Governor Robert Bentley says he's against switching back to the electric chair to resume executions in Alabama. Bentley said he's personally opposed to the idea of resuming electrocutions. The state attorney general's office says executions are at a standstill because the prison system has run out of one of three drugs used in its lethal injection system. Bentley says his office will be in contact with prison officials seeking alternative ways to perform lethal injections. Some 200 people are currently on death row in the state.
Prayers Upheld
House Speaker Mike Hubbard is praising the U.S. Supreme Court decision that says prayers at the opening of town council meetings don't violate the Constitution. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that the prayers used by the town council in Greece, New York, are ceremonial and in keeping with the nation's traditions. Hubbard says the ruling protects the prayers that the Alabama Legislature uses at the start of each meeting day.
Bitcoin
A new form of currency called Bitcoin can now be traded for goods and services. An alternative to paper money, this virtual money, can be stored in an electronic wallet online. Joe Borg, Director of the Alabama Securities Commission, says some retailers are beginning to catch on to this new idea. Borg says there are risks associated with the concept, the virtual money is not protected by the federal government.
Corruption Trial
A special Lee County grand jury that has been investigating possible government corruption will meet again next week. The state attorney general's office filed court papers saying the grand jury will be in session May 13th- 16th. The court papers were filed in the case of Republican state Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise. he turned himself in April 24th in Opelika after the special grand jury indicted him on charges of perjury and giving false statements to law enforcement. He is the second legislator to face charges resulting from the investigation.