The Latest Tuscaloosa State Champ; A Look Ahead To A-Day

We're getting closer to the weekend Tuscaloosa! Let's get this Thursday started.

In today's Daily, we celebrate a new state champion in Tuscaloosa, a new business opening its downtown HQ and all of the other bright spots we could find. All of that and more in your five-minute guide to everything you need to know for today in Tuscaloosa.

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect clouds to begin the day, with a 20% chance of rain before 10 a.m. The high today will be near 71 degrees, with a low around 48.

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Patch Pick: Congratulations to the Tuscaloosa Academy boys tennis team for winning an AISA state title on Wednesday. Our community is also proud of the TA girl's tennis team who finished runner-up for state.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. The fight continues on the part of Pinnacle Physician Group as the hospitalist for DCH Health System, which is currently looking to hire a new firm to replace the hospitalist group, Tessa Worley reports. (Tuscaloosa Thread)

2. SWJ Technology held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday for its new 7,000-square-foot headquarters on a three-acre site near the Alberta School of Performing Arts and the Gateway digital library.

3. Jon Garcia lays out everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's A-Day Game as the Alabama Crimson Tide football team wraps up spring practice with a final public scrimmage. (Tuscaloosa News).

4. Northport City Council President Jeff Hogg issued a citywide challenge to residents on Wednesday to see which district could see the most new participants sign up for the city's free curbside recycling program. (More on Patch)

5. United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts issued a three-minute video message on Wednesday as the labor strike continues into its third week for roughly 1,100 union members at Brookwood-based Warrior Met Coal. (More on Patch)

Coming up in Tuscaloosa

- Tuscaloosa Christian School will host its SuperStart Basketball Camp for elementary students June 7-9. All students entering K - 5th grade next school year are invited. (More)

- The Paul W. Bryant Museum has announced special A-Day hours for Saturday and will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (More)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- Tuscaloosa County EMA says FEMA is now processing applications for funeral assistance to aid with the financial stress created by the coronavirus pandemic. (More)

- Tuscaloosa City Schools anticipates around 64% of all of its kindergarten to third grade students will participate in the school system’s summer learning academy. (More)

- Flatwoods Elementary School was placed on lockdown due to gunshots heard in a neighboring area on Tuesday, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies responded to the school and Northport Police responded to the area, but the school resumed normal operations shortly thereafter.

- The Tuscaloosa branch of the NAACP, along with the American Red Cross held a blood drive Wednesday at the McDonald Hughes Center.

- Summer and fall registration has opened at Shelton State Community College. Click here for more information.

-We're inviting our readers to share their favorite mother-son or mother-daughter photo with their Mother's Day 2021 sentiments on Patch. (More on Patch)

- Researchers at the University of Alabama report that about half a football field of marshes on the edges of Mobile Bay vanished annually over the past 35 years. (More on Patch)

- Looking for a job? Let Patch help with that. Check out our latest job opening in Tuscaloosa right here for free. (More on Patch)

Now you're ready to start this Thursday off right, but don't miss out the rest of the day. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates and content every day!

I'll see you around!

- Ryan

About me: I grew up in Tuscaloosa. I'm a graduate of the University of Alabama, an experienced journalist, editor and columnist and the founder of Tuscaloosa Patch. You can find me at baseball games, public meetings, events in the local arts community and wherever live music is played!