West Alabama Tuesday Briefing

It is Tuesday January 2, 2024. The year started on a down note with Alabama's overtime Rose Bowl loss to Michigan 27-20. So, that means things have to get better. And that applies to the ongoing drought. It is still around with all of West Alabama under Severe Drought except for Bibb and Perry which are under Moderate Drought conditions.

The good news is the is there is a chance for rain Wednesday, which could include a few non-accumulating snow flurries across Nort Alabama. Then a more dynamic weather system Friday evening will bring an even better chance for significantly more rainfall. At least and inch and some computer models are forecasting two to three inches possible.

The Forecast:

Today: Fair weather across west Alabama with high temperatures in the low to mid 50s most areas.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Calm wind.

Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly between 9am and 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the evening.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 29.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Friday Night: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Weekend: A 50% chance of showers during the day Saturday with a high of 54. partly cloudy skies Saturday night through Sunday night. Highs in the upper 50s, lows in the upper 30s.

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Topping the News:

The Perry County town of Marion is again having water problems. Several days ago, two water pumps malfunctioned, draining the water tank to extremely low levels. Perry County EMA is seeking bottled water donations until the water pumps can be repaired.

2024 brings a few new state laws:

• One that will impact everyone who works overtime, there will be no state tax applied to it. However, the law will expire next year unless lawmakers renew it,
• Because boating accidents and injuries have been up in recent years, a new state law makes boating laws more resemble traffic violations which will include harsher penalties for recklessness on state waterways and lakes,
• Another new law requires law enforcement to receive training on how to interact with people suffering from sensory disabilities or disabilities. It will be mandatory every two years, and
• Yet another new law streamlines the adoption process.

Alabama begins the new year with a temporary court stay on issuing licenses to medical marijuana dispensaries amid an ongoing legal battle over how the state selected the winning companies.

The ruling affects only the dispensaries. Brittany Peters, a spokeswoman for the commission, says the commission has issued licenses to other companies that were selected to cultivate, transport, and test marijuana.

Because of the holidays, the Tuscaloosa City Council will not meet again until Tuesday, January 9 at 6:00pm.

There will be a special call meeting tomorrow of the Planning Commission for a Framework code update.

The Tuscaloosa Framework is a master/comprehensive plan adopted by the Planning Commission for the physical development of the city.

The next Northport Council Meeting will not be until Thursday, January 11 at 6;00pm.

In Sports:

it will be Washington and Michigan, the only undefeated teams, in next Monday’s College Football National Championship game at Houston TX.

The Huskies held on to knock off Texas 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl after Michigan beat Alabama 27-20 in overtime at the Rose Bowl New Year's Day.

Tide Coach Nick Saban told the postgame press conference he is proud of this team…because they accomplished more growth and improvement after the Texas and USF games than any team he has coached.

The Alabama team charter flight is due back into Tuscaloosa National at 4:30 this afternoon.

The Crimson Tide lost more than a football game yesterday. Linebacker Dallas Turner is set to forego his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft, he said after Monday’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan.

Oregon Quarterback Bo Nix was able to make some history for the Ducks in a couple of ways this season. The former Auburn signal caller not only ended up securing the most passing touchdowns in a single season for an Oregon quarterback with 43, but also broke the record for most passing yards in a season for a Duck quarterback with 4,457.

It is back to the routine today. have a terrific Tuesday!