West Alabama Thursday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Monday, November 4, 2024.

Monday Morning Observations:

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Being aware of the potential of diabetes is a step toward remaining diabetes free. Alabama has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the nation, largely a result of our dietary habits. We eat a lot of sweets.

Here are some Alabama Diabetes facts courtesy of the American Diabetes Association:

593,500 or 14.9% of Alabama's adult population has a diagnosed diabetes. An additional 119,000 people have diabetes but are unaware of it. (Nationally more than 38 million Americans have diabetes.)
Every year, an estimated 23,500 adults in Alabama are diagnosed with diabetes.
34.6% of Alabama's adult population has prediabetes, which means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
In 2019, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in Alabama. The rate of diabetes mortality is higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
People with diabetes have medical expenses that are about 2.3 times higher than those who do not have diabetes.
Counties with high rates of diabetes are also often in areas with high poverty and fewer healthcare providers.
Approximately 1,528,100 adults in Alabama, or 38.3% of the adult population, have obesity. Obesity is a major cause of diabetes due to too much glucose (sugar) circulating in the bloodstream.

Diabetes is an epidemic. The Diabetes Branch of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) works in collaboration with many other programs within and outside of the Department to help people delay or prevent the development of diabetes and to reduce complications related to the disease.

The program also promotes good nutrition, physical activity, weight loss, and smoking cessation, recommended influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, foot exams, eye exams, and HbA1c tests. These are key factors to control, prevent, delay, or manage diabetes and help people live longer healthier lives.

Visit the Alabama department of Public Health Website for more information and/or visit diabetes.org | Or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)

Weather:

A tropical system in the Caribbean is expected to be a low-end hurricane or strong tropical storm when it moves into the Gulf later this week. Landfall could happen anywhere from Pensacola to Western Louisiana and could impact Saturday nights Alabama at LSU game in Baton Rouge.

Weather always plays a role in our elections. With tomorrow being General Election Day, the forecast is all important. Showers are in the forecast, but the day will not be a washout.

The Forecast:

Today

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind around 15 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday

A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.

Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Remainder of the Week

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Topping the News:

Tomorrow’s General Election ballot will include an amendment that applies to Tuscaloosa County. Amendment #1 would undo 1940s legislation that created a special tax district to attract workers to the B-F Goodrich Plant.That district put residence in limbo, they must pay city property taxes but don’t have a vote in either the city of county school elections.

Cottondale Senator Gerald Allen co-sponsored putting the amendment on the ballot and told news partner ABC 3340, a yes vote is only fair.

Students will be allowed to finishing school in the city while others will be transferred to the county.

Polls will be open from 7:00am until 7:00pm tomorrow for the most contentious General Elections from the White House down the ballot in modern U-S History.

Residents are reminded, your polling place for statewide elections like tomorrow will not necessarily be the place you vote in municipal elections. Check the Tuscaloosa County website for your polling place location and other election information.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story stated polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. That is incorrect, and this article has been updated to reflect the correct hours.

Gov. Kay Ivey was given fluids and evaluated on site out of precaution after she suffered a medical issue while campaigning for the 2^nd Congressional District GOP candidate Caroleen Dobson last night in Montgomery.

The 80-year-old state chief executive grabbed a nearby pole and was seen shaking as staffers gathered around her. Her press office later issued a statement saying she was doing well at home.

Bubba Crocket is charged with 3rd-degree burglary and 2nd-degree theft with the possibility of more charges to come in Walker County. Officers recovered 5 stolen firearms, 3 long guns, and 2 pistols. Narcotics were also seized at a residence on Old Birmingham Highway.

Visit Tuscaloosa has announced a unique three-way partnership between The Veganish Market and United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama in launching a new smoothie available exclusively during the month of November.

The Visit Tuscaloosa smoothie, crafted by The Veganish Market, features a blend of strawberries, watermelon juice, and cane sugar, marbled with a delightful, whipped cream swirl.

Throughout November, a portion of the proceeds from the Visit Tuscaloosa smoothie will benefit United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama, helping to further their mission of fostering diversity and equality for individuals with disabilities.

Topping Sports News:

Alabama Men's and Women's Basketball teams begin regular season play with a blast this evening with a doubleheader at Coleman Coliseum.

The Tide women plays New Orleans at 5;00pm followed by the men against UNC Ashville at 8:00pm.

With help from other teams over the weekend, the idle Crimson Tide Football Team moved up to 11^th in both AP and Coaches College Football Polls. The 1^st playoff poll will be released tomorrow night.

AP POLL (SEC Teams Highlighted):

1 - Oregon
2 - Georgia
3 - Ohio State
4 - Miami
5 - Texas
6 - Penn State
7 - Tennessee
8 - Indiana
9 - BYU
10 - Notre Dame
11 - Alabama
12 - Boise State
13 - SMU
14 - LSU
15 - Texas A&M
16 - Ole Miss
17 - Iowa State
18 - Army
19 - Clemson
20 - Washington State
21 - Colorado
22 - Kansas State
23 - Pittsburgh
24 - Vanderbilt
25 - Louisville

Coaches Poll:

1 - Oregon
2 - Georgia
3 - Ohio State
4 - Miami
5 - Texas
6 - Tennessee
7 - Penn State
8 - Notre Dame
9 - BYU
10 - Indiana
11 - Alabama
12 - Ole Miss
13 - LSU
14 - Boise State
15 - SMU
16 - Texas A&M
17 - Clemson
18 - Iowa State
19 - Army
20 - Washington State
21 - Kansas State
22 - Missouri
23 - Pittsburgh
24 - Colorado
25 - Vanderbilt

For Alabama Heisman winning QB Bryce Young got his first NFL win as a starting QB as Carolina beat Houston 15-13 Sunday.

Alabama is a 2 ½ point favorite to beat LSU Saturday night. But remember, they were also favored to beat UT.

ESPN Gameday will be in Baton Rouge Saturday morning for the Alabama game at LSU that night. Network analyst Nick Saban will have the unique position of having coached both schools to national championships.

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

Have a Blessed week!