It’s Friday, gateway to your weekend….
Weather: Gorgeous today, not tomorrow. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, ad Mr. Rogers said back in the day. It’ll be sunny and warm with a high near 80, and nighttime lows in the upper 50s. But things turn wet and stormy Saturday afternoon, with the best chance of storms on Sunday and persisting all the way through Tuesday. Highs will be in the middle to upper 70s this weekend, with lows around 60.
Traffic: ALDOT plans more blasting and another rolling roadblock for this afternoon in the Corridor X construction zone. It’s the usual deal: northbound lane, starting at Spaghetti Junction at about 1:30 p.m. Traffic on U.S. 31 south of the exit with I-65 in Fultondale will be affected, too. Next Monday, I-20/59 through Bessemer will be closed in the southbound lane for repaving. The standard detour is I-459 for through traffic, or else take Bessemer Super Highway.
Charter schools bill dies. The bill approved by the state Senate last week, which allowed charter schools on a very limited basis, was voted down by the House, largely because of the restrictions in the Senate version. The Alabama Education Association claimed victory in the political skirmish, while charter school supporters vowed to return with more legislation in the next general session.
Obama changes stance. President Obama changed his position on gay marriage Wednesday, saying that he now supports its legalization. Obama’s change came one day after voters in North Carolina — a key swing state in the upcoming election — overwhelmingly approved a state constitution amendment that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. Religious leaders from the Roman Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention slammed the president on moral grounds, while presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney reaffirmed his strong opposition to gay marriage.
Sports: In high school softball, the North Central Regional begins at Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills Games start at 8 a.m., with Mortimer Jordan playing Wenonah and Corner taking on Munford. At 9:30 it’s Gardendale vs. Northridge and Hayden against John Carroll Catholic. All four of those teams will play their second games at either 11 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Fultondale plays Lamar County at 5, with a second game to follow at either 6:30 or 8. We’ll be there to provide coverage throughout the day at njeffersonnews.com and on Facebook…. Bass fishing: The Hayden High club won its second straight Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association state championship with a third-place finish at the season-ending tournament at Millers Ferry Reservoir. The Wildcats won the season chase by 130 points over Hartselle.
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