Alabama
U.S. Navy Partners with Private Equity to Revitalize Alabama Shipyard for Submarine Production
The U.S. Navy has launched a groundbreaking public-private partnership to strengthen American maritime dominance and national security. The initiative aims to enhance the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) and support the Navy’s submarine production requirements.
As part of the initiative, the private investment firm United Submarine Alliance Qualified Opportunity Fund (USA Fund) has acquired the assets of Alabama Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. The 355-acre site, now renamed Mobile Naval Yard, will undergo extensive modernization to support the production of Columbia and Virginia Class nuclear submarines.
This partnership is part of Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro’s Maritime Statecraft program, which aims to rebuild the submarine manufacturing base that has shrunk to just one-third of its capacity from 30 years ago. The initiative will play a key role in nearly doubling submarine production, requiring an additional 3.5 to 4.5 million submarine module production and outfitting hours annually.
“This announcement answers my call for investment into small-to-medium size shipyards, both active and dormant, that were previously the backbone of our Nation’s maritime power,” said Secretary of Navy Carlos del Toro.
CapZone Impact Investments LLC (CZII), the investment management firm behind the USA Fund, sees this as an opportunity to drive both national security and economic growth. Al Puchala, CEO of CapZone, explained, “This Navy initiative is a model for how public-private partnerships can address critical infrastructure needs in the defense and national security sectors.”
Originally established in 1916, the Alabama Shipyard facility played a vital role during World War II, constructing and maintaining vessels for the U.S. Navy. The shipyard was revived in 2019 under new ownership and now offers specialized services in maintenance, repair, overhaul, conversion, and shipbreaking for both commercial and government clients. Its three full-service piers house five deep-water berths, capable of accommodating some of the world’s largest operational vessels.
In a related development, Austal USA has been awarded a $450 million contract to expand its production capacity in support of the U.S. Navy submarine industrial base at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard, located adjacent to the Mobile Naval Yard site. The expansion will create approximately 1,000 new jobs at Austal USA and provide the capability to fabricate, outfit, and transport submarine components.
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Alabama
Austin Mack enters Alabama vs Eastern Illinois: 3 things to know about Crimson Tide QB
Alabama football has started to unload its bench against Eastern Illinois.
With 14:37 left in the third quarter, Alabama redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Mack took over for Crimson Tide starter Ty Simpson with a 28-0 lead.
Here are three things you need to know as Mack takes the reins of the Crimson Tide offense.
Austin Mack has played in two Alabama football games in 2025
Mack has played in two other Alabama games in 2025.
He had extensive playing time in the Crimson Tide’s 73-0 win against Louisiana Monroe Saturday, Sept. 6. In one second quarter drive and two third quarter drives, Mack led the Crimson Tide to two touchdowns and a field goal. He completed eight of his 10 pass attempts for 80 yards with two touchdown passes: a 6-yard score to tight end Kaleb Edwards and a 3-yard score to tight end Josh Cuevas.
Mack also appeared in Alabama’s 38-14 win against Wisconsin. He led the Crimson Tide on a three-play drive that ended in a punt. He did not complete his only pass attempt.
Austin Mack followed Kalen DeBoer to Alabama from Washington
Mack originally committed to coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington, reclassifying from the 2024 recruiting class to 2023. He redshirted the 2023 season and sat behind Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Mack followed DeBoer to Alabama as his first transfer in January 2024. The Crimson Tide also added Cuevas, wide receiver Germie Bernard and center Parker Brailsford from the Washington roster.
As a redshirt freshman, Mack completed two of three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Austin Mack continues Alabama football West Coast ties
Mack is a former four-star quarterback out of Folsom, California. He was the No. 16-ranked quarterback in the 2023 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings and led Folsom to a CIF Sac-Joaquin Division 1 championship.
Mack is one of 15 California natives on Alabama’s 2025 roster along with Cuevas, Edwards, defensive back Domani Jackson, defensive back Zabien Brown, defensive back Dijon Lee Jr., quarterback John Gazzaniga, defensive lineman Fatutoa Henry, defensive back Chuck McDonald III, wide receiver MJ Chirgwin, punter Alex Asparuhov, linebacker Abduall Sanders Jr., linebacker Grant Johnson, kicker Reid Schuback and offensive lineman Jackson Lloyd.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Alabama
See all of the Alabama high school football playoff scores from Round 3
The third round of the Alabama high school football playoffs brought some instant classics to the table.
Thompson held off a Central-Phenix City rally on a last-minute 2-point conversion stop and Opelika fended off archrival Auburn, with the two teams set to face off in the Class 7A championship.
See top statewide highlights from Friday’s Round 3 playoff action
Alabama high school football 1A-6A semifinal matchups set
Also, Piedmont held off Gordo with a 28-20 home win, Lanett upset Class 2A No. 1 Luverne to advance and Vigor dealt Central-Clay County a shutout.
Here are all the scores from the second round of the high school football playoffs in Alabama as compiled by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
CLASS 7A SEMIFINALS
Opelika 31, Auburn 28
Thompson 35, Central-Phenix City 34
CLASS 6A QUARTERFINALS
Benjamin Russell 40, Hueytown 13
Clay-Chalkville 35, Homewood 17
Muscle Shoals 24, Mountain Brook 7
Saraland 56, Pike Road 32
CLASS 5A QUARTERFINALS
Moody 51, Briarwood 27
Scottsboro 16, Fairview 14
Vigor 14, Central-Clay County 0
Williamson 41, Catholic-Montgomery 10
CLASS 4A QUARTERFINALS
Anniston 31, Deshler 7
Jackson 50, W.S. Neal 7
Plainview 28, Good Hope 7
St. Michael 52, Bullock County 22
CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS
Bayside Academy 30, Montgomery Academy 13
Mars Hill Bible 42, Geraldine 0
Piedmont 28, Gordo 20
Southside-Selma 34, Glenwood 21
CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS
Coosa Christian 17, Tuscaloosa Academy 0
Lanett 35, Luverne 16
Pisgah 26, Southeastern-Blount 15
Reeltown 28, Providence Christian 7
CLASS 1A QUARTERFINALS
Addison 28, Marion County 22
Leroy 60, McKenzie 38
Maplesville 42, Southern Choctaw 0
Wadley 62, Hubbertville 38
AISA CHAMPIONSHIPS
(at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery)
CLASS AAA
Chambers Academy 32, Lowndes Academy 14
CLASS AA
Abbeville Christian 50, South Choctaw Academy 28
CLASS A
Macon East Academy 34, Escambia Academy 14
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Alabama
Level 1 severe weather risk added for Alabama today
A cold front will bring a low risk for a few strong storms to parts of Alabama starting later today, according to forecasters.
The strongest storms could have wind gusts strong enough to take down tree limbs and power lines, and there is a low risk for a tornado.
And this may not be the only chance for severe weather. The National Weather Service thinks more storms could be possible on Tuesday, although as of now severe weather isn’t officially in the forecast.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 1 out of 5 (marginal) risk for severe weather for part of Alabama for Friday (see the map above).
The Level 1 risk area includes most of north Alabama and northern and western portions of central Alabama.
The weather service said strong storms will be possible in Alabama starting this afternoon, and they could linger into the overnight hours.
Damaging winds are the main threat, but the Storm Prediction Center also has a very low risk for a tornado in its forecast for Alabama:
Rain was moving into Alabama as of Friday morning, and scattered rain and storms will be possible through the day today.
The chances for stronger storms will increase starting this afternoon as the cold front approaches, according to the weather service.
Areas that don’t get a lot of rain could again come close to record high temperatures, the weather service said.
Highs today are again expected to be in the 70s and 80s statewide:
No big cooldown is expected after this front passes through.
However that won’t be the case with the next system, which could affect Alabama from Tuesday into Wednesday.
There’s a chance for more storms with that system, according to the weather service, although severe weather isn’t in the forecast for Alabama so far.
The weather service said much cooler air will follow the Tuesday system, and Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) looks to be clear and cooler for much of the state.
Here’s more from the weather service:
NORTH ALABAMA
CENTRAL ALABAMA
SOUTH ALABAMA
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