slaughtered innocent Americans. Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile capabilities, and funding of proxy terror groups pose a sustained and clear threat to our nation, to our military bases and citizens in the region, and to our allies. This is a defining moment of generational leadership from President Trump to achieve sustainable peace. We are praying for the safety of our men and women in uniform and I echo @POTUS’s message this morning: God bless and protect all of our heroes in harm’s way executing this mission.”

Coach and Senator Tommy Tubberville tweeted, “President Trump has shown time and time again, you NEVER threaten America. God bless our great troops, god bless President Trump, and God bless America.”

U.S. Representative for 1st Congressional District of Alabama Barry Moore responded in a Facebook post.

“May God bless our men and women in uniform,” Moore posted. “Please join me in praying for strength, wisdom, and safety for President Donald J. Trump and all of those keeping our nation safe.”

United States Congresswoman Terri Sewell representing Alabama’s 7th District offered one of the few dissenting opinions from local lawmakers and politicians. Although she acknowledges Iran’s history, Sewell expresses her concern for the lives of U.S. citizens now that peace talks have been abandoned.

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“Iran has oppressed their people and supported terrorism in the region for decades,” Sewell said in an official statement. “This fact does not change the President’s obligation under the Constitution to work with Congress on military actions that put our troops in harm’s way and could drag our country into another prolonged war in the Middle East.”

Sewell goes on to say that she’ll work with Congress to arrange a vote on a war powers resolution.

“I am also calling on the Administration to immediately provide a briefing on this ongoing military action, including their justification for abandoning diplomatic talks, as as their strategy for avoiding an extended regional conflict that is not supported by the American people,” Sewell continued. “I am praying for all the service members in the region and their families.”



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How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 28

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How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 28


Labaron Philon’s No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide (21-7, 11-4 SEC) hit the road to match up with Ja’Kobi Gillespie and the No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers (20-8, 10-5 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday, Feb. 28. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET.

We have more details below, including how to watch this matchup on ESPN.

Prepare for this matchup with everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s college hoops action.

Tennessee vs. Alabama: How to watch on TV or live stream

  • Game day: Saturday, February 28, 2026
  • Game time: 6 p.m. ET
  • Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Arena: Thompson-Boling Arena
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

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Tennessee vs. Alabama stats and trends

  • Tennessee ranks 78th in the nation with 80.5 points per game so far this year. At the other end, it ranks 62nd with 69.1 points allowed per contest.
  • The Volunteers are thriving when it comes to rebounding, as they rank third-best in college basketball in boards (39.9 per game) and second-best in rebounds allowed (25.9 per contest).
  • So far this season, Tennessee ranks 30th in college basketball in assists, averaging 17.1 per game.
  • With 11.8 turnovers per game, the Volunteers are 257th in the country. They force 10.7 turnovers per contest, which ranks 224th in college basketball.
  • This season, Tennessee is making 6.9 threes per game (271st-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 34.7% (139th-ranked) from three-point land.
  • With a 30.2% three-point percentage allowed this season, the Volunteers are 22nd-best in the country. They rank 182nd in college basketball by giving up 7.8 three-pointers per contest.
  • Tennessee has taken 67.3% two-pointers and 32.7% three-pointers this year. Of the team’s buckets, 75.8% are two-pointers and 24.2% are three-pointers.

Tennessee vs. Alabama Odds and Spread

  • Spread Favorite: Volunteers (-4.5)
  • Moneyline: Tennessee (-222), Alabama (+179)
  • Total: 164.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 4:11 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.



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