Alabama

Trump mixes politics, motivational messages in Alabama graduation speech

Published

1 month ago

May 2, 2025

Trump mixes politics, motivational messages in Alabama graduation speech

President Donald Trump urged students graduating from the University of Alabama to “think big” and “never give up.” But he had even more to say.

In a May 1 speech that mixed politics with the inspirational language typical of commencement addresses, Trump slammed the administration of former President Joe Biden as well as judges blocking his immigration moves.

“The last four years were not good for our country,” Trump said, adding: “We were run by people that didn’t have a clue. They didn’t have a clue . . . and I’m trying to be nice when I say it that way. They allowed our beautiful USA to be laughed at, scorned and taken advantage of by everybody.”

Trump touted his second term agenda, including tariffs that have injected uncertainty into an economy where the thousands of graduates he addressed will soon be seeking employment. He predicted strong growth despite gross domestic product shrinking at a 0.3% annual rate in the first quarter, the worst quarterly performance in three years.

“Like many generations before you, you’re graduating at an exciting time for our nation, a period of both extraordinary change and incredible potential, and what will be unbelievable growth,” Trump said. “You’re going to see that very soon. You’re going to see it starting very, very soon.”

Trump complained about high inflation under Biden. And he admitted at one point that his speech was “slightly political.”

The president also took aim at the judiciary on the same day that a federal judge – whom he appointed – ruled that Trump can’t use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants in southeastern Texas.

Trump claimed a steep decline in illegal crossing at the Southwest border since he took office but said “the courts are trying to stop me from doing the job that I was elected to do.”

“Judges are interfering, supposedly based on due process,” Trump said. “But how can you give due process to people who came into our country illegally? They want to give them due process. I don’t know.”

The president also delved into the issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, highlighted his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and heaped praise on the University of Alabama’s athletic program. Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban spoke before the president.

Trump’s speech veered into profanity when he said tech leaders used to dislike him but “now they’re kissing my (expletive).” The crowd in Alabama, which Trump carried by a large margin in the 2024 presidential election, applauded him throughout.

Trump closed with a dig at Harvard University, an institution his administration has targeted with a $2.3 billion funding freeze and federal civil rights probe.

“The next chapter of the American story will not be written by the Harvard Crimson. It will be written by you, the Crimson Tide,” he said.

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Alabama

Alabama’s rainy ‘rinse and repeat’ summer forecast calls for more storms, scorching heat

Published

14 minutes ago

June 15, 2025

Press Room

Alabama’s rainy ‘rinse and repeat’ summer forecast calls for more storms, scorching heat

Alabama’s weather this week calls for what the National Weather Service often calls a “rinse and repeat” forecast.

Today (Sunday) through at least Thursday will bring daily chances of scattered rain and storms to the state, according to weather service forecasters.

There’s a chance rain chances could lower next weekend, but heat levels could also climb.

Summertime storms can be intense at times, and the weather service said storms this week could bring gusty winds and heavy rain.

The most likely time for storms each day will be the afternoon and evening hours, according to forecasters.

Saturday’s storms were intense at times in the state, prompting multiple severe thunderstorm warnings.

The weather service offices across the state got several reports of downed trees, with at least one falling on a house, as well as reports of flash flooding on Saturday.

Radar estimates Saturday evening suggested parts of Lamar and Pickens counties got nearly 7 inches of rain in one day, according to the weather service.

Scattered storms will be possible again today statewide, but as of Sunday morning no part of the state was included in a severe weather risk area from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.

Here’s Sunday’s severe weather outlook, which shows general thunderstorms will be possible statewide but no severe weather:

No organized severe weather is expected on Sunday in Alabama, but there could be storms at times, which could briefly be intense.Storm Prediction Center

The same will be possible on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, according to forecasters, hence the “rinse and repeat” title for the forecast.

The weather service will also be watching the tail end of the week, when there will be the potential for higher temperatures. Those, combined with high humidity levels, could mean heat advisories in the state, but it’s too soon to say for sure.

Forecasters said there are indications of the heat index, or “feels like” temperature, getting into the triple digits by next weekend.

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Alabama

Alabama lawn care: Auburn University specialist offers tips on watering, fertilizing and mowing this summer

Published

18 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Press Room

Alabama lawn care: Auburn University specialist offers tips on watering, fertilizing and mowing this summer

Alabama is home to warm-season grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda and centipede. These grasses require specific care to keep your yard looking its best. Dave Han, an associate professor in Auburn University’s College of Agriculture and a specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, has a lot of experience in caring

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Alabama

Dan Lanning shares lesson he learned from Nick Saban: ‘I’m always gonna lean on the best to do it’

Published

2 days ago

June 13, 2025

Press Room

Dan Lanning shares lesson he learned from Nick Saban: ‘I’m always gonna lean on the best to do it’

Dan Lanning doesn’t do everything the way Nick Saban used to do it.

However, the Oregon coach’s one-year stint in 2015 under the former Alabama coach left one lesson over all other etched in his brain, and it can be summed up in one word: Consistency.

“I just always felt that he’s always got a rubric of every situation and how you handle this, how you develop this,” Lanning told Greg McElroy on the “Always College Football” podcast. “The one thing I always learn from coach is how consistent he was in everything he did.

“On Tuesday, I’m gonna to meet with this position group at this time.

“I would say that’s not necessarily me, right? We’re similar in the sense there’s things we want to do things consistently. But it’s always good to take a backseat, pick his brain a little bit on how is it developing leadership in young guys. ‘Here’s the three things that I did, Dan,’ and walk me through that.”

Lanning certainly has seen a track record for success. The Ducks are coming off a Big Ten title, and the coach has an impressive 35-6 overall record in three seasons.

“I’m always gonna lean on the best to do it when it comes to things like that,” Lanning said.

Check out the full interview above.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

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