West Alabama Friday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Friday, February 21, 2025.

Friday Morning Observations:

We are just over a week away from the beginning of the 2025 Primary Severe Weather Season in Alabama. But as last weekend's tornadoes in Alabama proves, Mother Nature does not go by the calendar. Severe weather, in particularly tornadoes, can occur any day and any time of the day of the year. That fact makes this weekend important.

This is the annual "Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday" weekend. Items that we need to prepare for potential severe storms will be available at retailers across the state without a state, county or municipal tax added to the cost between today and midnight Sunday.

Some of the eligible items include batteries, weather radios, tarps, and other necessary supplies priced at $60 or less per item. Additionally, portable generators priced at $1,000 or less will be exempt from state sales tax. For a full list of eligible items, you can go to www.ema.alabama.gov or revenue.alabama.gov for a list of participating governing bodies.

Families who are prepared stand a greater chance of surviving and more quickly recovering from severe weather.

Alabama EMA Director Jeff Smitherman issued a statement in support of taking advantage of the tax holiday, “Severe weather can happen anytime, but preparation can make all the difference. This sales tax holiday is the perfect opportunity to gather the necessary supplies to keep your family safe and weather any storm. Being prepared is the first step to building a more resilient Alabama,”

We are seeing stronger and more frequent severe storms year around, now is the time to be prepared!

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

Weather:

Today will be mostly sunny but there will be one more night of freezing temperatures before the weekend warmup begins. The good news is the tonight's temperatures will be in the upper 20s with minimal wind chills.

Tomorrow highs will bump up to the mid 50s with spring-like 70s on the way next week.

Heads-up: Long-range computer models are predicting another round of extreme cold and possible snow next month.

The Forecast:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Calm wind.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Next Week:

Sunny days and clear nights with highs in the lower 70s by Tuesday and lows in the lower 40s.

Get our free mobile app

Topping the News:

Another Tornado Discovered by NWS Survey

A damage survey team from the National Weather Service in Birmingham has confirmed an additional tornado from last week’s outbreak. It was an EF-0 in Moundville. It began in a wooded area near Green Ridge Rd. and continued along Power Loop Rd. The tornado ended just west of the Hale County High football stadium on Highway 69. It was one of five tornadoes last Sunday.

Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend

Between now and midnight Sunday night you can purchase the supplies you need to prepare for potential severe weather without paying state, county or municipal sales taxes. It is the annual "Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

State and most local governments are helping with preparedness by declaring this weekend a tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items.

Click HERE for a list of participating governments compiled by the Alabama Department of Revenue. Click HERE for a list of eligible items from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

Press Release from the Office of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey.

Criteria for UA Presidential Search Released

The Presidential Search Advisory Committee has released the criteria for a candidate to replace Dr. Stuart Bell who is stepping down this summer. That criterion emphasizes record of leadership, understanding the current landscape of higher education, strong sense of character and integrity and commitment to furthering the university's growth, academic success and research.

Click HERE for the remainder of candidate criterion.

Deadline to apply is April 2.

Trial Date Set for First Defendant in 2023 Strip Shootout

After a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court review of the case this week, the murder trial for Michael Davis has been set for May. He is the accused shooter of 23-year-old Jamea Harris during a gunfighter between her boyfriend Cedrick Johnson and Davis in January of 2023 just off The Strip. Davis and co-defendant, former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles have been held in jail without bond since their arrests.

Read More: Tuscaloosa Murder Trial for Darius Mile’s Codefendant Michael Davis May Be Weeks Away

New Leese Sought for Former UCP Building in Northport

Northport City officials are trying to find a new lessee for the former United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama building on UCP Parkway just off Rice Mine Road.

In a Thursday public notice, Northport City Administrator Glenda Webb said as they decide how to use the now-empty space, the city council is going to be looking for another tenant dedicated to the public good.

Read More: City of Northport Seeks Proposals for New Use of Nonprofit’s Former Headquarters

Reminder: Admission Fees Waived at Higher Education Institutions Next Week

All next week prospective students will have the opportunity to apply at UA, Stillman, Shelton State, Bevill State and other schools in Alabama and surrounding states free of charge. More than 24-thousand students took advantage of the annual campaign last year.

Colleges in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida are also participating in the free admission program.

Week Three of Legislative Session Concludes

With the conclusion of week three of the 2025 Alabama Legislative Session 22 legislative days remain. Here is a summary of major legislation action:

The Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship Act and the Juvenile Accountability and Monitoring Act, part of Gov. Ivey's "Safe Alabama" package of bills sailed through the House without a dissenting vote.
A resolution that supports additional appropriations for the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit got widespread support.
Legislation establishing the Alabama Veterans Resource Center and the Houston-Hunter Act cleared both chambers.
HB238 was passed by the House Judiciary Committee. It would “create a presumption of rehabilitation and fitness for licensure if an individual has been granted an order of limited relief.”
Legislation that could dismiss civil lawsuits against law enforcement officers if the court rules the officer’s actions were job-related and necessary drew heated debate during the week.
Lawmakers are considering a bill they said could help save rural pharmacists by raising the price on certain drugs. There are two similar bills being considered in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. Lawmakers said they’ll vote on the bill that helps pharmacies the most. That vote will be next week.
House Bill 149, currently moving through the legislature, would establish rules for how dogs can be kept outside. Under the bill, dog owners will no longer be allowed to keep their pets chained to stationary objects.

Topping Sports News:

The #4 Alabama Men's Basketball Team faces the most important game of the season, to this point, when they host #17 Kentucky tomorrow evening. The Tide will be attempting to get off to a faster start, find some disciplined play, reduce turnovers and fouls and most importantly, avoid a three-game losing streak in conference play.

The Tide beat the Cats in Lexington earlier this season, but UK is much improved while UA has taken a couple of steps backwards.

Bama needs a loud and active home court advantage when they tipoff at 5:00 tomorrow evening. The game is "White Out Night".

The game can be seen on ESPN and heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network (95.3 The Bear, Tide 100.9, 1230AM WTBC).

Bama Women Drop Close Game to UT on Road

The No. 18/20 Alabama women's basketball team fell to No. 15/13 Tennessee, 88-80 in Knoxville, Tenn., Thursday night.

There were a couple of major bright spots: Sarah Ashlee Barker and Aaliyah Nye recorded milestones during the game as Barker surpassed 1,500 career points and Nye tied the program record for most three-pointers made with 272.

The Crimson Tide moved to 21-6 overall and 8-5 in the Southeastern Conference ahead of Sunday afternoon's matchup versus Auburn in Tuscaloosa.

The 4:00pm Auburn game can be seen on the SEC Network and heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network. It will be "Senior Day" for the Tide.

Power of Pink Gymnastic Meet Tonight

The Bama Gymnastics Team hosts cross-state rival Auburn tonight in the "Power of Pink" meet at Coleman Coliseum. The 7:30pm match will honor former national champion Tide coaches Sara and David Patterson.

Pre-meet will feature gymnasts accompanying cancer survivors.

Meet Information

Easton Bama Bash This Weekend

Alabama softball plays at home for the first time this weekend, hosting the Easton Bama Bash at Rhoads Stadium. The Crimson Tide welcomes No. 15/17 Virginia Tech, Southern Utah and Drake for five games over three days.

Weekend Schedule:
- Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 15/17 Virginia Tech – 4 p.m. CST
- Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Southern Utah – 6:30 p.m. CST
- Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Drake (Doubleheader) – 11 a.m. CST
- Sunday, Feb. 23 vs. No. 15/17 Virginia Tech – 12:30 p.m. CST

Bama Baseball Hits the Road

Alabama baseball heads to Jacksonville, Fla. to compete in the Jax College Baseball Classic at 121 Financial Ballpark. The Tide will battle three high-profile opponents, including Coastal Carolina, No. 12 NC State and Ohio State at the home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

Weekend Schedule:
Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Coastal Carolina – 5 p.m. CT – D1Baseball.com
Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 12 NC State – 3 p.m. CT – D1Baseball.com
Sunday, Feb. 23 vs. Ohio State – 10 a.m. CT – D1Baseball.com

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