Alabama
Alabama House District 2-Elect Shomari Figures already getting to work
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Shomari Figures claimed victory Tuesday night, in the race for Alabama’s newly drawn second congressional district.
Figures wins Alabama’s redrawn 2nd Congressional District
Figures, who went up against Republican Caroleene Dobson, earned 54% of the vote, with the majority coming out of Mobile.
“It’s about us” Shomari Figures claims victory in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District
Figures claimed the democratic ticket in April after a crowded race that started with twelve other candidates.
Anitra Henderson, with the Figures campaign, says he’s spending Wednesday heading up through the counties to thank voters.
Henderson says he’s already making calls to congressional leaders.
After beating out his opponent he says he’s ready to represent his district in Washington.
Shomari Figures speaks at final night of DNC
“First thing first, and that’s building a bipartisan, multi-faceted team here in the state of Alabama to help, or here in District Two to help with the transition process that’s pulling together voices and resources from the business community, the economic community, the education community, the labor community, the church community, law enforcement community, all of those relevant stakeholders,” Figures said.
Figures brings with him years of experience in the federal government.
It includes working under both Obama and Biden presidencies and Attorney General Merrick Garland.
He’s also the son of current State Senator Vivian Davis-Figures and the late State Senator Michael Figures.
A Mobile native, he says regardless of anyone’s political stance, he’s fit for the job.
Former US attorney general says House candidate Shomari Figures in Alabama will fight for equality
“At the end of the day, we got in this race because we love this place that we call home, and home is not blue. Home is not red. Home is a collective of people and places and communities that are strong, that have led this nation through its toughest times and darker, darkest days,” Figures said. “And we can, we can do it. We know that we have a bright future ahead of us. And look, we got to go up there, we work on both sides of the aisle and we get the job done.
Figures has centered his campaign around the healthcare crisis in Alabama.
‘On life support’: Hospital officials warn dozens of rural Alabama hospitals are at risk of closing their doors
He also touched on the recent hospital closings in his district.
During several debates over the last few months, he expressed fear for those who needed healthcare access, if they had nowhere to go.
“You know, once we’re sworn in, I think we have to look to immediately resolving the health care crisis that we have across this district,” Figures said. “I mean, we have four hospitals that have closed in this district just since we’ve been in this race. We have several other facilities that are on the verge of closing in this district, and we have to make sure that we can stand up for them.
Figures will take office on January 1.
Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.
Alabama
Former Alabama OL starter transferring to SEC rival
Alabama football will see one of its ex-starters next season. Wilkin Formby is joining Texas A&M out of the transfer portal, after three seasons with the Crimson Tide.
Formby shared the news to his Instagram account on Wednesday. He opted to enter the transfer portal after the 2025 season came to an end with a 38-3 loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl.
The Tuscaloosa native and Northridge product played both guard and tackle this past season. Coaches praised his versatility.
“Wilkin obviously has the athleticism to to play inside, and the size,” offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said in September. “So I think there’s a couple things that happen for Wilkin in there, his natural pad-level because he’s got his hand in the dirt, and he’s got a good base and wide frame, so he’d done a really nice job in there. So we keep working on that and expand. As long as he can stay right-handed, playing on the right side, I think the transition for him is easy.”
Formby started out the year at right tackle, where he had previously played. He eventually moved over to guard, after Michael Carroll emerged as a viable tackle option.
The departure of Formby is part of a larger renovation of the Crimson Tide’s offensive line, which has now lost every starter besides Carroll. Kadyn Proctor and Parker Brailsford opted to leave early for the NFL Draft, while Geno VanDeMark, Kam Dewberry and Jaeden Roberts are out of eligibility.
Alabama is also losing several reserve linemen to the portal. Arkel Anugwom is entering, joining Olaus Alinen (who committed to Kentucky), Joseph Ionata and Micah DeBose.
UA has made one offensive line pickup from the portal. Former Michigan center Kaden Strayhorn is joining the Tide.
Alabama will face Formby in Tuscaloosa this season. Texas A&M visits Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 24.
Undergraduate players can opt to enter the transfer portal through Jan. 16.
Alabama
Prediction, odds for Alabama vs. Vanderbilt in Top 15 SEC showdown
After an impressive home win over Kentucky this past Saturday afternoon, the SEC road opener has now arrived for the Alabama Crimson Tide, which is a trip to Nashville to face the unbeaten Vanderbilt Commodores on Wednesday night.
Two teams ranked in the Top 15 nationally in the latest USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, Alabama and Vanderbilt have emerged as two of the SEC’s top teams this season, and are also both currently among the top scoring teams in all of college basketball.
Both of Alabama and Vanderbilt are also loaded with talent as well, headlined by a talented group of guards such as Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway for the Crimson Tide, as well as the Commodores duo of Duke Miles and Tyler Tanner.
Stream Alabama vs. Vanderbilt on Fubo
Stream Alabama vs. Vanderbilt on ESPN+
One of college basketball’s top matchups of the week, following are the latest odds for the SEC showdown between Alabama and Vanderbilt in Nashville.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Jan. 6:
- Money Line: Alabama (plus-145), Vanderbilt (minus-180)
- Spread: Vanderbilt by 4 1/2
- Over/Under: 178 1/2
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Vanderbilt Commodores prediction, pick:
Memorial Gymnasium can be a difficult place to play for a road team at times, and it will likely be challenging for the Crimson Tide on Wednesday night, especially with the undefeated Commodores on the opposite end of the floor. A matchup in which Alabama has won four-straight dating back to 2023, as well as the last five in Nashville, I’ll go with Alabama to hand Vanderbilt their first loss Wednesday night in a high-scoring contest. Prediction: Alabama 88, Vanderbilt 82
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Vanderbilt Commodores channel, start time, streaming:
A Top 25 showdown, Alabama and Vanderbilt are set to meet Wednesday, Jan. 7, from inside Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. The game is set to begin at 9 p.m. ET live on ESPN2.
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Alabama
Alabama offensive lineman transferring to Georgia Tech
Joseph Ionata, who spent two years with the Tide, will be joining former teammate Jaylen Mbakwe.
Georgia Tech fans celebrate during the second half against Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2025)
A second former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide is transferring to Georgia Tech.
Offensive lineman Joseph Ionata intends to play for the Yellow Jackets, according to On3. Ionata spent two years with the Tide and would be joining former Alabama defensive back and wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe.
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