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Forecasters say there's a chance of severe weather across the state and many areas already are taking precautions.  The weather service says there's a medium risk of tornadoes, flooding and damaging winds across central Alabama today, although chances are lower in the northern and southern ends of the state.  Dozens of school systems in central counties are dismissing students early as a precaution and emergency managers are monitoring conditions in case the weather turns violent.  The National Weather Service says storms will likely begin on the western side of the state and move eastward

Legislation to limit interest on title and pay day loans in Alabama suffered a blow Wednesday morning when the House Financial Services Committee sent the bills to a subcommittee.  A public hearing had been held before that decision was announced.  Stephen Stetson, a policy analyst for Alabama Arise spoke in favor of the legislation.  Charles Hunter with Triton Management, a group representing Title Lenders, says consumers aren't being forced to enter into contract with companies.  The bills by Democratic Representatives Patricia Todd of Birmingham and Rod Scott of Fairfield would cap inter

Strong storms and possible tornadoes are expected to strike Alabama as a cold front begins to sweep across the state.  The National Weather Service said scattered thunderstorms are expected to move into northwest Alabama late tonight.  Forecasters say a few of the storms could be severe.  By late Thursday morning, storms are expected to become more widespread.  Forecasters say locations west of Interstate 65 will be most affected from daybreak through mid-morning Thursday.  The storms are expected to move east of I-65 Thursday afternoon. 

Bentley Re-election

Forecasters say isolated storms are expected across much of Alabama late Wednesday night into Thursday.  The National Weather Service projects that the main threats from the storms will be damaging straight-line winds, hail and heavy rain. 

New Abortion Law

An active duty Marine charged with capital murder in connection with the April 1st slaying of his wife has agreed to be returned to Alabama to face the charge.  Al.com reports that Marine Lance Corporal Marquis Cheatham waived extradition Monday at a court hearing in Jacksonville, North Carolina.  Cheatham is accused of killing Ashley Cheatham while he was on a three-day leave from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Court records showed the couple had been married since December 2011.  A second suspect, 21-year-old Dominique Atkinson, is also charged with murder.  She refused to waive extraditi

Airbus is starting construction on its first U.S. assembly plant in Mobile.  Top company executives and state leaders were in the port city Monday for a ground-breaking at the Airbus site to Brookley Aeroplex.  The $600 million dollar factory is expected to employ 1,000 people once production of the Airbus A320 begins around 2015.  The Mobile factory will join Airbus assembly plants in France, Germany and China. 

Turkey Hunting

It's considered one of Alabama's biggest industrial projects.  Airbus will break ground on a new aircraft assembly plant in Mobile.  Top executives will be on the port city today for a ceremony to mark the start of construction on the Airbus plant at Brookley Aeroplex. 

Pump Prices Drop

Gas prices have been dropping.  The latest AAA Fuel Gauge Report find the average price fell 11 cents over the past month, with a gallon of regular averaging $3.40 statewide.  AAA reports the national average price for regular is 19 cents higher at $3.59 a gallon.

Despite opposition from Alabama sheriffs and business interests, the Alabama Senate worked into the night and approved legislation to ease some of the state's gun restrictions.  The Senate voted 27-5 for the bill sponsored by Republican Scott Beason of Jefferson County.  The legislation which goes to the Alabama House for consideration would allow workers to keep guns locked in their vehicles while at their jobs and it would allow people to get a lifetime permit to keep guns in their vehicles. 

Repeal School Accountability

Alabamians receiving emergency unemployment benefits will see their benefit reduced by 12.8 percent.  State Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees said in a statement the reduced benefits will start for weeks beginning April 28th through September 30th.  The Labor Department estimates that around 16,000 Alabamians currently receive federal emergency jobless benefits. 

Scottsboro Boys

A Montgomery Legislator estimates that a controversial school tax credit could cost the state between $50 to $60 million dollars next year.   Al.com reports the numbers come from State Representative Jay Love, Chairman of the House Education budget committee.  Love said he knows Democrats remain opposed to the Accountability Act, but he believes the changes will help Alabama school children.  The exact cost of the program will depend on how many families take the school tax credit. 

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