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Alabama legislators pass bill to increase penalties for phony calls

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Alabama legislators pass bill to increase penalties for phony calls


DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – After unanimous votes in both the Alabama House and Senate, House Bill 82 has been sent to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk to be signed.

The bill strengthens the penalties for people who make phony calls to law enforcement. It used to be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable up to a year of jail time, but will now be classified as a Class C felony, punishable up to 10 years in prison.

“It’s kind of a step in the right direction for us because it helps us maybe deter somebody from just going out and doing it and thinking it’s a joke,” said Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship.

The bill was introduced following the Carlee Russell incident, where she faked her kidnapping in 2023. Sheriff Blankenship said his department was called the same year with a phony call of an active shooter in a Henry County school.

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“We had to bring our SWAT team there, we had to clear the entire school to ensure that there really wasn’t an active threat,” said Sheriff Blankenship.

Sheriff Blankenship explained the domino effect of bad circumstances that occur for the department whenever a false call is made.

“It not only puts a strain on us with manpower, but it also puts a strain on budgets and having to pay overtime, said Sheriff Blankenship.

When a phone call comes through 911, it is expected to be serious. Sheriff Blankenship hopes the stricter penalties make others thing twice before trying to pull a quick one on law enforcement.

“If it’s a valid reason where law enforcement needs to be there, by all means call 911If,” said Sheriff Blankenship. “It’s in a hoax or a prank or anything, we have severe penalties now, not only for the swatting calls, but also for just abuse of the 911 system.”

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Alabama

Tracker: Alabama Basketball 2025-26 Offseason

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Tracker: Alabama Basketball 2025-26 Offseason


2-seed Alabama men’s basketball fell to 1-seed Duke 85-65 in the Elite Eight on Saturday night. This loss ended the Crimson Tide’s season.

In other words, head coach Nate Oats and Alabama are now turning the page to the offseason as it begins preparations for the 2025-26 season.

BamaCentral is keeping track of the Crimson Tide’s outgoing and incoming players and coaches right here ahead of next season.

This article will constantly be updated when changes to the roster and staff occur.

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Mark Sears

Sears became the Crimson Tide’s first-ever consensus First Team All-American after yet another stellar season averaging team-highs of 18.6 points and 5.1 assists. Sears was also named a Preseason All-American by the Associated Press a few months ago, and now he’s exceeded those extremely high expectations. Division I’s active leading scorer is also a Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year finalist and Naismith Trophy semifinalist as he eyes an NBA future.

Chris Youngblood

The guard transferred out of South Florida after being named the American Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year. However, he suffered a foot injury over the summer, which forced him to make his Alabama debut against Creighton in the 10th game of the season. But the sharpshooter had several big-time performances with the Crimson Tide while averaging 10.3 points per game.

Grant Nelson

The forward played in all 37 games but dealt with injuries throughout the season. Like Sears, Nelson played a pivotal role throughout the Crimson Tide’s Final Four run and he stood out among Alabama once again. Nelson averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks and Oats believes “he’s a skilled big that NBA teams want” but might have to sign a two-way contract for a shot.

Clifford Omoruyi

In an effort to increase its defensive presence in the paint––one of its main weaknesses last season––Alabama added Rutgers 6-foot-11 big man Clifford Omoruyi out of the transfer portal this past offseason. Omoruyi averaged 7.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks with the Crimson Tide with NBA Draft hopes.

Labaron Philon

Philon has become a household name over the course of the season and his three SEC Freshman of the Week honors reflect that. He has been given expectations by analysts to be a one-and-done player and enter the 2025 NBA Draft, but Philon said after the Duke loss that he didn’t know if he’ll enter the draft or return and he’ll “talk to the coaches and program first.” He finished his freshman season averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a Crimson Tide-best 1.3 steals per game.

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Naas Cunningham

The freshman was one of Alabama’s two players to redshirt during the 2024-25 season. His height helps him shoot over defenders, but weight was a question mark as Oats believed there was a lack of aggressiveness before the season. That said, Oats pointed out before the season that “There’s days that he looks like he should be in the NBA but he just has to be a little more consistent.”

Mouhamed Dioubate

No one on Alabama won the Hard Hat more times this season than forward Mouhamed Dioubate. According to Oats, earlier in the season, the Crimson Tide’s top bench frontcourt member was the only player in Division I who had 110 rebounds in less than 310 minutes. In just 16 minutes per game, Dioubate averaged 7.2 points, 5.9 rebounds (1.9 offensive), 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks.

Aden Holloway

The sophomore guard transferred from Iron Bowl rival Auburn this past offseason knowing the risks of leaving a premier program as a starter. He gained the Crimson Tide’s sixth-man role and was the main offensive contributor off the bench due to his three-point shooting. In 21 minutes per game, Holloway averaged 11.4 points on 41.2 percent from deep.

Houston Mallette

The graduate guard initially joined Cunningham as the other Alabama redshirt, but that changed once guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. ruptured his Achilles on Nov. 30. Mallette filled Wrightsell’s spot on the roster, but was back on the redshirt after six games due to lingering knee injuries.

Derrion Reid

The McDonald’s All-American dealt with a hamstring injury for a good chunk of the season as the freshman missed 13 total games. Reid aims for to utilize his renowned athleticism and defense a bit more ahead of his sophomore year as he averaged 6.0 points in 14 minutes per game this season.

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Jarin Stevenson

Stevenson was the most brought-up name when Oats and the Crimson Tide were asked before the season started who was the most improved player. While he had seven games of 10-plus points this season, he only averaged 5.4. Nevertheless, the sophomore was the age of a freshman this season as he re-classed prior to 2023-24, meaning he has plenty more time to develop.

Latrell Wrightsell Jr.

As previously stated, Wrightsell ruptured his Achilles early in the season and unofficially received a medical redshirt. The graduate guard started several games during the 2023-24 Final Four season and his elite shooting from deep played a pivotal role in the Crimson Tide’s historic success.

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Ryan Pannone

On March 29, Alabama basketball assistant Ryan Pannone was finalizing a deal to become the head coach at Arkansas State. Pannone will be replacing former Oats assistant Bryan Hodgson, who took the head coaching job at South Florida.

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Amari Allen

Amari Allen, a 6-foot-7, 180-pound elite wing talent in the 2025 class, announced on Nov. 13 that he officially signed with Alabama, becoming the first member of the class to do so. Allen is the No. 2 ranked player in the state of Wisconsin, and the 13th ranked small forward in the nation.

“Amari is an elite wing that has the ability to play multiple positions due to his size, IQ and high skill level,” Oats said in a press release. “Over the summer Amari proved to be an efficient scorer, shooting 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free-throw line and is a great fit for our style of play, in a modern era of college basketball.”

London Jemison

The 6-foot-8, 195-pounder out of St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn. committed to the Crimson Tide on Sept. 22. At the time of his commitment, he was ranked as the consensus No. 38 prospect in the nation, the No. 9 power forward and the top-ranked player in the state of Connecticut, per On3 Recruiting.

“London is a combination of great size at 6’8″ and his IQ for the game is elite,” Oats said in the press release. “Throughout our time recruiting London, he possessed one of the best shot charts we have ever seen. His talent and size aside, he is known as a proven winner and fits the mold of how we are trying to play.”

Davion Hannah

Consensus 4-star shooting guard Davion Hannah from the Link Academy in Branson, Mo., announced his commitment to Alabama on Nov. 15. The 6-foot-5, 175-pounder transferred to Link Academy in June of ahead of his senior season of basketball.

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“Davion possesses elite athleticism that is showcased in the open court and has great size, giving him the chance to play a multitude of positions,” Oats said in the press release. “At 6’6″ with a 6’10” wingspan, he fits the mold of how we are trying to play just like the other guys we have brought in.”



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No. 9 Sooners baseball team loses in finale at Alabama, drops first SEC series

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No. 9 Sooners baseball team loses in finale at Alabama, drops first SEC series


The No. 9 Oklahoma baseball team just needed one more two-run inning to give themselves a chance.

It didn’t happen.

Instead, OU fell to No. 11 Alabama in the third game of a three-game series on Sunday, 8-6, allowing the Crimson Tide to take the set and push themselves a game in front of Oklahoma in the Southeastern Conference standings.

The series loss, Oklahoma’s first in league play since joining the SEC, nearly ended up a series win after a furious rally. OU trailed 8-2 entering the seventh inning when its bats came alive. Kyle Branch scored on a fielder’s choice and Brayden Horton hit an RBI single to pull two runs back. In the eighth, Dayton Tockey smacked a two-run home run to make things interesting.

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Then the rain hit – for the second time – and the game was put on hold for about a half-hour. But with the rain leaving, so did the Sooners bats. Alabama closer Carson Ozmer retired Dasan Harris, Jason Walk and Horon in order to finish off the Tide victory.

The Sooners rued their missed opportunities. OU left two runners in scoring position in the first inning and another two in scoring position in the eighth. They also committed two errors in Alabama’s three-run fourth inning.

Meanwhile, Alabama jumped on Oklahoma starter Malachi Witherspoon. He was tagged for all eight runs – though just five earned – on seven hits, a walk and three hit batters in five innings. OU’s bullpen gave up just two more baserunners over the final three innings, but it was too late.

In addition to Hockey’s home run, Jason Walk also went yard. His inside-the-park home run in the fifth inning made the game 8-2. He finished 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs. Jaxon Willits and Sam Christiansen each went 2 for 4 with a run, while Willits added an RBI and a stolen base.

Oklahoma is back on the field at in Tuesday in Frisco, Texas, for a one-off game against former Big 12 rival Texas Tech. SEC play picks back up Thursday through Saturday at L. Dale Mitchell Park against LSU.

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What makes this Alabama football assistant so successful on recruiting trail?

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What makes this Alabama football assistant so successful on recruiting trail?


Alabama football scored its biggest class of 2026 recruiting win last week, when Jorden Edmonds committed to UA. Edmonds is a five-star cornerback in the upcoming class, and chose the Tide over the likes of Tennessee and Georgia, with Maurice Linguist as his primary recruiter for Alabama.

Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about Linguist’s recruiting prowess on Wednesday.

“He’s phenomenal,” DeBoer said. “He’s just a guy in the building, first of all, that brings just good juice and energy, and he’s a pleasure to be around. If you’re the head coach, a staff member, and then that is certainly seen by our players and felt by our players.

“And then in the recruiting process, I just think he’s attractive for a parent, for their son to want to come here and be coached, because they’re cared for, they’re loved, they’re taught at an extremely high level. He does just such a great job in all those ways.”

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Alabama recently rewarded Linguist with a two-year contract extension and a raise. He joined the Crimson Tide when DeBoer was building a staff last year, leaving a head coach job at Buffalo.

Linguist took over a cornerbacks group that had been decimated by the NFL Draft and transfer portal, losing Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold and Trey Amos among others.

DeBoer mentioned how well he felt Linguist dealt with the 2025 Crimson Tide.

“We really had only one, if I remember right, one scholarship corner a year ago returning from the season before, and played a lot of young guys, new guys,” DeBoer said. “Domani (Jackson) wasn’t necessarily a freshman, but new guys to the program, and so developed confidence. Now that room, all of a sudden, has got a high ceiling, but we’ve created a lot of depth there.”

The young group at defensive back is a year older, with players like Bray Hubbard, Zabien Brown, Zay Mincey and Red Morgan set to take another step forward. Keon Sabb is back, along with Jackson, and Linguist has another talented group of freshmen to work with, including Dijon Lee and Chuck McDonald.

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The 2026 recruiting class already included Gadsden City’s Zyan Gibson at corner, meaning Linguist is responsible for picking up the class’ top two prospects so far.

“Tt’s personality mixed with ability and the want to,” DeBoer said of what makes Linguist successful. “He’s a guy with a lot of drive, and he’s got a high expectation, so he gets after them. But it’s some tough love that he brings, and they appreciate that, because they want the same thing as he does, it’s to be their best.”

Alabama continues spring practice through April 12’s A-Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A-Day will not be a game this year, and won’t be televised, though admission is free.



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