West Alabama Friday Morning Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Friday, April 18, 2025. "Good Friday" in the Christian Church. This is the 108th day of the year 257 days remaining.

Friday Morning Observations"

Today is "Good Friday" in Holy Week observances. On this day Jesus was found guilty of a crime he did not commit and sentenced to execution on a cross. According to1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.”

The point for us to take away from this day is all of humankind is responsible for Jesus' crucifixion. It is OUR sins He took on!

In Matthew 27:45-54, his death is described: “Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabathani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, ‘This Man is calling for Elijah!’ Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, ‘Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.’ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit.

“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

“So, when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’”

After Jesus died on Friday, the women bury Him in a borrowed tomb. On "Holy Saturday", He remains buried. This day also marks the end of Lent and is a time of waiting and reflection before the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. (Some believe Christ descended into hell on this day before resurrection). "Holy Saturday" is a day of silence and reflection.

The sorrow of Good Friday and reflection on Christ's ministry on "Holy Saturday" is then replaced by joy. Mary Magdalene and some of the other women followers went to the tomb early on that Sunday. They found the tomb empty.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

He is Risen! Easter Sunday is a joyous, celebratory day for Christians, because we celebrate not just the death of Jesus Christ but His resurrection and ultimate defeat of death! Today is a day for celebration, for praise, and for joyful and hopeful expectation for Christ to come.

On the cross Jesus showed His love for us and willingness to die for our sins. But the story of Jesus does not end on the cross. The empty tomb is a demonstration of His victory over death and sin. The cross and the empty tomb stand together as symbols of love, sacrifice and victory over the evils of this world and death itself.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

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

Weather:

Weather this weekend will be near perfect for your Easter finest and hunting those colorful eggs. Dry and warm conditions will continue through the day Sunday across West Alabama, with daily high temperatures in the 80s and lows in the 50s and 60s.

Rain will be introduced into the forecast but not until late on Sunday evening. Then there will be additional rain chances into the coming work week.

The Forecast:

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight

Increasing clouds, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Next Week

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News:

Student Activist Group to Make Salary Demands of UA Trustees

The United Campus Workers of Alabama will petition the UA System Board of Trustees for a $5,000 cost of living adjustment for salary workers such as graduate students and professors, and a $20 minimum wage for hourly workers. The petition is part of a Living Wage Campaign labor movement being conducted by the group.

Several dozen showed up for protests of what they called wages that make it difficult to afford tuition and necessities.

UA Doctoral Student Denied Bail, Faces Deportation

An immigration judge has denied bond to Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian engineering student at the University of Alabama. He was detained last month by immigration enforcement officials while at his student residence.

Doroudi has been transferred to the Jena-LaSalle Detention Facility in Louisiana, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.

The attorney for the mechanical engineering student told media the denial paves the way for Doroudi to be deported back to Iran despite his having no criminal record.

Read More: Bond Denied for Iranian UA Doctoral Student Taken by ICE Last Month

Strip Homicide Defendant No Long Faces Death Penalty

Michael "Buzz" Davis, the defendant in the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris during a gunfight with her boyfriend, Cedric Johnson in 2023, no longer faces the possibility of execution.

State prosecutors announced Thursday they have agreed to no longer seek that sentencing option even if Davis is convicted in the shootout on the UA Strip area.

Davis is a lifelong friend of former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, who is also charged in the case.

Both Davis and Miles are being held without bond.

Read More: State Takes Execution Off the Table for Michael Davis for 2023 Tuscaloosa Strip Killing

DCH Health Fair Set for Today at Snow Hinton Park

The DCH Community Health Fair is expected to provide screenings for some 1,000 during their "Community Health Fair" at Snow Hinton Park today. The event will run from 10:00am until 1:00 pm today.

For the third year, 30 DCH Departments will be there to discuss their specialties and help people get or remain healthy.

Read More: DCH Community Health Fair Offers Free Screenings & Family Fun Saturday

Self-Reporting System Now Available in Tuscaloosa City Schools

The Tuscaloosa City School System has launched the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS). The new system allows students, staff, and community members to confidentially report concerns related to school threats, bullying, self-harm, and other potential dangers 24 hours a day via a mobile app, website, or phone hotline.

A press release pointed out that, “Students can submit tips at www.saysomething.net, through the district's website, school’s website, Say Something Anonymous Reporting - Tuscaloosa City School District on ClassLink or via the free mobile app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-844-572-9669.”

Read More: Tuscaloosa City Schools Unveils Anonymous Safety Reporting System

More Victims of Tuscaloosa Man Are Possible

22-year-old Kendarius Lewis, 22, is currently charged with 3 counts of first-degree rape, 2 counts of first-degree sodomy and 2 counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Tuscaloosa authorities report the crimes were committed between 2020 and this year and believe there may be more victims.

The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit VCU said these incidents happened in the Cottondale and Northport areas and urge anyone who may have been victimized by Lewis to contact 205-464-8690.

Conservationist Groups Petition State Environmental Commission

Conservation groups throughout Alabama, including the Black Warrior Riverkeeper, have filed a Petition for Rulemaking with Alabama’s Environmental Management Commission urging the state to update and publish amended toxicity values for twelve priority toxic pollutants. The petition claims Alabama's criteria for these toxic pollutants are outdated and insufficient to protect the health of Alabama water users and fish consumers.

Pickens County Plea Deal Nets 20 Year Sentence

22-year-old Jaylen Kenyatta Harris, of Columbus, MS has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection to an armed robbery in Pickens County last April. Harris admitted to robbing a Family Dollar store in Reform while wearing a mask and carrying a firearm.

Tuscaloosa Lawmaker Claims Enforcement for "Laken Riley Act" is Illegal

The Laken Riley Act has passed the Alabama House. The act would strengthen existing illegal immigration laws through collaboration between state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies.

During floor debate, Tuscaloosa Democrat Rep. Chris England claimed the enforcement tools are illegal. "You're taking local law enforcement and requiring them to use tools that have historically been determined to be unconstitutional."

Proponents claim the law in needed because Alabama has had an influx on illegal immigrants.

Alabama Forest Owners Headed to Meeting Next Week in Tuscaloosa/Moundville

The Annual Meeting of the Alabama Forest Owner’s Association is set for Moundville and Tuscaloosa this coming Tuesday. The group will visit Westervelt’s upgraded Moundville sawmill on Tuesday and will hear from a number of speakers covering such topics as the Pine Beetle infestation, Property Tax Valuation and the timber market.

Forests cover 71 percent of Alabama and their maintenance impacts clean water, clean air, diverse wildlife habitat, and raw materials for thousands of jobs.

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

Sports:

Alabama Softball Scores All Their Runs in 1st Inning, Then Hold On.

Alabama (31-16, 8-8 SEC) got off to a fast start Thursday night against Florida (37-10, 9-7 SEC), plating seven runs on four hits and two errors in the top of the first as 12 batters came to the plate in the big inning. The Gators chipped away at the lead, but the Crimson Tide avoided the big inning and was able to hold on for a big conference series opener win in Gainsville.

The seven runs are Alabama's most in a game vs. Florida since a 15-3 win at the 2019 Women's College World Series (June 1, 2019)

The Tide's defense continued to shine turning the team's 26th double play of the season to end the sixth inning, which is tied for the UA single-season school record that has stood since 2003.

The Tide ang Gators have two more games remaining in the weekend series. They play tonight at 5:00pm on the SEC Network and again Saturday at 1:00pm on ESPN2.

Bad Call, Errors and Poor Relief Pitching Doomed Bama Baseball Last Night

The 15th ranked Crimson Tide Baseball Team (30-9 overall, 8-8 SEC) got strong starting pitching and led 5-1 going into the sixth inning in Baton Rouge last night. Then the wheels came off.

Poor home plate umpiring, three Tide errors and a high bullpen ERA combined to allow 7th ranked LSU (33-6 overall,11-5 SEC) to come from behind and embarrass Alabama 11-6.

The Tide and Tigers play again tonight at 6:00 and wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon at 1:00.

Read More: Controversial Third Strike Call Snowballs into Collapse in Baton Rouge

Bama Gymnastics' Season Ends in NCAA Semi-Finals with 5 All Americans

Five Alabama gymnasts totaled seven All-America honors to close out the Crimson Tide's 2025 season.

Corinne Bunagan, Ryan Fuller, Gabby Gladieux, Lilly Hudson and Chloe LaCoursiere all earned the national honor during the NCAA Championships Semifinals on the way to securing the Crimson Tide its 42^nd top 10 national finish, taking eighth place in Fort Worth, TX last night.

Oklahoma and Missouri from the SEC face perennial powers UCLA and Utah in tomorrow afternoon's championship finals.

Click Tide100.9 for the latest sports news.

Have a Happy and Blessed Easter Weekend! ROLL TIDE!