Birmingham News

al.com — MOBILE, Alabama - Even if Hanford Dixon hadn't been a two-time first-team All-Pro selection at cornerback, his legacy with the Cleveland Browns would be secure: He's the father of the Dawg Pound. Giving rise to hundreds of fans barking through dog masks in the end-zone stands at Cleveland Municipal Stadium isn't why Dixon is joining the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, though.

al.com — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is asking our state Legislature to postpone implementation of the controversial Alabama Accountability Act for two years. Rather than accept the governor's 11th-hour amendment to the bill, Senate President Protem Del Marsh said he will allow the original bill, passed early in the session, to remain in force.

al.com — BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Phil's BBQ in Eufaula won the first Alabama BBQ Sauce-Off in a blind taste test Saturday at the Pepper Place farmers market in Birmingham. A panel of celebrity judges picked Phil's as the state sauce champion from a group of four finalists that also included LawLers Barbecue Sauce from Athens, Costa's Famous Original Bar-B-Que Sauce from Birmingham and Viper Sauce from Fairhope.

al.com — Alabama and Auburn will meet on the first day of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on Tuesday. The 12-team SEC Tournament is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. with No. 6 seed Ole Miss facing No. 11 Kentucky. No. 7 Alabama will face No.

blog.al.com — Richard DeCoatsworth, 27 has gone from sitting between Jill Biden and Michelle Obama to facing time sitting in jail. According to the New York Daily News, DeCoatsworth is accused of forcing two women to perform sexual acts at gun point and making them take drugs.

al.com — Few players from the state of Alabama can boast a more well-rounded 2012 season than Opelika's Jakell Mitchell. He led the team with 17 rushing touchdowns, added more than 400 yards as a receiver, threw his only pass for a touchdown and registered 15 tackles on defense.

al.com — MOBILE, Alabama - It was a long day for South Alabama's softball team on Saturday. They are hoping for a long day on Sunday, too. The Jaguars, the No. 1 seed at the NCAA softball regional on their home field, Jaguar Field, met No.

al.com — MOBILE, Alabama - Intensity is at the heart of college baseball and certainly has a strong basis in rivalries. So when a baseball rivalry collides with a battle for a conference championship, well, it's fair to say there's no shortage of energy or interest. And certainly no shortage of intensity.

al.com — NEW ORLEANS - The Troy Trojans and South Alabama Jaguars have been crowned co-champions of the 2013 Sun Belt Conference regular season after both teams reached the 20-win plateau in conference play. Troy took two-of-three games this past weekend and will be the tournament's number one overall seed.

al.com — HOOVER, Alabama -- The Southeastern Conference's baseball tournament returns to Hoover for the 16th straight year with four single-elimination games Tuesday. The SEC expanded the tournament to 12 teams, providing a few more storylines and, the conference office hopes, more interest in the tournament.

blog.al.com — COTTONDALE, Alabama -- A man was shot at a hunting camp on Clements Road early Saturday after a suspect hunting hogs possibly mistook the victim for an animal, according to the Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit. About 1 a.m., Tuscaloosa deputies responded to a reported shooting at the hunting club off Clements Road.

blog.al.com — Auburn graduate and star of the smash hit reality diving series "Splash," Katherine Webb, is covering Hangout Fest for MTV, and around lunch, she hopped on the Mega Drop with Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Chrissy Teigen. The pair, along with Vinny Guadagnino from MTV's Jersey Shore, have mingled among festival goers for the last two days, filming man-on-the-street interviews and taking in the attractions.

blog.al.com — DALLAS -- A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association reminds physicians and people with congenital heart disease that regular physical activity is still important and should be promoted. Congenital heart disease (heart structural problems existing since birth) is estimated to affect more than 859,000 children and 850,000 adults in the United States.

al.com — MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Crowds gathered at Riverfront Park on Saturday to enjoy their favorite Alabama beers and take in some live music at the River Bend Brewfest and River Jam in Montgomery. During the River Bend Brewfest, attendees got the opportunity to sample more than 70 locally, regionally and nationally produced craft, seasonal, specialty and microbrew beers while overlooking the Alabama River.

blog.al.com — MONTGOMERY, Alabama --- Gov. Robert Bentley today urged hundreds of city council members and municipal officials from across the state to call their legislators in support of his executive amendment to the Alabama Accountability Act. Bentley spoke at the Alabama League of Municipalities 78th annual convention in Montgomery.