West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama. It is Wednesday, May 28,2025. This is the 148th day of the year with 217 days remaining.

In The Wednesday Briefing:

Weather: Heavy rainfall is beginning to dissipate bring drying a cooler condition.
News: Coach Tuberville is running for governor.
Sports: Alabama and Auburn prepare for NCAA Baseball regionals.
We3dnesday Morning Observations: What is leadership? (Part 2)

Weather:

Two inches of rainfall over the last 24 hours has bumped the area's May total to near 15 inches. and almost 30 inches total for the year so far. Today there are scattered showers expected but nowhere near as heavy rainfall.

There is a Marginal (1 in 5) Risk for strong to severe thunderstorms along and south of a line from Livingston in Sumter County to Greensboro in Hale County to Clanton in Chilton County. The main threat tonight into Thursday morning will be from damaging winds to 60mph.

The Marginal (1 in 5) Risk spreads across all of West Alabama tomorrow through the afternoon hours. Damaging winds to 60mph will remain the main threat.

Rain chances will back off as the week progresses and the coming weekend and next week will be remain relatively dry.

The Forecast:

Today

Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind.

Thursday

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 80. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

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News:

Coach/Senator Tuberville Says He "Will Be Governor"

While making an appearance on Fox's Will Cain Show Tuesday, Alabama Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville confidently announced, "I will be the next Governor of the State of Alabama."

The toss of his hat into the gubernatorial ring comes after considerable consultation with President Trump, who Tuberville explicitly supports.

Tuberville made the announcement in front of family, friends and supporters in Auburn where he formally coached football.

Ignoring the low unemployment rate, industrial recruitment and education improvements made under Gov. Kay Ivey, Tuberville promised to make Alabama strong again.

Last week, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth announced he will not seek the governorship and will instead return to private life. That move is seen by political analysts as clearing the way for Tuberville to be the GOP's prime candidate for state chief executive.

No other Republican or Democrat has announced interest in running for governor at this point.

Another Candidate Announces for Northport August Municipal Elections

Former longtime employee and manager at Tuscaloosa's B.F. Goodrich plant, Zack Stone, has announced his candidacy for Council District 2.

Stone, in an interview with Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, pointed to the current council's handling of the controversial University Beach Resort project as one of the reasons for his decision to run.

President Pro Tempore and Northport businessman Woodrow Washington is the incumbent in District 2 and has announced his re-election bid.

Dollar general to Be Targeted by Online Protest

An online protest of discount chain Dollar Generals alleged retreat from diversity, equity and inclusion has been called for by a Jamal-Harrison Bryant. He is the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, GA.

Bryant is calling for the protest to flood the chain's email, phone lines and social media sites in an effort to force the chain to return to DEI policies.

Bryant has led similar boycotts of other chains, including Target.

Dollar General has 22 stores in the Tuscaloosa/Northport area and dozens more across West Alabama.

Some Oppose Construction of New DHR Building in West End

Some residents of the area adjacent to the new Tuscaloosa County Department of Human Resources building under construction in West End are concerned about resulting increased traffic and impact on property values. They point out the new county jail is already under construction in the same area.

The $12.7 million facility is being built at the intersection of Colver Road and 29th Street on ten acres of land donated by the City of Tuscaloosa. J.T. Harrison Construction is the prime contractor.

The current DHR facility is located on James I. Harrison Parkway near Bower's Park.

Restaurant Week Hopes to Give Support for Local Businesses

Restaurant Week 2025 is coming up the last week of June. It is an opportunity to show support for local eateries which have struggled in the face of inflation and difficulty finding staff.

Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week will feature dozens of the area's best places to eat and drink, including six that will be featured in magazine-style profiles here on Tuscaloosa Thread, as in years past.

Read More: Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week Returns Next Month, Offering Exclusive Dishes & Deals

ALEA Memorial Day Statistics Bring Good News

The just concluded long Memorial Day weekend resulted in a lower number of traffic facilities despite a high number of motorists traveling. There were only three fatal crashes, one in Bibb County and one each in Pike and Morgan.

The state also continued its recent record of no holiday related boating falsities.

“This year’s numbers reflect progress, but we are reminded that each statistic represents a life lost and families forever changed,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor was quoted as saying in an agency press release. “Our goal is always zero fatalities, and we remain committed to enforcing traffic and boating laws, while educating the public on safe practices throughout the summer months.”

Brent Man Was Lone West Alabama Holiday Weekend Traffic Fatality

64-year-old George T. Middlebrooks died at Bibb County Medical Center after a one vehicle crash on Monday night.

ALEA reports that Middlebrooks was not wearing a seat belt when his vehicle ran off Bibb County 1 and into a ditch before overturning three miles north of Brent.

Walker County deputy Wants One Charge in Mitchell Death Dismissed

James “Matt” Handley was indicted in February on deprivation of rights and witness tampering in the arrest and death of inmate Tony Mitchell Now he is asking a circuit court judge to dismiss the charge of witness tampering because it does not meet state law requirements.

Handley and another former deputy Carl Carpenter have admitted other charges against them in the aggressive and careless handling of Mitchell, who died in custody.

A judge has yet to rule on the motion.

Handley and a number of other jail employees or contracted employees have pleaded guilty to various charges in the case.

Sports:

Alabama and Auburn Baseball Prepare for Regionals

The Crimson Tide will be in Hattiesburg MS for round one of the NCAA Baseball Playoffs. Meanwhile, Auburn earned a hosting position at Plainsman Park. Both teams begin play Friday.

Regional #2 seed Alabama faces #3 seed Miami in Friday's first round game on the USM campus. The game is set for 2;00pm CDT on ESPN2 and on Tide 100.9. In the other match, USM and Columbia square off at 6:00pm CDT.

# 4 national seed Auburn will take on No. 4 Auburn Regional Seed Central Connecticut State Friday at 6:00pm CDT on ESPN+. Also included in the field are No. 2 seed NC State and No. 3 seed Stetson, which will play Friday at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

The winner of the regional moves on to a Super Regional.

CFP is Major Topic of SEC Spring Meeting

The Southeastern Conference wants multiple guaranteed spots in the College Football Playoffs. As a matter of fact, such was said by Texas A&M Athletics Director Trev Alberts.

"The SEC moving to nine conference games is contingent on the CFP format," Alberts was reported as saying. "Multiple guaranteed CFP spots for the SEC means nine SEC games", in his view.

"It's clear that not losing is more important than playing quality opponents," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said to reporters on Tuesday.

The Big Ten Conference. which already plays a nine-game conference schedule is backing the SEC.

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Wednesday Morning Observations:

Yesterday we highlighted the crisis in leadership that is sweeping this country, at all levels. People who would make quality leaders are declining to so because of the aggressive, constantly critical natural of our society. Threats against leaders who make decisions some disagree with are common. That often leaves us with tentative people or people who just don't care what others think.

First thing we need to realize is there is a difference between being a leader and a manager. A leader is responsible for creating an overall strategic vision. A manager is tasked with carrying out that vision.

So, what is a leader? Merriam Webster defines a leader as a person who has commanding authority or influence. That is a basic description, but a leader is far more than that. What are the qualities of a good leader?

A true leader is someone who is:

Honest: Trust is the critical component of leadership. A true leader exudes honesty in thoughts and actions.
A Strategic Thinker: They consider all sides of an issue and consider the impact of each path that might be taken.
A Relationship Builder: Brings in people with various backgrounds, skills, thought processes and viewpoints. And they listen to and value what they have to say.
Is a Team Builder: Because they look at issues from all side "team Builder" leaders look at issues from all side and consider the impact of their decisions on all people.
Recognize their and other's weaknesses and strengths: This prevents the square peg in a 'round hole mentality.
A good leader takes responsibility for their leadership: They understand that everything they do directly affects the people they lead.
A good communicator: They are able to articulate ideas and views so others can grasp them.
Not Dictatorial: A dictator just leads by fear and power. A true leader actually cares about their followers.
A Mentor to Others: A true leader builds for the future by nurturing, guiding and empowering they work with.
Earn Loyalty: A true leader does not demand loyalty; they earn it by their actions and words.

A professor I had in a leadership class was accurate when he said leadership is not a simple definition and being a leader takes a lifetime.

Tomorrow in Part 3 we will talk about who and what a leader is not.

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Have a wonderful Wednesday!