Good morning West Alabama. It is Tuesday, February 4, 2025. This is the 35th day of the year with 330 days remaining.

In Today's Edition:

  • Morning Observations
  • Weather
  • Topping the News
  • Topping the Sports News

Tuesday Morning Observations:

An old joke on the first day of the new legislative session advises Alabamians to lock up their valuables because the legislature is back in town. Well, today is that day. As of noon, lawmakers convene the 2025 session at the State House.

Not much activity will take place on the first afternoon as lawmakers await a joint session at 6:00 tonight in the historic old State Capitol House Chambers. At that time Governor Ivey will deliver her annual State of the State Address.

The 80-year-old chief executive is expected to declare the state of the state as strong and then make recommendations for legislation that will make it stronger in her viewpoint.

The former teacher is expected to again make education a cornerstone for her legislative agenda this year. She is expected to renew support for the CHOOSE Act, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Literacy and Numeracy Acts and her Turnaround Schools initiative.

Among her other priorities expected is legislation in support of law enforcement, combating crime and criminal justice reform.

Democrats will push bills to reform increase Medicaid, stop hospital closures, the pardons and paroles board, resend the permit less concealed carry of firearms, criminal justice reform, outlaw Glock switches and support policies that will reduce gun violence.

Republicans say they want to tap into what President Trump is doing at the state level.  The party supports identifying and deporting criminal, illegal immigrants and allocating guaranteed funding for district attorney offices.

The GOP would like to get rid of business personal property tax and possibly lower income tax. They want to increase curriculum transparency for parents, prevent teachers from using gender pronouns, keep transgender students from using the bathroom of their choice and allow parents to opt their children out of sex education.

Another proposed bill will allow parents to be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor if their child unlawfully possesses a firearm on the premises of a public school.

Unless someone unexpected introduces a bill, there will be no lottery legislation this session. Proponents have become weary of passing it in the house only to see the senate kill any chance of the public being able to vote on a statewide lottery.

The two main reasons for the session are to pass the state's budgets, all the other stuff is just extra. So, keep your valuables close at hand.

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


 

Weather:

Chances for scattered showers will sweep across West Alabama today through Thursday night but temperatures will remain above normal until this weekend. That is when a cold front moves across the state dropping temperatures back to normal levels for this time of the year. But before that happens, we could bump up against record highs into the early weekend.

The Forecast:

Today
A chance of sprinkles after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog between 7am and 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 10 mph.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

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Topping the News:

Northport Council Grumbles but Passes $100,000 Funding for Library

Northport District 1 Councilman Woodrow Washington was the lone no vote to fund an extra $100,000 to the Tuscaloosa Public Library. The vote was in the wake of a threat by the library board to remove some online library services to Northport residents. He claimed the library board could have waited until the next finance committee meeting. He vowed to not let outside agencies "bully" the city.

District 3 Councilman Karl Wiggins told the council he did not appreciate the way the library board handled the issue, allowing the threat to leak to media giving social media posters the opportunity to play politics with the issue

The current city council has been working to rectify underpayments to the library by past councils.

Three years ago, Gov. Ivey signed legislation backed by Cottondale Senator Gerald Allen allowing concealed carry of firearms without a permit. Three years later gun crimes have continued to increase in Alabama leading Democrats to propose legislation this session that would repeal the law.

Democrats point to recording breaking homicides last year in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and other cities.


Wedding Ring Maker Expands Operations

A non-descript building on 15th Street, just west of Central High School houses a business few people in Tuscaloosa/Northport realize that exists. Tosyali International, Ltd. is housed in the high security structure. Inside craftsmen and women are making Benchmark wedding rings.

The company will create 40 new jobs as part of a $21 million expansion of their unassuming headquarters in Tuscaloosa.

Read More: Tuscaloosa Wedding Ring Maker to Create 40 Jobs in $21 Million Expansion


 

Tuscaloosa Leaders Want State Help on Mental health Issues

The rising number of people with mental health issues and who need to be under some form of care but remain on the streets have prompted concern from Tuscaloosa city leaders. They met with state lawmakers in advance of today's beginning of the 2025 legislative session to discuss the growing issue.
The downsizing of state-run mental health facilities has placed greater burdens of local governments, including local law enforcement interaction with persons suffering from mental conditions.
Mayor Maddox is even proposing the city partnering with the state to develop a pilot project to address the growing problem.


Gordo Man Caught in Major Drug Bust

45-year-old Antonia Prince of Gordo has been arrested and charged in a major drug bust in Pickens County.
Investigators recovered 13-pounds of marijuana, ecstasy pills, prescription drugs, marijuana wax and marijuana vape pens - all had a street value of around $100,000, according to a release from Pickens County Sheriff Jordan Powell.
Officials claim Prince had the potential of becoming a major drug dealer in the area. He was arrested on January 28th and remains in jail on a $2 million bond.


Boil Water Order Lifted in York



Topping Sports News:
University of West Alabama Hires Cochrane as Head Football Coach
The University of West Alabama has hired Scott Cochran as its next Head Football Coach, the University announced in a Press Release on Monday.

Cochran brings years of experience to Livingston, having been an Assistant and Strength and Conditioning Coach at LSU, the University of Alabama, and the University of Georgia.

He is also responsible for helping develop more than 200 NFL Draftees, including more than 50 First Round Draft picks.

Read More: Scott Cochran Returns to Coaching Football


Sears Names Finalist for Cousey Award

Alabama Guard Mark Sears is a finalist for the prestigious Bob Cousey Award for the nation's best point guard.
The Muscle Shoals native is one of the nation's top scorers.
Read More: Sears Named Semifinalist for Cousy Award


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

Have a terrific Tuesday!