West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

It is Wednesday May 8, 2024.

There is a possibility of strong to severe storms today and tomorrow.

The Forecast:

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1pm and 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night

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Topping the News:

Encore is a "GO" in Tuscaloosa. On a 6-1 vote last night the Tuscaloosa City Council authorized Mayor Walt Maddox to enter into an agreement with developer Stan Pate to provide a $65 million in economic incentives for the Encore Mixed use development in south Tuscaloosa.

Pate believes the project will lift the whole area around the old McFarland Mall property.

See: TUSCALOOSA GRANTS DEVELOPER STAN PATE $65 MILLION INCENTIVE TO REVIVE MCFARLAND MALL

A weekend of fatal gun violence in Tuscaloosa has the City Council’s Raevan Howard and other city leaders concerned about the impact the string of violence acts is having on young adults. The district 2 council member is encouraging parents and teachers to discuss conflict resolution to children.

Tuscaloosa has already recorded 8 homicides. There were 11 for all of last year.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has been threatening to prosecute groups that help women obtain out-of-state abortions and brought a lawsuit. Federal Judge Myron Thompson has issued a preliminary opinion in that case stating Marshall does not have the authority to do that.

A group called the Yellowhammer Fund that helps women obtain out-of-state abortions, sued Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall after he made the threat.

Carlos Duran Harris has been charged with murder after a man was found shot inside a car on West Wolfe Road near Parrish in Walker County over the weekend. Harris was named a person of interest and was taken into custody before being formally charged.

Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday gave final approval to legislation to provide state tax breaks to businesses that help their employees afford childcare.

The Alabama Senate voted 31-0 for the bill that now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. Supporters said that childcare costs are a barrier for many parents considering returning to the workforce. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said the goal is to help families afford childcare and to help businesses that are struggling to find workers.

Topping Sports News:

25^th ranked Bama Baseball edged 21^st ranked Troy 7-6 last night in Troy. The Tide hosts LSU for three games this coming weekend.

Bama Softball begins its run in the Southeastern Conference Championship Tournament today. They face LSU at 10 this morning in Auburn.

The Jefferson County Commission plans to install a walk-around museum at Regions Field.

The museum will be to educate fans on the rich history of the Birmingham Barons, The Birmingham Black Barons, the Southern League, and baseball in Birmingham as a whole.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and keep an eye on the weather today.