West Alabama Thursday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is "May Day", Thursday, May 1, 2025. Today has dual origins: it's recognized as International Workers' Day and also has roots in the Celtic festival of Beltane to celebrate the coming of summer.
This is the 121st day of the year with 244 days remaining.
In the Thursday Briefing:
- Weather
- News
- Sports
- Morning Observations
Weather:
An area of showers with embedded thunderstorms is moving into West Alabama this morning. Those storms are prompting a Slight (2 in 5) Risk for severe weather with the heaviest activity between 4:00pm and10:00pm. Threats include damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to quarter size.
The Storm Prediction Center has also painted West Alabama under a Marginal (1 in 5) Risk for strong to severe storms. Damaging winds, heavy rain, hail and significant lightning will be possible.
Read More: Severe Weather Possible Today and Tomorrow in Portions of Alabama
The Forecast:
Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 8pm and 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 64. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
The Weekend:
Showers and thunderstorms possible Saturday with a high in the mid-70s. A small chance of showers Saturday evening with a low in the lower 50s. Sunday will see clearing skies and a high in the lower 70s.
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News:
President Trump's Visit to Bring Excitement, Protests and Closed Roads Today
Donald Trump will make his third visit to Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama tonight when he delivers a keynote address at a special commencement event at Coleman Coliseum.
The president will be joined in making remarks by outgoing UA president Dr. Stuart Bell and former Crimson Tide Head Football Coach Nick Saban. The ticketed event does not replace any scheduled commencement ceremonies but is an addition for graduating seniors, parents, guests and dignitaries.
UA and the city have set aside spaces for protests and counter protests. Anti-Trump protests with be conducted at Snow Hinton Park, Government Plaza and Butler Field on campus. A pro-Trump Rally will be held near the UA Med Center on East Campus.
There will be a number of road closures near the UA campus the next few days and they are not all just for tonight’s presidential address at Coleman Coliseum. Some are due to the multi-day commencement activities. The 2nd Avenue overpass will be closed from 10:00 this morning until the president has departed campus. But additional closures will occur tomorrow, from noon to 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, from 7:00am until after 7:00pm.
Mayor Maddox Says Entire City Resources Mobilized for President's Visit
Tuscaloosa has had presidential visits before. Ronald Reagan spoke at Coleman Coliseum in 1984. Barack Obama toured damage resulting from the 2011 EF-4 tornado that struck Tuscaloosa. Trump has attended two UA football games, once as president, once as a candidate.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox says this experience has prepared the city for dealing with federal and state authorities charged with presidential security and keeping areas clean and safe for visitors.
Mobilizing city resources for the visit is similar to management of an Alabama home football game weekend.
Security to Be Tight at Coleman Coliseum Tonight
Tonight's presidential address is A ticketed event for UA graduating seniors, their parents and guests, faculty and dignitaries. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Because it is a presidential visit, security at the venue will be strict. There will be metal detectors at all of the coliseum's doors, backpacks will not be allowed, and game day type procedures will be in place.
Tuberville to Accompany Trump and Talk About Potential Run for Governor
Alabama's Senior Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville told the Steve and DC Morning Show on 95.3 The Bear this morning that he will further discuss with the president a potential run for Alabama governor.
Tuberville said he has not made up his mind and still needs to talk more with Trump and several other people in the Alabama legislature and in Washington.
"I don't want to do it just to be running," Tuberville told listeners, "You don't do something like that just to do it. You do it to make a difference.
Tuberville revealed he has not only talked to politicians about running but also former Bama Football Coach Nick Saban. He also noted the President Trump is sending more power back to the states, "That is a plus for me to go back and build but the question is where can I help the people of Alabama the most."
Tuberville will travel on Air Force One to Tuscaloosa this afternoon.
Mercedes to Localize New Vehicle at Vance Plant
A new core segment vehicle will be made by Mercedes-Benz at the Vance Plant in Eastern Tuscaloosa County, and it is targeted for release in 2027. A core segment vehicle is a specific type of vehicle aimed at a group of consumers most likely to purchase a vehicle based on its characteristics, price point and intended use.
The new vehicle will be in addition to the GLE, GLS, and electric SUVs like the EQE and EQS that are currently produced at the plant.
The new core segment vehicle, aligns with a corporate strategy aligns bringing a local-for-local approach, catering directly to U.S. consumer preferences while enhancing customer proximity.
Automotive industry observers say such a move will assist the German company in dealing with Trump Administrative tariffs.
Former First Lady of Alabama Men's Basketball Annette Sanderson Dies at 86
Sarah Annette Sanderson, the wife of former Alabama men's basketball coach Wimp Sanderson, passed away Wednesday at the age of 86.
Sanderson was a native of Florence and attended Coffee High School. Annette and Wimp met in Florence and married in October after her senior year of high school. They were married for 67 years.
The service celebrating Annette's life will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, at the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m. A graveside service will take place at 4 p.m. at Florence Cemetery Center in Florence.
New Pickleball Courts Under Construction at Bower's Park
Mayor Walt Maddox, City Council District 6 John Faile, and PARA Community Outreach Director Jay Logan broke ground for new pickleball courts at Bower's Park Wednesday.
The 19 new courts will cost $3.76 million and will be located at 1600 James I Harrison Jr Pkwy.
Tuscaloosa to Host NAACP Convention
The NAACP has selected Tuscaloosa as the site for its 73rd annual state convention September 25-28. The event will be held at the Hotel Capstone on the University of Alabama campus.
Bo Bikes Bama to Ride for a Final Time
"Bo Bikes Bama" was started in 2011 to raise money for victims of the April 27 tornadoes that devastated much of North Alabama. That first ride from East Alabama ended in Tuscaloosa. It has now been announced that this year's ride will be the last.
The legendary Auburn and pro football and baseball star Bo Jackson came up with the concept to raise money for the "Governor's Emergency Fund".
Sports:
Bama Softball Begins Key 3-game Series at South Carolina Tonight
14th ranked Alabama softball (35-18 overall, 11-10 SEC) is on the road this weekend for three critical games with 12th ranked South Carolina (37-13 overall, 11-10 SEC). First pitch for tonight's game one is set for 5:00pm Tuscaloosa time.
The Crimson Tide is coming off a three-game sweep over Missouri last weekend in Tuscaloosa, its first SEC sweep of the season. The team needs to win 2 of the 3 games to improve its post-season standings.
The series closes out the 2025 regular season for Alabama with the SEC Championship Tournament beginning next week.
- The weekend Schedule at USC:
- tonight – 5:00pm. CDT
- Friday – 5:00pm. CDT
- Saturday – 11:00am CDT – SEC Network
Bama is 48-21 overall against the Gamecocks.
Bama Baseball Eyes Post-Season NCAA Seeding
Of course, what happens in the coming SEC Championship Tournament at the Hoover Met will play a large part in Alabama Baseball's post-season but there are some projections out.
D1Baseball released its field of 64, featuring Alabama as the No. 2 seed in the Clemson regional, which the No. 3 Tigers will host. The seeding for the Clemson regional is listed below.
1. Clemson (7)
2. Alabama
3. Xavier*
4. Wright State*
2. Alabama
3. Xavier*
4. Wright State*
The Crimson Tide is at #15 Vanderbilt for three games beginning tomorrow night.
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Morning Observations:
The eyes of the nation will be watching Tuscaloosa this afternoon and evening as President Trump visits the UA campus for a 6:30pm commencement keynote address at Coleman Coliseum.
There will be protestors for and against Trump at four locations in town. UA and State Democrats will hold a protest at Snow Hinton Park with former Alabama U.S. Senator Doug Jones and former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke as the main speakers.
An activist group called Indivisible of Northport-Tuscaloosa will rally against Trump at Government Plaza. They are sponsored by a group called 5050. They say they are non-violent, but they plan to march to campus which could set up a conflict with event security.
Another anti-Trump protest is scheduled for Butler Field where the Alabama Million Dollar Band practices.
Then there is one pro-Trump rally just east of Butler Field at University Medical Center.
Here is hoping that things will be peaceful at each venue. But when you get emotional people on both sides in relative proximity of each other you never know. There are always those willing to be agitators.
Freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to interrupt, cause harm, incite violence, engage in hate speech or encourage any type of lawlessness.
No matter your opinion, no matter how angry or partisan you are, keep things civil.
(Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are those of the author and not necessarily that of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Keep up with the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather throughout the day on TuscaloosaThread.com Better yet, download the app.
Have a safe Thursday and welcome President Trump!!
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