
West Alabama Tuesday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is Tuesday, January 14, 2025. It is the 14th day of the year with 352 days remaining.
Tuesday Morning Observations:
There is an old saying in politics that "local government is the closest and best government". There is a lot of truth to that. Local government is the most accessible and it directly impacts the daily lives of citizens within a community more so than state or federal government levels. However, it is not completely true in Alabama.
The Alabama Legislature wants to be the "big dog", so they allow limited home rule for municipal governments and virtually no home rule for county governing bodies. That means local governing bodies have authority that is only expressly allowed by the state.
Home rule is defined this way in the Encyclopedia of Alabama: "Home Rule in Alabama is significantly limited by the Alabama Constitution. Counties have no general grant of power in the Constitution or from the legislature. Thus, counties must go to the legislature for authority to engage in desired activities, either through constitutional amendments which must be initiated by the legislature, or by an act of the legislature (known as "local legislation") giving the county authority to carry out the desired action.
Municipal corporations (counties, cities, and towns) are provided for in Article XII, Sections 220-28, of the constitution, with such powers as may be delegated to them by the legislature. They may levy taxes (subject to constitutional limitations on ad valorem taxes), adopt zoning regulations, annex property, select and change their form of government, construct streets and assess the cost against the abutting property, engage in redevelopment and urban renewal projects and establish public agencies to operate such entities as hospitals, libraries, and recreational facilities."
Alabama's Constitution is the longest in the nation. Almost one-third of the 700 amendments apply to local legislation. Much of the time in each legislative session is taken up by local amendments.
Because the legislature retains so much power that should be in local government hands does not mean local governments are not impactful. They manage services like roads, parks, public safety, public transit, and utilities and control zoning, all that directly affect residents' daily lives. Quality of life and city growth are directly related to local government.
Because city hall or the county courthouse are just down the road; citizens can readily participate in local government meetings and elections and have direct contact with local government officials.
All that is said because today is the first day of qualifying for Tuscaloosa Municipal Elections. It is an opportunity to challenge incumbents, put forth new ideas and keep the wheels of true democracy turning in races for mayor, city council and the city school board.
Another old political saying, "You can't fight city hall, " isn't totally true. You can run for office and challenge the status quo.
(Opinions expressed in Morning Briefing are those of the author and not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Weather:
Dry, warmer weather will be predominant over the rest of the work week, but the coming weekend will see another change. A soaking rain and warm temperatures will come to an end Sunday with a cold front.
The following week will see the coldest temperatures of the season with daytime highs across the northern half of the state remaining below freezing and overnight lows in the teens. An Excessive Cold Risk Advisory is in effect from early Monday until early Tuesday morning next week.
Some on social media are predicting a major winter storm next week but as ABC3340 Chief Meteorologist James Spann cautions, "it is still way too soon to know."
Read More: Very Cold Temps Headed to Alabama with Hints of Wintry Weather
The Forecast:

Topping the News:
Search for Missing Woman Turns Up Nothing So Far
A search along the I22 corridor for missing Marion County woman Chastity Terry has turned up nothing so far. She was last seen on a security camera at a Jasper truck stop last Friday. Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams told media the man she was with claims she walked off…(SB/kw).>>The man Terry was with, Charles David Williams Jr., has been charged with conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime. Investigators believe Terry and Williams were headed to Birmingham to buy narcotics.
Read More: Hamilton Woman Missing from Guin Area Since Friday
Tuscaloosa Municipal Election Qualifying Opens/Poll Workers Needed
Today is the first day to qualify for the March 4th Tuscaloosa Municipal Elections for mayor, council and the city school board. The qualification period end January 28th.
The city is looking for poll workers for that election. No experience is necessary, and training will be provided. However, you must be 18 years old, registered to vote in Tuscaloosa, attend training and be available for both general and runoff elections. You can go to the city’s website for qualifying and poll worker information.
Read More: Tuscaloosa Recruiting Poll Workers Ahead of March’s Municipal Elections
Tuscaloosa Man Charged with Sexual Acts with a Minor
30-year-old Jalan Christopher Lewis was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with having sex with and producing pornography with a minor while he was on bond for similar crimes. TPD says Lewis, a Tuscaloosa man, is charged with two counts of second-degree rape, traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act, facilitating the travel of a minor for an unlawful sex act, production of child sexual abuse material and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
Read More: Serial Suspect in Tuscaloosa Charged With Statutory Rape, Production of Child Porn
MLK Day Activities Announced Locally
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) - Tuscaloosa County Chapter Executive Board plans to hold three events on Monday, January 20, for its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day.
Read More: SCLC of Tuscaloosa County Hosts MLK Unity Day Events
Contentious Trump Cabinet Confirmation Hearings Underway
Prepare for some of the most contentious presidential cabinet confirmation hearings ever. One of the most contentious involves Secretary of Defense Nominee Pete Hegseth. Critics claim Hegseth is not qualified, has alcohol issues and also point to 2017, that is when Hegseth paid a settlement agreement to a woman who accused him of sexual assault.
Alabama Senior Republican U-S Senator Tommy Tuberville is calling Hegseth just what we need to reform the U-S military.
Another Local Restaurant Closes Doors
Read More: Tuscaloosa’s T-Town Cafe to Permanently Close, Space for Sale
UA Sleep Study Looking for Participants
Scientists have known for some time that not getting enough sleep can be detrimental to our health. Among the health issues exacerbated by lack of sleep are heart disease and diabetes. The University of Alabama is conducting a study called SLUMBRx to learn more about how sleep impacts these serious health conditions.
The study is recruiting volunteers to participate. If you join the SLUMBRx study, UA will collect medical information from you at their state-of-the-art Exercise Science Research Laboratory at the University of Alabama.
Click HERE for more information.
Topping Sports News:
Alabama and Auburn Each Move Up in this Week's AP Men's Basketball Poll
The Auburn Tigers are atop this week's Associated Press Men's College Basketball Poll. Not far behind them is the 4th ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama. Once again, the Top 25 is dominated by the Southeastern Conference.
Here is the full list of the Top 25 according to AP (SEC Teams Highlighted):
1 - Auburn
2 - Iowa State
3 - Duke
4 - Alabama
5 - Florida
6 - Tennessee
7 - Marquette
8 - Kentucky
9 - Kansas
10 - Houston
11 - Texas A&M
12 - Michigan State
13 - Oregon
14 - UConn
15 - Mississippi State
16 - Gonzaga
17 - Purdue
18 - Memphis
19 - Illinois
20 - Michigan
21 - Ole Miss
22 - Utah State
23 - Georgia
24 - Wisconsin
25 - Baylor
Top 25 Match-up Tonight at Coleman Coliseum
Something has got to give tonight when #4 Alabama hosts #21 Ole Miss in front of a sellout crowd on campus. Both the Tide and Rebs are undefeated in Southeastern Conference play. "This game will go a long way in determining whose going in the mix to win the SEC Championship," Tide Head Coach Nate Oats told reporters Monday.
Old Miss leads the SEC in defense and is one of the best teams in the nation at turning opponents over. That will be an area Bama needs to concentrate on tonight. One of UA's glaring weaknesses is turnovers.
Tipoff is 6:00pm at Coleman. The game will be televised by ESPN and heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network on 95.3 The Bear, Tide 100.9 and 1230 AM WTBC.
Sears is SEC Player of the Week
Alabama's Mark Sears earned has been named SEC Player of the Week by the conference for his performance in two road wins at South Carolina and Texas A&M this past week.
Sears scored 20+ points in both victories for the Crimson Tide.
Read More: Sears Named SEC Player of the Week
Major Tide Football Recruit Decommits
Five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood de-committing from Alabama after being committed to the Crimson Tide since July 2024.
Haywood was rated as the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class out of Texas. he originally chose the Tide over Oklahoma.
Read More: Five-Star Offensive Tackle De-Commits From Alabama
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