Striking Miners Holding Rally Today; Shelton State Hoops Advance

Here's everything you need to know in Tuscaloosa to get this Wednesday started off right.

In today's Daily, we have the latest on both of Shelton State's basketball teams in the NJCAA Tournament, a notable rescue by the Tuscaloosa Police Department, and all of the other stories I'm working on and reading today.

First, today's weather:

Cooler on Wednesday, but mostly sunny in Tuscaloosa, with a high near 62 degrees and a low around and a low around 37.

Tuscaloosa Daily is made possible in part by our local sponsors:

• Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports, JamisonMoneyFarmer and PRIDE of Tuscaloosa.

Support the sponsors who help keep you in the loop about what's happening in Tuscaloosa.

For sponsorship inquiries, email: ryan.phillips@patch.com.

Patch Pick: Officers with the Tuscaloosa Police Department rescued a baby opossum Monday night while serving a call after finding the juvenile marsupial stuck in a glue trap. (More)

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. The Tuscaloosa City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to certify the results of the 2021 municipal election, as the challenge over the District 7 race persists, despite Cassius Lanier receiving a pardon for his felony record. Winning candidates will be sworn in May 17. (More)

2. The first Unity Rally by United Mine Workers of America members at Brookwood-based Warrior Met Coal will be held at Tannehill State Park at 6 p.m. today as roughly 1,100 union members continue to fight for a new collective bargaining agreement with the west Alabama coal producer after going on strike April 1. (More)

3. Lane closures have been announced beginning Friday to allow the painting of the new arches on Interstate 20/59 at Exit 73 over the weekend. ALDOT says McFarland Boulevard, directly under the interstate, will close in both directions beginning Friday at 11 p.m. until Monday, April 26 at 5 a.m.

4. Willie Johnson scored 19 and Justin Bufford added another 17 points in Shelton State's 79-66 win over Northeastern Tuesday in the first round of the NJCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The Bucs will now take on No. 6 seed Chipola today at 8 p.m. (More)

Later in the night, the Shelton State Lady Bucs defeated Wabash Valley 88-54 to advance to the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and will play Trinity Valley on Thursday at 3 p.m. Birmingham native Connie Clarke, a sophomore guard, exploded for 27 points to lead the Lady Bucs in scoring on the night.

5. Dr. Charles Abney, founder of the Pinnacle Physicians Group, spoke on the Steve Shannon Morning Show Tuesday about the ongoing dispute between the hospitalist group and DCH Health System. (Townsquare Media)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) is remembering the life of Wendy Harris, former director of Athletics and Community Outreach, who worked with PARA for over four decades. Harris died on April 4 at the age of 68 (More)

- Tuscaloosa Academy had several students place and receive scholarships in the UWA Integrated Marketing Communications Creative Competition. Winners include: Lucy Bonhaus (Commercial Photography - 1st Place and winner of a $2,000 scholarship); Sarah Martin (Graphic Design - 1st Place and winner of a $2,000 scholarship); Brennan Young (Graphic Design - 3rd Place and winner of a $500 scholarship); MG Hudson (Podcast, 1st Place and winner of a $2,000 scholarship); Bebe Huffaker (Sales Pitch, 3rd Place and winner of a $500 scholarship).

- R&R Cigars will host the grand opening of its Northport location on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., with numerous specials. (More)

- The Tuscaloosa County Commission will have its regular meeting Wednesday morning, with Tuscaloosa County School System Superintendent Keri Johnson on the agenda to speak about the new access road for Northport Intermediate School. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for live updates from Wednesday's meeting.

- West Alabama Works will be launching its virtual Worlds of Work platform Monday, April 26, with the schools in its nine-county region able to participate by allowing the students who are attending class in-person time to explore the "gamified platform."

Area baseball scores

Alabama 8, North Alabama 6

Tuscaloosa County 3, Oak Mountain 8

Tuscaloosa Academy 0, Evangel Christian 10

Stat line: Chase Lee improved to 6-0 on the year after 1.2 innings pitched in the win against North Alabama Tuesday night in Tuscaloosa.

Area softball scores

West Alabama 5, Spring Hill College 4

West Alabama 12, Spring Hill College 4

Tuscaloosa County 10, Sipsey Valley 0

Northside 5, American Christian 2

Gordo 7, Holy Spirit 3

Stat line: Brylin Gray struck out seven in a shutout effort for the Wildcats on Monday.

Time to get this Wednesday started now that you're all caught up on everything going on today in Tuscaloosa. Don't miss out during the rest of the day, though! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates every day of the week.

I'll see you around!

- Ryan

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.