West Alabama Thursday Briefing

It is Thursday April 11, 2024.

That expected atmospheric instability over West Alabama yesterday never materialized. Despite thunder and lightning, heavy rainfall and high wind gusts; no significant damage has been reported.

Tree and power lines were downed causing scattered power outages across West Alabama. More than 300 customers remained without power at daylight this morning in Perry County.

More significant damage occurred in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana where New Orleans recorded its worst flooding since Hurricane Katrina.

Cloudy skies with some possible lingering showers will give way to a beautiful weekend and that is important because it is A-Day Weekend in T-Town, an opportunity to get a preview of new Tide Head Football Coach Kalen DeBoer's first team at the Capstone.

The Forecast:

Today

A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 48. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night

Clear, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 83.

Sunday Night

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Topping the News:

Yet another shooting in Tuscaloosa has left a person dead. This one last night, around 11:00pm in the 3100 block of 2nd Avenue. 20-year-old Mikal Rashaun Kirkman is in custody and charged with the shooting death of a teenage male who was pronounced dead after being transported to DCH. The teen’s identity has not been released.

Kirkman is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond under Aniah’s Law.

This is Tuscaloosa County’s 7^th homicide since the first of the year. It comes as Tuscaloosa Police reported crime being down across the board in the city.

The City of Tuscaloosa is moving ahead with a $19-million project for street scaping and safety enhancements in Alberta. City Council President Kip Tyner represents that district. He says some of the work will include new safety features such as sidewalks, lighting, and underground utilities, along University Boulevard East.

The safety enhancements will have definite impact. Several people have been struck while attempting to cross University Blvd., including Tyner’s brother Bo was hit and killed earlier this year as he attempted to cross the busy multi-lane roadway.

Shelton State has extended the time to apply for the Perkins Scholarship. It is for students pursuing careers in nontraditional fields and is accepting applications until April 19. The scholarships are for students enrolled in a gender-nontraditional program of study.

The scholarship's title relates to occupations or work areas, including careers in computer science, technology, and other emerging high-skill occupations in which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25% of the individuals employed in that occupation or field.

Gas prices continue to rise nationwide and here in Alabama. The national average is $3.63 a gallon, 7¢ more than last week. The statewide average for a gallon of unleaded is $3.24. That is up 6¢ from a week ago. The cheapest gas in West Alabama, on average, is in Tuscaloosa County at $3.20 a gallon. $3.42 in Lamar and Perry counties are the most expensive gas prices in West Alabama.

Bibb County will host a drug take back day at the Bibb County Sheriff’s office and Woodstock Police Department on April 27^th. The event is part of the DEA’s National Drugs Take Back program. You can drop off unneeded prescriptions, unused or out-of-date over the counter medications, vitamins, pet medications and inhalers among other items.

Work is progressing toward appointing a bipartisan conference committee to rectify differences between the Alabama House and Senate lottery bills. Sen. President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Atmore) sponsored the legislation in the upper chamber, and he told reporters he believes they are close to putting a conference committee together. Just days remain in the current regular session.

Topping Sports News:

The director of the Alabama High School Athletics Association, Alvin Briggs, is retiring. He informed the AHSAA Central Board of Control he plans to retire from his position effective September 2nd. Briggs is the first minority to serve in the role of Executive Director in AHSAA history. He’s been with the AHSAA since 2011 serving in a variety of roles.

Three former University of Alabama men's golfers will compete at The Masters this weekend at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Justin Thomas, Nick Dunlap and Lee Hodges will tee it up at arguably the most famous tournament in golf.

The tournament is battling the elements today as the storms that crossed Alabama forced tee times to be pushed back this morning.

With the portal playing such a big part in college athletics these days nobody can be sure who will dot rosters from season to season. Nate Oats' Crimson Tide Basketball is no different. Click HERE for the latest Bama Basketball roster update.

Have a great Thursday. It is all downhill from here toward A-Day weekend!