West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
It is Wednesday May 1, 2024. It is May Day!
May day is recognized for several different reasons:
- The Celts in the British Isles considered May 1 to be the most crucial day of the year. They celebrated the festival of Beltane, which symbolized the division between light and dark, marking the transition from winter to spring.
- In the 19th century, during the height of the Industrial Revolution, workers faced poor conditions and long hours. During that time May Day became associated with labor rights and workers’ struggles.
- May Day is an official holiday in 66 countries, according to History.com. However, it is not widely recognized in the U.S., the country where it began. President Grover Cleveland feared the socialist and communist origins of the holiday, and worried that May Day celebrations would encourage people to join radical causes. Because of this Cleveland established Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1894.
The Forecast:
The push for a union at Mercedes continues to make news. With a union vote looming on May 13th, Federico Kochlowski will replace Michael Goebel as the new president and Chief Executive Officer of the Tuscaloosa Mercedes Benz plant. The company said Goebel will move to a new strategic role for North American operations.
Anti-union workers at the plant say this is proof the company is responsive to employee issues.
DCH Regional Medical Center is making great strides in improvement. DCHRMC, Northport Medical Center and Fayette Medical Center each received a "B" grade in patient safety and quality in their last review. The grade comes from Leapfrog, a nonprofit watchdog organization that serves as a voice for health care consumers and purchasers, using their collective influence to foster positive change in U.S. health care.
In a press release Senior VP/Administrator for DCH Luke Standeffer emphasized, "Every day, our caregivers focus on quality outcomes, positive patient experiences, and creating the safest patient environment possible."
DCH facilities received a "D" grade two years ago.
See: Statewide Hospital Grades
The Kentuck Art Center is proposing to open a museum and gallery space, a cafe, a storefront and event venue in a multimillion-dollar project at the historic Queen City Pool House on Jack Warrner Parkway. If the move takes place, the current little promoted transportation museum located in the building will close, and exhibits returned to their owners.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has announced the largest general revenue budget surplus in Tuscaloosa history - $20,950,529. Maddox claimed to the city council that it validates the way business is conducted at city hall.
78% of that surplus came from the revenue side and 22% the expenditure side. "That is extraordinary considering since 2023 we have had incredible increases in prices just because of inflation." Maddox told the council.
Maddox credited work done by department heads and staff to make the surplus possible.
The Alabama House of Representatives passed a watered-down gaming legislation bill after a conference committee approved the bill during first public meeting. But when the bill went to the senate for concurrence, it was narrowly defeated.
The legislature is appropriating $10 million from the State Education Trust Fund to pay for a summer feeding program for youth experiencing food insecurity. The state was originally one of 15 states to decide against the program and that sparked considerable criticism.
The Tuscaloosa City School System has already announced it would conduct the program no matter what the state does.
Every year, Niche evaluates school districts, providing a comprehensive understanding of their teacher quality, academic performance, and diversity, among other criteria. They then provide a Top 20 list. Only one system, in West Alabama, Jasper City Schools, made the list at #22.
See the Whole List: DISCOVER THE BEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ALABAMA FOR 2024.
A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 2:00 this afternoon for the new Western Riverwalk. It will be at 500 43rd Avenue. Conducting the ceremonies will be Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Councilor Matthew Wilson and Councilor Raevan Howard.
28-year-old Nathia Thomas was reported missing this past weekend. Yesterday she was located in Georgia unharmed.
Authorities never suspected foul play but began the search when her parents reported Thomas missing Sunday when she was not at her home on Claybrook Drive when they arrived and has not answered her phone.
Topping Sports News:
Alabama Football Coach Kalen DeBoer is praising Tide players who chose to stay when Nick Saban retired. He told news partner ABC 3340; they are committed to winning the national championship that eluded them in the Rose Bowl loss.DeBoar calls them true leaders.
From UA Athletics: The No. 21 Alabama men's tennis team will face Charlotte in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, the NCAA revealed Monday. The Tide (17-12) and Niners (19-7) will compete Friday at noon CT in Durham, N.C.
Alabama will make its 21st overall appearance in the team competition after receiving its fifth berth under the leadership of head coach George Husack. The winner of Friday's match will advance to the tournament's second round to face the winner of Duke and UNC Asheville.
Have a magnificent May Day!
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