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Alabama aims to improve doctor shortage with new program

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Alabama aims to improve doctor shortage with new program


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Alabama is launching a new program that could help address the state’s doctor shortage.

Experts say the shortage has caused delays in people’s medical care and is attributed to numerous factors such as doctors feeling burnt out after COVID and medical students having trouble entering the industry.

The Medical Association of the State of Alabama shared there are more medical students than there are residency slots.

Now, Alabama is launching its new Bridge Year Graduate Physician Program.

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The program, which passed during the 2023 legislative session, allows medical school graduates who did not get into residency programs to study under the supervision of licensed physician for at least a year.

Individuals can then reapply for residency.

Alabama now joins 10 states with similar initiatives.

“It’s not going to be a cure-all. We never pretended that it would be,” said Mark Jackson, Executive Director of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. “This program will help alleviate. It will add additional manpower to the physician workforce where the student will be able to, working with that supervising physician, will be able to see patients and try to help their healthcare needs.”

Since Alabama has an aging population, the medical association says doctors are needed to assist these older patients.

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Applications for the new Bridge Year Graduate Physician Program are available now.

For applicants to qualify for this program, they must have graduated and completed two of the three steps for licensure examination, according to the medical association.

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Level 1 severe weather risk added for Alabama today

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Level 1 severe weather risk added for Alabama today


A cold front will bring a low risk for a few strong storms to parts of Alabama starting later today, according to forecasters.

The strongest storms could have wind gusts strong enough to take down tree limbs and power lines, and there is a low risk for a tornado.

And this may not be the only chance for severe weather. The National Weather Service thinks more storms could be possible on Tuesday, although as of now severe weather isn’t officially in the forecast.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 1 out of 5 (marginal) risk for severe weather for part of Alabama for Friday (see the map above).

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The Level 1 risk area includes most of north Alabama and northern and western portions of central Alabama.

The weather service said strong storms will be possible in Alabama starting this afternoon, and they could linger into the overnight hours.

Damaging winds are the main threat, but the Storm Prediction Center also has a very low risk for a tornado in its forecast for Alabama:

The areas in green in Alabama will have a very low probability for a tornado starting this afternoon.SPC

Rain was moving into Alabama as of Friday morning, and scattered rain and storms will be possible through the day today.

The chances for stronger storms will increase starting this afternoon as the cold front approaches, according to the weather service.

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Areas that don’t get a lot of rain could again come close to record high temperatures, the weather service said.

Highs today are again expected to be in the 70s and 80s statewide:

Friday highs
Near-record high temperatures will be possible on Friday in parts of Alabama. Above is the forecast for Friday.NWS

No big cooldown is expected after this front passes through.

However that won’t be the case with the next system, which could affect Alabama from Tuesday into Wednesday.

There’s a chance for more storms with that system, according to the weather service, although severe weather isn’t in the forecast for Alabama so far.

The weather service said much cooler air will follow the Tuesday system, and Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) looks to be clear and cooler for much of the state.

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Here’s more from the weather service:

NORTH ALABAMA

CENTRAL ALABAMA

SOUTH ALABAMA

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Alabama divorce rate considerably higher than many other states. Where it ranks nationally

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Alabama divorce rate considerably higher than many other states. Where it ranks nationally


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Divorces in Alabama are climbing, putting the state among the leaders in the nation for marriage splits.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama had one of the highest divorce rates in the country in 2023. Experts point to economic pressures, cultural factors and changing social norms as reasons more marriages are ending legally rather than quietly.

Here’s what to know about Alabama’s divorce rates and where it stands compared to other states.

What is the divorce rate in Alabama?

Alabama’s divorce rate is notably higher than that of many other states. According to the CDC, the most recent data puts the state’s divorce rate at roughly 3.2 divorces per 1,000 people.

A look at state-level trends shows that this hasn’t always been the case. In 1990, Alabama’s rate was about 6.1 per 1,000, but it has declined significantly over time and has stayed relatively stable in recent years.

The divorce trend explained

Experts point to a cultural shift as one reason Alabama’s divorce rate remains high. A recent Times report notes that more women in the state are rejecting traditional “trad-wife” roles, gaining financial independence and confidence to leave unhappy marriages. Psychologist and divorce attorneys say this trend reflects changing expectations around marriage, religion and personal identity in the Deep South.

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How does Alabama rank nationally?

Compared nationally, Alabama’s divorce rate is still among the higher end of U.S. states’ rates. Here are the top 9 states with the highest divorce rates in 2023:

  • Nevada 3.8
  • Idaho: 3.4
  • Wyoming: 3.4
  • Oklahoma: 3.3
  • Alaska: 3.1
  • Utah: 3.1
  • Alabama: 3
  • Arkansas: 3
  • Florida: 3

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.



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Booger McFarland reacts to controversy surrounding Notre Dame over Alabama in College Football Playoff rankings

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Booger McFarland reacts to controversy surrounding Notre Dame over Alabama in College Football Playoff rankings


Three two-loss teams were present in the top-10 of Tuesday night’s updated College Football Playoff rankings. No. 8 Oklahoma led the way, followed by No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 10 Alabama. This led to debate amongst many, who believe that the Crimson Tide boast a much stronger resume than the Irish.

Alabama holds wins over four teams present in the latest CFP Rankings (No. 4 Georgia, No. 14 Vanderbilt, No. 20 Tennessee, and No. 22 Missouri), while Notre Dame is just 1-2 against such teams. The Irish downed No. 15 USC 34-24 on Oct. 14, but kicked off the season with back-to-back losses to No. 13 Miami and No. 3 Texas A&M.

ESPN‘s Booger McFarland broke down why the committee would have put Notre Dame over Alabama in the Rankings during a hit on Wednesday afternoon’s edition of ‘SportsCenter‘.

“I think the fact that they both have two losses lets you know that the committee views Notre Dame as the better team right now,” McFarland said. “Notre Dame is a hotter team. They lost their first two games, but have won eight in a row. And when you look at how they play and their physicality, they’ve got the best backfield in America with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The offensive line is really good. The defense is big and physical. They can cover man-to-man on the outside, and I think CJ Carr, as a young quarterback, is starting to come along.”

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McFarland says committee looked at teams ‘in a vacuum’

“I think the committee just looked at these two teams and said ‘in a vacuum, they both have two losses. Who do we think is better right now?’ And I think they deemed that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are just the better team right now.”

“But let’s just remember, this is an incomplete resume. The committee has an enviable task of trying to figure out what the resume is going to look like when it ends, because we still have a couple weeks left in the season.”

Both teams opened the season with a loss, but in Alabama‘s case, it won its next eight games before falling at home to Oklahoma 23-21 on Saturday. Notre Dame opened with an 0-2 record, but is currently in the midst of an eight-game winning streak. With both programs facing unranked teams in their final two games of the season, it may take a win in the SEC Championship Game for Alabama to jump back over the Irish in the final CFP Rankings.



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