UMWA Strike Continues; Tuscaloosa StoryWalk Debuts Today

Good Morning Tuscaloosa! I hope your Sunday is starting off on an easy note.

In today's Daily, we have the latest on a labor strike at a major west Alabama employer, more on Shelton State basketball's recent accomplishments and all of the other stories to get caught up on everything going on in Tuscaloosa.

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First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect a sunny and comfortable spring day on Sunday, with a high near 75 degrees and a low around 51.

Patch Pick: Congratulations to Shelton State for its success on the hardwood in the ACCC Tournament, which it hosted on the Martin Campus in Tuscaloosa. A tip of the hat as well to SSCC women's basketball coach Madonna Thompson and men's coach Joe Eatmon Sr. after both were named ACCC Coach of the Year. (More)

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Around 1,100 union employees at Warrior Met Coal will remain on strike after United Mine Workers of America failed to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with the west Alabama coal producer. (More)

2. Harrison Holland reports on fascinating new research at the University of Alabama, which is developing computerized treatment for children who display low empathy or concern for others. (WVUA 23 News)

3. Tickets are now on sale for Alabama football's A-Day Game, which is set for April 17 at noon and will be broadcast on ESPN. The university says it will allow Bryant-Denny Stadium to fill to half its capacity for the annual spring scrimmage. (More)

4. While it comes as little surprise, the Associated Press reports that Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill was hours away from announcing his intentions to run for U.S. Senate on Thursday when word of an extramarital affair went public. (More)

5. Reminder: The Tuscaloosa StoryWalk will debut today at the Tuscaloosa River Walk after being rescheduled due to inclement weather. (More)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- Social media and storm spotter reports confirmed Tuscaloosa County saw golf ball-size hail during a round of severe weather on Friday, particularly in the Elrod and Big Sandy areas. (More)

- The University of Alabama Police Department has placed its police tower on The Strip in preparation for expected crowds in the coming weeks at large events, like the A-Day Game. (More)

- The University of Alabama honored a long list of students, faculty and staff during the annual Tapping on the Mound ceremony April 9 inside Foster Auditorium. (More)

- A big Patch Congratulations to the newest officers for the Tuscaloosa Police Department. Check out these photos for more.

-Reminder: Applications are open for the Kentuck Arts Festival (Oct. 16-17), with a special early bird application rate of $35 until May 15. The final deadline for those wishing to set up shop will be on June 1 at a cost of $50. (Apply here)

- Children's Hands-on Museum says it will still require masks for visitors two years old and up after Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday allowed the expiration of the statewide mask mandate. (More)

-It was overlooked amid major news and other big developments in the sports world, but I want to give a big 'Go Tigers' to Stillman College basketball head coach John Teasley for being named the HBCU Men's Basketball NAIA Coach of the Year by Black College Sports Network. (BCSN)

- After Stillman's historic basketball season, Trey Petty, Devin Merriweather & Ladarius Carter were also named HBCU All-Americans by BCSN.

- Shelton State sophomore guard Sean Elmore led the Buccaneers in scoring in its ACCC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship win, shooting 50% from the field and knocking down 21 points, while Ke'Ajia Williams topped the scoring chart for the Lady Bucs in their conference tournament win with 16 points.

- The Shelton State baseball team (25-11, 14-6 ACCC) is red-hot and riding a 10-game win streak with a combined shutout from Kyle Chastine and Travis Odom against Central Alabama and a complete game shutout from Garrett McMillan (5-0, 2.06 ERA) against Calhoun Community College.

Area baseball scores

Alabama 6, Texas A&M 3

Hillcrest 5, Spain Park 2

Stat Line: Hillcrest's Braedon Brown had two RBIs in the Patriots' win on Saturday and also got some work on the mound to close the game out, going scoreless through 2.2 innings.

Area softball scores

Alabama 0, Arkansas 4

Stillman 0, Blue Mountain College 4

Tuscaloosa County 13, Haleyville 10

Tuscaloosa County 4, Sparkman 5

Gordo 3, Sipsey Valley 2

Hamilton 9, Gordo 8

Stat line: Hamilton's Lexi Dobbins went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs in a win for the Aggies.

Now you're in the loop to get the sunny Sunday off to a great start. You can also stay in the know through the rest of the day by following me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I'll see you around!

- Ryan

About me: I grew up in Tuscaloosa. I'm a graduate of the University of Alabama, an experienced journalist, editor and columnist and the founder of Tuscaloosa Patch. You can find me at baseball games, public meetings, events in the local arts community and wherever live music is played!