West Alabama Monday Briefing
It is Monday April 29, 2024.
The weather to our west the last few days has been horrendous and tragic. And according to the Storm Prediction Center there will be more of it this week.
Severe thunderstorms and tornados rolled left damage from Texas to the Great Lakes over the weekend. About 130 tornadoes were detected in six states from Friday night into Sunday, with Nebraska and Iowa the hardest hit, officials said. Dozens were injured and four deaths have been recorded.
Fortunately for West Alabama the severe potential this week is limited here. Today and tomorrow, we could see some rain and possibly a thunderstorm or two. There could be periods of heavy rainfall. Rain could return this coming weekend.
Also, May is just around the corner. Take a look at the forecast for the month that transitions to summer in June.
The Forecast:
The vote to join the United Auto Workers Union or not is two weeks from today at Mercedes. It is part of a $40 million effort by UAW to organize non-union southern auto plants and will take place at the Vance and Woodstock plants.
Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance and battery plant in Woodstock.
Employee Jeremy Kimbrell is leading the union effort, and he believes a pro-union vote will prevail. But more employees opposed to organized labor hare voicing concerns. But many employees who are against the union say they are concerned about speaking up due to being identified and targeted by the union.
Jason Burkett is a 20-year Mercedes employee, "A lot of people pushing the UAW, they got the best job in the state, if it's so bad where you're at then leave, they won't leave because they know it's the best in the state," said Burkett.
The vote runs from May 13th through May 17th.
Cottondale GOP State Senator Gerald Allen helped pushed pass a law allowing concealed carry of a weapon in the state. Now Republican Rep. Reed Ingram is calling it a, " bad bill." He is pushing legislation that would instead require someone to be 21 to conceal carry. They would also have to pass a hunter safety course or get a permit from the sheriff’s office. With just 5 working days remaining in the session the bill is unlikely to get consideration.
The ribbon has been cut for the new Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership on the University of Alabama campus. Named after retired Tuscaloosa GOP U-S Senator Richard Shelby, the center has a focus on public policy and government leadership.
With Gov. Ivey on hand, Marion Military Institute in Perry County has dedicated new dining hall. Officials say the $13 million, 500 seat facility is the first new construction on campus in more than 30 years. MMI is the oldest military school in the nation.
A bill that gives students due process protection when they face long-term suspension or expulsion from school is awaiting Gov. Ivey’s signature. The bill outlines minimum standards school districts must follow after alleged violation of the code of student conduct or an alleged violation of state law.
The House Tuscaloosa, located on the campus of Stillman College, marked the official launch of its literacy center and used bookstore with a grand housewarming celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony over the weekend.
The House Tuscaloosa offers a variety of affordable services to the community, all accessible under one roof. Additionally, it lays down the infrastructure for individuals and organizations aspiring to contribute to the community in tangible ways but lacks the necessary infrastructure.
See: The House Tuscaloosa Housewarming Event Draws Community Support (tuscaloosathread.com).
Topping Sports News:
18th ranked Bama Baseball took 2 of 3 games from Ole Miss in Oxford MS over the weekend. It was the Tide’s first road SEC series win of the season.
Alabama Softball salvaged one of three games from Tennessee over the weekend. Winning Sunday on a 1-0 shutout of the powerful Lady Vols yesterday at the Rhodes House.
Crimson Tide Football Safety Jaylen Key was the final player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft this past weekend. Key, was taken by the New York Jets as the No. 257th pick, giving him the title of “Mr. Irrelevant” bestowed upon the last pick each year. He gets a trip to Disneyland, The Lowsman Trophy, and parade.
With 45 players having officially given been given the "Mr. Irrelevant" title and another 39 unofficially holding that title, every player has signed with an NFL team.
Alabama track and field concluded the outdoor regular season at the Desert Heat Classic with four first place finishes from Corde Long (men's 400-meter hurdles), Allan Kiplagat (men's steeplechase), Caelyn Harris (women's long jump) and Brenda Tuwei (women's 3,000-meter).
Former Alabama baseball outfielder Dustin Mohr has been sentenced to nine years in prison on 2023 charges of child solicitation, child seduction, sexual misconduct with a minor and dissemination of matter harmful to minors. Mohr will also be required to register as a sex offender and pay restitution to his victims.
The 47-year-old Mohr played for several major league baseball teams and was as assistant baseball coach at Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana until 2021.
Have a fantastic week!!
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