UA Homecoming Court + Grand Marshal Revealed + Commission Updates

Good morning, Tuscaloosa! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note.

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

• Tuscaloosa County Commission updates
• UA Homecoming Court revealed.
• More on recent gun violence in Tuscaloosa

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First, today's weather: A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 81 | Low: 53.

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Patch Pick

Our Patch Shout Out for this morning goes to the good folks at Coker Volunteer Fire Department, who were recently on the receiving end of funding to purchase new battery-powered extrication equipment. A demonstration of the new devices was given Wednesday morning during the Tuscaloosa County Commission's regular meeting. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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Here are the top 5 stories in Tuscaloosa today:

1. I've found the healthiest way for me to cope with tragedy is to organize my thoughts and emotions on paper to better understand them, which is all I could think to do in the hours after watching my late grandparents' old home burn to the ground in northern Tuscaloosa County Wednesday afternoon. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
2. Tuscaloosa police and a local youth organization are responding to an uptick in gun violence among teens after a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old were killed in the span of five days. (Annie Mapp, ABC 33/40)
3. The Tuscaloosa County Commission approved new voting district lines Wednesday morning by a 3-1 vote, which comes following policymakers giving consideration to numerous proposals and holding public hearings ahead of the vote. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. Former Crimson Tide and NFL player Rashad Johnson was announced as the Grand Marshal for the University of Alabama's homecoming parade on Friday. (Chelsea Barton, WVUA 23)
5. The Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's Office is speaking out following the violence over the last several days. Hear what they had to say here. (Tim Reid, CBS 42)

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Other stories I'm reading today ...

• Faculty say critical race theory ban threatens academic freedom (Zach Johnson, Crimson White)
• Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit seeing more young people as suspects and victims (Lauren Jackson, WBRC Fox 6 News)
• Buc-ee's to break ground on third Alabama store (William Thornton, AL.com)
• Alabama pushes rebel monument case after Louisiana dismissal (Associated Press)
• Reapportionment meeting, maps release expected Tuesday (Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News)
• Tips to avoid getting scammed buying Bama football tickets (Tessa Worley, Tuscaloosa Thread)
• Mike Durant officially enters Alabama U.S. Senate race (Josh Moon, Alabama Political Reporter)
• Birmingham Opens $3M High-Tech 'Real Time Crime Center' (Birmingham Patch)

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Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

The County Commission unanimously approved three new subdivision projects in District 1 that will be zoned for the rapidly growing Northside High School. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

District 4 Commissioner Reginald Murray saw a request approved for Tuscaloosa County Public Works to stripe roads on the Sipsey Valley Middle School and high school campuses. The project will cost $13,000.(Tuscaloosa Patch)

The University of Alabama has named its 2021 homecoming court of five candidates for queen after a student election on Wednesday. The homecoming queen will be announced at the annual bonfire on Friday. Click here to see who made the cut! (Tuscaloosa Patch)

In other Capstone news, here's a look at recently-awarded accolades for university staff and faculty (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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That's it for today! I'll see you soon. If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

Have a great Thursday!

— RP

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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