http://wvasfm.org en http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-607 <p>Motorists traveling through Alabama during the long Memorial Day weekend will see extra state troopers on the road.&nbsp; Alabama officials announced the extra troopers are the result of the state participating in the nationwide "Click It Or Ticket" campaign to increase the use of safety belts.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Montgomery's 25th Homicide</strong></p> Fri, 24 May 2013 20:59:27 +0000 MelanieHogan 28538 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-605 <p>Keep those seatbelts buckled, the advice comes from the Alabama Department of Public Safety for people traveling through the state during the long Memorial Day weekend.&nbsp; Motorists can expect to see extra troopers on roads and highways participating in the nationwide "Click It Or Ticket" campaign.&nbsp; Many of the state's city and county law enforcement agencies are participating.&nbsp; Troopers, officers and sheriff's deputies also will enforce speeding and other traffic laws.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Alabama Accountability</strong></p> Fri, 24 May 2013 13:57:35 +0000 MelanieHogan 28504 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-603 <p>Alabama health officials say a cluster of respiratory illnesses in southeast Alabama has increased to 10, but they are closing their investigation.&nbsp; State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson said the cases are unrelated and all have reasonable explanations.&nbsp; Health officials found no evidence of new or unexpected viruses or bacteria.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Hurricane Emergency Preparedness</strong></p> Thu, 23 May 2013 22:17:25 +0000 MelanieHogan 28465 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-601 <p>Doctors across Alabama have received notices from the State Department of Health about the&nbsp;unidentified respiratory illness that has killed two&nbsp;and hospitalized five more.&nbsp; The Center for Disease Control and the Alabama State Department of Health were investigating a cluster of hospital admissions Wednesday of people that have recently been admitted with flu-like symptoms in southeastern Alabama.&nbsp; Three remain hospitalized and two have been released.&nbsp; Dr. Wed, 22 May 2013 20:56:30 +0000 MelanieHogan 28386 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-599 <p>Alabama health officials say a mysterious respiratory illness has left five people hospitalized and two dead in the southeastern part of the state.&nbsp; The state Department of Public Health says the seven people were admitted to hospitals in the Dothan area with a fever, cough and shortness of breath.&nbsp; Lab tests from all seven are being analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control.&nbsp; Health officials are urging hospital staff to wear masks when caring for patients suffering from respiratory problems.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ASU Landmark</strong></p> Wed, 22 May 2013 13:51:39 +0000 MelanieHogan 28363 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-597 <p>Alabama's Emergency Management Agency is working with officials in Oklahoma to determine whether additional resources are needed in tornado-ravaged Moore, Oklahoma.&nbsp; The EF4 twister nearly wiped out the town killing more than two dozen people and leaving more than 200 injured.&nbsp; State EMA spokeswoman Yasamie August said the agency has been in contact with EMA officials in Oklahoma.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2013 </strong><strong>Legislature</strong></p> Tue, 21 May 2013 20:49:34 +0000 MelanieHogan 28324 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-596 <p>Alabama's Emergency Management Agency is working with officials in Oklahoma to determine whether additional resources are needed in tornado-ravaged Moore, Oklahoma.&nbsp; The EF4 twister nearly wiped out the town killing more than two dozen people and leaving more than 200 injured.&nbsp; State EMA spokeswoman Yasamie August said the agency has been in contact with EMA officials in Oklahoma.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2013 </strong><strong>Legislature</strong></p> Tue, 21 May 2013 20:49:01 +0000 MelanieHogan 28323 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-594 <p>Alabama's Emergency Management Agency is working with officials in Oklahoma to determine whether additional resources are needed in tornado-ravaged Moore, Oklahoma.&nbsp; The EF4 twister nearly wiped out the town killing more than two dozen people and leaving more than 200 injured.&nbsp; State EMA spokeswoman Yasamie August said the agency has been in contact with EMA officials in Oklahoma.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2013 </strong><strong>Legislature</strong></p> Tue, 21 May 2013 20:46:47 +0000 MelanieHogan 28320 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-592 <p>The Alabama Statehouse is virtually empty today after members of the House and Senate ended their sometimes contentious 2013 regular session late Monday night.&nbsp; Lawmakers approved dozens of bills that included a sweeping change in state gun laws, authorizing bond issues to rebuild storm damaged schools and National Guard armories; passed legislation to revise the state's campaign laws and allowing school systems to hire armed guards.&nbsp; Legislators dealt Governor Bentley a setback by rejecting his proposal to delay private school tax credits for two years.&nbsp;</p> Tue, 21 May 2013 14:14:38 +0000 MelanieHogan 28288 at http://wvasfm.org http://wvasfm.org/post/wvas-local-news-590 <p>The Alabama House has rejected Governor Robert Bentley's proposal to delay private school tax credits for two years.&nbsp; The House voted 57-10 Monday to reject the governor's proposal.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Armed Guards</strong></p><p>The Alabama Legislature has authorized city and county school systems to hire armed security guards to protect students.&nbsp; The Senate voted 21-0 Monday to go along with changes the House made to a school security bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Dick Brewbaker of Montgomery.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>No Expansion of Medicaid</strong></p> Mon, 20 May 2013 22:15:02 +0000 MelanieHogan 28256 at http://wvasfm.org