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March is Women's History Month!

Alabama Hospitals on Alert

The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued an alert to the state's hospitals to be on the lookout for patients infected with Ebola virus.  State public health officials have told medical facilities to report a suspected diagnosis within four hours, meanwhile; the World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa to be an international public health emergency that requires an extraordinary response to stop its spread.  The organization says there is sufficient concern that the declaration is justified.

Baby Abandoned

Montgomery Police have charged a couple with abandoning a 5-month-old baby who was found sitting in a car seat near Saint James Missionary Baptist Church on South Court Street.  Sgt. Denise Barnes, a police spokeswoman, said the infant was found unharmed Thursday afternoon shortly after 2 p.m.  The baby boy is now in the custody of the Department of Human Resources.  Sgt. Barnes said 18-year-old Deshawn Fields Jr. and 26-year-old Ashley Fields were taken into custody and each were charged with a single count of contributing to the dependency of a minor.  Temperatures in the Montgomery area reached the high 90s and it wasn't immediately clear how long the child had been left outside.  Police said the car seat was covered with ants.   

Merrill's Marauders Day

Governor Robert Bentley has proclaimed this Sunday National WW II Merrill's Marauders Day.  Alabama is one of 36 states honoring the unit.  Merrill's Marauders, as they were called after their commander General Frank D. Merrill, were the first American combat troops to fight the Japanese on the ground in Asia.  93-year-old Gabriel Kinney of Calera is believed to be the only surviving member of the unit living in Alabama.  He says at the time the unit was shown very little appreciation.  The 3,000 members of Merrill's Marauders went into Burma with no exit strategy and an expected 85 percent casualty rate.  The 75th Ranger Regiment continue their legacy by wearing the Marauder patch as their crest. 

Payday Loans

A Montgomery judge has dismissed a lawsuit from payday lenders who challenged regulations requiring a central database to track payday loans.  Circuit Judge Truman Hobbs ruled on Wednesday that the State Banking Department did not exceed its authority last year by ordering a $500 dollar cap on payday loans and a database. 

Suspect on Video

Alabama State University Police and Central Alabama CrimeStoppers have released surveillance video of a male suspect being sought in connection with the sexual assault of a female student.  The sexual assault occurred on the night of May 10th in new Facility 2.  Surveillance video showed a black male wearing a hooded sweatshirt leaving the dormitory in an unknown direction.  Police are asking anyone who can identify or know the whereabouts of the suspect to please call Alabama State University Police Department or CrimeStoppers at 215-STOP. 

ASU 30 Days Campaign

Today is the last day to donate to the "30 Days of ASU Campaign."  The fundraiser has so far pulled in around $115,000 dollars.  ASU President Gwendolyn Boyd said 650 individuals have donated to the campaign that started last month to benefit ASU students and academic programs.  On Tuesday, the university held a first-ever "Sting-A-Thon" that included a live stream all over the country.  Dr. Boyd said in a statement that all donors will be recognized on the ASU website and social media sites.