Alabama
Community reacts to Alabama abstinence-only education bill
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Alabama Senate last week passed Senate Bill 209, legislation that would require public schools to teach “sexual risk avoidance” to students.
The bill prohibits classes from providing information about contraceptive materials or teaching students how to access contraception.
Under the proposed curriculum, students would be taught to avoid all types of sexual content. Supporters argue the measure would help prevent teens from participating in sexual activity and enable them to make informed decisions about their health.
“It really helps to educate students on the risks of promiscuous or early sexual behavior and what those outcomes can be, and helps them make good decisions,” said Becky Gerritson, executive director of Eagle Forum of Alabama. “It’s just a very broad scope curriculum, and we’re very happy that it is moving forward.”
Opponents of the bill say the abstinence-only approach will cause more harm than good. They argue that comprehensive sex education, which includes information about contraception and safe sex practices, better serves students by providing them with all available options.
“You can tell teenagers all you want to not have sex, but they’re not necessarily going to listen to that, and I feel like the better approach to that is giving them a comprehensive sex education where they really understand the risks of whatever behavior they choose to do and they can understand how to engage in that safely,” said Srushti Sai Talluri, a University of Alabama at Birmingham public health graduate student.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, sexually transmitted infections rank as the sixth greatest current health concern in Alabama, with STI rates increasing every year, particularly among those aged 15 to 24.
Talluri emphasized that comprehensive education aims to give students the tools to make responsible choices rather than simply telling them what to do.
“The point of this education is not to tell students what to do or what not to do, but to provide them with all of the options so they can make an informed, responsible decision for themselves,” Talluri said.
Supporters of SB 209 counter that the curriculum they advocate teaches students about the risks of sexual activity to help them make good decisions that will benefit them into adulthood.
“We are trying to show them how risky behaviors can have great, detrimental effects all into adulthood,” Gerritson said.
Under current Alabama law and the proposed SB 209, parents would be able to opt their children out of sexual education if they choose. Sexual education is not currently mandated in Alabama, though students in grades 5-12 are required to learn about HIV and AIDS through their health classes.
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SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.
Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.
“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.
Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.
“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”
The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.
The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.
Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.
The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.
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Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.
The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.
“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.
Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.
Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.
Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.
The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.
“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”
The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.
The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.
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