Good morning, Tuscaloosa.

The UA Graduate School at the Capstone has reached record enrollment with nearly 6,500 students after expanding personalized outreach through call-a-thons (strategic connections) and partnerships with academic departments.

These efforts help guide prospective students through the enrollment process.

Alabama College Application Campaign Week is underway as several universities, including UA, UAB, Auburn, and UWA, waive application fees for students.

The campaign runs until Friday, Oct. 9 — students should review each school's fee-waiver procedures to take advantage of the offer.

Forecasters say a developing Gulf system off eastern Mexico will bring heavy rain and strong wind on Saturday to affect the Alabama-Georgia football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 6:30 p.m. and residents in Tuscaloosa are advised to check weather updates.

Tuscaloosa city leaders have allowed Mayor Walt Maddox to begin property negotiations for a new Northern Riverwalk section extending from Randall Park Trailhead (located on Rice Mine Road) toward McWright’s Ferry Road Bridge; bidding is expected later this year with construction set to start early 2027.

A recent Ojai Recovery study shows that Walker and Bibb counties rank in the state’s top 10 for overdose deaths from 2019 to 2024 while Tuscaloosa recorded fewer fatalities (1 to 9 cases).

Synthetic opioids, especially fentanyl, continue to fuel overdose risks statewide.

Residents should be alert as baby copperheads remain active throughout fall in local wooded areas, hedgerows and near homes.

These small, venomous snakes with distinctive yellow tips can be dangerous if stepped on.

Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb said freshman running back EJ Crowell is growing into his role after strong early performances and will see more carries as Alabama prepares for its matchup against Georgia this Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Freshman linebacker Xavier Griffin was named the Shaun Alexander Award Freshman Player of the Week after making nine tackles and a sack in Alabama’s 56-23 win over Mississippi State on Saturday—his first career honor.

The Tide will host Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Alabama shuffled its offensive line early this season due to player absences—Michael Carroll missed the Lexington game but returned and Jayvin James was sidelined in Starkville—prompting head coach Kalen DeBoer to praise offensive line coach Adrian Klemm for maintaining team performance ahead of Saturday’s game against Georgia.