
West Alabama Monday Briefing
Good frigid morning West Alabama! It is Monday, January 20, 2025. This is the 20th day of the year with 345 days remaining.
Monday Morning Observations:
Three major national events occur today, MLK Day, the Presidential Inauguration and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
MLK Day should mean more than honoring the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. It should be a reminder that we still must work every day to make the United States the "more perfect union" as described in the Preamble to the Constitution.
President Reagan, who made the day a national holiday in 1983 said it was meant to remember Rev. King and “the just cause he stood for”. “America is a more democratic nation, a more just nation, a more peaceful nation because Martin Luther King Jr became her pre-eminent non-violent commander."
Even more so it is a day to dedicate ourselves to maintaining and improving on the gains made in equality and fairness over the years, building on his legacy.
For only the third time since 1983 when MLK Day became an official national holiday, it coincides with the presidential inauguration.
Presidential history is being made today as Donald Trump joins Grover Cleveland as the only two presidents to serve two non-consecutive terms in office. For only the third time in history the swearing-in ceremonies will be conducted in the Capitol Rotunda due to extreme winter weather. It is the first time since Ronald Reagan had to move the inauguration indoors due to a 1985 winter storm.
Today culminates four tumultuous years of Joe Biden's presidency and brings back the man he defeated. While the transfer of power will be peaceful, the rhetoric and anger from the right and left continues. There are underlying hard feelings on both sides.
Today's inauguration and the next four years should take on the lessons taught by MLK. Those are that mutual respect for each other is critical to our nation's future. We can disagree without be disagreeable. We may have different ideas about governance but for this nation to survive and prosper we must work with instead of against each other. And perhaps most importantly everyone must be able to participate in order for this country to truly be "one nation, under God with liberty and justice for all."
As for the CFP title game? In all honesty I could care less.
(Opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are those of the author and not necessarily that of the ownership, management, staff and sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Weather:
With most of West Alabama now expected to get no more than a dusting to a half inch of snow tomorrow, it will be the extremely cold temperatures at or below freezing and dangerous wind chills that will be of the greatest concern.
The more significant snowfall will be south of Demopolis. That is where roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Conditions will deteriorate even more the further south you go.
Meanwhile, Walker County could experience wind chills in the single digits
Read More: Winter Storm Heading for Alabama: Timeline, Threats & Impacts
Read More: Prepare for Freezing Cold Wind Chills in West Alabama

Topping the News:
Warming Stations Open
The University of West Alabama has cancelled classes for tomorrow (Tuesday) due to the potential winter weather impact in Livingston. Students in dorms will have access to meals. Young Hall Cafeteria and Burgers + Fries in Gilbert Hall will be open 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Alabama National Guard Activated
The Alabama National Guard will have seven multi-functional Mobility Support Teams (MST), operating out of seven regional facilities from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa to Mobile tomorrow and Wednesday.
“One of the unique things about our Guardsmen is being part of the communities they serve,” said Maj. Gen. David Pritchett, Alabama National Guard Adjutant General. “Stepping up to tackle uncommon challenges is a huge responsibility, but we’re proud to stand with our state partners to see our neighbors through the storm.”
The Alabama Emergency Operations Center and Division Operations Centers in south Alabama will be activated for the duration of the event.
Saturday Murder Suspect in Custody
22-year-old Marquise Scott has been identified as the victim of a fatal Saturday shooting at Creekwood Village Apartments. 25-year-old Lagabriel Jones has been charged with his murder.
Read More: Tuscaloosa Police Identify Saturday Murder Victim, Arrest Suspect
Alabama Republican Leaders at Inauguration
U.S. House District 6 Representative Dale Strong is sitting on stage with Donald Trump at the inauguration this morning. He is one of a number of Alabama GOP leaders attending the ceremonies in Washington, including U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt.
Ata prayer breakfast Sunday, Gov. Kay Ivey spoke about the importance of faith and prayer for Trump and his incoming administration.
West Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt conducted a scripture reading at the D.C. prayer breakfast.
Stillman Accreditation
The Tide spirit squads also advanced to the championship rounds in the Division IA Mascot, Game Day Dance, and Jazz portions of the 2025 UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship. Alabama's 89.8 in the final round of the Division IA Mascot garnered a fifth-place finish, while the Tide's 91.9 in the Division IA Jazz event was good for sixth. Alabama added a seventh place standing in the Division IA Game Day Dance competition with a team score of 92.1.
Bama Women's Basketball Nabs Big Win
The No.19 Alabama women's basketball team dominated the Arkansas Razorbacks on their home court Sunday night, securing a 94-62 victory. This win marked the sixth time this season that the Crimson Tide has scored 90 or more points.
The Crimson Tide doesn't play again until Vanderbilt comes to town. That game tips off at 1:00 p.m. CT Sunday on SEC Network.
Read More: Alabama Women’s Basketball Destroyed Arkansas on the Road
Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.
Have a wonderful MLK and Inauguration Day.
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