🌱 New Library Director + VFW Honors Deputy + Northport P&Z

TGIF, T-Town! Let's get this Friday morning started with all of your Tuscaloosa headlines.

In today's Daily, we have these stories and more ...

• VFW Officer of the Year.
• New executive director for TPL.
• Northport Planning & Zoning appointment

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First, today's weather: Some sun with a thunderstorm. High: 96 | Low: 78. 🌦

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🗣 Patch Shout Out 🗣

Our Shout Out this morning goes to Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy Bryan Smith, who was named Officer of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6022 in Cottondale this week. He is pictured here with Post Commander James Champion Jr.

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🗞 Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa 🗞

1. The Tuscaloosa Public Library Board of Trustees has named Jennifer Gladden Pearson as its next executive director following a nationwide search. She has served as the interim executive director since November. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
2. The Northport City Council on Thursday unanimously voted in favor of appointing Kevin Turner to serve as the administrative official for the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
3. Shelton State Community College and Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) are set to host "Friday Night Live" for local youth on Friday, July 8, at the McDonald Hughes Community Center. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. Bowers Park on Thursday saw the Alabama Dixie Youth Baseball (DYB) Division II State Tournament kick off with its opening ceremonies for the four-day event, which will feature 40 teams from around the region and more than 400 young ballplayers. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
5. Here are the five newest homes to hit the housing market in and around the Tuscaloosa area — including a home with 3 beds and 2 baths for $59,500, and another with 3 beds and 2 baths for $309,900. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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🗓 Today in Tuscaloosa 🗓

• TPL Storytime @ Northport City Hall (More)
• Paper Mache @ Kentuck Art Center (More)
• Live at the Plaza @ Government Plaza (More)

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5️⃣ Other Stories I'm Reading Today

1. Honor Guard standing watch over fallen deputy ahead of Friday funeral (Chelsea Barton, WVUA 23 News)
2. Wilma Vaught, UA grad who shattered military glass ceilings, among 3 Medal of Freedom honorees with Alabama ties (Howard Koplowitz, AL.com)
3. Tuscaloosa judge says trial of alleged cop killer likely to be set in early 2023 (Stephen Dethrage, Tuscaloosa Thread)
4. How to Watch Softball Team USA in World Games (Katie Windham, Bama Central)
5. Mother of incarcerated man found dead believes son was poisoned by inmates (John H. Glenn, Alabama Political Reporter)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update!

— RP

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tuscaloosa Daily? Contact me at ryan.phillips@patch.com