West Alabama Tuesday Briefing
It is Tuesday, December 5, 2023. It was another cold start to the day with overnight lows just above freezing. There was some scattered dense fog across West Alabama but that has mainly burned off now.
The remainder of the week is expected to be about perfect for all the events that are going on. Overnight lows in the 30s and daytime temperatures in the 60s and mostly sunny skies. But the weekend could be a bit different.
Rain and thunderstorms are expected to enter West Alabama mid to late Saturday afternoon. Some severe weather is possible, but it does not appear that it will be widespread. However, it is still too far out to be certain. If greater instability occurs there will be a increased possibility for strong to sever storms.
The Forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 63. Light northwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 37. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Remainder of the Week: Mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the high 60s Friday will give way to rain and thunderstorm chances Friday night and through the weekend. Highs will be in the mid 50s to mid 60s, lows from the low 50s to start the weekend to lows 30s by Sunday night.
Topping the News:
A joyous holiday celebration turned tragic in downtown Tuscaloosa last night. A huge crowd watching the West Alabama Christmas Parade pass through the intersection of Greensboro Ave. and University Blvd. was horrified when a nine-year-old boy fell from a trailer and was run over by its wheels. The youth was treated by 1st responders on the scene and rushed to DCHRMC with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
TPD is still attempting to identify a white woman in her 50s who was struck by two vehicles while walking in the middle lane of McFarland Boulevard at Harrison Parkway early yesterday morning. The first driver was attempting to help the woman when a Ford-150 struck her again and continued driving east.
More roads are closed today around the site of tomorrow night’s Republican Presidential Debate at UA’s Moody Music Building. UA Chief Administrative officer Chad Tindol told reporters most of the closures will be right around the debate site. Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis, Former Ambassador Nikki Haley, political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will participate in the debate.
More protests are expected in Reform today over the tasing of a handcuffed 24-year-old Micah Washington, a black male, by a white female Reform Police officer who was arresting him. Video taken by persons in the car with Washington has gone viral. Attendees at a rally last night in Reform contend that Washington was not resisting arrest and should not have been tased. The unnamed officer has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation by the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation.
In 2017 S-Town Podcast was a wildly popular online production about John B., an eccentric hero whose turbulent unrest created issues in changing his rural Alabama community. The man at the center of the podcast, 32-year-old Joseph Tyler Goodson is dead after a standoff with Woodstock Police ended in his being shot. The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the Bibb County incident.
Alabama is one of eleven states seeing increased rates of influenza. While not yet at the level of last year at this time, health experts are concerned about holiday get togethers helping to spread the virus. Most experts believe Thanksgiving get togethers helped spike flu rates in the state.
States from New Mexico across the lower U.S. to South Carolina are experiencing high flu rates according to the latest CDC Influenza Map.
ADPH advises it is still not too late to take the flu and RSV vaccines.
In Sports:
From UA Athletics: The Alabama men's basketball team (6-2) defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves, 89-65, Monday night inside Coleman Coliseum.
The Crimson Tide led the entire game, leading by as many as 31 points (71-40) before settling for a 24-point win.
Mohamed Wague finished the contest with a season-high 12 points and seven rebounds, while Davin Cosby Jr. also recorded season highs with nine points and five rebounds.
The Red Wolves (2-7), who were coached by former Alabama assistant coach Bryan Hodgson, were led by Izaiyah Nelson with 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Tide now faces three tough road games versus ranked opponents.
From UA Athletics: The University of Alabama football team had 10 student-athletes earn a spot on the Associated Press' 2023 All-Southeastern Conference Teams, the organization announced Monday afternoon.
The first-team honorees included JC Latham (OT) and Tyler Booker (OG) on offense; Dallas Turner (LB) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) on defense; and Will Reichard (PK) on special teams.
Alabama's second-team selections were made up of Jalen Milroe (QB) on the offensive side of the ball and Justin Eboigbe (DT), Chris Braswell (LB), Terrion Arnold (CB) and Caleb Downs (S) on defense.
In addition to Downs' second-team selection, the freshman defensive back was selected as the AP's Newcomer of the Year.
Have a Terrific Tuesday!!