Aniah Blanchard Remembered for Smiles, Laughter and Encouragement
Blue ribbons. Blue flowers. Blue balloons. All part of the tribute to Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student who was abducted and killed this fall. Family and friends gathered for her funeral Saturday at the Faith Chapel Christian Center in Birmingham.
Speakers noted her favorite color, which was baby blue, her smile, her laughter and her encouragement to others. They read passages from the Bible and spoke of her Christian faith.
“Aniah has this light, this energy, this vibe about her that’s beautiful,”Blanchard’s cousin Hannah Haley said. “It was contagious and she shared that light everywhere she went.”
Blanchard was a Homewood native and the step-daughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris. She attended Southern Union Community College and was last seen October 23rd at a convenience store in Auburn. Her vehicle was later found in Montgomery. Authorities found her remains in November in a wooded area of Macon County. Three people were arrested in connection with her abduction and death, although charges against one have been dropped.
Blanchard’s mother, Angela Harris, fought back tears as she described Blanchard as her “mini-me.” The two shared a birthday.
“There is nothing, not one thing bad to say about her,” Harris said. “She was the glue to our family. She held us all together.”
Blanchard played softball at Homewood High School. Former coach Ami Letson said Blanchard cared for her teammates and wanted to keep them smiling. Letson recalled a time when, after defeating another school’s team, Blanchard went to the opposing players to encourage them.
“This was who Aniah was. She wanted everyone to feel important, to feel needed and to feel loved,” Letson said.
Homewood City Schools Superintendent Bill Cleveland announced a college scholarship will be created in memory of Blanchard. The City of Homewood issued a proclamation declaring Saturday “Aniah Blanchard Day.”
The family expressed thanks to those who provided support since Blanchard’s disappearance, including churches, public officials, law enforcement and groups that aided in the search. Harris told the audience she now has new mission in life.
“I’ll keep fighting forever for Aniah, for justice for Aniah, to do anything I can to help this world be a better place and everybody be safe and protected,” Harris said. “I know that’s what Aniah would want.”
Trump signs executive actions on education, including efforts to rein in DEI
The directives include new efforts to curtail DEI programs at colleges, and discipline guidance for public schools.
A dozen states sue the Trump administration to stop tariff policy
A dozen states have sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade to stop its tariff policy, challenging Trump's claim that he could arbitrarily impose tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Air pollution still plagues nearly half of Americans. That does a number on our health
Despite improvements in air quality in past decades, 156 million Americans still breathe in too much soot or ozone, says the annual State of the Air report from the American Lung Association.
Eli Lilly sues companies selling alternative versions of its weight loss drug
The drug company Eli Lilly is suing four telehealth companies for allegedly selling copies made by compounding pharmacies of its drug Zepbound.
After a scathing rebuke, judge grants DOJ an extension in deportation case
A federal judge gave the Trump administration another week to answer detailed questions about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man whose illegal deportation has raised concerns about due process.
Funding cut for landmark study of women’s health
The Women's Health Initiative, begun in the 1990s, has made many important discoveries. Now funding to collect more research data will end in September.
