BFGoodrich News | Sentences In Murder Cases | Big Visitor Spending: Weekend Roundup

TUSCALOOSA, AL — It was another busy week across Tuscaloosa and West Alabama, with no shortage of headlines.

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Every Saturday we will bring you a roundup of the biggest stories we covered over the last week, just in case you might've missed something important.

Scroll through the links below to catch up on the events that shaped the news cycle over the last week in the Tuscaloosa Patch coverage area.

BFGoodrich Shutting Down Longtime Tuscaloosa Plant, Cutting Over 1,000 Jobs

Patch was first to report when employees and local workforce development officials confirmed that BFGoodrich will shutter its Tuscaloosa manufacturing operations.

BFGoodrich Parent Company Cites Operating Capacity In Decision To Close Longtime Tuscaloosa Plant

Here's what the parent company of the Tuscaloosa tire plant had to say in the wake of news that it would be ceasing operations by 2028.

How West Alabama Workforce Officials Plan To Help 1,200 BFGoodrich Workers

West Alabama's leading business and workforce organizations said on Friday they are already working to help employees at the BFGoodrich tire plant prepare for the facility's eventual closure.

Downtown Eatery Earns 2026 Wine Spectator Award Of Excellence

Forté in the Alamite Hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa has been recognized by Wine Spectator for its wine program, earning the publication's 2026 Award of Excellence as part of its annual Restaurant Awards.

Death Row Inmate Convicted Of Brutal Tuscaloosa County Murder Loses Latest Appeal

The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has rejected death row inmate Michael David Belcher's legal challenge to his capital murder conviction and death sentence in the 2015 kidnapping and killing of Samantha Payne.

Dominique Yancey Receives Top Honor From Exchange Club Of Tuscaloosa

Dominique Yancey has been recognized as Exchangite of the Year for her dedication to both the community and the Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Deadly 2023 Shooting

A Tuscaloosa man found guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting death of Rufus Tyrone Carter IV will serve life in prison after receiving his sentence on Tuesday.

Visitor Spending Topped $1B In Tuscaloosa County Last Year

Tourism generated more than $1 billion in visitor spending across Tuscaloosa County in 2025, according to data released Tuesday by Visit Tuscaloosa.

Bryant High Student To Have Artwork Displayed At U.S. Capitol

A Paul W. Bryant High School student is headed to Washington, D.C. this week after earning national recognition as the winner of the Congressional Art Competition for her district.

Early Morning Crash In Holt Kills 2, Injures Driver

Two Tuscaloosa residents were killed and one person was injured in a single-vehicle crash early Monday morning in Tuscaloosa County.

Tuscaloosa County Judge Sentences Man Convicted Of Murdering Indiana Teen

A judge on Monday sentenced a California man to 30 years in prison after a Tuscaloosa County jury found him guilty of murdering an Indiana University student near The Strip in 2020.

Tuscaloosa Native To Lead Stillman College's Inaugural Women's Flag Football Team

Stillman College on Monday announced it has selected alumnus Deon Washington to lead its inaugural women's flag football program.

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