The Wisconsin Badgers had a rough day at the office on Saturday, losing 38-14 to the No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, falling to 2-1 on the season.
Alabama
Alabama refuge is a paradise for birders and thousands of migrating sandhill cranes
DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — In flooded agricultural fields near the Tennessee River, tens of thousands of sandhill cranes stand tall among broken corn stalks and shallow water searching for corn, berries, seeds and insects.
The sound and sight of so many cranes clustered together creates a chorus of trills, trumpets and honks throughout the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Center in northern Alabama during the winter.
The annual migration of sandhill cranes brings bird-watchers in droves to see the tall birds up close, but also the chance to catch a glimpse of the rare and endangered whooping cranes that migrate in much smaller numbers to Wheeler. Alongside the cranes, plenty of other birds can be spotted at Wheeler, including geese, ducks, bald eagles, kestrels and hawks.
Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox
See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
“It’s a birder’s paradise,” park ranger David Young noted.
The cranes, with their distinctive red foreheads and gray feathers, fly to Alabama from the Great Lakes annually. The sandhill cranes started staying overwinter at Wheeler starting in the mid-1990s and the numbers increased dramatically in the mid-2000s, Young said. Last year, the sandhill population that wintered at Wheeler reached a new record of 30,000 cranes.
“Here in the Tennessee Valley, we have three things that these cranes need,” Young said. “The wide open fields here around our visitor center. The leftover crop and the natural foods that they like to forage on in those fields. And then open mudflats and shallow water on the Tennessee River and its tributaries.”
The refuge has become a hotspot for birders to break out the binoculars and even get closer to the 4-foot (1.2-meter) tall cranes as visitors stay hidden behind photography blinds and a two-level observation center. An annual Festival of the Cranes in January brings more attention and visitors.
The cranes put on an impressive show, dancing on their slender legs, flapping their wings and sticking their long beaks in the air to vocalize with purring and squawks as they socialize.
Diana Maybury-Sharp, from Birmingham, regularly comes to Wheeler with friends to hike and look at birds.
“It’s pretty extraordinary. I’ve seen them in other parts of the country where there were just a few,” Maybury-Sharp said. “They’re not vocal like they are here. There’s so many here that it’s an unusual experience.”
The whooping cranes, part of the eastern migratory population that comes from Wisconsin, started migrating to Alabama in 2004 and their population is about between 12 and 20 each winter, said Young.
Whooping cranes were nearly wiped out in the early 1900s by hunters and loss of habitat from farming. Recovery and reintroduction efforts have slowly increased their wild and captive populations to more than 800, according to the International Crane Foundation.
Migratory whooping cranes depend on freshwater wetland habitats in Texas and the southeast, which could be affected by rising sea levels and droughts, according to the foundation.
They are sometimes hard to spot amongst the shorter crowd of sandhills, but their height and white feathers help them stand out. Young said the migration patterns of the cranes may change depending on the climate trends of both their nesting locations and their winter homes.
“It’s hard to say how long they will continue to winter here in north Alabama,” Young said. “And maybe they may not need to come this far south in the future. But for now, we’re really enjoying their presence and making sure to provide that habitat for them and the opportunity for people to view them here too.”
Rob Broeren, of Huntsville, brought along his telephoto lens and camera and found a good spot to practice his wildlife photography hobby. He comes to the refuge about a dozen times each year to photograph the birds and ducks.
“You just need to be patient and wait for them to do something interesting and make their calls,” Broeren said. “You get that cool shot and that’s a good day.”
Broeren was scouting locations for friends coming in from out of town who wanted a chance to see the rarest of cranes.
“Birders are big on a checklist of seeing lots of different birds,” Broeren said. “And so people that haven’t seen that species because it is quite rare are willing to drive kind of a long way if they think they have a good shot of seeing it.”
The sandhill cranes will start leaving the refuge in mid-February. Young said he notices a lot more agitation and activity when the birds are signaling they are ready to make the journey back to their nesting grounds.
“It’s usually on a day when we have some sort of a south wind,” Young said. “They’re smart and they will ride the wind back to their breeding grounds whenever it’s most convenient for them.”
Prichard, a small town north of Mobile struggling with a water and sewage crisis, ousted its mayor from office Tuesday night.
Carletta Davis, a community activist, won the runoff for mayor of Prichard. Davis received 2,191 votes, and incumbent Mayor Jimmie Gardner received 714.
Davis is the first Black woman elected to the office, according to Prichard City Councilmember Stephani Johnson-Norwood. Prichard is 88.7% Black.
After Tuesday’s elections, four out of five members of Prichard’s city council are women, in an overhaul of the town’s leadership.
Davis leads We Matter Eight Mile, a community action group. She has been active in Prichard’s numerous water and sewer difficulties.
The town’s water and sewer utility has been under control of a receiver for the last two years after it defaulted on a $56 million loan from a bank.
The utility loses 60% of the water it purchases, and millions of gallons of raw sewage spills in the town every year.
Issues with water and sewage service, along with concerns about crime, dominated this year’s elections.
Nine provisional ballots have not been counted, but they will not be a decisive factor in the race. The town came under fire for its handling of provisional ballots during the August 23 general election.
Issues in last election
Davis ran against incumbent Jimmie Gardner and Lorenzo Martin, a former city councilman, in the general election in August.
Davis and Gardner advanced to the runoff, with Davis receiving the most votes. However, Gardner led Martin by just a few votes, 635 to 631 to get into the runoff, according to WKRG.
Davis received 951 votes in the general election.
However, between 13 and 23 provisional ballots cast in the August 23 race were not counted. Martin filed a challenge in Mobile County Circuit Court, asking for those ballots to be counted.
A provisional ballot is one cast by a voter whose eligibility cannot be proven on election day.
The provisional ballots in question were left behind at a senior center and delivered to the Mobile County Board of Registrars more than 24 hours after the election. The Mobile County Board of Registrars discounted 13 provisional ballots.
Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Michael Youngpeter dismissed Martin’s claim, in part because of a “failure to file security for the necessary costs.” Martin paid a $10,000 bond as part of his challenge.
“A qualified elector must not be punished, if you will, with blatant misconduct enabled by a public official cognizant of all applicable laws related to fair elections,” Martin’s motion to reconsider Youngpeter’s dismissal says. “This surely is unconstitutional.”
The ACLU of Alabama issued a scathing report earlier this month, highlighting issues with elections around the state, including Prichard. In their report, the civil rights group said provisional ballots were not available at polling places, and poll workers wrote “provisional” on standard ballots.
The Prichard City Clerk’s staff was not available throughout election day August 23, the ACLU said, despite concerns about ballot access.
City Council races
Prichard city councilmembers Annie Williams, in District One, and Johnson-Norwood, in District Two, were reelected without opposition.
- In District Three, Traci Hale defeated Mario Yow, Sr., 326 votes to 168 votes.
- In District Four, leader of voting advocacy group Teresa Fox-Bettis defeated incumbent George McCall, Jr., 316 votes to 193 votes.
- In District Five, Roy Smith II defeated Anthony Barry, 304 votes to 283 votes. Smith will be the lone man on the city council.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Here are the defensive snap counts from the Week 3 loss to Alabama.
Brandon Lane – Snap Count: [27]
Jay’Viar Suggs – Snap Count: [26]
Ben Barten – Snap Count: [24]
Parker Petersen – Snap Count: [22]
Dillan Johnson – Snap Count: [5]
Mason Reiger – Snap Count: [43]
Sebastian Cheeks – Snap Count: [37]
Darryl Peterson – Snap Count: [25]
Tyreese Fearbry – Snap Count: [11]
Aaron Witt – Snap Count: [7]
Christian Alliegro – Snap Count: [52]
Tackett Curtis – Snap Count: [48]
Cooper Catalano – Snap Count: [6]
Mason Posa – Snap Count: [3]
Ricardo Hallman – Snap Count: [55]
Geimere Latimer – Snap Count: [48]
Omillio Agard – Snap Count: [28]
D’Yoni Hill – Snap Count: [27]
Austin Brown – Snap Count: [48]
Preston Zachman – Snap Count: [38]
Matt Jung – Snap Count: [25]
Wisconsin cut down its rotation across the board on Saturday, as you saw fewer overall reserves get snaps, but some of the top reserves got more reps than in previous weeks.
Along the defensive line, the rotation cut down to just five players, with Brandon Lane, Jay’Viar Suggs, Ben Barten, and Parker Petersen being the clear top group.
At linebacker, it was almost exclusively Christian Alliegro and Tackett Curtis, while true freshmen Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa got a few snaps at the end of the game.
At cornerback, it was just the top four players getting reps. Omillio Agard and D’Yoni Hill had an even split of the 55 defensive snaps. Ricardo Hallman played the whole game, and nickelback Geimere Latimer saw 48 of the 55 defensive snaps.
At safety, Wisconsin cut down its rotation. Matt Jung has emerged as the clear No. 3 safety, and he saw his biggest snap share yet. As a result, Matthew Traynor did not play at all on Sunday at safety, while Preston Zachman saw a few of his snaps taken away.
We’ll see how the Badgers shift when they start conference play next week against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium.
0 Comments
Alabama
Ty Simpson delivers again as No. 19 Alabama handles Wisconsin for the 2nd straight year, 38-14
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ty Simpson threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns, including two to returning star Ryan Williams, and No. 19 Alabama overpowered Wisconsin for the second consecutive year, 38-14 on Saturday.
Simpson completed 24 of 29 passes, with two of his misses being drops by Williams and freshman Lotzier Brooks. Williams finished with five receptions for 165 yards after missing last week’s game because of a concussion.
Simpson, who was equally solid last week against Louisiana-Monroe, joined Mac Jones (2020) as the only quarterbacks in school history to complete at least 80% of his passes and throw three TDs in consecutive games.
The Byrant-Denny Stadium crowd erupted as Williams took a screen pass and went 75 yards on the first play of the second half. It gave Williams his first 100-yard game since facing Georgia last September.
Bray Hubbard’s two interceptions led an Alabama (2-1) defense that held Wisconsin to 209 yards. The Crimson Tide notched four sacks.
Danny O’Neil, subbing for injured Wisconsin starter Billy Edwards, completed 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards. His 41-yard TD pass to Jayden Ballard was one of the few highlights for the Badgers (2-1). Vinny Anthony II also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score.
Key injuries
Alabama defensive end LT Overton left the game in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury and did not return. He walked to the locker room without assistance.
Alabama defensive back Bray Hubbard (18) celebrates an interception against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Credit: AP/Vasha Hunt
Poll implications
The Crimson Tide are expected to continue to climb in next week’s AP Top 25 college football poll.
The takeaway
Wisconsin: The injury-riddled Badgers couldn’t find a rhythm on either side of the ball and have dropped consecutive games to Alabama by a combined score of 80-24. Getting healthy, particularly at QB and along the O-line, is critical before conference play.
Alabama: The Crimson Tide have outscored their last two opponents by a combined score of 111-14, potentially turning a corner after losing the opening at Florida State.
Up next
Wisconsin returns home to face Maryland next Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton (22) celebrates a sack of Wisconsin quarterback Danny O’Neil (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Credit: AP/Vasha Hunt
Alabama gets the week off before opening conference play against No. 6 Georgia.
Finance12 hours ago
Dividend Stability and Regional Strength: The Case for Truist Financial (TFC)
Fitness2 days ago
Donald Trump Fitness: Can His Golf Workouts Replace the Gym? Explore Trump’s Golf Exercise Routine and Health Benefits
Movie Reviews3 days ago
They Call Him OG Movie Review: Action-packed yet narratively uneven gangster drama
New Jersey4 days ago
Mail stolen from 6 USPS mailboxes across Fort Lee, N.J. Map shows where residents need to be wary
New Mexico4 days ago
Human plague case reported in Bernalillo County, second in state this year
Videos2 years ago
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Colorado3 years ago
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Midwest3 years ago
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
South3 years ago
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
South3 years ago
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
News4 days ago
Read the Letter to the Inspectors General
Politics4 days ago
GOP senator blasts Schumer, Dems as 'forcing' shutdown while demanding price tag report
World4 days ago
Palestine as a state – what would that actually look like?
News4 days ago
Farage refuses to criticise Trump over paracetamol despite health experts dismissing autism claims
Politics2 weeks ago
House plans Thursday vote on government funding bill to extend spending through November
-
Finance5 days agoReimagining Finance: Derek Kudsee on Coda’s AI-Powered Future
-
Business1 week agoHow Nexstar’s Proposed TV Merger Is Tied to Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension
-
North Dakota5 days agoBoard approves Brent Sanford as new ‘commissioner’ of North Dakota University System
-
World1 week agoRussian jets enter Estonia's airspace in latest test for NATO
-
Crypto4 days agoTexas brothers charged in cryptocurrency kidnapping, robbery in MN
-
World4 days agoSyria’s new president takes center stage at UNGA as concerns linger over terrorist past
-
Technology4 days agoThese earbuds include a tiny wired microphone you can hold
-
Culture4 days agoTest Your Memory of These Classic Books for Young Readers