West Alabama Thursday Briefing
It is Thursday, October 19, 2023. Increasing clouds through the day could bring us some badly needed rainfall late this afternoon and this evening according to the National Weather Service. Although it is not expected to be much, less than a tenth of an inch, but any rainfall is welcome. The updated U.S. Drought Monitor to be released for Alabama later today is expected to show continued spread and worsening of drought conditions.
No rainfall after overnight tonight is in the area forecast through the middle of next week.
October is living up to its reputation as the historically driest month of the year in the south.
The Forecast:
Today: Mostly sunny in the morning, then increasing clouds and rain chances across the northwest in the afternoon. Highs in the 70s.
Tonight: Cloudy with rain chances increasing by 1am. A few rumbles of thunder will be possible late evening and into the overnight hours. Lows will be in the 50s.
Friday: Decreasing clouds from west to east. Highs in the 70s.
High School Football Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Crimson Tide Football Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Topping the News:
A hearing is set for tonight about potential traffic changes on overcrowded 43 North in Northport. An ALDOT proposal would modify the intersection at Mitt Lary Road to give drivers an additional lane. The proposed work includes the addition of a right turn lane from US-43 North to eastbound Mitt Lary Road at the signalized intersection and access management in the area of the intersection. These improvements are expected to relieve traffic congestion during the morning and afternoon peak hours.
Area businesses have complained that the congestion is causing motorists to cut through their parking lots. The ALDOT hearing will run from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Christ Harbor Church.
An ALDOT public comment period will last until Nov. 18. Here is the way to submit your comments:
- Online: Comment Form
- Email: us43improvements@dot.state.al.us
- Phone: (205) 507-4478 to leave comments (Limit 3 minutes)
- Postal Mail (See Comment Form in Downloads)
- Mail comments to: ALDOT - Tuscaloosa Area Office Local Transportation 2715 Skyland Blvd East Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
The family of murdered Mountain Brook teen Natalie Holloway now has some closure. Joran van der Sloot, the longtime suspect in the case, has admitted he brutally bludgeoned the 18-year-old to death when she refused to cooperate with his advances in Aruba in 2005. The admission was part of a plea deal in a federal case involving his extortion of money from the girl’s mother.
If you live in Tuscaloosa, you may have a chance to vote to pay for improvements in the city’s school system. The city board of education has voted unanimously to ask for a special election to raise property taxes for the first time in 40 years. The only way a school system in Alabama can generate more revenue is to request a property tax hike. The system receives only 15 mills of the city’s 51 mill tax and is faced with rising costs and budget shortfalls.
The Montgomery circuit judge hearing a variety of lawsuits related to the stalled issuance of medical marijuana production and distribution licenses in Alabama says he may allow companies with non-contested permits to move forward. The beginning of the medical marijuana program is being delayed due to contested licenses due to alleged improper procedures followed by the Alabama Cannabis Commission.
Financially strapped Birmingham Southern College is suing Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer. The school claims his denial of $27 million in a bailout request from the Distressed Institutions of Higher Learning Revolving Loan Fund defies the intent of the program set up by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ivey.
BSC officials claim they meet all requirements for the program to keep large scale institutions from failing, hurting local economies and losing jobs.
Boozer has refused to comment due to the pending litigation.
In Sports:
The sports media covering the Southeastern Conference Media Days have predicted Alabama will finish in fifth place in the league this coming season.
Earlier this week both AP and USA Today ranked the Crimson Tide 24th in the College Basketball Pre-season Polls.
Bama Coach Nick Saban is optimistic about some injured Tide players in advance of this weekend's Tennessee game at Bryant-Denny. Saban told reporters Malachi Moore and CJ Dippre have both practiced this week. While progress is being made, he could not say if they will be ready to go Saturday.
Saban also said Offensive Line man Terrence Ferguson is “closer to 100%”. H suffered a high-ankle sprain earlier this season.
Former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake has been cut by the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. Drake was a 2016 third rounds draft pick of the Miami Dolphins.
Have a thrilling Thursday and get ready to "Beat UT.
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