West Alabama Monday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is Monday, April 21, 2025. This is the 111th day of the year with 254 days remaining.
In Today's Editions:
- Weather
- News
- Sports
- Morning Observations
Weather:
A wet week is expected across West Alabama and much of the state as a cold front stalls out. The rain will not be all-day, and the forecast calls for any thunderstorms to be below severe limits. Highs will remain in the lower 80s with lows in the upper 50s to lower 60s.
Currently there are no abnormally dry conditions or wildfires anywhere in the state according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor. The rain this week should keep things that way for a while.
The Forecast:
Authorities say a verbal argument between Mack and the suspect escalated into a deadly altercation.
Read More: Man Accused of Murder for Fatally Shooting Woman at Tuscaloosa Storage Unit Party
Work Zone Safety Week in Alabama
"Work Zone Safety Week" began today across the state. It is the annual reminder that work zones are the workplace for the men and women who repair and build our state's highways, and it can be a dangerous job.
In 2024 in Alabama alone there were more than 2,000 work zone incidents that left 15 dead and 521 injured. Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) spokesperson John D. McWilliams is reminding motorists there are more than 300 active work zones across the state. It is the law that you must obey all traffic laws when you enter a work zone.
Northport City Council Prepares for Municipal Elections
Tonight's Northport City Council meeting will continue preparations for the August 26th Municipal Elections. A resolution will establish compensation for election officials while there will also be a first reading for an ordinance establishing the use of electronic vote counting machines.
ALDI Product is Center of Public Health Alert
A public health alert has been issued for pork carnitas products sold at ALDI grocery stores. The alert is the result of the potential presence of metal.
The alert applies to 16-ounce packages with the establishment number 46049 that can be found inside the USDA mark of inspection.
In a statement on the ALDI website the company states, "While ALDI is committed to providing only the best quality at the lowest prices, our top priority is the safety of you and your family. From developing stringent standards to working with trusted manufacturers on product quality and testing, every measure possible is taken to fulfill that promise.
Workforce Development to Offer Free Summer Camp a Shelton State
A free I CARE summer camp is coming this summer to the Shelton State Community College Martin Campus. The camp is available to high school students and young adults between the ages of 15 and 18 who are interested in the healthcare profession.
The June 23 to June 26 camp will be conducted daily 8:00am until 4:00pm.
Camp highlights will include the following:
- Basic clinical skills training (e.g., blood draw techniques, taking vital signs)
- Virtual Reality (VR) healthcare technology in patient care
- 3D Anatomy Anatomage table for studying human systems
- Understanding how technology is transforming modern medicine
- Opportunity to earn First Aid and CPR certification
For more information or to register email Veranda Melton at vmelton@sheltonstate.edu. For more information about Shelton State Health Services programs, visit sheltonstate.edu.
Shelton State Making Improvements
Shelton State Community College is making modernizing its classrooms, labs and equipment for their nursing program. Some %23 million is be expended on the upgrades according to a release from the school.
The upgrades will improve the technology used by nursing students. Once completed, students will train in a realistic type of hospital environment.
Keeping College Grads in Alabama
The Student Retention Council, established in 2022 by the Higher Education Partnership is working to keep graduates in-state when they receive their diplomas.
After surveying graduating students, the council found four areas critical to their post-graduation plans: job opportunities, quality of life, affordability, and a sense of belonging.
The council met with legislative members in Montgomery this week to find ways the state can assist in getting students to stay in state.
Honors Night Tonight in Hale County
President of Stillman College, Dr. Yolanda W. Page, will deliver the keynote speech as the guest speaker for the Hale County College and Career Academy's 2024-2025 Awards Night at Stillman College.
The event is set for 6:00pm.
The Mission of the Hale County College and Career Academy is to provide a quality education and workforce skills for all students, which will allow for a seamless transition from high school to postsecondary, military, and workforce.
Stillman College Graduation Keynote Speaker Announced
Google’s vice president of Employee Engagement, Melonie D. Parker, will deliver the keynote address at Stillman College's graduation ceremonies on May 10th.
According to a Stillman press release, Parkers is a first-generation college graduate from an HBCU, and is passionate about inclusive cultures and believes in “adding in instead of fitting in.”
Graduation will take place at 9:00am at Stillman Stadium. More than 100 students will graduate.
Sports:
Former Alabama Golfer Wins RBC
Former Crimson Tide Golf led from day one, struggled a bit Saturday, but still won the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head with the longest putt he has ever made.
Thomas won the playoff with Andrew Novak by sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole and closing with a 3-under 68.
The victory put Thomas back into the Top Ten in the World Rankings. Thomas won for the 16th time on the PGA Tour and moved to No. 6 in the world. He also jumped into the top six in the Ryder Cup standings.
"I didn't realize how much I missed winning," Thomas said on the 18th green as he stood next to wife, Jill, and 5-month-old daughter, Molly.
Monday Morning Observations:
Farmers in Alabama and America are already in dire shape. Extreme weather, inflation, undercut prices from competition from foreign food imports, fewer farm workers have all combined to make being a farmer one of the most difficult professions there is in America these days. Now sweeping USDA cuts and potential tariffs and trade war may combine to drive thousands more U.S. farmers into bankruptcy.
Small and medium-sized farms in Alabama and across the country were already struggling amid worsening climate change impacts and volatile commodities markets, on top of being squeezed by large corporations that dominate the supply chain. Now cutbacks in federal programs could be the final straw.
Alabama has 8.3 million acres of farmland and had $1 billion in agriculture and food exports in 2023, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce. It is a major portion of our state's economy. But farmers across the state are concerned about the future.
No doubt the federal government has been bloated and living on the break with a massive national debt, much of it owed to China. But cutting the props out from American agriculture is not going to improve anything.
All US products destined for China face a 125% tax thanks to President Trump’s tariff war. This will cut American farmers off from one of its core markets.
Experts believe the turmoil could lead to U.S. farmers being undercut by farmers overseas, a problem they may never be able to recover from.
Alabama Senior U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has repeatedly claimed he is pro-farmer. "We're in trouble," Tuberville said in an Ag Committee hearing. "Our farmers are in trouble. Small farmers selling right and left."
Tuberville continued, "Row croppers in my state of Alabama are really getting killed. Cotton farmers last year—the input cost was about $400 an acre. They might have got $100 an acre out of their crop last year."
If the senator is so concerned about our farmers, it is time for him to have a conversation with his buddy the president about what he is doing that is placing additional burdens on the very people who feed our nation.
(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.)
Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.
Have a magnificent Monday.
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