West Alabama Tuesday Briefing
It is Tuesday April 23, 2024.
This morning should be the last for cold temperatures as the week begins a warm-up today. There were some upper 30s recorded in North Alabama overnight but it was in the upper 40s across most of West Alabama.
As usual, when the temperatures warm, rain cannot be far behind. We will have small chances of scattered showers through the remainder of the week.
The Forecast:
Progress improving the entry into Tuscaloosa off I20/59 could be made this afternoon. The Tuscaloosa City Council Finance Committee is expected to consider an incentive package that includes tax breaks for a potential mixed-use facility on the blighted McFarland Mall property on Skyland Blvd. Cassius Lanier, who represents the area on the city council believes the improvements will raise property values. The property is owned by local businessman and developer Stan Pate.
UAW President Shawn Fain is firing back at southern Republican governors who are critical of unionization efforts at Mercedes and other non-union southern auto plants. He claims they are liars and are misleading the public, not the union, about the union impact of the state's economy. he says politicians are in the back pocket of big money donors and don't care about the people who elected them.
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith is critical of delays by the county in funding a new monitoring system that the sheriff claims may have helped save the life of an inmate who died in jail.
While there is no cause of death yet, Smith told reporters there is no foul play suspected in the death of 47-year-old Siras Theus who was initially deemed a health risk after he was arrested by Jasper Police April 12th on drug trafficking and distribution charges.
WestAlabamaWorks! is inviting job seekers in Sumter and surrounding counties to attend a hiring event at the Livingston Civic Center Thursday this week between 2:00 until 5:00pm.
State leaders are in Tuscaloosa this morning for a Special Education Public Meeting that gets underway at 9:00. The meeting will run until noon at the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy.
The family of 5-month old Brayden Robertson, who died after being dropped off at a Demopolis Daycare, is cautioning parents to fully vet any daycare they are considering for their child. They say no parent should lose their child at the hands of somebody else. Versa Mae Simmons, an employee at Tender Years Preschool and Nursery has been charged with murder and child abuse.
Topping Sports News:
Alabama baseball will close out its home non-conference schedule for the 2024 regular season tonight when the 18th-ranked Crimson Tide welcomes Samford to Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The midweek matchup is slated for a 6 p.m. CT first pitch on SEC Network+.
Tonight's game will be the final '$2 Tuesday' at The Joe for the 2024 season. The deal is one of Alabama's season-long promotions, featuring $2 reserved tickets for all fans in attendance. The midweek with UAB will also serve as 'Bark at the Park' night. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to Sewell-Thomas Stadium with the first 250 fans receiving an Alabama chew toy at Gate 5, the designated entrance for all fans with their pups.
From UA Athletics: The Alabama Athletics Department's annual Crimson Choice Awards, presented by the student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), was held Monday night at Coleman Coliseum. The event recognized students from all sports.
Have a tremendous Tuesday!!