Alabama (6do encyclopedia)



Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida to the south, and Mississippi to the west. With over 4.9 million residents, Alabama is the 24th most populous state in the nation. Its capital and largest city is Montgomery, while its largest metropolitan area is Birmingham, which is located in the central part of the state.

Alabama is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty. From the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains to the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama offers a range of outdoor activities and attractions. It is also home to numerous historical landmarks, including the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement in Selma and the birthplace of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali in Louisville.

History

Alabama has a rich and complex history, with Native American tribes such as the Cherokee, Creek, and Choctaw having inhabited the region for centuries before European explorers arrived. The first known European explorer to visit Alabama was the Spaniard Hernando de Soto, who arrived in the area in 1540. In the late 1600s, French explorers established the first permanent settlement in Alabama at Fort Louis de la Mobile, which is now Mobile.

Alabama became a territory of the United States in 1817 and achieved statehood on December 14, 1819. The state played a pivotal role in the Civil War, with Montgomery serving as the first capital of the Confederate States of America. The state was also the site of numerous Civil Rights Movement events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the march from Selma to Montgomery.

Culture

Alabama’s culture is a unique blend of traditions and influences from Native American, European, and African American communities. The state is known for its southern hospitality and is home to many notable musicians, writers, and artists.

Music is an important part of Alabama’s culture, with the state having produced numerous famous country and blues musicians, including Hank Williams, Little Richard, W.C. Handy, and Nat King Cole. Alabama is also known for its jazz, gospel, and soul music scenes.

Cuisine is another important aspect of Alabama’s culture. The state is famous for its barbecue, fried chicken, and seafood, as well as its traditional southern dishes such as grits, collard greens, and cornbread. Alabama is also home to several craft breweries and wineries, producing a range of local beers and wines.

Tourism and recreation

Alabama’s natural scenery and diverse range of outdoor activities make it a popular destination for tourists. The state is home to numerous state parks and nature reserves, including Cheaha State Park, which offers scenic vistas of the Appalachian Mountains, and Gulf State Park, known for its sandy beaches and abundant wildlife.

Alabama is also home to several historic landmarks, including the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, which houses the largest collection of space artifacts in the world, and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, which celebrates the contribution of African American pilots during World War II.

The state is known for its sports culture, with football being a particularly popular pastime. Alabama is home to two of the most successful college football programs in the nation, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn University Tigers.

Conclusion

Alabama’s rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty make it a unique and fascinating destination for tourists and residents alike. With a wide variety of outdoor activities, historic landmarks, and cultural attractions, the state has something to offer everyone. Whether exploring the scenic Appalachian Mountains or sampling traditional southern cuisine, visitors to Alabama are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.


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In Iowa and Alabama, betting scandals raise red flags for college sports

Washington Post

23-05-12 14:52


EPIC Risk Management, the UK firm that provides education to college athletic departments on the NCAA rules that prohibit betting by student-athletes, will visit 75 schools this year, up from prior years. Speaking this week, EPIC employee Mark Potter said he and his colleagues are increasingly getting calls from administrators scrambling to arrange educational programming, after three schools – Iowa, Iowa State and Alabama – were engulfed in betting scandals. In the Iowa case, the state’s Division of Criminal Investigation is probing athletes from football, basketball and other sports having placed over three dozen bets. The NCAA is said to be monitoring the situation, but its bylaws are stricter than those for professional athletes, prohibiting those competing in the NCAA from betting on any sport, college or professional, in which the NCAA stages a championship game. Following the US lifting restrictions on sports betting nationwide three years ago, sports books and regulators have become increasingly alert to suspicious betting patterns.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/05/12/alabama-iowa-ncaa-sports-betting/
Why America can’t handle the truth about Martin Luther King Jr

Telegraph

23-05-12 12:00


Martin Luther King Jr is the subject of a new biography by writer Jonathan Eig, who argues that King has been sanitised in the name of national celebration. Wanting to avoid frightening conservative horses, Eig believes that many forget the elements of King’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech that called for urgent action to tackle “the unspeakable horrors of police brutality”. Contrary to those who assume King’s method of non-violent protest meant his aims were unambitious, he called for the end of “manifestly heinous segregationist Jim Crow laws”, the universal basic income and an end to poverty, with the African-American population granted “a massive programme by the government of special, compensatory measures” instead of “two centuries of unpaid wages and accumulated interest”, and he opposed nuclear weapons and interventionist American foreign policy. Many believe King’s life was largely a failure and Eig argues the same, suggesting that King may appreciate this acknowledgement more than any number of monuments and celebrations.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/non-fiction/review-king-jonathan-eig-martin-luther-jr/
McCarthy says he will not back George Santos re-election bid - live

The Independent

23-05-12 07:00


New York Congressman George Santos has pleaded not guilty to 13 federal charges, including wire fraud, theft of public funds and money laundering. The Republican lawmaker, who has been criticised for exaggerating his background and campaign finances, surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody on 11 May. He was later released on a $500,000 bond. Key figures in the GOP have called on him to resign, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he won’t support Santos’s re-election bid. However, Santostold the press that he has no intention of stepping down and described the probe as a “witch hunt.”

Santos, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, introduced several pieces of legislation, including a bill that would cut federal funding to countries that persecute LGBTQ people. He also sparked controversy in April with the introduction of the Medical Information Nuanced Accountability Judgment Act, which would ban the government from mandating certain vaccines. The legislation’s acronym, MINAJ, is believed to have been a reference to singer Nicki Minaj, who in 2021 claimed her cousin’s friend had become impotent and suffered swollen testicles after taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

Santos has suffered a string of controversies since his election to the US House of Representatives in 2020. An investigation by The New York Times revealed that he had greatly exaggerated his work experience and educational background, and claimed to have represented Puerto Rican volleyball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In fact, Puerto Rico did not field a team, nor was Santos part of the country’s volleyball programme.


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/george-santos-arrested-charges-republicans-b2337512.html

18 years after Natalee Holloway’s disappearance, Peru to extradite key suspect to U.S.

The Globe and Mail

23-05-11 23:36


Dutch national Joran van der Sloot is set to be extradited to the US to face charges of extortion and fraud linked to the disappearance of American student Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005. At the time, van der Sloot was a student at an international school in the Dutch territory and was identified by police as the chief suspect in the case. He has never been tried in relation to the missing person case. Van der Sloot is currently serving a 28-year sentence in a Peruvian prison for murdering business student Stephany Flores. Peru has authorised the extradition, but it is unclear when he will be transferred to the US.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-18-years-after-natalee-holloways-disappearance-peru-to-extradite-key/
Sen. Tuberville criticized for remarks on white nationalists: ‘I call them Americans’

The Toronto Star

23-05-11 17:50


Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has been criticized for his comments about white nationalists in the US military. In an interview about his blocking of military nominees, the first-term Alabama senator said, "while Democrats may consider such people to be racists, “I call them Americans.” His office later clarified that the senator was skeptical about the presence of white nationalists in the US military. Tuberville has also been blocking military appointments because of his opposition to Pentagon abortion policies, which fund abortions for troops and dependents.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2023/05/11/sen-tuberville-criticized-for-remarks-on-white-nationalists-i-call-them-americans.html
US Supreme Court sides with Alabama inmate who seeks to die by nitrogen hypoxia

The Toronto Star

23-05-15 23:40


The US Supreme Court has sided with a death row inmate in Alabama who requested he be executed by nitrogen hypoxia instead of lethal injection. Alabama has approved nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution, but has not carried out an execution using it. The state attorney general appealed a decision supporting the inmate, arguing that a claim of an alternative method must demonstrate that it is not only feasible, but also readily available. The inmate, Kenneth Eugene Smith, made the request due to concerns over previous state executions, with his team describing previous attempts to execute him as botched.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2023/05/15/us-supreme-court-sides-with-alabama-inmate-who-seeks-to-die-by-nitrogen-hypoxia.html
Alabama house fire kills child, leaves 2 firefighters with severe burns

Associated Press

23-05-15 23:13


A house fire in Montgomery, Alabama, has killed one child and left two firefighters in hospital with severe burns. Firefighters rescued three occupants but the juvenile died, one firefighter has burns on 20% of their body and the other is sedated with extensive burns. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and Alabama's state fire marshal is helping with the investigation. Montgomery Mayor Steve Reed has made a statement offering condolences to those affected and a request for prayers.

https://apnews.com/article/firefighters-severe-burns-alabama-house-fire-4cef55fb376a8119b05036fb2f443ee3
Bears sign 1st-round selection Darnell Wright, 2 more draft picks

The Toronto Star

23-05-15 22:53


The Chicago Bears have signed first-round draft pick Darnell Wright to his rookie contract. The team selected the Tennessee offensive tackle with the tenth overall pick in April's NFL draft. Wright is expected to help protect quarterback Justin Fields after the Bears traded back one spot with the Philadelphia Eagles. Wright, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 330 pounds, played a significant role in Tennessee achieving an 11-2 record and finishing sixth in the final AP Top 25 poll. He was also first-team All-SEC as a right tackle last season but played left tackle in 2021. Chicago have also signed South Carolina defensive tackle Zacch Pickens and Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott to their rookie deals. The Bears have contracted seven of their ten draft picks, including Gervon Dexter, Tyrique Stevenson and Roschon Johnson.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2023/05/15/bears-sign-1st-round-selection-darnell-wright-2-more-draft-picks.html
Justin Thomas looking to find results as he defends PGA Championship title

Associated Press

23-05-15 21:46


Justin Thomas is uncertain what to expect at this year's PGA Championship, having fallen out of the top 10 in golf rankings for the first time in almost six years. Last year's victory at Southern Hills remains his only win in the past two years, testing his confidence despite his current ranking of No. 13 in the world. However, he is feeling more positive as a result of a slight improvement at the Wells Fargo Championship. Thomas will compete at Oak Hill where the race for No. 1 in the world is up for grabs.

https://apnews.com/article/justin-thomas-pga-championship-oak-hill-75f0d627af224c55307b500f80be45dd
4 college football matchups, NBA draft plans headline ESPN presentation

The Toronto Star

23-05-16 14:58


Sports broadcaster ESPN has announced the four key fixtures for the forthcoming college football season and the NBA draft, both of which it will air. The company will carry the NBA draft for the third year running, with ESPN having had a broadcast licence since 2003. The event will be on June 22 in New York and will feature host Malika Andrews, with the ABC broadcast of the first round listing Kevin Negandhi and Stephen A Smith as presenters. Meanwhile, ESPN and ABC will also air key college football games. These include the Labor Day meeting between Florida State and LSU on September 3, and on September 9, Alabama will host Texas. Notre Dame's match at Clemson on November 4 and the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma from Dallas on October 7 will also be carried on ABC. ESPN's announcement came on the same day as it spoke to advertisers in New York as part of the Walt Disney Company's presentation of its entire program for advertisers.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/2023/05/16/4-college-football-matchups-nba-draft-plans-headline-espn-presentation.html
Wounded man who invaded Senate with knife sentenced to prison for Capitol riot

The Toronto Star

23-05-16 20:30


Alabama man Joshua Matthew Black has been sentenced to 22 months in prison plus two years' supervised release for the invasion of the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. Black had been armed with a knife when he stormed the congress building after attending Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally. He had already been convicted of five counts, including three felonies, and will be credited with time already served while detained in custody. Black's sentence had been recommended at five years by US prosecutors.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2023/05/16/wounded-man-who-invaded-senate-with-knife-sentenced-to-prison-for-capitol-riot.html
Spurs win NBA draft lottery, earning right to draft generational prospect Wembanyama

CBC

23-05-17 00:49


The San Antonio Spurs, who had a 14% chance of getting the top pick in the US National Basketball Association's (NBA's) draft lottery, have won it and plan to make 19-year-old Frenchman Victor Wembanyama the overall No. 1 selection. The 7-foot-3 player owns the shooting touch of a wing, the height of a centre and the passing ability of a point guard, according to experts. This year, the Spurs were tied for the second-worst NBA record and are known for developing international talent including Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/nba-draft-lottery-spurs-wembanyama-may-16-1.6845830
North Carolina GOP takes first step to override veto of 12-week abortion limit

The Independent

23-05-16 22:38


The Republican-controlled Senate of North Carolina voted to override the Democratic governor's veto of a bill banning most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy with only this veto needing to be overridden to make the policy law. This move comes as lawmakers debate laws to limit or restrict access to abortion in many southern states. Abortion is either banned or severely restricted in many southern states, with nine states throughout the US banning abortions throughout the entire pregnancy. If the recent bills proposed in the Carolinas, Florida and Virginia become law, it is seen as "just devastating for abortion access in the South," said Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia. The limitations would make the Carolinas two of the few states left that still have relatively easy access to abortions that did not undergo significant restrictions.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/north-carolina-ap-roy-cooper-republicans-south-carolina-b2340180.html
The best crime novels this summer – and our verdict on Richard Coles

Telegraph

23-05-17 06:00


The End of the Game by Holly Watt, set in the football world, is recommended by the Telegraph in its list of the best thrillers of the season. The fourth in Watt's Casey Benedict series, Watt steps out of her usual mode to infiltrate the world of game fixing as an WAG. The journalist's musings inject a moral edge into the story, making it thought-provoking and gripping. The list also includes A Death in the Parish by Richard Coles, an entertaining and sensitive portrayal of Canon Daniel Clement's attempts to guide the bereaved, Clyde Morton's Viper’s Dream by Jake Lamar, and #Panic by Luke Jennings.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/review-richard-coles-death-parish-crime-novel-best/
The best crime novels this summer – and our verdict on Richard Coles

Telegraph

23-05-17 06:00


The End of the Game by Holly Watt, set in the football world, is recommended by the Telegraph in its list of the best thrillers of the season. The fourth in Watt's Casey Benedict series, Watt steps out of her usual mode to infiltrate the world of game fixing as an WAG. The journalist's musings inject a moral edge into the story, making it thought-provoking and gripping. The list also includes A Death in the Parish by Richard Coles, an entertaining and sensitive portrayal of Canon Daniel Clement's attempts to guide the bereaved, Clyde Morton's Viper’s Dream by Jake Lamar, and #Panic by Luke Jennings.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/review-richard-coles-death-parish-crime-novel-best/
‘Mississippi miracle’: Kids’ reading scores have soared in Deep South states

The Toronto Star

23-05-17 12:58


Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama in the US, known as part of the Gulf South, are becoming models for education in the region, outpacing many other US states, according to the Associated Press. Alabama will join Mississippi in holding back students if they cannot pass a reading test in third grade but will also offer multiple, intensive tutoring and summer tutoring camps. The efforts are underpinned by a focus on early identification of children with a reading deficiency or dyslexia; phonics and early screening are emphasised in the new laws. The turnaround has gained national attention, showing progress is possible, even in areas with poor previous educational outcomes. Other states including Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky have adopted similar policies. However, some Gulf South states still have much work to do before every child can read; approximately 40% of Louisiana third graders could not read at grade level in 2020, for example.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2023/05/17/mississippi-miracle-kids-reading-scores-have-soared-in-deep-south-states.html
Scotia analyst’s top picks in the yield-heavy energy infrastructure sector

The Globe and Mail

23-05-17 12:07


Citi analyst Shreyas Madabushi has reiterated the company's bullish prediction on lithium prices due to the anticipated improvement of China's EV market and the return of battery restocking in H2 2023. Madabushi claims that lithium prices hit $28,000 per tonne in China over the past two weeks after declining by around 70% over the last five months to $22,000 per tonne. He targets a 25-40% upside, predicting that lithium carbonate prices have reached a bottom, citing improving market sentiment, demand from physical traders, recovering EV sales, lower inventories in the supply chain and more robust export arbitrage. Meanwhile, Bloomberg's energy specialist Javier Blas argues that weak oil prices are due to the thriving black market in oil, with Iran, Russia and Venezuela responsible for almost all the unanticipated and excessive production. Black market crude is available at a discount, with Iranian production having hit a four-year high last month, up 50% from mid-2020.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/inside-the-market/article-scotia-analysts-top-picks-in-the-yield-heavy-energy-infrastructure/
After a customer said a promo was deceptive, BetMGM offered him $12,000

Washington Post

23-05-17 12:00


US sportsbooks have been deploying "risk-free" bets to attract new customers and coax deposits from existing ones. Critics, including some within the gambling industry, have warned these offers are often deceptive, leading people to wager over their heads under the false impression they literally have nothing to lose. In recent months, Ohio and Massachusetts have outlawed promotions deemed too risky, while the NBA has now prohibited advertisers from using "risk-free". Some firms have rebranded from "risk-free" to "no sweat", however, critics argue these modified offers are just as obscure. In 2020, BetMGM was advertising itself to new customers as providing "risk-free" bets of up to $1,000, however, it emerged there were complications, and its offer was for "bonus bets" that paid out in a different way to regular cash bets. Richard Schuetz, a gaming consultant and former regulator in California, said free bets disguised as bonus bets have long been a pet peeve of his.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/05/17/betmgm-risk-free-bets/
North Carolina GOP overrides veto of 12-week abortion limit, allowing it to become law

The Globe and Mail

23-05-17 11:45


Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have overruled a veto by Governor Roy Cooper to pass legislation banning most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy in the state. Members of the party claimed the limits were a middle ground as the state already bans nearly all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy without rape or incest caveats. The votes were part of a wider shift on the issue across the US, with lawmakers in South Carolina and Nebraska also considering new abortion limits. The North Carolina law will include rape or incest exceptions through 20 weeks of pregnancy and exceptions for "life-limiting" fetal anomalies during the first 24 weeks. The bans are possible as in 2020 the US Supreme Court struck down landmark 1973 ruling Roe v. Wade which had established a nationwide right to abortion.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-north-carolina-gop-overrides-veto-of-12-week-abortion-limit-allowing/