Hail and strong winds are expected to hit parts of the state on Tuesday. Forecasters say it isn’t uncommon to see major storms this time of the year. The rise in temperature has caused some things to become unstable which can result in strong to severe storms. Chelly Amin is a Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Huntsville. She says high winds are expected and possibly more…
“Now the threats that we are expecting, generally are kind of from Scottsboro to the west. We are expecting the chance for damaging winds up to 70 MPH, quarter sized hail or larger and the possibility for tornados.”
The worst part of the storm is expected in the late Tuesday afternoon and evening. Residents are encouraged to stay attentive and prepare for the worst possible situations by finding safe places near their home in case of an emergency.
Alabama authorities are on the lookout for two suspects on an apparent kidnapping and carjacking spree. Police in Vestavia Hills say Blake Fitzgerald and Brittany Harper of Joplin, Missouri allegedly entered a home and forced a woman into the family's SUV, which was then stolen. This crime follows the kidnapping of a Tuscaloosa motel manager. That victim was reportedly under a blanket in a stolen car when police say the same suspects tried to rob a fast food manager in Hoover. Fitzgerald and Harper both kidnapping and theft charges.
Budget shortfalls are expected to be the topic of the day during the Legislative session that starts tomorrow. The education budget is expected to go well this year, but the general fund budget needs a little tweaking. That’s according to State House member Bill Poole. He chairs the Ways and Means Committee in the House. Poole says there hasn’t been much growth in the budget, and general fund agencies are asking for more money.
“The general fund’s revenue streams that are dedicated to supporting general fund agencies are relatively flat. Year after year they’ve shown relatively flat growth, or not much growth. While, at the same time Medicaid and prisons are consuming more and more of that general fund budget.”
Poole says the Legislature had a hard time balancing the general fund budget but does not expect to see the same problems in the upcoming session.
If workers in Huntsville are looking for a good paying job, they might look to Remington Outdoor. The firearms manufacturer has exceeded hiring and wage milestones at its new factory and research center. A report from the local Chamber of Commerce shows the firearm maker had three hundred and twenty four employees as of last August. Those workers earned an average hourly wage nearly ten dollars higher than the amount in a deal between Remington, the city of Huntsville, and the state.
