UA

February marks Body Awareness Month in the United States, including here in Alabama. The month is meant to encourage positive self esteem as well as raise awareness to the signs of disordered eating.

Africa, African culture and Africa history will soon be front and center in an Alabama showcase. The topics are the focus as the annual Tuscaloosa Africana Film Festival, co-sponsored by The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, marks 12 years.

Atlanta police are treating the death of a former head basketball coach at two Georgia universities as a homicide after his body was found in the city shortly after his family reported him missing. News outlets report Sammy Jackson was the former men’s coach at Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University and also had ties to Alabama.

When February rolls around, high school students in one Alabama county have the opportunity to be changemakers in their schools and communities through a new initiative. The Leaders to Legends program, soon to be launched by The University of Alabama, is open to Tuscaloosa County sophomores.

The University of Alabama's School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) will be awarding books to school libraries through the SLIS Book Bonanza for the Black Belt (and Beyond) program. The initiative provides children's and young adult books to school libraries in the Black Belt and in low income areas.

The University of Alabama cheer team is bringing home a national title for the seventh time. According to RollTide.com, the squad's "performance in the final round of the Cheer Division IA Co-Ed Championship cemented its status" for the award. The news outlet reports the win is UA's first co-ed title since 2015.

A lawsuit is challenging a new Alabama law that bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs at universities. The complaint asserts the law illegally places restrictions on educators’ speech and classroom lessons.

President Joe Biden is taking a message to the grieving families of victims in the deadly New Year's attack in New Orleans: “It takes time. You got to hang on.” His visit comes as Gov. Kay Ivey called on Alabama to join Louisiana in a day of mourning for victims, including two who called Alabama home.

No. 19 Alabama visits the California Golden Bears after Zaay Green scored 22 points in the Crimson Tide's 98-49 win over the Georgia State Panthers. Thursday's meeting is the first of the season between the two teams. Cal is 4-0 at home, and Alabama is 2-0 on the road.

The No. 20 North Carolina Tar Heels face the No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide. The teams meet Wednesday for the first time this season. North Carolina is 2-0 at home, and Alabama is 0-1 on the road.