Jan 12, 2024

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Another round of severe weather is in the forecast for Alabama today. And the whole state has the potential to see strong storms this time.

However, the areas most likely to see severe weather have drastically shifted as of the latest forecast update -- from east and south Alabama to north and west Alabama.

Severe weather is still expected, with tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and heavy rain all a possibility.

It is also expected to be windy again, both near and away from storms, and wind advisories will be in effect on Friday for nearly the entire state.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has kept a Level 3 out of 5 or enhanced risk for severe weather for Alabama for the day. However the risk area has shifted to north and west Alabama, including areas such as Florence, Hamilton and Fayette. A Level 3 risk means that “numerous” severe storms are expected.

Another change with the latest update: Now all of the rest of Alabama has a Level 2 risk. A Level 2 risk means that scattered severe storms will be possible.

The National Weather Service thinks the first storms could affect Alabama as early as 7 a.m., and the threat will shift eastward through the morning and into the afternoon.

Parents and teachers at a Birmingham elementary school said this week that school leaders have yet to take action against a P.E. coach who, they claim, has repeatedly harassed and hurled racial slurs at students of color.

Last semester, 45 Avondale parents signed a petition requesting the coach’s removal, PTA president Adam Hodel told the board. But after meeting with school leaders, they were “left feeling discouraged” he said, and many are now requesting the board’s action.

In Alabama, a school board has the power to make personnel decisions, but only with a recommendation from the superintendent.

On its website, Avondale Elementary School lists diversity as a core value, and says it hopes to become a leader in public education, “meeting the needs of a diverse student population prepared to succeed in a global society.”

The school, located in east Birmingham, has a student population that is 74% Black, 17% white and 9% Hispanic or Latino. About half of the school’s educators are white, compared to 15% district wide, according to state data.

Alabama football got closer to finding its next head coach on Thursday, according to multiple reports.

Washington’s Kalen DeBoer, Florida State’s Mike Norvell and Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Tommy Rees are the three candidates to monitor as athletic director Greg Byrne works closer to the biggest hire of his career.

DeBoer, who was a national runner-up to Michigan in the College Football Playoff, and Norvell, whose Seminoles were jumped by Alabama to reach the CFP, were among the first batch of candidates to emerge when Saban finally revealed his retirement to players in a team meeting yesterday after a back-and-forth decision.

Oregon’s Dan Lanning, a supposed front-runner, announced he was staying with the Ducks via social media. Rees’ inclusion is new, but it could likely be because the first-year offensive coordinator is one of the few holdovers from the 2023 staff in a prominent role.

$1.1 billion

That's approximately how much the University of Alabama football program is worth, thanks to Nick Saban's tenure.

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