Alabama
Alabama’s summertime torture of Black men | STEPHEN COOPER
What is it about the swaggering, sweltering heat of summer that stirs up so much bloodlust? By now it’s a platitude that murder and other violent crime rates rise when the weather gets hotter. And while there’s no time of year Alabama’s criminal justice and correctional systems don’t discriminate against Black people, recent years have demonstrated summertime is when Alabama especially seems to torture Black men with its racist capital punishment regime.
I wrote as much in my column “Alabama’s summer 2024 legal lynching” when I posited “it’s not officially summer in Alabama until a Black man’s been lynched — legally or illegally[.]” At the time I observed: “Alabama still has a despicable penchant for using a vestige of slavery — the death penalty — in the 21st century to subjugate and to disproportionately dehumanize its poor Black and brown condemned citizens, most of whom grew up in impoverished and hellacious homes very far from the kind of safe, stable, and suitably nurturing and loving environments many Alabama families take for granted.”
The name of that 2024 column was taken from an earlier essay I titled “Alabama’s summer 2022 legal lynching” concerning the execution of Joe Nathan James Jr.; in that 2022 piece I invoked “legendary Alabama lawyer [and Equal Justice Initiative Executive Director] Bryan Stevenson” who insists “[t]he death penalty’s roots are clearly linked to the legacy of lynching” and that “[w]e need to own up to the way racial bias and legalized racial subordination have compromised our ability to implement criminal justice.”
In that vein but perhaps more depressingly, more drearily, I expounded in the summer of 2023 in “Stopping Alabama’s addiction to torture” on how “Alabama’s addiction to torturing poor people — disproportionately Black and brown people — and more often than not, people who are severely mentally ill with inhumane correctional institutions, a dysfunctional parole system, and, in some cases, a secretive and sadistic lethal injection protocol, has been going on for so long, overwhelmingly, Alabamians and Americans are desensitized to it.”
After James was tortured, in the piece “Fascism, racism, sexism and torture: Alabama’s last execution had it all,” I implored: “Investigations should be launched immediately, and not just into the sexist jackasses ogling the outfits of female reporters, but, also, into why Alabama keeps torturing to death poor, disproportionately Black men, most of whom were condemned — as famed death penalty attorney Stephen Bright long ago observed — because they had the worst lawyer, not because they committed the worst crime.”
Fast-forward to this summer with the looming execution of another poor Black man, Jeffrey Lee. Despite lingering questions about the inequity, immorality, and inhumanity of it, Alabama is poised to execute Lee by nitrogen-gassing or “nitrogen hypoxia” sometime during a 30-hour window starting June 11 and ending June 12.
Ominously, Alabama’s last nitrogen-gassing was the October 23rd torture of yet another Black man named Anthony Boyd. Following Boyd’s execution, the New York Times reported “Witnesses described seeing Mr. Boyd convulse and heave for about 15 minutes before being pronounced dead about 15 minutes later.” The Times recounted that “Lee Hedgepeth, a journalist in Alabama who witnessed the execution, said he counted Mr. Boyd gasp for air for more than 225 times before he was pronounced dead.” Reverend Jeff Hood, a spiritual advisor to Mr. Boyd who was in the execution chamber, was also reported saying Boyd was “suffocating, trying to breathe for 19 minutes.”
Alabama has savagely used nitrogen to kill seven men so far; 5 of these men were white and two were Black. Since this column is about Alabama’s torture of Black men, I want to conclude by focusing on Alabama’s first experimental nitrogen-gassing of a Black man, the February 2025 torture-execution of Demetrius Frazier. Reporter Ivana Hrynkiw who witnessed Frazier’s last minutes alive described how “About 6:11 p.m., Frazier started waiving his hands in circles toward his body. About a minute later his hands stopped moving. At approximately 6:12 p.m. Frazier clenched his face, and his nostrils flared, while his hands quivered. He appeared to say something, which was inaudible to the three witness rooms. His legs slightly lifted up off the gurney and he gasped. Then, his head rolled to the right side. Frazier exhibited sporadic gasping and shallow breathing until about 6:20 p.m. The curtains closed at 6:29 p.m., and his time of death declared seven minutes later[.]”
Adding to its extensive history of racial violence during and after slavery, the gas-torturing of Demetrius Frazier and Anthony Boyd are part of the modern-day record of Black men Alabama’s tortured to death the state will be building on if it goes forward with the nitrogen-gassing of Jeffrey Lee.
This essay was first published by The Times of Israel. It is being published here with the permission of the author.
Stephen Cooper is a former D.C. public. defender who worked as an assistant federal public defender in Alabama between 2012 and 2015. He has contributed to numerous magazines and newspapers in the United States and overseas. He writes full-time and lives in Woodland Hills, California. Read more of his writing at http://www.stephenacooper.net.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Soccer is rapidly growing in Alabama and there aren’t enough officials to accommodate.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup had an impact on the growth of the sport.
“Instead of the World Cup arriving in America, America has arrived at the World Cup,” AHSAA Soccer Officials Coordinator Cedric Thomas said. “Watch parties across the county has showcased how America has reacted to the beautiful game.”
The 2026 World Cup reminded fans within North Alabama how special the game of soccer is and the game is rapidly growing in the Valley.
“It’s larger than any football program,” Alabama State Youth Referee Administrator Thomas Russell said. “We have more recreational soccer players than all of football combined.”
The rapid growth has created issues across the state. The biggest issue is the lack of soccer officials in Alabama.
There are around 900 certified soccer referees in Alabama, but the state needs about 1,500 for all games at all levels to operate smoothly.
“You cannot have an official game without officials,” Thomas said. “You can see the impact on the kids faces when only one or two referees show up and you need a third to make it an official game.”
The impact goes beyond the whistle. Referees in soccer have the ability to teach young athletes during games.
“We don’t coach them in the game, but we can teach them what they can and can’t do,” Russell said. “You can see a good referee who works with the kids and interacts with the kids. One that doesn’t just call a foul and go away.”
Soccer is highlighted on all levels in Huntsville. From youth soccer to AHSAA Soccer State Championships and the Huntsville City Football Club.
“I would say that the Huntsville Sports Commission and the city has solidified whatever that vision they had for soccer.”
More officials are needed for the sport to grow in North Alabama and across the state.
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Alabama football took a step forward at the tight end position in 2025.
It may have not been the most exciting, but production was consistent, especially from the now departed Josh Cuevas.
What’s next for the Crimson Tide at tight end? Here are three questions that could define Alabama’s tight ends in 2026.
Can Kaleb Edwards match Josh Cuevas Alabama football production?
Cuevas was Ty Simpson and Alabama’s offensive safety net in 2025. Cuevas was a weapon where if a check down was needed, he caught it.
Kaleb Edwards had a preview of what that responsibility would look like in his first Iron Bowl, making the start for the injured Cuevas. In 60 snaps, per Pro Football Focus, he had two catches for 8 yards. Edwards’ production grew in the SEC championship against Georgia when he had three catches for 42 yards in 36 snaps, per PFF, a game Cuevas also missed.
With a new quarterback in either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell, a tight end with the reliability of Cuevas could be helpful when it comes to momentum and moving the ball downfield. Can Edwards be that answer the Crimson Tide needs?
What role will Josh Ford play with Alabama?
Josh Ford was an early addition to the tight end room via the NCAA transfer portal, joining the roster Dec. 16 after two seasons at Oklahoma State.
He fits the body type, standing at 6-foot-6, 267 pounds, a big-bodied mover who is widely expected to play an integral role in pass protection and run blocking.
While he may not be flashy, could Ford emerge as the cog that drives Alabama into success in the run game and in protecting either Mack or Russell?
Who is next in line after Kaleb Edwards in Alabama tight end room?
Edwards seems to be the pass-catching tight end of Alabama’s near future. But he’s not the only one in contention for reps.
Marshall Pritchett, who played a key role in Alabama’s special teams unit in 2025, is expected to take a step forward as a sophomore. Even Mack Sutter, the four-star freshman out of Dunlap, Illinois, has the pass catching skills to make an immediate impact as a receiver, even if the blocking skills need to be developed.
Edwards may be at the front of the line. But tight end production isn’t all on him once the season kicks off.
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 or Instagram @colingaytnews.
Alabama
Governor Ivey Taps Glenda Allred as New Tourism Director, Announces Lee Sentell’s Retirement –
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced the retirement of Lee Sentell, Alabama’s longest-serving Tourism Director. Governor Bob Riley originally appointed Sentell in 2003.
“Since Lee began serving at the Department of Tourism, we have grown the state’s tourism revenue from $6 billion to nearly $25 billion. Lee should certainly be commended for his passion for our state and for its many attractions,” said Governor Ivey. “From promoting Alabama’s pristine beaches to our award-winning food to Civil Rights history, space, outdoors and everything in between, Lee has always had a special way for sharing the many great facets of our state’s tourism industry. Thanks to his service, we have broken tourism records, supported more jobs for Alabama families and created significant and meaningful revenue for our state.”
Under his leadership, the Department has pioneered yearly campaigns spotlighting such diverse themes as small towns, the arts, barbecue, natural wonders, birding and the Alabama Bicentennial celebration, winning the national industry’s coveted Mercury award six times in 12 years.
“Alabama is a special state, and I have been so proud to show people all over our country and around the world all that we have to offer,” said Sentell. “Leading the state’s tourism efforts for more than two decades and serving under Governor Ivey has been the honor of my life. I look forward to Alabama’s continued growth in the years ahead.”
The Department’s U.S. Civil Rights Trail campaign received the International Travel and Tourism Award for best regional promotion at the World Travel Market in London, becoming the first U.S. state tourism agency to be honored. Most recently, Tourism helped execute Governor Ivey’s America 250 Alabama Celebration on the front steps of the Alabama State Capitol where she unveiled a massive special 250 edition of the U.S. flag.
Governor Ivey also announced she is appointing Glenda Allred to lead Tourism for the remainder of the Ivey Administration. She comes to the post from serving as Deputy State Treasurer in Treasurer Young Boozer’s Office. Glenda began state service in 2011.
“I am excited to have Glenda joining the Ivey Administration to lead our state’s tourism efforts. Before working in the executive branch, she had nearly two decades of private sector experience that included marketing and media relations,” said Governor Ivey. “Glenda will be a fantastic addition to our team as we finish strong these next six months. Alabama has a lot left to tell, and I know we can continue doing that with Glenda’s leadership.”
Allred spent 15 years in the private sector with a bank holding company managing media relations, shareholder relations, all publications to shareholders and advertising for a 72-branch franchise in Alabama.
“I am honored by Governor Ivey’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to serve,” said Allred. “I look forward to working with the dedicated team at the Department of Tourism to advance our shared mission of improving the lives of the people of our state and all those who visit!”
She is a 1991 Huntingdon College graduate and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Allred’s appointment is effective Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
An official headshot of Glenda Allred is attached.
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