🌱 Political Endorsement + TFR Promotions + Northport Settlement

Good morning, Tuscaloosa! Let's get you all caught up to start this Tuesday morning.

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

• A hotly-contested Senate race.
• Big promotions.
• Northport lawsuit settlement.

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First, today's weather: Mostly cloudy. High: 52 | Low: 32.

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🗣Patch Shout Out 🗣

Our Tuesday morning Shout Out goes to these recently-promoted Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue lieutenants and apparatus operators: Lieutenant Colin Kemmerer, Lieutenant Rhett Gallego, Apparatus Operator Connor Shelton and Apparatus Operator Will McReynolds

🗞 Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa 🗞

1. After previously passing a decree to enter into a nationwide class action lawsuit against certain pharmaceutical manufacturers, the City of Northport will now aim to collect approximately $56,000 from a settlement. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
2. Tuscaloosa businessman, political newcomer and Republican candidate for the Alabama Senate Tripp Powell has received a key endorsement in his bid for the statehouse. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
3. The family of 18-month-old Raylean Richardson is speaking out after the toddler died under suspicious circumstances early Friday morning. (Aajene Robinson, WVUA 23)
4. Check out this part of AL.com's "Ancient Alabama" series that takes a look at the first natives in Alabama, while focusing on Moundville. (Dennis Pillion, AL.com)
5. Here's the fascinating story of how the unlikely bond between C.M. Newton and Wendell Hudson laid the foundation for Alabama basketball. (Nate Mills, CBS 42)

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Today's Tuscaloosa Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Tuscaloosa!

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🗓 Today In Tuscaloosa 🗓

• Tuscaloosa Hiring Event - Alabama Goodwill (More)
• 55 & Older 'Hang Days' at Robert Hasson Community Center (More)

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📉 Number of the Day 📈

$148,200

The amount raised thus far by the three candidates vying for Senate District 21, which includes incumbent Republican State Sen. Gerald Allen, Republican Tripp Powell and Democrat Lisa Ward. The qualifying deadline for party primaries is Jan. 28, 2022.

✏️ Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook ✏️

Rashinda Reed has been named head coach of The University of Alabama volleyball program, Director of Athletics Greg Byrne announced on Monday. (More)

The American Red Cross is offering blood and plasma donors a chance to win tickets to the Super Bowl and a home theater package during January. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

Employment opportunities are abundant across the Tuscaloosa area. Check them out here if you're looking for work. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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👨‍💻 Other stories I'm reading today 👨‍💻

University of Alabama Faculty Senate formally opposes ban of critical race theory (Jacob Holmes, Alabama Political Reporter)

State's general fund, education trust fund stacked with unexpected cash (Joshua Mann, Birmingham Business Journal)

Four-star LB Jihaad Campbell explains decision to sign with Alabama (Andrew Bone, BamaInsider)

Study: Alabama near the bottom of U.S. States for vaccinating children for COVID-19 (Pat Duggins, Alabama Public Radio)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— RP