Author: Caleb Wood

Andy Kennedy’s second season at UAB has high expectations. The UAB Blazers men’s basketball team was selected first in the Conference USA men’s basketball preseason poll and junior guard Tavin Lovan was selected to the preseason all-conference team by the league’s 14 head coach. The Blazers finished first in the poll with 190 points and eight first place votes. Louisiana Tech followed behind quickly in second place with 184 points and six first place votes. Western Kentucky, Marshall and Old Dominion rounded out the top five. Lovan was selected as one of the 11 members on the preseason all-conference team.…

Students gathered on the campus green under a variety of pride flags Tuesday as various campus organizations handed out information and goodies to students about UAB’s services and organizations for LGBTQ individuals. This small tabling event is the start of a week of events called Coming Out on the Green. In addition to Tuesday’s activities, there will be a discussion on the history of ball, a virtual SafeZone training and a drag ball. The event was cohosted by Queer Peers, Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs, SafeZone, the Social Justice Advocacy Council, and Aura Literary Arts Magazine. Beyond just the organization…

Incumbent mayor Randall Woodfin cruised to victory in Tuesday night’s mayoral election capturing 64.33% of the vote, according to unofficial results, and avoiding a runoff. “I told you all four years ago that we will put people first, and every single day that’s what we’ve done,” Woodfin said in an acceptance speech at The Fennec. Jefferson County commissioner Lashunda Scales finished in second place with 20.77% of the vote, and former Mayor William Bell finished in third with 9.14%. Scales and Bell both conceded the election Tuesday night. Woodfin’s campaign emphasized his administration’s work in neighborhood revitalization, blight removal and…

UAB announced today that employees working in its hospital and clinic environments must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. “Patients in our hospital and clinical settings are vulnerable, very sick and at higher risk for complications,” said vice president of clinical support services Sarah Nafziger. “Unvaccinated health care workers put these patients at greater risk, given that their jobs require close interaction with them and others who are immunocompromised. UAB Medicine’s Medical Executive Committee has determined the appropriate standard of care requires vaccination – it is the best way to provide a safe environment to care for its patients, as…

This article was updated on Aug. 19 Davis Gustafson announced that he is stepping down from the role of executive vice president of the UAB Undergraduate Student Government (USGA) in a letter posted to the group’s Instagram Monday afternoon. Gustafson cited his mental health and other responsibilities as reasons for his decision. “In light of recent family issues and other commitments, I have made the realization that I will not be able to give my all to this role for the upcoming year and need to prioritize my mental health,” Gustafson wrote in the letter. View this post on Instagram…

Television Shalen Lawson, Reporter I’ve been watching “Solar Opposites” on Hulu. From the creators of Rick and Morty, this adult animated series is a bit of fun passive TV that fans of the original show can appreciate (even though it’s not nearly as good.) Caleb Wood, Managing Editor I’ve catching back up on “The Good Fight” on Paramount Plus. It’s such a fantastic reminder of how Christine Baranski and Delroy Lindo are two of the best working actors on the planet. Given their earlier projects, it’s a combination that doesn’t seem instinctual, yet their chemistry helps carry an already amazing…

Football announces recent graduate ticket deal Former UAB students who graduated between spring 2020 and spring 2021 will be able to claim a spot at the Blazers’ first season in Protective stadium. The UAB Department of Athletics is offering these recent graduates free season tickets for the 2021 season after the COVID-19 capacity restrictions on athletic events in 2020-21 seasons. An email from UAB Athletics will be sent to recent graduates @uab.edu email address with detailed instructions on how to claim their tickets, and the department gives instructions on its website. Six Blazer football players land on preseason watchlists Over…

The 31-game schedule is highlighted by matchups with South Carolina, West Virginia and Conference USA’s top teams.

All eyes may be on the Olympics right now, but there is still sporting news happening right now in Birmingham. Moll, McBride, Pittman land on preseason football watchlists As football season inches closer and closer, key UAB players have been making noise in several preseason award watchlists. Kristopher Moll was one of 90 players named to the preseason watchlist for the Bednarik Award, honoring the nation’s top defensive player, on July 19. The redshirt senior linebacker has been a key contributor to the Blazers’ strong defense in his time at UAB, earning first-team All-Conference-USA honors last season. DeWayne McBride was…

Books Elizabeth Guffin, Copy Editor “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn is one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s a twist on Arthurian legend and has a lot of plot twists you don’t see coming. It also has a lot of discussions on race, especially in the South. The second book in the series is expected to come out next year. “Legendborn” is available to purchase from most major bookstores and to borrow in libraries now. “Clap When You Land” by Elizabeth Avecedo is a verse novel that talks about the devastation of loss, the difficult of forgiveness, and…