Good morning West Alabama! It is Wednesday, January 29, 2025. This is the 29th day of the year with 336 remaining.

Wednesday Morning Briefing:

129 bills have been prefilled for the 2025 Alabama legislative session that begins next Tuesday. Noted for its absence so far is lottery legislation.

Apparently, lawmakers favoring gaming in Alabama have grown weary of running up against special interests in the Senate that repeatedly are able to derail lottery and casino legislation. That is not to say a bill cannot be introduced at a later date.

Polls repeated show the majority of Alabamians favor a lottery for the state, but upper chamber lawmakers are pushed by several special interests any type of bill that passes the house and is sent to the senate.

There will plenty of legislation on other topics to discuss though. Prefilled bills include such hot topics as education, healthcare, firearms, criminal justice, elections, library boards, illegal immigration, border security, vaccines, parental rights, and environment.

This week the Democrats and Republicans have announced their priorities. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said the Alabama House Democratic Caucus' agenda is about moving “Forward for Freedom,” and focusing on preserving, protecting and expanding your freedoms.”

Democrat Rep. Neil Rafferty, a former Marine, told reporters he plans to re-introduce legislation that will repeal Alabama’s permit less carry law – a controversial law sponsored by Cottondale Republican Senator Gerald Allen. Rafferty points out, most law enforcement agencies across the state attribute the law for increasing gun violence and making their job even more dangerous.

The GOP says their legislative agenda is about “Alabama Values”. They have identified increasing work force participation, discouraging illegal immigration, funding and expanding public education programs, improving public safety, assisting military and veterans, expanding pro-life protections and pushing back against “woke” policies and radical ideas.

Rep. Cynthia Almond of Tuscaloosa was the only West Alabama representative on the GOP Agenda Committee.

Lottery or not, it will be an interesting session as each party attempts to take their version of the moral high ground.

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


Weather:

West Alabama will have "spring fever" the next few days as temperatures rise into the 60s, near 70 degrees. Clear but cool nights will see lows in the lower to mid 40s.

The National Climate Prediction Center is forecasting warming than normal temperatures the next 8 to 14 days. Precipitation during that same time frame will trend toward slightly above normal.

The Forecast:

Today
Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night
Showers likely after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

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Topping the News:
Charges Dropped Against Former Hale County Deputy

Domestic violence charges against a former Hale County Deputy Sheriff have been dismissed.

Allen Nail was charged with domestic violence and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail after an incident with his wife in September of 2022.

Nail was terminated from his position at the Hale County Sheriff's Office. With dismissal of the charges, it is not known if Nail will be reinstated.


Another Plea Deal in Walker County Jail Case

New federal court documents reveal another guilty plea of a Walker County correctional officer in relation to the death of Tony Mitchell. He died of hypothermia two years ago after what the U.S. Attorney's office calls inhumane treatment when Mitchell was denied medical and mental health care.

According to the latest court filing, Benjamin Daniel Shoemaker has reached a plea deal with prosecutors

 

Ryan Cagle, a community activist talked to news partner ABC3340 that, "A crime was committed, someone died, and someone should pay for it."


Gordo Police Make Huge Drug Bust

13 pounds of marijuana, ecstasy and a table full of other controlled substances are the results of a drug bust made by Gordo Police yesterday.

In a social media post on Facebook, the Pickens County Sheriff's Office reported, "A search warrant was executed by the Pickens County Sheriff's Office and the Gordo Police Department in the 900 block of Sam Davis Court, Gordo."

Antonia L. Prince was arrested and charged with Trafficking Marijuana, Trafficking in Illegal Drugs, Failure to Affix Tax Stamp, and Possession of Controlled Substance.

Read More: Gordo Police Seize 13 Pounds of Marijuana, Ecstasy & More in Raid


 

Pickens County City of Reform Hit with Major Lawsuit

A $20 million lawsuit has been filed against the City of Reform and two officers. The lawsuit alleges excessive force, deliberate indifference, malicious prosecution and wrongful detainment and arrest” of Micah Washington in December of 2023.

Cellphone video shows Reform police Officer Dana Elmore tasing Washington, who was handcuffed at the time. Elmore’s husband, former Pickens County Sheriff’s Deputy Jody Elmore is included in the suit.


 

New Habitat Home Being Built for Car Crash Survivors

Habitat for Humanity will partner with Warrior Met Coal to build a new home for a family who survived a catastrophic car crash in Tuscaloosa in summer 2022, they announced Tuesday.

The new home will be part of Habitat Tuscaloosa's Milestone Neighborhood in West Tuscaloosa and is for Kara Martin Jemison and her children.

Read More: Warrior Met Coal, Tuscaloosa Habitat to Partner on New Home for Crash Survivors


 

West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force Recognized for Work

The Tuscaloosa City Council recognized the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force last night. The I 20/59 corridor is a major route for human traffickers and Tuscaloosa/West Alabama has made more than their share of human trafficking arrests.

Mayor Walt Maddox pointed to the partnership formed by local governments and the critical work done by the task force for saving local lives.  Task Force Commander, Capt. Phil Simpson pointed out that people are being victimized right here in Tuscaloosa and not just across somewhere else.


 

Court Battle Over Federal Funds Leaves Local Leaders Uncertain

Leaders in West Alabama are not yet sure how the area will be impacted by the surprise Monday announcement that the federal government will freeze the disbursement of much of its grant and loan funding to ensure alignment with President Donald Trump's agenda. The move could impact state and local governments and ongoing projects.

An Indiana Federal Court has placed a temporary stay on the White House order.

After a pause for much of the day Tuesday, federal dollars resumed being available to state and local governments and organizations.

Read More: Leaders Not Yet Sure How Federal Funding Freeze Will Impact Tuscaloosa Area



Topping Sports News:

Bama faces Tough Road Game Tonight
The Alabama Men's basketball team travels just across the state line to Starkville tonight to do battle with a very good Mississippi State team. The Bulldogs are one of the nation's best rebounding teams and that will apply pressure to a Tide team that struggle on the boards at times.
The big question in the Alabama camp is, will superstar guard Mark Sears start tonight. After a poor first half performance Saturday he was benched the entire second half. That prompted initial negative social media posts from Sears' mother (which she later clarified as just support for her son).
The game tips off at 8:00pm and will be televised by ESPN and heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network (95.3 The Bear, Tide 100.9 and 1230AM WTBC).
Bama is a 1.5-point favorite.


College Baseball Season Just Around the Corner

The first pitch of the 2025 College baseball Season is set for February 14th. First up for the Alabama Crimson Tide are the Bradley Braves. That first pitch will be at 4:00pm. at "The Joe" on campus.
The Tide's annual Fan Day is Saturday, Feb. 8, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The day will begin at 11:00a.m. CT when check-in opens for fans who sign up to take part in the on-field experience.
An intrasquad scrimmage is scheduled for a 1:00p.m. first pitch. Free pizza will be provided at 1 p.m. for all who register in advance. Following the practice session, fans can meet the 2025 roster and get autographs from the players and staff. A free autograph card featuring the 2025 schedule will be available to all fans.
Fans are encouraged to sign up for the free event in advance by clicking here.
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