1) A forum to get feedback from students and parents on how the Tuscaloosa City School System is doing and what it could do to make things better was conducted at Northridge High School.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Daria tells news partner ABC 33/40 the meeting was a follow-up to a survey conducted this past spring. He believes it is important to make sure everyone has input in the operations of the system. The forum was conducted by a consulting group from Eastern Kentucky University.

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2) According to arrest records, Vincent Rashad Farley, Devon Jeremiah Allen, Christopher Demetrius Carter, Damion Ladarius Cooper and Chase Anthony Reyes, all of Tuscaloosa and Romel Estuardo Gomerz-Cruz of Auburn are in police custody. They are charged with electronic solicitation to meet a child for an unlawful sex act.

The arrests by the multi-agency West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force resulted from a two-month sting operation.

3) West Alabama has doubled its rate of new flu cases just over the last week.

That puts our region with the most reported flu cases in the state. ADPH reports children and senior citizens are the most vulnerable. They also recommend getting a flu vaccine now as this flu season is predicted to be significant.

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4) The City of Tuscaloosa’s seasonal ice-skating rink, Holidays on the Plaza, will return to Government Plaza in downtown Tuscaloosa on November 21 and remain open until January 16. This event will feature outdoor ice skating, the Tinsel Trail benefitting Tuscaloosa’s One Place, private parties and other holiday festivities.

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5) With Tuesday’s Election looming ahead, some are criticizing Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill for his choice of celebrities used to promote turning out the vote.

Most vocal is former Alabamian and longtime California lawyer Kerry Shapiro who complained about taxpayer money being used for what he called a failed president. Merrill realized there would be some negative response but Trump is a former president and could be president again. Also promoting voter turn-out is Alabama native a music star Lionel Ritchie.  

In the past Tide Coach Nick Saban, former Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn, retired NBA star Charles Barkley, NASA astronaut Mae Jemison and singer Jimmy Buffet are among those who have been used since 2015.

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