Governor Robert Bentley says Alabama is in a budget crisis and is asking legislators to approve $541 million tax increase. Bentley unveiled proposals Friday that include an 82.5 cent per pack cigarette tax increase and raising the sales taxes on automobile purchases from 2 to 4 percent. Bentley says he has been opposed to tax increases most of his life, but he says "there is nothing more conservative" than the state getting its fiscal house in order. The governor is also proposing to shift earmarks from $187 million in state funds so they can be applied in other areas.
Teenager Dies
The Montgomery Police Department has initiated a homicide investigation following the shooting death of 18-year-old Brandon Brown of Wetumpka. At about midnight Sunday night emergency personnel responded to the 5700 block of Gas Light Curve on a report of a subject shot. Brown was found with an apparent gunshot wound and taken to the a local hospital. He was pronounced dead Friday. Police say no arrests have been made. They are asking for anyone with information on the incident to call them at 652-2831, or the Secret Witness line at 262-4000 or CrimeStoppers at 215-STOP.
Child Adoption
An Alabama appeals court is reversing itself and saying the state must recognized child adoption after a same-sex split-up in Georgia. The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ruled Friday that a woman who is separated from her female partner in Georgia can pursue visitation rights in Alabama. The court unanimously ruled that Alabama courts can't ignore a valid order from another state just because it might not concur with Alabama law. The two women were in a long-term relationship and had three children through artificial insemination. A Georgia court let the non-biological mother adopt the children, and she later sought visitation rights in Jefferson County.
Alabama Barbeque
State officials say this year's Alabama tourism campaign will be focused on barbeque. The Alabama Tourism Department began its 2015 campaign with a conference in Birmingham Friday. Officials say the campaign will include a website and mobile application that will tell users if they're near one of the state's top barbeque restaurants. Officials say the campaign will also feature a documentary film on Alabama's barbeque culture and the announcement of the inaugural class of the Alabama Barbeque Hall of Fame.