Good morning, Tuscaloosa.

The Tuscaloosa News invites readers to cast votes for the 2025 Flag Football Player and Coach of the Year by supporting Northside standout Avery Patton and coach Riley Grace Honeycutt — votes remain open until noon Monday, Jan.

19.

Techstars is co-hosting two 10-week Founder Catalyst programs on water tech & sustainability in spring and fall, and a free Startup Weekend from Jan.

23-25 at The EDGE Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, in partnership with The University and the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority.

The University now does scholarship reviews every semester instead of once a year.

Its first review took place after fall 2025 and students must keep a 3.0 GPA (with 67% hours completed) to avoid academic warning and losing their scholarships.

A new scholarship for UA upperclassmen facing unexpected financial challenges has been established by converting a 1990s endowed student loan fund.

Applications open Jan. 15 and require an essay on each student's financial needs.

Alabama’s men’s basketball team is receiving about $2.9 million from House v.

NCAA settlement funds as part of the school’s revenue share program, which excludes NIL deals. Athletic director Greg Byrne explained that funds are allocated based on each sport’s revenue generation.

After a 92-88 loss to Texas on Jan.

10, Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats said he will adjust the team's defensive effort ahead of conference games. The Crimson Tide will face Mississippi State on Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT and play Oklahoma on Saturday.

Voting is open for the Tuscaloosa News Boys Athlete of the Week from Jan.

3-9 (nominations include Underwood Jr., Armstrong, Ciatiello, and Brown); votes must be cast by noon Thursday, Jan. 15.

Transfer portal running back commit Hollywood Smothers flipped his commitment from Alabama to Texas after a weekend visit, even though he enrolled on Jan.

5 and planned to move here this weekend. The Crimson Tide now has eight remaining portal commitments.

High school basketball playoffs will start with area tournaments for Classes 1A-6A on Feb.

5 and for Class 7A on Feb. 11, followed by subregional rounds (Feb. 13-14) and regional play before the state tournament runs from March 2-7 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

Alabama accepted former Mississippi State defensive tackle Kedrick Bingley-Jones via the transfer portal on Sunday evening + he has one season of eligibility remaining as the Crimson Tide’s ninth transfer.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson declared for the NFL draft on Sunday and received multi-million-dollar offers from Miami, Tennessee and Ole Miss to return for one final college season, but he is expected to remain in the NFL draft as he prepares for the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

Bridgerton High Tea and Craft Night

5:30-11:30 p.m. — Tuscaloosa Public Library — Registration required — Celebrate the upcoming season of Bridgerton with tea, crafting, and delightful discussions.

Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert

1-4 p.m. — The Historic Bama Theatre — Tickets from $104 — Enjoy timeless big band classics with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in a historic venue.