🌱 High School Playoffs + Unity Fest + Hospital Safety Grades

Rise and shine, Tuscaloosa! Here's everything you need to know to get this Friday started off right.

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First, today's weather: Plenty of sunshine. High: 65 | Low: 41.

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Patch Shout Out!

Our Patch Shout Out this morning goes to all of the local veterans honored across the Tuscaloosa area on Thursday for Veterans Day. Click here to read more about the day's events (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa:

1. The latest Leapfrog hospital safety grades are out, with the prestigious nonprofit giving DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa an overall grade of "D," while Fayette Medical Center once again received an "A.." DCH's hospital in Northport was not included in the rankings. (Leapfrog)
2. Here's a thoughtful tribute to the life of Garrett Walker, the University of Alabama student whose body was recovered from the Black Warrior River Tuesday afternoon. (Alex Jobin, Crimson White)
3. The second round of the AHSAA and AISA high school football playoffs is set for tonight. Here are the matchups we'll be watching! (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. The Tuscaloosa County Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved to move forward on a $13.1 million expansion of the medical and mental health facilities at the Tuscaloosa County Jail. (Noah Lueker, Tuscaloosa Thread)
5. Several notable faces in the Tuscaloosa hotel and hospitality sector were recently recognized by Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports at its annual Tourism Bash. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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Other stories I'm reading today ...

• 9-Year-Old Girl Shot In Morton Simpson Housing Community (Michael Seale, Birmingham Patch)
• UAB, Tuskegee University partnership granted $13.7 million (Tyler Patchen, Birmingham Business Journal)
• Shelby may battle Washington D.C. PAC by sending $5 million to Britt-backing PAC (Eddie Burkhalter, Alabama Political Reporter)
• Long-running Veterans Day parade resumes after COVID halt (Jay Reeves, Associated Press)

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Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

The City of Tuscaloosa's Project Unity will hold its first-ever "Unity Fest" on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the McDonald Hughes Center. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

In partnership with the Division of Student Life and the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center, The University of Alabama opened a new VA satellite clinic in Capital Hall on the UA campus. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

The University of Alabama has named U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Laura McDonald as the recipient of the first UA Online Legendary Service Award. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

Shelton State Community College women's basketball this week celebrated Kiana Montgomery signing with Jacksonville State, while Ke'Ajia Williams signed to continue her college basketball career at Troy University.

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

Have a great Friday!

— RP

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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.