Tuscaloosa School To Honor Beloved Educator + Future Plans For The Bama Theatre

TGIF, T-Town! Let's breeze on through this Friday morning and get you to the weekend.

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

• Two Tide football standouts drafted on day one.
• A look at future plans for the Bama Theatre.
• Tuscaloosa elementary to honor beloved educator.

First, a look at today's weather: Chance of showers and muggy. High: 81 | Low: 58 🌧

🗣Patch Shout Out 🗣

Our Shout Out for this Friday morning goes to former Crimson Tide offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, who was the first Alabama player selected in Thursday's night's NFL Draft when he was taken by the Miami Dolphins at No. 12. (More)

👏 Thanks to our sponsors 👏

Our mission to bring quality, independent journalism to Tuscaloosa would not be possible without the support of our friends at DCH Health System, United Way of West Alabama, Strange Brew Coffeehouse, Right Space Commericial and BankFirst. Interested in becoming a local Tuscaloosa Patch sponsor? Please email me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.

🗞 Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Former Tide QB Ty Simpson Drafted 13th Overall By LA Rams: In other NFL Draft news, former Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is headed to the West Coast to embark on his professional career after being selected with the No. 13 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
2. BACKSTAGE AT THE BAMA: County Leaders Share Plans For Future Of Historic Venue: Here's out in-depth after getting an up-close look with county officials about their vision for the Historic Bama Theatre after purchasing the venue in March. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
3. Woodland Forrest Elementary To Rename Library For Beloved Educator, Trailblazing School Board Member: Woodland Forrest Elementary School is gearing up to honor longtime educator and community leader Shelley Edwards Jones by renaming the school’s library in her memory. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. Tuscaloosa Mayor’s Cup To Benefit City's Pre-K Initiative This Weekend: The City of Tuscaloosa and Mayor Walt Maddox will host the 2026 Tuscaloosa Mayor’s Cup this Saturday, April 25, in downtown Tuscaloosa. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
5. Tuscaloosa’s One Place Hosting Free Parenting Event With Supplies, Resources: Tuscaloosa’s One Place announced Thursday it will host a free event this weekend aimed at helping expecting and new parents access education, support and essential child care supplies. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

5️⃣ Other Stories I'm Reading Today

1. Local musicians build community around venues that support them (Madison Brainerd, WVUA 23 News)
2. Los Angeles Rams are ‘perfect scenario’ for Ty Simpson, Nick Saban says (Creg Stephenson, AL.com)
3. Alabama boy’s secret Facebook post asking for cancer drug grabs national attention (WBRC Fox 6 News)
4. Emma Brandenburg named Editor-in-Chief of The Crimson White (Maven Navarro, Crimson White)
5. How The Tuscaloosa News won a Pulitzer for tornado coverage (Mark Hughes Cobb, Tuscaloosa News)

🕊 Obituaries 🕊

*Our obituary section is generously sponsored by our friends at Dorroh & Mills, P.C.

Nancy Jacobs Davis, 100, of Tuscaloosa (Heritage Chapel)

June Calton Harkins, 85, of Fayette (Nelson Funeral Home)

Daniel Timothy Beaver, 62, of Tuscaloosa (Northport Funeral & Cremation Service)

Arla Elizabeth Longoria, 95, of Northport (Sunset Funeral Home)

James Roth Patrie, Jr., 81, of Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel)

Wesley Jenkins, 75, of Tuscaloosa (Wills' Funeral Service)

Now you're in the loop about what's happening today.

Thanks for reading and we'll see you in your inbox next time! And if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch!

- RP