Archives: September 2022

Abortion ruling intensifies fight over state supreme courts

abortion law, roe v. wadeThe U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down a constitutional right to abortion and sending the issue to the states has groups on both sides of the debate focusing more than ever on races this fall for state supreme courts. Whether abortion access is maintained, restricted or eliminated in any state could depend on whether a state’s…

US hits Russia with sanctions for annexing Ukrainian regions

russia annexationWASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. has sanctioned more than 1,000 people and firms connected to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including its Central Bank governor and families of Security Council members. Friday’s action follows President Vladimir Putin’s signing of treaties absorbing occupied regions of Ukraine into Russia, in defiance of international law. President Joe Biden said of Putin’s steps: “Make…

Unpaid internships face new scrutiny as barriers to careers

dollar, moneyUnpaid internships are facing new scrutiny from colleges, state lawmakers and student activists. Nearly half of all internships are unpaid, putting them out of reach for students who need wages to keep up with their bills, even if the work has nothing to do with their intended careers. Many students say they can’t afford to meet internship requirements, and…

Putin illegally annexes Ukraine land; Kyiv seeks NATO entry

russia annexationKYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed treaties to illegally annex parts of Ukraine, while Kyiv has submitted an “accelerated” application to join NATO. At the Kremlin, Putin and the pro-Moscow heads of the four Ukrainian regions inked the treaties in a sharp escalation of the war. The signing came three days after the end of…

The latest: Florida officials fear death toll will rise

By The Associated Press The Latest on Hurricane Ian: Officials in Florida fear the death toll from Hurricane Ian could rise substantially, given the wide swath of the state swamped by the storm. After making landfall with some of the highest windspeeds for a hurricane over U.S. territory, the storm flooded areas on both of Florida’s coasts, tore homes from…

Alabama Safety Guide: Rape up, burglary steady from 2020 to 2021

The Univerity of Alabama has released its most recent Safer Living Guide, offering a look at crime statistics on campus and in residence halls from 2019 through 2021. Most notably, rape reports on campus went up drastically between 2020 and 2021, likely because of fewer students being on campus in 2020 because of COVID-19. Rape reports on campus: 2019: 28…

Looking for Halloween events this year? Check right here

pumpkin, halloweenBy WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Jas Orr The Halloween season is here, and with it comes events and happenings galore, some of which can be found in Tuscaloosa.  Fun for all ages Tuscaloosa Barnyard Pumpkin Patch, throughout October Happening Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout October, the Tuscaloosa Barnyard Pumpkin Patch offers plenty of fall family fun, with playgrounds, wagon…

Your Personal Best: Digestion and fiber

  As we age, our digestive and immune systems tend to slow down. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, one way to build up the immune system and increase motility is to add more fiber in our diet. “Fiber is found in highest amounts in fruits and vegetables, whole wheat grains, certain cereals, nuts and legumes, and even commercial supplementation,”…

Tuscaloosa’s Most Wanted: Sept. 28, 2022

The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office needs your help locating some of Tuscaloosa’s Most Wanted. Trevor Caine, 31, is last known to be living in the area of Big Bush Road in Greensboro. Caine is wanted on a sex offender registration violation charge. Daniel Turner, 29, is last known to be living in the area of Bigham Loop Road in Berry….

Shelton State holds fundraiser for college students

TUSCALOOSA -Women around West Alabama donned their finest heels, flats, boots or sandals Thursday and headed to the Bryant Conference Center for the third annual Wine, Women and Shoes fundraiser in support of the Shelton State Community College Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships for Shelton State students who are in need. Foundation Director of Development and Event Chair Shannon Chandler…

Tuscaloosa County Commission OKs new budget, employee raises

  By WVUA 23 News Reporter Gracie Fusco TUSCALOOSA – As inflation rises, in many places raises aren’t doing the same thing. But Tuscaloosa County employees are getting a boost in their paychecks as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. After some deliberation, the Tuscaloosa County Commission has officially approved its general fund operating budget for this upcoming fiscal…

5 charged after hundreds of catalytic converters stolen from Mercedes-Benz plant

By WVUA 23 News Reporter Gracie Johnson TUSCALOOSA – Five people are facing charges following a rash of catalytic converter thefts at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant in Vance last year. Three of those arrested were employees with a contracting company that had access to plant grounds, where investigators said they stole new catalytic converters on several occasions. Mercedes staff…

Sawyerville church continues rebuilding after February tornado

Last February, the Bread of Life Ministry Worship Center in Sawyerville was wiped out by a tornado that also destroyed homes and claimed lives. Thursday, we met with Bishop Dennis McCarter of the Miracle House of Prayer and Pastor Mercy Pickens, who leads the Bread of Life Ministry. They’re making big plans for this weekend. “On Saturday we’re going to…

Alabama prisons reduce meals, nix visits amid inmate strike

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Thousands of Alabama inmates are receiving only two meals a day during a prison work stoppage over living conditions. Inmates and activists contend that officials are trying to force an end to the strike by limiting food. But prison officials say the reduced rations are the result of a prisoner labor shortage, not in retaliation for…

Floods trap many in Florida as Ian heads to South Carolina

By ADRIANA GOMEZ-LICON Associated Press PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (AP) – Rescue crews are wading through water and using boats to rescue Florida residents stranded in the wake of Hurricane Ian. The Orange County fire department posted photos Thursday of crews in a flooded neighborhood in the Orlando area. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the U.S. Coast Guard began rescue operations hours…

Pet of the Week, Sept. 27, 2022: Meet Shrimp

  Shrimp is an adorable tabby kitten who will worm her way into your heart quicker than you can finish a (shrimp?) cocktail. This feisty feline has a big personality and is full of love and affection for everybody she meets — especially if toys or food are involved. The Humane Society of West Alabama’s adoption fee is $75 and…

Walker County Sheriff’s Office releases latest drug arrest data

The Walker County Sheriff’s Office this week announced they’ve made 231 drug-related arrests between Jan. 1 and Sept. 26. Those arrests include the following: 188 grams of heroin/fentanyl seized 1,656 grams of methamphetamine seized 2 grams of cocaine seized Various amounts of oxycodone, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, alprazolam and diazepam 36 executed search warrants WCSO said since January 2019, they’ve worked…

Brookwood High School gets millions in funding for new facilities

BROOKWOOD -Brookwood High School is getting a major athletics facility makeover thanks to an $18.2 million grant from the Alabama Board of Education. Upgrades are coming for concession stands, locker rooms, workout equipment, track and field, not to mention a brand new football stadium. Brookwood Mayor Joe Barger said this is an exciting time for their community, and he is…

States spend federal COVID aid on roads, prisons, seawalls

By DAVID A. LIEB and KAVISH HARJAI Associated Press States are spending billions of dollars of federal pandemic relief funds on infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and public buildings. The American Rescue Plan law signed by President Joe Biden last year provided $350 billion to states and local governments to respond to the coronavirus and shore up their economies….

Know your hurricanes: Categories not as informative as you’d think

By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter Emily Benito TUSCALOOSA – Hurricane categorizations may not be as informational as you think. Hurricanes and tropical storms have categories based solely on wind speed. This means flooding and rainfall are not included in the categorization. Dr. Hamed Moftakhari, University of Alabama Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering, says this could cause problems when alerting…

Historic Tuscaloosa hosting dinner event Thursday

By WVUA23 News Reporter Savannah Denton TUSCALOOSA- Historic Tuscaloosa is hosting a three-course Dining Through  Time event on Thursday, Sept. 29.  The progressive dining experience will include tours of three historic Tuscaloosa properties. Each of the properties on the itinerary has a specific connection to a particular country, which helped to determine the menu items that will be served to…

Weekend shooting update: Self-defense cited as investigation continues

crime, police tapeThe Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit says they’re looking into whether or not a fatal shooting that happened at an apartment complex over the weekend was in self-defense. VCU said they’ve spoken to several witnesses and reviewed the evidence in the shooting, which happened at River Road Apartments around 11 p.m. Saturday, and at this time they’ve made no…

‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper Coolio dies at age 59

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Coolio, the rapper who was among hip-hop’s biggest names of the 1990s with hits including “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage,” has died. Manager Jarez Posey tells The Associated Press that Coolio, whose legal name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died at the Los Angeles home of a friend on Wednesday. The cause was not immediately clear….