WEST ALABAMA THURSDAY BRIEFING
Thursday, July 27, 2023, will be another hot one but the weekend will be even hotter according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham. Today's ambient temperature will be in the upper 90s, but the heat index will make it feel like 100 to 102-degrees. That is just below Heat Advisory criteria.
Tomorrow's highs will again be in the upper 90s with the heat index just below advisory criteria at 104-degrees. However, the "feels like" temperature will hit or surpass 105 Saturday and that would be enough to prompt and advisory that will probably last through the weekend. So. monitor those daytime highs and the heat index and take proper precautions.
The forecast for today is for partly cloudy and hot conditions. An isolated shower or storm is slightly possible in the afternoon. Highs in the mid to upper 90s.
Tonight, clear to partly cloudy skies can be expected overnight. Lows in the lower to middle 70s.
Topping the News:
Plaintiff Eric Milligan will challenge in federal court, the new, congressional district map passed by the Alabama legislature. He claims it does not follow the U-S Supreme Court order to create an identifiable 2nd Majority/Minority district. But Alabama AG Steve Marshall is defending the map saying it gives minorities a better "opportunity" to win elections. Marshall has until August 14th to respond to plaintiff objections.
Into the night job seekers by the thousands sought employment at the new Smuckers plant in McCalla yesterday. Some 750 employees are needed for jobs with a starting pay of $23.00 an hour. The $1 billion dollar plant on Old Tuscaloosa Highway, just off I20/59 is half complete. Suckers will produce “Uncrustables” at the plant beginning next spring.
Parents are being urged to go ahead and enroll their students online in one of the Tuscaloosa City School System’s 21 schools. In a release the system says waiting until opening day on August 9th will create too much confusion.
Three men were arrested in connection to an assault that was caught on camera at a Cullman music festival over the weekend. Cullman Police Chief David Nassetta said 20-year-old William Joseph Vinson Jr., 20-year-old Chance Marcus Allen Starling, and 21-year-old Zachary Scott Taylor were charged with second-degree assault. The assault resulted from an accidentally spilled beer.
It has been six months since Tony Mitchell died in custody of the Walker County Sheriff’s Department and Ryan Cagle of Justice for Tony Mitchell is pushing for persons with mental health issues to be treated differently. He claims specially trained mental health teams should respond to persons with mental issues.
A civil lawsuit alleges Mitchell froze to death and endured inhumane treatment. The FBI is investigating.
After saying they would not refund the money collected by Crimestoppers of Metro Central Alabama after the disappearance of Carlee Russell in Hoover, the organization has reversed course. In light of the disappearance being a hoax, the organization is returning more than $60,000 raised for information that led to the 25-year old's return.
Roughly $63,378 was donated in the 48-plus hours that Russell was missing, before she showed back up at her parent’s Hoover home and admitted she had not been kidnapped.
Russell faces potential charges.
In Sports:
Daydreams of college football will be realized soon. It is just 30 days until kickoff of the 2023 season.
Former Crimson Tide Wide Receiver John Metchie has been cleared to return to football after being diagnosed last year with leukemia. Metchie plays for Houston in the NFL.
The Atlanta Braves, famous for come from behind victories the last few years, had the table turned on them last night. Boston surged from behind and beat Atlanta 5-3 at Fenway Park. The Braves have now lost two in a row.
The highly ballyhooed US Women's National Soccer Team was able to salvage a 1-1 tie with Netherlands in the FIFA Women's World Cup Stage E in New Zealand.
Keep your eyes on the prize. Friday is just ahead.
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