West Alabama Monday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Monday, November 18, 2024.

Monday Morning Observations:

Those of us who went to the Mercer at Alabama game Saturday afternoon probably didn't think about what it takes to put on a successful and safe Alabama home football game. We enjoyed the "The Elephant Stomp", pre-game tailgating, a clean stadium, traditional field markings, overpriced concessions, a beautiful day and probably reconnecting with Bama gameday friends and a feeling of a safe and enjoyable environment. But that doesn't "just happen". It takes a lot of planning, personnel, training, time and execution to pull off a successful home game and do it seven or eight times a year.

The planning and logistics work for welcoming almost 102,000 fans each game weekend begin well before the season, and it compares to a military campaign.

What does it take? Therre are too many things to mention but it takes hundreds of hours and thousands of people to make a home game week work. There are many vendors, suppliers, transportation modes and stakeholders involved.

Schedules for delivers of a variety of materials and foodstuffs must be orchestrated, a security plan must be developed and exercised, hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the state must be secured, emergency medical services must be planned and staged.

Getting fans into and out of the stadium swiftly and safely is critical. There is a traffic management plan that must be executed involving law enforcement, the state -of-the-art ALDOT Traffic Management Center and UA Emergency Operations Center.

Law enforcement manage a safety perimeter outside the stadium, UA and City of Tuscaloosa transit busses efficient shuttle fans to and from the stadium, parking enforcement attempts to make sure vehicles are left in safe and relatively uncongested area,

Environmental Service, city crews of all sorts work to make Tuscaloosa clean and attractive on game weekends.

Inside the stadium gate Operations. usher, guest Services, event security, hospitality, kitchen support staff, concession workers, PA announcers and a host of other people labor to make the game a good experience for fans.

After the game the traffic plans is put in reverse to expedite fans getting away from the stadium and out of town in an amazing short amount of time considering the number of vehicles that must be moved.

You also cannot leave out the area restaurant workers who work long hours to feed hungry fans and law enforcement who working into the early morning hours to make sure celebrating fans are safe.

Also, a shout out to those who cleanup Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium long after everyone else has gone home or out to celebrate a big win.

No doubt I've left some important jobs out for lack of space. But when Auburn comes to town in two weeks, take a moment to thank those who are working for you to make for a successful and safe game day experience.

(The opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are not necessarily those of ownership, management or staff of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.}

Weather:

We are in for some changes with measurable rain tomorrow and Wednesday and cooler, if not downright cold temperatures the rest of the week. That will be led in by a Marginal (1 in 5) Risk for severe storms Tuesday.

The Forecast:

Today

Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 3am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3am. Low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then a slight chance of showers. Patchy fog between 8am and 2pm. High near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night

Clear, with a low around 39.

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Topping the News:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is characterizing recent racist online messages sent to UA students and others across the nation as "offensive and racist". However, a social media post by the agency states no instances of violence stemming from them have been reported.

The federal law enforcement agency says their investigation has found the wording in the messages has different variations, but the basic message is the same that the recipient has been selected to pick cotton on a plantation.

The FBI is still looking into the origin of the message that also went to some students at Montevallo High School.

The next session of the Alabama Legislature does not begin until February, but lawmakers are busy prefiling bills to be considered. State Representative Ontario Tillman of Bessemer has pre-filed House Bill 64, which would make election day a state holiday.

The Democrat also supports early voting and says he’s waiting on an analysis of the financial impact on the state.

The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra will present a special first-time experience Monday night, their inaugural candlelight concert titled "Chamber of Lights."

The concert will be performed at the Moody Concert Hall, transforming the hall into a warm atmosphere of candlelight, complemented by the orchestra's Baroque and Contemporary musical pieces.

Storage and removal of inoperable vehicles on private property has been a controversial subject for some time. Complainants say it is unsightly and unhealthy. At tonight's Northport City Council Meeting, a second reading of a proposed ordinance dealing with the issue will be presented by City Attorney Ron Davis.

Tuscaloosa's annual Christmas Parade has gone to the dogs. Actually, a dog, a service dog.

Libby, a retired reading companion dog, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran and president of the U.S. War Dogs Association Chris Willingham, will serve as Grand Marshals for the 48th Annual West Alabama Christmas Parade on Monday, Dec. 9.

Topping Sports News:

AP Poll (SEC Teams Highlighted):

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

Coaches Poll:

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

The good news is Alabama blew out a good FBS Mercer teams Saturday, the bad news is the Tide lost one of its top commitments.

According to Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports, 2025 running back Anthony "Turbo" Rogers has de-committed from the Alabama Crimson Tide and will pick between Ohio State and Georgia on early signing day in a few weeks.

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

Have a wonder week and pay attention to the changing weather conditions tomorrow.