Alabama

Ella Langley, Alexis Herman, southern accents: Down in Alabama

Published

1 year ago

April 28, 2025

Ella Langley, Alexis Herman, southern accents: Down in Alabama

Rising star

Hope Hull’s Ella Langley is the Academy of Country Music’s New Female Artist of the Year, reports AL.com’s Mary Colurso.

The awards ceremony comes later, but Langley found out she was a winner while she was on stage at a festival in Knoxville. Miranda Lambert came on a big video screen to tell her the news. Langley managed to choke out a “God Bless America.”

She’s also up for ACM Female Artist of the Year and six more awards related to the song and video for “You Look Like You Love Me,” her duet with fellow Alabamian Riley Green of Jacksonville.

Incoming ‘Jeopardy!’ money

Some education-related projects in Mobile are getting a boost thanks to W. Kamau Bell’s big win in “Celebrity Jeopardy!” reports AL.com’s Lawrence Specker.

Bell is a comedian and the host of the CNN show “United Shades of America.”

On “Celebrity Jeopardy!” he won a million dollars for the charity of his choice. His was DonorsChoose, which fulfills online classroom wish lists made by teachers.

Among the locations Bell chose was Mobile, where he spent time during his childhood and where his dad still lives.

Projects funded by Bell’s winnings include special-needs playground equipment for Orchard Elementary and novels for small-group study at Dodge Elementary. According to DonorsChoose, the money going to the Mobile schools totals about $53,000 and will fund 72 projects across 22 schools.

RIP Alexis Herman

Alexis Herman, a member of President Clinton’s cabinet and a native of Mobile, passed away Friday, reports AL.com’s Patrick Darrington.

Herman was the first Black U.S. Secretary of Labor, a position she held from 1997 to 2001.

She was director of the Women’s Bureau at age 29, in 1977, later served as CEO of the 1992 Democrat National Convention, and then joined Clinton’s transition team when he won the White House. Along the way she did work promoting diversity hiring in the private sector.

Congressman Shomari Figures, a Mobile Democrat, called Herman a “true hometown hero.”

Said Figures: “She was a fighter for civil rights and women’s rights, a giant in DC political circles, especially amongst Black women, and an all-around dynamic woman.”

Alexis Herman was 77 years old.

Friendly talk

We have a new survey to report on.

We like surveys because we know they are almost always accurate. At least in the moment they’re conducted. Involving the exact respondents who responded. Who were prompted with questions that were worded exactly so.

With at least that much confidence, a study Censuswide conducted for the call-answering service Answering Service Care found that Americans consider the Southern accent to be the friendliest accent in the U.S., reports AL.com’s Margaret Kates.

And why not? You can’t say “Y’all come” in just any dialect.

Note that only 38% of people found the southern accent friendly, but that was higher than any other. The Hawaiian accent came in second at 34%. Texas was tied for third, but we all know where most of that accent migrated from.

Alabama News Quiz answers/results

Overall results:

Five out of five: 27.8%
Four out of five: 28.4%
Three out of five: 25.4%
Two out of five: 13.7%
One out of five: 4.5%
None out of five: 0.3%

This sports figure with ties to our state was recently selected by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Jalen Hurts (CORRECT) 60.9%
Charles Barkley 31.0%
Bruce Pearl 4.2%
Rece Davis 3.9%

What are we most likely to see come out of the Alabama State Legislature this session?

An expansion of the new school-choice law (CORRECT) 84.2%
Teacher salary raises 10.4%
A new charter school in Barbour County 4.8%
A new graduation requirement to take three hours of College Football History 0.6%

Early next month, President Trump is expected to visit a college in this Alabama city.

Tuscaloosa (CORRECT) 98.8%
Auburn 0.6%
Troy 0.6%
Andalusia 0.0%

Alabama’s oldest hotel, the St. James Hotel, which originally opened in 1837 as the Brantley Hotel, is expected to reopen next month under new management in this city.

Selma (CORRECT) 62.1%
Mobile 23.0%
Montgomery 14.3%
Childersburg 0.6%

A new music festival is being planned for Birmingham in honor of …

Sun Ra (CORRECT) 54.3%
Hank Williams 27.5%
Big Mama Thornton 16.4%
The Beastie Boys 1.8%

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1926, To Kill a Mockingbird author Nelle Harper Lee of Monroeville.

In 1952, keyboardist Chuck Leavell of Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. He’s played with The Allman Brothers Band, The Rolling Stones and many others.

In 1954, former Congressman and state lawmaker Mo Brooks.

The podcast

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Alabama

No NFL team has more Alabama football players than this one

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

No NFL team has more Alabama football players than this one

Every April, Alabama football sends a fresh batch of players to the NFL via the NFL draft.

This past April, the Crimson Tide’s streak of having at least one player selected in the first round reached 18 straight years when offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor went to the Miami Dolphins with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

One pick later, the Los Angeles Rams made the most stunning move of the draft when they selected quarterback Ty Simpson 13th overall.

Alabama’s 18-year streak of having at least one player selected in the draft is the longest in college football history. The Ohio State Buckeyes are second to Alabama, having had a player drafted in the first round in 11 consecutive years. The Georgia Bulldogs have now done it nine years in a row.

The Crimson Tide had 10 players taken overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Germie Bernard was a second-round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Alabama had seven players drafted on Day 3: LT Overton (fourth round, Dallas Cowboys), Parker Brailsford (fifth round, Cleveland Browns), Justin Jefferson (fifth round, Cleveland), Josh Cuevas (fifth round, Baltimore Ravens), Domani Jackson (sixth round, Green Bay Packers), Tim Keenan III (seventh round, Rams), and Jam Miller (seventh round, New England Patriots).

As for which team has the most Alabama players on its roster after the draft? Take a look.

Which NFL teams have the most Alabama football players?

Here’s a breakdown of Alabama players on current NFL rosters following the 2026 NFL Draft.

Philadelphia Eagles: 9 — DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, Tyler Steen, Cameron Latu, Jihaad Campbell, Byron Young, Deontae Lawson, Jaeden Roberts, Jalen Hurts (Alabama/Oklahoma)
Atlanta Falcons: 5 — Da’Shawn Hand, Tua Tagovailoa, Christian Harris, DeMarcco Hellams, Brian Robinson
Detroit Lions: 4 — Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, Terrion Arnold
Seattle Seahawks: 4 — Jarren Reed, Josh Jobe, Jalen Milroe, Robbie Ouzts
Baltimore Ravens: 3 — Derrick Henry, Marlon Humphrey, Josh Cuevas
Carolina Panthers: 3 — Bryce Young, John Metchie, LaBryan Ray
Cleveland Browns: 3 — Jerry Jeudy, Parker Brailsford, Justin Jefferson
Dallas Cowboys: 3 — Quinnen Williams, Tyler Booker, LT Overton
Denver Broncos: 3 — Jaylen Waddle, Patrick Surtain II, Que Robinson
Green Bay Packers: 3 — Josh Jacobs, Xavier McKinney, Domani Jackson
Los Angeles Chargers: 3 — Dalvin Tomlinson, JK Scott, Justin Eboigbe
Los Angeles Rams: 3 — Ty Simpson, Tim Keenan III, Nikhai Hill-Green
New England Patriots: 3 — Christian Barmore, CJ Dippre, Jam Miller
New Orleans Saints: 3 — Anfernee Jennings, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Dashawn Jones
Cincinnati Bengals: 2 — Jonathan Allen, Jordan Battle
Houston Texans: 2 — Will Anderson Jr., Henry To’oTo’o
Miami Dolphins: 2 — Ronnie Harrison Jr, Kadyn Proctor
Minnesota Vikins: 2 — Dallas Turner, Will Reichard
New York Jets: 2 — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Malachi Moore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2 — A’Shawn Robinson, Chris Braswell
Tennessee Titans: 2 — Calvin Ridley, JC Latham
Arizona Cardinals: 1 — Mack Wilson
Buffalo Bills: 1 — Phidarian Mathis
Chicago Bears: 1 — Jedrick Wills Jr.
Indianapolis Colts: 1 — Tim Smith
New York Giants: 1 — Evan Neal
Pittsburgh Steelers: 1 — Germie Bernard
San Francisco 49ers: 1 — Mac Jones
Washington Commanders: 1 — Daron Payne
Jacksonville Jaguars: 0
Kansas City Chiefs: 0
Las Vegas Raiders: 0

Follow us at @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook, for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.

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Alabama

LIVE: Alabama GOP Senate candidates take part in forum

Published

14 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Press Room

LIVE: Alabama GOP Senate candidates take part in forum

MOBILE, Ala. (WSFA) – Four of the six Republican candidates seeking to be the GOP’s nominee for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat are set to take part in a forum Monday evening.

WSFA 12 News will carry the forum live at 6 p.m. on our website, as well as our news and smart TV apps, and on our Facebook and Youtube channels.

The forum is being hosted by the Azalea City Republican Women of Mobile.

The participants include Seth Burton, Dale Shelton Deas Jr., Steve Marshall, and Rodney Walker.

Rep. Barry Moore and Jared Hudson are not participating.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!

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Alabama

Alabama basketball trainer salaries revealed after injury-filled season

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Press Room

Alabama basketball trainer salaries revealed after injury-filled season

The 2025-26 Alabama men’s basketball season was marked by numerous player injuries.
The article details the salaries of the team’s athletic training and conditioning staff.

Alabama basketball’s 2025-26 season was one of the most injury-filled years that Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats has experienced in Tuscaloosa.

The health of last year’s Alabama team was a storyline before exhibition play even began. Veteran Latrell Wrightsell Jr. was returning amid recovery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. Transfer guard Jalil Bethea joined the bench after a left foot injury. Collins Onyejiaka and Davion Hannah both spent the majority of their freshman seasons sidelined with medical conditions. Down the stretch, Taylor Bol Bowen played with a fractured hand. Amari Allen, Aden Holloway, London Jemison and Aiden Sherrell all dealt with tweaks and dings.

As the Crimson Tide’s Sweet 16 run came to a close, even Labaron Philon revealed that his injury wasn’t limited to December or January. He played hurt for the entire year.

With the only Alabama player to appear in each game being Houston Mallette, who redshirted his first year with the program, the training room was busy for athletic training and conditioning staffers Clarke Holter, Henry Barrera and Amanda Branson.

Here’s a breakdown of the salaries for the trio who worked behind the scenes to make another NCAA Tournament possible, per information acquired by The Tuscaloosa News from an open records request to the University of Alabama.

What are salaries of Alabama men’s basketball training staff?

Holter has served as athletic trainer for the men’s basketball team for 11 seasons. Barrera has been the program’s strength and conditioning coach since 2022.

Holter received a salary increase in July 2025, making his new annual salary $139,050.

Barrera also received a pay increase in July 2025. He is the highest-paid of the three at $257,500.20 annually.

The exact date of Branson’s hire is unknown. However, public UA payroll data for Branson dates back to 2019.

Branson’s increase letter ahead of the 2025-26 season said that she would be paid $128,750.16.

In a season defined by injuries, their work became as critical as anything that happened on the court.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.

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