Northport Council Roundup + Kentuck Festival Tickets

Good morning Tuscaloosa! Here's everything you need to know to get this week started off on an informed note.

First, today's weather: Humid and overcast throughout the day. High: 82 | Low: 68.

Here are the top 5 stories in Tuscaloosa today:

1. High school football season is right around the corner, so get caught up with us as we take a look at each Tuscaloosa-area football program to preview the 2021 season. (More on Patch)
2. The Northport City Council will hold its regular meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. Here's a look at the stories I'll be watching, along with a look at the full agenda. (More on Patch)
3. Tickets officially went on sale Sunday for the 50th Kentuck Festival of the Arts on Oct. 16-17. The annual arts festival is the City of Northport's largest annual event, generating an estimated $200,000 in revenue. The event expects to attract 10,000-15,000 visitors. (More on Patch)
4. The application window for the City of Northport's Facade Improvement Program officially closed on Sunday, as the city looks to dole out funds for local businesses to invest in exterior renovations. Read more about it here and be on the look for updates! (More on Patch)
5. Here's a look at the week in news across Alabama, which includes coronavirus updates, hospital rankings and the story of a missing hiker who is recovering from their injuries after being found. (More on Patch)

Other stories I'm reading to start my week

• Alabama adds 666 new cases of COVID-19 as delta variant surges (Amy Yurkanin, AL.com)
• Local playwright's "Love and Cheese Toast" wins national award (Maria Grenyo, Crimson White)
• Depalma's Italian Cafe Closes, Citing Labor Shortage (Meg Summers, Tuscaloosa Thread)
• EXPLAINER: Will moratorium's end spell evictions in Alabama?(Kim Chandler, Associated Press)
• Economic Development Academy designed to improve municipal economies, opens applications (Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News)
• Advocacy group claims Senator Tuberville hid stock trades (Pat Duggins, Alabama Public Radio)
• Four-star receiver takes in Alabama again (Andrew Bone, BamaInsider)
• 2024 Top-Ranked Indiana Pitcher Commits to Alabama Baseball (Joey Blackwell, Bama Central)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

Have a great week!

— Ryan Phillips

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.