🌱 West Alabama Christmas Parade + CFB Playoff Updates

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

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First, today's weather: Not as warm with rain. High: 67 | Low: 39.

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🗞 Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa 🗞

1. Here's your reminder that the West Alabama Christmas Parade is set for tonight in downtown Tuscaloosa, beginning at 6:30 p.m. It returns after a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (More)
2. The Crimson Tide is one step closer to a 19th national championship after being announced as the No. 1 seed in the 2021 College Football Playoff. The Tide will face off against Cincinnati on New Years Eve in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
3. Check out this opinion column I wrote over the weekend that examines the rise, fall and potential future plans of Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, who recently met with former President Donald Trump to discuss a "project" the two are working on. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
4. A Tuscaloosa teenager has been arrested and charged after allegedly robbing a couple at gunpoint in late October. (Noah Lueker, Tuscaloosa Thread)
5. The City of Northport will ring in the season when it hosts its first-ever Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. (Tuscaloosa Patch)

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👨‍💻 Other stories I'm reading today 👨‍💻

• JaMya Mingo-Young's 26 Points, 11 Rebounds Aids in Alabama's Win at Chattanooga, 80-64. (More)
• Hale County emergency services struggling with busted ambulances (Elise Anzaldua, WVUA 23)
• Nick Saban updates JoJo Earle's health, talks Cincinnati's path to playoffs (Mike Rodak, AL.com)
• UA students petition to impeach SGA chief justice (Kayla Solino, Crimson White)
• Alabama university president to skeptics: "Meet me halfway" (Associated Press)
• Mo Brooks doesn't rule out support for Mitch McConnell (Eddie Burkhalter, Alabama Political Reporter)
• Tim James running for Alabama governor (Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News)
• Ivey honors first Black poet laureate in Alabama history (Lacey Alexander, Alabama Public Radio)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for another update. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

Have a great Monday!

— 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