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Bird flu, Choose Act, Brother Chette: Down in Alabama

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Bird flu, Choose Act, Brother Chette: Down in Alabama


It’s National Wright Brothers Day. I’d exercise caution if you celebrate by flying your drone, though. We’re a little on edge about those right now.

Also, you don’t want to accidentally buzz a tree stand this time of year.

Thanks for reading,

Ike

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Sick poultry

A pair of fowl sites have been quarantined after an outbreak of avian flu, reports AL.com’s Howard Koplowitz.

About 116,000 chickens have been killed at a Cullman broiler farm. Add to that 70 birds in a Pickens County backyard flock that included guineas, ducks, turkey and chicken.

The Cullman broilers, Pickens chickens and others were put down to stop the spread of the flu. Poultry within a 6.2-mile radius of the broiler farm are being tested and monitored.

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So be on the alert if you keep chickens, especially in the affected areas. The agriculture commissioner and state veterinarian issued a joint statement calling for commercial and backyard poultry operators to monitor the health of your flock and to keep your birds enclosed if possible, and certainly away from other birds. The Agriculture Department added a list of recommendations that includes cleaning vehicle and equipment, limiting visitors to the area, cleaning shoes in a clean foot bath, changing clothes after you come into contact with birds, and avoid touching sick or dead poultry.

The CDC considers bird flu low-risk to humans.

Private-school funds

The Choose Act is nearly here. Beginning Jan. 2, you can apply for up to $7,000 in private-school financing for the K-12 student in your family, reports AL.com’s Rebecca Griesbach.

The money will be deposited into an education savings account, or ESA, for students to use on tuition and other specified educational needs.

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Alabama residents between the ages of 5 and 19 who have not graduated from high school may apply. If the students have a disability they can be up to 21 years old.

Students with special needs will receive the first 500 ESAs, and after that priority will go to siblings of eligible students, students in military families zoned to priority schools and students in families whose income is no more than three times the federal poverty level.

For a family of four, for example, three times the poverty level is currently $93,600.

Again, the application process opens up Jan. 2. We’ll have more on the Choose Act and ESAs as that time approaches.

Lake Martin tragedy

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Longtime Auburn football chaplain Chette Williams died Sunday night after falling into Lake Martin, reports AL.com’s Carol Robinson.

Authorities said Williams and a neighbor had docked at a restaurant in Alexander City but found out it was closed for a private party. As they went to leave in Williams’ pontoon boat he fell between the dock and the boat. That was about 5:45 p.m. His body was recovered at 7:19 p.m.

Williams played linebacker at Auburn during the early 1980s. He was ordained in 1988 and became Auburn’s football chaplain in 1999 during coach Tommy Tuberville’s era.

Now-Sen. Tuberville posted on social media: “Brother Chette was a remarkable man who led hundreds of young people to the Lord through the years. … His leadership has been a steady part of Auburn athletics for more than two decades. But more than sports, Brother Chette helped athletes understand that their purpose was much greater than anything they could ever accomplish on the field.”

Williams also served as Auburn’s campus director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was the FCA’s state director for urban ministries.

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Chette William was 61 years old.

RIP Etta Freeman, 107

Etta Freeman, a Decatur teacher for more than half a century, passed away over the weekend at 107 years old, reports AL.com’s Heather Gann.

Freeman was born the summer the U.S. joined World War I, on July 27, 1917.

She graduated from Decatur Negro High and went to college at Alabama State College and Alabama A&M to earn her bachelor’s in elementary education.

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More than 300 former students turned out for a big birthday celebration when she turned 90 — 17 years ago.

Quoting

“Today marks the 205th anniversary of Alabama becoming a state. To find out what life was like in Alabama 205 years ago, go to Mississippi.”

Saturday Night Live’s Michael Che, a New York native, during the show’s most recent “Weekend Update.”

By the Numbers

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$30 million

That’s what two former Hoover High football players are seeking in a lawsuit alleging they were abused by coaches at practice.

More Alabama News

Born on this Date

In 1935, actor George Lindsey of Fairfield. He was Goober on the Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry RFD and Hee Haw.

In 1939, Singer Eddie Kendricks of Union Springs. (His family moved to Birmingham when he was young.) He was a singer with the Temptations during the 60s. He sang lead on hits including “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”

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Alabama NAACP Releases 2026 Selma Jubilee Weekend Schedule

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Alabama NAACP Releases 2026 Selma Jubilee Weekend Schedule


The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP has announced its official schedule for the 2026 NAACP-sponsored Selma Jubilee Bridge Crossing Weekend, set for March 6–8 in Montgomery and Selma.

Held under the theme “A Time for Standing,” the annual commemoration honors the Foot Soldiers of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches and recognizes the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and Rev. Jesse Jackson for their roles in advancing civil rights and voting access.

The three-day event will bring together national, state and local leaders, along with youth and college chapters, faith partners and community members for activities focused on reflection, education and civic engagement.

Scheduled events include a civic discussion titled “The New Civic Path” on March 6 at the Montgomery Interpretive Center at Alabama State University, followed by a Jubilee Gala that evening at Embassy Suites in Montgomery. On March 7, the Birmingham Metro Branch will host a bus trip to Selma, while a statewide civic engagement training will take place in Montgomery.

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SEE ALSO: Bridge Crossing Jubilee to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy in Selma
SEE ALSO: 16th Street Baptist Church: Keeping a Legacy Alive 63 Years Later

On March 8, participants will take part in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade, voter activation efforts, worship services at Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, and the traditional bridge crossing at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Organizers say the weekend will emphasize continued civic participation and community engagement across Alabama.

—–

March 6 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Gala 5:30PM Embassy Suites by Hilton, 300 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104

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March 7 — NAACP Birmingham Metro Branch Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Broad Street and Water Avenue in Selma Alabama

March 7 — Alabama State NAACP Statewide Civic Engagement Training 8–4:15PM Homewood Suites, 7800 EastChase Pkwy, Montgomery, AL 36117

March 8 — Alabama State NAACP in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade 8AM–10AM Begins at 1722 Broad St and concludes at the National Voting Rights Museum

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Alabama State University, Untenese and Mobile Branch and University of Alabama, Oakwood University, Broad Street and Water Avenue, Selma

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Participation in Worship Services 10AM–2PM Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, Selma

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March 8 — Alabama NAACP Youth and College Civic Engagement Voter Activation 8AM–2PM Broad Street and Water Ave, Selma

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing 11:15PM – Line up Alabama NAACP Tent on Waters Ave or at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma



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3 Alabama players who helped their draft stock at 2026 NFL combine

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3 Alabama players who helped their draft stock at 2026 NFL combine



Each player had a pivotal role on the Crimson Tide in 2025.

Alabama had a multitude of former players who performed at an elite level at the NFL combine this past weekend.

Former Alabama star quarterback Ty Simpson was among those who put his talents on full display in Indianapolis, as Simpson continues to emerge as a top quarterback prospect available in April’s draft.

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Numerous Crimson Tide stars on both sides of the football were able to have an excellent showing at the combine as well, with each playmaker a vital component to the Tide’s success in 2025.

Here are three Alabama players who helped their draft stock rise at the NFL combine.

Ty Simpson, Quarterback

Simpson is widely regarded as the best quarterback prospect available outside of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The talented redshirt junior put on an absolute show at the NFL combine, as Simpson delivered multiple perfect throws and put his talents on full display throughout Saturday’s events.

The former Alabama star is a candidate to potentially shine day one in his campaign in the NFL, as Simpson’s draft stock continues to rise prior to April.

Jam Miller, Running Back

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Miller is an extremely fast and athletic running back, despite struggling in the Tide’s backfield last season. The star running back recorded an impressive 4.43u 40-yard dash time, as Miller could very easily shine in the NFL next season with consistent playing time.

Miller was nothing short of elite throughout his entire performance at the combine in Indianapolis, as the former Tide running back continues to rise in a multitude of draft rankings around the football world.

Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Tackle

Proctor played a crucial role on Alabama’s offensive line last season. The star lineman reportedly slimmed down prior to the NFL combine, as Proctor displayed elite speed and athleticism throughout Sunday’s combine in Indianapolis.

Proctor is widely expected to be a mid-to-late first round selection in April, as the talented lineman’s efforts during the combine could quickly begin to work in Proctor’s favor during next month’s draft.

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The 2026 NFL draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania starting on April 23, as each Crimson Tide star will look to shine throughout their rookie campaign in the NFL.

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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Husband, 19, fatally shot wife, 24, himself at Alabama hospital moments after welcoming their first child

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Husband, 19, fatally shot wife, 24, himself at Alabama hospital moments after welcoming their first child


A husband fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself at an Alabama hospital just moments after they welcomed their first child on Sunday.

Kynath Terry Jr., 19, gunned down 24-year-old Precious Johnson before fatally shooting himself inside the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital around 9:30 p.m. Sunday night, WTVM 13 reported.

Johnson delivered a healthy baby just before she was murdered. It’s not immediately clear if the baby was present during the shooting, but police said that Terry and Johnson were the only ones injured.

Kynath Terry Jr., 19, shot 24-year-old Precious Johnson at an Alabama hospital after she gave birth to their child. WVTM

Terry’s mother told the outlet that the couple were having some marital issues leading up to Johnson’s due date, but nothing that made her fear her son would become violent.

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She told the outlet that Terry completed Army National Guard training before tying the knot with Johnson.

She noted that Johnson didn’t want Terry’s side of the family at the hospital for her child’s birth, but it’s unclear if anyone from the mother-to-be’s own family was there.

The hospital was plunged into a lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” while police investigated reports of a shooting. It wasn’t lifted until hours later when they determined there was “no active threat to patients, team members or the public,” the outlet reported.

The Homewood Police Department described the tragedy as “an apparent murder-suicide and is domestic in nature.”

Terry completed Army National Guard training before marrying Johnson. WVTM
The shooting sent Brookwood Baptist Medical Center into an hours-long lockdown. Google Maps

Danne Howard, the president of the Alabama Hospital Association, told the outlet that the chilling attack “was an isolated incident” unlike anything she’d encountered during her three decades working in the state.

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Howard said, in the wake of the tragedy, the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital would undergo a security overhaul implementing “lessons learned” from a mandated after-action report.

Just three months ago, in a town six miles outside of Homewood, a beloved sports reporter was fatally shot by her husband before taking his own life. Their 3-year-old son, who was unharmed, led his grandfather to his parents’ bodies.



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