Crescent Ridge Road Shooting; UA Rolling Back Pandemic Measures

TGIF Tuscaloosa! Let's breeze through this morning so you can get on with your day and on to the weekend.

In today's Daily, I have the biggest updates from the waning Alabama legislative session, an update on a Thursday night shooting in Tuscaloosa, and all of the other stories I'm reading and working on as this week comes to a close.

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect a mostly cloudy Friday, with a high near 73 degrees and a low around 56. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible into the evening hours.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. An amendment to the Alabama constitution is moving forward in the legislature that, if passed and approved by Tuscaloosa County voters, would require a majority at the ballot box for any municipalities in the county before city officials increase sales or use taxes. The bill is sponsored by State Sen. Gerald Allen, a Republican from Tuscaloosa (More on Patch)

2. No injuries were reported in a Thursday night gas station shooting on Crescent Ridge Road and two people are in custody being questioned by investigators. (More on Patch)

3. The University of Alabama on May 15 will allow temporary measures created during the coronavirus pandemic to expire, Mark Hughes Cobb reports. This includes staggered schedules, leave and other pandemic-related benefits. (Tuscaloosa News)

4. Retired Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge John England spoke with Jabaree Prewitt following the return of a guilty verdict for former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd last summer. (WVUA 23 News)

5. Annie Mapp also reports that the University of Alabama has opened a public dialogue following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin case. Check out the conversations and reactions. (ABC 33/40)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- The Shelton State women's basketball team saw its 2021 season comes to a close on Thursday in a 70-62 loss to Trinity Valley Community College in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in Lubbock, Texas.

- Capitol School students and teachers are working planting flowers and a small garden to celebrate Earth Day.

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- Changes could be coming for some elected officials in Alabama, Jake Chapman reports. While not impacting the City of Tuscaloosa, officials in the City of Northport elected in 2020 could see their terms last another year, if a bill is passed and signed into law moving 2024 municipal elections to 2025 in 97% of municipalities in Alabama. (CBS 42 News)

- PJ’s Coffee will be host its grand opening today from 11 am until 1 p.m. with specials and free coffee drinks available.

- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) on Thursday announced the promotion of Capt. Jonathan Archer to chief of the agency’s Driver License Division.

- The Tuscaloosa Academy girl's soccer team advanced to the state championship Thursday with a win over Glenwood School. The Lady Knights will face Lee Scott Academy today in Montgomery for the AISA state championship.

- DCH Health System reported 15 total coronavirus inpatients on Thursday, with five or fewer new patients.

- The Auburn-Montgomery men's tennis team defeated West Alabama 4-3 Thursday in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Gulf South Conference Tennis Championships. West Alabama ends its season with a 7-9 record.

- The City of Tuscaloosa has officially set memorial events for the April 27, 2011 tornado. Read more about it here. (More)

Area baseball scores

Shelton State 12, Wallace Hanceville 5

Shelton State 1, Wallace Hanceville 7

Tuscaloosa County 0, Oak Mountain 5

Area softball scores

Shelton State 0, Wallace Hanceville 8

Shelton State 13, Wallace Hanceville 1

Northside 5, Holy Spirit 0

Gordo 12, Hale County 2

Tuscaloosa County 16, Hueytown 1

North River Christian 15, Tuscaloosa Home Educators 1

Now you're in the loop and ready to make the most of this Friday. But don't miss out during the rest of your day. Before sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and updates every day of the week!

I'll see you around!

- Ryan

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.