Good Morning West Alabama. It is Monday January 13, 2025. It is the 13th day of the year with 352 days remain.

Monday Morning Observation:

Lost in all the hoopla about snow and freeze rain last week was the annual commemoration of "National Quitters Day". It is held on the second Friday in January and marks the day when most people purportedly quit their New Year's Resolutions. According to National Today, numerous studies have found two weeks into the New Year is about as long as most well intention resolutions survive.

The reason for the national day is not intended to be negative but rather to encourage people to continue on. The studies found the failure to continue is most often the result of over ambitious resolutions. Most people start out strong, but motivation quickly wanes because of the degree of difficulty or amount of time needed.

The studies found the key in achieving goals is to set short, medium, and long-term goals as opposed to one large unrealistic stretch goal. Starting small and staying consistent and also pairing up with someone else to remain accountable and motivated, will lead to good results.

The late Dr. Larry Rosen, a Behavioural Scientist at Cal State, concluded from a study that it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. So, the key here is, Don't Quit!

Rosen suggested several ways to continue on:

  1. Celebrate successes
  2. Revise your goals to be more achievable
  3. Find someone for mutual support
  4. Don't let a lapse stop you, resume when you can

Whether your resolution is better budgeting, eating healthy or more physical activity, don't give up! The outcome is worthwhile.

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


Weather:

Light showers are possible south of a Geiger in Sumter County to Jena in Northern Greene County to Tuscaloosa to Birmingham line this morning. Mostly to partly cloudy during the afternoon with highs ranging from the upper 40s to mid 50s.

There is a limited Excessive Cold Risk from now until 6:00am Tuesday morning for most areas of West Alabama. Excessive overnight lows are also possible every night through Thursday. Hypothermia could occur with prolonged exposure and lack of proper clothing.

Keep an eye on the next 8-to-14-day climate forecast. It reveals a 70% to 80% chance for well below average temperatures and above average precipitation during that period. However, it is still way too far out for predictions no matter what hysteria you may see on social media.

The Forecast:

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Light northwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

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Topping the News:

Sen. Britt Blames Biden for ISIS Radicalization

President Biden focused on right-wing threat than ISIS radicalization and that helped lead to the terror attack on New Orleans according to Alabama Junior Republican U-S Senator Katie Britt. Britt has told CNN the terror attack that killed a UA student and a recent Auburn graduate are the result of the policies of the failed policies of President Biden.

"We cannot allow these things to happen on American soil," she told host Jake Tapper. "Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan unleashed a hotbed of terrorism.

"And instead of focusing on Americans’ safety and security, the Biden DOJ prioritized wokeness and weaponization."

Britt told Jack Tapper Sunday that she had spoken to the parents of UA Freshman Kareem Badawi and Auburn grad Drew Dauphin who died in the attack. Britt says she and they fear more attacks could happen.


 

Miss Alabama, Now Miss America, Promotes Her Goals

Miss Alabama, now Miss America Abbie Stockard, appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, Weekend and told viewers she wants to be an inspiration to woman who can achieve anything they want.

The Auburn nursing student also talked about how a childhood friendship inspired her to fight Cystic Fibrosis.


Missing Hamilton Woman

Hamilton Police are seeking help in locating a missing person. 39-year-old Chastity Ann Terry was last seen last Thursday. She may be in the area of Hamilton, Jasper, Bear Creek, or along the I-22 corridor. A vehicle believed connected to her disappearance has been impounded and one person is in custody. Call 205-570-5871 if you have information.


 

Turning Loss into Success in Jasper

Bevill State Community College is working with Alabama Power to purchase a 53,000 sq. foot auto parts manufacturing facility when it closes in March. The building would be used as an Energy Infrastructure Training Center.

Most of the 53 employees at Nitto, Inc. have already found new jobs as their employer consolidates operations at a Kentucky plant. Nitto, Inc. was Jasper's 9th largest employer.


 

Tuscaloosa Municipal Election Qualifying Opens Tuesday

The period for candidate qualifying to run for mayor, city council and the city school board in the City of Tuscaloosa begins tomorrow and runs through January 28th. The Tuscaloosa Municipal Election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4th with any needed runoffs to take place on April 1st.


 

Drug Arrest Made in Walker County

Colton Thorpe was taken into custody in Walker County after a traffic stop allegedly found Thorpe in possession of methamphetamines and other drug paraphernalia over the weekend.  The arrest comes as Walker County is actively working to address substance abuse according to Sheriff Nick Smith.


 

Cold Weather Elevates Flu Numbers

The extreme cold of the last few weeks has kept people indoors, especially the elderly, and that has exacerbated the cases of flu being diagnosed across the state. The Centers for Disease Control ranks Alabama as the state with the third highest number of flu cases being treated at hospitals.

Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Dr. Wes Stubblefield points out is not too late to be vaccinated. He says the flu season is not expected to peak until mid to late February in Alabama.


 

Eutaw Man Dies in I20/59 Crash

30-year-old Demarcus K. Hayes was driving a 2019 Honda Accord on I-20/59 when he left the roadway and struck a utility pole about three miles west of Eutaw Sunday. Troopers say Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene near the 40mm.

Read More: Eutaw Man Dies in Single-Vehicle Crash on I-59 in Greene County



 

Topping the Sports News:

Bama Women Pickup Big SEC Road Basketball Win

The Bama women’s basketball team picked up their 1st SEC road win of the season Sunday with an 84-78 victory at Ole Miss. They are now 16-2 overall and 3-1 in the SEC.

The Crimson Tide posted an impressive shooting performance, hitting 56% from the floor (28 of 50), 63% from beyond the arc (12 of 19), and 59% from the free-throw line (16 of 27).

Alabama hosts second ranked and defending national champions South Carolina Thursday at 6 at Coleman.

Read More: Alabama Women’s Basketball Secures First SEC Road Win


 

Auburn Men's Basketball Gets Good News

Tiger standout guard Johni Broome underwent an MRI on his ankle after Auburn defeated South Carolina 66-63 on the road on Saturday. The Tigers then returned to Auburn. The good news for Auburn and Broome is that the MRI revealed that Broome had a non-surgical ankle sprain.

Read More: Auburn Dodges a Bullet With Johni Broome only Suffering a Non-Surgical Ankle Sprain


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

Hope you have a great week!

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