West Alabama Tuesday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

Tuesday Morning Observations:

Our state and nation have always been charitable, and we are approaching the holiday season when we need to be thankful for what we have by showing charity to those who have less. But experts worry the public's negative feelings about inflation may result in another decline in giving.

Last year saw Americans give $557.16 billion to national, state and local charities, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. That may sound like a lot, and it is, but it reflects a 2.1% decline from 2022. Another decline this year could again see cutbacks in the number of people charities can assist.

It is important for those of us who can, to step into the breech and give what we can. Charities report that November and December, like retail stores, are the months when contributions are most needed.

According to the most recent data available from the IRS, there are more than 1.8 million recognized 501(c) organizations in the United States. Most have designated giving programs for the holidays, so it is not hard to find one that needs your help.

The IR reports there are approximately 340-thousand religious, 255-thousand educational, 154-thousand human services, 129-thousand arts & culture and 64.5-thousand public-society benefit nonprofit organizations in the U.S. in 2024.

It doesn't have to be money that you give, it can be your time. Volunteering fills a big void. Whether it is ringing a bell, a community food drive, a toy contribution drive, visiting shut-ins or nursing home residents or delivering meals, you can make the difference in someone else's life and your own.

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

Weather:

Heavy rain this morning across West Alabama is moving out and will be replaced by scattered showers this afternoon and evening. The tomorrow a cold front will bring big changes. Hint: Brrrrr!

The Forecast

Today

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers after 3pm. Patchy fog. High near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight

A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Patchy fog before midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night

Clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 60. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night

Clear, with a low around 37.

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Topping the News:

A 2.5 (on the Richter Scale) earthquake was recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey east of Jasper in Walker County last night. Dozens of people from Jasper to near Cullman reported feeling the tremble at 10:00pm.

While there are reports of seismic activity in the area almost every year, USGS reports this was the strongest since 2016. No damage was reported.

The Northport City Council voted unanimously last night to approve more than $17 million to enter into contracts for the remaining construction projects at the River Run Park sports complex just west of downtown next to Kentuck Park.

City Administrator Glenda Webb told the council these will be the final expenditures under the bond issue financing the project.

Site preparation has been ongoing, and construction will start after the first of the year will the park ready for games this coming fall.

3rd District Tuscaloosa City Councilman Norman Crow has announced his intentions to run for re-election in next year's municipal voting. Crow was first elected to the council in 2021.

Crow joins incumbent Mayor Walt Maddox in announcing plans to run for re-election.

The McWright's Ferry Road construction project is running on schedule, but it will create some travel issues for Rice Mine Road beginning Friday and running through next Wednesday. Motorist who travel through that area are being urged to seek an alternate route over that five-day period.

Road crews say this closure is necessary because a lot of dirt has to be moved that’s part of the overall project.

The temporary closure of that section of Rice Mine Road begins at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

The entire expansion project should be done by fall of 2025.

UAA senior Kate Herndon has become only the 17th student at the Capstone to earn the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

Herndon is a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts and is in the UA Honors Program majoring in criminal Justice and history with a concentration in legal history.

Read More: University of Alabama Student One of 32 in America to Get Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford

Construction on the addition to the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center complex is underway. The $11.2 million dollar project was approved by the Tuscaloosa City Council earlier this year for the facility run by the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority.

The complex will feature 17 tennis courts, a new pavilion, lights, a walking trail, restrooms and other amenities. The space will qualify the city to become a host for junior tennis tournaments, something the current complex can’t accommodate.

Jaycee Park in Alberta will be closed during the construction.

Another person has pleaded guilty in the death of Walker County jail inmate Tony Mitchell last year. Walker County Correctional Officer Daniel Lee Allan Brown’s plea agreement on one count of deprivation of rights makes him the seventh person to enter a guilty plea.

Mitchell was in isolation and was allegedly mistreated at the jail for days before literally freezing to death.

Sydney Thomas, a junior at UA majoring in marketing, was one of several ring girls who were part of the Tyson-Paul fight. The fight, which Paul won by unanimous decision Friday, was broadcast on Netflix and watched by over 60 million households around the world.

Topping Sports News:

Alabama freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams has been named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award. It is awarded each year to the best wide receiver in college football.

The third College Football Playoff brackets will be released tonight at 6:00pm. At the end of the season the teams listed in the brackets will make it to the first year of the 12-team CFP.

Each week is an elimination game for Alabama which already has two losses. One more loss and the Tide will play in a consolation bowl game.

The undefeated and 24th ranked Alabama Women's Basketball Team defeated Louisiana Monroe on the road last night.

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

Have a tremendous Tuesday.

Source: West Alabama Tuesday Briefing

Categories: Local News