WEST ALABAMA WEDNESDAY BRIEFING
It is "Hump Day", Wednesday, July 25, 2023. This is World Drowning Prevention Day. The day aims to raise awareness about the disastrous and long-term effects of drowning on both families and society while also informing us about life-saving ways to prevent it. An estimated 236,000 individuals drown every year — it is usually more common among children who are aged five to 14. Studies have shown that children and teens from the rural areas are likely to drown more than those from the city. Summer is also the time when most drownings occur.
10 people drown each day in the US, and it is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children 1 to 14.
Click on: American Red Cross Health & Safety Tips for water safety.
Today's forecast calls for isolated to widely scattered afternoon showers and storms possible to the southeast of Tuscaloosa this afternoon, but most of us will remain dry. Highs in the mid to 90s.
Tonight, mostly clear with lows in the lower 70s.
Topping the News:
Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley has made his case for a $10-thousand-dollar retention bonus to keep officers from leaving TPD for higher paying departments. The Chief told the city council finance committee he realizes this is a temporary fix and the way officers are recruited will need to be studied. The committee voted unanimously to send the proposal to the full council for debate next week.
The attorney for Carlee Russell, the Hoover woman who faked her kidnapping, met with Hoover Police yesterday to discuss the situation. Emory Anthony told reporters his client is having to work through a number of issues. Hoover PD Chief Nick Derzis will determine if charges should be filed against the 25-year-old woman.
Alabama House District 16 represents parts of Tuscaloosa, Fayette and Jefferson Counties. Right now, the seat is vacant because Kyle South resigned from the legislature to become head of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama but there are plenty of candidates wanting to replace him, 16 so far. Only one is a Democrat. The special election is in January.
Evan Milligan, the plaintiff in the Alabama congressional redistricting case says he will file an objection to the map submitted to the court by the legislature. Milligan claims the map does not create a 2nd majority minority district as required by the U-S Supreme Court. If the court finds in Milligan’s favor again, a special federal master will be assigned to redraw the map.
According to Stacker, an online data analysis site, Tuscaloosa has among the fastest growing home prices in Alabama.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, retailers across the state report the back-to-school tax free weekend just completed prompted a 10 to 30% increase in sales compared to last year across the state. Tuscaloosa City & County schools begin August 9th.
Gas prices are on the rise with the biggest one-day increase in a year. As recently as July 4th, gas prices had experienced a nearly unprecedented year-over-year decline. The national average now is $3.68 a gallon. In Alabama it is $3.26. In Tuscaloosa County, the average is $3.25 a gallon. Greene County has the highest in West Alabama at a $3.38 per gallon average.
In Sports:
The Atlanta Braves turned a rare 8-3-5 (center to first to third) triple play last night against the Red Sox. It was only the second triple play of its type in Major League baseball history. It didn't help the Bravos any though, they still lost to Boston 7-1. Same 2 teams play tonight in bean town.
Have a wonderful Wednesday and remember it is downhill from here toward the weekend.
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