Forecasters have issued a freeze warning for a large part of Alabama in advance of bitterly cold air expected to soon push into the state. The National Weather Service said the coldest temperatures so far this season are expected to filter into the central part of the state Thursday night into early Friday morning. Forecasters say that several hours of below-freezing temperatures are expected in several counties. The freeze warning covers an area from Hamilton and Gadsden in north to Demopolis and Troy to the south. It includes the Birmingham and Montgomery areas. The freeze warning will be in effect from 9 p.m. Thursday to 9 a.m. Friday.
Legislative Boundaries
A closely watched case over redrawn legislative boundaries in Alabama goes before the U.S. Supreme Court today. Once powerful Democrats are challenging legislative districts drawn by Alabama Republicans that have helped reduce Democratic representation to just eight seats in the state Senate, all of them from districts in which African-Americans are a majority. Democrats, including Tuskegee Representative Pebblin Warren, say GOP did it by misusing a landmark voting rights law to limit their voting strength. Last year, The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, and this case will be watched closely for signs that the rest of the law could be in danger.
Homicide Investigation
There may be a local connection to a homicide case under investigation in Baldwin County. Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson said in a statement that officers detained a 55-year-old man. Chief Johnson said Alvin Minton was taken into custody at a residence on Pecan Drive about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Minton was turned over to the Baldwin County Sheriff's investigators. Over the past few days, authorities on the Alabama coast have recovered a headless torso, a severed head and other human remains found in Magnolia Springs.
Cancer Disparities
Alabama State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been given a federal grant to research and reduce disparities in cancer rates. The $1.5 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health and the National Center Institute will allow both schools to execute cancer-related research and training focused on helping underserved communities. Some of the research will focus on prostate and colorectal cancers, which have disproportionate impacts on minorities.