Alabama public universities

Alabama students of all ages are getting a little bit of financial help in taking the next steps in their futures when it comes to higher education. Alabama College Application Week will take place Oct. 7-11 with waived application fees. Some colleges and universities also refer to this time as "Free App Week."

The three University of Alabama System campuses have shuttered diversity, equity and inclusion offices_ and shifted staff and functions to new programs. The moves were taken to comply with a new Republican-backed state law that seeks to ban so-called DEI programs on public college campuses in Alabama.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham will move from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference. UAB officials said this shift will allow the school to gain more exposure, better finance its athletic programs and renew historic sports rivalries.

This is the one day each year where crazy antics and colorful costumes are encouraged at the state Capitol. Gov. Robert Bentley is being joined Friday by…