English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Tuscaloosa, AL

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A proposed amendment that would require Alabama’s public schools to play the national anthem once each week cleared the Alabama Senate on Tuesday.

The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, passed the Alabama Senate by a 22–5 vote and now heads to the Alabama House of Representatives for consideration.

Allen said Senate Bill 5 proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama that would require local boards of education to adopt policies mandating that the first stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner" be played at least once each week in K-12 public schools across the state.

This is the seventh time Allen has introduced the amendment, which failed to make it out of the Alabama Statehouse during the 2025 legislative session.

Allen said the proposal is intended to reinforce civic understanding among students and comes as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding.

“The Star-Spangled Banner reminds us who we are as Americans,” Allen said in a statement. “When you hear it, you think about the sacrifices that were made for our freedom and the pride we all feel in this country. Our children should grow up hearing that message and understanding what it means so the next generation appreciates the blessings of living in the United States.”

Because the measure proposes a constitutional amendment, it must receive support from at least 60% of lawmakers in both chambers of the Alabama Legislature before it can advance to voters.

If approved by the House of Representatives, the proposed amendment would be placed on the statewide ballot for Alabama voters to decide.

Allen said he believes the amendment would receive strong public support and would serve as a way to pass along the story and meaning of the national anthem to future generations.

“Our national anthem carries the story of our country and the sacrifices that built it,” Allen said. “Making sure our students hear it each week helps pass that story on to the next generation.”

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Bama moves to 9-0 with four wins in the Bama Bash.

The crooked numbers catch the attention, but the big story here was Vic Moten continuing her roll. She struck out the side to open the game and whiffed six Boilermakers over her 4.0 innings. The freshman had two walks and allowed only a single. Alea Johnson had a walk in the final frame but the other three Boilermakers she faced went down on strikes.

The Crimson Tide worked over four Purdue pitchers over the four innings they batted. Bama collected 9 hits, 9 walks, and had only one strikeout. Once again, it was 3rd inning fireworks for Alabama. Audrey Vandagriff led off the inning with a single and Brooke Wells took a base on balls. Vandagriff would come into score on an error at first base. Alexis Pupillo and Marlie Giles had back-to-back RBI singles. Abby Duchscherer and Ana Roman would both earn an RBI with bases loaded walks. Jena Young had a sac fly to make it 5-0. Brooke Wells would then clear the bases with a 3-run double.

NOTES:

Jocelyn Briski got her first start of the season and struck out the first batter of the game, but the pitch was wild and the hitter reached base. The next batter went down in Flames (sorry, not sorry). But then things got a little wonky. After a single, the next batter reached on a throwing error by Briski that loaded the bases. The next batter singled in a run for an early 1-0 advantage.

Bama struck back in a hurry as Audrey Vandagriff singled and stole second. Brooke Wells then came up and crushed a ball over the left field wall.

More trouble for Briski in the 2nd. Liberty retook the lead with three singles and that was the end of the day for the Crimson Tide pitcher. Kaitlyn Pallozzi entered the game and got the final out of the inning.

In the bottom of 4th, Alexis Pupillo led off with a walk and Ana Roman singled, moving Pup up to third base. Roman stole second, advanced to third and Pupillo scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Abby Duchscherer followed with an RBI single to retake the lead for good. A Jena Young triple and a Lauren Johnson single pushed the advantage to 6-3.

Pallozzi (2-0) pitched a good game. She allowed only three singles over 5.1 innings and struck out a quartet of Flames.

NOTES:

It was Senior Day for Alexis Pupillo, but she did not have any highlights in Game 3.

Vic Moten (5-0) had another masterful performance, earning a complete game one-hit win. She totaled 5 Ks and walked one over an economical 75 pitches.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Bama loaded the bases and Brooke Wells on a Liberty offering that she deposited into left center field for 2 RBIs. Audrey Vandagriff knocked one in on a fielder’s choice and an error would plate a fourth run for the Tide in the frame.

After quiet 3rd and 4th innings, the bench got a rally going in the 5th when singles by Larissa Preuitt, Kristen White, and Gerritt Griggs set the table for Vandagriff. On a 2-1 pitch, the Tide All-American hit a grand slam to walk it off for Alabama.

Jocelyn Briski was back in the circle with a vengeance as she struck out the first six batters of the game and seven overall in 3.0 innings of no hit ball. Kaitlyn Pallozzi pitched a no-hit 4th inning. Braya Hodges gave the first and only Purdue hit of the game in the 5th.

As per usual, Audrey Vandagriff got things going for the Crimson Tide offensively with a leadoff single and a stolen base. Following two outs and a walk, Alexis Pupillo singled her in. A bases loaded walk to Jena Young made it 2-0, but Abby Duchscherer struck out with the bases full of Tide runners.

Alabama again loaded the bases in the 2nd, but only came out with one run on a Salen Hawkins fielder’s choice. But the Tide shortstop made up for it in the 4th when she singled in a pair of runs. Marlie Giles joined the fun with an RBI double. And on her Senior Day, Alexis Pupillo sent an offering over the right center wall to cap the scoring.

NOTES:

Due to bad weather in Tuscaloosa, all of Sunday’s scheduled games were canceled.

[SURGEON GENERAL WARNING: The section below is not all rainbows, lollipops, and unicorns. If we see an issue that we deem worth discussing, RBR is not going to shy away from it. That is the MO that this whole website is based on. If you want sunshine pumped up your nether regions, there are PLENTY of those people more than willing to provide that service. If you are easily triggered, stop reading now and play the above video on repeat. If you live in the real world, carry on my wayward son.]

It was hard to narrow it down since there were so many good performances.

Things get real for the Crimson Tide as they travel to Tallahassee for the Dugout Club Classic.

There has been no announcement but assume that there will be no airing of the Elon or Dartmouth games. The pair against FSU will likely be available on ACCNX Streaming (ESPN+).

#RollTide #Team30

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa Academy (TA) announced Wednesday it has been named an Advanced Placement Honor Roll Platinum School by the College Board.

The Tuscaloosa private school says the honor is the highest level of distinction, before pointing out that TA was the only school in Tuscaloosa County to receive the honor.

TA says the The Platinum designation places the school among a select group of schools nationwide recognized for both strong student participation in AP coursework and high levels of success on AP exams.

The College Board reports that 16,068 schools nationwide were eligible for AP Honor Roll recognition, with only 36% earning any level of distinction, while just 8% achieved Platinum status.

In Alabama, approximately 5% of qualifying schools reached the Platinum level.

TA says the AP Honor Roll Platinum distinction is based on two primary measures: the percentage of students participating in Advanced Placement courses and the percentage of those students earning scores that qualify for college credit.

School leaders said the recognition reflects both the rigor of the curriculum and the support systems in place to help students succeed.

“This honor reflects the dedication and determination of our students, who continually rise to the challenge of advanced coursework,” Head of School Beckie Share said. “It also speaks to the extraordinary commitment of our faculty, whose expertise and high expectations prepare students not only for AP exams, but for college and beyond.”

Tuscaloosa Academy officials also said the school’s AP program is designed to balance access with achievement, encouraging students to enroll in challenging courses while providing academic guidance and preparation throughout the process.

“We are incredibly proud of what this recognition represents for our entire school community,” Share said. “It affirms what we see every day at Tuscaloosa Academy: our students are capable of exceptional things, and they are supported by teachers who deeply believe in their potential.”

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Tuscaloosa announced that it has voluntarily dismissed its legal challenge over the state's handling of the Simplified Sellers Use Tax

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The City of Tuscaloosa announced Wednesday that it has voluntarily dismissed its legal challenge over the state’s handling of the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT), signaling that it will work with state lawmakers on the long-debated issue online sales tax distribution.

City officials describe the move as a good faith step aimed at collaborating with the Alabama Legislature on reforms to the SSUT system. The city said the case was dismissed without prejudice, preserving the city’s ability to refile the lawsuit if discussions fail to produce what leaders describe as a fair resolution.

As Patch previously reported, Tuscaloosa filed the lawsuit in August, arguing that the state’s current method of administering the SSUT does not adequately ensure that tax revenue generated within a municipality remains in that community.

Several municipalities and school systems across Alabama later joined the legal challenge, including Tuscaloosa City Schools

As Patch previously reported, the Simplified Sellers Use Tax was established to collect sales tax from out-of-state online retailers and distribute the revenue statewide. However, municipalities like Tuscaloosa have contended that the current distribution model fails to account for growth in e-commerce and may shortchange local governments and school systems.

Destination sourcing has also been a much-discussed topic and refers to a method of allocating sales tax revenue based on where goods are delivered rather than where a seller is located.

Tuscaloosa officials have argued that updating the system would ensure local governments receive the full benefit of online purchases made by their residents.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said the decision to dismiss the case reflects the city’s continued push for long-term reform rather than prolonged litigation.

“Each day, we work hard making our schools strong and our neighborhoods safer,” Maddox said in a statement. “For nearly a decade, we have been working to find common sense solutions to the outdated SSUT system. This decision reflects our commitment to protect the State’s general fund and modernize our sales tax code to destination sourcing.”

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The school system aims to implement the curriculum in all second grade classrooms across the city.

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) announced Monday it will launch a new supplemental social studies curriculum for second grade students with a series of kickoff events Feb. 4–5 at each of the district’s high schools.

TCS says its new partnership with the Huntsville-based Liberty Learning Foundation will implement the curriculum in all second grade classrooms across the city school system.

The initiative is purportedly designed to introduce students to key events in American history, notable national figures and holidays, and foundational democratic principles such as equality, justice and responsibility for the common good.

TCS leadership said the curriculum aims to help students connect the principles of American democracy to the nation’s founding in ways that are engaging and age-appropriate.

At the center of the initiative is the Liberty Learning Foundation’s Super Citizen Program, a 10-week experience designed for students in grades K–2.

The Liberty Learning Foundation says this program incorporates hand-puppet videos, music and interactive learning activities to boost student engagement, while aiming to improve comprehension and retention.

A hallmark of the program is the “Helping Hands” project, which encourages students to nominate and recognize local community heroes. School officials said the project is intended to cultivate gratitude, civic pride and an appreciation for those who serve others.

The program will conclude with a celebration recognizing students’ growth as informed, responsible and compassionate citizens.

“TCS is excited to provide our students with enriching learning opportunities that build strong character and civic understanding from an early age,” said Keith Summerford, co-lead of social studies curriculum for Tuscaloosa City Schools. “This partnership with Liberty Learning will help our children develop the knowledge and values needed to become thoughtful members of their community.”

Kickoff events will be held at the three TCS high schools on Feb. 4-5.

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