Alabama
'Why on earth do you live in Alabama?' Because I love it.
No one has ever asked me directly, but sometimes when I’m traveling (or, more recently, am on Facebook), I see in their eyes the unspoken question: Why on earth would anybody want to live in Alabama?
I hadn’t seen that look in a while. But then along came the Alabama Supreme Court with its ruling that embryos created through in vitro fertilization — IVF, for short — have the same rights as children.
Some analysts said justices thought they were doing the politically astute thing, seeing as how many religious conservatives (and there are a whole lot of them in Alabama) contend that life begins at conception. And if it does, then life is life right from the get-go.
Other analysts claimed that, in particular, Chief Justice Tom Parker’s opinion inappropriately quoted from the Book of Genesis as well as 13th century theologian Thomas Aquinas; while still others said the court was bound to rule as it did because of how the state Legislature, back in 2017, worded a constitutional amendment regarding “the rights of the unborn child.”
Whatever. When the Alabama Supreme Court issued its ruling a couple of weeks ago, the law of unintended consequences immediately kicked in.
Instead of being celebrated for protecting unborn children, the ruling shocked Americans from coast to coast who have friends and relatives whose pregnancies were made possible by IVF. When fertility clinics halted their operations in Alabama, women went public with heartbreaking stories of years-long attempts to conceive. Some were scheduled for embryo implantation when the ruling was issued, after which their clinics abruptly closed.
If you live in Alabama, you’re used to carrying a certain amount of baggage. After all, it gave the nation George Wallace, the Montgomery bus boycott and “Bloody Sunday,” and its largest city — Birmingham — was once known as “the most segregated city in America.” Birmingham was also the place where police turned dogs and fire hoses on black children and Ku Klux Klansmen bombed 16th Street Baptist Church and killed four little black girls.
Years later, we had a governor who, as he ridiculed the notion of evolution, pretended to be a monkey in front of other officials. He was succeeded by a governor who was convicted on corruption charges and spent six years in federal prison.
I could go on, but let’s just agree that Alabama has a shameful history of racism, and that its politics are marred by corruption, scandal and sometimes sheer idiocy.
So why stay? the looks say. Or why move to Alabama in the first place?
Why indeed? As the saying goes, it’s complicated.
I moved here in 1978, to be married to an Alabama resident. Nearly 46 years, two children and two grandchildren later, he and I are still together, I am still here, and I have developed a fierce affection for the state in spite of its flaws.
Geographically, Alabama is stunning. Its beaches and mountains are beautiful. There’s no better barbecue in the country, nor fresher seafood; and its people are as diverse as their soft Southern accents. Moreover, Alabama has given the world such notables as George Washington Carver, Tim Cook, Harper Lee, Helen Keller, Lionel Richie, Hank Aaron, Emmylou Harris, Rosa Parks and Nat King Cole.
Yes, we can be stubborn and foolish, and sometimes we act out of fear and ignorance. We are as likely as many other Americans to fall for political rhetoric and faux religious fervor. But we also can be kind, generous, thoughtful, deeply spiritual and authentic.
Alabamians care about one another, and it shows in how people greet you on the street, hold the door open for you at the bank and — young and old — routinely say “please,” “thank you,” “ma’am” and “sir.”
Fifty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson left the White House for good, heading home to his beloved Texas Hill Country. It was, he said, a place “where they know when you’re sick and they care when you die.”
From the good to the bad and the sometimes downright ugly, and in spite of the questioning looks we all occasionally get, that’s exactly how I feel about Alabama.
Frances Coleman is a former editorial page editor of the Mobile Press-Register. Email her at fcoleman1953@gmail.com and “like” her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prfrances.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Jacob Crews scored 20, and Anthony Robinson II added 19 in Missouri’s 85-77 win over Alabama State on Thursday night.
Crews shot 7 of 9 from the field, including 6 of 8 from the 3-point arc. Mark Mitchell added 15 points for Missouri (9-2), and Sebastian Mack added 10.
The Tigers had a 15-0 run in the first half, heading into the locker room up 52-39. Alabama State was held scoreless over a 4:19 drought in the middle of the second half to open a 9-0 run for the Tigers. The Hornets (3-8) responded with their own 10-0 run to bring the game within eight, 74-62. The Tigers regained control, though, to keep their eight-point lead the rest of the game, handing Alabama State their fourth loss in a row.
The Tigers shot 65% (33 of 51). Both teams shot 50% from the free-throw line.
Alabama State outscored Missouri in the final period, 38-33. Asjon Anderscon scored 23 for the Hornets, leading all players in scoring.
Up next
Missouri hosts Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 14.
Alabama State travels to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats on Dec. 17.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Let’s crank up a Thursday edition of “The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral” with Mason Woods and Katie Windham as we start getting ready for next week’s College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Oklahoma. Windham detailed how the Crimson Tide can improve over the next few weeks, we discuss the team’s health and look back at our last road trip to Norman. The show then discusses the Heisman Trophy finalists before addressing a Kalen DeBoer coaching rumor.
The program opens by power ranking the holidays before discussing Windham’s three areas the Crimson Tide can improve over the next week. Our trio picks the easiest area the team can improve and how Alabama must perform in Norman. Windham details our last trip to Oklahoma as we go down memory lane to the Sooners’ 24-3 victory last season.
The show continues on by getting Windham’s thoughts on Alabama’a College Football Playoff selection and if the Crimson Tide actually deserved its place in the field. She brings up a unique aspect of Alabama’s blowout loss in the SEC Championship and how it played into the program’s inclusion in the College Football Playoffs.
We move from next week’s game into a small discussion on Notre Dame’s reaction of being left out of the field and how it relates to Alabama’s future home-and-home dates with the Fighting Irish. Will the two esteemed programs still face off in a few years?
The show heads into the only college football action of the weekend by highlighting the strong Heisman Trophy finalist field. Who brings home the bronze statue?
Lastly, we spend the final bit of the show talking about Michigan firing Sherrone Moore and the reports of the Wolverines considering persuing Kalen DeBeor for their next head coach. Will DeBoer leave Tuscaloosa for Ann Arbor?
We’re so appreciative of our sponsors who make the show possible. Check out Derek Daniel State Farm in Alabama for your insurance needs. We’re also proud to partner with Purple Turtle Roofing on the program. From your first call to the final nail, our mission is to make sure you feel confident, cared for, and covered, literally.
Call (205) 462-7340 Extension 800 to leave your thoughts in a voicemail, and you’ll be featured on the show. You can also join us live in the comment sections Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. CT.
The show can be seen on the BamaCentral YouTube channel. Keep up with each show on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Shows can also be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – As holiday deliveries ramp up, a new Alabama law aims to deter package theft by raising penalties for so-called “porch piracy.” The law, which went into effect on October 1, 2025, makes repeated package theft a felony and can carry prison sentences of up to 10 years in the most serious cases.
What changed
Previously, many package thefts in Alabama were charged as misdemeanor theft because the value of individual stolen packages often fell below felony thresholds. Under the new law however, lawmakers established penalties that focus on the number of homes targeted rather than the dollar value of items stolen:
- Stealing from 1 to 9 homes: most serious misdemeanor
- Stealing from 10 to 29 homes: felony
- Stealing from 30 or more homes: can result in up to 10 years in prison
The law also increases penalties if stolen packages are used to commit identity theft or fraud. In addition, anyone who knowingly receives packages stolen by a porch pirate can be charged under the new rules.
Lawmakers weigh in
Senator April Weaver, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the change was meant to protect Alabama families during the holidays.
“It was really important to protect the people not only in my district but throughout the state of Alabama and to make sure their hard-earned money is going to their children’s Christmas,” she said.
On camera, Senator Weaver added with holiday humor, “It means the Grinch may have stolen Christmas in Whoville, but if he does it in Alabama, he’ll have plenty of time in state prison for his heart to grow three sizes.”
What police recommend if your package is stolen
If you discover a stolen package, law enforcement recommends:
- Report the theft to police immediately.
- Preserve any doorbell or surveillance footage that may show the theft.
- Contact the delivery company right away to report the missing item.
- Consider requiring a signature on delivery to reduce the risk of theft.
The law went into effect on October 1, 2025; this December marks the first holiday season it is in effect. Alabama is now one of more than a dozen states that have passed laws specifically targeting package theft. Supporters say the law sends a stronger message that porch piracy will no longer be treated as a minor offense.
Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!
Copyright 2025 WSFA. All rights reserved.
Opinion | America’s Military Needs a Culture Shift
YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs
Israeli official issues stark warning after chilling Syrian military war chants surface
Kilmar Abrego Garcia seen for first time since release, pledges to ‘continue to fight’ Trump admin
Relationship coach blames Oprah for pushing family estrangement ‘for decades’
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Kilmar Abrego Garcia seen for first time since release, pledges to ‘continue to fight’ Trump admin
Israel bombards areas across southern Lebanon in latest truce violation
Trump announces pardon for Tina Peters, increasing pressure to free her though he can’t erase state charges | CNN Politics
Video: Hiker Rescued From Quicksand in Arches National Park
The Speaker’s Lobby: What Congress’ December script means for healthcare next year
-
Alaska6 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Politics1 week agoTrump rips Somali community as federal agents reportedly eye Minnesota enforcement sweep
-
Ohio1 week agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Texas6 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
News1 week agoTrump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US
-
World1 week agoHonduras election council member accuses colleague of ‘intimidation’
-
Washington3 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa5 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire