West Alabama Tuesday Briefing

While there could be some scattered showers for today, Tuesday, August 15, 2023, we are expecting to experience a more seasonal type of summer day. And we will enjoy that weather at least a couple of days before temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 return toward the weekend.

Excessive heat and strong to severe thunderstorms are forecast across southeastern portions of Central Alabama today but the high in West Alabama is expected to only be in the upper 80s with just a slight chance for showers. The low tonight will be a comfortable 65.

Tomorrow and Thursday will be sunny with high temperatures in the upper 80s to very low 90s. The heat index will not be a problem. Low for both nights will be in the mid to upper 60s.

The heat moves back in on Friday and into the weekend. The highs Friday into Monday of next week will elevate back into the middle and upper 90s with near 100 on Sunday.

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Topping the News:

Alabama Democrat leaders attending yesterday’s federal court hearing in Birmingham on the legislature’s redrawn congressional district map are confident the 3-judge federal panel will order a special master to draw a map that meets the U-S Supreme Court order to develop a 2^nd majority-minority district in Alabama. Travis Jackson of Black Voters Matter told reporters he feels better about the future for minority voters being able to fully participate in the electoral process. The judges asked the state if lawmakers deliberately defied the court order.

Tomorrow, ALDOT and the city of Tuscaloosa will close Canterbury Road and its median crossover at its intersection with Highway 69 for 10 days to allow municipal crews to relocate utilities in the area. The project is in advance of 3-years of work scheduled to construct the Highway 69 flyover bridge.

Nominations are open for the 2023 Northport citizen of the Year awards. The top award goes to the person who has made outstanding contributions to the city. There are also nominations for Business Leader, Education Leader, Religious Leader, Heritage/Pioneer Leader and Public Safety Leader. Nominations can be made until August 31^st. The awards luncheon is set for October 5^th.

Nomination forms can be accessed online here. Physical copies can also be picked up at Northport 5&10 on Main Avenue in downtown Northport.

Eyewitnesses are describing Saturday night’s shootout at Hodo Haven on 33^rd Street as being like the gunbattle at the “OK Corral”. One group opened fire on another group, and they returned fire leaving two men shot, one critically. 25-year-old Kejuan Arrington has been charged with attempted murder and had his release revoked on a previous charge.  23yo Antwone Stowe has been charged with Attempted Murder and jailed on a $250,000 bond.

The University of Alabama is the only college in Alabama to be ranked in the Top 10 nationally for quality of student life. The Capstone is ranked 10th according to the online survey site Niche Ranking.

Writing about UA, the survey said, "Year after year, the UA campus ranks among the very best in the nation. From tulips and cherry blossoms in the spring to cascades of golden leaves in the fall, you’re surrounded by dramatic intersections of classic architecture and modern advancement."

Individual Rankings:

• UA ranked 2nd in college athletics, behind Florida and ahead of Clemson. 
• UA was also 2nd for Greek life, behind Florida State and just ahead of Ole Miss.
• UA is the 4th best party school, behind Cal, Tulane and Florida State and ahead of Howard, Wisconsin and Georgia.
• UA ranked nearly $6,000 higher than the national average cost of attendance at $21,263.00/yr.
• UA received an A- on academics.
• At $44,500.00, UA is $11,000+ dollars ahead of the national Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

In state:  Alabama ranks 1st, followed by Auburn and UAB.

With classes back in session and youngsters in close proximity to each other the Alabama Department of Public Health is concerned about a tridermic of the RSV Virus, flu and COVID19. COVID is on the rise and ADPH Dr. Wes Stubblefield expects RSV and flu cases to increase as well. Dr. Stubblefield advises the best way to keep illness from running through school students and faculty is for parents to keep sick children at home. Faculty and staff are urged to do the same if they feel ill, especially if they have a fever.

As we approach next month’s peak of the hurricane season NOAA has adjusted its predictions for tropical weather. The reassessment is based on higher water heating in the Atlantic and Gulf. Forecasters now say, instead of a near normal season, there is a 60% chance for an above normal season. Inland flooding associated with land-falling tropical systems is a major concern.

Smoking in cars with children under 18 was banned in the state of California in 2007 and is banned in certain counties and cities of Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, and Illinois. It is now smoking or vaping in a car with kids is also banned in Alabama.

The law passed during this past spring's legislative session, and now in effect in Alabama, prohibits adults from smoking with anyone 14 years old or younger in the vehicle. If pulled over for another offense the driver caught with adults smoking with a child in the car could get up to a $100.00 fine.

In Sports:

It is just 11 days until kick off of the 2023 college football season on August 26 in Week 0.

Alabama begins September 2 against Middle Tennessee at Bryant-Denny.

The Atlanta Braves blasted the NY Yankees 11-3 at Truist Park in Atlanta. The Yanks may be known as the Bronx Bombers, but it is Atlanta that keeps "going yard" regularly.

Have a terrific Tuesday and "ROLL TIDE"!