Alabama

Alabama legislators pass bill to increase penalties for phony calls

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2024

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.

“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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Related Topics:911 bill calling Crimes false Featured hb82 house bill legislation Legislature passed phone phony calls Senate

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Alabama

Alabama’s AP Poll ranking revealed entering Iron Bowl vs. Auburn

Published

15 hours ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

Alabama’s AP Poll ranking revealed entering Iron Bowl vs. Auburn

The Alabama Crimson Tide’s ranking in the latest AP Poll Top 25 has been revealed following a dominant 56-0 win over the Eastern Illinois Panthers.

Released on Sunday afternoon, the Crimson Tide came in ranked as the nation’s No. 10 team, a ranking that did not change from a week ago.

A result that improved Alabama’s record to 9-2 overall (6-1 SEC), the Crimson Tide completely owned the matchup with Eastern Illinois from the start, eventually outgaining the Panthers in total yardage, 539-34. The Crimson Tide also rushed for a combined eight touchdowns, and held Eastern Illinois to 1-of-11 on third downs in the game.

Looking ahead, Alabama now turns their attention to a must win Iron Bowl against Auburn in Week 14, which will be a road game for the Crimson Tide against the unranked Tigers. Kickoff between the Crimson Tide and Tigers is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

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Alabama

Austin Mack enters Alabama vs Eastern Illinois: 3 things to know about Crimson Tide QB

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Austin Mack enters Alabama vs Eastern Illinois: 3 things to know about Crimson Tide QB

Alabama football has started to unload its bench against Eastern Illinois.

With 14:37 left in the third quarter, Alabama redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Mack took over for Crimson Tide starter Ty Simpson with a 28-0 lead.

Here are three things you need to know as Mack takes the reins of the Crimson Tide offense.

Austin Mack has played in two Alabama football games in 2025

Mack has played in two other Alabama games in 2025.

He had extensive playing time in the Crimson Tide’s 73-0 win against Louisiana Monroe Saturday, Sept. 6. In one second quarter drive and two third quarter drives, Mack led the Crimson Tide to two touchdowns and a field goal. He completed eight of his 10 pass attempts for 80 yards with two touchdown passes: a 6-yard score to tight end Kaleb Edwards and a 3-yard score to tight end Josh Cuevas.

Mack also appeared in Alabama’s 38-14 win against Wisconsin. He led the Crimson Tide on a three-play drive that ended in a punt. He did not complete his only pass attempt.

Austin Mack followed Kalen DeBoer to Alabama from Washington

Mack originally committed to coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington, reclassifying from the 2024 recruiting class to 2023. He redshirted the 2023 season and sat behind Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Mack followed DeBoer to Alabama as his first transfer in January 2024. The Crimson Tide also added Cuevas, wide receiver Germie Bernard and center Parker Brailsford from the Washington roster.

As a redshirt freshman, Mack completed two of three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Austin Mack continues Alabama football West Coast ties

Mack is a former four-star quarterback out of Folsom, California. He was the No. 16-ranked quarterback in the 2023 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings and led Folsom to a CIF Sac-Joaquin Division 1 championship.

Mack is one of 15 California natives on Alabama’s 2025 roster along with Cuevas, Edwards, defensive back Domani Jackson, defensive back Zabien Brown, defensive back Dijon Lee Jr., quarterback John Gazzaniga, defensive lineman Fatutoa Henry, defensive back Chuck McDonald III, wide receiver MJ Chirgwin, punter Alex Asparuhov, linebacker Abduall Sanders Jr., linebacker Grant Johnson, kicker Reid Schuback and offensive lineman Jackson Lloyd.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Alabama

See all of the Alabama high school football playoff scores from Round 3

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

See all of the Alabama high school football playoff scores from Round 3

The third round of the Alabama high school football playoffs brought some instant classics to the table.

Thompson held off a Central-Phenix City rally on a last-minute 2-point conversion stop and Opelika fended off archrival Auburn, with the two teams set to face off in the Class 7A championship.

See top statewide highlights from Friday’s Round 3 playoff action

Alabama high school football 1A-6A semifinal matchups set

Also, Piedmont held off Gordo with a 28-20 home win, Lanett upset Class 2A No. 1 Luverne to advance and Vigor dealt Central-Clay County a shutout.

Here are all the scores from the second round of the high school football playoffs in Alabama as compiled by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

CLASS 7A SEMIFINALS

Opelika 31, Auburn 28

Thompson 35, Central-Phenix City 34

CLASS 6A QUARTERFINALS

Benjamin Russell 40, Hueytown 13

Clay-Chalkville 35, Homewood 17

Muscle Shoals 24, Mountain Brook 7

Saraland 56, Pike Road 32

CLASS 5A QUARTERFINALS

Moody 51, Briarwood 27

Scottsboro 16, Fairview 14

Vigor 14, Central-Clay County 0

Williamson 41, Catholic-Montgomery 10

CLASS 4A QUARTERFINALS

Anniston 31, Deshler 7

Jackson 50, W.S. Neal 7

Plainview 28, Good Hope 7

St. Michael 52, Bullock County 22

CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS

Bayside Academy 30, Montgomery Academy 13

Mars Hill Bible 42, Geraldine 0

Piedmont 28, Gordo 20

Southside-Selma 34, Glenwood 21

CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS

Coosa Christian 17, Tuscaloosa Academy 0

Lanett 35, Luverne 16

Pisgah 26, Southeastern-Blount 15

Reeltown 28, Providence Christian 7

CLASS 1A QUARTERFINALS

Addison 28, Marion County 22

Leroy 60, McKenzie 38

Maplesville 42, Southern Choctaw 0

Wadley 62, Hubbertville 38

AISA CHAMPIONSHIPS

(at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery)

CLASS AAA

Chambers Academy 32, Lowndes Academy 14

CLASS AA

Abbeville Christian 50, South Choctaw Academy 28

CLASS A

Macon East Academy 34, Escambia Academy 14

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