Good morning West Alabama. It is Wednesday, November 28, 2024.

Wednesday Morning Observations:

My grandfather, Dewey Townsend, gave me some sage advice when I was 15. I made the statement that I couldn't wait until I was 16 so I could get my driver's license. He was in his mid 70s then and had lived a lot in his lifetime. He delivered telegrams in a mule drawn cart for Western Union as a kid, hoboed on a freight train to go see the St. Louis Cardinals play in the World Series, worked on riverboats, was in the navy during both world wars, and spent two decades working for the U.S. Postal Service while him and my grandmother raised two girls and a boy. He had earned the right to pass along advice.

"Don't wish your life away," he told me. "When you get to my age you start wondering where the years have gone, Life flies by. You need to slowdown and appreciate your life and be thankful for what you have experienced, the family that has raised you, the friends who care about you and the opportunities you have by living in this country."

I am now the age he was when he passed along the wisdom of his years of life's experiences. His wise view of life and what we should be thankful for has stuck with me to this day. I have not always succeeded in following his advice, but I have found he was right.

As we prepare for another Thanksgiving celebration let us realize that each day is a gift from God. Let us be thankful and do what we can to use our lives for good.

I have found often some of the most thankful people I have ever met are those who have the least because they understand wealth, power and prestige often get in the way of being humble and thankful.

Let us step aside, if only for a moment, from the Macy's Parade, the turkey and trimmings, football games and political talk. and thank God for what we have and the opportunities we have to be who we need to be.

We are the sum total of our family, friends and life's experiences. May we slow down and appreciate life and truly be thankful.

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


Weather:

Today started with foggy conditions south of the I20/59 corridor. Visibilities in some spots in Bibb, Hale, Greene, Sumter and Marengo counties were down to less than a quarter mile. But the fog burned off by 9:00 and the sun is shining through scattered cloud cover. But as you can read on the link below, it will not hang around long.

Read More: Thanksgiving Severe Weather Marginal Risk in Portions of Alabama

The Forecast:

Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
A chance of showers before midnight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 61. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thanksgiving Day
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to near 61 by 11am, then falling to around 50 during the remainder of the day. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 51. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

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Topping the News:

It is Thanksgiving Eve, the second busiest travel day of the season and reports from the airways and highways have been mostly positive so far.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International reports all flights are on time this morning but they expect delays tomorrow as severe weather and winter storms build in.
ALEA Troopers report no major issues on state roadways but remind motorists to make sure their vehicle is in good condition and to buckle-up before leaving home.


ALDOT has issued a reminder that although all work zones in the state are shutdown during the holiday, road equipment, uneven roadways and orange barrels still present a road hazard. Everyone should slow down when they enter a work zone.


An arrest has been made in that destructive burglary of Woodstock Drugs early Sunday morning. According to Woodstock Police, a suspect was taken into custody in Tuscaloosa County but will be brought to the Bibb County Jail where they will be charged.

Heavy construction equipment was used to break through the store's wall so the culprit could steal drugs according to store personnel.


Tw Tuscaloosa families will soon be moving into two new Habitat for Humanity homes for the holidays. The homes were dedicated yesterday in honor of former Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban and his wide Terry for their work in sponsoring construction of 21 homes.

Nick credited his wife for doing the work to help change the quality of people's lives.
Samantha Hamner and LaPorchia Mitchell will move into their new homes before Christmas Day.

Operation "Iron Ruck" is underway. That is the 151 military type march from the Auburn University campus to the University of Alabama campus by student-veterans and other veterans to bring awareness to the problem of veteran suicide.
On average, 17 veterans take their own lives annually in the State of Alabama alone.
The marches will join in a Thanksgiving lunch tomorrow in Deatsville before continuing the march to Tuscaloosa.
The march ends Saturday afternoon with delivery of the game ball to the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and Auburn Mayor Ron Anders have made their annual "Iron Bowl" wagers.
Anders will donate to the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative if Auburn wins while Maddox will make a $100 donation to the Mercy Medical Ministry and Clinic.

Holidays on the Plaza returns to downtown Tuscaloosa Friday. That means the season ice skating rink will be opening then. Holidays on the Plaza will run through January 20th.
The 2024 Tinsel Trail with dozens of decorated Christmas trees opened Monday. There will be several events such as "Suit Up with Santa" on December 7th, pet night on December 8th, Ugly Sweater Night on December 13th and Family Night on December 20th.


Nine-year DCH Regional Medical Center Employee Courtney Wingo has been promoted to director of employee relations.
According to a release, Wingo holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Trident University International and a Master of Jurisprudence in labor and employment law from Tulane University School of Law.


Topping Sports News:

Both nationally ranked Alabama basketball teams picked up big wins Tuesday.
The #23 Bama women blasted Clemson 73-39 to win the Emerald Coast Classic yesterday afternoon.
Last night the 9th ranked men overcame an almost six-minute scoring drought late in the second half to tie the game with 6th ranked Houston and force overtime. The Tide took control in OT and won 85-80.
Bama plays Rutgers tonight.

This week's College Football Playoff Committee Brackets were released last night. As expected, Alabama dropped after being humiliated by Oklahoma Saturday night.
The Tide is the highest rated three loss team but based on this week's bracket, Bama will not make the playoffs.
RANKSCHOOLRECORDPREVIOUS
1Oregon11-01
2Ohio State10-12
3Texas10-13
4Penn State10-14
5Notre Dame10-16
6Miami10-18
7Georgia9-210        
8Tennessee9-211
9SMU10-113
10Indiana10-15
11Boise State10-112
12Clemson9-217
13Alabama8-37        
14Ole Miss8-39        
15South Carolina8-318
16Arizona State9-221
17Tulane9-220
18Iowa State9-222
19BYU9-214
20Texas A&M8-315        
21Missouri8-323
22UNLV9-224
23Illinois8-325
24Kansas State8-3NR
25Colorado8-316

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Have a wonderful Wednesday and enjoy the holidays.