NJN/am for Tuesday, July 14, 2016

Published 7:24 am Tuesday, July 14, 2015

It’s Tuesday, and how about a nice new book today?…

Weather: Scorching today, stormy tonight. The double whammy continues – a heat advisory until 7 p.m., and a slight risk for severe thunderstorms this evening with strong winds, large hail and frequent lightning possible. Highs today will be in the upper 90s and possibly reaching 100, with heat indices between 104 and 109 degrees. Hot and humid again Wednesday with a 40 percent chance of storms, and highs in the middle 90s. Rain chances decrease to 30 percent Wednesday night with lows in the middle 70s.

“Watchman” debuts. The second book to be released by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Alabama native Harper Lee is released today, in one of the most anticipated book introductions in history. “Go Set a Watchman,” which was actually written before Lee’s more-famous “To Kill a Mockingbird,” hits stores and online retailers today. “Watchman” was found by Lee’s lawyer in a safe-deposit box, and was published with some controversy – partly because of elder-abuse issues concerning the reclusive Lee (since dismissed), and partly because the character Atticus Finch is portrayed as racist, contrary to his portrayal in “Mockingbird.” Lee’s hometown of Monroeville is holding a day-long celebration, including a marathon reading of the new book.

This special session is open. Move to adjourn? Gov. Robert Bentley has called for a special legislative session to resolve the state’s budget crisis, but lawmakers in both chambers adjourned shortly after gaveling the session to order Monday. That was expected; legislators will mull over Bentley’s proposals over the next few weeks, which include possible taxes on soft drinks an elimination of the state income tax exemption for Social Security deductions.

Sports: The circus is back. SEC Media Days opened Monday at The Hyatt Hotel in Hoover, with Auburn’s Gus Malzahn opening the festivities by declaring that the Tigers’ offense “won’t change at all” under new quarterback Jeremy Johnson. Today’s schedule features Texas A&M, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Tennessee; coverage is available on the SEC Network and the WatchESPN app.