Good morning, Tuscaloosa.

Visit Tuscaloosa announced staff promotions and a new hire today to boost its tourism efforts — Josh Rivers, Alicia Richards, and Lindsey Lane, who starts on Aug.

24, will lead new roles expanding sports tourism, events engagement, and marketing respectively.

A new Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers will open Aug.

24 on McFarland Blvd off 13th St, hosting festivities starting at 8 a.m. Monday—first 100 customers receive a free combo card and hat while a Lucky 20 drawing and ribbon cutting celebrate the opening with a $2,000 donation to the West Alabama Food Bank.

The Tuscaloosa School Board approved security upgrades for schools today and will soon start installing updated safety systems to protect students and staff.

Students returned to campus yesterday, Aug.

19, for the University of Alabama's first day of classes for the 2026-27 academic year. Campus activities and photo moments marked a lively start to the fall term.

Capstone Health announced Wednesday that it is expanding with a new community health center in Fayette County to offer primary care + pediatrics along with women’s and behavioral health services; planning is underway with more details to come.

City inspectors declared 22 apartments at The Walk uninhabitable due to mold, leaving University students scrambling for new housing.

Crews are testing air vents at the four-story complex behind Julia Tutwiler Hall as issues escalated since late July.

The University of Alabama reopened the President’s Mansion after a nearly $7M facelift on Aug.

18 with a new elevator, stucco repairs, and an expanded porch completed ahead of football season — historic features like an 1800s piano and notable portraits remain.

The future of Legacy at Country Club Apartments on Mimosa Park Road depends on the owners following a city agreement to fix over 600+ housing code violations as they secure financing, repair the property, and provide monthly progress reports within 90 days.

The council recently withdrew condemnation from the agenda.

Cal Poly transfer center Racin Delgatty praised offensive line coach Adrian Klemm for urging a more physical run game and noted his increase to 305 lbs; Alabama contests its fall camp scrimmage today ahead of a season opener on Sept.

5.

Caleb Woodson transferred from Virginia Tech to Alabama football and quickly adapted, adding 13 pounds of lean mass and earning a *captain-type* role after fall camp practice in a similar 4-2-5 defense under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Phenix City native Kinley Rasmus pitched six innings and struck out eight to lead Alabama to a shutout win over Tennessee in the Southeast Region championship at Lamade Stadium on Aug.

19 (her father pitched in the major leagues and her uncle played professionally).