Through the years, Talladega Superspeedway’s rough edges were sanded. Some splashes of paint found their way onto structures. Brick and mortar replaced aluminum siding and tin roofs. But its overall look and the essence of the place didn’t change.

Not long ago, an Alabama Democrat — something roughly akin to Hockey-Playing Bahamians in scarcity — confided in me. “I’d give anything if Nick Saban would run for Alabama governor as a Democrat,” he said.

The White House has turned the phrase “fake news” into its B-1 bomber of a weapon to discredit those who don’t choose to play along, who chose to seek facts and report with accuracy.

Up in the air. Again. And here comes Reclining Rebecca, dropping her seatback so far into my lap, we’re closer than a slow dance at the junior-senior prom.

I shared that moment with Dr. Ruth Jones. She’s the second woman to have earned a PhD in physics in the state of Alabama (from Alabama A&M) and she’s been at NASA since 1995. She’s a mishap investigation specialist at NASA now.

The legacy of Dr. King is complex and deep. It’s historic and heroic.

Mark McCarter's column for Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

As much as I embrace most everything about Christmas and all the hoopla except The Hunt For The Elusive Parking Space, I can do without the calendar full of holiday parties.

This is a story about troubled kids, kids in trouble, a dedicated young teacher, the most famous trophy in American sports – and an opportunity for you to make a difference.

So many hours of practice. So much dedication. So many minor injuries to withstand. So much conditioning. So much skill and teamwork.

Because a 24-year-old school bus driver with one accident already on his record was allegedly driving much too fast, five children were killed and many more injured when their bus careened off the road and was nearly cut in half by a tree.

It’s something that, after all these years in the business, you just take for granted, like oxygen and running water and a Waffle House at every other exit. It’s a protective shield you never take time to ponder.

Brandy ... Stepping down? C’mon. Who are you kidding?

The best flight ever? There’s not even a close second.

TALLADEGA – They weren’t really going to blow up something up on the speedway, were they? Were they?

The long-time Birmingham broadcast personality on radio and TV shares his memories with Anniston Star sports correspondent Mark McCarter.

“I remember Grant (Lynch, track chairman) and I were talking and we weren’t in favor of it. ‘Talladega Nights.’ What does that mean?” said Rick Humphrey, the general manager at Talladega Superspeedway when Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay conjured the notion of “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”

A jury summons arrived in the mail recently, the first one I’d received in 30 or more years.

We hear a city’s name, and it immediately prompts thoughts of a shooting controversy. Ferguson. Baton Rouge. Dallas. Tulsa. Charlotte.