West Alabama Wednesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, March 26, 2025, or "Baseball Eve" as the MLB Network is calling today because opening day for the new major league baseball season is tomorrow.

Wednesday Morning Observations:

Republicans and Democrats alike are questioning the use of an encrypted public app by the Trump Administration to allegedly discuss sensitive war plans. Now adding to the controversy is evidence the defense department knew that foreign government hackers have been actively attacking the social media platform.

Signal was launched in 2014 for iOS devices by a non-profit group, Open Whisper Systems, offering users free encrypted calls and then a year later added encrypted instant messaging. Encryption disguises data and information so that only those who send and receive the messages can read them.

This is not the first time sensitive information was transmitted on Signal. A former defense official's use of the Signal app in 2021, drew criticism from an internal Pentagon watchdog group, saying it is a breach of the department's "records retention policies" and an unauthorized means of communicating sensitive information.

Just as troubling as the use of Signal was the apparently accidental invitation sent to Atlantic Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg to participate in the planning for the attack on Houthis rebels in Yemen. Goldberg then published some of the information he heard discussed.

National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe downplayed the incident, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed, "nobody was texting war plans." But National Security Advisor Michael Waltz took "full responsibility" for building the talk group and accidentally including Goldberg.

Goldberg described Hegseth’s denial as a "lie," citing messages he read that laid out a specific time for the attack, human targets, weapon systems and weather reports. He is threatening to publish more of what he heard to prove Hegseth lied.

Americans of all political beliefs expect more from their leaders. War plans or any other highly secretive plans or information should never be transmitted over publicly available communications. No matter how good the encryption, it still does not reach the security level of government comms. People's lives and our national security depend on the highest degree of professionalism within our government and this was not it.

Democrats are attempting to make political hay with the breech, so their indignation is questionable. However, all Americans should be concerned about the lack of security.

President Trump told reporters that aides would "probably" not use Signal any longer. Let's hope so but the word "probably" is not reassuring.

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

Weather:

Severe Weather Outbreak Potential for Sunday

All severe weather hazards will be possible from severe weather expected in West Alabama Sunday night. There is a Slight (2 in 5) Risk for tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail for the entire state.

According to the Storm Prediction Center, "A severe weather area depicted in the Day 4-8 period indicates a 15%, 30% or higher probability for severe thunderstorms (e.g. a 15%, 30% chance that a severe thunderstorm will occur within 25 miles of any point).

Now is the time to prepare for this potential severe weather situation.

Read More: All Alabama Counties Face Tornado, Damaging Wind, & Hail Threats

The Forecast:

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Undercover Sting Operation Nets Arrests for Prostitution

Six West Alabama men were caught in the net of an undercover operation at a Northport motel last weekend. The arrests were made by the multi-agency The West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force i

The men are charged with soliciting for prostitution.

Read More: Undercover Sting at Northport Hotel Yields 6 Solicitation Arrests

Low Turnout Expected for Tuesday Tuscaloosa Municipal Runoff

Tuscaloosa political observers are expecting a small voter turnout for next Tuesday's Tuscaloosa City Council District 1 runoff. Incumbent Mathew Wilson is facing a challenge from Shelton State administrator Joe Eatmon.

There will be only one polling place for the runoff, it is located at the TDOT Building on 28^th Avenue. Polls open at 7am and close at 7pm.

Read More: City of Tuscaloosa Municipal Election Information

Ground Broken on New West End Initiative

Leadership Tuscaloosa has launched a transformative project aimed at uniting the West Alabama community. The "Hoops 4 Heights" initiative, which broke ground today, is set to feature a basketball court and pavilion at the New Heights Community Resource Center.

The center focuses on five core areas: education, homelessness and homelessness prevention, youth services, mental health, and healthcare.

Read More: Local Leaders Breaks Ground on West Tuscaloosa Basketball Court & Pavilion

Annual Benchmarking Trip Set for Area Leaders

Each summer a number of area leaders pack their bags and head to another city to study their success stories and bring the best ideas back to West Alabama for possible replication.

This year, the tour sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Alabama and supported by the University of Alabama will visit Knoxville, TN.

Knoxville has a thriving arts and culture scene, is surrounded by historic attractions, hosted a World's Fair, is home to numerous parks, greenways, bike trails and waterways, and has minor league and college sports teams.

Read More: West Alabama Chamber Sets Destination for July Benchmarking Trip

Old Cypress Inn Property Up for Sale

Once one of the most popular places for a business lunch or enjoyable dinner by the river, the old Cypress Inn property is now up for sale, again. The Cypress Inn, closed since 2019.

CBRE Retail Service, located in Birmingham, has announced it is now the exclusive listing agent for the six-acre property along the bank of the Black Warrior River.

The property is being offered for commercial uses that include redevelopment, restaurant and retail.

In March of 2023, Jeffery Harless of Harless and Co. told the Tuscaloosa City Council that they planned to reopen Cypress Inn if the right person could be found, apparently, they were not able to find that person to run it.

Carbon Hill Bumps Sales Tax Up to 10%

The Walker County City of Carbon Hill is estimating an additional $200 thousand a year will be generated for the city by a new one-cent sales tax. The city’s sales tax rate will bump up to 10% on June 1^st. District 4 councilwoman Judy Hurst and District 3 councilwoman Jennifer Horton were the lone council members opposing the tax.

Northridge Pickleball Courts Get Thumbs Up from Council

As expected, the Tuscaloosa City Council last night approved a $1.4-million plus bid by Price Construction to build 8 new Pickleball Courts, a new parking lot and sidewalk extension next to Northridge High.  The courts near the Buddy Powell Pavilion are expected to be ready by the end of the year.

WOW 2.0: Classroom to Career Set for Next Wednesday

Wow 2.0 is a one-day event giving graduating high school seniors a chance to connect directly with employers, explore career paths, and secure contingent job offers before graduation. It will be conducted at Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy next Wednesday.

Designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, WOW 2.0 builds on the success of past World of Work (WOW) events with a targeted focus: helping students transition from classroom learning to meaningful careers in West Alabama’s thriving industries.

Read More: West AlabamaWorks! Hosts WOW 2.0

Struggling Alabama Farmers to Receive Monetary Help

Ongoing dry conditions, rising prices and lower profits are driving the family farm out of business. Here in Alabama, $10-billion from the USDA’s Emergency Commodity Assistance Program could be a farm saver. Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate says farming is in a dire crisis that will impact the food available to put on the table.

Up to $70 million of the USDA dollars could come to Alabama farmers.

Sports:

Bama Baseball Gets Walk Off Winn

Bama Baseball walked off North Alabama 4-3 in Huntsville last night. A a walk-off RBI single by the Crimson Tide's sophomore shortstop Justin Lebron in the bottom of the ninth inning made the difference.

They host Oklahoma for three games this weekend.

Read More: Alabama Hangs on to Defeat North Alabama 4-3

Bama Basketball Ready for Sweet 16

The Crimson Tide Men's Team is either a 5.5-point favorite to beat BYU tomorrow evening or a 5.5-point underdog. It depends on the betting service you check.

Bama and BYU area somewhat mirror images of each other in that each team likes to run offensively. The Tide is the highest scoring team in the nation, but the Cougars are not far behind.

The difference in the game could come down to which team plays the better defense. Statistically that has been BYU throughout the season. It will also be important for Bama to limit their propensity to commit unforced turnovers.

Tip is at 6:09pm CDT at the Newark, NJ Prudential Center. The game will be televised on CBS and can be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network (95.3 The Bear, Tide 100.9, 1230AM WTBC).

Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!