HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Record-high early voting numbers are rolling in.

Tennessee saw more than 38 percent of the expected turnout with 1.8 million early voters. Georgia reached a state record with 3.2 million early voters.

For Alabamians, they will have to wait for November 5.

“If I had the opportunity to vote early I would because that sort of ensures your vote in case something happens on election day, ”Political analyst Waymon Burke said.

Burke said even though we don’t have early voting in the Yellow Hammer state, voters can learn from these numbers.

“There is a great deal of intense interest in this,” Burke said. “2020 then [former] President [Donald] Trump basically discouraged people from voting saying that it was rigged and that type of thing and that did not work well for him. Now he is encouraging his supporters to vote early.”

NBC is reporting that of the 58 million early voters, so far, it is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. And while Burke said these high numbers are a good sign, he is not sure if this means more voters overall.

“What we don’t know is are those votes are being cannibalized by the people who would have normally voted on Tuesday,” Burke said.

Madison County probate Judge Frank Barger is concerned about apathetic voters; Voters not hitting the polls because they feel they don’t have to.

“It certainly concerns me that more folks are not participating,” Barger said. “The primary this year concerns me.”

He shared that only 17 percent of eligible voters in Madison County went to the polls during this year’s primary. That’s half of the turnout the election prior. But he said that number shouldn’t affect the usual 65 percent voter turnout Madison County sees as long as voters show up.

“You can’t complain about how things turn out if you’re not engaged. Don’t let a rainy day, a windy day, and an off-weather day, don’t let that impact you,” Barger said.

Voters older than 70 years old are allowed to skip the line. Just walk up to the front and show them your photo ID.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – You never know when an emergency might happen, and when it does, you hope someone is there who can make a difference in your life.

That’s why one group of first responders took time to recognize those people who really saved lives.

Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue celebrated those first responders who did their job with excellence when it came to helping others and saving lives.

Firefighters, their families, and elected leaders gathered at the Tuscaloosa River Market for the annual Firefighter of the Year Awards.

Dozens of Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue personnel were recognized for exemplary teamwork during medical emergencies.

They received commendations from the department for their response to accidents, near drownings, and medical incidents.

Apparatus operator Will McReynolds was also honored as EMS Provider of the year and Lt. David Gill was named Firefighter of the year.

“They surprise you every day. They do things from helping people up off the ground to saving lives,” said Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Randy Smith. “Everybody has always said when you don’t know who to call you call the fire department. And we try to stand up and protect the community as best we can.”

Chief Smith started the Firefighter of the Year Awards started in 2018.

It’s happened every year but one since then.

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Copyright 2024 WBRC. All rights reserved.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A former Alabama offensive lineman is on the move as the NFL trade deadline approaches. The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to acquire former Alabama and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson to replace injured Vikings starter Christian Darrisaw.

The Vikings give the Jaguars a conditional 2026 fifth-round selection that can be moved to a fourth round pick based on Robinson’s playing time while Jacksonville added a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick to it’s package that can go away based on playing time.

Robinson, 29, spent his entire career in Jacksonville before being traded this week. He was chosen with the No. 34 pick in the 2017 NFL draft and started in 91 games over six-and-a-half years.

October 30, 1926: Fred Pickhard blocked two LSU punts, both of which were returned for touchdowns during Alabama’s 24-0 shutout victory over the Tigers. All-American end Wu Winslett returned the first blocked kick 26 yards while Ben Enis picked up the second one on the 16-yard line. – Bryant Museum

October 30, 1995: J.K. Scott was born in Denver, Colo.

“He’s all business. I don’t care if he’s at LSU, the Miami Dolphins or Alabama, he’s not going to change. It’s all business. It’s about winning games and that’s what he does. He gets up every morning and goes to bed thinking about that. Right after we won the national championship in ’03, the next morning he had the coaches together doing recruiting meetings from what I heard. It’s about winning and it’s that kind of drive that has made him successful, and will make him successful in the future.”

– – Former LSU center Rudy Niswanger (2003