West Alabama Friday Briefing

Good Morning West Alabama! It is Friday, December 13, 2024.

Friday Morning Observation:

The Salvation Army of Tuscaloosa “Red Kettle Campaign” to raise money for the holidays is well underway. It is one of the most critical Christmas fundraisers there is.

The holiday campaign primarily funds the Angel Tree initiative, which provides gifts and clothing to those in need - the program aided more than 1,110 people last year. This year the need is expected to be even greater, needing more help from the community.

You probably know that the kettles are one of the ways the Salvation Army raises funds to help provide food and basic services to the poor. But did you know the kettle idea started in San Francisco back in the late 1800s? It was based on an Army officer’s remembrance of his days as a sailor back in Liverpool where a large kettle was placed on the wharf used by returning ships. Crews were usually paid at the end of a voyage so they would toss in a 'copper or two' to help feed the poor. It worked!

The idea soon spread to other cities across the U.S. and now painted red, the kettles have become Christmas season fixtures at locations such as shopping malls and downtown corners – most overseen by volunteers who believe in the army’s good works.

If you are not out and about this holiday season you can still help. The Red Kettle Campaign now features QR codes enabling digital donations, as well as through credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.

Donations can be made online at tuscaloosakettle.org, and supporters can volunteer to host group fundraisers there as well. You can also learn more by calling 803-417-3577 or visiting salvationarmytuscaloosa.org.

Click HERE to volunteer to ring a bell.

Have a Merry Christmas by helping others!

(Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are not necessarily those of the ownership, management or staff of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

We wrap up the work week with fair weather and temperatures in the upper 50s to near 60 degrees today. Saturday will be a nice day for Christmas shopping and to get any outdoor activities in before showers return to an area northwest of an Aliceville to Tuscaloosa line late in the afternoon, but most rain will hold off until the nighttime hours.

The Forecast:

Today

Cloudy, then gradual clearing during the afternoon, with a high near 57. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 42. East wind around 5 mph.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night

Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday

A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Next Week

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Topping the News:

Alabama Senior Republican U-S Senator Tommy Tuberville is backing President-Elect Trumps controversial choice of Pete Hegseth as the next Secretary of Defense. Appearing on Newsmax he said the former Fox News host is what the Pentagon needs, "We need a drill sergeant, not a general to bring some common sense back to the Pentagon to end the DEI, woke mentality."

Hegseth is attempting to overcome allegations of sexual assault and chronic intoxication in his attempt to win nomination. He has also softened his hardline rhetoric on women in combat and gays in the military.

In a committee hearing yesterday, Alabama's other Republican U.S. Senator Katie Britt took issue with healthcare policies implemented by the National Institute of Health. The junior senator said they are too restrictive and burdensome and are resulting the closure of rural hospitals and place rural residence lives in jeopardy due to being forced to travel long distances for healthcare.

Anyone with information concerning that fatal shooting late Wednesday morning at Forester Garden Apartments on James I. Harrison Parkway is being urged to notify the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit. A 37-year-old man died in the 19^th homicide of the year. Persons with information can call (205) 349-2121.

With the holiday season here Alabama Department of Public Health Dr. West Stubblefield is warning that the state is already experiencing high respiratory disease rates, especially influenza. Stubblefield says it is not too late to be vaccinated before family gatherings for Christmas and New Year’s.

More than 16,000 patrons turned out in October for the Kentuck Festival of the Arts first run since it moved from Northport to Tuscaloosa. It is the largest crowd of the COVId19 era according to Exa Skinner, the executive director of the Kentuck Art Center.

The event's organizers, Thursday, announced dates for its 54th edition next fall - it will be the second week of October 2025, and back in Snow Hinton Park.

The Bama Art House Film Series will return for a limited run featuring four festive favorites, with two screenings on Saturday, December 21st and another two on Monday, December 23rd.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and Christmas Vacation will follow at 7 p.m. The following Monday, showings kick off with Home Alone at 2 p.m. and continue with the Polar Express at 6 p.m.

There have been more court filings in the case of Walker County corrections officers abuse of inmates, including Tony Mitchell, who later died.

A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Jemayel Scott claims correctional officers did nothing to intervene when an officer assaulted a handcuffed inmate.

Courtlan Jones has agreed to plead guilty in connection to Tony Mitchell’s death, as a defendant.

The suit claims Scott received serious injuries to his face after being attack by officers wielding a broomstick, baton and fists.

Topping Sports News:

The College Football Awards were handed out last night and the only Crimson Tide player to win was Quarterback Jalen Milroe who took home the previously announced Campbell Trophy for best performance in the classroom, on the field and in community service.

Milroe also became the first Crimson Tide player in program history to receive the Pop Warner Little Scholars College Football Award, announced on Thursday by Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

The 7th Ranked (AP Poll) Alabama Men's Basketball Team continues their string of challenging pre-conference season games tomorrow night at Coleman Coliseum.

The 7-3 Bluejays make their first ever visit to Tuscaloosa on a three-game winning streak. That includes an upset of No. 1 Kansas last Wednesday.

Alabama is 0 - 3 versus Creighton in the first three matchups.

The game tips at 7:30 Tuscaloosa time.

Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather updates. Better yet, download the app.