West Alabama Thursday Briefing

Good morning, West Alabama! It is Thursday May 23, 2024.

So far, we have escaped the ongoing, almost day-after-day severe weather being experienced by the Midwest. The damage inflicted by high winds, torrential rains, large hail and tornadoes has been horrendous. The loss of lives has been tragic.

Knock on wood, it has been a relatively quiet spring for West Alabama and much of the state. The only disruption to that could come tonight through Saturday as the Storm Prediction Center has the area forecasted for scattered thunderstorm activity. Some could be severe, Click HERE for details.

The Forecast:

Today

Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight

A slight chance of showers between 1am and 4am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 89. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph.

Saturday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

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Topping the News:

Tuscaloosa fire station number 1 now has one of five safe haven baby boxes in Alabama. The boxes now found in 16 states are designed to provide a safe and private location where an infant can be surrendered. Once the box is open there is an immediate call to 911 alerting first responders. After the baby is placed inside there is a second alert. When the baby box door is shut, the box is locked, securing the infant until first responders retrieve the child from inside.

As was announced earlier this week, 90% of the Tuscaloosa City School System third graders are reading at or above grade level. That is up from 75% in 2022. Now further information shows Rock Quarry and Tuscaloosa Magnet School went a step further an achieved 100% proficiency.

The fabled University Club downtown is reopening after $17 million in renovation and remodeling work. The building that was formerly the Governor’s Mansion when Tuscaloosa was the state capitol is membership venue for member dining, weddings and private events. The Greek revival home was built in 1834 and is on the historic register.

Oh, by the way, the almond balls are back!

It is Circle K Fuel Day nationwide. Between 4 and 7 this afternoon you can get 40 cents a gallon off on your fill-up. Ten percent of profits from fuel sales during that time will go to Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. There are five Circle K locations in Tuscaloosa/Northport.

A 10-year-old boy died Tuesday after an accident in the water last week. According to a GoFundMe Page and information shared by Northport's Warrior Baseball youth league on Facebook, RJ Paulk, Jr. was celebrating his team's season at a swim party when he suffered an accident in the water last Thursday, May 16th.

According to the GoFundMe Post, "RJ was a skilled athlete who played basketball for the Northport Wildcats and most recently played for Warrior baseball at Kentuck Park for the 9/10-year-old A's, coached by Jared Case. He attended fourth grade at Faucett Vestavia in Northport, Alabama."

More than $22,000 have been raised so far for the unexpected medical bills, stays away from home, and food for the family.

Robert “Big Bob” Gibson of Decatur’s Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q will be inducted into the national American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame later this year. He will join Tuscaloosa’s John “Big Daddy” Bishop of Dreamland Bar-B-Que fame as the only two Alabamians in the BBQ Hall.

Topping Sports News:

In Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament play Wednesday: