Alabama

Alabama Retail PAC announces 2026 endorsements up and down the ticket

Published

3 months ago

February 7, 2026

Alabama Retail PAC announces 2026 endorsements up and down the ticket

The Alabama Retail PAC, the political action committee affiliated with the Alabama Retail Association, has announced its endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, backing candidates for statewide, judicial, legislative, and constitutional offices across Alabama.

According to the organization, its endorsements focus on candidates it believes understand the role retail plays in Alabama’s economy and support a pro-business climate.

“Retail is the heartbeat of Alabama’s economy, employing hundreds of thousands of Alabamians and serving every community,” said Melissa Cross, chairman of the Alabama Retail Association. “We are proud to endorse candidates who recognize this vital contribution and will give retailers’ interests a fair hearing.”

Constitutional office endorsements include:

Tommy Tuberville — Governor (R-Auburn)
Wes Allen — Lt. Governor (R-Troy)
Caroleene Dobson — Secretary of State (R-Montgomery)
Young Boozer — State Treasurer (R-Montgomery)
Derek Chen — State Auditor (R-Montgomery)
Jack Williams — Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries (R-Wilmer)

Judicial endorsements include:

Justice Brad Mendheim — Alabama Supreme Court, Place 7 (R-Dothan)
Judge Greg Shaw — Alabama Supreme Court, Place 8 (R-Vestavia Hills)
Judge Ben Bowden — Court of Civil Appeals, Place 4 (R-Montgomery)
Judge Matt Fridy — Court of Civil Appeals, Place 5 (R-Montevallo)
Judge Mary Windom — Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4 (R-Mobile)
Judge Beth Kellum — Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5 (R-Dothan)

State Senate endorsements include:

Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman)
Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence)
Sen. John Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur)
Sen. Matt Woods (R-Jasper)
Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia)
Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville)
Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro)
Sen. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab)
Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre)
Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City)
Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston)
Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika)
Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield)
Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills)
Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville)
Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham)
Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham)
Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham)
Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa)
Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range)
Sen. Robert Stewart (D-Selma)
Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro)
Sen. Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road)
Sen. Jay Hovey (R-Auburn)
Sen. Billy Beasley (D-Clayton)
Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva)
Sen. Clyde Chambliss Jr. (R-Prattville)
Sen. Josh Carnley (R-Ino)
Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine)
Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile)
Sen. David Sessions (R-Grand Bay)

House endorsements include:

Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville)
Rep. Phillip Pettus (R-Killen)
Rep. Ben Harrison (R-Elkmont)
Rep. Kerry “Bubba” Underwood (R-Tuscumbia)
Rep. Parker Moore (R-Hartselle)
Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens)
Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest)
Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle)
Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville)
Rep. Heath Allbright (R-Huntsville)
Rep. Cindy Myrex (R-Cullman)
Rep. Greg Barnes (R-Rogersville)
Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley)
Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena)
Rep. Bryan Brinyark (R-Northport)
Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville)
Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville)
Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville)
Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville)
Rep. Ritchie Whorton (R-Owens Cross Roads)
Rep. Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro)
Rep. Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville)
Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Albertville)
Rep. Jeana Ross (R-Guntersville)
Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City)
Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff)
Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden)
Rep. Troy Stubbs (R-Wetumpka)
Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga)
Rep. David Standridge (R-Hayden)
Rep. Steve Hurst (R-Munford)
Rep. Randy Wood (R-Anniston)
Rep. Kristin Nelson (R-Dothan)
Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg)
Rep. Chad Robertson (R-Heflin)
Rep. Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana)
Rep. Van Smith (R-Clanton)
Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Birmingham)
Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville)
Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover)
Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook)
Rep. Mike Shaw (R-Hoover)
Rep. Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills)
Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster)
Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris)
Rep. Kelvin Datcher (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville)
Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Travis Hendrix (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Ontario Tillman (D-Bessemer)
Rep. Patrick Sellers (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Ron Bolton (R-Northport)
Rep. Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa)
Rep. Norman Crow (R-Montgomery)
Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley)
Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton)
Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma)
Rep. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville)
Rep. Kelvin Lawrence (D-Hayneville)
Rep. Christopher England (D-Tuscaloosa)
Rep. Artis “A.J.” McCampbell (D-Demopolis)
Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa)
Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham)
Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Mathews)
Rep. Patrice McClammy (D-Montgomery)
Rep. TaShina Morris (D-Montgomery)
Rep. Kenyatté Hassell (D-Montgomery)
Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn)
Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City)
Rep. Ed Oliver (D-Dadeville)
Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee)
Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika)
Rep. Berry Forte (D-Eufaula)
Rep. Rick Rehm (R-Dothan)
Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan)
Rep. Jeff Sorrells (R-Hartford)
Rep. Jerry Starnes (R-Prattville)
Rep. Marcus Paramore (R-Troy)
Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville)
Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dothan)
Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)
Rep. Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope)
Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley)
Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne)
Rep. Adline Clarke (D-Mobile)
Rep. Napoleon Bracy Jr. (D-Mobile)
Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile)
Rep. Mark Shirey (R-Mobile)
Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile)
Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle)
Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile)
Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile)
Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island)

“These candidates are familiar with the challenges facing Alabama’s retail industry and the broader business community,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association. “These candidates know that when retail succeeds, communities thrive.”

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers statewide and advocates on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].

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Alabama

How to watch, stream Alabama softball vs Texas for SEC championship

Published

38 minutes ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

How to watch, stream Alabama softball vs Texas for SEC championship

For the first time in five years, Alabama is heading to the SEC Softball Tournament championship.

The No. 2-seeded Crimson Tide (49-6) is coming off a 9-1 run-rule win over No. 3 seed Florida (48-10) on Friday, May 8. Alabama first opened tournament play with a 7-1 win over No. 7 Arkansas (42-11) on Thursday.

The Crimson Tide will face No. 4 Texas, which is coming off a walkout 5-4 win over No. 9 Georgia.

Alabama had not reached the SEC Tournament championship game since 2021, when it won its last conference championship.

Here’s what to know about how to follow the Crimson Tide against Texas in the SEC Tournament title game.

When does Alabama softball play vs Texas in SEC Tournament?

Location: John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

Game time — 4 p.m. CT Saturday, May 9

First pitch in the Alabama softball vs. Texas matchup is set for 4 p.m. CT Saturday, May 9 for the championship title.

What channel is Alabama softball vs Texas in SEC Tournament?

The 2026 SEC Softball Tournament conference championship game will air on ESPN.

How to listen to Alabama softball vs Texas in SEC Tournament

You can tune into each Alabama softball game on Catfish 100.1 FM.

2026 SEC Softball Tournament bracket

Click here to see the full 2026 SEC Softball Tournament bracket.

2026 SEC softball standings, conference records

All conference records are as of entering the SEC Softball Tournament.

Oklahoma (20-4)
Alabama (19-5)
Florida (17-7)
Texas (16-8)
Tennessee (16-8)
Texas A&M (16-8)
Arkansas (15-9)
LSU (12-11)
Georgia (12-12)
Mississippi State (9-15)
Missouri (9-15)
South Carolina (7-17)
Ole Miss (6-18)
Auburn (4-19)
Kentucky (1-23)

Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.

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Alabama

Alabama softball sends Florida home from SEC Tournament: What we learned

Published

13 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Alabama softball sends Florida home from SEC Tournament: What we learned

Alabama softball dominated all the way in its win to advance to its first SEC Tournament championship in five years.

The No. 2-seeded Crimson Tide (49-6) didn’t trail once in its 9-1 run-rule win over No. 3 seed Florida (48-10) on Friday, May 8. Alabama first opened tournament play with a 7-1 win over No. 7 Arkansas (42-11, 15-10) on Thursday.

Here are our three biggest takeaways from the Crimson Tide’s win over the Gators.

Alabama softball offense is starting to click at the right time

Alabama did not have to wait until the middle innings to find its offense this time.

Freshman Ambrey Taylor opened the scoring with a leadoff solo home run in the bottom of the second inning. It was Taylor’s 11th home run of the season and her second in as many days after also going deep against Arkansas in the quarterfinals.

Alabama continued to build from there. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the second, Ana Roman singled to right field to bring in another run. Marlie Giles followed with a two-run single, pushing Alabama ahead 4-0 before the inning ended.

Jena Young doubled to drive in two more runs, with one coming across on a fielding error, at the bottom of the third. Alexis Pupillo followed with an RBI single to stretch Alabama’s lead to 6-1 by the end of the inning.

Pupillo shot an RBI-double off the wall and Audrey Vandagriff doubled to score another, extending Alabama’s lead to 8-1, threatening run-rule territory with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, securing the run rule with an RBI single by Taylor.

After needing a later-than-preferred power surge to pull away from Arkansas, Alabama’s lineup looked more comfortable early against Florida. The Crimson Tide finished with nine runs on 13 hits.

Vic Moten handles early pressure in first SEC Tournament appearance

Vic Moten’s first SEC Tournament appearance did not start easily, but the freshman pitcher kept Florida from taking advantage of the new kid on the block.

Moten walked two batters in the first inning but answered by striking out three straight Gators to keep the game scoreless heading into the bottom half.

Her pitch count climbed quickly. Moten threw more than 30 pitches in each of the first two innings and more than 20 in the third, reaching 87 pitches after just three. But after battling through traffic early, she settled in with a seven-pitch 1-2-3 fourth inning.

Alabama’s lead gave Moten margin for error, but Florida’s offense still had enough firepower to threaten a comeback. Moten ended the complete-game effort striking out four and one run on three hits with seven walks. Not bad for the freshman’s first postseason appearance.

Alabama moves one win away from SEC Tournament history

Alabama’s win over Florida moved the Crimson Tide one step closer to separating itself in SEC Softball Tournament history.

Both No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Florida entered Friday tied with six SEC Softball Tournament championships apiece. With the semifinal win, Alabama will now have a chance to become the first program in conference history to win a seventh SEC Tournament title.

The Crimson Tide had won only two of its last seven meetings against the Gators entering Friday, including a loss to Florida in the 2024 Women’s College World Series. This was the first postseason meeting between the two programs since then.

Alabama had not reached the SEC Tournament championship game since 2021, when it won the tournament title.

When does Alabama softball play again?

After beating No. 7 Arkansas and No. 3 Florida on back-to-back days, the Crimson Tide will face the winner of No. 4 Texas vs. No. 9 Georgia in the SEC Softball Tournament championship game at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 9.

Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.

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Alabama

Rabies warning issued after fox attacks person in Alabama

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Rabies warning issued after fox attacks person in Alabama

State health officials are urging people to keep their pets vaccinated for rabies after a fox in Elmore County and a raccoon in Lee County tested positive for the virus.

On May 1, the raccoon was spotted acting strangely near Auburn, and the fox emerged from a wooded area and attacked a person in Tallassee, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The person has sought medical treatment.

“Rabies is not seasonal, and we continue to see cases year-round, but late spring is a time when activity peaks, particularly in wildlife,” said Dr. Dee Jones, state veterinarian for the ADPH, “The primary risk of rabies from wildlife is our pets, and keeping them up to date on rabies vaccine is critical.”

Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination. In addition to vaccination, area residents are advised to take the following precautions to avoid possible exposure to rabies:

Do not leave uneaten pet food or scraps near your residence.
Do not allow pets to run loose; confine them within a fenced-in area or with a leash.
Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets.
Do not go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
Caution children not to go near any stray or wild animal, regardless of its behavior.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com. To support his work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.

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