News

Montgomery, Alabama – One of the two bills before the Alabama Legislature would clearly define crimes of "moral turpitude", but an advocate for felons says the measure would undo gains in the current laws that restore felons rights.

The Reverend Kenneth Glasgow, founder of Ordinary People Society, based in Dothan stated in the Montgomery Advertiser that, "It appalls me now that at this particular time in history, after we have crossed so many barriers that anyone would want to put up anything that would cause another human being to have rights taken away".

March 2,2009 – Listen,now,to some of the stories making headlines the Monday, March 2,2009.

Montgomery,Alabama – (AP) - A summary of action in the Alabama Legislature on Thursday, the eighth meeting day of the regular session:
HOUSE
-Passed a bill to appropriate $8 million for building an
elementary school in the Walker County town of Oakman to replace a
building that was heavily damaged by a tornado. Goes to Senate.
-Approved legislation to limit the liability of owners of land
leased for hunting and fishing if someone is injured on their
property. Goes to Senate.

Montgomery, Alabama – (AP) - Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has urged legislators to pass a bill that would dramatically rewrite Alabama's ethics law.
The governor, at a news conference Thursday, wouldn't rule out
calling lawmakers back to Montgomery for a special session if they
do not pass the proposed legislation in the current regular session
that ends in mid-May.
Rep. Mac Gipson of Prattville and Sen. Ben Brooks of Mobile have
introduced identical versions of the bill in the House and Senate.

Birmingham, Alabama – (AP) - A human rights group has filed suit
alleging there's rampant violence, overcrowding and inhumane
conditions at Alabama's Donaldson prison near Birmingham.
The Southern Center for Human Rights filed the federal
class-action lawsuit Thursday claiming Donaldson prison is so
overcrowded that three inmates are crammed into cells measuring
only 8 by 12 feet.
The suit says the roof leaks and the prison smells of human
waste. It outlines a dozen incidents of major violence such as

Montgomery,Alabama – Listen,now, to some of the stories making headlines this hour in the WVAS Newsroom.

Montgomery, Alabama – MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A Republican-backed plan to phase out
the state sales tax on groceries has received a public hearing
before a state Senate committee. But the plan's sponsor, Sen. Scott
Beason of Gardendale, predicts the bill won't get out of the
committee.
The Senate Finance and Taxation-Education Committee held a
public hearing on Beason's bill Wednesday. The committee is
scheduled to vote on the bill next week.
The bill would remove 1 percent of the state's 4 percent grocery

Montgomery, Alabama – The penalties are being handed down for the two high school basketball teams involved in an on court brawl during Alabama High School Athletic Association play last week.

Montgomery's George Washington Carver High School faces a $2,600.00 fine, and its boys basketball team will NOT be allowed to play in any tournaments next year. The AHSAA said it might lift the tournament ban at a later date depending upon Carver's actions over the next few months.

Montgomery,Alabama – Listen,now,to some of the stories making headlines this hour in the WVAS newsroom. Send your news items to Tana Shealey via e-mail at tshealey@alasu.edu or call us at 334-229-4783.

Montgomery, Alabama – Two Tuskegee residents are being held int he Macon County Jail on murder charges. Tuskegee Police are charging 34 year old Alvin Piner and 42 year old Catherine Hernendez in the death of 39 year old Derrick Bailey.

Bailey was found semi-conscious along Highway 29 Tuesday night and later died.

Police have not released the cause of death.