Hello, Election Day…

Weather: Look out, Nawlins. Tropical Storm Isaac — which will probably be up to minimal hurricane strength by the time you read this — is headed for New Orleans and southeast Louisiana. It is expected to make landfall late today, as its forward motion has slowed a bit.

In Central Alabama, the effect of Isaac will be less than first thought, as the storm track will fall well to our west, mainly following the Mississippi River. We should expect rain and breezy conditions to start this afternoon, and continue through Thursday. Isolated tornadoes may pop up in the feeder bands. High temperatures will be in the mid 80s, with lows in the mid 70s. Rain amounts should range from 1-2 inches. Bear in mind that there is still disagreement among the computer models as to the path of Isaac, and any change toward the east will result in heavier rain and winds.

Hicks quits over PAC flap. Evelyn Kay Hicks resigned suddenly from the Fultondale City Council on Monday. She submitted a letter during the council’s midday meeting, saying that she was also quitting as treasurer of the Keep Fultondale Moving Forward PAC (political action committee), which supports the candidacy of incumbent mayor Jim Lowery. She said that some actions by the PAC “were made and executed without my knowledge, consent or approval and such actions are in conflict with my professional ethics and personal beliefs.” Hicks did not specify what those actions taken by the PAC were, but added that the stress of serving on the council and the PAC had taken a toll on her health. Hicks also said she is relocating to south Alabama.

Municipal elections today. Speaking of political action, today is the day for electing mayors and council members in cities across the state. The Fultondale mayor’s race, in which Lowery is challenged by John Douglas, has attracted the most attention because of personal attacks between the two. In Gardendale, incumbent mayor Othell Phillips faces off against challenger Billy Flippo, a former city councilman. There’s also a race to fill open mayor’s seats in Warrior and Morris. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and we’ll have full results here at www.njeffersonnews.com soon after.

Sports: Padres shut out Braves. San Diego extended its winning streak to eight games Monday night with a 3-0 shutout of visiting Atlanta. Catcher Yasmani Grandal drove in all three runs, two of them with a second-inning homer. Casey Kelly gave up three hits over six innings in his Major League debut…. The Birmingham Barons will celebrate their final two games at Regions Park — still known to many fans as Hoover Metropolitan Stadium or “The Met” — on Sunday and Monday with free general admission. The Barons, who will have played 25 seasons in Hoover, move to their new downtown Birmingham park next season.