West Alabama Thursday Briefing
It is Thursday, October 26, 2023. The Southeast generally receives substantial precipitation and is often considered water rich. However, the region is increasingly experiencing record-breaking droughts, highlighting competing water demands. We are currently experiencing one of those periods.
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Western Georgia. have been dealing with moderate to exceptional drought conditions for months. These have resulted in low river and stream flows, significant fire conditions, and additional hardships for agriculture.
For now, there is no relief in sight. While temperatures will drop to early winter type conditions, there is not enough rainfall in the forecast to make a difference. A cold front will move through the state Monday, but the rain chances are low.
What that front will do is put an end to our warm temperatures next week. We could see lows dropping into 30s by the end of next week. That is not good because the Alabama home game with LSU next week is a Saturday evening game.
The Forecast:
Today: Partly cloudy with highs in the upper 70s to low and mid 80s across Central Alabama.
Tonight: Partly cloudy tonight with low temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Friday: Partly cloudy with highs in the upper 70s to low and mid 80s.
High School Football Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Tuesday Halloween Forecast: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Topping the News:
An active shooter is still on the run in Maine. A man with mental health issues, military experience and a certified firearms instructor background has killed at least 22 and wounded 30. 40-year-old Robert Card used a military type of rifle to fire at gatherings of people in a bar and a bowling alley.
A massive federal, state and local law enforcement manhunt continues in and around Lewiston, Maine.
Construction on Highway 11 is underway in the Coaling area to improve the heavily used U.S. Highway. While the improvements will be nice, the work is creating traffic issues. The travel problems are enough that Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue has been asked to assist with emergency responses in that area.
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Birmingham-Southern College against State Treasurer Young Boozer. The school had filed the suit in the wake of Boozer refusing to allow BSC to participate in a legislatively passed program that allows financially strapped institutions to receive a loan to help keep the doors open.
The school was able to reopen for the fall semester after raising funds from alumni and donors. If the United Methodist owned facility is not able to get relief, there may be no spring semester.
BSC is considering options which include a possible appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.
Voter turnout for Tuesday's Republican Special Primary runoff in House District 16 was extremely low according to Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen's office. Less than 10% of registered voters in Fayette, Northeast Tuscaloosa and West Jefferson counties that encompass the district turned out.
Northport attorney Bryan Brinyark won the GOP nomination and will fcae Fayette County Commissioner John Underwood in the January Special General Election. The winner replaces Kyle South who resigned the office to head the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
The University of Alabama has broken ground for the new state-of-the-art Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts on the east campus. The facility with multiple theaters and rehearsal halls will be a national leader in the performing arts. The facility will be part of the renovated Bryce Campus and is expected to be open by 2026.
In Sports:
Former Alabama basketball star Brandon Miller made his debut as a player for Charlotte in the NBA last night and things went well. Miller came off the bench to hit his first shot, a 3-pointer. He scored 13 points, including three 3s.
In Thursday night area high school football tonight: Oak Grove visits Dora and Jasper hosts Pleasant Grove. There will be a full slate of action tomorrow night as high school football wraps up week nine of the 2023 season.
Have a tremendous Thursday!!
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