West Alabama Tuesday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama. It is Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Tuesday Morning Observations:
A "Flannel Alert" is in effect for all of West Alabama this week. Ok, so there is no such thing but there should be. If you were struggling to wake up this morning when you left the house, it didn't take long to be wide-awake once that cool lower 40s temperature air hit you in the face.
And the hint of winter will continue through overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning. Scattered frost is possible from Tuscaloosa northward, the first of the season if it happens.
If that is not enough, the first dusting of snow is possible across the higher mountains of eastern Tennessee tonight.
Yep! Old Man Winter is knocking at the door, but the latch will stay on a little longer as a warmup moves into the area over the next 6 to 10 days according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center long-range forecast.
The Forecast:
Topping the News:
The Tuscaloosa City School System has been authorized by Alabama Department of Education to be a charter school authorizer and has now initiated the process of accepting applications.
This afternoon, the Tuscaloosa City Council's Public Projects Committee will discuss approval of a $1.5 million professional services agreement with Volkert, Inc. for the 1st phase of replacing the Stillman Blvd. Bridge.
Tuscaloosa's parks improvement project continues with the reopening of Kaulton Park after extensive renovations. Tuscaloosa District 2 Council Member Raevan Howard is confident the park upgrade will attract more residents and build community pride among current residents. Enhancements include an improved playground, lighting and security.
Shelton State Community College is now a regional automotive technician training center for Honda. The designation comes after an agreement was signed between the Tuscaloosa school and America Honda Manufacturing. Graduates can become Honda and Acura Certified Technicians.
Lincoln, in East Alabama is home to a Honda manufacturing plant.
32-year-old Tanesha Thomas and 20-year-old David Waller III have been charged with attempted murder in that early Sunday morning shooting at Creekwood Village Apartments. The 31-year-old victim received life-threatening wounds.
Topping the Sports News:
The pre-season Associated Press College Basketball Poll ranks perineal power Kansas as # 1 with 30 first place votes. Coach Nate Oats Crimson Tide received 14 first place votes and is ranked 2nd in the poll. Defending national champion UConn is third with Houston 4th and Iowa State 5th. Auburn is ranked 11th. Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Florida, Kentucky and Ole Miss are also ranked.
Hopefully, the expectations placed on this team are not too high considering the experience and depth combined with topflight newcomers that fill out the roster.
Preseason AP Top 25
1. Kansas
2. Alabama
3. UConn
4. Houston
5. Iowa State
6. Gonzaga
7. Duke
8. Baylor
9. North Carolina
10. Arizona
11. Auburn
12. Tennessee
13. Texas A&M
14. Purdue
15. Creighton
16. Arkansas
17. Indiana
18. Marquette
19. Texas
20. Cincinnati
21. Florida
22. UCLA
23. Kentucky
24. Ole Miss
25. Rutgers
For just the second time, the Alabama Men's Basketball Team has been picked by media to win the Southeastern Conference Championship in pre-season.
The Tide's Mark Sears has been selected Pre-Season SEC Player of the Year.
Read More: Alabama Picked First in Preseason SEC Poll
Read More: Mark Sears, Grant Nelson Earn SEC Preseason Honors
With 25 punts this season averaging 45.8 yards a punt with his longest being 64 yards, James Burip has won the weekly Ray Guy Award.
The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding punter. It is named after punter Ray Guy, an All-American for Southern Mississippi and an All-Pro in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders.
Read More: Burnip Wins Weekly Ray Guy Award
What did Tide Coach Kalen DeBoer have to say about Saturday's squeaker of a win over South Carolina and this weekend's "Third Saturday in October" game against Tennessee?
Read More: Kalen DeBoer During Monday’s Presser
"ESPN Gameday" may be in Austin TX for the Longhorn's showdown with the Georgia Bulldogs, but SEC Network's "SEC Nation" will visit Knoxville for Alabama vs. Tennessee Saturday morning.
The show will begin at 9:00a.m. CDT and will be broadcast live on SEC Network. ‘The show features Paul Finebaum (a UT grad), Tim Tebow, former Alabama star Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers, Laura Rutledge, Marty Smith, and Ryan McGee.
The Alabama Men's and Women's Golf Teams have both won national championships. Now they have facilities fitting for a champion.
Read More: Alabama Crimson Tide Golf Unveils New Facility
Three college football games are on TV tonight and there will be college pigskin all the way through Saturday night. Tonight's games are:
- New Mexico State at Florida International, 6:00pm
- Louisiana at Texas State, 6:30pm
- Louisiana Tech at Sam Houston, 7:00pm
Tomorrow night Jacksonville State will travel to Liberty.
Click TuscaloosaThread.com for all the West Alabama news, sports and weather throughout the day. Better yet, download the app.
Have a Terrific Tuesday and ROLL TIDE!!