West Alabama Thursday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama. It is Thursday August 22, 2024.

After spotty chances for showers and some thunderstorms today, rain possibilities will disappear again through at least mid-next week. That will allow abnormally dry and drought conditions to continue to spread across the state.

The current U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of Alabama covered by Abnormally Dry conditions and that Moderate Drought covers almost all of Lamar, Fayette and Walker counties.

The dry soil is allowing wildfires to ignite across the western side of the state. There are currently a dozen burning in the state, two here in Tuscaloosa County. A small fire is located on Phelps Road between Watermelon Road and Old Lock 15 Road. The other blaze in the county is a 26-acre fire in northern Tuscaloosa County east of Tyro Road.

All of the fires are listed as contained by the Alabama Forestry Commission which reminds us that we are at the beginning of the fall wildfire season and should maintain fire safety when burning outdoors.

The Forecast:

Today

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the morning.

Tonight

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 91. East wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night

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Topping the News:

Several sexual assaults of UA students have gone high profile in recent years. But a news partner ABC3340 study of crime data provided by UAPD reveals there were 75 rapes reported between 2020 and 2022. Authorities warn students they can be vulnerable when out drinking.

Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit’s Captain Jack Kennedy advises students to safeguard themselves, have friends you trust with you and maintain awareness of your surroundings. Sexual assault is the number one crime at UA.

Former UA student Gambill Gentry, who is charged with several counts surrounding a sexual assault of another UA student, has been released on $60,000 bond. Gentry is required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and to have no contact with the victim or their family and friends. He will reside in Tennessee while awaiting trial.

There has been another denial of bail for former Alabama Basketball player Darius Miles. Miles's attorneys claim he was acting in self-defense when he provided a gun to a friend that was later used in an exchange of gunfire that led to the death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris.

In his denial Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruitt told attorneys on both sides to prepare for Miles’s Capital Murder trial.

There has been another sewage overflow in Tuscaloosa. Hurricane Creek Keeper John Wathen says he has notified the City of Tuscaloosa about a sewage spill which he and the city said originated from Beacon Place apartment complex just off Hargrove Road East near Woodland Forest Elementary School. That complex has a privately owned sewage lift station that empties into the city's system.

Wathen reports the spill made its way into nearby water run-offs which lead to the Black Warrior River, Cottondale Creek and other natural water sources around Tuscaloosa.

The planned Saban Center will soon take another step forward toward reality. The Tuscaloosa City Council has voted unanimously to demolish the Tuscaloosa News Building across from the Mercedes Amp. Ground is expected to be broken for the new STEM and events center in April.

Before Kamala Harris accepts the Democratic Presidential nomination tonight, Alabama 2^nd Congressional District Democrat Nominee Shomari Figures will address the Democratic Convention at 7:00.

The district is part of the court ordered redrawn district map to give black voters more representation in Alabama. Figures says he will deliver a unifying address that emphasizes the history of the district in south Alabama.

The anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks on New York and Washington D-C is fast approaching and local first responders will join in a memorial tribute to those responders who fell in service that day.

A memorial stair climb will take place in Coleman Coliseum on the 11^th. A ceremony will be conducted at 7:45am followed by a 1^st responder climb of 2,200 stairs at 8:15 and a public climb at 11:30.

The Communications Workers of America and AT&T have entered into federal mediation amid an ongoing strike. The union said the two groups held their first meeting with a mediator Wednesday morning. CWA members are manning a strike line in Tuscaloosa.

A fire destroyed a mobile home in Greensboro last night. Greensboro Fire Department responded to the blaze quickly, but the mobile home was already engulfed upon arrival. There were no injuries.

Topping the Sports News:

With the addition of Oklahoma and Texas to the Southeastern Conference this season the league will be strong er than ever. The possibility exists that several teams will be in position for the SEC Championship game and the end of the season now that there are no longer divisions.

The league office has released the tiebreaker scenario that will be used this season.

Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe was added to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Watch List. The award is given each year at the end of the season to the Division I offensive player who embodies the characteristics of Texas Longhorns great Earl Campbell.

19 Alabama Crimson Tide football players have been named to the 2025 Senior Bowl watch list. The bowl game after the end of the bowl season is an opportunity for college players to demonstrate their abilities during a week of practice observed by NFL coaches.

The Senior Bowl Game in Mobile is played under NFL rules with NFL coaching staffs.

High School Football kicks off tonight in Alabama. More than two dozen games will be played tonight with the remainder of the teams in action Friday and Saturday.

West Alabama games tonight: