West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

Thursday Morning Observations:

Thanksgiving is not here yet and already the Christmas shopping season is underway. But that is not a bad thing, the holiday months of November and December are when retailers earn the most. Businesses take on holiday employees and generally, "Black Friday" sales last for weeks.

The holidays are big business. That’s not going to come as a shock to anybody — but there is a problem. The latest figures from Adobe Analytics show that from November – December 2023, Americans spent more than $222 billion (yes, billion!) while shopping online. While clicking a mouse may be convenient, it is hurting your local economy. Those dollars you are spending are not staying home.

Shopping online is depriving local retailers and municipal/county governments of critical revenue. That removes tax dollars that can be used to improve cities and counties, that can help keep local businesses in business and provide jobs.

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA):

75 percent of retail small businesses rely heavily on holiday sales to meet annual revenue goals.
58 percent of retail small businesses say holiday customers are “extremely important” to the overall success of their business.
50 percent of small business get at least one-quarter of their annual revenue from holiday shoppers, and that number jumps to 73 percent for retail stores.
Buy online has been rapidly driving mom and pop businesses into bankruptcy. Up 50% from 2020.
Only one-third (33 percent) of shoppers feel that visiting or purchasing during the holidays makes a significant impact on a small business livelihood.

The holiday season isn’t just a big deal for your hometown small businesses — it’s absolutely vital to their survival. Every dollar, or sale, goes a long way and might make the difference between a good year and a bad one.

Every shopping dollar that stays local is critical to the survival of your town or city, your next-door neighbor and you!

(Opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are not necessarily those of the ownership, management of staff of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

A surge of moisture will advance across West Alabama today and tonight. While the rain will be beneficial from drought and wildfire standpoints, too much rain may fall too fast and trigger flash flooding,

There will be pockets where rain can briefly pour down at 1-2 inches per hour, leading to street flooding and quick rises on some small streams. But as dry as it is, it shouldn't last long.

After that colder temperatures will be ushered in.

Also remember, Hurricane Season 2024 is not over yet. Tropical weather is still lurking

The Forecast

Today

A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3am, then showers likely. Low around 59. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night

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Topping the News:

Between the efforts of firefighters are this morning's rain, wildfires across the have been knocked down from 25 yesterday to 15 burning this morning, none in West Alabama.

More rain later today should continue to reduce the wildfire threat, but the National Climate Center says it will not significantly curtail the drought.

The ball is in the court of developers of the planned University Beach resort in Northport. After the Tuscaloosa County Commission opposed permits allow discharge of fill material into water on the construction site, the developers withdrew their application. How that will modify the project is not yet known.

A new luxury 7-story hotel, condo and private club is scheduled to break ground in downtown Tuscaloosa next year. The facility will be located on 4th Avenue, just off University Blvd.

Read More: Luxury Hotel, Condo & Members Club to Break Ground in Downtown Tuscaloosa

Dr. Gary Cowen has been officially sworn-in as mayor of the City of Jasper in Walker County. the former council member succeeds Dr. David O'Mary who passed away last month.

Josh Gates has been appointed by the council to fill Cowen's unexpired 3rd District term.

Buffalo Rock's new $8-million sale facility is now open near Tuscaloosa National Airport. The new state-of-the-art facility will provide 100 jobs.

Buffalo Rock produces Pepsi products, Aquafina bottled water, coffee, team and sports drinks.

Read More: Buffalo Rock Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting at New Home in Tuscaloosa

54-year-old Tuscaloosan Medford M. Taylor died in a one-vehicle crash on I2-/59 Monday night in Green County. The crash happened near the 27-mile marker.

Alabama Junior Republican U-S Senator Katie Britt has told reporters she believes the election of President-Elect Donald Trump improves the odds of the U.S. Space Force Command being moved from Colorado to Huntsville.

Topping Sports News:

Here is the full College Football Playoff Top 25 Bracket for the week of November 11: (SEC Teams Highlighted)

1 - Oregon*
2 - Ohio State
3 - Texas*
4 - Penn State
5 - Indiana
6 - BYU*
7 - Tennessee
8 - Notre Dame
9 - Miami*
10 - Alabama
11 - Ole Miss
12 - Georgia
13 - Boise State*
14 - SMU
15 - Texas A&M
16 - Kansas State
17 - Colorado
18 - Washington State
19 - Louisville
20 - Clemson
21 - South Carolina
22 - LSU
23 - Missouri
24 - Army
25 - Tulane

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