West Alabama Tuesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Tuesday, February 18, 2025. This is the 49th day of the year with 316 remaining.

Tuesday Morning Observations:

The nationally 4th ranked Alabama Men's Basketball Team is getting tremendous national attention, and many accolades are coming their way. Tide Coach Nate Oats has led the team to success not seen since the days of C.M. Newton and Wimp Sanderson. But there is another University of Alabama Basketball team that is seeing similar success and not getting the attention they deserve.

The Alabama Women's Basketball Team is having a great year, built on success from the last couple of years. Head Coach Kristy Curry's squad is 21-5 overall and 8-4 in the SEC, they moved up to 18th in the polls this week, they are fifth in the nation in 3-point shooting and are projected as a potential 4th seed in the NCAA tournament. Last night they showed their prowess by blasting Texas A&M 88-49. It is the second game in conference play this season that the Tide has held an opponent under 50 points.

This is a fun team to watch, and they are playing at a level unseen at The Capstone since Rick Moody prowled the sideline leading the Bama women from 1990 to 2005. He guided the Tide to a record 26 wins in the Final Four1993–94 season. This year's team is just five games away from tying that mark.

You are missing a treat if you haven't watched the women play. According to ESPN Alabama has the 15th best odds in the nation (200-1) to win the 68-team NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in April. That is not too shabby.

Pay attention to these names: Sara Ashley Barker, Zaay Green, Aaliyah Nye, Essence Cody, Karly Weathers and their teammates. They are not the household names like Mark Sears and Grant Nelson with the men's team, but they should be. They are fun to watch play, and they wear the Crimson and White well.

ROLL TIDE young ladies!

Weather: 

If you want to see snow and wintry weather overnight tonight you will need to go north of Tuscaloosa and Pickens counties where there is a Winter Weather Advisory. The advisory now includes Lamar, Fayette and Walker Counties. Mixed precipitation is expected, mainly in the northern half of these counties.

What we will experience across West Alabama are very cold temperatures according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham. It will be below freezing gain tonight and Thursday will bring freezing temperatures all the way to the gulf coast.

The good news is spring is just over a month away.

Read More: Alert: Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Portions of Alabama

The Forecast:

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West Alabama Works Meeting to Discuss Contruction

West Alabama Works is hosting a Construction Cluster Meeting today from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at the Workforce and Community Development Center (Regions Boardroom). The event aims to bring together key stakeholders in the construction industry to discuss critical workforce development topics, including labor law updates, hiring strategies, and available grant funding opportunities.

State Mental Health Agency Asking for More Legislative Support

Alabama, like much of the rest of the country, is in a mental health crisis so the state’s mental health agency is asking lawmakers for more beds for involuntary commitment beds. These are beds for people who are at risk of harming themselves or others and need long-term care.

The mental health commissioner Kim Boswell made the request, “We feel like if those services were available in all 67 counties where people are willing to go to treatment, and then we have the commitment beds for folks who are under involuntary commitment, we could make some significant headway,” said Boswell.

The mental health department is asking for additional $68-million dollars.

Tuscaloosa is home to the state's Bryce Hospital and Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility.

UA Students Donate to Children's of Alabama

The University of Alabama's largest student-led philanthropic organization, UA Miracle, has raised $223,725 over the past year to support Children's of Alabama in Birmingham. Since its inception in 2011, UA Miracle has raised more than $3 million.

Sunday Bibb County Fatal Crash Reported

28-year-old Ladeidra N. Scott was fatally injured in a two-vehicle collision Sunday night near mile marker 92 on Alabama in Bibb County. Scott was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was also injured and transported to DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa for medical treatment. Their current condition has not been released.

Tuberville Leads Effort to Do Away With "Death Tax"

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has reintroduced legislation that would repeal the federal estate tax after a century of controversy and debate. 46 Republicans including Alabama’s other U-S Sen. Katie Britt back the bill.

Mental Health Firearm Hold Legislation Passes Committees

Committees in both the Alabama house and senate have passed legislation that would establish firearm hold agreements between individuals and federal firearm licensees or law enforcement officers.

The bill has been dubbed the Houston Hunter Act, named after veterans Houston Tumlin and Hunter Whitley who lost their lives to suicide.

The bills go to the floor of both chambers for debate beginning today.

West Alabama Entities Receive Innovate Alabama Awards

The Cities of Demopolis and York, Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Foundation, Tuscaloosa Sports and Tourism Foundation, and University of Alabama are among 58 designees receiving a portion of $15 million for the Innovate Alabama Network Awards.

According to a release by Innovate Alabama, "Innovate Alabama is strengthening the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting key organizations, both rural and urban, that shape it. Network investments spark innovation, foster statewide collaboration, and offer crucial seed funding to ignite innovation at both community and regional levels. The program’s designees, past and present, are contributing to the success of their local communities and helping set Alabama up for the economy of the future."

Topping Sports News:

The No. 18/20 Alabama women's basketball team defeated Texas A&M, 88-49, last night to pick up its 21st win and 11th home victory of the season. The Crimson Tide (21-5, 8-4 SEC) showcased a strong defensive performance during the first half to help build a 30-point cushion and cruised to the win.

Four Alabama starters finished in double digits for the second consecutive game. Sarah Ashlee Barker led all scorers with 18 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the field including a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Zaay Green (16), Aaliyah Nye (15) and Essence Cody (10) also contributed to the Tide's overall 88 points.

Alabama visits perennial powerhouse Tennessee Thursday to take on the No. 15/16 Lady Vols. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CST on SEC Network+ and Crimson Tide Sports Network.

Read More: Alabama Women’s Basketball Delivered a 39-point Margin to the Aggies on Monday

Congrats to TA

The Tuscaloosa Academy Knights defeated the Lafayette Bulldogs 62-52 Monday to win the Central Regional and progress to the AHSAA Final Four next week at the BJCC in Birmingham.

Tuscaloosa was led by Danilo Stojakovic (31), Matthew Atkins (10) & Ellis Hamiter (8). Stojakovic was named the Region MVP while Atkins & Hamiter were name to the All-Region team.

Read More: TA Knights Advance to AHSAA 2A Final Four

Bama Baseball Returns to Action Today

Tide junior right-hander J.T. Blackwood will take the hill for this evening against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at the Joe. First pitch for the 3-0 Crimson Tide is set for 4:00pm at The Joe.

You can see the game on SE Network+ and hear it on the Crimson Tide Sports Network (Tide 100.9).

Read More: Alabama Baseball Announces Tuesday Starter against MTSU

Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better Yet, download the app. 

Have a terrific Tuesday and ROLL TIDE!