MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBMA) — Alabama’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.7% in February, according to preliminary data released by the Alabama Department of Workforce. The figure matches January’s rate and is lower than the 3.0% recorded in February 2025.

The latest data shows 64,831 people unemployed across the state, a slight increase from 64,057 in January but down from 71,929 one year ago. Meanwhile, the number of employed individuals rose by 14,603 over the year, bringing total employment to 2,321,473. The state’s civilian labor force also grew to 2,386,304, an increase of 7,505 people year-over-year.

Wage and salary employment increased by 12,000 over the month to 2,195,300. Gains were seen across several sectors, including leisure and hospitality, government, and private education and health services.

State officials pointed to continued job growth and rising wages as signs of economic strength. Average weekly wages increased by $62.71 over the year, reaching a record high of $1,175.01. Alabama also recorded one of the largest wage increases nationally, with an 8% rise over the same period.

Several industries reported new record-high wages, including manufacturing, trade and transportation, financial activities, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.

At the county level, Shelby County reported the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5%, followed by Elmore County at 2.6%. Limestone, Chambers, and Blount counties each recorded rates of 2.7%. The highest unemployment rates were reported in Perry County at 7.1%, Monroe County at 6.6%, and Greene and Wilcox counties at 6.5%.

Among major cities, Pelham posted the lowest unemployment rate at 2.2%, while Vestavia Hills followed at 2.3%. Trussville, Hoover, and Alabaster each recorded rates of 2.4%. The highest city unemployment rates were seen in Prichard at 6.5%, Selma at 5.2%, and Anniston at 4.6%.

Alabama basketball has landed former NC State Cole Cloer from the transfer portal, per Yea Alabama, UA’s NIL collective.

The small forward is the Crimson Tide’s third transfer portal addition, joining Kentucky big Brandon Garrison and Mississippi State forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming.

Cloer redshirted as an early enrollee with the Wolfpack this season. That said, he will have a full four years of eligibility when he arrives in Alabama.

The 6-foot-8, 190-pounder is a member of the 2026 recruiting class. The 4-star recruit attended IMG Academy and is ranked as the No. 59 overall prospect, the No. 23 small forward and the No. 8 player in the state of Florida, per On3.

Prior to his time at IMG Academy, Cloer spent his junior year at Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, N.C., where he led the Eagles to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A state title. Cloer averaged 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Excluding NC State, Alabama was one of four schools that Cloer took official visits to, as he also checked out Florida, UConn and Arkansas. Cloer came to Tuscaloosa as a recruit on Sept. 16, per 247 Sports.

Early enrollees aren’t very common in college basketball, so why did Cloer transfer out ahead of his freshman campaign?

“I committed to NC State in October and have been preparing with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season,” Cloer wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) on April 3. “With the news of coach Wade’s departure, I have decided to enter the transfer portal. Thank you to the City of Raleigh and the entire NC State community for welcoming me with open arms. I love North Carolina and Wolfpack Nation!”

Cloer is referring to former NC State head coach Will Wade leaving and taking the LSU position. However, when Cloer signed with NC State last November, here’s what Wade said about him:

“Cole is an exciting pickup for us,” Wade said in a press release. “It was a great recruitment and really excited that Cole is running with the Pack. He is a great, great player. He’s somebody that’s going to be able to step in and make an immediate impact for us.

“He can really shoot the ball. He’s got great height, he’s got great length and really shoots the ball at a high, high level. He’s somebody that does a really good job getting his shot off, has a quick trigger and every time he shoots it you think it is going in.

“He’s continued to expand his game, being able to beat guys off the bounce, does a great job getting on the offensive glass. He’s a plus-defender because of his length and athleticism and being able to switch.

“He’s really just a great fit for us all around. It’s a bonus that he’s right up the road and grew up an NC State fan, but we would have recruited him if he was anywhere in the country. We’re thrilled he’ll be with us and know he’s ready to go and help us from day one.”

Alabama now has 13 scholarship players for the 2026-27 season, meaning it only has two more spots available to fill.

The transfer portal opened on April 7, the day after the National Championship, and will close on April 21. BamaCentral is keeping track of the Crimson Tide’s outgoing and incoming players and coaches right here ahead of next season.

For those eyeing the next level, the NCAA’s early entry withdrawal deadline for the 2026 NBA Draft is May 27 at 10:59 p.m. CT.

Alabama Players Who Could Still Return, Transfer or Enter NBA Draft

G Aden Holloway (would be a senior)
G Davion Hannah (would be a sophomore *pending redshirt*)
G Preston Murphy Jr. (would be a senior)
F Amari Allen (would be a sophomore)
F London Jemison (would be a sophomore)
F Keitenn Bristow (would be a junior *pending redshirt*)
C Collins Onyejiaka (would be a sophomore *pending redshirt*)

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If you think a story about a cabinet secretary cutting the penis off of a dead raccoon is the craziest thing you’ll hear all day, think again.

Actually, it’s hard to top the raccoon penis thing.

In any event, Daniel Kaplan recently reported for the Guardian on the case of Luther Davis. He’s a former member of the Alabama football team. More recently, he allegedly scammed lenders out of nearly $20 million, in part by impersonating a trio of NFL players: Michael Penix Jr., Xavier McKinney, and David Njoku.

Per the report, Davis plans to plead guilty later this month on charges based on allegations that he “obtained at least thirteen fraudulent loans totaling more than $19,845,000.” Of the amount, $11.6 million was obtained by pretending to be Penix, McKinney, and Njoku.

Davis allegedly worked with CJ Evins to secure the loans. Evins also plans to plead guilty.

As Kaplan explains it, the scheme began with the registration in Georgia of fake companies with names closely related to the players’ names or initials. Then, bank accounts and fraudulent email accounts were opened. Next, Davis and Evins secured fake identification documents for the players. At that point, they contacted loan brokers, providing fabricated documents.

Then came the kicker — Davis would attend the loan closings disguised as the player. The effort included makeup, wigs, and (when Davis was impersonating Penix) a durag.

The only connection by the players to the scam is that they had their identities stolen.

The fake loan obtained in McKinney’s name became the subject of civil litigation between the lender and the broker. A trial is set for July 2026.