Alabama
Miss Alabama 2024: Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover, takes the crown

Abbie Stockard is the new Miss Alabama.
Stockard, 21, was crowned Saturday night at Samford University’s Wright Center in Birmingham. She competed as Miss Hoover, besting 39 other contestants for the 2024 state title. Stockard will move on to represent Alabama at the Miss America competition.
Stockard takes over the role of Miss Alabama from Brianna Burrell, Miss Alabama 2023. Burrell crowned her successor at the Wright Center on Saturday and Stockard was presented with a bouquet of roses.
Miss Hoover Abbie Stockard wins Miss Alabama 2024 at Samford University’s Wright Center, Saturday, June 29, 2024.
(Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt | vhunt@al.com
Stockard, from Birmingham, is a student at Auburn University, where she majors in nursing. According to her Miss Alabama bio, she plans to gain critical care experience and apply to nurse anesthesia school after graduation. Her goal is to earn an advanced degree, a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, and specialize in pediatrics.
Stockard also is a member of the Auburn University Tiger Paws dance team.
The yearlong reign of the new Miss Alabama starts immediately. She’ll make public appearances, do charity work, speak to community groups, motivate students and more. Stockard’s community service initiative is Be the Change: Find a Cure — Cystic Fibrosis Awareness.
Stockard was one of 13 semifinalists chosen at the pageant finals on Saturday, competing in segments that focused on talent, on-stage interview, evening gown and heath and fitness. For talent, she performed a contemporary dance to Lauren Daigle’s “You Say.”
Abbie Stockard appears in the evening gown/question section at the Miss Alabama 2024 finals competition and crowning at Samford University’s Wright Center, Saturday, June 29, 2024.
(Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt | vhunt@al.com
Three rounds of preliminary contests for Miss Alabama 2024 took place Wednesday through Friday at the Wright Center, giving all 40 contestants a chance to strut their stuff in talent, evening gown, health and fitness and on-stage interview segments. The contestants also chatted with the judges this week during off-stage interviews and showcased their community service initiatives.
Stockard won two preliminary awards this week, earning the top score in the evening gown competition on Wednesday and the talent competition on Friday.
Scores received in the preliminaries were used to create a composite score that was considered by the judges on Saturday, and weighted as 30 percent of each contestant’s score in the finals. This was added to Saturday scores in talent, evening gown and health and fitness (each weighted as 20 percent) and on-stage question (10 percent).
Miss Alabama, like the Miss America organization, no longer has a swimsuit competition. It was eliminated at Miss America in 2018, and Miss Alabama followed suit in 2019. However, a health and fitness segment was added this year, and contestants modeled activewear designed for the Miss America organization.
Also, this year’s People’s Choice Contest that allowed the pubic to vote online for their favorite contestants in advance of the Miss Alabama finals. Each vote cost $1. The contestant with the most votes earned a spot among the top 13 semifinalists on Saturday. Voting ran through Friday evening, according to the Miss Alabama Organization.
The top 13 semifinalists this year were:
- Dominique Verville, Miss Cahaba Valley
- Imani Muse, Miss Birmingham
- Chloe Yates, Miss Phenix City
- Maddi Heath, Miss Jubilee
- Lauren Vance, Miss Covered Bridge
- Mikella Anderson, Miss Appalachian Valley
- Ibby Dickson, Miss Historic Springville
- Emma Terry, Miss Jefferson County
- Mary-Coker Green, Miss Auburn University
- Marissa Luna, Miss University of Alabama
- Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover
- Emma Wright, Miss Tennessee Valley
- Hannah Adams, Miss Mobile Bay
The top five is counted down at the Miss Alabama 2024 finals competition and crowning at Samford University’s Wright Center, Saturday, June 29, 2024. From left, Hannah Adams, Abbie Stockard, Marissa Luna, Emma Terry and Maddi Heath. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)
Vasha Hunt | vhunt@al.com
Later on Saturday, the list of finalists was trimmed to the top five. They were:
- Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover
- Emma Terry, Miss Jefferson County (first runner-up)
- Marissa Luna, Miss University of Alabama
- Maddi Heath, Miss Jubilee
- Hannah Adams, Miss Mobile Bay
Although glitzy on-stage activity is the most public aspect of the Miss Alabama pageant, there’s significant scholarship money at stake behind the scenes. Cash scholarships in various categories are awarded to contestants during competition week, totaling $126,500 this year, according to the Miss Alabama pageant guide.
The title of Miss Alabama comes with a $15,000 scholarship. The first runner-up receives $5,000; the second runner-up receives $3,000; the third runner-up gets $2,500; the fourth-runner up receives $2,000, all in scholarship money.
Other semi-finalists receive $1,500 each in scholarship money. The remaining contestants receive $1,250 each for competing in the pageant. More than 40 other cash scholarships, in sums of $100-$5,000, are awarded by the pageant’s scholarship committee and various donors.
This week’s preliminary talent winners will receive $500 each in scholarship money, according to the pageant guide. Winners in the evening gown preliminaries will receive $300 each in scholarship money.
Several colleges and universities in the state also offer in-kind scholarships to the winner and other contestants, paying tuition, fees and other expenses.
Judges for this year were Amanda Joseph May. Amanda Tapley McGriff, Sharron Melton, Jay Pitts and Rick Pruitt.
Tammy Little Haynes, Miss Alabama 1984, was the emcee for Saturday’s program. The agenda included production numbers by Miss Alabama 2023 and this year’s contestants, performing to songs such as “How Will I Know,” “Stars Fell on Alabama” and “Stronger.” Miss Alabama’s Teen 2024, Ali Mims, performed at the finals, as well. Tiara Pennington, Miss Alabama 2019-2020, sang the national anthem.
Brianna Burrell, Miss Alabama 2023, performs at the Miss Alabama 2024 finals competition at Samford University’s Wright Center, Saturday, June 29, 2024. Burrell ended a yearlong reign as the new Miss Alabama was crowned. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt | vhunt@al.com

Alabama
Former Alabama Miss Basketball, Crimson Tide star scores her first WNBA basket

Sarah Ashlee Barker scored her first WNBA points on Friday night in the Los Angeles Sparks’ season-opening 84-67 victory over the Golden State Valkyries.
The former Spain Park High School and Alabama standout drove into position for a 6-foot shot in the lane for her first WNBA basket with 4:35 remaining in the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Barker’s bucket was the first for an Alabama alumnus in the WNBA since Aug. 14, 2022, when Jasmine Walker scored for Los Angeles.
In 13:32 of playing time in her WNBA debut, Barker made 1-of-3 field-goal attempts and had two rebounds and one assist. Barker joined the Sparks as the ninth pick in the WNBA Draft on April 14.
Los Angeles is 1-0 after going 8-32, the WNBA’s worst record, last season. Golden State played the first game in franchise history after joining the WNBA as an expansion team.
Barker won Alabama’s Miss Basketball Award for the 2019-20 season, her final campaign for Spain Park High School in Hoover. Barker paced the Jaguars to the AHSAA Class 7A girls’ basketball championship that season. Spain Park also had won the 2018 title. Barker averaged 23.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game during her prep career.
Barker spent two seasons with Georgia before playing the past three with Alabama. During the 2024-25 campaign, Barker averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals in 28 games.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
Alabama
Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles officers officially recognized as law enforcement

Gov. Kay Ivey signed House Bill 88 into law, which will formally recognize the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles officers as state law enforcement personnel.
Sponsored by Rep. Jerry Starnes, R-Prattville, a retired ABPP officer, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, the bill amends Section 36-21-40 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to include the ABPP and it’s probation and parole officers in the definitions of “law enforcement agency” and “law enforcement officer.”
While HB88 does not expand the powers, authority or benefits of ABPP officers, it provides clarity regarding their status. All ABPP officers are certified by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission and are required to maintain active training and education. Law enforcement personnel comprise over half of the Bureau’s staff.
ABPP Director Cam Ward appreciated the legislation, stating, “We are proud of our officers and grateful for their commitment to keeping communities across our state safe. Their job is not easy, but these men and women have sworn to serve and protect the people of Alabama. They uphold that mission every day – regardless of the dangers and difficulties they may face, and this bill is one way we can show our appreciation while recognizing their courage.”
HB88’s passage aligns with this session’s legislative trend to reinforce support for local law enforcement.
Recently, the Alabama Legislature approved HB202, dubbed the “Back The Blue” bill, which enhances legal protections for police officers by establishing stricter standards for the use of force and allowing officers to seek immunity in certain cases. While supporters argue that such measures provide clarity and support for officers making split-second decisions, opponents express concern over potential shielding of misconduct.
HB88 is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, further solidifying the role of ABPP officers within Alabama’s law enforcement framework.
Alabama
USA TODAY Sports projects Alabama baseball’s NCAA Tournament fate ahead of Florida series

The Alabama Crimson Tide are in Gainesville to close the 2025 SEC baseball regular season against the Florida Gators in a Top 25 matchup that could have a major impact on NCAA Tournament seeding.
Alabama (39-13 overall, 15-12 SEC), ranked No. 16 in this week’s USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, is coming off a huge series win over the Georgia Bulldogs, a top five team in many rankings.
The Crimson Tide are one of many SEC teams hoping to make it to Omaha for this year’s College World Series, a place Alabama baseball hasn’t visited since 1999. Jim Wells was the Tide’s skipper back then, and CWS appearances had become fairly consistent with three in four years.
With regular season play wrapping up this weekend and conference tournaments for the Power Four leagues set to begin next week, USA TODAY Sports experts Eddie Timanus and Erick Smith unveiled their full 64-team projections for the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
The two see Alabama as one of the 16 regional site hosts — barely. The Crimson Tide are the No. 15 seed in USA TODAY Sports’ projections, so a solid weekend in Gainesville and at the SEC Tournament in Hoover would go a long way in making coach Rob Vaughn’s team a lock as a regional host.
West Virginia (40-10), Southeastern Louisiana (37-14) and Fairfield (36-15) are the three teams Smith and Timanus project Alabama would face in a Tuscaloosa Regional, if tournament play began today.
More NCAA Tournament expert predictions for Alabama baseball
First pitch for Game 1 of Alabama vs. Florida is at 5:30 p.m. CT Thursday. Right-hander Tyler Fay (0-2, 5.44 ERA) is scheduled to start for Alabama against Florida’s Liam Peterson (8-2, 3.81). The game and series can be streamed on SEC Network+ and ESPN+.
Watch Alabama Crimson Tide vs Florida Gators live on ESPN+
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
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