Good morning, Tuscaloosa.

The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama began construction April 3 on a new distribution center at 4336 Turin Drive in Bessemer — the facility will be twice as large as its Birmingham warehouse and is set to open in spring.

The food bank serves 12 counties and will use proceeds from the sale of its current building to help cover the $7 million gap needed for the project.

Family and volunteers gathered Friday at 8715 Tom Taylor Road for a search party for Nate Short, an 88-year-old man with dementia who went missing Tuesday morning near his Northport home, and police had searched the area with dogs, drones, horseback searchers, ATV riders and foot patrols but found no sign of him.

A surveillance video shows ICE agents detaining Iranian doctoral student Alireza Doroudi from his Tuscaloosa apartment (around 3 a.m. on March 25) after acting on a revoked F‑1 visa based on alleged national security concerns; over 100 residents later protested outside the Richard Shelby Federal Courthouse.

The Tuscaloosa City School Board voted Tuesday to adjust its financial reserves—a change that reduces planned job cuts for next school year from 84 to 60 employees, preserving 24 positions.

The district lowers its reserves from $24 million to $18 million to address a $6 million budget shortfall while upholding academic quality.

Tuscaloosa City Schools celebrated the first full year of the Best Buddies program, which pairs students with special needs with their peers to forge lasting friendships.

The program now runs in 18 of 21 schools and will hold a fundraiser on Sunday, April 6 (at 2:15 p.m. at the Belk Activity Center) to support its work.

Today, UA is hosting a four-day regional gymnastics meet in Tuscaloosa that draws over a couple thousand visitors as eight teams—including Oregon State and Rutgers—compete.

Tourism leaders expect the event to boost the local economy similarly to a past tournament that generated over $1 million.

On Friday, Alabama gymnastics secured a second-place finish with a near season best floor score of 197.275 behind Cal’s 197.550 and advanced to Sunday's session at 5 p.m. CT—boosting their momentum for the next round.

Coach Kalen DeBoer said that safety Keon Sabb is on pace to return from his left leg injury that kept him off the field after the Tennessee game.

Sabb is aiming to play in the spring game on April 12 at Bryant-Denny Stadium—his recovery progress remains positive.

USM Golden Eagles vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Baseball

6-10 p.m. — Sewell-Thomas Stadium — Cost info not provided — Cheer on the local teams as they face off in an exciting baseball matchup.

Dance Alabama! Spring 2025 Concert

5:30-7 p.m. — University of Alabama Theatre and Dance — Admission details not provided — Experience an evening of captivating dance performances from local talent.

Oklahoma Sooners at Alabama Crimson Tide Softball

6:59-10:59 p.m. — Rhoads Stadium — Check event details for ticket pricing — Witness a thrilling college softball matchup between top teams.

Easter Egg Hunt at Bowers Park

12-3 p.m. — Avenue Pub - Downtown Tuscaloosa — Free food and drinks — Celebrate Easter with a fun egg hunt open to the public.

Jackson Chase Live Performance

6-10 p.m. — 43 Prime — Admission varies — Experience the musical talent of Tuscaloosa native Jackson Chase in an engaging live show.

Puppy Palooza

11 AM – 1 PM — Tuscaloosa Midtown Village — Free entry — Celebrate furry friends with adoptable dogs, activities, and live music at this community event.

Missouri Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Baseball

6:59 p.m. — Sewell-Thomas Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Experience college baseball rivalry under the lights with local teams battling it out.

Southern Soul Explosion

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater — Check for ticket information — Experience a night of soulful music with Calvin Richardson’s new hits.