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Miss America 2025: Miss Alabama Abbie Stockard wins the crown

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Miss America 2025: Miss Alabama Abbie Stockard wins the crown


Abbie Stockard, Miss Alabama 2024, was crowned Miss America 2025 on Sunday night at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida.

Stockard, 22, will receive a $50,000 in scholarship money as Miss America and immediately start a yearlong reign. Stockard, from Birmingham, is a student at Auburn University, where she majors in nursing. Her goal is to earn an advanced degree, a doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice, and specialize in pediatrics.

READ: Miss Alabama thanks her home state before Miss America finals: ‘Your support means the world’

Stockard is the fourth Miss Alabama to win Miss America, following in the footsteps of previous winners Diedre Downs, Miss America 2005; Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995; and Yolande Betbeze, Miss America 1951.

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Miss America 2024, Madison Marsh, crowned her successor at Sunday’s finals competition, which streamed on the Miss America YouTube channel and PageantVision.com.

Stockard received a glittering crown and a bouquet of roses at the end of the ceremony. She also received hugs from her fellow contestants and took her first walk on stage as Miss America 2025.

Stockard was prominently featured throughout the finals on Sunday, competing in evening gown, talent, fitness and “Hot Topics” segments. (The “Hot Topics” questions focused on technology, immigration, health care, climate change, censorship and more.) For talent, Stockard performed a contemporary dance to Lauren Daigle’s “You Say.”

Also, Miss Alabama was one of six women who earned the AHA Go Red for Women Leadership Award at Miss America, in affiliation with the American Heart Association. These awards go to contestants who promote women’s heart health in their communities.

“As I step into this evening, I am filled with excitement, honor, and gratitude,” Stockard said in an Instagram post before the finals. “Thanking the Lord for placing me here this week and giving me one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Regardless of the outcome, I want to express my deepest thanks to my friends, family, the amazing Miss Alabama board, and the wonderful people of Alabama for making me feel so appreciated and loved. I hope I’ve made you proud and represented you well.”

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A total of 52 women competed in the Miss America finals, from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Aside from Stockard, the top five finalists were:

  • Miss Texas 2024, Annette Addo-Yobo (first runner-up)
  • Miss Tennessee 2024, Carley Vogel (second runner-up)
  • Miss Florida 2024, Casana Fink (third runner-up)
  • Miss Ohio 2024, Stephanie Finoti (fourth runner-up)

The runners-up each received $10,000 in scholarship money, according to the Miss America organization.

The top 11 were:

  • Miss Alabama 2024, Abbie Stockard
  • Miss Florida 2024, Casana Fink
  • Miss Texas 2024, Annette Addo-Yobo
  • Miss Wisconsin 2024, Mandi Genord
  • Miss South Carolina 2024, Davis Wash
  • Miss Colorado 2024, Alexandra Lotko
  • Miss Oklahoma 2024, Lauren Frost
  • Miss Georgia 2024, Ludwidg Louizaire
  • Miss Minnesota 2024, Emily Schumacher
  • Miss Tennessee 2024, Carley Vogel
  • Miss Ohio 2024, Stephanie Finoti

Terrence Jenkins, an actor and TV personality known as “Terrence J,” was the host of Sunday’s finals ceremony, along with model and actress Nikki Novak.

Judges for the Miss America finals included Heather Whitestone McCallum, the Dothan native who was named Miss America 1995. She moved on to the national pageant in September 1994, after winning the title of Miss Alabama earlier that year. Whitestone McCallum lost her hearing in early childhood due to a severe ear infection, and was the first deaf woman to win Miss America. She became a strong advocate for people with disabilities, regained her hearing in 2002 through a cochlear implant and lives in Georgia with her husband and four sons.

Other judges for the Miss America finals were Olympic medalist Carl Lewis, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Stayce D. Harris, Miss America 1985 Sharlene Wells Hawkes and “Cheer” star Gabi Butler.

The past week has been a busy one for the Miss America organization. Miss America’s Teen, a sister pageant to Miss America, announced its 2025 winner on Saturday, also at the Walt Disney Theater. Peyton Bolling took the national crown, competing as Miss Arkansas’ Teen. Ali Mims, Miss Alabama’s Teen, was named first runner-up.

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READ: Miss Arkansas wins Miss America’s Teen 2025; Miss Alabama is first runner-up





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How far does Oklahoma rise and Alabama fall? College Football Playoff ranking prediction

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How far does Oklahoma rise and Alabama fall? College Football Playoff ranking prediction


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  • Oklahoma is expected to climb to No. 8 in the College Football Playoff rankings after defeating Alabama.
  • Alabama’s loss to the Sooners will likely drop them to No. 9, just ahead of Notre Dame.
  • Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M are projected to remain the top three undefeated teams.

Three high-profile teams — Oklahoma, Alabama and Notre Dame — will take the spotlight in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings.

After beating the Crimson Tide 23-21, look for the Sooners to climb to No. 8. Previously No. 4, Alabama’s fall should stop at No. 9. That will knock Notre Dame back one spot to No. 10 even after the Fighting Irish breezed past Pittsburgh.

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While the red-hot Irish have won eight in a row, Alabama has a stronger résumé against a significantly more difficult schedule.

Losses by Louisville, Iowa, Pittsburgh, South Florida and Cincinnati should open a spot for the Group of Five. Tulane is the safest bet to crack the rankings thanks to wins against Northwestern, Duke and Memphis.

Here’s how the top 12 of the third playoff rankings of the 2025 season will look:

1. Ohio State (10-0)

Best win: vs. Texas (14-7), Aug. 30.

Loss: None.

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Playoff chances: 100%. The Buckeyes could lose to Rutgers and Michigan and still earn an at-large spot. OSU could even beat Rutgers, lose to Michigan, miss the Big Ten championship game and be in contention for an opening-round bye.

2. Indiana (11-0)

Best win: at Oregon (30-20), Oct. 11.

Loss: None.          

Playoff chances: 100%. Taking care of Wisconsin locks Indiana into at least an at-large spot. Beating Purdue on Nov. 28 will send the Hoosiers to the Big Ten title game for the first time ever. That also should wrap up a bye.

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3. Texas A&M (10-0)

Best win: at Notre Dame (41-40), Sept. 13.

Loss: None.

Playoff chances: 98%. At this point, the Aggies would have to really stumble down the stretch to miss the playoff entirely. Getting routed by Texas and then backdooring into the SEC title game only to get blown out again, combined with a Notre Dame flop down the stretch, might be just enough to take A&M off the board. But even that’s a stretch.

4. Georgia (9-1)

Best win: vs. Mississippi (43-35), Oct. 18.

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Loss: vs. Alabama (24-21), Sept. 27.

Playoff chances: 99%. Only the infinitesimal chance at being upset by one-win Charlotte keeps Georgia from being a playoff lock. A shocking loss on Saturday and a loss to Georgia Tech would knock the Bulldogs out of the field.

5. Texas Tech (10-1)

Best win: vs. Brigham Young (29-7), Nov. 8.

Loss: at Arizona State (26-22), Oct. 18.

Playoff chances: 90%. To reach No. 5 in the rankings strengthens the Red Raiders’ safety net even if they fall short of a Big 12 championship. But losses to West Virginia and in the conference title game would knock Tech out of the playoff.

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6. Mississippi (10-1)

Best win: at Oklahoma (34-26), Oct. 25.

Loss: at Georgia (43-35), Oct. 18.

Playoff chances: 99%. Saturday’s unimpressive 34-24 win at home against Florida was still enough to almost ensure an at-large playoff berth regardless of what happens in the Egg Bowl.

7. Oregon (9-1)

Best win: at Iowa (18-16), Nov. 8.

Loss: vs. Indiana (30-20), Oct. 11.

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Playoff chances: 60%. The odds are better than not that Oregon is the third Big Ten team in the field. But the Ducks have played two legitimate opponents all season, losing to Indiana and barely beating Iowa. Are they ready for Saturday’s huge matchup at home against Southern California? A loss there would dump Oregon out of the top 10 heading into the finale against Washington.

8. Oklahoma (8-2)

Best win: at Alabama (23-21), Nov. 15.

Losses: vs. Texas (in Dallas) (23-6), Oct. 11; vs. Mississippi (34-26), Oct. 25.

Playoff chances: 55%. Tossed aside after two October losses, the Sooners have rallied into at-large position with wins this month against Tennessee and Alabama. Oklahoma is in with wins at home against Missouri and LSU – and likely with home game in first round – but can’t afford a third defeat.

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9. Alabama (9-2)

Best win: at Georgia (24-21), Sept. 27.

Losses: at Florida State (31-17), Aug. 30; vs. Oklahoma (23-21), Nov. 15.

Playoff chances: 75%. Alabama can still lock down a spot in the SEC title game and an at-large berth by beating Auburn. But a loss in the Iron Bowl will knock the Tide out of the mix.

10. Notre Dame (9-2)

Best win: vs. Southern California (34-24), Oct. 18.

Loss: at Miami (27-24), Aug. 31; vs. Texas A&M (41-40), Sept. 13.

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Playoff chances: 85%. While they shouldn’t lose to Syracuse or Stanford, dropping one spot in the rankings will make the Irish feel a little more anxious about securing that at-large bid. Falling to No. 10 would move them a little closer to Miami, and it would be bad news for Notre Dame if that head-to-head tiebreaker came into play.

11. Brigham Young (9-1)

Best win: vs. Utah (24-21), Oct. 18.

Loss: at Texas Tech (29-7), Nov. 8.

Playoff chances: 33%. The Cougars’ best chance is via a conference title. But a chaotic finish in the Big Ten or SEC might give the Big 12 a chance at two playoff teams. In that scenario, BYU would need to beat Cincinnati and Central Florida convincingly and then play dramatically better against Texas Tech in the conference title game to crack the top 10.

12. Utah (9-2)

Best win: vs. Cincinnati (45-14), Nov. 1.

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Losses: vs. Texas Tech (34-10), Sept. 20; at Brigham Young (24-21), Oct. 18.

Playoff chances: 10%. Losses to the Red Raiders and BYU will block Utah from the Big 12 title game. Getting an at-large bid is possible but very improbable given the number of teams ahead of the Utes and the fact there are still two teams behind them — the ACC champion and the Group of Five representative — who will be bumped into the bracket with the final rankings.



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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey urges delay on PBS decision by public TV board

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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey urges delay on PBS decision by public TV board


MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday urged the board that oversees Alabama Public Television to delay any decision on severing ties with PBS until it has studied Alabamians’ opinions on the matter and developed a plan for what comes next.

The Republican governor sent a letter to the Alabama Educational Television Commission ahead of a Nov. 18 meeting in which commissioners were expected to discuss disaffiliation.

Some commission members had pushed the idea of dropping PBS due to federal budget cuts, President Donald Trump’s dislike of public broadcasting and accusations of bias against NPR and PBS news programs from him and other conservatives. A decision to separate from PBS would mean Alabama Public Television would no longer air PBS programs, including “Sesame Street,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Antiques Roadshow” and “PBS NewsHour.”

“While I’m sympathetic to the concerns that may be prompting this proposal, such a sweeping, immediate action, especially if taken unilaterally by the executive branch, should be undertaken only after a thorough planning process and only with a thorough understanding of public opinion,” Ivey wrote.

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Ivey asked the commission to conduct an extended survey of Alabama voters “to ensure their voices are heard.” She said the commission should also develop a separation plan that “should be available for public review for a considerable length of time before any vote is taken.”

The idea of dropping PBS arose at the October commission meeting. Alabama Public Television Executive Director Wayne Reid said some commissioners asked him to research the possibility and ramifications of ending the contract with PBS.

Commissioners were divided at an Oct. 28 meeting, according to the Alabama Reflector and al.com.

“I just, I don’t want to fund it, PBS has made themselves the enemy of what I stand with, and so I do not like them, and I don’t follow the philosophy of feeding the beast,” commission member Les Barnett said during the meeting, according to the Alabama Reflector.

Alabama Public Television pays about $2.2 million yearly for PBS programming.

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The governor said it is imperative that APT programming “align with Alabama values,” but said the decision should be made in “collaboration among stakeholders.”

The possibility of dropping PBS prompted a backlash from Alabama public television viewers and donors. Petitions and posts were shared across social media, urging people to “Save PBS for Alabama Children” and “Don’t let Alabama send Elmo packing.”



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Aviator Nation dropped new Alabama, Texas + Tennessee collections

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Aviator Nation dropped new Alabama, Texas + Tennessee collections


College football is racing towards conference championships, bowl season and the College Football Playoffs. It was a tough week for two of the top contenders: Alabama and Texas who both suffered losses and took hits in the USA Today Coaches Poll. But fans can still show their support with the latest drop from Aviator Nation at Fanatics.

Aviator Nation is a 1970’s inspired California lifestyle brand created by Paige Mycoskie. It’s a combination of your favorite college brands with California beach vibes. The latest launches include collections for none other than SEC powerhouses Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.

Here’s a look at the latest Aviator Nation collection at Fanatics:

Shop Aviator Nation at Fanatics

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Shop Alabama, Tennessee + Texas gear from Aviator Nation

Rep your favorites in the SEC championship race with these latest collections from Aviator Nation:

Support the Tennessee Volunteers with this Aviator Nation collection

Get more 90s vibes with this Texas Longhorns x Aviator Nation collection

Roll Tide with this Alabama x Aviator Nation collection



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