West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama. It is Wednesday June 26, 2024.

There is a hazy blue sky above this morning, but afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible as we are in a typical summer weather pattern. The biggest threat will be damaging winds with the possibility of micro downbursts.

Heat indices will again be in the 100s. So, if you are outdoors you need to take plenty of breaks, hydrate frequently and stay out of direct sunlight if possible.

The Forecast:

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 105. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest in the evening.

Thursday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.

Get our free mobile app

Topping the News:

The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter has closed its intake of animals and pet adoptions for two weeks according to a post on the organization's Facebook page. The closure is a result of dogs being diagnosed with the highly contagious canine distemper virus which is spreading across the state.

The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs. All dogs are at risk of canine distemper.

The shelter's closure comes amid overcrowding at the facility due to so many strays.

The City of Northport is sending out notices that a federal mandated inspection of water service lines to identify and remove any lead pipes will be ongoing in the city until October 16^th. The notice states water service should not be impacted but the contractor hired to conduct the survey may be required to do some digging around water meters. The notice also states it is unlikely that customers have a lead pipe water service line.

An agreement has been reached for Pickens County to house up to 20 Tuscaloosa County Jail prisoners. As we first told you yesterday, overcrowding prompted the City of Tuscaloosa and the county to make the deal for $50 dollars per prisoner a day.

Only prisoners with misdemeanor charges will be transferred.

A public meeting is set for tomorrow to information citizens about the planned $20-million-dollar Alberta Improvement Project. Council President Kip Tyner believes it will a game changer for Alberta. The come-and-go meeting will be 5 to 7 at the Tuscaloosa Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center in Alberta.

The City of York has been awarded $3 million to alleviate dangerous blocked railroad crossings. The funds are part of a $14.7 million dollars grants package from USDOT announced by West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell this week.

The money will be used to plan and design improvements between railroad-highway grade crossings and community impacts such as stopped and idling freight and passenger trains along Norfolk Southern Railways which supports Amtrak’s Crescent service through West Alabama.

The Walker County Sheriff's Office is reporting that a corrections officer has been arrested. 29-year-old Tony Dewayne Jackson, of Parrish, is charged with 'Promoting Prison Contraband' in the 3rd degree. The sheriff's office says the arrest follows an investigation that accuses Jackson of providing non-drug contraband items to inmates within the correctional facility.

Beginning next week, the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market will add Tuesday market hours every week in July. The newly added market will open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Market on Warner Parkway. Each market will have up to 12 farmers and 25 total vendors, plus food trucks and live music.

Topping Sports News:

The Atlanta Braves dropped their first of three games scheduled against the Cardinals in St. Louis Monday night. Last night's game was postponed due to rain and thunderstorms. That has prompted MLB to schedule a doubleheader today and Busch Stadium.

The two teams will play a split-doubleheader today with the first game beginning at 12:45 p.m. and the second game as originally scheduled at 6:45 p.m.

Retirement didn't last long for former Alabama Softball Coach Alyson Habetz. The Louisiana native stepped down before the 2024 season after 25 years with the Tide. Now she is going home to serve as the head coach of the Ragin Cajuns of the University of Louisiana, her alma mater.

EA Sports College Football 25 ranked the top 25 toughest places to play in college football, and Bryant-Denny Stadium came in second to Kyle Field at Texas A&M. But the venerable old stadium beat out all the rest of the SEC.

NOTE: Jordon-Hare Stadium at Auburn came in 14th.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. If you are on vacation, get some rest and relaxation, but remember, we are still here keeping you informed about the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather.

-- 30 --