Good morning West Alabama! It is Tuesday, April 1, 2025. It is April Fool's Day! This is the 91st day of the year with 274 days remaining.

Tuesday Morning Observations:

It is April Fool's Day, the day of the year prankster's relish. It received its name from the custom of playing practical jokes on this day—for example, telling friends that their shoelaces are untied, and they are not or telling them they are wanted at the door and nobody is there. Those are some of the tamer pranks pulled on this day.

I once had a neighbor when I lived in Atlanta, move his wife's car to the backside of their block. He then came running into the house to tell her that her brand new Mercedes was gone. She knew it was April 1st, so she caught on to the gag right away. The joke was on them both. When he admitted to pulling the hoax and went around the block to retrieve the car, it was gone. He was in a panic!

Stephanie's sister, who lived next door, had been in on Mike's prank and had a copy of her sister's car keys as a backup in case Steph, who was famous for losing things, lost her keys. When she saw Mike move the car, she went out her backdoor and moved the car into the alley behind her house.

Steph's sister played the joke on the joker for all it was worth until Mike picked up the phone to call the police.

Unfortunately, I didn't witness the April Fool's joke on the April Fool's joker but the telling of the story, always with a few embellishments, never failed to leave anyone who heard it in stiches.

Although the day has been observed for centuries, the true origins of April Fool's Day are unknown. But it is a day you have to be on guard if you have prankster friends or relatives. And don't let anyone tell you Taco Bell has bought the Liberty Bell for their new logo (look it up).

(Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are those of the author and not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

Here is the weather in a few words: stormy to hot to stormy to rainy to cold. The storms of Monday have given way to summer like temperatures this week. There could be some strong storms tomorrow in Fayette, Lamar and northern Pickens Counties but the warm temperatures will continue. There could be some rain Sunday and believe it or not, winter-like weather reappears next week.

ABC3340 Chief Meteorologist James Spann tells us there will be some risk of frost and a late season freeze for parts of Alabama by Monday and Tuesday of next week.

The Forecast:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Tonight

Increasing clouds, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday

Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday

Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 89.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.

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News:

Tuscaloosa Council D1 Runoff Today

Polls are open in the runoff for the City of Tuscaloosa District 1 council seat. Incumbent Matthew Wilson faces a challenge from Shelton State Administrator Joe Eatmon.

The only real controversy generated during the campaigning has been a viral video apparently showing Wilson kicking over an Eatmon yard sign.

Turnout is expected to be light throughout the day with polls at the TDOT Building downtown closing at 7 tonight.

Protest of ICE Seizure of UA Grad Student Mounted

A few dozen protestors from Democratic Party student groups and some local churches marched around the Shelby Federal Building downtown Monday to protest the arrest of UA doctoral student Alireza Doroudi by ICE agents last week. ICE reported he was taken into custody because his Visa had been cancelled by the Biden Administration in 2023, and he illegally remained in the U.S.

The protest group demanded UA stand up more for its foreign students.

Fitzgerald Joins DCH Regional Medical Center Board

Former Alabama Secretary of Labor and Tuscaloosa native Fitzgerald Washington has been named to the 9-member DCH Board of Directors. He replaces Dr. Linda Olivet, who has served on the board for 13 years.

After a successful career in state government, Fitzgerald is now working for the Buffalo Rock Company as their Corporate Director of External Affairs & Community Engagement.

Parents Oppose Berry Elementary Sixth Grade Move to Berry High

Parents in Fayette County are expressing concerns over a proposed plan to address overcrowding at Berry Elementary School by moving sixth graders to Berry High School. Fayette County Superintendent Jim Burkhalter told a meeting with parents last night that this is the only viable economic solution the county can afford.

The plan includes creating a dedicated sixth grade hall at Berry High School, with restricted access for other students and designated restroom hours for sixth graders.

'Puppy Palooza' Coming to Midtown Village Later This Month

Animal shelters across the country, Alabama and right here in Tuscaloosa County are struggling with overcrowded conditions and a shortage of resources. "Puppy Palooza" is coming to the rescue at Midtown Village 11:00am until 1:00pm on Saturday, April 26th.

There will be vendors, live music and interactive dog training sessions during the event with proceeds going to the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter.

Click Tuscaloosa Thread for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.

Sports:

Bama Men's Basketball to get Some Big Help

With big losses from this year's Elite Eight Basketball Team, the Crimson Tide men are getting some big help. "Alabama has landed the commitment of 7-footer Noah Williamson, a transfer center from Bucknell", sources told @On3sports.

According to the post on X (formerly twitter) by Joe Tipton, The Patriot League Player of the Year averaged 17.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this season.

Bama Baseball Cracks Top 10

The Alabama Baseball team (25-4 overall, 6-3 SEC) has jumped into the College Baseball Top 10 thanks to their weekend series win over 10th ranked Oklahoma at the Joe. The Tide is now one of eight Southeastern Conference teams listed in this week's rankings by D1 Baseball.

This Week's Poll with SEC Teams Highlighted: