Alabama
Alabama Red Cross highlights need for lifeguards, offers certification
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – While the Alabama Red Cross says the state is not seeing an overall shortage of lifeguards this summer, they group says certain communities, especially near the gulf, are short staffed.
The Red Cross is urging anyone interested in lifeguarding to give it a shot. They offer an online certification program, as well as a three-day course that involves online and in-person classes.
Annette Rowland with the Red Cross is a mother who used to be a lifeguard. She spoke first-hand on why certified, reliable lifeguards are so crucial.
“I turned around for two seconds to say something to a friend of mine, and my daughter had taken off her float vest because she had run inside to go get a snack,” Rowland said. “I turned around and said, ‘Where is she?’ She was under the water. There was no sound to be made.”
The mother said her daughter could not breathe. That is when she sprung into action.
“We jumped in and we pulled her out, but it’s scary,” she said. “That’s why lifeguarding is important, because people don’t always recognize the signs of someone drowning.”
People interested in becoming a lifeguard can click here to find a class nearby.
Participants must be at least 15 years old, be able to tread water, and pass other tests.
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Copyright 2024 WBRC. All rights reserved.
Alabama
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.
Alabama
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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Alabama
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).
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:
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.
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:
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.
Here’s more from the weather service:
NORTH ALABAMA
CENTRAL ALABAMA
SOUTH ALABAMA
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