Deadly Tornado, Racist High School Video: The Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The nation's attention turned to Alabama this past week, and not for very positive reasons. First, a deadly tornado swept through the eastern portion of Alabama and into Georgia, claiming 23 lives in its wake.

Also, a viral social media post from students at Hoover's Spain Park High School gained national attention for its racist language.

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Here are some of the stories that made local headlines during the week of March 4-9:

Alabama Tornado Claims 23 Lives

An outbreak of deadly tornados ripped through the Southeast area of Alabama, claiming the lives of 23 people, including some children, on Sunday, March 3, 2019.

Controversial Video Shows Alabama Students Making Racist Remarks

A group of white Alabama students from Hoover were captured on video last weekend off campus making racist remarks that included,"Fine, we just need n----rs gone," "Without the Holocaust, what would the world be like? Jews would run the world," and "F--k n----rs, f--k Jews."

4th Grader Among Dead After Tornadoes Devastate Alabama

A fourth-grader who attended a private school in Auburn has been identified as one of 23 people who died when a powerful tornado barreled into Lee County on Sunday afternoon. Lee-Scott Academy, an independent school with about 700 students ranging from pre-K to 12th grade, on Monday identified Taylor Thornton as one of the victims.

Hoover High School Named Banner School

Hoover High School was honored as one of only eight schools by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools as a Banner School. The award was presented at the CLAS luncheon in Prattville last week.

Five Questions With The Pants Store's Michael Gee

Patch hooked up with The Pants Store's Michael Gee to discuss family, fashion and what it takes to keep a business going for nearly 70 years.