WEST ALABAMA THURSDAY BRIEFING
It is Thursday, July 6, 2023, and it is National Fried Chicken Day. Did you know that although fried chicken is the ultimate soul food, it did not originate in the south or even in the USA?
Europeans were already frying chickens back in the Middle Ages, and it was the Scottish immigrants to the U.S. who brought with them their tradition of deep-frying chicken in fat with no seasoning. The earliest known recipe for fried chicken was written by Hannah Glasse in 1747 in her cookbook titled “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy.”
I think I know what I'm having for lunch today.
The weather today should cooperate, at least through lunch. Partly cloudy conditions this morning should give way to scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly this afternoon. Storms are not forecasted to reach severe levels. Highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s.
Tonight, will be partly cloudy with lingering showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Lows in the lower 70s.
This week's three-day workweek ends tomorrow with much the same forecast, partly cloudy with scattered to numerous mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s.
Topping the News:
Minus attorney’s fees, the daughters of slain Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Johnson will receive a one-million-dollar settlement from the State of Alabama. Attorneys for the girls filed suit claiming Austin Patrick Hall should not have been out of prison on good time when he shot and killed their father during a chase. In early April, a law codifying reforms to correct good time was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Ivey.
A status conference is set for today in a lawsuit originally filed by two firms who were not awarded medical cannabis licenses last month. The Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Commission has already halted its release of licenses over concerns about the process. The lawsuit in Montgomery Circuit Court claims the commission did not follow its own rules, violated the state’s Open Meetings Law and changed rules without notice. Tuscaloosa is one of the areas of the state left out of the selection process. The commission will meet Monday.
There is a new scam going around Alabama. According to the IRS people are receiving an envelope from a delivery service telling them they are owed a tax refund. The letter looks realistic. It asks the recipient to provide their personal information so the refund can be sent. The contact information though is not that of the IRS, it is a scam. Does anyone really think the IRS doesn't already have their personal information?
A statewide photo competition sponsored by the mayors of Alabama’s ten largest cities (including Tuscaloosa's Walt Maddox) is giving Alabamians a chance to win $500 by showing off their city. Announcement of the contest on the Big Ten Mayor’s Facebook page says between now and September 4, the best city life photos from the Big Ten cities will be posted. The photo with the most likes will win a $500 Visa gift card.
Powerball is up to an estimated half a billion dollars and Alabamians are crossing the state line to Mississippi in large numbers in hopes of winning. Stores selling lottery tickets in Columbus and Meridian MS report many Alabama tags in their parking lots. Alabama is the only southeastern state without a lottery and a lottery bill was not put forth in this past spring’s legislative session. The next drawing is Saturday night.
The number of accidental shootings of children in Alabama is up over this time last year. So far there have been nine shootings, two deaths and seven injuries. Child safety proponents are encouraging parents to install effective safety locks and hide their gun from children.
In Sports:
Former Crimson Tide Basketball star Brandon Miller netted 18 points in his first NBA summer league game Monday but along with a lot of fouls and turnovers. In his second game last night he recorded more fouls than points. The Hornet’s 2nd round draft pick posted only six points and eight fouls. (They give developmental players 10 fouls in summer league play.) He also had 4 turnovers.
Former Bama Baseball Coach Jim Wells has been elected to the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 15 seasons at Alabama, he netted 625 wins and 3 CWS appearance. Combined with his five years at Northwestern State University (LA) he has a record of 817-411 (.665).
College Football Season is creeping closer. Southeastern Conference Media Days, where coaches and selected players meet the sports media is just two weeks away.
I'm already ready for some fried chicken for lunch. Have a thrilling Thursday!
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