Alabama
Report: Free speech on Alabama college campuses mixed — Auburn among…
The free speech climate on Alabama’s public four-year college and university campuses is mixed, according to a recent report from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
Schools from around the country were categorized as green, yellow or red.
Among those earning an overall “green light” rating, given to schools that maintain policies that “do not seriously imperil free expression,” was Auburn University, which regularly fares well in the FIRE survey.
SEE ALSO: Auburn second in 2024 national free speech rankings
Most schools in Alabama fell under the “yellow light” category, a rating for maintaining policies that impose vague regulations on expression. Those included were Alabama State University, Athens State University, Auburn University at Montgomery, Jacksonville State University, the University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the University of Montevallo, the University of North Alabama, the University of South Alabama and the University of West Alabama.
Alabama had two schools receive a so-called “red light” rating for maintaining policies that clearly and substantially restrict free speech. They were Alabama A&M and Troy University.
During an appearance on Newsmax TV’s “Saturday Agenda,” FIRE’s Laura Beltz said Alabama A&M had an astounding four “red light” anti-free speech policies, including an IT policy with broad restrictions on electronic communications.
She added Troy University had three “red light” policies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX_JnFk86ng%0A
In May 2023, Troy drew FIRE’s attention for an apparent behind-the-scenes effort to stymy the academic findings critical of the State of Alabama’s economic incentives programs.
See report:
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of “The Jeff Poor Show,” heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile’s FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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Alabama
Paul Finebaum waves white flag on controversial College Football Playoff take
The long wait is over folks as Paul Finebaum has finally waved the white flag regarding his Alabama support. The longtime ESPN and SEC host stumped for the Crimson Tide to get into the College Football Playoff this season.
Especially when Alabama was left out, Finebaum screamed from the rooftops. But with 2025 finally upon us, Finebaum decided to make a resolution. He surrendered!
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If you’ve fought the war for or against one of the most notable figures in college football media, we salute you folks.
“I led the Alabama parade to get them into the playoffs,” Finebaum said on Get Up. “You know that I stood on every building, especially on this show, and on the first day of the new year, I’m surrendering. I am waving the white flag.”
Some of the takes from Finebaum were admirable, when it came to Alabama. Heck, he took shots at the CFP committee upon the final rankings release.
“They’re being spun non-stop, even though they say they’re not,” Finebaum said of the committee in early December. “There’s all kinds of tributaries that go into that room and all kinds of people that represent other people, and I also think they thought about one more thing that was even more important than the hangover.
“They thought about if they give this to Alabama, yeah the hue and cry nationally is going to be how come Alabama got in, poor SMU. And on top of that, they would have almost been issuing a Supreme Court edict rendering these conference championship games null and void. And the commissioners really can’t afford that, even the Southeastern Conference commissioner who lost out today. And I think that’s what this was really all about.”
But after Alabama’s disappointing performance against Michigan, the white flag came out and he finally bowed down to a defeat. It’s okay “Pawl,” we all can’t win them all.
Alabama
19 tornadoes now confirmed after weekend storms in Alabama
The tornado count from weekend severe weather stood at 19 late Tuesday, according to information from the National Weather Service offices across the state.
There’s still a chance that the number could climb. The weather service was finishing up storm surveys as of Tuesday and had plans to look at a few additional areas.
Most of the 19 tornadoes happened in central Alabama and were brief EF0s (see the preliminary report on those storms here). There was also one in north Alabama and two in south Alabama.
All the tornadoes were EF1s or EF0s. The strongest in terms of wind speed was an EF1 with 110 mph winds in St. Clair County.
The 19 tornadoes are from the storms that affected the state Dec. 28 into Dec. 29. There was also another tornado in Mobile County on Dec. 27, an EF1 with 90 mph winds.
None of the tornadoes has been blamed for causing any injuries.
Here’s a look at the tornadoes confirmed so far from Dec. 28-29:
1. Athens tornado (Limestone County) — Dec. 28, EF1, top winds 100 mph.
2. Faustinas tornado (Mobile County) — Dec. 28, EF0, top winds 80 mph.
3. Molloy tornado (Lamar County) — Dec. 28, EF1, top winds 105 mph.
4. Byson Road tornado (Lamar County) — Dec. 28, EF0, 65 mph winds.
5. Beaverton tornado (Lamar County) — Dec. 28, EF0, top winds 70 mph.
6. Sunny Home tornado (Marion County) — Dec. 28, EF0, top winds 75 mph.
7. El Gezria Road tornado (Shelby County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 80 mph.
8. Knight Place Road tornado (Lowndes County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 85 mph.
9. Coosa Island Road tornado (St. Clair County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 85 mph.
10. Roberts Mill Pond Road tornado (St. Clair County) — Dec. 29, EF1, top winds 110 mph.
11. Hargrove Lane tornado (Lowndes County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 70 mph.
12. Hope Hull tornado (Montgomery County) — Dec. 29, EF1, top winds 95 mph.
13. Mt. Zion Road tornado (Montgomery County) — Dec. 29, EF1, top winds 100 mph.
14. Cecil tornado (Montgomery County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 80 mph.
15. Jackson Road tornado (Macon County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 75 mph.
16. Shorter tornado (Macon County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 75 mph.
17. County Road 8 tornado (Macon County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 85 mph.
18. County Road 56 tornado (Macon County) — Dec. 29, EF0, top winds 60 mph.
19. Summerdale tornado (Baldwin County) — Dec. 29, EF1, top winds 95 mph.
Alabama
ReliaQuest Bowl Instant Analysis: Michigan 19, Alabama 13
TAMPA, Fla.–– Alabama’s defense set a record for fewest yards allowed in the ReliaQuest bowl (190), but early turnovers doomed the Crimson Tide in a 19-13 loss to Michigan in Tampa on Tuesday afternoon.
The issues that had plagued Alabama in other losses reared their ugly head in the first quarter when the Crimson Tide offense turned the ball over three times on the first four possessions and ending the opening quarter with -2 yards as the Wolverines jumped out to a 16-0 lead.
Alabama built some momentum heading into the half with two strong drives from the offense, but that momentum evaporated in the third quarter. Even with all the mistakes, the Crimson Tide still had a chance to win in the final minutes. A screen pass from Jalen Milroe to Jam Miller put Alabama at the Michigan 15 with a little over a minute left.
But Milroe couldn’t connect on his next four tries as the offense turned it over on downs for the third time in the game. Michigan was able to kneel it out after taking over.
Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Crimson Tide head coach ends in defeat as Alabama’s 16-year streak of at least 10 wins comes to a close.
Watch the above video as BamaCentral’s Katie Windham wraps up the game and season for the Crimson Tide from the field at Raymond James Stadium after No. 11 Alabama lost to Michigan 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Read more: What Kalen DeBoer Said After Alabama Lost the ReliaQuest Bowl to Michigan
Alabama’s Captains Say Program Has ‘Bright Future’ Under Kalen DeBoer
Kalen DeBoer Didn’t Consider Quarterback Change During Disastrous First Quarter
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