Friday Morning News Outlook

There is a marginal, one and five, risk for severe weather from western Pickens County southward, including the NW corner of Greene County and all of Sumter County. The main threat today and tonight could be damaging winds but it should all be out of the area in time for A-Day and the Talladega Race tomorrow.

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With a 15-year-old becoming the sixth person arrested for that mass shooting in Dadeville that killed four and wounded 32 last weekend, Alabama House Democrats continue to push for passage of “Red Flag” legislation. It would establish a process to keep guns out of the hands of those who could be a danger to themselves or others.

Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ron Abernathy believes the bill needs some tweaking but vows his department will enforce whatever the legislature passes and becomes law. Democrats are urging pro-gun Republican Gov. Kay Ivey to support their bill.

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With West Alabama Republican House of Rep. member Cynthia Almond of Tuscaloosa and Greensboro Democrat State Senator Bobby Singleton looking on, Gov. Ivey has signed a package of four economic growth bills called “The Game Plan” into law. They are designed to keep Alabama competitive for business and industrial recruitment. The bills got bipartisan support in both the house and senate. 

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Two children were injured Thursday evening in a two-car accident in southern Tuscaloosa. Stephanie Taylor, a spokesperson for the Tuscaloosa Police Department, said officers were called to the scene of a wreck off Highway 69 South around 5:25 p.m. The 12 and 14-year-old boys were airlifted to Children's of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham.

Extent of the injuries is unknown.

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Tomorrow is A-Day on the UA campus, the first chance for Alabama fans to get a look at the 2023 Crimson Tide football team and Coach Nick Saban is hoping for a big turnout. After the team's final spring practice Saban told reporters a large crowd helps create a game-like atmosphere for the players and enhances Bama's national brand. A-Day has traditionally provided a significant economic boost to Tuscaloosa and Northport as the end of the spring semester approaches.

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A funeral home in Jasper was the site of a drug bust yesterday. Narcotics agents raided the Southside Funeral home and confiscated a half pound of methamphetamines. Kinte Gosha, Arthur McCollum and Odell Swain were arrested. McCollum and Swain were subjects of previous drug charges. 

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In sports: A critical three-game series between nationally ranked Alabama and Auburn softball teams is scheduled to begin tonight at 8 p.m. with "Montana Fouts Day" at Rhodes House. The series is getting national attention due to match-up of two of the country's best college pitchers, Alabama's Fouts and Auburn's Maddie Penta. The Tide and Tigers also play at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. All games are being broadcast on the Crimson Tide Sports Network and ESPN/SEC Networks.