Happy weekend, Tuscaloosa! In today’s happening-today edition: Road upgrades on the table, a pro boxing show, and a summer reading celebration party + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Neighborhood roads getting upgrades: Weigh in on traffic and safety improvements on Skyland and McFarland. A meeting at Skyland Elementary on June 23 will outline new turn lanes, traffic signal changes, and access upgrades -- get the full project details.
Parks investment moves forward: Tuscaloosa leaders broke ground on a major Belk Center expansion, part of the Elevate Tuscaloosa initiative. Mayor Walt Maddox, Councilor John Faile and PARA CEO Brian Davis attended the ceremony -- see the Belk Center plans.
Major corridor upgrade advances: Construction began this week on the $86 million project’s final phase to expand the Jack Warner Parkway railroad bridge, easing traffic and adding pedestrian space, with work lasting 2.5 years -- follow the corridor work.
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Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Fix that slice, T-Town: If your swing’s been ghosting you, Andrew Peyton Golf pairs Class A PGA Professional cred with TPI Level 2 smarts and a simple domino focus on path, face, attack, and contact. He’s been tuning Tuscaloosa swings at Indian Hills since 2013, so your next round feels less chaotic.
Fry-night plans, solved: When you need a no-fuss dinner that actually hits, Catfish Heaven does golden fried catfish, juicy wings, and its famous Hurricane Fruit Punch, from a family-run kitchen feeding Tuscaloosa for 30-plus years. Clutch for game nights, tailgate prep, or those I-didn’t-cook-again evenings.
In-town RV sanity saver: Full hookups, Wi‑Fi, and a no-fuss setup make Coaches Corner RV Park the easy choice when you want your rig close without leaving Tuscaloosa this week. Perfect for hosting out-of-town friends, a relaxed staycation, or staging up before a River Walk stroll or errands near campus.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧺 City of Tuscaloosa Farmers Market @ Tuscaloosa River Market | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 AM – Saturday mornings at the River Market mean Sweet Grown Alabama produce, fresh bread, artisan crafts, and USDA meats from more than 60 vendors, rain or shine. Park for free by the Riverwalk, stroll, snack, and pretend you came just for tomatoes, not the gossip.
🎨 Kentuck's Art Markets @ Queen City | Saturday (6/20) at 8:30 AM – Third Saturdays across from the Farmers Market mean one thing, Kentuck’s Art Markets. It’s a free stroll of local artists, kid crafts, and a peek into the Kentuck at Queen City gallery, so you can call it culture, not errands. Coffee optional, wallet inevitable.
🐄 Tuscaloosa Barnyard Petting Farm @ Tuscaloosa Barnyard | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Trade screen time for barn time at Tuscaloosa Barnyard, where the kids feed goats and ducks, conquer a giant slide and jumping pillow, and you become the snack czar. Add duck races, a splash pad, maybe a pony ride, and call it quality time spent.
💄 Community Beauty Bash @ MarkedByXAYE Nails & Beauty Salon | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Treat yourself to a low-key glow-up at this Community Beauty Bash, a feel-good mixer with a beauty day raffle, giveaways, and plenty of neighborly cheer. Think less awkward small talk, more pampering vibes, and the chance to finally win something you actually want.
🎲 Schools Out for Summer: Giant Dominoes @ Sawdust and Splinters Makerspace | Saturday (6/20) at 3:00 PM – Whether your crew just escaped the last school pickup line, or you simply want an excuse to reclaim the backyard, this build and decorate giant wooden dominoes session delivers. Build a set together, add your flair, and let the friendly trash talk begin.
🥊 Pro Boxing Show + Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony @ Bryant Conference Center | Saturday (6/20) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’re here for the left hooks or the lifetime achievement speeches, Tuscaloosa’s Bryant Conference Center is serving both in one punchy night. Small room, big energy, and yes, real paper tickets. First row, ringside, general admission, or a VIP table with your crew.
🎉 Summer Reading Celebration Party @ Barnes & Noble | Saturday (6/20) – School’s out, so let the kids go wild the civilized way at the Summer Reading Celebration Party. Young readers get crafts and bragging rights, you get AC, nostalgia, and a quiet minute to sip coffee. First one ever, so you can say you were there. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Tuscaloosa report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 72% Showers and thunderstorms likely between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 83% A slight chance of rain showers before 7am, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 80%. This house is wildThis custom-built 3.5-story home pairs playful outdoor living with a seriously spacious layout. A sparkling heated saltwater pool and covered outdoor kitchen set the scene for gatherings, while inside brings a designer kitchen with a see-through fireplace, an enormous main suite, and a flexible third-story bedroom or media room. The partially finished basement adds even more room to spread out.
Take a peek inside → | | |