West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Itis Wednesday April 24, 2024.

There is a national day for something just about every day but today is one of the more inspiring ones. This is National Bucket List Day and as the day's website reminds us, "...it's never too late to set new goals, go on a dream vacation, and inspire people around you to enjoy life to the fullest."

Everyone has a "Bucket List" of things they would like to see, do or experience before they die. They run the gambit from simple easier to achieve ideas and goals to extravagant, expensive or high-minded.

If you do not have a bucket list, now is the time to create one, then check it off as you achieve your goals.

As you sit down to compose your bucket list you may see some rain and might hear a thunder bumper or two today but nothing severe.

The Forecast:

Today

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night

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Topping the News:

Tuscaloosa businessman and developer Stan Pate has presented his view of the future for the old McFarland Mall property as a multi-use development. Tuscaloosa City Council Finance Committee unanimously approved the ide, which includes $61 million is incremental tax abatements. It now goes to the full council for action on May 7ht.

Pate pointed out that there is no upfront money being asked for from taxpayers. "It will not cost the city one red cent." Pate emphasized.

Development of the prime property has been delayed due to one remaining tenant lease from the old mall that is about to expire.

See: Tuscaloosa Advances $65M Incentives Package for Stan Pate Project (tuscaloosathread.com)

TPD has arrested a 12-year-old they claim is responsible for eight recent vehicle thefts. Investigators allege he stole the vehicles between March 30 and April 21, and three more vehicle thefts between March 20 and April 3. He is also accused of stealing cash, a designer purse, and a Chucky doll from a vehicle, as well as making more than $1,000 in online purchases using stolen credit cards.

See: Tuscaloosa Police Charge 12-Year-Old for 8-Car Auto Theft Spree (tuscaloosathread.com)

Birmingham based Hibbett Sports, with a store at University Mall, is being sold to British sportswear and sneaker retailer J.D. Sports. The $1.1 Billion deal will be completed later this year and will keep corporate headquarters in Birmingham.

There is now word as to how or if the sale will impact individual retail stores.

The Amp is now Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. The German auto producer with its major U.S. plant in Tuscaloosa County is not only sponsoring the facility but it is also upgrading it. Almost $100,000 in tests and studies must be done to clear the way for construction of boxes and other upgrades.

During the city council projects committee meeting yesterday, Mayor Maddox told members the upgrade is critical to keeping up with competition from similar facilities in Huntsville and Birmingham. Test and study results will be key to going forward with the project.

A bill that would set penalties for companies that recognize a union without a secret ballot vote has passed the house and is now headed to the senate.

With Mercedes employees about to vote on a union next month, the legislation would make employers who voluntarily recognize unions ineligible for state and local economic incentives.

If passed the bill would not apply to incentive agreements executed before January 2025. That means if Mercedes recognizes the union prior to that date, they will not be penalized.

The Alabama Senate has approved legislation that will keep President Biden on the Democratic Party Presidential ballot in November. Sec. of State Wess Allen had warned that the certification deadline is before the Democratic Convention this summer.

The new legislation would push back the state’s certification deadline from 82 days (one of the earliest in the country) before the general election to 74 days,

Former President Trump had the same problem in 2020.

Alabama's Junior U.S. Senator Katie Britt was one of 79 members of the upper chamber to vote yes on the bill allocating $95.3 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The bill also forces the sale of TikTok to get it out of the Chinese Communist Party’s control.

Topping Sports News"

From UA Athletics: An 11-run third inning powered Alabama baseball to a 14-5 win over Samford on Tuesday evening at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. With the midweek victory, the 18^th-ranked Crimson Tide claimed the season series with the Bulldogs and improved to 26-15 overall.

Alabama will head to Oxford this weekend for a three-game series with Ole Miss from Thursday through Saturday.

From UA Athletics: The No. 9 Alabama men's golf team is set to begin postseason play when it competes at the 2024 Southeastern Conference Men's Golf Championship this week. The event will take place Wednesday through Sunday, April 24-28, in St. Simons Island, Ga., at the par 70, 7,005-yard Sea Island Golf Club.

Have a Happy Hump Day!!