WEST ALABAMA THURSDAY BRIEFING

Thursday, July 20, 2023, will be a mix of clouds and extreme heat. An index upwards of 110 degrees combined with an ambient temperature in the upper 90s has prompted the national Weather Service in Birmingham to issue a HEAT ADVISORY for today and tomorrow.

Residents are encouraged to remain indoors, however, if you must be outdoors, limit your time exposed to the heat and hydrate frequently. Check of the elderly and make sure children and pets are protected.

The good news is it looks like we will get a break from the extreme humidity this weekend.

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Topping the News: 

Tomorrow is the deadline for Alabama lawmakers to present the U-S Supreme Court with a redrawn congressional district map, allowing for a 2^nd majority minority district. Greensboro Democrat Sen. Bobby Singleton told lawmakers "Diversity is what makes this state move, diversity is what makes this state grow" as he encouraged Republicans to follow the high court's guidelines. The house and senate have each produced a map so a conference committee today will have to decide what map to submit tomorrow.

The McWright's Ferry Road Groundbreaking this morning kicks off the project that will connect Rice Mine Road to New Watermelon Road by bridging North River and connecting to McWright’s Ferry Road. The project also includes a pedestrian bridge over North River and a shared-use path which will ultimately connect to the Northern Riverwalk. It is expected to be opened in late 2025, early 2026.

Alabama's 18th annual sales tax holiday for school-related items begins just after midnight tonight and ends at midnight Sunday. It gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, books and clothing free of the state's four percent sales or use tax.

Hoover Police are casting doubt Carlee Russell’s kidnap claim. Her alleged disappearance set off a frantic search for two days after calling 911 to report a toddler wandering on the highway. With the 25-year old’s safe return home, investigators have found inconsistencies in her story and are raising questions about the websites dealing with Amber Alerts and kidnappings that she visited prior to her disappearance.

Several recent high-profile disappearances have forced Alabama to change the way missing and endangered person Amber Alerts are issued. Starting September 1^st, a local law enforcement agency will be able to issue an alert instead of just one central point at the Alabama Fusion Center in Montgomery.

Teresa Croom Bivens is the new principal of Woodland Forest Elementary School in the Tuscaloosa City Schools System. In a TCS press release Bivens was quoted as saying, "Woodland Forrest Elementary School is known for building community leaders, serving as one of our environmentally friendly schools, as well as the STEM school of TCS," Teresa Bivens said. "I am honored to be selected to serve as the Principal of Woodland Forrest Elementary School and continue in the footsteps of the many great leaders that came before me. I am also looking forward to a collaborative working relationship with the faculty, staff, parents, and students."

The former assistant principal at Southview Elementary School is the sister of the late Kennis Croom, the Meridian MS police officer killed in the line of duty earlier this year.

In Sports: 

It is 37 days until the kickoff of the college football season.

Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban made his SEC Media Days appearance in Nashville yesterday. He told sportswriters and broadcasters. he always looks forward to his appearance because it is the unofficial kickoff to the college football season.

Bama opens the season against Middle Tennessee at Bryant-Denny on September 2nd and hosts Steve Sarkesian's Texas Longhorns on September 9th.

SEC Media Days wraps up today with Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin, South Carolina's Shane Beamer and Tennessee's Josh Heupel.

Rece Davis, a University of Alabama graduate and current ESPN sports personality, will speak at University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa on Monday, August 7. His will keynote the church's upcoming men’s event, Pigskin Kickoff.

Tide 100.9 FM's Ryan Fowler will interview former Alabama player Terry Jones as part of the 6:00pm event.