Local Time Line

Estes: Determined coach, lack of another bona fide threat in the SEC makes Crimson Tide good bet to win another national title. Oh, and defending champions also return some top-notch talent

Tourists are staying  away from what they fear are oil-coated coastlines — a perception officials say could take years to overcome and cost the region billions of dollars.

Defending champion Alabama is the No. 1 team in the AP preseason college football poll, followed by Ohio State, Boise State, Florida and Texas. College football – Sports – AP Poll – Football – American

A stack of business cards for tourists sits on a countertop beside the cash register at Zeke’s Marina on the Alabama shore. Beside it sits another stack, advertising mental health counseling for locals. Alabama – Business – Mental health – Health – Zeke

Seafood from parts of the oil-fouled Gulf of Mexico has been declared safe to eat by the government, based in part on human smell tests. But some Gulf fishermen question the results