Good morning West Alabama! It is Tuesday July 23, 2024.

Every day is designated as some type of "National Day" in the United States. Today is one of my favorites - National Vanilla Ice Cream Day. Ok, I know some of you consider vanilla ice cream as basic, blah, bland. But it is the second most popular flavor in America.

The ice cream industry considers it the default flavor. It is part of the makeup of banana splits, Sundays and more. As a matter of fact, one of our nation's founders was a big fan of vanilla ice cream, which historians believe he discovered while visiting France.

Thomas Jefferson produced a handwritten copy of a vanilla ice cream recipe in the 1780s. Only ten copies remain. In fact, the Library of Congress houses one copy that has a cookie recipe on the flip side. Today, the ice cream parlor at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota serves the same recipe so that anyone can have a taste.

No matter what kind of day you have today, a scoop of vanilla ice cream will make it better.

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The Forecast:

Today
Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday
Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 82. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday
Showers and thunderstorms. High near 83. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.

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Topping the News:

Brandon Allen Kendrick Jr., the Bibb County man accused of shooting his wife and four children to death last week in West Blocton has pleaded not guilty by mental disease. The plea came during a Monday hearing at the Bibb County Courthouse in Centreville.

Trial lawyer Richard s. Jaffe told news partner ABC3340 the claim is not a common plea. He says Kendrick, Jr. will be sent to a mental institution for evaluation. Kendrick, Jr. remains in jail without bond. His next hearing is in September.  Kendrick appeared at the hearing via zoom.


West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Teri Sewell is making news this week.

Sewell has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed President Biden on the Democratic ticket at next month’s convention in Chicago. All of Alabama’s delegates to the convention are also backing Harris to become the first female president.

Rep. Sewell has also presented Pickens County a check for more than $637,000 dollars to construct a new emergency 9-1-1 communications center. The new center should enhance emergency responses in the county.

Sewell also announced another in her next job fairs. The job fair is scheduled for August 8th at the Bessemer Civic Center.


The driver of that SUV killed in a single vehicle crash into a tree yesterday has been identified as 42-year-old Tiffany Sheree Jones of Greensboro.

She was driving north on Hargrove Road East when the SUV she was driving left the road and struck a tree in the yard of the residence in the 4500 block of 45th Steet East.

An investigation continues into the cause of the crash.

Read More: TUSCALOOSA POLICE IDENTIFY GREENSBORO WOMAN KILLED IN MONDAY WRECK


If you are headed to the Gulf Coast for one last fling before school, keep in mind purple flags are flying on Gulf Shores beaches to warn beachgoers of a significant number of jellyfish in the water. Jellyfish stings cause instant pain and inflamed marks on the skin. Some stings may cause more whole-body illness.


Local leaders participating in the Chamber of Commerce's sixth annual benchmarking trip wrap up this year' s visit to Mobile today. Mayor Walt Maddox, Probate Judge Rob Robertson and dozens of other leaders from leading area nonprofits, businesses, and the education sector participated in the visit.

The visit explored unique projects, business and industrial successes and educational programs and will bring the best ideas back with them.

Read More: MOBILE OFFERS LESSONS IN INFRASTRUCTURE, INNOVATION TO TUSCALOOSA CHAMBER


Today is the "Day of Giving" for Tuscaloosa City Schools at Scooters Coffee. The new business in town has a goal of raising $1,500 today to help students in tough financial situations to get a good start to the coming new school year next month.

Scooters is open until 8:00 tonight at 632 15th Street. It is in the front parking lot for Parkview Center, across from Central High School.


A former employee of Tuscaloosa's St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is scheduled for a court hearing today in the wake of her pleading guilty to stealing some $300,000 from the church last year.

Kristen Marie Battocletti admitting to using the money to purchase Tik Tok coins. She faces the potential for 20 years in prison and large fines.

The church has filed an insurance claim.


After an extensive remodel, Lost Pizza Restaurant is now open in Northport in the old Mr. Bill's location at 2715 McFarland Blvd.

Lost Pizza already has 28 locations across Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, & Texas.

Owners Brooks Roberts & Preston Lott called the atmosphere they first conceived while in college as funky.



Topping Sports News:

Today marks the day veterans for all 23 NFL clubs report for training camp, making it the pro football world's biggest 'first day of school.' Tomorrow will mark the first training camp practice for most teams reporting today.


The Minnesota Vikings will honor former Tide star DB Khyree Jackson this season. The 24-year-old died in a car crash an automobile accident in his home state of Maryland earlier this morning.

Vikings and former Tide teammate Dallas Turner kept Jackson's nameplate from his locker and is keeping it above his own in the Vikings locker room.

Read More: Minnesota Vikings Honoring Passed Teammate 


Have a terrific Tuesday. I'm going for a vanilla shake!

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