Governor Kay Ivey has proclaimed Alabama Doctors Day on March 30, calling on residents to express appreciation for the state’s physicians.

A proclamation issued by the Governor notes that approximately 13,000 physicians are licensed to practice medicine in Alabama and highlights the doctor-patient relationship as “the foundation of high-quality healthcare.”

“Alabama’s physicians are honored to serve our fellow citizens during some of the most critical moments of their lives,” said Dr. Mark LeQuire, President of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. “Being a physician is a calling to help and heal people.”

Dr. Max Rogers, Chairman of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, also expressed gratitude for the recognition.

“Physicians understand the extraordinary responsibility we carry,” Rogers said. “Our decisions shape lives and guide families through uncertainty. We thank our patients for their trust and Gov. Ivey for recognizing Doctors Day.”

The Medical Association of the State of Alabama and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners both expressed gratitude to the Governor for the proclamation.

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].

Alabama football will never be without its share of critics and detractors, no matter who roams the sidelines at Bryant-Denny Stadium — or previously Birmingham’s Legion Field.

That was especially true during Nick Saban’s illustrious tenure as Crimson Tide head coach. Between 2009 and 2020, Saban produced six national championships in his 17 full seasons in Tuscaloosa.

In the grand scheme of things, though, there’s one team CBS Sports believes best embodies the spirit of hate Alabama received under Saban better than any other. That would be the Crimson Tide’s 2011 squad.

Alabama and LSU were indisputably the best two teams in college football that year. Oklahoma State was a distant third behind the two SEC behemoths, who met in their annual regular-season showdown in early November 2011: the “Game of the Century” at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. LSU won, 9-6, in overtime.

The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) is inviting hunters across the state to take part in its 14th annual Big Gobbler Photo Contest during the 2026 spring turkey season.

According to the association, the contest highlights Alabama’s Black Belt region — a 23-county area long known for its strong turkey populations, hunting traditions, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Hunters who harvest a gobbler within the region are eligible to submit a photo for a chance to win a prize package that includes a $100 gift card, hunting gear, and a copy of Black Belt Bounty, along with a Buckmasters prize pack for the first-place winner.

“This is the 14th year for our Big Gobbler Contest, and it’s a wonderful way to further educate the public on all the natural resources found in Alabama’s 23-county Black Belt,” said ALBBAA director Pam Swanner. “Hunters flock to the Black Belt from all over the country to access our abundant hunting opportunities while also enjoying our area’s unique natural scenery, historical sites and local food and entertainment.”

The winning photo will be determined by online voting, which runs through May 10 at 11:59 p.m. Participants may vote once per day using an email address and IP address.

To ensure fairness, contest rules limit entries to one per participant and exclude winners from the previous two years. All contest decisions made by ALBBAA officials are final.

Submitted photos must also meet guidelines promoting ethical hunting and wildlife stewardship. Entries may be disqualified if they depict unethical behavior, violate Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regulations, or show unfair voting practices.

“It’s always rewarding to see the photos entered into the Big Gobbler Photo Contest every year,” Swanner said. “We know we have amazing turkey hunting available here in the Black Belt and what makes it truly special is seeing photos of young hunters bagging their first gobbler or father-and-son or mother-and-daughter hunting together. Those memories will surely last a lifetime.”

ALBBAA encourages participants to comply with all state hunting regulations, including obtaining a valid license through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Black Belt region includes Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox counties.

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