Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, February 5, 2025. This is the 36th day of the year with 329 remaining.

In today's Edition of Morning Briefing

  • Morning Observations (Opinion)
  • Weather
  • Topping the News
  • Topping the Sports News

Morning Observations:

The 2025 session of the Alabama Legislature got underway yesterday as the gavel fell in both legislative chambers. Then last night lawmakers got their marching orders from Governor Kay Ivey as the delivered her eighth State of the State Address since becoming governor.

As expected, Ivey declared the state of the state as strong. She praised improvements in education, infrastructure, economic development and in the increased percentage of Alabamians working.

Then the 80-year-old chief executive turned to her legislative agenda for the session. Her top priorities are public safety, support for law enforcement and continued improvements in education.

 

The top priority for the governor is her "Back the Blue" slate of legislative bills.

Ivey endorsed a legislative package aimed at increasing penalties for felons caught with firearms; expanding the list of offenses covered by Aniah’s Law, allowing judges to deny bond to those arrested for violent offenses, and banning Glock switches, which convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons.

“To back the blue, we will provide law enforcement with enhanced legal protections that allow them to carry out their duties courageously and effectively without fear of Monday morning quarterbacking in the courts,” Ivey said.

The "Glock Switch" ban is support for a Democrat bill that failed to get enough GOP support in the senate the last two years. With the chief executive's backing, it may pass this time.

Ivey also backed President Trump's roundup and deportation of illegal immigrants. She called it the “top security concern of every American,” adding that “securing the southern border is securing Alabama’s border.”

The main criticism from Democrats was that the speech's lacked specificity on how she is going to achieve her goals. They also voiced concern over the speech not placing emphasis on healthcare shortfalls, especially on hospital closures and financial difficulties.

Greensboro Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton is giving tentative backing to Ivey's get tough on crime bills, but he wants more specifics, “I want protection in my community, just like anyone else. But I want to make sure that what’s in that package is going to be something that we can live with in our communities,” he told reporters.

The biggest sticking point may well be Ivey's proposed additional legal protection for law enforcement. Some Democrats worry that the proposals could grant police too much immunity from violent actions.

There are two contentious bills proposed by the governor. One identifies gender as man or woman only. The other would ban smart phones in schools. Whatever their fate, they are sure to be challenged in court.

The constitutional reason for the legislative session each year is to pass the state's budgets. Ivey called for “responsible budgets that do not grow government” and continued investment in job creation.

“The people of Alabama deserve our very best,” she said. “Future generations of Alabamians deserve our hardest work today. This is our opportunity—so let’s not waste a moment.”

The curtain is up, the actors are on stage, and it should be high drama and a little humor on "Goat Hill" through May 15th.

(Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)


Weather:

A Dense Fog Advisory has burned off but moving in are Increasing clouds with scattered showers and some thunderstorms, generally near and north of the I20/59 corridor. Scattered showers are possible south of there. Any rainfall will help reduce drought conditions.

There is a Limited Risk for lightning across all of West Alabama today with an Elevated Risk covering Northern Pickens, most of Lamar and West Fayette counties.

The Forecast:

Today
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

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Topping the News:

Ivey Announces 2025 Legislative Agenda
Governor Ivey's State of the State Address last night is getting positive response from Republicans and tentative approval from Democrats.
Ivey's top priority of group of public safety proposals (see Morning Observations above) are expected to be in committee today and could see floor votes as soon as next week. Democrats want to go a step further and bring back the requirement to get a permit to carry a concealed handgun.
Democrats Want More from Governor
Greensboro Democrat Senator Bobby Singleton is supportive of most of Governor Ivey's 2025 Legislative Agenda, but he wants to see more emphasis on reducing recidivism. He believes that will help reduce crime.

Singleton also wanted to hear more about improving healthcare from the governor last night. He is concerned that more hospitals could close and/or face extreme financial problems this year. He warns it is not just rural hospitals that are struggling.

This week Jackson Hospital and Clinic in Montgomery announced a bankruptcy filing in the face of defaulting on $60 million in debt. Jackson blamed the state’s refusal to expand Medicaid as one of the key factors behind the hospital’s current financial struggles.


 

Eight Rail Crossings Across Tuscaloosa Are Closed Today and Tomorrow 

Norfolk Southern will close eight railroad crossings across Tuscaloosa to car traffic this week. According to a Facebook post from City Hall, the railroad company plans to close Dr. Edward Hilliard Drive, Hackberry Lane, 10th Avenue, 12th Avenue, 26th Avenue, Pelham Heights Road, Buttermilk Road and 19th Avenue East.
The crossings are expected to be reopened on Friday.


Old YMCA Barnes Branch Building Up for Sale

Tuscaloosa has the old Barnes Branch YMCA building and the attached Weaver Bolden building up for sale.
At Tuesday's Tuscaloosa City Council Public Properties Committee meeting Reverend David E Gay, the executive director of Whatley Health Services, spokes about the possibility of Whatley purchasing the structures.
A proposed center in those structures could be the home for specialty services Whatley can't offer right now.
6 Story Hotel Being Considered Again for Downtown
A 6-story extended stay hotel on vacant land downtown is up for consideration again by the City of Tuscaloosa.
The Element Hotel, a Westin product, was first OK'd in the Fall of 2020 for property near the intersection of Jack Warner Parkway and 21st Avenue, which has since been renamed Almon Avenue.

The space is across the street from Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q and behind the brick building that used to house the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

Developers missed earlier deadlines, but the city council's Administration and Police Committee has recommended passage by the full council.

Read More: Council to Consider 6-Story Downtown Tuscaloosa Hotel For Third Time


Walker County Father Sentenced for making Son Ingest Drugs

26-year-old Jasper resident Landon Rader died of a drug overdose in 2023. The subsequent investigation found the overdose was from a “forcible ingestion,” resulting in murder charges against Rader's father and two other individuals.
Rader's father Jamie pled guilty to manslaughter and has now been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Ryan Clark pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years. Tonya Elliott was sentenced to three years' probation after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.


Trumps Tariffs Could Harm Alabama Economy

According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, the state imported more than $8 billion in goods from Mexico in 2023, more than any other country. The state also ships copious amounts of various products, including automobiles and coal to China.
President Trump reached a 30-day deal with Mexico and Canada to delay 25% tariffs on those countries. Meanwhile, a 10% tariff on China has gone into effect.
If compromises cannot be reached with all three countries, Alabama economic leaders fear consumer prices could rise significantly.


Lamar County Man Charged

Marquese Gunter of Sulligent has been charged with assault in a non-fatal shooting at an apartment on Jan. 23. According to Sulligent Police, officers responded to a shooting call at Bogue Court. Upon arrival they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen.
The condition of the victim has not been released by authorities.



Topping Sports News:

Bama Men Off, Bama Women on the Road Again
The 3rd ranked Alabama Men's basketball team has a bye in midweek games this week and will not return to action until Saturday night at 7:00pm at Arkansas.
The 23rd ranked Alabama Women's Basketball Team is on the road for a 6:00pm Thursday game at Florida.


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It is "Hump Day" after a wonderful Wednesday!

 

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