Monday briefing in West Alabama

Good morning, West Alabama. It is Monday, December 2, 2024.

Observations on Monday morning:

It’s Cyber ​​Monday. Consumers shop online today and are expected to spend nearly $14 billion to take advantage of discounts from online companies. Interestingly, this year, retail experts say many products are available at nearly the same discounts at local stores. Plus, every dollar you spend online goes to another part of the country, not Tuscaloosa, Northport or other West Alabama communities.

Recently, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox urged residents to protect local businesses by shopping locally. The lifeblood of a city is its small businesses, and those small businesses depend on you and me to survive. Their survival is at the heart of the survival of every city and town in West Alabama.

The taxes paid on local purchases ensure that the local government resurfaces roads, provides quality fire and police protection, picks up trash, and provides quality public education. All of these services get virtually nothing when you shop online.

As Mayor Maddox wrote in a “Mayoral Minute” last month, “Our local businesses – not online retail giants – are the ones who support our community by sponsoring youth sports teams, community events and much more.” The local businesses are also the ones who local Offer jobs.

Before you click “Complete Purchase” online, consider how much the few dollars you save will cost your community in the long run.

(The opinions expressed in “Morning Observations” are not necessarily those of the owners, management or employees of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

With temperatures around 20 degrees, it was a shock to walk out the door this morning. In some areas, the cool wind caused temperatures to drop into the teens. After a brief warm-up in the early afternoon, Old Man Winter will take over again this evening and the current cold snap is expected to last into Wednesday.

According to the latest US Drought Monitor, the drought in Alabama has eased only slightly. However, West Alabama continues to experience varying degrees of drought. Most of West Alabama is unusually dry, but portions of Greene, Hale, Lamar, Perry and Pickens counties continue to experience moderate drought, while Marengo County is still experiencing extreme drought.

Seven wildfires continue to burn elsewhere in the state, but none in West Alabama.

Read more: Could Alabama see snow this Christmas?

The forecast:

Wednesday evening

Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with lows around 45°C. The chance of precipitation is 70%.

Rest of the week

Jordan C. Hallman, 20, was the driver of a 212 Toyota Camry that left the roadway on Alabama Highway 171 in Fayette County early yesterday morning. The vehicle left the road, struck an embankment and overturned, killing Hallman. A passenger in the vehicle was injured.

ALEA troopers report that Hallman was not wearing a seatbelt.

Republican Congressman Robert Aderholt, who represents parts of Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama, is supporting President-elect Trump’s plan to push federal workers back to offices in Washington that they have left since the pandemic. Federal officials estimate that only 16% of capital employees work in their offices.

Dickens Downtown in Northport will host its annual Victorian Christmas event tomorrow night from 5-8:30 p.m. The celebration is inspired by the story by author Charles Dickin The Christmas song.

The 48th Annual West Alabama Christmas Parade takes place tonight in downtown Tuscaloosa. It begins at 6:30 p.m., right after the annual Christmas tree lighting at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse at 5:15 p.m. “Santa’s Workshop” is this year’s theme.

December 21st:How the Grinch Stole ChristmasNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
December 23rd:Home aloneThe Polar Express

For more information, visit Bama Art House.

For more holiday events click here: Visit Tuscaloosa

Top sports news:

Tuscaloosa Academy is West Alabama’s only high school football team still playing. The Knights face Reeltown in the State 2A AHSAA Super 7 title game Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. TA eliminated Sulligent last Friday night to make it to the finals.

As a result of Alabama’s 28-14 win over Auburn on Saturday in the Iron Bowl, the Crimson Tide has moved up to 11th in the new Associated Press college football poll.

The Tide win didn’t impress the coaches that much. Bama is ranked 13th in this week’s poll.

The new College Football Playoff brackets will be released tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m.

AP College Football Poll (SEC teams highlighted):

1. Oregon (12-0)

2. Texas (11-1)

3. Penn State (11-1)

4. Notre Dame (11-1)

5. Georgia (10-2)

6. Tennessee (10-2)

7. Ohio State (10-2)

8. SMU (11-1)

9. Indiana (11-1)

10. Boise State (11-1)

11. Alabama (9-3)

12. Arizona State (10-2)

13. South Carolina (9-3)

14. Miami (10-2)

15. Ole Miss (9-3)

16. Iowa State (10-2)

17. BYU (10-2)

18. Clemson (9-3)

19. UNLV (10-2)

20.Colorado (9-3)

21. Illinois (9-3)

22. Missouri (9-3)

23. Syracuse (9-3)

24th Army (10-1)

25. Memphis (10-2)

Coaches College Football Top 25:

1.Oregon

2. Ohio State

3.Texas

4. Penn State

5. Notre Dame

6.Miami

7. Georgia

8. Tennessee

9. SMU

10.Indiana

11. Boise State

12. Clemson

13.Alabama

14. Ole Miss

15.South Carolina

16. Arizona State

17. Tulane

18. Iowa State

19.BYU

20. Texas A&M

21. Missouri

22.UNLV

23. Illinois

24. Kansas State

25 Colorado

The Bama Women’s Basketball team will play a morning game today at Coleman Coliseum. The 23/20 ranked Tide is 1-0 against Georgia State.

There is no love between Auburn and their former head coach Brian Harsin. After the Tigers lost to Alabama on Saturday, leaving them with a losing record and dashing their bowl game hopes, Harsin had a little online fun this morning.

Read more: The former Auburn coach trolled the Tigers on Monday

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

Have a great week and stay warm!