Good morning, Birmingham.

At Sardis Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, the 15th annual Battle of the Choirs brought Birmingham-area high school students together to perform alongside Alabama State and Alabama A&M choirs, giving students cross-district rehearsal time, exposure to collegiate music, and a showcase of HBCU traditions.

State officials announced the Alabama Farm Center at Hallmark Farm in Warrior received an additional $2.5 million AMLER grant to fund reclamation and site prep for historic coke ovens, mine openings, drainage grading + groundwork for the Big Red Barn.

AAA reported on Oct. 31 that the national average for regular gas fell to $4.18 per gallon, down nine cents from last week, while Alabama's average was $3.745 per gallon + crude oil above $100 per barrel is keeping prices elevated.

Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate is asking the federal government to include loggers in the USDA's $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program announced earlier this month, saying rising diesel prices + operating costs are squeezing the state's $37.5 billion forestry industry and its more than 123,000 jobs.

Alabama has a bye this week, and several Saturday games will shape its playoff and SEC title hopes: Georgia vs. Florida, Texas vs. Mississippi State, Ole Miss vs. Auburn, and Southern Cal vs. Ohio State.

UAB fell 30-10 at South Florida on Saturday after missed field goals and two fumbles allowed USF to take the lead, dropping the Blazers to 4-4 and leaving them winless on the road.

UAB returns next Saturday to play Charlotte at Protective Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Central (on ESPN+).

Birmingham native Daron Payne likely will miss the rest of the 2026 NFL season after suffering a Jones fracture in practice on Friday; the Commanders plan to place the player on injured reserve (29).

An Alabama roundup marking Nick Saban's 75th birthday on Oct.

31 highlights 15 dominant Crimson Tide wins that showcase his six national championships and decades of program dominance.

The 2026 regular season ended and the five-week AHSAA playoffs begin next week, with title games set Dec.

2 to 5 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile (several Class 6A teams earned first-round byes and all 16 Private Double-A teams made the field).

Alabama A&M beat Alabama State 31-28 Saturday at Legion Field in the 85th Magic City Classic, snapping a four-game skid; coach Sam Shade notched the 50th win of his career and QB Cornelious Brown (Offensive MVP) passed for 216 yards, two TDs and added a rushing score.

The 85th Magic City Classic between Alabama A&M and Alabama State kicks off at 2:30 p.m. at Legion Field and will air on ESPN+, with A&M QB Cornelious “Quad” Brown IV and ASU's uncertain quarterback situation after Andrew Body's hand injury the main storylines.

Alabama A&M snapped a four-game losing streak to Alabama State with a 31-28 win at Legion Field on Halloween, led by Cornelious (Quad) Brown's three touchdowns and 216 passing yards (22 of 35) as A&M moved to 7-2; linebacker DJ Barber was defensive MVP and coach Sam Shade earned his first rivalry win.