Alabama

'Significant' cold snap coming for Alabama this week

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2024

'Significant' cold snap coming for Alabama this week

The National Weather Service said a “significant late-season cold snap” is on its way for Alabama starting on Monday night, and freeze watches have been issued for most of the state through Tuesday morning.

A cold front is expected to move through Alabama later today, according to forecasters, and much cooler (and drier) weather is expected to follow it.

Scattered rain will be possible across the state today, but the good news is that the Storm Prediction Center has removed a Level 1 severe weather risk for extreme south Alabama today. A few thunderstorms could be possible, however.

Here’s the severe weather risk map for Sunday:

A few thunderstorms will be possible in south Alabama on Sunday, but the risk for isolate severe storms has shifted south and away from the state.Storm Prediction Center

Temperatures are expected to be mild today, with highs in the 60s and 70s statewide, but colder air arrives tonight.

Here are the forecast lows for Sunday night into Monday morning:

Monday morning lows — Here are the forecast low temperatures for Sunday night into Monday morning.NWS

A big change will be in the air on Monday, and highs will only reach the 50s in north and central Alabama and 60s in south Alabama:

Monday highs — Highs on Monday will be much cooler.NWS

Then the big chill will hit Monday night into Tuesday morning, and that’s when the freeze watches (which will likely be upgraded to warnings by then) will go into effect.

Lows from Monday night into Tuesday morning will fall into the mid- to upper 20s in north and north-central Alabama, the low 30s in the central part of the state, and the low to mid-30s in south Alabama.

That will be cold enough to kill any new spring plants if they are left unprotected, according to forecasters.

Here are the forecast lows for Monday night into Tuesday morning:

Tuesday a.m. lows — Below-freezing temperatures will be possible for a large part of Alabama from Monday night into Tuesday morning.NWS

Here’s a look at the forecast and the freeze watches that will go into effect Monday night in Alabama:

NORTH ALABAMA

* Freeze watch from late Monday night through Tuesday morning for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman counties.

The National Weather Service in Huntsville said temperatures as low as 26 degrees will be possible in those areas by Tuesday morning.

CENTRAL ALABAMA

* Freeze watch from late Monday night through Tuesday morning for Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Blount, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, St. Clair, Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Shelby, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Marengo, Dallas, Autauga, Lowndes, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Lee, Russell, Pike and Barbour counties.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said lows from Monday night into Tuesday morning could range from 26 to 32 degrees.

SOUTH ALABAMA

* Freeze watch from Monday night into Tuesday morning for Choctaw, Washington, Clarke, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw, Escambia and Covington counties.

The National Weather Service in Mobile said lows by Tuesday morning to fall to between 30 and 32 degrees in those areas.

* Freeze watch from Monday night into Tuesday morning for Coffee, Dale and Henry counties.

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Fla., said temperatures in those area could fall as low as 30 degrees by Tuesday morning.

The cold temperatures won’t hold out all that long. A warming trend is expected to begin on Tuesday, with highs in the 50s and 60s statewide, and most of the state will make it into the 70s again for highs by Wednesday.

The next chance for rain will not enter the forecast until Thursday, according to the weather service. So far no severe weather is expected.

Source link

Click to comment

Alabama

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey receives Boy Scouts’ Circle of Honor

Published

10 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey receives Boy Scouts’ Circle of Honor

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was honored for her lifelong dedication to youth and community service during the 12th annual Black Warrior Council Boy Scouts of America Circle of Honor awards luncheon.

The ceremony, which was held Feb. 27 at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa, serves as a fundraiser for the council’s scouting program.

The Circle of Honor award is presented to people in west central Alabama whose livelihood and actions reflect the same values of the Black Warrior Boy Scouts. Recipients have also shown advocacy for youth and leadership in the community.

Past recipients of the award include Terry Saban, Nick Saban, former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, scientist and philanthropist Thomas Joiner, pharmacist and retailer James I. Harrison Jr., civic leader Mary Ann Phelps and more.

Cathy Randall, a Tuscaloosa businesswoman, educator and philanthropist, presented Ivey with the award. Randall was inducted into the Circle of Honor in 2025 along with her late husband, Pettus.

Ivey said she was grateful to receive the honor by the Black Warrior Council and highlighted the importance of public service.

“I’m proud to have dedicated my life to public service, there’s no more noble calling than to uplift and empower lives,” said Ivey during the Feb. 27 ceremony.

Ivey thanked the scouting organizations, including the Black Warrior Council for its contributions to educational opportunities, economic development, and public safety.

“In particular, I’m proud of the work done by our Scouting organizations like the Black Warrior Council, who lay a foundation for successful future in both our young people and our state, thank you for all you do to build a stronger Alabama by changing lives and preparing our future leaders,” said Ivey, a native of Camden in Wilcox County.

Ivey is wrapping up her second term as governor after a long career spent primarily in government.

After graduating from Auburn University in 1967, Ivey worked as a high school teacher and a bank officer. She served as reading clerk for the Alabama House of Representatives under then-Speaker Joseph C. McCorquodale and she served as assistant director at the Alabama Development Office.

In 2002, Ivey was elected to the first of two terms as Alabama’s treasurer and in 2010, she was elected to the first of two terms as lieutenant governor. On April 10, 2017, Ivey was sworn in as Alabama’s 54th governor after the resignation of Robert Bentley. She filled out the rest of Bentley’s term before winning the gubernatorial election in 2018 and she was re-elected in 2022.

She will leave office at the end of this year.

She is the first Republican woman to serve as Alabama’s governor but she’s the second woman to hold the state’s top executive office. Tuscaloosa County native Lurleen B. Wallace, a Democrat, became Alabama’s first female governor in 1966.

Circle of Honor luncheon raises nearly $200,000

Also during the ceremony, retired DCH Health System administrator Sammy Watson, who served as the event’s emcee, announced that the council had raised $197,000 through the luncheon that day.

Proceeds from the lunch will be used to expand Boy Scouts programs, making them available to over 3,000 young people in west central Alabama.

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s leading outdoor education and character development program. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@usatodayco.com. To support her work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.

Source link

Alabama

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

Published

22 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – After more than a decade serving Alabama’s fourth judicial circuit, Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. is stepping away from full-time service, closing a chapter that spans nearly four decades in the legal profession.

Pettaway was elected to the bench in 2012 and served in several counties including Dallas, Wilcox, Perry, Hale and Bibb counties, the largest geographical circuit in the state.

Now, he says, it was simply time.

“I never wanted to serve in that capacity forever,” Pettaway said “And plus, I wanted to also make room for some younger, brighter minds to come forward.”

Before becoming a judge, Pettaway practiced law in Selma for nearly 30 years after being licensed in 1985. During that time, he handled cases that helped shape Alabama law; something he says he didn’t fully appreciate until colleagues reflected on his impact.

“I handled several cases which actually affected and changed the direction of the state of the law in our state,” he added. “And I didn’t realize I did all that.”

Friends and fellow legal professionals once presented him with research showing his involvement in Alabama Supreme Court cases that made significant changes in state law; a moment he describes as both surprising and humbling.

During his time on the bench, Pettaway says one of his priorities was maintaining professionalism and respect within the legal system.

He often referenced the Alabama State Bar’s Lawyer’s Creed — a pledge attorneys take promising to treat even their opponents with civility and understanding.

“In that creed, you are promising that you’re gonna treat even your opponents with civility and with kindness and understanding.”

Pettaway says he believes the legal profession — and society at large — must continue working toward a culture rooted in respect and service.

Although stepping away from full-time duties, Pettaway says he is not completely leaving the legal field. He has transitioned to retired active status and plans to assist with cases when needed, while also returning to private practice.

He says this new chapter is about balance.

After decades shaping courtrooms across five counties, Pettaway says he is focused on health, perspective and trusting the next generation to carry the bench forward.

Governor Kay Ivey has appointed former Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones to serve the remainder of Pettaway’s six-year term.

Jones previously served as senior chief trial attorney under District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. and has also led the Fourth Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.

The transition marks a new era for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, while closing a significant chapter in its recent history.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!

Source link

Alabama

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine nears its conclusion, the Detroit Lions continue to work to identify potential fits for the franchise.

The Lions own pick No. 17 in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Though Taylor Decker recently announced his return for the 2026 season, Detroit could still be thinking offensive line in the draft’s opening round.

If the Lions opt to fortify their offensive line, one name to watch for Detroit is Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. A Lions scout pulled Proctor aside to talk at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.

Now, Proctor confirmed to Crunch Time Sports that he met with the Lions at the NFL combine.

Proctor started 40 games across his Crimson Tide career, missing just the first two games of the 2024 season with injury.

The 6-foot-7, 366-pound lineman was Alabama’s highest-graded player last season with an overall offensive grade of 85.9, per Pro Football Focus. Proctor had a pass-blocking grade of 84.2, a run blocking grade of 81.1 and allowed just two sacks during the 2025 college football season.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

Source link