The Atlantic Hurricane season is underway and Alabama Emergency Management officials are urging state residents to make preparations. It's been several years since Alabama has sustained a major blow from a hurricane or tropical storm and this season is also expected to be less, but state EMA Director Art Faulkner says everyone needs a contingency plan. Faulkner advises making an emergency kit with essential documents and provisions; having plans in place for the elderly, disabled and pets; and have provisions prepared in case of power outrage. More information is available at ema.alabama.gov. Hurricane season runs through November 30th.
Judge Resigns
An Alabama federal judge who resigned after being arrested on spousal abuse charges may have faced impeachment. U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller announced his resignation Friday. Police arrested Fuller on a misdemeanor battery charged in August after his then-wife called police to the couple's room at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta. An order filed Monday in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says the circuit's Judicial Council found that Fuller's conduct may have for impeachment under article II of the Constitution. Fuller's resignation came after months of review by a judicial panel and calls from Republican and Democratic politicians for him to resign. The council says the matter has been referred to the Judicial Conference of the United States.
ASU Commissioner's Cup
For the second consecutive year, Alabama State University has won the Commissioner's Cup Award for the best all-around sports program in the Southwest Athletic Conference. ASU athletic director Melvin Hines says the accolade was well-deserved. Among the many accomplishments of ASU's student-athletes: the women's track program earned SWAC championships in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Both the women's and men's golf teams won SWAC championships this spring. Alabama State Volleyball repeated as conference winners and the men's tennis team won its first ever SWAC title.
Football Future
Fans of UAB are jubilant after Monday's announcement that football is being brought back to the university. UAB President Ray Watts has reversed his earlier decision back in December to shut down the football program as well as bowling and rifle. Now all three sports are returning. Watts says donors have pledged to make up the estimated $17.2 million deficit over the next five years. The sports would be reinstalled in 2016.