West Alabama Thursday Morning Briefing

Good morning, West Alabama! It is Thursday, May 15, 2025. This is the 135th day of the year with 230 days remaining.

In Thursday's Morning Briefing:

Weather: A three-day break from rainfall will continue through tomorrow but come to a screeching halt Saturday.
News: Another arrest involving illegal pictures and videos of children.
Sports: Tide baseball begins critical end of regular season series at Florida today.
Thursday Morning Observations: Honoring those who wear a badge.

Weather:

Enjoy it while you can. Warm and dry conditions with temperatures in the summerlike upper 80s to low 90s today to a Marginal (1 in 5) Risk for strong to severe storms Friday and again Saturday morning and Saturday evening. Saturday will be the greater risk day.

This could lead to rain/lightning delays at the Tuscaloosa Softball Regional at the Rhodes House this weekend.

The Forecast:

Today

Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Sunday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.

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News:

McCalla Man Latest in Series of Arrests for Child Obscenity

37-year-old Douglas McArthur House uploaded obscene material depicting children to a messaging platform back in July 2024 according to an investigation. House has been arrested and charged with more than a dozen sex crimes involving images of children.

The arrest is another in a series of almost daily notifications of men being taken into custody for possession and/or dissemination of child porn.

House was taken to the Tuscaloosa County Jail where he remains without bond.

Read More: McCalla Man Charged With Having & Sharing Obscene Material

Cellphones Now Banned in Alabama Schools

The Tuscaloosa City School System has already addressed the problems created by students possessing cellphones in classrooms. Now, Governor Ivey has made it official statewide by signing the FOCUS Act into law.

The act bans the use of smartphones and wireless devices during the school day in public schools. Teachers have complained for years that the devices serve as a distraction.

Read More: FOCUS Act Signed By Kay Ivey; Cell Phones Now Banned In Schools

Controversy Continues to Swirl Around Walker County Sheriff's Office

Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith is appealing a civil service board's decision to reinstate former investigator Jim Browne. The sheriff claims former investigator Jim Browne should not have accessed criminal files to review the eligibility of a deputy hired despite losing his credentials in Arizona.

Browne stated he regularly accessed the criminal files as part of his job. Andrew Neves McDonald was ruled ineligible by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission.

George Wallace Shot 53 Years Ago Today, His Shooter is Now Free

Arthur Bremer shot then Alabama Gov. George Wallace 53 years ago today in a Laurel, Maryland shopping center parking lot 53 years ago today. Ironically today is Bremer's first day as a free man.

Wallace was left critically wounded with impacts that would end his presidential bid and leave him paralyzed and in pain the rest of his life. Before he died, Wallace forgave Bremer.

The now 74-year-old Bremer has been out of prison since 2007 but on monitored parole in Maryland ever since. He had been required to wear an ankle monitor 24/7 but no more. His involvement with the legal system comes to an end today. After 35 years in a Maryland prison and 18 years on parole, Arthur Bremer is now a free man.

West Alabama Rep. Ron Bolton Wins Legislative "Shroud" Award

State Rep. Ron Bolton (R-Northport) earned the House of Representatives' so-called Shroud Award, given annually on the last day of the session to the House member carrying the bill with the least realistic chance of passing.

Bolton's bill would have revised the weight and age ranges for determining the appropriate child restraint system and would increase the penalties associated with violations.

Sports:

Weekend Series at Florida Could be a Boost for Bama Baseball

If the Crimson Tide is able to win two of three at Florida this weekend it could go a long way to helping Bama host a first round NCAA Regional in a couple of weeks.

Alabama is ranked 18th and Florida 23rd but the Gators are tough at home at 24-9. UA is just 10-6 on the road.

Where the difference could be is in SEC play this season. Alabama is 15-12 going into this afternoon's game one, UF is 13-14.

PROBABLE PITCHING ROTATION

Today, 5:30pm
- RHP Tyler Fay (UA) vs. RHP Liam Peterson (UF)
Friday, 5:30pm
- RHP Riley Quick (UA) vs. LHP Pierce Coppola (UF)
Saturday, 3:00pm
- LHP Zane Adams (UA) vs. RHP Aidan King (UF)

AHSAA Baseball Finals Have Two West Alabama Teams

Tuscaloosa County is the underdog in this afternoon's 2:00pm contest with Enterprise in Class 7A finals action.

The TCHS Wildcats are 21-11 on the season while the EHS Wildcats are 26-1-1.

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In 5A, the battle between Tuscaloosa's American Christian Academy and St. Paul's Episcopal is just underway. At 30-12-1 ACA is the favorite over 17-7 St. Paul's.

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Thursday Morning Observations (Commentary):

President Trump has proclaimed today, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 11 through May 17, as Police Week. It is a time to support the "thin blue line" that separates our civil society from chaos. They are sworn to enforce law and order.

The men and women in blue (green, brown, khaki or other colors) put on that uniform, strap on their weapon and pin on that badge each day, not knowing if they may will return home at the end of their shift or not.

Whether you "Back the Blue" or not you must give them credit, they have one of the most dangerous and thankless jobs there is. Preserving the peace in the midst of such a violent society where firearms possession is rampant is not easy and has to make those who serve very cautious and a little suspicious.

In a time when every incident involving a law enforcement officer is immediately played up by media, social media, activists, lawyers and Hollywood; we don't often consider the toll taken on not just the officer/deputy/investigator, but also their families.

Maintaining psychological health is essential to keeping our nation’s law enforcement heroes and their families strong and resilient. More money and programs need to be made available to help.

Are there bad cops? Yes, just like there are bad businesspeople, bankers, secretaries, bus drivers, salespeople, teachers and journalists. They are in the vast minority but illicit sensational news when something happens.

On this day we thank those who are willing to "Protect and Serve". It is getting more difficult to find qualified candidates because of the pressure placed on them and their families. Here's to those who daily go into harm's way because they feel it is their duty to give back.

The toll f being in law enforcement doesn't just cover violence, there is also the medical toll. On this day we remember Deputy Tim Johns, a Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy and School Resource Officer for Brookwood area Schools, who passed away due to a medical emergency.

Thank you, Deputy Johns, and all those who serve! You make the difference.

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

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Have a thrilling Thursday and ROLL TIDE!!