Alabama
Dr. Stuart Bell Stepping Down From President of The University of Alabama: Roll Call, January 16, 2025
Dr. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of The University of Alabama, has announced his plans to step down from the presidency mid-summer, completing a decade of excellence in leadership.
“It has truly been an honor to serve and represent The University of Alabama as president over the last 10 years,” Bell said in a press release. “I am grateful for the longstanding support of our Board of Trustees and filled with pride and gratitude for all the accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Collectively, we have witnessed record-breaking successes and as our University continues its positive trajectory, the moment is right to initiate the completion of my tenure as president.”
Under Bell’s leadership, Alabama and the SEC were highlighted on the world stage as Crimson Tide student-athletes shined across many sports with three national championships in football, the first Final Four appearance in men’s basketball history and tons of SEC championships. Numerous student-athletes won individual national championships and recorded the highest academic performance rate in school history.
“Stuart Bell has provided a decade of exceptional service to The University of Alabama where his steady leadership has proved valuable in managing the myriad challenges present in modern day higher education,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in the press release. “The lives he touched through his passion for the advancement of the Alabama student experience will be his lasting legacy. He has also been an important leader in the Southeastern Conference during a time of significant change in college sports and I am appreciative of the wise counsel he has provided on the transformative issues that are shaping the future of college athletics.”
“I could not have asked for a better president than Dr. Bell to work with over the last eight years at Alabama,” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “He is an incredible leader and cares deeply about our university and athletics programs. We are grateful for the impact he’s made throughout his tenure and are thankful for the support he and Mrs. Bell have shown to our teams over the years.
No. 19 Alabama women’s basketball vs. No. 2 South Carolina at 6 p.m. CT in Coleman Coliseum and on SECN+
No results.
The proposal has now formally passed and is final – a historic moment in NCAA history.
Final vote breakdown is unanimous 292-0 and draws applause from the room. The first vote, I believe, was for it to be immediately implemented this year. https://t.co/tmVxd80ZLO
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 15, 2025 Nick Saban on #Browns new OC Tommy Rees back in ‘23.
That’ll play…#DawgPound pic.twitter.com/NhmaI0zfYP
— CLEology (@_CLEology) January 14, 2025 WALK-ON TRYOUTS
📆 January 21 Must be a FULL TIME STUDENT enrolled in 12+ hours this semester pic.twitter.com/fP3xTdOuuK
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) January 15, 2025 Preseason exhibition rules eased for DI men’s basketball teamshttps://t.co/AtOGGXFpR3
— NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) January 15, 2025
📍 Hank Crisp Indoor Facility
⏰ 6pm
January 16, 1995: Jonathan Allen was born in Anniston, Ala.
January 16, 2007: Nick Saban made one of his final additions for his first coaching staff at Alabama, adding the man who would be the position coach for two Heisman Trophy winners, Mark Ingram Jr. and Derrick Henry. Burton Burns was hired from Clemson to be the Crimson Tide’s running backs coach and associate head coach.
“Lee Roy was the best college linebacker, bar none. He would have made every tackle on every play if they had stayed in bounds.”
–– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant on Lee Roy Jordan, who played in Super Bowl VI on this date in 1972, a 24-3 victory for the Cowboys over the Dolphins.
Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday formally announced the state will be beginning this historic summer with an America 250 Alabama Celebration at the State Capitol next Thursday. During the event, the governor will officially unveil a massive, 250th edition of the U.S. flag that will hang between the columns of the Capitol this summer.
“We live in the greatest nation on this Earth, and it is only fitting Alabama pay tribute to this country we are proud to call home. I am excited to invite my fellow Alabamians to the Capitol for a salute to our nation and to kick off this historic summer,” said Ivey. “There is truly no better time to be an American and an Alabamian than right now.”
The event will be open to the public and is set to occur on the front steps of the State Capitol Thursday, May 21 at 11 a.m. ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Leading up to the program, guests will be able to enjoy the sounds of the 151st Army Band. The governor invited Pell City High School student and fellow Girls Stater Amelia Alverson, who went viral for her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” to perform.
The program will feature a musical performance by Randy Owen of Alabama. At the close of the program, four F-35 fighter jets will roar over the State Capitol for an official flyover.
The governor first announced the event Wednesday during a speech in Huntsville. There are no tickets required. Governor Ivey said she looks forward to America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, and she “is thrilled to kick off this milestone summer with her fellow Alabamians,” Ivey’s press release concluded.
Alabama
Alabama’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort recognized as one of the best | WKRG.com
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WKRG) — Beneath thousands of headstones, a life of service and sacrifice is honored at the Alabama State Veterans Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
“It is pretty profound the sense of pride in the work,” said cemetery director Joe Buschell.
“The beauty is just overwhelming, and there is so much honor here for our veterans for the community,” said Commissioner of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Jeff Newton. “It’s just a solemn place.”
Buschell accepted the Excellence in Veterans Cemetery Operations recognition, but he says it is a team effort.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes. When the day starts, our obligation is to honor that veteran and their family,” Buschell said.
The only state veterans cemetery in Alabama is the final resting place for almost 5,000 veterans and their spouses.
“They truly care for the veterans of the state of Alabama,” said Glenn Powers, Deputy Under Secretary of Cemetery Operations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that sets the standards for all 124 state veterans cemeteries across the U.S. “They do exactly what we want them to do, what the American citizens want them to do, take care of our veterans, honor them in perpetuity.”
Established in 2013, the 130-acre property off Highway 225 has room to expand for generations to come.
“They gifted everybody at least a part of their life, said Buschell. “At this cemetery, we have at least a couple that gifted the whole thing, so that means a lot.”
A debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid.
Alabama residents will make their choice for U.S. Congress during the May 19 primary, and officials are urging people to vote despite an ever-evolving situation surrounding the state’s congressional maps.
Currently, there are legal disputes surrounding the Congressional districts map in use in Alabama. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in late April on a redistricting case in Louisiana, Alabama asked for the preliminary injunction which barred them from redrawing their maps until 2030 to be lifted, which the courts have granted as of May 11.
Though there’s been some confusion in the face of ongoing legal motions regarding the maps, what is certain is that primary elections will go on as planned despite Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey calling for a special election in August for the affected congressional districts — Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7.
The Northern District Court of Alabama, which originally issued the injunction, still has to reconsider the case. The court asked state officials in a May 12 order to explain the plan for the 2026 elections and to explain how they plan to “ensure that all Alabamians may timely and efficaciously exercise their constitutional right to vote.”
There are two more elections after the primaries this month. On June 16, the state will hold primary runoff elections, and on Nov. 3, the state will host the general election. Additional candidates could come up after the primaries conclude, so once the names are finalized, the ballots may appear differently in November.
The special election in races affected by new congressional maps is currently planned for Aug. 11, though officials — including Ivey — have encouraged all voters to cast their ballots in the regular May 19 primary.
Who’s running for U.S. Senate?
The seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is up for election. Tuberville, who has thrown his hat in the governor’s race, will not be returning to the position, so all candidates listed would be new to the Senate. The other seat is held by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and won’t be open until her term expires in 2028.
Republican candidates
- Seth Burton
- Dale Shelton Deas Jr.
- Jared Hudson
- Steve Marshall
- Barry Moore
- Rodney Walker
Some names on this list are already serving in federal and Alabama state government positions, with Marshall currently serving as the state’s Attorney General, and Moore currently representing Alabama’s 1st District in the House of Representatives and previously representing the 2nd District. Of the candidates, President Donald Trump has endorsed only one, which is Moore.
Hudson is the only candidate who has attempted to run for another position, albeit unsuccessfully — he ran for sheriff of Jefferson County in 2022, but lost to incumbent Sheriff Mark Pettway.
Democratic candidates
- Dakarai Larriett
- Kyle Sweetser
- Everett Wess
- Mark S. Wheeler II
Who’s running for House of Representatives?
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell is running unopposed in District 7. Voters in every district have candidates from both sides of the aisle to consider.
Considering the special election that is now on the horizon, candidate names may appear differently on ballots in August if different maps are approved. For the May 19 primaries, the following is how candidate names will appear.
District 1 Republican Candidates
- Jerry Carl
- James (Jimmy) Dees
- Rhett Marques
- Joshua McKee
- John Mills
- James Richardson
- Austin Sidwell
District 1 Democratic Candidates
Senate candidate Moore currently holds the District 1 position, so no candidates are incumbents. A few of the candidates in this race have previous political experience. Carl is a former member of the U.S. House and used to represent District 1, with his tenure in office lasting from 2021-25. Marques is a current Alabama State House representative.
District 2 Republican Candidates
District 2 Democratic Candidates
U.S. Rep. Figures currently holds the District 2 position.
District 3 Republican Candidates
District 3 Democratic Candidates
U.S. Rep. Rogers currently holds the District 3 position.
District 4 Republican Candidates
- Robert B. Aderholt
- Tommy Barnes
District 4 Democratic Candidates
- Amanda N. Pusczek
- Shane Weaver
U.S. Rep. Aderholt currently holds the District 4 position. His one Republican opponent, Barnes, has a history in public service, serving as a Colbert County Commissioner.
District 5 Republican Candidates
District 5 Democratic Candidates
- Jeremy Devito
- Candice Dollar Duvieilh
- Andrew Sneed
U.S. Rep. Strong currently holds the District 5 position.
District 6 Republican candidates
District 6 Democratic candidates
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer currently holds the District 6 position.
How do I check my voter registration status?
To vote in the primary election, voters need to have been registered to vote in Alabama for 15 days before the election is scheduled to happen.
To check your registration status, visit vote.gov.
Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@montgome.gannett.com or follow her on X @sarahgclifton and TikTok @sarahgclifton. To support her work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
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