Good morning, Tuscaloosa.

Habitat for Humanity & the Saban Center built a “Saban Smart House” with STEM tools for a local family during Habitat’s annual CEO Build on Oct.

28 in Tuscaloosa, with business & community leaders volunteering alongside staff and future homeowners.

Ray Allen, a Tuscaloosa radio personality, died Oct.

29 at his home in Holt; he was 75. He was a Townsquare Media traffic, news and severe weather reporter (known as "Capt. Ray"), served one term on Northport City Council and founded Help Holt Heal; funeral arrangements aren't announced.

Five Points Piggly Wiggly will hold a grand opening Friday with a Chamber ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m., then a vendor fair with two dozen local vendors and free samples from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4205 University Boulevard East (new store adds bakery, deli, floral, specialty meats).

ALDOT warns drivers and pedestrians to take extra precautions after dark as Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct.

31 and daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1 (reduced daylight makes people harder to see). Slow down in neighborhoods, watch intersections, and wear or carry reflective gear and use crosswalks.

Local doctors say seasonal allergies, colds, and sinus infections are rising as temperatures cool, with calls to Dr. Samuel Steele’s office up about 50% this month and some patients testing positive for flu.

He urges getting a flu vaccine and washing hands, and to see a doctor for fever, facial pain, or a bad taste in the mouth.

The annual Breakthrough T1D walk will run 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov.

1 at Verner Elementary (2701 Northridge Road) with free registration, snacks, a live DJ, a Parade of Champions and Breakthrough Mile, and fundraising teams welcome to support Type 1 diabetes research.

Alabama will play LSU in Baton Rouge next Saturday in a high-stakes game for coach Kalen DeBoer, and a loss would all but eliminate the Tide from College Football Playoff contention.

Alabama forward Amari Allen was named to the coaches' preseason All-SEC first team on Thursday, Oct.

29 after a freshman year averaging 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists. The Crimson Tide will open the regular season Tuesday, Nov. 3 against Sam Houston at Coleman Coliseum with a 6:30 p.m. tipoff.

West Alabama high school football ends the AHSAA regular season this week with scores and live updates available, the postseason begins Nov.

6, and state championships run Dec. 2-Dec. 5 in Mobile; many Tuscaloosa-area games stream on the NFHS Network with a subscription.

The Gulf States Independent Athletic Association will open membership applications on Nov.

1 and aims to begin league play with about 50 schools in fall 2027, offering full and associate memberships and initial sports (football, flag football, cross country, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling) plus transfer rules.